A Legacy of Food Security: A History of Food Co-ops in the Northeast
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This presentation from the Neighboring Food Co-op Association’s track of workshops “Co-operatives in the Food System” at the 44th Annual NOFA Summer Conference covers how food co-ops foster and support farmers and food security. See examples of how food co-ops in the Northeast have used economic organizing for a lasting impact on our food system and economy, laying the groundwork for the organic, natural foods, and local movements. Presenters: - Bonnie Hudspeth: Membership Programs Manager, Neighboring Food Co-op Association. - Suzette Snow-Cobb: Sourcing Coordinator, Neighboring Food Co-op Association.
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A Legacy of Food Security: A History of Food Co-ops in the Northeast
- 1. NOFA Summer Conference 2018 Amherst College, Amherst, MA 1 A Legacy of Food Security A History of Food Co-ops in the Northeast NOFA Summer Conference 2018
- 3. ¡ How do food co-ops foster and support farmers and food security? ¡ How have food co-ops in the Northeast used economic organizing for a lasting impact on our food system and economy, laying the groundwork for the organic, natural foods, and local movements? NOFA Summer Conference 2018 3 OUR TOPIC Putney Food Co-op, Putney, VT
- 4. 1. History of Co-ops 2. Co-op Difference 3. Co-ops as Incubators 4. Driving Collaboration, Innovation & Success 5. Impact: Local to Global 6. Questions & Discussion OVERVIEW NOFA Summer Conference 2018 4 NFCA “Go Co-op” shelf tags promoting co-op products.
- 5. Industrial Revolution (1800s) ¡ Concentration of Economic Control ¡ Dramatic Shifts in Wealth ¡ Poor Working Conditions ¡ Dislocation of Local Economies ¡ Limited Access to Healthy Food NOFA Summer Conference 2018 5 ROOTS OF THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT
- 6. ¡ Founded 1844 ¡ Weavers, Unionists, Community Activists ¡ Member-Owned Store ¡ Pure, Affordable Food ¡ Employment ¡ Co-op Principles ¡ Establish a Co-operative Economy NOFA Summer Conference 2018 6 ROCHDALE SOCIETY OF EQUITABLE PIONEERS
- 8. EARLY CO-OPERATION IN THE NORTHEAST Northampton (MA) Association of Education & Industry ¡ Founded 1842 ¡ Multiracial abolitionist community ¡ Community owned silk mill ¡ 140 members at peak ¡ Sojourner Truth, William Lloyd Garrison NOFA Summer Conference 2018 8
- 11. OUR REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE ECONOMY New England & New York ¡ 8,860 co-ops ¡ 9.5 million members ¡ $14 billion in revenue ¡ $100 billion in assets ¡ 55,000 employees ¡ $2 billion in wages Source: http://reic.uwcc.wisc.edu/ NOFA Summer Conference 2018 11
- 15. WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT A CO-OP AS A BUSINESS? INCOME From Members & Other Consumers EXPENSE Achieve Member- Defined Mission & Ends NOFA Summer Conference 2018 A Co-op is designed to meet purposes and ends identified by its Members — the Users of the business who are are transformed through Membership into its Owners. The success of the business depends on Member patronage — their purchase of goods and services. Co-ops must be profitable in order to serve their Members over time. However, expenses are better described as value- added. The goal of the co-op is not to maximize profit for owners or outside investors, but to achieve its mission or ends and operate at cost, with any surplus (income less expenses) reinvested to further advance these goals or refunded to its Members. SURPLUS 15
- 16. VALUE-ADDED: ECONOMIC IMPACT INCOME OTHER EXPENSE NOFA Summer Conference 2018 SURPLUS Refunded Reinvested When you shop at a co-op, you are getting more than just good food. You are contributing to a larger mission and impact through your purchases… Local Purchases Organic Purchases Fair Trade & Co-op Purchases Member Discounts Employment, Pay & Benefits Healthy Food & Membership Taxes Community Donations 16
- 17. NOFA Summer Conference 2018 17 CO-OPS AS INCUBATORS Co-ops have a long history of with local agriculture and response to community need. ¡ Food Co-ops of the 70’s ¡ Identifying gaps in market ¡ First to support small farmer/value added ¡ Investment in supply & co-op formation ¡ Healthy Food Access
- 19. REGIONAL FOOD CO-OP IMPACT In 2007… ¡ 17 food co-ops in Western New England ¡ 64,000 members ¡ $161 million in revenue ¡ $33 million in local purchases ¡ 1,250 Employees D. Hoffer (2008) NOFA Summer Conference 2018 Putney Food Co-op, Putney, VT 19
- 20. NEIGHBORING FOOD CO-OP ASSOCIATION ¡ New England & New York ¡ 37 Co-ops & Start-Ups ¡ 130,000+ members ¡ 2,000+ employees ¡ $49+ million in wages ¡ $315+ million revenue ¡ $60+ million in local purchases NOFA Summer Conference 2018 10 YEARS LATER: REGIONAL SCALE 20 NFCA Member Food Co-ops (Yellow) & Start-Ups (Green)
- 22. PARTNERING FOR FOOD SECURITY Increased impact through collaboration… ¡ Cooperative Fund of New England ¡ Hunger Free Vermont ¡ New England Farmers Union Programs: ¡ Food For All (Needs Based Discount) ¡ Basics (Lower Cost Staples) ¡ Double Up Veggie Bucks ¡ Shop on a Budget ¡ Cooking Classes NOFA Summer Conference 2018 22
- 23. ¡ Member Food Co-ops reported… § 13 with Food for All Programs § 2,714 participants in Healthy Food Access programs ¡ Positioned to be Policy Advocates for Food Security § Partnered to defeat NH Senate Bill 7 FOOD SECURITY & ECONOMIC INCLUSION Food for All Program Impact at City Market, Onion River Co-op NOFA Summer Conference 2018 23
- 24. Harnessing our shared purchasing power to… …Drive Sourcing Innovation REGIONAL SOURCING NOFA Summer Conference 2018 24 NFCA Frozen Products at Monadnock Food Co-op (NH)
- 25. REGIONAL SOURCING: ARTISAN CHEESES ¡ Raise awareness of local artisan cheese makers § “…wouldn’t have made it w/out the program.” –cheese maker ¡ Local distributor Provisions International ¡ Monthly special at reduced price ¡ Available at NFCA co-ops ¡ 42,600 lbs sold to date NOFA Summer Conference 2018 25
- 26. ¡ Co-ops as food system innovators ¡ 2 year exploratory pilot as experiment ¡ Challenge: Reliable processing, price, distribution ¡ 24,075 pounds sold to date NOFA Summer Conference 2018 26 REGIONALLY SOURCED FROZEN FRUIT & VEGETABLES
- 27. You also help: ¡ Keep it Local ¡ Provide Good Jobs ¡ Support Sustainability ¡ Build Community NOFA Summer Conference 2018 YOU GET MORE THAN GOOD FOOD WHEN YOU SHOP AT YOUR LOCAL 27
- 28. OUR LOCAL IMPACT IS PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER A global movement with… ¡ 2.6 Million Co-ops Worldwide § From farming to food, healthcare to insurance, housing to finance ¡ 1.2 Billion Members § 3x the number of direct shareholders in corporations ¡ 250 Million Jobs § More than multinationals ¡ $2.2 Trillion USD in Sales Co-ops: A Global Movement for Participation & Impact (Image ICA/ILO) NOFA Summer Conference 2018 28
- 29. LOCAL Local Food Co-op REGIONAL NFCA & Other Regional Associations NATIONAL NCG, NCBA CLUSA (UW Study) GLOBAL ICA World Co-operative Monitor Co-ops empower people to build a better world, together. ¡ As economic actors à create opportunities for jobs, livelihoods and income ¡ As people-centered enterprises with social goals à contribute to social equity and justice ¡ As democratic institutions à controlled by their members, playing a leading role in society and local communities. NOFA Summer Conference 2018 29 CO-OP IMPACT: LOCAL TO GLOBAL