Starting a Co-op

Like other businesses, every co-op starts with the recognition of a need or an opportunity. One or two people willing to put in some time and energy can motivate a group interested in starting a co-op. Members of such a group have a mutual need that can be addressed through joint action. They could, for example, be faced with an uncertain market for their products or require necessary supplies or services at “reasonable prices”. Acting together to address that need, they can achieve something which none of them could achieve alone.

Source: How to start a cooperative, Cooperative Information Report 7, USDA RB-CS (1996)