Building Resilience Local Food Systems: Lessons Learned by a Local FunderLee Cruz
Presentation at the USDA OPPE/FPAC Event: Building Resilience in Agricultural and Food Systems through Strategic and Innovative Partnerships. The is an overview of the lessons learned while supporting partnerships to create and maintain resilient local food systems.
Thirty New England food co-ops are collaborating to make wholesome, nutritious food more accessible to all community members. This workshop explores the barriers to healthy food access and the capacity of food co-ops to address these barriers and increase access to healthy food for individuals/families with limited food budgets. Learn about the “Food Co-ops and Healthy Food Access” project, its goals and challenges, and specific stories of programs that co-ops have created to make their food more accessible.
Healthy Food Access: Creating a Welcoming Food Co-op, NFCA Fall Gathering, 9....NFCACoops
The roots of the co-operative movement are in food security. Faye Conte from Hunger Free Vermont presents the challenges around access to healthy, affordable food in New England, and how can our food co-ops be a part of the solution, inviting more people to be a part of our movement?
Breaking down walls and building participationNFCACoops
For more than 170 years, food co-ops have worked to achieve the ideals of democracy, empowerment and inclusion—ideals we continue to strive toward today. How can co-ops continue to work to ensure our doors are open to all people, "without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination," in keeping with the 7 Cooperative Principles? This starts by identifying who we’re excluding and then taking action to be more welcoming, recognizing that we are better—and more successful and relevant—when we are more inclusive, when we lift one another up, and when we work together to remove barriers to participation. Join us to explore how the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NCFA) is working with its 35 member food co-ops, startups and partners across New England to address this question through our Food Co-ops & Healthy Food Access work.
During this interactive workshop, IMPACT participants will learn how NCFA’s structure as a federation of food co-ops is supporting innovation and learning among member food co-ops about sourcing, healthy food access, economic inclusion and peer collaboration. Participants will learn techniques and tools to evaluate and improve programs to engage and better serve low-income and marginalized community members and expand co-op membership and participation. You’ll leave with the tools necessary to help differentiate your co-ops in the marketplace and use community feedback to improve your co-op’s image and relevance—particularly among people who don’t see themselves reflected at your store.
Presenters: Erbin Crowell, Executive Director, Neighboring Food Co-op Association & Bonnie Hudspeth, Member Programs Manager, Neighboring Food Co-op Association
Co-operatives: Resiliency in Action, NOFA NH Winter Conference 2013NFCACoops
The co-operative business model is, by definition, resilient. Co-ops have fared well during the economic downturn. Why? Because they are developed for and accountable to the needs of members rather than outside investors. We’ll share stories of how food co-ops in New Hampshire and throughout New England are meeting the needs of their communities, and a specific example of how food co-ops have used their unique structure to respond to changing community needs through the Food Co-ops & Healthy Food Access Project. Learn how neighboring New England food co-ops are making wholesome, nutritious food more accessible to families with limited food budgets.
Healthy Food Access: Lessons From The Field, CCMA 2013NFCACoops
Get the latest on what New England food co-ops are doing to make healthy food more accessible and affordable through the “Food Co-ops and Healthy Food Access” project, a collaboration between the Neighboring
Food Co-op Association and the Cooperative Fund of New England. This presentation shares the lessons learned to date, plans for future development, and resources so other food co-ops can more easily start healthy food access
programs at their co-ops.
Food Co-ops: Making Healthy, Local Food More Accessible, NOFA SC, 8.11.13NFCACoops
Bonnie Hudspeth, Outreach Coordinator for the Neighboring Food Co-op Association & Micha Josephy, Program Manager for the Cooperative Fund of New England, share how twenty-nine New England food co-ops are collaborating to make wholesome, nutritious food more accessible to all community members. This presentation explores the capacity of food co-ops to increase access to healthy food for individuals/families with limited food budgets, and strategies to increase collaboration among food co-ops for a larger collective impact.
Building Resilience Local Food Systems: Lessons Learned by a Local FunderLee Cruz
Presentation at the USDA OPPE/FPAC Event: Building Resilience in Agricultural and Food Systems through Strategic and Innovative Partnerships. The is an overview of the lessons learned while supporting partnerships to create and maintain resilient local food systems.
Thirty New England food co-ops are collaborating to make wholesome, nutritious food more accessible to all community members. This workshop explores the barriers to healthy food access and the capacity of food co-ops to address these barriers and increase access to healthy food for individuals/families with limited food budgets. Learn about the “Food Co-ops and Healthy Food Access” project, its goals and challenges, and specific stories of programs that co-ops have created to make their food more accessible.
Healthy Food Access: Creating a Welcoming Food Co-op, NFCA Fall Gathering, 9....NFCACoops
The roots of the co-operative movement are in food security. Faye Conte from Hunger Free Vermont presents the challenges around access to healthy, affordable food in New England, and how can our food co-ops be a part of the solution, inviting more people to be a part of our movement?
Breaking down walls and building participationNFCACoops
For more than 170 years, food co-ops have worked to achieve the ideals of democracy, empowerment and inclusion—ideals we continue to strive toward today. How can co-ops continue to work to ensure our doors are open to all people, "without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination," in keeping with the 7 Cooperative Principles? This starts by identifying who we’re excluding and then taking action to be more welcoming, recognizing that we are better—and more successful and relevant—when we are more inclusive, when we lift one another up, and when we work together to remove barriers to participation. Join us to explore how the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NCFA) is working with its 35 member food co-ops, startups and partners across New England to address this question through our Food Co-ops & Healthy Food Access work.
During this interactive workshop, IMPACT participants will learn how NCFA’s structure as a federation of food co-ops is supporting innovation and learning among member food co-ops about sourcing, healthy food access, economic inclusion and peer collaboration. Participants will learn techniques and tools to evaluate and improve programs to engage and better serve low-income and marginalized community members and expand co-op membership and participation. You’ll leave with the tools necessary to help differentiate your co-ops in the marketplace and use community feedback to improve your co-op’s image and relevance—particularly among people who don’t see themselves reflected at your store.
Presenters: Erbin Crowell, Executive Director, Neighboring Food Co-op Association & Bonnie Hudspeth, Member Programs Manager, Neighboring Food Co-op Association
Co-operatives: Resiliency in Action, NOFA NH Winter Conference 2013NFCACoops
The co-operative business model is, by definition, resilient. Co-ops have fared well during the economic downturn. Why? Because they are developed for and accountable to the needs of members rather than outside investors. We’ll share stories of how food co-ops in New Hampshire and throughout New England are meeting the needs of their communities, and a specific example of how food co-ops have used their unique structure to respond to changing community needs through the Food Co-ops & Healthy Food Access Project. Learn how neighboring New England food co-ops are making wholesome, nutritious food more accessible to families with limited food budgets.
Healthy Food Access: Lessons From The Field, CCMA 2013NFCACoops
Get the latest on what New England food co-ops are doing to make healthy food more accessible and affordable through the “Food Co-ops and Healthy Food Access” project, a collaboration between the Neighboring
Food Co-op Association and the Cooperative Fund of New England. This presentation shares the lessons learned to date, plans for future development, and resources so other food co-ops can more easily start healthy food access
programs at their co-ops.
Food Co-ops: Making Healthy, Local Food More Accessible, NOFA SC, 8.11.13NFCACoops
Bonnie Hudspeth, Outreach Coordinator for the Neighboring Food Co-op Association & Micha Josephy, Program Manager for the Cooperative Fund of New England, share how twenty-nine New England food co-ops are collaborating to make wholesome, nutritious food more accessible to all community members. This presentation explores the capacity of food co-ops to increase access to healthy food for individuals/families with limited food budgets, and strategies to increase collaboration among food co-ops for a larger collective impact.
Advancing Healthy Food Access Through Regional PartnershipsNFCACoops
The NFCA, Cooperative Fund of New England, and Hunger Free Vermont have worked with NFCA members to implement programs addressing food access and community ownership. Since 2014 seven NE food co-ops have implemented new “Food For All” programs, making healthy food and co-op ownership more accessible to people with limited incomes. This presentation covers how regional co-op collaboration and strategic partnerships helped neighboring food co-ops across New England address food access, enhance community identity, increase the collective impact of co-ops on food security, and how working with USDA helps ensure this model is sustainable and replicable across the country.
The Co-operative Difference in Challenging Times: Why Co-operatives MatterNFCACoops
How is the co-operative model resilient in times of change, conflict and transition? This presentation gives an overview of how the co-operative difference can deliver success and make the world a better place. Over the past forty years, J. Tom Webb has been a co-operative board member, senior manager, consultant and educator. He is a co-founder of the Co-operative Management Education program at Saint Mary’s University (mmccu.coop), the co-editor of a book on co-operative economics and author of numerous papers and articles on co-operative business.
What is a Co-op? Our Co-op and the Wider Co-operative MovementNFCACoops
An orientation on the co-op model and the larger co-operative movement for food co-op staff, board members, member-owners, and organizers of food co-ops. Customize this presentation to share the story of your co-op and how it ties to the wider regional, national, and global social and economic impact of the co-operative movement.
Many of our member co-ops are facing new and serious challenges due to competition, financial pressure and/or conflicts between stakeholder groups. Opportunities for growth and success require a high level of collaboration. More than ever, food co-ops need to develop strategic alignment between the governance and operational aspects of their organizations. This presentation explores some of these challenges and opportunities and offers some examples from food co-ops in our region.
The Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference (EOLFC 2013) provided a great opportunity to share information, learn about success stories and gather information on innovative local food businesses, projects and best practices. The conference was organized by KEDCO (Kingston Economic Development Corporation) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Rural Affairs. The theme of the conference was Innovation Driving Local Food and it was held December 3, 2013 at the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Marc LeBerge from OMAF and MRA on local food strategy and funding opportunities.
From Soil to Sovereignty—Good Food for AllNFCACoops
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?”
Food Co-ops: Democratizing Human Health & Food SecurityNFCACoops
This presentation was part the Co-op Track at the 2019 NOFA Summer Conference. What is the co-op model and how does it help make healthy, local food and community ownership more available to everyone? This presentation includes stories from co-op leaders about how they are working together to empower people to build more inclusive, healthy, and just food systems and economies.
- Bonnie Hudspeth, Co-operative Development, Neighboring Food Co-op Association.
- Ruth Garbus, Brattleboro Food Co-op
- Sarah Kanabay, Outreach and Communications Manager, Franklin Community Co-op.
How to Start or Convert to a Co-operative BusinessNFCACoops
This presentation from the 46th NOFA Summer Conference is for folks interested in establishing your food/farm business as a legacy and retaining jobs using the co-operative business structure. Co-ops root business in communities, strengthen buy-in, build a resilient & sustainable economy. Learn how co-ops work, the start-up process, benefits of conversion & track record. Hear from those who’ve converted their business to the co-op model, members from worker co-ops, and co-op developers.
Presenters:
Bonnie Hudspeth, Co-op Developer, Neighboring Food Co-op Association.
Adam Trott, Executive Director, Valley Alliance of Worker Co-ops & Shared Capital Co-operative, Member Relations Director.
This presentation from the afternoon of Neighboring Food Co-op Association's Eighth Annual Meeting & Celebration includes the Neighboring Co-operator Awardee (Patrice Lockert Anthony), presentation on Addressing Climate Change:, and important upcoming event dates.
The "Addressing Climate Change: From Advocacy to Operations" workshop covers how co-ops and their members can work together to differentiate ourselves as more sustainable, community-based businesses?
Panelists include:
• Terry Bowling, NCG, Facilitator
• Cat Buxton, Board, Upper Valley Food Co-op
• Kari Bradley, GM, Hunger Mountain Co-op
• Ed Fox, GM, Co-op Food Stores
Since 1967, the Federation of Southern Co-operatives (FSC) has worked to increase incomes, support economic development, and assist in land retention, especially for African Americans but essentially for all family farmers in the Southern US. This presentation focuses on efforts to develop regional marketing and food distribution systems that can link co-operative communities in the South with those in other parts of the country through trade.
The NFCA Story : Regional Collaboration for Shared SuccessNFCACoops
The Principle of Co-operation among Co-ops speaks to the advantages for co-ops and their members working together through formal regional, national, and international co-operative structures. The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA), a federation of 35 food co-ops and start-ups across New England, grew out of dialog among food co-ops on what we could accomplish by working together. This presentation provides an in-depth look at NFCA structure and successes, future vision, and provides insights on how food co-ops can work together regionally to support shared success and collaboration at all levels, growing the co-operative economy together.
Iowa Grocery Industry Association (2015 Keep Iowa Beautiful Annual Conference)Gerry Schnepf
Attendees of the 4th annual Keep Iowa Beautiful Annual Conference learned, discussed and heard a variety of valuable presentations from distinguished speakers and panelists within the industry. This presentation is for your review; feel free to share with others.
Please contact us if you have any questions, gschnepf@keepiowabeautiful.com.
If you've enjoyed what you've seen here, please consider becoming a member of Keep Iowa Beautiful which helps to continually support the improvement of Iowa communities and impacts statewide economic development.
Join today: www.keepiowabeautiful.com/memberships
How to Start or Convert to a Co-op BusinessNFCACoops
This presentation was part the Co-op Track at the 2019 NOFA Summer Conference. Looking to start a business or for a business succession plan that retains jobs and builds economic sustainability? Co-ops root business in communities, strengthen buy-in, and build resilient and sustainable economy and food systems. Learn how co-ops work, the startup process, benefits of conversion, financing, and history. Presenters will shares stories of the process of converting businesses to the co-op model, starting worker co-ops, food co-ops and producer co-ops.
Presenters:
-Larisa Demos, Worker/member-owner Green Mountain Spinnery, Board of Directors, Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives.
-Suzette Snow-Cobb, Has been involved with co-ops since the '80s, works for the Neighboring Food Co-op Association.
New Orleans Food & Farm Network's strategic plan for advancing food justice in New Orleans, increasing food growing in the NOLA foodshed, and supporting the development of the local food supply chain.
Food. Farms. Communities.
Advancing Healthy Food Access Through Regional PartnershipsNFCACoops
The NFCA, Cooperative Fund of New England, and Hunger Free Vermont have worked with NFCA members to implement programs addressing food access and community ownership. Since 2014 seven NE food co-ops have implemented new “Food For All” programs, making healthy food and co-op ownership more accessible to people with limited incomes. This presentation covers how regional co-op collaboration and strategic partnerships helped neighboring food co-ops across New England address food access, enhance community identity, increase the collective impact of co-ops on food security, and how working with USDA helps ensure this model is sustainable and replicable across the country.
The Co-operative Difference in Challenging Times: Why Co-operatives MatterNFCACoops
How is the co-operative model resilient in times of change, conflict and transition? This presentation gives an overview of how the co-operative difference can deliver success and make the world a better place. Over the past forty years, J. Tom Webb has been a co-operative board member, senior manager, consultant and educator. He is a co-founder of the Co-operative Management Education program at Saint Mary’s University (mmccu.coop), the co-editor of a book on co-operative economics and author of numerous papers and articles on co-operative business.
What is a Co-op? Our Co-op and the Wider Co-operative MovementNFCACoops
An orientation on the co-op model and the larger co-operative movement for food co-op staff, board members, member-owners, and organizers of food co-ops. Customize this presentation to share the story of your co-op and how it ties to the wider regional, national, and global social and economic impact of the co-operative movement.
Many of our member co-ops are facing new and serious challenges due to competition, financial pressure and/or conflicts between stakeholder groups. Opportunities for growth and success require a high level of collaboration. More than ever, food co-ops need to develop strategic alignment between the governance and operational aspects of their organizations. This presentation explores some of these challenges and opportunities and offers some examples from food co-ops in our region.
The Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference (EOLFC 2013) provided a great opportunity to share information, learn about success stories and gather information on innovative local food businesses, projects and best practices. The conference was organized by KEDCO (Kingston Economic Development Corporation) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Rural Affairs. The theme of the conference was Innovation Driving Local Food and it was held December 3, 2013 at the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Marc LeBerge from OMAF and MRA on local food strategy and funding opportunities.
From Soil to Sovereignty—Good Food for AllNFCACoops
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?”
Food Co-ops: Democratizing Human Health & Food SecurityNFCACoops
This presentation was part the Co-op Track at the 2019 NOFA Summer Conference. What is the co-op model and how does it help make healthy, local food and community ownership more available to everyone? This presentation includes stories from co-op leaders about how they are working together to empower people to build more inclusive, healthy, and just food systems and economies.
- Bonnie Hudspeth, Co-operative Development, Neighboring Food Co-op Association.
- Ruth Garbus, Brattleboro Food Co-op
- Sarah Kanabay, Outreach and Communications Manager, Franklin Community Co-op.
How to Start or Convert to a Co-operative BusinessNFCACoops
This presentation from the 46th NOFA Summer Conference is for folks interested in establishing your food/farm business as a legacy and retaining jobs using the co-operative business structure. Co-ops root business in communities, strengthen buy-in, build a resilient & sustainable economy. Learn how co-ops work, the start-up process, benefits of conversion & track record. Hear from those who’ve converted their business to the co-op model, members from worker co-ops, and co-op developers.
Presenters:
Bonnie Hudspeth, Co-op Developer, Neighboring Food Co-op Association.
Adam Trott, Executive Director, Valley Alliance of Worker Co-ops & Shared Capital Co-operative, Member Relations Director.
This presentation from the afternoon of Neighboring Food Co-op Association's Eighth Annual Meeting & Celebration includes the Neighboring Co-operator Awardee (Patrice Lockert Anthony), presentation on Addressing Climate Change:, and important upcoming event dates.
The "Addressing Climate Change: From Advocacy to Operations" workshop covers how co-ops and their members can work together to differentiate ourselves as more sustainable, community-based businesses?
Panelists include:
• Terry Bowling, NCG, Facilitator
• Cat Buxton, Board, Upper Valley Food Co-op
• Kari Bradley, GM, Hunger Mountain Co-op
• Ed Fox, GM, Co-op Food Stores
Since 1967, the Federation of Southern Co-operatives (FSC) has worked to increase incomes, support economic development, and assist in land retention, especially for African Americans but essentially for all family farmers in the Southern US. This presentation focuses on efforts to develop regional marketing and food distribution systems that can link co-operative communities in the South with those in other parts of the country through trade.
The NFCA Story : Regional Collaboration for Shared SuccessNFCACoops
The Principle of Co-operation among Co-ops speaks to the advantages for co-ops and their members working together through formal regional, national, and international co-operative structures. The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA), a federation of 35 food co-ops and start-ups across New England, grew out of dialog among food co-ops on what we could accomplish by working together. This presentation provides an in-depth look at NFCA structure and successes, future vision, and provides insights on how food co-ops can work together regionally to support shared success and collaboration at all levels, growing the co-operative economy together.
Iowa Grocery Industry Association (2015 Keep Iowa Beautiful Annual Conference)Gerry Schnepf
Attendees of the 4th annual Keep Iowa Beautiful Annual Conference learned, discussed and heard a variety of valuable presentations from distinguished speakers and panelists within the industry. This presentation is for your review; feel free to share with others.
Please contact us if you have any questions, gschnepf@keepiowabeautiful.com.
If you've enjoyed what you've seen here, please consider becoming a member of Keep Iowa Beautiful which helps to continually support the improvement of Iowa communities and impacts statewide economic development.
Join today: www.keepiowabeautiful.com/memberships
How to Start or Convert to a Co-op BusinessNFCACoops
This presentation was part the Co-op Track at the 2019 NOFA Summer Conference. Looking to start a business or for a business succession plan that retains jobs and builds economic sustainability? Co-ops root business in communities, strengthen buy-in, and build resilient and sustainable economy and food systems. Learn how co-ops work, the startup process, benefits of conversion, financing, and history. Presenters will shares stories of the process of converting businesses to the co-op model, starting worker co-ops, food co-ops and producer co-ops.
Presenters:
-Larisa Demos, Worker/member-owner Green Mountain Spinnery, Board of Directors, Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives.
-Suzette Snow-Cobb, Has been involved with co-ops since the '80s, works for the Neighboring Food Co-op Association.
New Orleans Food & Farm Network's strategic plan for advancing food justice in New Orleans, increasing food growing in the NOLA foodshed, and supporting the development of the local food supply chain.
Food. Farms. Communities.
Handout on the 3 types of insurance requirements for Farmers to sell their products to institutions. Provided during the short course "Food Safety & Liability Insurance"
A slideshow produced by the good folks at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, that focuses on the 2012 Farm Bill, and on clarifying many of the lingering questions surrounding that complex piece of legislation/legislative process.
On Tuesday, February 22, 2011 the Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) and the National Farm to School Network (NFSN) hosted an interactive webinar to provide an overview of past Farm Bill successes, and to begin dialogue on potential areas of action for the upcoming 2012 Farm Bill, including regional policy priorities related to local food infrastructure, urban/community-based agriculture, food access, community food projects, farmers markets, linking SNAP (food stamps) to local and healthy foods, Farm to School, and food policy councils. After viewing the webinar, participants are invited to tell us what is most needed in their region of the country by completing the survey at the following link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BWUCU6YFL/
The Farm Bill Tree: Understanding the Logic of the Farm Bill (2007)RAFI-USA
Why are all of these disparate programs, from conservation and wildlife habitat promotion to rural internet access, to international food aid to nutrition programs like food stamps, all wrapped up together in one giant piece of legislation? Why do the commodities - the 20 program crops including corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton, rice and sugar - receive billions of dollars each year,
while next to nothing goes to fruits and vegetables and little is split between conservation programs, community food systems programs and others?
From the short course "Organizing Farm to School Statewide: Collaboration Models for Program, Policy, and Success of Scale" at the Farm to Cafeteria Conference. Thursday, March 13, 2009. Portland, OR.
Contact Erin MacDougall at erin.macdougall@kingcounty.gov for more information.
This file cannot be downloaded for privacy reasons.
2. Introductions Drew Love, Research & Education Intern Farmers Market Coalition Stacy Miller, Executive Director Farmers Market Coalition Suzanne Briggs, Technical Assistance Manager Co-Author, Real Food, Real Choice Farmers Market Coalition Karen Kinney, Executive Director Washington State Farmers Market Coalition Deborah Yashar, Food Systems Program Manager Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association (ALBA)
3. Why Farmers Markets? Farmers become price makers versus price takers Define a sense of place; Build community Offer living examples of vibrant local economies Bridge urban and rural divides Children learn the value of healthy food Strengthens community ties via cross-cutting Relationships
17. Promising Programs & Policies for SNAP in Farmers MarketsSuzanne Briggs, collaboration May 20, 2011 Portland, OR
18. Two Different FM EBT Strategies Iowa – In 2005, Iowa DHS funded EBT programs for farmersin part by a regular 50/50 match on SNAP administration. New York – In 2002 provided wireless machines to farmers. Starting in 2005 began developing a central-terminal system at the farmers market level.
22. Promising Programs & Partnerships: Examples Massachusetts $50K grant program via DTA and Dept. of Ag., with input from Mass Federation of FMs California Specialty crop block grants used to expand SNAP at farmers markets New York Close collaboration between FMFNY, NY Dept of Ag., and OTDA
23. Promising State Policies Washington SB 6483, the Local Farms, Healthy Kids Act put wireless POS into 20 markets Illinois HB 4756, the Farmers Market Technology Improvement Program California A.B. 537 requires markets to allow a qualified organization to operate SNAP
25. Types of Community Partners Businesses and merchants Government Schools and educational institutions Non-profits and faith-based organizations Health and social service organizations Market volunteers
28. Washington State SB 6483 Local Food, Healthy KidsKaren Kinney King County Soil & Water ConservationWashington State Farmers Market Association
29. SB 6483 Eases state and school procurement restrictions to better enable school districts and state entities to choose local Establishes a Farm to School Program that will facilitate the purchasing of Washington-grow farm products by schools Creates the Washington Grown Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program
30. Outcomes Promotes school garden Establishes a Farmers Market Technology Program Establishes three Farm to Food Bank pilot programs Expands and increases funding for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program Funded at $1,490,000
31. Why is it so darn cool? Magic Moment in time! Precedent Setter! First multi-pronged food system legislation in WA state. Coalition Builder! Created new strategic relationships between environmentalists and sustainable ag supporters.
32. Bringing People and Ideas… Together! Strong existing network of sustainable ag and food system organizations Able to fast-track a good idea Right people at the right time Ag people learned how the environmental community works together to promote agenda Helped mainstream the idea of spending money on local farmers to promote big policy issues
33. Champions in House and Senate Key emphasis on diversity, so it wasn’t seen as just a KCeattle interest. House Champion: Eric Pettigrew-Represents most diverse zip code in USA Senate Champion: Brian Hatfield-Previous work experience with WEC. Bill Passes! House: 95-1 Senate: 44-0
40. Hurdles to Capacity Building Staffing, funding, and infrastructural challenges Difficult to find streamlined payment methods
41. Victories Created turnkey project 20 Farmers Markets, serving a wide variety of customers and communities, were able to accept EBT Cards. Significant increase in farmers market sales Mini-grant model works well for pilot projects Broader recognition for WSFMA Great opportunity for Advisory Committee
44. Relationship Building Strengthened Institutional Partnerships WSU King County Agriculture Program State Agencies Expanded Partnerships Anti-Hunger Nutrition Local Health Agencies Other States Farmers Market Coalition
45. Lessons Learned Building partnerships between multiple local agencies builds capacity for both organizations. Relationship development takes time, and successful relationships depend upon the personalities involved. Be realistic about time Consider organization’s long term commitment to a project, before adopting it
47. Assembly Bill 537 Making federal food assistance (SNAP) benefits universally accepted as a legitimate form of payment in farmers markets. How? “An interested collective group or association of produce sellers that is FNS authorized and in the market may initiate and operate an EBT acceptance system on behalf of its members.”
48. Coalition Building Coalition building with Assembly member Juan Arambula of Fresno, and supporting stakeholders. Key partnerships with organizers/lobbyists in the state capitol. As more groups became involved the bill changed. Final version of the bill was less robust than original which required every market in CA to accept EBT by year 2012.
49. Debate and Compromise Having a healthy debate over difference of opinions can turn the process into one that is unifying rather than controlling or exclusionary As a result of the compromising, the one-time opponents became advocates of the bill and testified their support in public
50. Capacity building to empower new leaders Another outcome of policy-making is the capacity-building among participants that get involved in the political process Knowledge and experience in policy-making is passed on by mentors and new leaders emerge
51. Make Progress Put the issue on the radar of policy-makers and farmers markets -> Bill provided an incentive for market managers to set up the system in their area. -> After the bill passed, several markets in California decided to implement EBT.
Because of the dramatic increase in SNAP eligibility and participation. Wal Mart redeems 25% accoridnt to Merigan
Only 27 of those in 2010 went to new EBT projects
Suzanne Two different FM EBT Strategies History of Iowa program Lack of farmer market infrastructure Leveraged SNAP Adminstrative dollars to pay for alls fees except ones related to credit or debit. This system is still the best for Iowa today since their markets are still run by farmers and have a market manager for the day. History of New York. Started their program in 2002 by giving wireless machines to their farmers In 2005 moved to developing a central terminal system.
On your sheets are examples of how different states are becoming partners with farmers markets. Providing grants to lower the start up cost. (MN) Purchasing machines for distribution (PA) Reimbursing the farmers for the cost of the machine, Paying SNAP related fees Partnering with private foundations to provide matching dollars Developing promotional campaigns (GA) Research studies on SNAP in Farmers Markets
In light of some of these fantastic recent changes, what’s left?-Research paper due out in June, which will serve as a launching pad for advocacy at the state, national, and local level for SNAP/EBTMA: $2,500 per market, including up to $200 for fixed operating costs, and promotional costs for one year. No staffing costsAlso Oregon: HB 3274 – Directs the Department of Human Services to request a pilot program from USDA to remove the foods of minimal nutrition value out of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamps).
I would like to end by sharing how important the programs on the ground informs policy. When I do my work, I often frame my projects around the RWJ 4 P’s strategy Those 4 P’s are Partnership, Program, Policy and Promotion. If each of work those 4 P’s simultaneiously, especially understanding the interplay between program policy, together we will create a movement.
AB 537 Began in Salinas Valley and Monterey County