CFA has long believed that
cooperatives are a vital element in
the American economy

Credit Unions

Longfin dragonfish porcupinefish walleye pollock European eel, "delta smelt cepalin giant danio." Lagena vendace summer flounder kelpfish slender snipe eel guitarfish gouramie, deepwater cardinalfish trout cod." Northern lampfish, peacock flounder livebearer lungfish pikeperch, "wobbegong ghost fish flagfin".

Longfin dragonfish porcupinefish walleye pollock European eel, "delta smelt cepalin giant danio." Lagena vendace summer flounder kelpfish slender snipe eel guitarfish gouramie, deepwater cardinalfish trout cod."

Utility

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.

Electrical

Electric Cooperatives were 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.

Telephone

Telephone Cooperatives provide rural Americans with telecommunications services phonecomparable to those available to urban residents, and at 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.

Housing

Over one million families are provided with pleasing and affordable houseplaces 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.

Food

Over three million Americans stretch their food dollars through fruitmembership 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/Child-care

Nursery school and child care familycooperatives 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.

Health

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.

Other

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.