Food co-ops Are they worth it? I set one up to find out

Intrigued by the concept and the possibility of big savings amid cost of living pressures, Tom Duggins rallies others for a communal shop

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Most people would probably jump at the chance to save up to 40% – and maybe more in some cases – on their food shopping each week. Yet if it meant discarding our consumer culture of speed and convenience in favour of old-fashioned ideas such as knocking on doors and collaborating with the neighbours, would that enthusiasm remain?

As far as the not-for-profit food co-op organisation Cooperation Town is concerned, the answer is: yes, people just need encouragement.

Launched in 2019 on an estate in Kentish Town in north London with the specific aim of promoting solidarity in place of charity, its founders quickly discovered that demand was high.

Cooperation Town has since gone from strength to strength. It is now helping more than 30 community food co-ops around the UK to buy wholesale and acquire surplus groceries from businesses to feed themselves at a significant discount.

Everyone typically chips in £3 to £6 a week, and the economies of scale help to make that collective pot go much further.

A few months ago, intrigued by the concept and the potential savings that could be made, I approached Shiri Shalmy, one of the co-founders of Cooperation Town, about setting up my own food co-op.

Much as I liked the idea, I wondered how easy it would be to agree on what food to order, and I also felt unsure about the time commitment.

“Not everyone will get everything they want,” Shalmy said. “But most people will get everything they need. The specialist stuff, you go to the shop for. I do that, because I can’t expect 20 other households to want the same type of dessert that I like. But it turns out most people, no matter where you are in the world, eat rice, pasta, fresh fruit and vegetables.”

As for the time commitment, Shalmy explained that most co-ops ran smoothly and were simple to manage, so long as everyone shared the work.