It is the International Year of Cooperatives

Did you know that 2012 is the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives? The UN General Assembly passed a resolution recognizing the diversity of the co-operative movement around the world, and urging governments to take measures aimed at creating a supportive environment for the development of co-operatives.

One of our Canadian customers, the Ontario Natural Food Co-op (ONFC), has been working cooperatively since 1975 to foster a sustainable food system, bringing to market natural, organic and local foods and products within a cooperative environment. A member-owned and directed wholesaler, ONFC distributes more than 4,000 grocery, refrigerated, frozen, bulk and household items to natural and organic retailers in the eastern half of Canada.

ONFC also produces and distributes a line of locally produced natural and organic products under the private label, Ontario Natural - made locally from Ontario farms. The company has established itself as the preferred supplier to small and large natural food stores, wellness clinics, daycare centers, buying clubs, bakeries, restaurants, and independent grocery stores. ONFC products are certified by:

• Canadian Organic Growers
• Ecocert
• Pro-Cert Organic (formerly Organic Crop Producers & Processors)
• ISNA Halal Certification Agency
• Ocean Wise – national Vancouver Aquarium conservation program

Based in Mississauga, Ontario, the ONFC’s current Ontario natural selections include:

• Organic tomatoes – crushed, diced, whole, paste
• Organic burger patties, ground lean and stewing beef
• Fresh, in mason jars – tomato soup, red beet borscht, squash and apple soup, carrot soup, mushroom soup, gazpacho, etc. (all organic)
• Organic Kimchi-style spicy sauerkraut
• Organic beef sauerkraut, and carrot sauerkraut
• Organic tofu
• Wild whitefish, wild lake trout
• Grain dough, whole spelt dough
• Tomato sauce with basil, roasted red pepper, mushrooms, or pizza and bruschetta sauce

The ONFC employs more than 55 full-time employees, and has been led by Randy Whitteker, General Manager, since 1992. Upon implementing the JustFoodERP system, he said, “ONFC has a requirement to better integrate core business processes such as membership, logistics, inventory planning, and order fulfilment… We carefully evaluated the ERP playing field through a diligent evaluation process. In that time, it was clear that JustFoodERP was the right partner for our co-op into the future.”

We are glad to support a thriving local cooperative, and thank the United Nations for making this the year to acknowledge the power of cooperatives around the world. To learn more about 2012 Year of Cooperatives – U.S., visit http://usa2012.coop and for Canada, www.canada2012.coop/. You can follow them on Twitter @CoopsYear.

Are you a member of a food cooperative (and therefore a co-owner of the business)? What have been your experiences, and do you recommend it to others? Leave your comments here.

Heather Angus-Lee

With a background in trade journalism, including a long stint as editor of a national manufacturing magazine, Heather Angus-Lee is the marketing writer for IndustryBuilt Software. When she isn’t turning our customer implementations into delightful stories, she can be found hiking with her three large dogs or reading. Heather can be reached at heather.angus-lee@industrybuilt.com.