Development Model
Four Cornerstones
The four cornerstones in the Food Co-op 500 Development Model are Vision, Capital, Talent, and Systems. Each is critical to the success of a new cooperative and supported with assistance of the program and use of the model throughout the process.
I. Vision: “The articulation of hopes and dreams of a founding group”
- Broad, Long-term, Inspiring and
- Specific and Local
- Refined as the emerging co-op moves through the development stages
- Includes the co-op as a solution to a common problem or need
- Core values and purpose
- A vision of the process of developing a food coop
II. Talent: “Those invested in the co-op’s success”
- Champion(s)
- Steering Committee or Task force
- Board of Directors
- Developer
- Management (Development Project Manager, Facility Project Manager, General Manager)
III. Capital: “Financial resources necessary for all stages of development”
- Organizing
- Feasibility
- Business Planning
- Implementation
- Sustaining (recover and reinvest)
- Internal resources are used to leverage external resources
IV. Systems: “Organized, integrated, coordinated, and interdependent methods”
- Legal
- Governing
- Planning & assessment
- Communication and Marketing
- Finance & Accounting
- Operations
- Commitment to continuous improvement
- Systems become more complex through the stages
Development Stages
Stage I: Organizing
Emerging Co-op:
Brings about the organization
- One or more people start with an idea
- Recognition of a common problem or need that a food co-op could meet
- Includes
- Convening a core group
- Assessing common interest and needs
- Designating leadership
- Building a shared vision
- Committing time and money
- Brings about the organization
Stage II: Feasibility & Planning
Emerging Co-op:
Brings about the operation
- An organized group with commitment, interest and capacity
- Assesses market potential and internal readiness
- Includes
- Feasibility – deeper assessments of financial, market and organizational capacity
- Planning – a business plan for financing and operations
- Builds commitment and capacity (both leadership and management)
- Brings about a secured site for the operation
Stage III: Implementation
Emerging Co-op:
Brings satisfaction of Member needs
- Demonstrated capacity in all the cornerstones
- Includes
- Preconstruction
- Construction & Renovation
- Preparation for Opening
- Sustaining - First Year and Beyond
- Brings about the satisfaction of member needs
