WHY CO-OP?
An organisation that works for you, not outside investors
Yenda Producers is a co-operative, which means every decision is made with one group of people in mind: the members. When the organisation does well, the benefits flow back to you.
How a Co-operative is different
In most organisations, customers and shareholders are two separate groups whose interests often compete. A co-operative removes that tension entirely.
Regular organisation
Yenda Producers Co-operative
What you get as a member
How profits are shared
As the co-operative prospers, so do its members. This structure ensures the organisation remains aligned with the people who rely on it.
When Yenda Producers performs well, profits are directed to:
Co-operative values
Co-operatives around the world are built on a shared set of values that shape how they operate and relate to their members and communities.
These values are supported by ethical principles of honesty, openness, social responsibility and care for others.
The 7 co-operative principles
All co-operatives are governed by seven core principles adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance in 1995 and enshrined in Australian co-operative law.
If you would like to learn more about co-operatives and the principles that guide them, you can explore:
Ready to become a member?
Join an organisation that puts your interests at the centre. Membership opens the door to rebates, dividends, Prepay Rewards and a genuine say in how Yenda Producers operates.
How does a co-op differ from a regular business?
The main difference lies in
ownership and accountability
How does a co-op differ from a regular
business?
The main difference lies in ownership and accountability.
In most private or public companies, there are two groups to satisfy:
- Customers
- Shareholders
Often, these interests compete. Profit is typically distributed to shareholders who may not use the business at all.
A co-operative is different. The shareholder and the customer are the same person. There is only one set of interests to answer to: the members. Each member has an equal voice, regardless of the size of their shareholding. This democratic structure means decision-making reflects collective needs rather than external investor priorities.
Business decisions are guided by co-operative principles, balancing profitability with the long-term wellbeing of members and their communities.
Yenda Producers Co-operative are committed to supporting members across all our locations, with a strong emphasis on local employment and local communities. Our approach takes a long-term view.
Our purpose is to encourage the building of wealth and sustainability for members and their communities by working in partnership with all stakeholders.
A co-operative is a business owned and democratically controlled by the people who use its services. Rather than existing to maximise returns for outside investors, a co-op is designed to deliver long-term value to its members and the communities they are part of.
What is a co-operative?
At its core, a co-operative is:
Members benefit in two key ways:
This structure ensures the business remains aligned with the people who rely on it.
What is a co-operative?
How does a co-op differ from a regular
business?
The main difference lies in ownership and accountability.
In most private or public companies, there are two groups to satisfy:
- Customers
- Shareholders
Often, these interests compete. Profit is typically distributed to shareholders who may not use the business at all.
A co-operative is different. The shareholder and the customer are the same person. There is only one set of interests to answer to: the members. Each member has an equal voice, regardless of the size of their shareholding. This democratic structure means decision-making reflects collective needs rather than external investor priorities.
Business decisions are guided by co-operative principles, balancing profitability with the long-term wellbeing of members and their communities.
Yenda Producers Co-operative are committed to supporting members across all our locations, with a strong emphasis on local employment and local communities. Our approach takes a long-term view.
Our purpose is to encourage the building of wealth and sustainability for members and their communities by working in partnership with all stakeholders.
Allocation of profit
As the co-operative prospers, so do its members.
Profits are:
-Returned to members through rebates and dividend distributions
-Reinvested into improving services and infrastructure
where we live and work
Co-operative values
Co-operatives are built on shared values:
Self-help
Self-responsibility
Democracy
Equality
Equity
Solidarity
They also uphold ethical principles of honesty, openness, social responsibility and care for others.
Co-operative principles
All co-operatives are generally governed by the same seven core principles, which were adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance in 1995. The principles, listed within Section 10 of the Co-operative Nation Law, are:
1. Voluntary and Open Membership;
2. Democratic Member Control;
3. Member Economic Participation;
4. Autonomy and Independence;
5. Education, Training and Information;
6. Co-operation among Co-operatives;
7. Concern for the Community.
If you would like to learn more about co-operatives and the principles that guide them, you can explore:
If you would like to learn more about co-operatives and the principles that guide them, you can explore:
https://fed.coop/
https://fed.coop/our-principles/
https://bccm.coop/
https://youtu.be/inc9y3doqGc
A co-operative is more than a structure. It is a way of doing business that places people, community and long-term sustainability at the centre of every decision.