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In this edition:
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Year of the Co-ops Launch at the UN
In July, Co-ops and Credit Unions from around the world gathered at the United Nations in New York City to celebrate the declaration of 2025 as the Second International Year of Co-ops
On Tuesday, July 9, NFCA Executive Director Erbin Crowell joined the National Cooperative Business Association, the International Cooperative Alliance, and representatives from co-ops and credit unions around the world at the United Nations in New York City to celebrate the declaration of 2025 as the Second International Year of Co-operatives.
“It was such an honor to represent our Neighboring Food Co-ops at the UN,” said Crowell. “Our co-ops have a profound impact in our local communities, but we often forget how important our movement also is internationally.”
The theme for the year, Co-operatives Build a Better World, was chosen to highlight how co-ops of all types are key partners in achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity,” the Agenda includes many priorities important to food co-ops such as building a more inclusive economy, addressing climate change, and ensuring access to healthy food.
“Our business model is rooted in community, empowering people to work together to make positive change,” said Crowell. “The International Year of Co-ops will be a powerful opportunity to tell our story to consumers, policy makers, and young people interested in building a better future for everyone.”
For example, the NFCA includes more than 40 food co-ops and start-ups that are locally owned by over 185,000 members, provide 2,545 local jobs, and generate $442 million in annual revenue. On average, local products comprise more than 25% of sales at member co-ops, helping to grow more resilient and sustainable food systems and communities.
The NFCA was a leader in promoting the first International Year of Co-operatives in 2012, sharing how food co-ops contribute to local economies, environmental sustainability, and food security. Last Fall, the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution establishing 2025 as a second International Year of Co-operatives, recognizing the significant contributions of co-ops to communities around the world, calling on the co-op movement to expand efforts to increase public awareness, and encouraging governments to create a better policy environment for co-op development. Guided by the shared Values and Principles enshrined in the ICA’s 1995 Statement on the Cooperative Identity, co-ops and credit unions offer an alternative, people-centered business model that is proven and successful.
In addition to his role and NFCA executive director, Crowell also serves on the board of directors of the National Cooperative Business Association and the Cooperative Identity Advisory Group of the ICA, and is an adjunct professor with the International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia, Canada.
For more information, visit https://nfca.coop.
Peer Collaboration for Shared Success
Food co-ops across the Northeast established the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) in part to provide themselves with opportunities for peer-to-peer collaboration, shared learning, and innovation.
Self-help and Co-operation among Co-ops is central to the Co-operative Identity and how food co-ops support one another as they learn, grow, and innovate for shared success. The NFCA’s Peer Networking Groups provide forums for ongoing communication, problem-solving and collaboration for Food Co-op Directors, Managers, and Departmental Staff. These events are organized based on feedback from our Member Co-ops on their needs and priorities, and currently include online opportunities for Board Leaders, Bulk Departments, New(ish) General Managers, Prepared Foods Departments, and Small Food Co-ops.
Comments from participants over the past year support the important role of these forums for ongoing communication, problem-solving and collaboration for our directors, manager, and staff.
“I find the sharing of successful and best practices, challenges, and approaches to outreach extremely helpful and inspiring. Being the only person at my co-op who works in my department, the opportunity to bounce ideas, questions, and share information with others with similar experiences and understanding is hugely beneficial to my work. I also appreciate the general sense of community and support, and the ability to exercise P6 so directly.”
Marketing Manager, NFCA Member Co-op
“I like the opportunity to meet some of my peers from the region, and chat about current challenges and opportunities.“
Bulk Manager, NFCA Member Co-op
“I learned a lot in these sessions and also found it to be invaluable to go into break-out groups with members of other co-ops where we could share experiences and learn from one another.”
Board Member, NFCA Member Co-op
By providing opportunities for informal conversations and exploration of topics that are relevant to the day-to-day challenges, ideas and innovation can be brought forward. Each year as part of gathering feedback from our member co-ops we also ask about the importance of the success of co-operatives across the region is to the success of our individual co-ops. Overwhelmingly, the response is that shared success is very relevant. In this context, the NFCA’s Peer Dialogs are opportunities to share ideas, strategies, and resources that have brought success at one’s own co-op and community and in turn contribute to the growth of co-ops throughout the region.
“The questions I wouldn’t have thought to ask of the group led to great discussion that was also super relevant to questions our board is facing. Loved this and didn’t anticipate how great this would be.”
Board President, NFCA Member Co-op
“I like hearing different Co-ops’ approaches to issues similar to ours.”
Board President, NFCA Member Co-op
“I was inspired to make this change after attending a Neighboring Food Co-op Association Zoom meeting with other small co-ops.”
General Manager, NFCA Member Co-op
“Simply said, [what is valuable is] getting to know others. I think these are very important opportunities to network, commiserate, listen and learn, recruit, and I visit the stores of the folks on these calls when I can.”
Board Vice President, NFCA Member Co-op
NFCA Member Co-ops are invited to participate in Peer Dialogs throughout the year. For upcoming sessions, please see our calendar for the schedule.
For more information on participating in NFCA Peer Dialogs, please contact info@nfca.coop
Advocacy Training Video
In July, representatives from our Neighboring Food Co-ops joined Farmers Union members for an online training on the Farm Bill and how farmers and consumers can work together for better food system policy.
The training with the National Farmers Union, which is available to view online, is part of a joint Policy Advocacy Initiative organized by the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) and the New England Farmers Union. Supported in part by CoBank, the goal of the project is to equip food co-ops and family farmers in our region to be more effective advocates for a better food system.
“We’ve got a Farm Bill in the works among a host of other pressing issues on the national stage,” said Roger Noonan, President of the New England Farmers Union, in his welcome. “I think it’s a good first step for us to come together to learn about the Farm Bill, learn what’s on the table, and learn how we can advance our voice as New England.”
A focus of the session was providing an understanding of the Farm Bill and why it matters to both farmers and consumers, and how we can work together with the Farmers Union to engage policy makers.
“On the food security front, a huge component of the spending in the Farm Bill is on nutrition,” said Aaron Shier, Government Relations Director with the National Farmers Union. For example, the legislation authorizes SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps), and EFAP, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, as well as GUSNIP, which funds programs such as “Double Up Food Bucks.”
The Farm Bill also houses programs supporting small producers such as the Local Agriculture Market Program, as well as the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program, the only major federal legislation funding the start-up, development, and innovation of co-operative enterprises.
In addition to resources for online advocacy, Farmers Union offers opportunities for direct engagement with policy makers. “A great thing we do every year is what we call the Washington Fly-In,” said Layla Soberanic, Senior Government Relations Manager. “It’s a way for our members to get connected with their elected officials and meet with their Hill offices.” The Farmers Union Fall Fly-In is scheduled for September 9-11, and you can find more information at this link.
“No one is more influential in these things than you are,” said Noonan. “But you’ve got to take what you learned here and what you’ve learned in life and tell your story in DC.”
“I want to thank Farmers Union staff. We really appreciate your insights and information – it’s a huge value-added for us,” said Erbin Crowell, NFCA Executive Director. “Again, we need you to help us build membership,” he said, addressing attendees. “Think about who should be part of these conversations, and we’ll be circling back with you with more opportunities.”
To view a recording of the training, visit this link. You can also learn more about the NFCA’s farm and food system policy advocacy, please visit https://nfca.coop/policy.
Intern Reflections
Logan Reising-Owen, our intern from the University of Massachusetts, has been an invaluable part of our work this Summer, supporting out advocacy and outreach efforts. Read on for their reflections on the experience of working with our Food Co-ops and Partners.
My journey into the co-operative movement began at UMass Amherst, where I landed a job at Greeno Sub Shop, one of the seven student-run co-ops on campus. My work at Greeno ignited a passion for the co-operative model, leading me to discover the internship at the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) through the Certificate in Applied Economic Research on Co-operatives at the Department of Economics.
During the internship, my main focus was boosting NFCA’s legislative outreach efforts. I compiled data on NFCA member co-ops’ federal and local legislators. I provided the tools and information for co-operatives to reach out to their House representatives and encourage them to join the Congressional Co-operative Business Caucus. The caucus aids co-operatives by informing Congress about the benefits of co-ops, pushing for policies that support their growth, and championing Co-operative Values like democracy, equality, equity, and economic participation. By promoting a better understanding of co-ops, the caucus ensures that legislation addresses co-operative enterprises’ unique needs and contributions. Only 12 out of the 53 member co-ops and start-ups have representation within the caucus. I am eager to witness the impact of our outreach efforts and the potential increase in legislative representation that may follow.
One of the highlights of my internship was the opportunity to work with the New England Farmers Union (NEFU), an organization that NFCA often collaborates with to achieve shared legislative goals. The close coordination between these two organizations was an impressive example of the solidarity economics that the co-operative movement strives to achieve. I observed that the smooth communication and collaboration between these two organizations were made possible by NFCA’s organization as a regional federation of co-operatives. While individual co-ops could focus their resources and time on local initiatives, NFCA provided the framework and capacity to meet broader goals, work with large organizations, and offer resources to help member co-operatives achieve these goals.
In addition to my work on the Congressional Co-operative Business Caucus and with NEFU, I also helped promote broader civic engagement within the co-operative community. This involved assisting co-ops in becoming community partners of National Voter Registration Day. Through this event, co-ops can encourage voter registration via registration drives, social media promotion, and sharing the event within their co-op networks. Aligned with the Co-operative Value of democracy, the participation of food co-ops—spanning six states, 17 national districts, and 34 local districts—in this national event plays a crucial role in promoting democratic participation within their communities.
Although it was just a small part of my work with NFCA, one of the most rewarding experiences was tabling at the Green River Music Festival. I was amazed by the number of festival-goers who visited our stand and shared their stories about the co-operatives they are part of. Hearing firsthand accounts of how co-ops have positively influenced their lives was incredibly motivating. I was particularly astonished by the number of children who were well-versed in the co-operative model, knowledge I had only acquired in recent years. Their understanding and enthusiasm for co-operatives filled me with hope for the future. It was inspiring to see these food co-ops’ tangible impact on their local communities, reinforcing the importance of our work and the co-operative movement as a whole.
My internship at NFCA was an enriching experience that allowed me to see firsthand the power of Co-operative Principles in action. From legislative outreach to fostering community engagement, my work reinforced my belief in the co-operative model as a force for positive change. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to NFCA’s mission and collaborate with passionate individuals and organizations. This experience has broadened my understanding of co-operatives and strengthened my commitment to advocating for their growth and success in the future.
In addition to providing educational opportunities for our co-ops, their members, and their staff, the NFCA works to engage young people and policy makers in the Co-operative Movement. For more information, please visit https://nfca.coop/EDUCATION.
Snow-Cobb Joins FEDCO Board
Suzette Snow-Cobb, Associate Director of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association, was recently elected to the board of directors FEDCO, a Northeast-based worker/consumer co-operative specializing in gardening, farming and orcharding supplies.
This spring, the call went out to consumer members of FEDCO for nominations for the Board of Directors. FEDCO Seeds, founded in 1978 to sell seeds to food co-ops and buying clubs in Maine, has grown to serve gardeners and farmers throughout the US and Canada. FEDCO has two classes of membership, worker and customer members (which includes organizations) and Suzette Snow-Cobb was nominated and elected to a board seat representing the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) as a customer member.
FEDCO currently has 100 worker-members and over 1,500 consumer-members with annual sales of nearly $10 million, including seeds, bulbs, trees, and grower supplies. Starting their board term in July, Suzette joined three other customer board members and three worker-members. As a co-operative, FEDCO’s mission and values read very closely to our food co-ops: Striving to keep prices affordable and high quality while providing livable-wage jobs for staff and growers, supporting equitable and sustainable agricultural practices and acknowledging past contributors to the diversity of seeds and plants, and carrying out the value of being a democratic, inclusive and equitable workplace and organization.
“It’s an honor to be elected to FEDCO’s Board. I am excited to learn more about the structure of this multi-stakeholder co-op in action and have the opportunity to contribute to the fostering of our food system in this way.” says Suzette. “Building and strengthening connections among co-operatives, working to support democratic workplaces, and continually learning and working to have healthy people and environment has been my personal mission as well.”
To learn more about FEDCO and how you can become a member, visit www.fedcoseeds.com.
Co-ops in the News
At meeting with senior White House officials, a call for more co-op stories
NCBA CLUSA News
Has your co-op been in the news recently? Send your item to info@nfca.coop.
August Cave-to-Co-op Special
This month’s special cheese is Madison from Green Mountain Blue Cheese, Highgate Center, VT
Each month our Cave to Co-op partnership between Provisions International and the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) offers a delicious regional cheese featured at a great price.
The history of the Lake Champlain and St. Lawrence River Valleys includes the history of the French farmers who settled the region. Tradesmen, trappers, and soldiers required a secure local food source that would allow them to pursue their interests, instead of spending all their time preparing, gathering, and hunting for food. Nearly 400 years ago, the Bouchers received several allotments in New France, which eventually became Quebec, Canada. They raised meat and work animals, grew crops, and made soap, butter, and flour – both for themselves and for sale. Wealth, respect, and additional land were the rewards for supporting the local community, but the risk was very high.
During the French and Indian Wars one ancestor, Pierre Boucher, took control of Fort Trois Rivieres after it was depleted of able-bodied men and made peace with the Iroquois, a pivotal event in the history of the province. Boucherville was named in his honor and his statue stands on the grounds of the National Assembly Building in Quebec City. The French legacy remains in the religion, language, culture, and cuisine of the province.
Over the centuries many have abandoned farming, but a line of Bouchers remained in active agriculture. Today Boucher Family Farm is run by the families of Daniel and Denis Boucher. Family members perform all the daily operations on the 90-cow dairy, cropping 800 acres and maintaining over 200 acres of managed forest, which include deer yards and riparian corridors. For the past year, the Bouchers have shared the farm’s facilities with another dairying couple, a partnership that may be unique in the state; two farmers, one dairy, lots of possibilities, and lots of beautiful and delicious cheese.
Madison is made in the Gorgonzola style, tangy, sharp and crumbly. This cheese is cured over a three-month period attracting naturally occurring flora to form a rind. The surface is scraped down before wrapping and further aging in their cellar. It has a unique character and bitter chocolate aroma.
Summer fruit pairs well with Madison. Check out this recipe for an August treat.
Jamón and Nectarines with Madison
- 4 medium nectarines (about 1 lb.), cut into thick wedges Extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
- Kosher salt
- 3 Tbsp. honey
- 2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper
- 1 Tbsp. sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 2.5 oz. Madison, sliced into thin slabs
- 2 oz. sliced Jamón Serrano or Jamón Iberico de Bellota Flaky sea salt
- Place 4 medium nectarines (about 1 lb.), cut into thick wedges, in a medium bowl; drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and season with kosher salt. Toss to combine; set aside.
- Heat 3 Tbsp. honey in a small saucepan over medium until loosened, about 1 minute. Add 2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper and swirl until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add 1 Tbsp. sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar and swirl to combine; remove from heat.
- Arrange the Madison, sliced into thin slabs, sliced jamón Serrano or Iberian ham, and reserved nectarines on a platter. Spoon pepper honey over; sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Look for the “Cave to Co-op” sign in the cheese section at your local food co-op. To find one near you, visit www.nfca.coop/members.
New England Farmers Union: 2024 Farm Bill: Time to Get Real
In June, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) published an update of their 10-year budgetary and economic projections, which included new estimates for the Farm Bill. Areas of concern include proposed cuts to SNAP and provisions that favor southern crops over those from northern producers. You can help!
Arguably the most anticipated estimate concerns CBO’s assessment of USDA’s spending through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), which has been a major target of House Republicans.
CBO has projected USDA’s use of its Section 5 authority under the CCC will total $12 billion from fiscal years 2025 through 2034. Chairman Thompson (R-PA) has touted the CCC restrictions in the House farm bill as a significant “pay-for,” claiming the restrictions will result in $50 billion in savings. CBO’s assessment, coming in significantly lower than Chairman Thompson’s estimates, undercuts the purported cost neutrality of the House farm bill.
For the last few months, House Ag Republicans have been preparing pushback to CBO’s highly anticipated projections on the CCC. Shortly before the May 23 markup, reports surfaced CBO did not concur with Chairman Thompson’s savings estimates. In response to CBO’s publication of the new projections, Chairman Thompson was quick to dispute CBO’s assessment, citing “clear discrepancies between their forecasts and historic realities.”
Chairman Thompson says he intends to work with the House Budget Committee to “rectify CBO’s error,” – i.e., the budget committee could overrule CBO and declare the CCC savings in the House bill to be greater than the CBO projections.
On the Senate side, Chairwoman Stabenow (D-MI) believes It’s Time to Get Real. In a late June blog, Chairwoman Stabenow criticized Chairman Thompson for using “magic math” and “wishful thinking,” to justify the CCC restrictions in the House farm bill, while also slamming GOP efforts to cut SNAP benefits and restrict the Thrifty Food Plan. The Chairwoman also criticized “more farm in the farm bill for the few,” claiming the House farm bill pits commodities against each other and favors southern crops over northern crops.
During the House Agriculture Committee’s hearing on July 10, Ranking Member David Scott (D-GA) struck a similar tone, asking the chairman why the Committee-passed farm bill has not yet been brought to the House floor: “If you think you don’t need us and have all the Republican support you need to pass this bill, what are you waiting for?”
What comes next for a 2024 Farm Bill is uncertain. But NFU remains committed to passing the right farm bill this year. Farmers Union members will have an important opportunity to make the case during NFU’s upcoming Fall Legislative Fly-In in September.
How You Can Help:
- Learn more about the Farm Bill and why it matters — and how you can make a difference! Check out this recent advocacy training with the Farmers Union
- Reach out to your Representative in Congress and encourage them to act for a better Farm Bill by advocating for our region’s family farmers and SNAP benefits for people on limited incomes. Take action at this link.
- Participate in the National Farmers Union Fall Legislative Fly-In, Sept 9-11! Learn more at https://nfu.org/fly-in.
You can make a difference: Join the Farmers Union! The Neighboring Food Co-op Association is an affiliate member of the New England Farmers Union – and invites farmers, food co-ops, and consumers to join us! NFCA Member Co-ops and individual members can join at a special discount. The National Farmers Union advocates on behalf of nearly 200,000 American farm families and their communities. We envision a world in which farm families and their communities are respected, valued, and enjoy economic prosperity and social justice. For more information, please visit www.newenglandfarmersunion.org.
National Voter Registration Day is coming up on September 17, 2024. Is your co-op signed up as a Community Partner? It’s easy — and when you do, you can receive free stickers and posters, customized resources, and assistance in planning your celebration of democracy!
