Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
October 13, 2017

Provincial Government Recognizes Co-op Week

During the St. John’s Farmers’ Market tomorrow (Saturday, October 14) at 1:30 p.m., the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, will join Josh Smee, Chair of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market Co-operative, and Valerie Carruthers, from the Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives to sign a proclamation to officially mark October 15-21 as Co-op Week across Newfoundland and Labrador.

There are more than 90 vibrant co-operative enterprises and credit unions throughout the province, employing over 1,500 people. The St. John’s Farmers’ Market Co-operative was established in 2010 and has a membership of approximately 50 vendors and consumers. The market operates every Saturday from June through the end of December at the Lions Club Chalet in St. John’s.

For over 100 years, co-operatives throughout Newfoundland and Labrador have played an instrumental role in driving business and economic development while serving the needs of their members and their communities. These co-ops and credit unions are owned by thousands of individual members in communities throughout all regions of our province.

Recently, the Provincial Government and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Co-operatives (NLFC) signed a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the NLFC annual general meeting. Through Budget 2017, government has committed $100,000 in 2017-18 to the NLFC to ensure it can support the sector, deliver co-op development capacity sessions, and identify new opportunities.

Quotes
"Co-operatives and credit unions help deliver key services, create opportunities and stimulate economic activity in all regions of the province. Co-ops in Newfoundland and Labrador have grown considerably, especially in rural regions, and we will continue to build on this sector as it nurtures and develops even more. I applaud the work of all involved in the co-operative community for their contributions to the community development of our province, and wish them continued success.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

"The St. John's Farmers' Market Co-operative is proud to be a part of the co-operative movement in Newfoundland and Labrador. As a new co-operative, our members have accomplished a lot in just a few years, and that wouldn't have happened without the skills and expertise of many other co-ops."
Josh Smee
St. John’s Farmer’s Market

“We thank Minister Mitchelmore for his continued support for the growth and development of co-operatives and credit unions in the province. Our partnership agreement with his department will enable us to continue to promote the benefits of the co-op business option and maintain our capacity to assist groups engaged in the development of new co-ops in the province”
Glen Fitzpatrick
Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives

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Learn More
St. John’s Farmer’s Market - stjohnsfarmersmarket.org External Link Icon

Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives - nlfc.coop External Link Icon 

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL External Link Icon and @TCII_GovNL External Link Icon

Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

Josh Smee
St. John’s Farmers’ Market Co-operative
709-725-3049

Glen Fitzpatrick
Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives
709-726-9431

2017 10 13                                                    4:10 p.m.