Vermont’s beloved food co-ops tell a story of resilience, shared ownership, and a model that has shaped the region’s economy for nearly a century. In a recent interview with Edible Vermont, Erbin Crowell, Executive Director of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association, offers an in-depth look at how co-ops became such a defining part of New England’s food landscape.
Crowell traces the evolution of food co-ops from early efforts during the Great Depression to the waves of community activism that followed, helping explain why these member-owned businesses continue to thrive in times of social and economic uncertainty.
“When we think about the challenges we’re facing today… the goal is to build strong, resilient, inclusive communities. And people have in their hands this tool to do it themselves,” Crowell says.
Read the full interview to learn more about Vermont’s unique place in co-op history, the role food co-ops play in supporting local farmers and producers, and why 2025—the Year of Cooperatives—arrives at a pivotal moment.