From Soil to Sovereignty—Good Food for All
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This keynote presentation was given by Ruth Tyson, Coalitions Coordinator for the Food & Environment program at Union of Concerned Scientists, from Neighboring Food Co-op Association's Eighth Annual Meeting & Celebration. Tyson facilitates the Good Food for All Coalition, which unites grassroots and national organizations around a vision for a just, equitable, and sustainable food system. Tyson asked NFCA's member food co-ops to consider: "How well does your Co-op’s Membership, Staff, and Board represent your community’s demographics? What are you doing to increase this representation and participation, and how can you, as an association of Co-ops, use your collective purchasing power and policy advocacy to support racial equity in the food system?”
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From Soil to Sovereignty—Good Food for All
- 1. EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING From Soil to Sovereignty: Good Food for All! 23 March 2019 Morning Sessions Greenfield Community College Greenfield, MA NEIGHBORING FOOD CO-OP ASSOCIATION Images courtesy of Union of Concerned Scientists.
- 2. 1. Adamant Food Co-op, VT 2. Brattleboro Food Co-op, VT 3. Buffalo Mountain Co-op, VT 4. City Market, Onion River Co-op, VT 5. Co-opFoodStores,HanoverCo-op,NH&VT 6. Fiddleheads Food Co-op, CT 7. Flatbush Food Co-op, NY 8. Franklin Community Co-op, MA 9. GreenStar Co-op Market, NY 10. Honest Weight Co-op, NY 11. Hunger Mountain Co-op, VT 12. Leverett Village Co-op, MA 13. Littleton Food Co-op, NH 14. Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, VT 15. Mohawk Harvest Co-op, NY 16. Monadnock Food Co-op, NH 17. Morrisville Co-op, VT 18. Old Creamery Co-op, MA 19. Plainfield Food Co-op, VT 20. Portland Food Co-op, ME 21. Putney Food Co-op, VT 22. River Valley Co-op, MA 23. Rutland Area Food Co-op, VT 24. Springfield Food Co-op, VT 25. Ticonderoga Food Co-op, NY 26. Upper Valley Food Co-op, VT 27. Wild Oats Co-op Market, MA 28. Willimantic Food Co-op, CT NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 WELCOME, FOOD CO-OPS! 1
- 3. 1. Androscoggin Food Co-op, NH 2. Assabet Village Co-op Market, MA 3. Common Share Food Co-op, MA 4. Electric City Food Co-op, NY 5. Granite City Co-op Grocery, VT 6. Great River Co-op, NH 7. Mad River Co-op Market, CT 8. Merrimack Valley Food Co-op, MA NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 WELCOME, START-UPS! 2
- 4. ¡ Artisan Beverage Co-op ¡ Cabot Creamery Co-op ¡ Cooperative Fund of New England ¡ CDS Consulting Co-op ¡ Federation of Southern Co-operatives ¡ Firebrand Cooperative ¡ Food Co-op Initiative (FCI) ¡ National Co+op Grocers ¡ National Cooperative Bank (NCB) ¡ New England Farmers Union ¡ Real Pickles Co-op ¡ Saint Mary’s University ¡ Seven Roots ¡ Shared Capital Cooperative ¡ UMass Amherst Interns ¡ Union of Concerned Scientists ¡ Valley Alliance of Worker Co-ops (VAWC) NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 WELCOME, PARTNERS & GUESTS! 3
- 5. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LEAD SPONSORS 4
- 6. ¡ Keynote Speaker § Ruth Tyson, Union of Concerned Scientists ¡ Board Report § Faye Mack, President § Sue Miller, Treasurer ¡ Staff Report § Erbin Crowell, Bonnie Hudspeth, Suzette Snow-Cobb § Legislative Update: Roger Noonan, New England Farmers Union ¡Lunch § Neighboring Co-operator Award ¡Peer Dialogs ¡Afternoon Workshops § Integrating Impact into Planning § Addressing Climate Change § Feasibility Assessment ¡Elections & Appreciations § John Crane, Vice President ¡Evaluations & Raffle NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 AGENDA FOR THE DAY 5
- 7. Ruth Tyson ¡ Coalitions Coordinator for the Food & Environment Program, Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) ¡ Good Food for All Coalition NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 OUR KEYNOTE 6
- 8. From Soil to Sovereignty: Good Food For All ruth tyson Coalitions Coordinator Union of Concerned Scientists
- 9. Overview ● Key takeaways ● Intro to ruth and UCS ● Defending science and equity in food system advocacy (why we can’t separate sustainability from justice) ● Farmer disparities and distribution of resources ● Food retail disparities ● Policy and Equity Opportunities and Solutions for Co-Ops
- 10. Key Takeaways 1. There are many problems with our food system, and the impacts often affect communities of color disproportionately. 2. We must advocate for policies that promote sustainable and equitable food production, procurement, and distribution by minimizing harm and increasing good. 3. Co-Ops occupy a critical role with their advocacy potential, purchasing power, ownership/employment opportunities, and distribution of fresh healthy affordable food. 4. Cooperative development, ownership, and operations must be inclusive, centering restoration and reparation to ensure we don't perpetuate the inequities persistent throughout our food economy.
- 13. The food system is complex.
- 14. The food system, by many accounts, is not working.
- 16. “Sustainability without justice is simply sustained injustice.” -Maria Whittaker
- 17. Our Responses to Complex Systems… Are Complex!
- 18. What is Racial Equity?
- 19. USDA Agricultural Resource Management Survey, 2011 % Acres
- 26. Political Economy of the Farm Bill Annual Cost Per Individual Taxpayer
- 29. Food Sovereignty “Food sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems. It puts the aspirations and needs of those who produce, distribute and consume food at the heart of food systems and policies rather than the demands of markets and corporations.” – Declaration of Nyéléni, the first global forum on food sovereignty, Mali, 2007 Credit: U.S. Food Sovereignty Alliance
- 31. Where are the black-owned grocery stores in Detroit? A preliminary assessment of racial equity in retail food ownership Sarah Reinhardt, MPH, RD, and Ruth Tyson The Union of Concerned Scientists “In Detroit, a major city that's 80 percent African American, there are no black-owned grocery stores.” Detroit Metro Times, March 2017 “[Dwayne] Boudreaux is one of the nation’s few remaining Black people operating full-service supermarkets. No organizations track the number, but sources familiar with the situation and some of the remaining grocers suggest that fewer than 10 Black- owned supermarkets remain across the entire country.” Civil Eats, January 2018
- 32. 0.85 1.24 Ownership disparity ratio: percent firms owned / percent population
- 33. 0.85 1.01 0.14 5.42 0.47 Ownership disparity ratio: percent firms owned / percent population
- 34. 1.56 0.36 Sales disparity ratio: percent sales / percent firms owned Non-Hispanic White People of Color
- 35. Sales disparity ratio: percent sales / percent firms owned 0.38 0.35 0.25 1.40
- 36. 1.59 0.33 Employment disparity ratio: percent employed / percent firms owned Non-Hispanic White People of Color
- 37. Employment disparity ratio: percent employed / percent firms owned 0.30 0.41 0.28 0.38
- 38. A Solution: Detroit People’s Food Co-Op Credit: Citylab Credit: Model D
- 39. Policy and Equity Opportunities ● Good Food Purchasing Program ● Good Food Communities Campaign ● Conservation Stewardship Programs (CSP, CRP, EQIP) ● Child Nutrition Reauthorization ● Dietary Guidelines ● Local Foods Programs (FINI, HFFI, LAMP) ● Defense of SNAP + WIC ● Local and Federal Policies that support cooperative development and sustainability ● Get out of your comfort zone! Inclusion requires diversity at the table not just on the receiving end of decisions ● Share policy opportunities in your member newsletters ● Collect data to demonstrate the socioeconomic benefits of cooperatives ● Set up meetings with your members of Congress to share your stories and key asks ( you know your experience best!)
- 40. Thank You To stay connected to UCS, text “food justice” to “662-266” Credit: Preston Keres, USDA
- 41. Continuing the Conversation (Small Groups) QUESTION 1: How well does your Co-op’s Membership, Staff, and Board represent your community’s demographics? What are you doing to increase this representation? QUESTION 2: How can we, as an association of co-ops, use our collective purchasing power and policy advocacy to support racial equity in the food system?
- 42. Faye Mack, President Sue Miller, Treasurer BOARD REPORT NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 41
- 43. ¡ Faye Mack, President (Board Member, City Market, Onion River Co-op, VT) ¡ John Crane, Vice President (General Manager, Portland Food Co-op, ME) ¡ Sue Miller, Treasurer (Co-General Manager, Upper Valley Food Co-op, VT) ¡ David Durfee, Secretary (General Manager, Wild Oats Co-op Market, MA) NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT ¡ Katharine Arnold (Management Collective Member, Buffalo Mountain Co-op, VT) ¡ Kari Bradley (General Manager, Hunger Mountain Co-op, VT) ¡ Neomi Lauritsen (General Manager, Springfield Food Co-op, VT) ¡ Michael Wells (Board Member, Putney Food Co-op, VT) ¡ Chris Whiton (Operations Manager, Littleton Food Co-op, NH) 42
- 44. ¡ Draft Minutes in Packet ¡ Edit to Item 3, Approval of Minutes: A vote of 2/3 of Member Co-op present was required for passage, and the amendment was approved with 20 Members Co-ops voting for the amendment, 0 voting against, and 2 abstaining.. The minutes were approved as written ¡ Thank you, Joanne Todd, Willimantic Food Co-op! NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 43 APPROVAL OF MINUTES ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2018
- 45. ¡ Each Member Co-op has 1 Vote ¡ Call for Motion to Approve as Amended ¡ Second ¡ Any Discussion ¡ Call for a Vote § In Favor (Raise Voting Card) § Opposed (Raise Voting Card) § Abstain (Raise Voting Card) NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 APPROVAL OF MINUTES ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2018 44
- 46. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 TREASURER’S REPORT: INCOME 2018 45 74% 8% 18% Dues Income Frozen Sales Other Income
- 47. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 EXPENSE 2018 46 71% 6% 14% 5%4% Personnel COGs Programs Operations Other
- 48. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 SUSTAINABILITY: RETAINED EARNINGS 47 $- $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
- 49. Peer Networking § Peer Networking Event for Board Members § Expand Impact of HFA Program Marketing & Education § Inclusive Economy § Hoffer Study 10th Anniversary Regional Sourcing § Invest in Partnerships § Project Sustainability Organizational Development § New Members § Opportunities for Alignment with NCG NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 2018 PRIORITIES 48
- 50. Erbin Crowell Bonnie Hudspeth Suzette Snow-Cobb Guest: Roger Noonan, New England Farmers Union STAFF REPORT NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 49
- 51. The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) is a regional federation of food co- ops working together toward a shared vision of a thriving co- operative economy, rooted in a healthy, just and sustainable food system, and a vibrant community of co-operative enterprise. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 VISION 50
- 52. The Neighboring Food Co- op Association supports growth, innovation, and shared success among our member food co-ops through collaboration, education, and partnerships. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 OUR MISSION 51
- 53. ¡ Peer Training § Board § Co-op Café § Executive Education ¡ Start-Up Support ¡ Healthy Food Access NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 52 PEER NETWORKING & TRAINING
- 54. § Start-Up Peer Calls: 18 Group Calls § 3rd Annual NE Start-up Workshop Day § Site Visits § Collaboration to Support Urban Greens (RI) to Open § CDS CC, FCI, Firebrand NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 SUPPORTING START-UPS 53
- 55. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 CO-OP CAFÉ 2018 ¡Co-hosted by NFCA ¡Food Co-ops and Start-Ups from across Northeast ¡Focus on Inclusion and Expanding who our Co-ops Serve and Represent: “Expand the Vision of ‘We’” ¡Co-op Café 2019 Date: Saturday, Oct. 19th 54
- 56. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY CO-OPERATIVE BUSINESS TRAINING 55
- 57. Executive Education Course – 2 Days Enhancing Business Performance through Co-operative Management Practices: How to Strengthen Identity, Loyalty and Participation Interactive professional development opportunity: – How to approach the management of a co-operative – Competitive advantages using the co-operative model – Co-operative economic trends Hosted with Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA discount) Greenfield, MA October 24-25, 2019 Registration open! www.ManagementStudies.coop
- 58. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 EDUCATION & OUTREACH Raising awareness of our Food Co-ops through… ¡ Inclusive Economy ¡ Hoffer Study 10th Anniversary ¡ Ads & Press ¡ Regional Conferences ¡ Tools for Marketing & Education ¡ Co-op Month Photo Contest 57
- 59. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 EDUCATION & IMPACT ¡ UMass Co-operative Enterprise Collaborative ¡ 2018 – 9 internships ¡ Hoffer Study 10 yrs Later § Revenue grew 39% to $224M § Local Products 23% to $64.7M § Membership 38% to 88,000 § Employment 20% to 1,485 ¡ Welcome Sansha, Jacob, Marc, Emily & Kyle 58
- 60. Harnessing our shared purchasing power… ¡ Programs § Cave to Co-op § Farm to Freezer ¡ Partnerships Essential ¡ Part-time Staff ¡ Federation of Southern Co-ops Collaboration § Welcome Ben Burkett NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 REGIONAL SOURCING 59
- 61. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 FARM TO FREEZER ¡Food Co-ops as Food System Innovators ¡Northeast Grown Frozen Fruits & Vegetables ¡Available Exclusively to Member Co-ops ¡2018: Three Years since Relaunch ¡New Product: Northeast Grown Green Peas! 60 5,505Pounds of NFCA Northeast Grown Frozen Fruits & Vegetables Purchased by Member Co-ops in 2018
- 62. Supporting long-term sustainability… ¡Organizational partnerships ¡NCG Collaboration ¡Expanded Membership Base §Flatbush Food Co-op §Androscoggin Food Co-op (Start- Up) §Electric City Food Co-op (Start- Up) NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 61 ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- 63. Increasing our impact through collaboration… ¡ Peer Networking ¡ Regional Sourcing ¡ Healthy Food Access ¡ Start-Up Support ¡ Marketing & Education ¡ Member Resources ¡ Policy & Advocacy § Employee Ownership Act § CT Co-op Statute NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 PARTNERSHIPS 62
- 64. Legislative Update ¡ 117th National Convention ¡ Green New Deal ¡ Collaborative Advocacy § Farm Bill § CT Co-op Statute ¡ There is Strength in Numbers § We Need Your Members to be Our Members, Too! NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 ROGER NOONAN, PRESIDENT NEW ENGLAND FARMERS UNION 63
- 65. ¡ Go-To Resource on Co-ops ¡ Influence on Policy Issues ¡ Strengthen Diversity & Inclusion among Co-ops ¡ Co-ops as Community Hubs ¡ Grow the Co-operative Economy ¡ More Successful Start-Ups! NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 2019 PRIORITIES 64
- 66. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 QUESTIONS & FEEDBACK 65
- 67. Lunch Logistics & Thank-Yous ¡ Peer Dialogue Facilitators & Notetakers get lunch first! ¡ Thank you! § Geraldine & Food Service Staff! § Artisan Beverage, Cabot Creamery Co- op, Equal Exchange, Real Pickles § Franklin Community Co-op for Cupcakes! ¡ Neighboring Co-operator Award ¡ Peer Dialogues at 1:00 PM Peer Dialogues ¡ 1:00-2:00 Afternoon Workshops ¡ 2:00-3:45 Elections Results & Appreciations ¡ 3:45-4:00 Evaluations & Raffle ¡ 4:00-4:15 Adjourn & Depart ¡ 4:15-4:30 NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 LUNCH & AFTERNOON SESSIONS 66
- 68. NFCA Eighth Annual Meeting 2019 SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS 67