At the end of May, grocery cooperative leaders from across the United States gathered in Tacoma, Washington, for the Consumer Cooperative Management Association’s (CCMA) 2026 conference. This year’s theme celebrated how cooperatives—grounded in democratic ownership—spark positive change and strengthen communities through the ripple effects of collective action. When cooperatives join forces, their impact grows. Together, they help build resilient food systems, keep wealth rooted locally, and advance community well-being.
Hosted by the UW Center for Cooperatives (UWCC) in partnership with Puget Sound–area co-ops and regional partners, CCMA 2026 brought together 375 leaders from 91 food cooperatives nationwide. Host partners included Central Co-op, Olympia Food Co-op, PCC Community Markets, The Food Co-op – Port Townsend, Northwest Cooperative Development Center, Kitsap Community Food Co-op, Skagit Valley Food Co-op, and Community Food Co-op.
The conference opened with a panel titled Integrity, Care, and Equity Under Pressure, featuring food cooperative leaders from the Twin Cities. Panelists shared how their co-ops navigated increased federal immigration enforcement activity earlier this year, including ICE-related actions affecting their communities. They discussed approaches to policy development, staff support, and leading cooperatives in politically diverse environments. Many noted parallels between these challenges and those faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Saturday, Tandy Harvey, the new CEO of National Co+op Grocers, presented her vision for the future of the business services cooperative serving retail food co-ops nationwide. She emphasized that co-ops have a unique competitive advantage rooted in their collaborative culture—one that prioritizes shared success over competition. Harvey highlighted three key industry trends shaping the future: the value revolution, rising omnichannel expectations, and growing demand for products that support health, sustainability, and ethical values.
The conference also celebrated excellence across the cooperative sector through the 2026 CCMA Cooperative Excellence Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the movement. Award recipients included:
- Cooperative Excellence: Portland Food Co-op (Maine)
- Cooperative Service Award: Melinda Schab, Moscow Food Co-op (Idaho); Bruce Phlegar, Roanoke Co-op (Virginia)
- Cooperative Impact Award: LaDonna Sanders Redmond
- Cooperative Innovation & Achievement: Bruce Mayer, Wegner CPAs
- Cooperative Board Service Award: Kimberly Lomonaco, Board Chair, Three Rivers Co-op (Tennessee)
- Bill Gessner Startup of the Year: Charles River Food Co-op (Massachusetts)
- Food Co-op Startup of the Year: South Philly Food Co-op (Pennsylvania) and Suncoast Market (California)
