How To Start A Neighborhood Food Co Op
Sustain have produced an online resource the food co ops toolkit that explains how to start one up local food buying cooperatives or food co ops are becoming more popular as communities opt out of supermarket shopping in favour of more affordable alternatives to buying fresh produce.
How to start a neighborhood food co op. Food co op initiative provides exceptional resources for people in the u s. Dorchester community food co op. A grocery cooperative co op a member owned food and grocery store that welcomes all shoppers while offering special benefits such as discounts and voting rights regarding operations to members who buy a share in the business. Get started with food co op initiative new co ops start here.
Learn more about why they chose the multi stakeholder model for their co op. The first step in starting a co op is learning as much as you can. We recommend that startup teams contact food co op initiative to take the first steps with their projects. Before you can start your co op determine that there is a need.
Think car sharing bike sharing co working and airbnb. Based on an online guide to starting a food co op by the cooperative grocers information network in the sharing economy new and innovative business models are being developed for everyday needs like housing work and transportation. A food co op is a member owned business that buys food for its members. Learn about co ops learn about your community s needs and vision and learn about the organizing process.
Building a multi stakeholder co op from nfcacoops. However other types include consumer worker producer and purchasing co ops. The fci guide to starting a food co op food co op initiative has updated the food co op startup guide manual and the new version is available with other resources at their website and attached here. One business stood out in particular.
Make sure your participants also have a real need for the food you are all buying. Study the ins and outs of a food co op. Working to start a retail food co op that meets the needs of their community. Some good places to start are the free e book the fci guide to starting a food co op and our video a food co op for your community.
Talk to people at your church post fliers around your neighborhood pta or homeschool co op. Frequently co op businesses are formed to obtain better prices on local food or common products. If you re serious about starting a food co op you need to become an expert on the topic.