Local farmers and ranchers opened our first store in Calgary over 65 years ago.
Calgary Co-op has been serving Calgarians since 1956 when we opened our first store with local farmers and ranchers selling fresh, farm-to-table foods—even before farm-to-table was a buzzword. Based here in Calgary, Co-op prefers to source as much of our food as possible from Calgary, across Alberta, and throughout western Canada. At Calgary Co-op, we want our members to feel good about choosing our fresh, local products, and to get to know the people who produce them and the places they come from, and that’s why our local selection is always growing. We also want to ensure Co-op members get the highest-quality local products at the lowest possible price.
We acknowledge that our Calgary Co-op businesses are located on the traditional territories of the Treaty 7 peoples, including the Blackfoot Confederacy, comprising Siksika, Piikani and Kainai First Nations, the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Stoney Nakoda, including Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley First Nations; and our locations are situated within the Métis homeland and the home of the Métis Nation of Alberta , Region 3.
We’ve Always Put Kitchen Tables Ahead of Boardroom Tables
National chains answer to a head office. We answer to you. Because to us, local isn’t just another trend: It’s a promise, one that requires dedication, long-term investment, and commitment. We think it’s well worth it. Which is why we’ll continue to serve Calgarians with local fresh Food, Pharmacy, Fuel, Wine Spirits Beer, Cannabis, and Home Health Care, in the years to come.
Private Brands
We feel so strongly about having the best local food for you to choose from, we put our money where our mouths are and started our own community-focused local brands… three of them! Learn more.
Members of the Calgary Co-op adopted principles of management modelled after the British Rochdale Co-op which was established in 1844 and is noted as the first modern cooperative. Rochdale Co-op’s founding principles remain at the heart of Calgary co-op today.
Those founding principles are:
Owned by members, Calgary Co-op is now one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America. Our locations in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks and Strathmore include: food centres, pharmacies, gas stations, car washes, commercial cardlocks, home health care centres, wine, spirits and beer locations, cannabis and Community Natural Foods, which was recently acquired in 2019.
With over 440,000 members, 3,850 employees, assets of $627 million and annual sales of $1.2 billion, Calgary Co-op has been recognized as one of Alberta's Top 75 Employers for several years in a row and is committed to delivering an exceptional customer experience through inspired team members.
At Calgary Co-op four committees form the backbone of our governance model. The Audit, Governance, Human Resources, and Nominations Committees all provide oversight to the Board’s most complex areas.
Members Representing Members
There are three officers of the Board: Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. Board appointment of officers, committees and representatives takes place each year following the Annual Meeting.
Strong Direction & Leadership
Investing in the communities where you, our members and employees, live and work. Meet the people responsible for our strong direction and leadership.
The backbone of our governance model.
At Calgary Co-op four committees form the backbone of our governance model. The Audit, Governance, Human Resources, and Nominations Committees all provide oversight to the Board’s most complex areas.
2023 Elections
The share you purchase when you join Calgary Co-op allows you to participate in the “one member-one vote” democratic process to nominate an eligible Member-owner as a candidate for the Board, vote in Director Elections and actively participate in meetings of Member-owners.
Annual Meeting of Member-Owners
Each year Calgary Co-op holds its annual meeting of member-owners. At the annual meeting of member-owners, member-owners are presented with the financial statements of Calgary Co-op for the preceding financial year, the results of the director election, and special business requiring member-owner approval is considered, if applicable, and management of Calgary Co-op provides an overview of the cooperative’s past performance and future strategy.
Thank you to those that attended our annual meeting of member-owners on April 7, 2022. For more information about our next annual meeting of member-owners, click here.
Our Bylaws Code of Conduct
Calgary Co-op is truly the original “local” grocery store
Back in the mid-1950’s, Calgary Co-op was just getting started; the first store opened downtown on November 15, 1956 with a small but enthusiastic grand opening celebration. Founded by farmers, ranchers, and food producers banding together to sell their wares to a dedicated membership of local buyers, Calgary Co-op is truly the original “local” grocery store.
The idea behind membership in a grocery co-operative like Calgary Co-op was to allow members to own and have an interest in the success of the store—and a say in the products it carries. Members have a financial interest in the success of the cooperative (often through receiving monetary returns based on the frequency of shopping and spending) and in turn they support its success by shopping there.
The grand opening of “store number one,” was held on November 15, 1956, and despite the success and elation at their entrepreneurial venture, it was a small affair. While the local press declined to cover it, Calgary‘s then-mayor Don MacKay was there to cut a ribbon, and the 1000th member joined on that very day in November.
By 1958 membership had climbed to 3,350 and Co-op purchased the land next to the downtown centre for a service station. In 1960 Calgary Co-op had opened its second store, the North Hill Centre on 16th Ave. NE. Membership grew to 5,525, sales reached $2 million, and that time the staff numbered 115. Soon after, more new stores opened including the McLeod Trail Centre (1963), and Brentwood Centre (1965). Membership climbed to 23,038.
Gordon Barker probably says it best: “Calgary co-op was formed by ordinary people who wanted a business they could rely on when others failed to provide them with the services they needed. We must never lose sight of why Calgary Co-op was formed: to serve its members and to be a contributing partner in the community.“
