NOFA Summer Conference Presentations 2016

The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) sponsored a special track on “Co-operatives in the Food System” at the annual NOFA Summer Conference, August 12-14, 2016 at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA.

The Co-op Track workshops on Friday, August 12 and Saturday, August 13, 2016 addressed a variety of ways in which co-operative enterprises are improving the food system, practical steps for farmers interested in marketing to food co-ops, and strategies for applying this unique economic model to help make local food systems work for people with limited food budgets and to grow more economically and environmentally sustainable food systems:

 


Community Ownership: How Co-ops Help Make Healthy, Local Food More Accessible 

This presentation from the 2016 Northeast Organic Farming Association conference covers the co-op model and how can it help make local food systems work for people with limited food budgets. Find out more about how food co-ops are leveraging community ownership of their grocery stores to make nutritious food more accessible to families with limited food budgets. 
Presenters: Bonnie Hudspeth, Membership and Outreach Manager, Neighboring Food Co-op Association and Dorian Gregory, Loan & Outreach Officer, Cooperative Fund of New England.

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Farmer Co-ops for More Efficient Marketing 

This presentation from the 2016 Northeast Organic Farming Association conference gives an overview of how the co-operative enterprise is a powerful tool for farmers seeking more efficient marketing and a more sustainable food system. It covers examples from our region, steps to establishing a co-op, advice for effective governance and collaboration, and opportunities to access grant resources to support your ideas. 
Presenters: Roger Noonan of New England Farmers Union (NEFU) and Erbin Crowell, Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA). 

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Why go co-op? How do co-ops strengthen our regional food system and economy? Co-ops are an effective model for business succession, retaining jobs, and rooting businesses in communities. Learn about the process of start-up, conversion and operation, and share your ideas for a co-op in your community. 
Presenters: Adam Trott, Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives and Erbin Crowell, Neighboring Food Co-op Association.

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Learn how Real Pickles made the decision to convert from a sole proprietorship to a worker co-op and explore the process that led to the conversion, including a successful community investment campaign. 
Presenter: Kristin Howard, Founding Member, Real Pickles Co-op.

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