Advocating for the Agricultural Economy // NFCA News February 2026

Advocating for the Agricultural Economy

In January, Neighboring Food Co-op Association Executive Director Erbin Crowell was invited to testify before a Senate Committee on “Growing the Small Business Agricultural Economy,” and how changes to Federal policy can support co-operative growth and impact.

Crowell, who also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) and the New England Farmers Union, was invited by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) to offer testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship on January 14 in Washington, DC.  His remarks centered on how co-operatives are a proven business model for supporting local producers, creating stable jobs, and strengthening rural economies — and how basic changes to Small Business Administration (SBA) policies, such as those included in Main Street Employee Ownership 2.0 Act of 2024 (H.R. 10242) and the Improving SBA Engagement on Employee Ownership Act (H.R. 10244), would enable them to grow. 

“Co-ops offer a time-tested, successful, and impactful tool for addressing the challenges and opportunities of economic change and instability,” said Crowell.  “There is potential to leverage their proven track record and enable people in rural communities to improve access to goods and services, create good local jobs, and grow the small business agricultural economy.”

As we work to continue to build stronger relationships among co-operators in our region, we are particularly excited to have welcomed Chatham Real Food Co-op (NY), Rising Tide Co-op (ME), Tip Top Co-op (MA), and Tom’s Natural Foods Co-op (NY) into our association in last year.

Ranking Member Senator Markey also emphasized the harm caused by President Trump’s attacks on rural economies and agriculture small businesses and the rising health care and energy costs they face, as well as increased costs from tariffs, stressing the need for reforms in government food programs to support small and underserved food producers through meaningful legislation, such as his EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act.

“Food is more than what we see on our plate—it is the labor of farmers and farm workers, the health of our environment, and the cornerstone of growth for many rural economies,” said Senator Markey. “President Trump’s policies are creating higher costs and worsening the long-standing problems that small businesses in rural communities have faced. Small businesses in rural America were already struggling with climate change impacts, rising housing costs, retaining workers, and finding a path forward for their small business when they decide to retire. We must address these issues by ensuring that small businesses are prioritized in federal programs—this includes our farmers, fishers, and ranchers in rural America and across Central and Western Massachusetts—not make it harder for them to exist.”

Crowell provided examples of food co-ops and their impact for local farmers and consumers, as well as the challenges they have faced recently due to the federal government shutdown and drastic reductions in food security initiatives such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“Cuts to programs like SNAP have a deep impact on food security, particularly in rural areas,” added Crowell. “People with limited incomes have less money to spend on healthy food and groceries, which also means sales go down for food co-ops and local farmers. When we think about how these benefits impact not just individuals and families on limited incomes, we have to understand that they are part of a more sustainable and fair food system that can keep people well-fed and healthy.”

Maria Moreira, Founder and Board President of World Farmers in Lancaster, MA, provided testimony on the challenges facing small producers. “Our farmers are aging, our shifting climate is imposing increasing threats to farmers’ operations, our farmers’ labor force is changing and uncertain, our land prices continue to sky-rocket, and the farmers continue to make pennies on the dollar for their products,” she said. “Because of the cancellation of the Local Food Program Assistance in March, 500 farmers in Massachusetts and New England did the best they could, but crops were left in the field, unsold.”

Crowell emphasized that legislation such as the Main Street Employee Ownership 2.0 Act of 2024 (H.R. 10242) and the Improving SBA Engagement on Employee Ownership Act (H.R. 10244), would enable co-ops to grow by improving access to SBA lending, providing education on co-operative enterprise, and ensuring cross-agency collaboration and technical assistance for co-ops.

General Managers: Click Here to Sign up your Food Co-op as a supporter of this legislation.

Co-op Members: Write to your Representative and Senators and encourage them to support the Main Street Employee Ownership 2.0 Act (H.R. 10242) and the Improving SBA Engagement on Employee Ownership Act (H.R. 10244).

Sample Language

Dear Representative/Senator XX,

I am writing on behalf of / as a member of [co-op name] to respectfully request your support for the Main Street Employee Ownership 2.0 Act which would allow co-operatives to access SBA financing programs. [Add information about your co-op].

Currently, our co-op cannot access due to SBA lending requirements that do not align with our shared community ownership structure. The bill would help our co-op to access much needed financing [include potential positive impacts of getting access to funds for startup, expansion, or working capital].

If you or your team have any questions, we’d be happy to answer them or connect you with the Neighboring Food Co-op Association and National Cooperative Business Association. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Working together and in partnership with organizations such as NCBA CLUSA, the New England Farmers Union, and CoBank, the NFCA is advocating for better food, farm, and co-operative policy.  For more information, please visit https://nfca.coop/policy.  

Welcome, Adamant Co-op!

Please join us in welcoming Adamant Co-op in Vermont — the oldest continuously operating consumer grocery co-op in the United States — as the newest member of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association! 

Founded in 1935, Adamant Co-op was recently inducted into the world map of Cooperative Cultural Heritage (CCH), nominated by the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA).

As described on the CCH website, “to truly understand the co-op’s significance, one must look beyond its walls to the village of Adamant itself. This unincorporated community has long depended on mutual effort, neighbors cutting wood together, sharing harvests, and lending a hand when needed.”

Indeed, many early leaders of Adamant Co-op were active in the wider movement in the region, forming study groups on the co-operative business model and actively applying it across the economy.  One result was the founding in 1939 of the Washington Electric Co-op to bring power to communities in rural Vermont.  Just a few years later, food co-op members also formed the Adamant Credit Union in 1942, the first financial co-operative to be chartered under new state credit union legislation.

Today, Adamant Co-op is a place to buy groceries and local produce, as well as cards, candles, locally made soap and more.  But it also serves as a hub for this close-knit community, serving as a gathering space and hosting meetings and local events.

“The Adamant Co-op is excited to join the NFCA. We have long embodied the seven Co-operative Principles. We are looking forward to being a part of the regional, national, and international community of co-operatively run organizations,” notes Liz Knapp, General Manager.  “In joining the NFCA, we are glad to collaborate with other co-ops in our region, to support and contribute to the well-being of us all.”

Adamant Co-op is located just seven miles north of the state capital of Montpelier, Vermont, and the is open to the public seven days a week.  Stop in for a visit!

Please join us in welcoming Adamant Food Co-op to our community of Neighboring Food Co-ops and learn more at www.adamantcoop.org.

Global Dialog on the Co-op Identity

Under the auspices of the Cooperative Identity Advisory group, our international movement is engaged in a global dialog on our shared Identity and how to protect, promote, and practice our Values and Principles at a time of great instability and change.

In January, Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) Executive Director Erbin Crowell participated in meetings of the International Cooperative Alliance’s Cooperative Identity Advisory Group (CIAG) held in Paris, France.  The two-day session was focused on the continuing dialog on the evolution of the Statement on the Cooperative Identity and its relevance to contemporary social, economic, and environmental challenges.

“As we face serious threats to global peace, human rights, and sustainability, it is worth remembering the historic role that the co-operative movement has played — and can continue to play — in building a better future for everyone,” said Crowell.  “It was deeply humbling to be part of these crucial dialogs at a time when co-ops have so much to offer but also face challenges in communicating what make us unique.”

The first day of the Paris dialogs was hosted Coop FR, the French apex organization that represents more than 22,400 co-operative businesses with the mission of defending and promoting the fundamental principles of co-operation as defined by the International Co-operative Alliance, while day two took place at the CÉDIAS Musée Social, where the group was able to view historic documents related to the movement.  Founded in 1890 with the purpose of promoting studies, exchanges, and documentation oriented towards the Social and Solidarity Economy, the Musée was also the site of the second Congress of the International Cooperative Alliance in 1896.

As part of the proceedings, Prof. Hagen Henrÿ, Chair of the ICA Cooperative Law Committee, provided a presentation on the relationship between the Identity and law, and especially the importance of protecting its status in international law at a moment when global norms and multilateral agreements are at risk.  Members of the Working Group then explored input received from co-operators and their organizations around the world as part of the Cooperative Identity Consultation.  Of particular relevance was feedback related to economic inclusion, peace, and the unique nature of the co-operative business model as one controlled by people in their role as active users, participants, and employees in a shared enterprise, as opposed to capital investors or other interests.

Adopted in Manchester, UK, in 1995, the Statement on the Cooperative Identity for the first time set out a clear definition of the co-operative business model and the Values that underlie the Principles derived from the Rochdale Pioneers and later adopted by the international co-operative movement.  The 33rd ICA World Cooperative Congress, held at the end of 2021 in Seoul, South Korea, kicked off a global consultation aimed at deepening co-operators’ awareness of the Statement and exploring how well it has stood the test of time.

Under the guidance of CIAG, a group of experts and practitioners appointed by the ICA Board,  co-operators from all around the world have since participated in a global dialog, sharing their views, attending educational webinars exploring facets of our shared Identity, and taking part in national and regional consultations.  NFCA Executive Director Erbin Crowell serves on the advisory group through his role on the board of NCBA CLUSA and as a director of DotCooperation, which works to unite and strengthen the international co-operative community through a shared and recognized online identity through tools such as the .Coop url, the Coop Marque, and the Cooperative World Map. 

“From its beginnings, the co-operative movement has been local in its impacts and international in its vision,” said Crowell.  “And I’m proud to represent our Neighboring Food Co-ops and our partners as we work together across boundaries to protect and promote our more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable business model.”

Chaired by ICA Board Member Alexandra Wilson, Vice Chair of Cooperatives and Mutuals Canada, CIAG is preparing a report on its progress toward an update to the Guidance Notes on the Cooperative Principles and future discussion drafts on the Identity to be distributed in the coming weeks.

Working together in partnership with the international movement, the NFCA works to strengthen, protect, and promote our shared Co-operative Values and Principles.  For more information on the Cooperative Identity Consultation, please visit https://coopidentity.ica.coop.

Welcome, New General Managers!

Please join us in welcoming new General Managers at Flatbush Food Co-op and Urban Greens Co-op Market to our community!

Urban Greens Food Co-op in Providence, RI, Welcomes Jenny Wilson as its New General Manager.

Jenny Wilson was selected following a comprehensive and deliberate search led by a dedicated hiring committee, with strong involvement from the Board of Directors, staff, and leadership team. The process focused on identifying a leader who embodies cooperative values, operational excellence, and a long-term vision aligned with Urban Greens’ mission.

“The Board is excited to welcome Jenny Wilson to Urban Greens as our new General Manager,” said Derrick Bowman, Board President. “We are confident her leadership will build on the strong foundation in place and help advance the co-op’s mission for our members, staff, and community.”

Jenny brings extensive experience in food, retail, and grocery operations, along with a strong passion for high-quality food access and community engagement.

“I am excited to join the team at Urban Greens,” said Wilson. “I was impressed by the care and dedication of both the staff and the Board. I have spent my career in food, retail, and grocery, and I am passionate about high-quality food and believe that everyone deserves access to it. In my free time, I have been involved in organizations that work to strengthen their communities. I look forward to bringing my dedication, knowledge, passion, and sense of community to Urban Greens.”

Urban Greens Food Co-op looks forward to this next chapter under Jenny Wilson’s leadership and remains committed to serving its member-owners, customers, staff, and the broader Providence community.

Flatbush Food Co-op in Brooklyn, New York, Welcomes Novell Dolly as its New General Manager.

Hiring a general manager is the single most important responsibility of a cooperative’s board of directors–and one that the Flatbush Board has not previously undertaken. In their nationwide search, they sought candidates with demonstrated ability to lead a profitable organization; proven operational expertise; experience leading a group of diverse and passionate employees; and ability to connect with a community of diverse owners. The board quickly recognized Novell’s visionary leadership, enthusiasm for the co-operative business model, and passion for community work.

“Finding a replacement for our beloved Barry was no easy feat!” noted in the Board’s hiring announcement. “We are unanimous in our confidence that Novell will bring a fresh perspective to FFC, continuing to lead us into a bright future as we usher in our 50th year as a local anchor institution.”

The NFCA works to build our community of co-operators across the Northeast.  Please join us in welcoming Jenny and Novell and look forward to meeting them at our 15^th Annual Meeting on March 21, 2026.

Peer Dialogs

The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) was founded by co-ops across the Northeast with the goal of providing opportunities for peer-to-peer networking, collaboration, and innovation, enabling staff and directors to build stronger relationships and support shared business success.

In January, the NFCA hosted a special session for co-op staff to learn more about two outstanding cheese producers from our region in collaboration with the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership (NOFFP). This peer dialog was attended by cheese buyers, marketing, and merchandizing staff and was an opportunity to hear updates from NOFFP and learn how co-ops can continue to help increase the demand for organic dairy and have an impact on preserving dairy farming in our region.

“Every shopper has an organic dairy farm that is relatively nearby in our region, creating an important local connection,” notes Christina Johantgen, Executive Director, NOFFP “The fastest way to help organic dairy farms survive and thrive is to get shoppers to recognize and value the hard work being done right here in the Northeast.”

Heather Donahue, Co-Owner, Cheesemaker & Farmer in Pittsfield, Maine, shared her experience at Balfour Farm, a 100-acre organic farmstead and dairy creamery best known for its award-winning organic cheeses.  Their products are handmade in small batches, and distributed to co-ops, restaurants, specialty food stores and events throughout Maine, NH, VT, and Massachusetts. 

We also heard from Carleton Yoder, owner and Head Cheesemaker at Champlain Valley Creamery. Located in Middlebury Vermont, Champlain Valley Creamery handcrafts certified organic, award-winning cheeses from 100% grass-fed, organic, Jersey milk from Severy Farm in Cornwall, Vermont. You can find their cheese throughout New England and NY states.

“One thing that I love about co-ops is that they order regularly and they order year-round. The co-ops and the small independent retailers, that is where we belong as a value proposition for our production and our products,” said Heather Donahue during her presentation.  “Having that personal relationship with the people that are ordering directly and putting that product back on the shelf is really important to us, and so we’ve always tried to minimize how many people are between us and our customers.”

The NOFFP was created to help solve the crisis of disappearing family farms in the region. A collaboration of farmers, processors, retailers, activists, and government agencies, the organization invites consumers to pledge to purchase at least one-fourth of their weekly organic dairy purchases from brands that have committed to sourcing their dairy from Northeast organic family farmers. A central goal of the effort is to increase demand for dairy produced in the region, creating market stability to help at-risk farms and build greater food system resilience for the future.

These free dialogs are organized based on feedback from our Member Co-ops on their needs and priorities. Other recent dialogs have included sessions with General Managers and Bulk Departments, and webinar on Employee Health Insurance and Retirement Benefits through the NFCA.  Upcoming sessions include:

NFCA Peer Dialog for Board Leaders
Feb 04 — 6:30-7:30 PM — Online  

NFCA Peer Dialog for Small Co-ops
March 04 — 1:00-2:00 PM — Online  

In addition to our Annual Meeting & Member Gathering in March, the NFCA’s Peer Networking Groups provide forums for ongoing communication, collaboration and problem-solving for Food Co-op Directors, Managers, and Departmental Staff.  

Working together, the members of the NFCA are strengthening the community of co-operators across the Northeast, providing opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and shared business success.  For more information on our Peer Dialogs, please e-mail info@nfca.coop or visit our online calendar for upcoming sessions.

The Business Advantage of Co-op Values

Many businesses profess to be purpose-led. But what sets food co-ops apart is our Co-operative Identity. Join us for an online educational session to explore the how (and the why) behind putting our shared Values into practice.

Co-operative professionals commonly refer to the Principles underlying our unique business model. However, there is less familiarity with the underlying Values that are foundational to these Principles. This 2-hour mini session will build your understanding of how being a values-aligned co-operative sets you apart in a competitive marketplace. In particular, we will explore the how (and the why) behind putting the Values into practice, with a focus on demonstrating and optimizing business advantage.

Co-ops in the News

February Cave-to-Co-op Special

This month’s special cheese is Mt. Alice, von Trapp Farmstead, Waitsfield, VT

The Sound of Music has made “von Trapp” a household name across generations. The family didn’t traverse the Alps on foot with all their instruments, but they did leave Austria to tour around Europe and the United States, eventually settling in Stowe in the 1940s.

Werner and Erika von Trapp started the von Trapp Farm in Waitsfield, Vermont in 1959. Erika had studied agriculture in Austria and was a main force behind establishing and growing the farm.

Over 60 years later, von Trapp Farmstead continues using regenerative practices like rotational grazing and on farm cheesemaking, focuses on healthy soil, animal welfare, and all cheeses are made with pasteurized organic cow’s milk from their own pasture-raised herd, just steps from the fields where the cows graze.

Mt. Alice is a soft-ripened, bloomy-rind cheese named for the mountain overlooking the farm. When young, it offers a buttery, milky profile with subtle floral notes; as it ripens, the texture becomes lusciously gooey with developing mushroom and earthy complexity. Approachable yet elegant, Mt. Alice is a versatile cheese that shines both on boards and in the kitchen.

Recipe ideas include grilled cheese with apples or caramelized onions, melted over roasted potatoes or vegetables or spoon warmed Mt. Alice onto flatbread with mushrooms and herbs.

Mt. Alice pairs well with baguettes, sourdough, water crackers, apples, pears, grapes, honey, fruit preserves, or prosciutto! Sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, dry cider are wonderful matches.

Try this recipe for special occasions or just because it’s winter!

Roasted Beet Crostini with Walnut & Orange

Makes 6-8 crostini

• 1 small baguette, sliced and toasted
• 4 oz. Mt. Alice cheese, sliced
• 2 medium roasted beets, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
• Zest of 1 orange
• Drizzle of honey or orange-infused olive oil
• Fresh microgreens or arugula, for garnish

1. Toast baguette slices until golden.
2. Spread or layer Mt. Alice on each crostini.
3. Top with roasted beet slices, walnuts, and a sprinkle of orange zest.
4. Drizzle lightly with honey or orange-infused olive oil.
5. Garnish with microgreens or arugula for color and freshness.

Working together, the NFCA is leveraging the purchasing power or our food co-ops to support local producers.  Each month, we work in collaboration with Provisions International to feature a specially selected local cheese at great price. Look for the “Cave to Co-op” sign in the cheese section at your participating food co-op.

Farmers Union Annual Meeting

Join New England Farmers Union Members for our Annual Meeting as we look back on 2025, consider updates to our policy book, and plan for food system advocacy in 2026!  Please click HERE to register.

As we welcome 2026, it is more important than ever that we work together to advocate for better food system policy.  When you join or renew with the New England Farmers Union, you are helping us work with the Neighboring Food Co-op Association to…

• Support Food Security. As we work to help our communities rebuild, local producers need access to markets and families must be able to access healthy, nutritious food.
• Strengthen Rural Communities.  We need reinvestment in our rural hospitals and mental health resources, improved broadband connectivity in rural areas, and repairs to the damage done to our postal service.
• Fight Consolidation of our Food System.  Our regional producers and processors need more direct access to markets, greater transparency from buyers, and more stable prices for dairy and other farm commodities.
• Combat Climate Change.  Farmers need the resources, technology, and information necessary adapt to climate change – and a seat at the table and a strong voice in the development of climate policies and programs.
• Grow Our Co-ops.  We will continue our work together to promote and protect co-operative business and advocate for policies that will help our co-ops grow.

These efforts are vital for the future of our regional food system and economy.  But we need your help by helping us grow our membership.  We hope you’ll consider joining or renewing with the Farmers Union and help us spread the word with your friends and neighbors at this critical time!

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 NFCA Member Food Co-ops can join the New England Farmers Union at the special rate of just $100. Whether you are a farmer or consumer, urban or rural, the Farmers Union fights for policies that ensure we have a safe and abundant food supply and carries the voice of our communities to state and federal policymakers. For more information, please visit www.newenglandfarmersunion.org.