Building Local Food Systems the Co-op Way

1. Building Local Food Systems the Co-op Way 2009 CCMA Conference Pittsburgh, PA • 6/12/09 Erbin Crowell • Co-operative Fund of New England Jerry McGeorge • Organic Valley / CROPP Co-op Terry Bowling • La Montanita Co-op Food Market Eric DeLuca • Neighboring Food Co-ops Association Lindy Banister • Wedge Community Co-op

2. Co-operative Fund of New England • Regional loan fund founded in 1975 • Social investments ---> co-op loans • 443 loans (32 in ‘08)… • Totaling $16+ million ($2 million in ‘08) • Co-operative Capital Fund • Domestic Fair Trade Association • Co-op funds for co-op food systems

3. Supporting a Just, Sustainable and Cooperative Regional Food System Co-operative Economy Economic relationships guided by shared commitment to the Co-operative Identity and specifically to the Co-operative Principles: Voluntary & Open Membership; Democratic Member Control; Autonomy & independence; Education, Training & Information; Member Economic Participation; Co-operation among Co-operatives; and Concern for Community. South Royalton Food Co-op Upper Valley Food Co-op Co-op Food Stores Willimantic Food Co-op Hunger Mountain Food Co-op Concord Food Co-op Putney Food Co-op Cabot Creamery Co-op Franklin Community Co-op Springfield Food Co-op Equal Exchange Harvest Co-op Markets Buffalo Mountain Food Co-op Cooperative Fund of New England Brattleboro Food Co-op Rutland Area Food Co-op Littleton Food Co-op FEDCO Co-op Garden Supplies Plainfield Food Co-op Belfast Food Co-op Wild Oats Food Co-op Deep Root Organic Co-op Collective Copies 14 Carrots Food Co-op Hungry Hollow Food Co-op River Valley Co-op Market Onion River Co-op, City Market Berkshire Co-op Market Middlebury Natural Food Co-op Fiddleheads Food Co-op Values-Based Economy Relationships that may not be with co-ops but are guided by the Co-operative Values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, solidarity, honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. Red Tomato Land for Good Urban Oaks Organic Farm Intervale Foundation Mainstream Economy Economic relationships characterized by market priorities. Members of the Neighboring Food Co-ops Association shown in yellow. Founding members of the Domestic Fair Trade Association in bold circles. www.coopfund.coop Current or Historic Lending Relationship Investment or Contribution Trade Relationship

4. Co-ops in the U.S. • 29,285 co-ops • 350+ million members • $514+ billion in annual revenue • 856,000+ employees • $25+ billion in wages • $3+ trillion in assets University of Wisconsin, 2009 • http://reic.uwcc.wisc.edu