Social value strategy drives community impact for Co-op Wholesale retailers via MADL
As part of the Co-op Group, Co-op Wholesale has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering long-term social value across its operations - from helping build stronger communities and creating better access to opportunity, to staying the course on climate action.
The move supports the Group’s new social value strategy, developed in direct response to views from more than 37,000 Co-op members, which revealed deep concerns about inequality, division and opportunity across the UK.
As a business owned by its members, Co-op has pledged to double down on the issues they care about most: sustainability, social mobility, and community cohesion.
For Co-op Wholesale, this means putting social value at the heart of how it works with retailers and partners, with a clear focus on collaboration, accountability, and impact.
Through the long-standing charity Making a Difference Locally (MADL), the wholesale business already helps independent retailers fund thousands of local causes each year – from family support charities to youth mentoring and climate-focused groups.
Kate Carroll, Social Value Lead at Co-op Wholesale, said: “Social value isn’t a side project at Co-op Wholesale - it’s a fundamental part of who we are.
"Whether we’re funding books for pupils who might not have access at home, or supporting grassroots climate resilience projects, we’re helping our partners become local champions for opportunity and fairness.
"Our role in the Co-op Group strategy means working hand in hand with retailers to keep investing where it matters most – and we’re proud to keep building on that.”
In the last year alone, Co-op Wholesale - through MADL - has donated over £1 million to community causes across the UK. These include:
· Fenland Baby Bank, which received £5,000 to create a safe and warm hub for local families in one of the UK’s most deprived areas. The funding paid for kitchen upgrades and boiler repairs to help new mums find a sense of connection and support.
· Stelling Minnis Church of England Primary School, which received £300 to buy quality reading books after pupils asked for better access. The funding supports literacy development, especially for children from lower income backgrounds.
· Polden Environmental Network, which secured £2,000 to enhance local green spaces, plant 100 climate-resilient trees, and engage communities in biodiversity and conservation efforts.
· Hand in Hand, a small charity supporting vulnerable members of the Jewish community, received £5,000 to help young people volunteer in providing support to families facing serious hardship, illness and isolation.
The work sits across the three pillars of the Group strategy:
· Access to opportunity: from apprenticeships and skills development to targeted support for young people, including rehabilitation and early education.
· Access to a sustainable future: through science-based carbon reduction, biodiversity support and investment in UK agriculture.
· Access to peace of mind and wellbeing: including community safety initiatives, tackling hate and division, and enhancing everyday resilience.
The Group’s new strategy also aligns with Co-op Wholesale’s efforts to embed environmental and social considerations into supply chain decisions, procurement models, and retail partnerships.
As other businesses scale back on their ESG ambitions, Co-op is choosing to move forward, guided by the voices of its members and communities. The strategy will shape how Co-op Wholesale works and grows - ensuring the benefits of its business reach communities far and wide.
Social value isn’t a side project at Co-op Wholesale - it’s a fundamental part of who we are.
