News item
Food Co-op Initiative to Lead Effort to Start Retail Food Co-ops
The founding partners of Food Co-op 500 have announced that the organization will be moving beyond its pilot project phase to become a new non-profit corporation. FOOD CO-OP INITIATIVE will receive principal support through a 5-year grant totaling $1 million from the Blooming Prairie Foundation, and additional support through grants from other co-op businesses and foundations. Stuart Reid, a current consultant with Food Co-op 500, has been named Executive Director of Food Co-op Initiative; operations of the new organization will launch June 1, 2010.
Food Co-op Initiative will use the new financial support and non-profit status to provide broader services to the hundreds of volunteer groups working to bring improved access to food and other economic and social benefits to their communities. The original project was envisioned and brought to reality by the National Cooperative Bank (NCB), Cooperative Development Services, CDS Consulting Co-op, and the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) in response to the surging wave of interest in establishing new retail food co-ops. Over the last five years the organization has built a reputation for its specialized technical resources, training, and personal support to groups trying to form new food co-ops.
The founding partners of Food Co-op 500 will continue to provide resources and support to Food Co-op Initiative. “NCGA has a vital interest in the growth and development of the food co-op sector. We look forward to supporting the success of Food Co-op Initiative,” said Robynn Shrader, NCGA’s chief executive officer.
“National Cooperative Bank recognizes the tremendous social impact of food co-ops, and is a strong advocate of expansion nationwide. We are proud to be a founding member of the Food Co-op 500 and will support the growth of food co-ops promoting local, healthy communities for many years to come”, states Chuck Snyder, President & CEO of NCB.
The Blooming Prairie Foundation supported these initial efforts with grants that were awarded to start-up co-ops for organizing activities and feasibility research. According to Anya Firszt, Chair of the Blooming Prairie Foundation, “We see this commitment to supporting new co-ops as an important legacy that the pioneers of the food co-op movement are leaving to the future generation. Our foundation was established through the financial success of Midwestern co-ops and we believe Food Co-op Initiative will ensure that more communities can share that success well into the future.”
“The Blooming Prairie Foundation’s generous contribution has made it possible for us to continue and expand work that Food Co-op 500 has become known for. If start-up groups are to be successful, they need support and inspiration from the existing food co-op community. I hope food co-ops will join the BP foundation in supporting the Food Co-op Initiative!” Marilyn Scholl, CDS Consulting Co-op manager and Food Co-op Initiative Board of Directors.
There are currently over 150 communities across the U.S. involved in efforts to open co-op grocery stores, and new requests for assistance arrive almost daily. Food Co-op Initiative’s Executive Director Reid says, “It is no wonder—people are tired of food systems that they cannot trust and that do not respond to their needs. Starting a co-op allows a community to regain control of their most basic survival needs and encourages economic activity throughout the region.” Food Co-op Initiative will provide technical advice, instruction manuals, development grants and training for individuals and groups that are founding new retail food co-ops.
Over the next months Food Co-op Initiative will be rolling out their new web site (www.FoodCoopInitiative.coop.) In the meantime, resources and information will continue to be available through the Food Co-op 500 web site, www.foodcoop500.coop.
