NCBA CLUSA is excited to announce and thank the first group of partners who will exhibit at the 2018 Co-op Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on October 6 and 7: Organic Valley, Divine Chocolate, Frontier Co-op, the National Association of Housing Co-ops and the Greenbelt Co-op Alliance/City of Greenbelt.
Partnering with us once again to sponsor the Co-op Festival Kids’ Zone, Organic Valley will host an interactive exhibit to teach kids about cooperative farming. Last year, kids learned how to make butter, milk cows and even “name that [barnyard animal] poop.” Learn more about our high visibility opportunities.
Farmer-owned since 1988, Organic Valley is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018. What began as seven farmers who believed food should be organic and farmers should be treated fairly is now a cooperative of more than 2,000 small family farms. We’re excited to have Organic Valley back again this year!
Get to know our other exhibitors:
- Divine Chocolate is co-owned by the 85,000 farmer members of Kuapa Kokoo, a cooperative in Ghana that supplies the cocoa for each bar of Divine. As owners, Divine farmers get a share in the profits, a say in the company and a voice in the global marketplace. They’ll be handing out samples at Co-op Festival.
- Frontier Co-op began as a two-person operation in 1976 in cabin in Eastern Iowa. Since then, they’ve grown steadily to become a major supplier to the natural products industry. Find their herbs, spices and teas at your local food co-op!
- The National Association of Housing Co-ops represents housing co-ops and other resident-owned housing and advocates for the model as the best and most affordable form of home ownership. Housing co-ops offer the more than 1 million families who live in them a democratic ownership structure, limited liability, lower costs and nonprofit status.
- The Greenbelt Cooperative Alliance will be a first-time exhibitor at this year’s Co-op Festival. Founded in the earliest days of the city, the alliance unites Greenbelt’s many co-ops and helps foster new startups.
We appreciate this first group of partners and we’re looking forward to welcoming you and your co-op to our lineup, too! As a festival partner or exhibitor, you have access to dozens of opportunities to amplify consumer messaging and audience engagement. Whether you’re a hardware store or a food co-op, a cheese brand or a bank, we’ll work with you to maximize your brand’s visibility and help tell a compelling story about cooperative impact.
Learn about all of our engagement levels in the 2018 Exhibitor Kit and be sure to fill out our exhibitor interest form at www.coopfestival.coom/exhibit. You can also sign up to volunteer or plan your visit at our website.
Missed the inaugural Co-op Festival? Watch the video or enjoy this photo album featuring some of our favorite moments!