The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) is proud to sponsor a special track of workshops and presentations on “Co-operatives in the Food System” at the 43rd Annual NOFA Summer Conference, August 11-13, 2017 at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. The conference is a great place to meet people from across the Northeast and beyond for a three-day celebration of the grassroots organic movement, with amazing farmers, presenters, seminars, workshops, food and fun. Immerse yourself with like-minded practitioners and curious learners eager to share their inspiration and ideas for organic food, farming, health, activism — and co-ops!
Co-op Track events, which will take place on Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12, 2017, address a variety of the ways co-operative enterprises are contributing to a more healthy, just and sustainable food system, including how food co-ops are strengthening food security and empowering people to build sustainable food systems, practical steps for small producers and co-ops to comply with new food safety rules, launching a new co-op or converting an existing business, and a screening of the PBS Visionaries’ documentary “In the Spirit of Co-operation,” featuring local co-ops such as Real Pickles:
Friday, August 11th:
- 4:00-5:30 pm: Who Gets to Eat? Co-ops Addressing Food Justice with Bonnie Hudspeth (Neighboring Food Co-op Association), Dorian Gregory (Cooperative Fund of New England), Jon Megas-Russel (Brattleboro Food Co-op) & Maria Infante (Project Bread)
Saturday, August 12th:
- 8:00-9:30 pm: Food Safety Rules for Small Producers & Co-ops with Roger Noonan (NEFU) (New England Farmers Union) & Vicki Smith: Food Safety Specialist, New England Farmers Union (NEFU).
- 10:00-11:30 pm: Co-ops & Economic Democracy: Why Go Co-op? with Adam Trott (Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives) & Erbin Crowell (Neighboring Food Co-op Association)
- 1:00-2:30 pm: “In the Spirit of Co-operation”: Video & Discussion with Producer with Bill Mosher (Executive Producer, Visionaries Public Television Series) & Erbin Crowell (Neighboring Food Co-op Association)
For workshop descriptions, visit: http://nofasummerconference.org/?s=co-op
Early Bird Registration is Available: http://nofasummerconference.org/
Check out the Keynote Speakers here: http://nofasummerconference.org/2017-keynote-speakers/