| Type | Consumers' cooperative |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1953 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Key people | |
| Industry | Grocery store |
| Products | Organic food |
| Revenue | USD 133.2 million (2008)[1] |
| Members | 45,000 |
| Website | pccnaturalmarkets.com |
PCC (Puget Consumers Co-op) Natural Markets is a food cooperative based in Seattle, Washington. With over 45,000 members, it is the largest consumer-owned food cooperative in the United States.[2]. Both members and non-members may shop at the retail locations, but members receive certain discounts. The organization currently operates nine retail locations. Five of the nine stores are located in Seattle (in the Fremont, Green Lake, Seward Park, View Ridge and West Seattle neighborhoods). The other four are located in Issaquah, Kirkland, and Redmond, and Edmonds.
PCC was started in 1953 and continues to function member-owned and operated. The members govern through established bylaws and yearly elect a Board of Trustees who represent the interests of the members. Like other grocery cooperatives, the profits from the retail store operations go directly back into the stores or to the community (through classes, education or charitable efforts).
Current PCC programs include:
PCC has a supporting relationship with Central Co-op's Madison Market, a grocery co-op on Capitol Hill. In 1978, Capitol Hill Co-op dissolved for financial reasons and, in keeping with the principle that co-operatives cooperate with other cooperatives, PCC agreed to provide technical and financial assistance for the Central Co-Op to replace it.[3]