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In this edition:
Our Neighboring Co-operator
Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, to receive Neighboring Co-operator Award.
The “Neighboring Co-operator Award” was established by the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) to celebrate special contributions made to the advancement of our vision for a co-operative economy, rooted in a healthy, just, and sustainable food system. Recipients have included staff and directors of our Member Co-ops, as well as representatives of organizations that have been valued partners in our work.
As we look forward to our 12th Annual Meeting later this month, we are particularly excited to honor Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, as this year’s Neighboring Co-operator. Mr. Blanding began his career in development work as an economic development intern for the Florida Department of Commerce assigned to the City of Miami Beach and since then has gained a broad experience base including rural, international and co-operative economic development. He has over 25 years of experience serving black farmers, landowners and limited resource co-ops as well as rural communities in the South and internationally. Cornelius has served as Executive Director of the Federation since 2015 and also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Cooperative Business Association / CLUSA International.
Formed out of the Civil Rights movement, the Federation was established in 1967 to create rural community-based economic development opportunities throughout the rural South for black farmers, landowners, and low-income communities via co-ops. Today, the Federation is a co-operative association of black farmers, landowners, and co-ops and credit unions across Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Texas.
Cornelius served as keynote speaker at our Annual Meeting in 2017 as part of our efforts to engage our community in a broader dialog on the intersection between the history of the co-operative movement and the struggle for Civil Rights in the U.S., and to consider the potential for building greater racial and economic justice and co-operative development through partnership among our associations. In 2021, the Federation and the NFCA formalized a partnership focused on building equitable trade relationships between Black-led co-ops in the U.S. South and food co-ops in the Northeast, expanding access to education and training, growing awareness of the co-operative movement, and advocating for policies that support co-op development and efforts for social and economic justice.
Our organizations have also collaborated on co-op business trainings with the International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary’s University and have presented together at events including Radically Rural and the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference. And last year we worked together on a grant secured in partnership with the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) to survey food co-ops in the Northeast on the potential for purchasing products from Black-led producer co-ops in the South. More recently, our organizations have been working together to expand education and protect the Co-operative Identity in legal statutes.
We invite members of our community, including individuals, co-operatives, and other organizations, to share our appreciation of Cornelius and the Federation, and join the NFCA in making a donation in his honor to the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) in support of co-operative education and training.
To make a tax-deductible donation to the Cooperative Education Fund in honor of Cornelius Blanding — and all our Neighboring Co-operators — please use the “Donate” button below!
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives and the Neighboring Food Co-op Association are partners in supporting equitable trade, co-operative development, policy advocacy, and racial and economic justice. For information on the Federation and making a donation to their work, visit https://federation.coop.
The 2023 NOFA-VT Conference
Spreading the word at the NOFA VT Winter Conference.
In February, the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) was pleased to sponsor this year’s well attended NOFA VT Winter Conference held at UVM in Burlington, VT. A full hall of attenders started off the day with remarks from keynote speaker Winona LaDuke, internationally renowned activist on issues of sustainable development, renewable energy, and food systems, who reminded us all of the importance in recognizing we are all connected and jointly dependent on this big bowl we call earth. A co-founder and Executive Director of Honor the Earth, whose mission is to create awareness and support for Native environmental issues and to develop needed financial and political resources for the survival of sustainable Native communities, Winona shared the challenges, joys and inspiration working with her community and family on land retention and soil restoration, traditional crop varieties, and hemp for fiber growing project.
In the exhibit hall, Suzette Snow-Cobb staffed the NFCA table, engaging attendees around what our co-ops are doing to support our local farmers and producers, increase access to healthy foods, and work together to keep our communities healthy and safe and our local economies vibrant and resilient. The winner of our “Go Co-op” raffle basket, Caitlinn, expressed thanks and enthusiasm at having the opportunity to learn more about co-operatives and co-op producers.
Caitlinn was the happy winner of our basket of co-op products!
Shared Capital Cooperative: Building Economic Democracy
We put capital at the service of people rather than the other way around.
Shared Capital Cooperative was founded more than 40 years ago by five food co-ops who took their money out of the banks who wouldn’t provide them with loans and decided to pool it in a mutual aid revolving loan fund. From those original co-ops who pooled $4,500, Shared Capital has grown into a $20 million fund representing co-operatives of all types throughout the US. Co-ops and individuals are invited to be members of Shared Capital and consider investment, putting our shared resources to work for shared impact.
With a mission to build a just, equitable and democratic economy by investing in co-operative enterprises Shared Capital has made nearly 1,000 loans to co-operatives totaling over $60 million dollars since 1979.
Like the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA), Shared Capital is organized as a co-operative of co-operatives, owned by nearly 300 co-ops who invest in and borrow from the fund. Our priority is meeting the capital needs of our members. We take innovative and creative approaches to how we finance co-operatives and to how we manage and govern our loan fund by embedding democracy, equity and justice throughout our work. Shared Capital’s board of directors is nominated and elected by the members, including the NFCA and many of NFCA’s member food co-ops. (Shared Capital Co-op Members: Look for elections coming up March 31-April 14!)
Executive Director, Christina Jennings, notes that Shared Capital’s structure creates “creative tension” because its members want to invest in other co-operatives—especially those who have been excluded from access to capital from other sources. Yet, at the same time, the members want to be sure their own savings will be there when they need it. Shared Capital’s job is to balance and manage those risks and opportunities.
Shared Capital provides financing from $5,000 to $1,000,000 to co-operatively owned small businesses and affordable housing co-operatives, ranging from food co-ops in urban and rural communities to a driver-owned app-based ride share in NYC to a union manufacturing company in rural Wisconsin to an affordable housing co-op in Minneapolis.
“The best thing about Shared Capital is that they come into the process with a desire to make things work,” says Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives / Land Assistance Fund. “Shared Capital is a co-operative, so their approach is basically, ‘How do we make this work for our members?’”
Shared Capital is committed to investing in communities that have been historically excluded from access to capital. Over 80% of our financing goes to co-operatives organized and owned by Black, Indigenous and People of Color, LGBTQ people, women and members of low-resource households who transform the capital into myriad community impacts.
“Mutual self-help is at the heart of the co-operative movement, and by leveraging our collective resources we can support shared growth, innovation and success,” said Erbin Crowell, NFCA Executive Director. “We’re excited to continue to partner with Shared Capital with the goal of increasing access to capital for food co-ops across the Northeast, building on partnerships with organizations like the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, and growing a more inclusive economy that works for everyone.”
For more information on Shared Capital Cooperative, please visit https://SharedCapital.Coop.
Co-ops in the News
Behind the scenes, forces are at work to create the Charles River Food Co-op
Boston Globe
Potsdam Food Co-op will seek State Approval on New DRI Expansion Plan
Watertown Daily Times
Colorful Paper Mittens Cheer the Belfast Co-op & Keep People Fed
Penobscot Bay Pilot
Has your co-op been in the news recently? Send your item to info@nfca.coop.
March Cave-to-Co-op Special
This month’s special cheese is Forerunner from Mt. Mansfield Creamery, VT.
Stan Biasini and Debora Wickart are the cheesemakers of Forerunner, a raw milk Havarti aged for three months in their caves. It features a full body flavor with buttery notes and is perfect for melted cheese on burgers and more.
With the creamery four miles from the farm, Stan transports their milk to the creamery on cheese making days. Debora milks about 30 cows per day and receives awards for the quality of milk produced. They make small batches of cheese only 8 to 12 times per month and are increasing production according to demand. They milk registered Holsteins and Brown Swiss cows that are on rotational grazing in the summer months and fed grain and hay during the winter. Mt. Mansfield Creamery started in June of 2009 and they make cheese year around.
The cheese facility is in the heart of Morrisville, in the old United Farmers Creamery building. Not only did they renovate the building, but they also built their own cheese cave in the basement. They wash and brush the rinds to keep them thin to ensure that their products are one hundred percent edible. Forerunner is fantastic to use in your favorite quiche or cheese dip. For a special treat try these Cheesy Popovers.
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. Strengthening our local and regional farmers and producers by supporting artisanal cheesemakers is a key goal of the Cave to Co-op program.
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.
Cheesy Popovers
- 4 cups whole milk
- 8 eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ T salt
- 2 ½ cups grated Forerunner
- Place the popover pan in the oven and turn it on to 350 degrees, allowing both the pan and oven to preheat.
- In a medium saucepan warm the milk over low heat. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and then slowly whisk in the warm milk, a little at a time, making sure not to cook the eggs. Set aside.
- Sift the flour and the salt together and slowly add this to your egg mixture. Combine gently until smooth.
- Remove the popover pan from the oven. Spray with a nonstick vegetable spray or use butter or shortening to grease the hot pan.
- Fill each popover cup with about 3/4th of the way. Place about 3 tablespoons of cheese on the top of each popover.
- Bake for about 45 minutes. When they are tall and golden, remove from oven and remove popovers from pan. Serve hot with butter.
Strengthening our local and regional farmers and producers by supporting artisanal cheesemakers is a key goal of the Cave to Co-op program. For more information on Cave to Co-op, contact Suzette Snow-Cobb at Suzette@nfca.coop
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
New England Farmers Union Representatives – including Rebecca White from Hanover Co-op Food Stores – are traveling to San Francisco this week for the National Farmers Union’s 121st Anniversary Convention.
With the new Congress getting down to business and the House and Senate Agriculture Committee rosters recently finalized, the NFU Convention will bring members from across the country to advocate for the Fairness for Farmers campaign. This effort will carry into the 2023 Farm bill, as NFU continues to fight for legislation that establishes greater fairness and transparency in cattle markets, strengthens enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards, and ensures farmers and ranchers have the right to repair their own equipment.
RIGHT TO REPAIR STILL ISN’T FIXED
Right to Repair is a major issue across many industries but has a profound impact on farmers and ranchers. With only three companies dominating the market for large farm machinery, farmers have few choices in the marketplace. The major equipment manufacturers, including John Deere, have long refused to make critical repair tools fully available to farmers and independent mechanics, leaving them no choice but to take broken equipment to a licensed dealership. These restrictions, paired with dealership consolidation, have led to inflated service prices and lengthy delays during tight planting and harvest windows that can cost farmers their crop.
While the MOU states farmers will be able to access the same repair materials as John Deere’s technicians, it does not provide any guarantee. The agreement is not a contract with legally binding provisions, which means there are no means of enforcement that can hold either side to the terms. Additionally, a troubling provision within the MOU is a commitment to John Deere that AFBF refrain from supporting Right to Repair legislation.
The AFBF-John Deere MOU presents itself as a voluntary commitment and private sector resolution to achieve the goals of Right to Repair, but it falls far short of real repair protections. Legislation or regulation, either at the federal or state level, would apply to all equipment manufacturers and provide enforcement mechanisms – this is notably absent from the AFBF-John Deere MOU.
Farmers and ranchers need the legal right to obtain and access the documentation, parts, and software tools to fix their own equipment. NFU supports legislation that ensures the Right to Repair, and we will continue to advocate for Right to Repair legislation through the Fairness for Farmers campaign in the 118th Congress.
CATTLE PRICE DISCOVERY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT REINTRODUCED IN SENATE
On February 2, U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Jon Tester (D-MT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023. The legislation aims to restore transparency and accountability in cattle markets by establishing regional cash minimums and equipping producers with greater access to market information.
The American Beef Labeling Act would reinstate mandatory COOL for beef sold in grocery stores by inserting “beef” and “ground beef” back into the existing 2002 law, which continues to require COOL for other foods, such as lamb, chicken, fish, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
NFU supports conspicuous, mandatory, and uniform labeling for food products throughout the processing chain and calls for reauthorization and full implementation of COOL for agricultural, aquaculture, and wild-caught seafood products. Clear and accurate food labels are a valuable tool that helps consumers make informed decisions and allows farmers and ranchers to differentiate their products.
COOL would promote a fairer, more competitive market for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers and quality family-sustaining jobs for meat processing workers. American consumers deserve the right to choose, American cattle farmers and ranchers deserve the right to compete for the consumers’ favor in their domestic market, and meat processing workers deserve quality jobs. As with Right to Repair legislation and the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act, NFU will be a staunch advocate for the passage of the American Beef Labeling Act.
SENATE TAKES ANOTHER SHOT AT COUNTRY-OF-ORIGIN LABELING
Senator John Thune (R-SD), joined by Senators Tester (D-MT), Lummis (R-WY), Booker (D-NJ), and Rounds (R-SD) recently introduced the American Beef Labeling Act of 2023, as the push for mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) continues into the 118th Congress.
The American Beef Labeling Act would reinstate mandatory COOL for beef sold in grocery stores by inserting “beef” and “ground beef” back into the existing 2002 law, which continues to require COOL for other foods, such as lamb, chicken, fish, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
NFU supports conspicuous, mandatory, and uniform labeling for food products throughout the processing chain and calls for reauthorization and full implementation of COOL for agricultural, aquaculture, and wild-caught seafood products. Clear and accurate food labels are a valuable tool that helps consumers make informed decisions and allows farmers and ranchers to differentiate their products.
COOL would promote a fairer, more competitive market for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers and quality family-sustaining jobs for meat processing workers. American consumers deserve the right to choose, American cattle farmers and ranchers deserve the right to compete for the consumers’ favor in their domestic market, and meat processing workers deserve quality jobs. As with Right to Repair legislation and the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act, NFU will be a staunch advocate for passage of the American Beef Labeling Act.
How Can You Help?
Join the Farmers Union! 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. The Neighboring Food Co-op Association is an affiliate member of the New England Farmers Union chapter – and invites farmers, food co-ops, and consumers to join us! For more information, please visit www.newenglandfarmersunion.org.
Join Us for the Co-op 5K
A Virtual Road Race for Co-op Development, April 22 – 28, 2023!
Join the Neighboring Co-operators team for the Co-op 5k — a fun, family-friendly event and fundraiser for the Cooperative Development Foundation. Walk, run, roll or stroll with co-op members, staff, and directors from across the Northeast as we defend our title of “Most Co-op Spirit”! The deadline to sign up is March 31.
Join fellow co-operators for an interactive short course to take a deep dive on Principle 6 from diverse perspectives — from the role of associations and federations to business partnerships and supply chains, to the development of new co-ops. NFCA member co-ops receive a discount on registration. For more information, visit https://www.smu.ca/iccm/.
