Here in northern New Mexico we had many such cooperative strategies.
Among them-
The ejido system of common land ownership- AKA community land grants-
The acequia system of democratic common water management by those who use the ditch-
A system of livestock gifting that enabled new herds to be established-
The matanza - a communal slaughter of pigs. Rather than develop a host of methods to preserve pork, community members would regularly hold matanzas. Young and old would show up, everyone had their role, the elders would direct, the children would gather
firewood and water to scald the pig, women would cook, men would butcher, etc. The pork was cooked up and much of it consumed at the matanza. Care was taken also to distribute some to the elderly and infirm who could not participate. And into the evening, the singing, the music, the drinking.
In the old part of the town in which I live, one of the arroyos is named the manteca arroyo. Manteca being Spanish for lard. It is where many of the matanzas were held.
The matanza was not only a food distribution system, it was a cultural keystone. Through the matanza, everyone was brought together, and the lesson was reaffirmed that so long as everyone accepted their role in the community and contributed, everyone received what they needed in return.
There are events called matanzas in the area nowadays, but
IMO they are not the same, they are usually some affluent dude putting on a
feed, with employees doing the slaughtering and the cooking. Sends a far different message along the lines of "kiss the rich guy's backside and you'll get free food." Ick.