Cooperative Federation of Food Co-ops in the Northeast
Annual Meeting Report
“The reason I love co-ops so much is I believe in them,” said Congressman Jim McGovern in an address to the members of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association.
McGovern was the keynote speaker for the 14th Annual Meeting of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) at Greenfield Community College on March 15, 2025, where he thanked co-operatives for the contributions they make for their communities every day. “You are strengthening local food systems, strengthening rural economies, fighting climate change, and fighting hunger,” he said. “And you are doing it in a way that makes those choices accessible to everybody.”
A longtime advocate for justice, food security, and an economy that works for everyone, Representative McGovern is also a member of the Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus. In his remarks [LINK TO VIDEO], he also shared his concerns about proposed cuts to food assistance and recent actions by the federal government impacting family farmers in our region and across the country, as well as his appreciation for the contributions that co-ops make to their communities. “This is a moment for solidarity,” he said.
“As co-operators, we commit ourselves to our shared values and principles, and to working together to build a healthy, just, and sustainable food system and a more inclusive economy that works for everyone,” said NFCA Associate Director Suzette Snow-Cobb in her welcome. “As we carry our work forward, we are excited to welcome representatives from so many food co-ops and partners from across the region this morning.”
“We are so happy to have you all here, especially this year which is the second International Year of Co-operatives,” agreed John Crane, NFCA President and General Manager of Portland Food Co-op (ME). “It’s easy to get a little siloed into thinking ‘we’re just here selling food in our little corner of the world’ — but we’re really part of something much larger than that. We are part of a movement [and] the United Nations recognizes that the world needs more of us.”
The UN declaration of 2025 as a Year of Co-operatives offers an opportunity for co-ops, credit unions, and mutuals to communicate their difference at a critical time. “At this challenging and disorienting time, our co-ops offer a time-tested alternative that empowers people to meet their own needs and strengthen their communities through mutual self-help,” said Executive Director Erbin Crowell. “And through our shared values and principles, we have the opportunity to work together for the betterment of all.”
In his report to the gathering, Crowell shared some of the ways that the NFCA has been focusing on the UN’s goals of the Year, including raising public awareness of the impact of co-ops, promoting growth and development, advocating for policies that protect and promote co-ops, and inspiring leadership, particularly by engaging young people in the movement. As an example, he introduced the NFCA’s interns from UMass Amherst Department of Economics, Nuo Chen and Gabi Urbanowicz, who are pursuing a Certificate in Applied Economic Research on Co-operative Enterprises.
“Co-ops have a unique ability to engage young audiences, offering a space to learn, grow, and collaborate,” said Gabi. “Attending the NFCA’s Annual Meeting reinforced how valuable these connections with co-op leaders are — whether through shared values or new perspectives, they make co-ops so powerful. Every conversation deepened my understanding of co-operative enterprise and the role young people can play in its future.”
The day included a series of peer dialogs providing an opportunity for attendees to participate in exchanges on issues ranging from food security to climate action, supporting small food co-ops to building community among board members, and the important role of associations to co-operative education and training opportunities.
“I appreciate all the discussion about advocating for co-ops, low-income members, local farmers, etc.,” said Carl Etnier, Board President at Hunger Mountain Co-op (VT). “These are crucial times for everyone to be standing up to hold onto what we have as a country.”
Building on the theme for the day, afternoon panels focused on policy advocacy, experiences from international movements, and partnering for impact with food co-op financial partners, including Cooperative Fund of the Northeast, LEAF, National Cooperative Bank, and Shared Capital Co-op.
“The workshop on co-op financing exceeded my expectations and was incredibly helpful to us,” said Emily Hershberger, General Manager at Buffalo Mountain Co-op Market (VT). “I went out of curiosity and thought I knew a lot about the topic already. It was more helpful and relevant than I anticipated.”
A panel of food co-op leaders including Rochelle Prunty (General Manager at River Valley Co-op, MA), Patti Smith (General Manager at Willimantic Food Co-op, CT), and Joanne Todd (Board Member at Willimantic Food Co-op and CEO of Northeast Family Credit Union) shared their experiences engaging with co-operative movements in Colombia, the Basque Region of Spain, and across Africa and the Caribbean.
With unprecedented changes to the legislative environment in DC, a cross-sector panel on “Partnering for Impact: Policy Advocacy in a New Environment” explored how co-ops and credit unions can work together. “This year, more than any, advocacy is a priority and more relevant than at any time in my professional life,” said Doug O’Brien, President & CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association. “We’ve got to lean into the Sixth Principle [of Cooperation among Co-ops], we’ve got to figure out how to work together, and we have to make sure we can advance or protect the priorities that we have.” Panelists including Joe Bergeron, Executive Director of the Association of Vermont Credit Unions, Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, and the NFCA’s Erbin Crowell shared perspectives on how associations can advocate for their members, protect our business model, and advocate for resources for development.
Election results for the NFCA Board were announced, with Cassandra Carmichael (Vice President, Fiddleheads Food Co-op, CT) joining reelected directors Mary Mullally (General Manager, Hunger Mountain Co-op, VT), and Michael Wells (Board of Directors, Putney Food Co-op, VT). Continuing on the Board are Katharine Arnold (Buffalo Mountain Co-op, VT), John Crane (Portland Food Co-op, ME), Lucy Georgeff (High Falls Food Co-op, NY), George Touloumtzis (Franklin Community Co-op, MA), Philip Trevvett (Urban Greens Co-op Market, RI), and Chris Whiton (Littleton Food Co-op, NH). Outgoing Director Brenda De Los Santos (Fiddleheads Food Co-op, CT) was thanked for her service on the NFCA Board.
The gathering also offered an opportunity for community celebration, with the annual Neighboring Co-operator Award going to Kari Bradley, former General Manager at Hunger Mountain Co-op and NFCA Board Member, who continues to be involved in the work of the NFCA, supporting a peer group and online dialogs for general managers.
“Now that I’m not involved in the day to day of running a co-op, I can see even more clearly that what you offer is a special thing and is going to be a critical part of the solution that will see us through these times and future crisis and actually improve things for people,” said Bradley. “I encourage you to recognize our superpower and make the most of it by articulating [our] values.”
“This meeting was awesome,” said Lisa Boragine, Board President of TipTop Co-op (MA), reflecting on the gathering. “How can we continue the momentum throughout the year?”
“I came away renewed and energized to do the best I can for my co-op,” agreed Theresa Haywood, Board Member for Rutland Area Food Co-op (VT). “NFCA helps us direct our focus, particularly in advocacy, with a message to share.”
