Consumer Cooperatives

Around 5,000 credit unions supply financial services for about 130 million consumers nationwide. Using up-to-date technology, they offer a wide range of services at prices that are usually lower than those of for-profit institutions. For example, credit unions usually charge fewer and lower fees, and lower loan rates, than do competitors.

Because credit unions serve the broad middle class, they can meet the needs of an increasing number of underserved communities, including youth, seniors and minorities. As many banks abandon low-income communities, a growing number of credit unions are finding ways to serve low and moderate income households.

Cooperatives provide electricity and telephone services to more than 30 million people. Cooperatives also offer state-of-the-art television and telecommunications services at competitive prices.

Formed by citizens in communities where the investor-owned power companies would not provide service. Today, these cooperatives continue to find ways to provide better service at competitive prices. And, with increased opportunities for consumers to choose their electric supplier, new energy cooperatives can provide consumers with the means to come together and find options for more competitively priced power for their homes.

Provide rural Americans with telecommunications services comparable to those available to urban residents, and at a reasonable cost. Through digital switching and transmission facilities, they offer enhanced services, such as customer calling features, Internet access, and other advanced services. Many cooperatives also provide cable TV, direct broadcast satellite TV, and various forms of wireless communications services.

Over one million families are provided with pleasing and affordable places to live through housing cooperatives. Owned and controlled by residents, cooperative housing often provides significant savings over physically comparable rental or single-family housing.

Because families who own their own homes have a greater stake in their neighborhoods, private economic development organizations and local governments are encouraging the development of housing cooperatives. Housing cooperatives are an effective way to provide home ownership for low-income Americans.

Over three million Americans stretch their food dollars through membership in nearly 5,000 food cooperatives. Food cooperatives have been pioneers in unit pricing, nutritional labeling and the sale of bulk and natural foods.

Price comparison surveys done by CBS This Morning and Mothers and Others for a Liveable Planet have found significant savings through food cooperatives.

Nursery school and child care cooperatives provide quality care for half a million families. The cooperative structure gives parents a real voice in their child’s education.

In cooperative nursery schools and child care centers, parents determine policy, participate as aides in the classroom and serve on committees for such things as raising funds, purchasing supplies and maintaining equipment. This parental involvement cuts expenses so that the savings can be passed on to members.

Cooperative health maintenance organizations (HMOs) provide comprehensive health care for more than one million Americans coast to coast. Because they have been able to provide high-quality care at the lowest cost while satisfying the needs of their customers, these health care providers play an important role in our country’s health care system. Other consumer cooperatives provide services such as mutual insurance, buying clubs, television satellites, and funeral arrangements. Cooperatives on college campuses offer book, food and housing services for student members. Many of these and other cooperatives are locally owned and managed by members in communities across the country.

Provide services such as mutual insurance, buying clubs, television satellites, and funeral arrangements. Cooperatives on college campuses offer book, food, and housing services for student members. Many of these and other cooperatives are locally owned and managed by members in communities across the country.