NCGA Announces ‘My Co-op Rocks’ Contest Winners

Grocery poetry, guitar-playing strawberries and bulk-aisle dancing are just a taste of the entertainment provided by six winners in the My Co-op Rocks Video and Photo Contest, a nationwide competition challenging co op fans to fire up their cameras and unleash their creativity to share all the reasons their co ops rock.

Hosted by the National Cooperative Grocers Association, in partnership with the National Cooperative Business Association, National Association of Housing Cooperatives and U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives, the contest attracted videos and photos from across the country celebrating co-ops of all types.

“We’re continually impressed with the energy and creativity that co-op members, employees and shoppers bring to the contest,” said Robynn Shrader, NCGA’s CEO. “The passion people have for their co-ops is contagious and inspiring.”

The public reviewed entries submitted March 1 through April 30 and selected winners in video and photography categories. NCGA awarded prizes to the top three entries in each category. First-place winners received a $1,500 co-op gift card or donation to an eligible non-profit, second-place winners received a $750 co-op gift card or donation, and third-place winners received a $250 co-op gift card or donation.

Video Winners

First Place
The Skagit’s Got the Stuff – Skagit Valley Co-op, Mount Vernon, Wash.

Second Place
Onion River Rock – City Market, Onion River Co-op, Burlington, Vt.

Third Place
Wild Oats Co-op Rocks – Wild Oats Co-op Market, Williamstown, Mass.


Photography Winners

First Place
I go bananas for Valley Natural Foods! – Valley Natural Foods, Burnsville, Minn.

Second Place
Cooperative Living Organization – Cooperative Living Organization, Gainesville, Fla.

Third Place
Sweet Potatoes – The Common Market, Frederick, Md.

The Iowa-based National Cooperative Grocers Association, founded in 1999, is a business services cooperative for retail food co-ops located throughout the United States.