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We are always happy to talk
about our work, the challenges
that face new co-ops, and the
tremendous support that they
engender.
For information and interviews,
contact:
Stuart Reid, Executive Director
Phone: 507-664-2034
Mobile: 507-581-0170
BACKGROUND
There are roughly 325 cooperative grocery stores in the United States, with
at least another 200 under development everywhere from Espanola, New
Mexico to Fairbanks, Alaska.
Food Co-op Initiative, an independent, non-profit organization, works with
community groups across the country to help them organize new retail food
cooperatives as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Since 2005, FCI (and its earlier incarnation, Food Co-op 500) has been
assisting communities with education, grants, and loans to help them open
successful grocery co-ops. Opening a successful co-op business is a long
process requiring careful planning and a lot of background knowledge. FCI
provides a support system that enables a faster and more effective startup
process.
In 2006, Stuart Reid was hired as the first-ever national food co-op
development specialist focused on start-ups. Under his leadership, the foundation has developed a model for
successful co-op development, including step by step objectives, along with a full suite of development tools.
nt program. The foundation has given $250,000 in
grants to 33 organizations from 2005 -2011.
The foundation conducts live workshops for co-op organizers at CCMA and other conferences. In collaboration withtheCDS Consulting Co-op, FCI has presented over 20 web-based training sessions.
There are currently over 150 communities across the U.S. involved in efforts to open co-op grocery stores, and new
requests for assistance arrive almost daily. Food Co-
people are tired of food systems that they cannot trust and that do not respond to their needs. Starting a co-op allows
a community to regain control of their most basic survival needs and encourages economic activity throughout the
If start-up groups are to be successful, they need support and inspiration from the existing food co-op community. I
hope food co-ops will join the Blooming Prairie Foundation in supporting the Food Co-
Scholl, CDS Consulting Co-op manager and Food Co-op Initiative Board of Directors.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.cdsconsulting.coop/http://www.cdsconsulting.coop/http://www.cdsconsulting.coop/http://www.cdsconsulting.coop/mailto:[email protected]7/31/2019 Food Co-op Initiative Media Kit 2012
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What is a co-op?
Cooperatives are member-owned, member-governed
businesses that operate for the benefit of their
members according to common principles agreed upon
by the international cooperative community. Most
simply put, a cooperative is a business:
voluntarily owned by the people who use it
operated for the benefit of its members
All co-ops contain the following elements:
Co-ops are owned and governed by theirprimary users (the member-owners).
Co-ops are democratically governed (one-member, one-vote).
Co-ops are businesses, not clubs orassociations.
Co-ops adhere to internationally recognizedprinciples.
More informationwww.ica.coop
FACT SHEET
Groceryco-opsarewidespread
Around the country, roughly 300 cooperatives already run 330 stores, with at least another 200 under development,
everywhere from East Aurora, New York to Fairbanks, Alaska.
Groceryco-opshaveasignificantfinancialimpact
In 2007, consumer grocery cooperatives accounted for close to $2.1 Billion in sales revenue, more than 15,000 jobs,
$252 Million in wages and benefits paid, and $316 Million in valued-added income.
Cooperativesarerecognizedasaforceforglobalchange
The United Nations has declared 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives. The International Year of
Cooperatives is intended to raise public awareness of the invaluable contributions of cooperative enterprises topoverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. The Year will also highlight the strengths of the
cooperative business model as an alternative means of doing business and furthering socioeconomic development.
FoodCo-opInitiativeisaleaderinfosteringnewco-opsnationwideRecent Food Co-op Initiative grant and loan sites include:
Chatham Real Food Market, Chatham, New York
Company Shops Market, Burlington, North Carolina
Fiddleheads Natural Foods Cooperative, New
London, Connecticut
Friendly City Co-op, Harrisonburg, Virginia
H Street Community Market, Washington, D.C.
Harvest Moon Natural Foods Cooperative, Long
Lake, Minnesota
Lost River Community Co-op, Paoli, Indiana
Medford Market, Medford, Oregon
New Orleans Food Co-op, New Orleans, Louisiana
Sierra Vista Food Co-op, Sierra Vista, Arizona
Yelm Food Co-op, Yelm, Washington
Fairbanks Community Cooperative Market,
Fairbanks, Alaska
http://www.ica.coop/coop/index.htmlhttp://www.ica.coop/coop/index.htmlhttp://www.ica.coop/coop/index.htmlhttp://www.realfoodnetwork.org/real-food-coop.htmlhttp://www.realfoodnetwork.org/real-food-coop.htmlhttp://www.companyshopsmarket.coop/http://www.companyshopsmarket.coop/http://www.fiddleheadsfood.coop/http://www.fiddleheadsfood.coop/http://www.friendlycityfoodcoop.com/http://www.friendlycityfoodcoop.com/http://www.harvestmoon.coop/http://www.harvestmoon.coop/http://www.lostrivercoop.com/http://www.lostrivercoop.com/http://www.medfordmarket.org/http://www.medfordmarket.org/http://www.nolafoodcoop.org/http://www.nolafoodcoop.org/http://www.sierravistamarket.com/http://www.sierravistamarket.com/http://www.yelmcoop.com/http://www.yelmcoop.com/http://www.fairbankscoop.org/http://www.fairbankscoop.org/http://www.fairbankscoop.org/http://www.yelmcoop.com/http://www.sierravistamarket.com/http://www.nolafoodcoop.org/http://www.medfordmarket.org/http://www.lostrivercoop.com/http://www.harvestmoon.coop/http://www.friendlycityfoodcoop.com/http://www.fiddleheadsfood.coop/http://www.companyshopsmarket.coop/http://www.realfoodnetwork.org/real-food-coop.htmlhttp://www.ica.coop/coop/index.html7/31/2019 Food Co-op Initiative Media Kit 2012
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STAFF BIOGRAPHIES
Stuart Reid
Executive Director
Stuart Reid is the Executive Director of Food Co-op Initiative, a non-profitfoundation providing technical assistance, training and resources to communitiesacross the United States that are organizing new retail food co-ops and buyingclubs. He was the first Food Co-op Development Specialist for Food Co-op 500,the pilot project that grew into FCI.
Stuart has an extensive background working in cooperatives. He has worked atfive retail food co-ops in a variety of roles, served on several co-op boards, was a
Buyer & Merchandiser for the former DANCe co-op warehouse, served on theexecutive committee of the Twin Cities Natural Food Co-ops GrocersAssociation, was liaison to the Midwest Co-op Grocers Association, and helped open the Just Food Co-op inNorthfield, MN as their first general manager. He has written for the Cooperative Grocer magazine, written andedited training manuals, and presented at workshops and conferences. Stuart is currently serving as chair ofCooperation Works!, a cooperative member services organization made up of cooperative development centers acrossthe United States.
Stuart holds a Lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager accreditation from the Institute for Supply Management wherehe was also recognized as top Membership Committee Chair of the region. In 2004 he was the recipient of theHoward Bowers award for Innovation and Achievement.
Contact:[email protected]: 507-664-2034Mobile: 507-581-0170
Jake Schlachter
Food Co-op Development Specialist
Jake Schlachter is Food Co-op Development Specialist at Food Co-op Initiative.Schlachter founded rural food cooperative Stone's Throw Market in Troy, Ohio, whilealso developing the software for their online salesnow an open source softwareproject led by Food Co-op Initiative. Schlachter's particular expertise is in grassrootsorganizing, and he has successfully delivered training on organizing, communications,and relationship building to dozens of start-ups. His technical expertise allows him toleads ongoing efforts to use the Internet to deliver training, monitor the progress ofclient start-ups, and market food co-ops and buying clubs to communities that are notyet organizing them.
Contact:[email protected](937)838-4404
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]7/31/2019 Food Co-op Initiative Media Kit 2012
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TESTIMONIALS
was overwhelmed with the quality of the conference and even more so with that of the people involved in it. Starting a food
cooperative has been a very fulfilling experience thus far, and all the encouragement and expertise we have been provided through both CDS
and Food Co-op Initiative have no doubt, played a major role. Thank you so much for all your efforts.
-Sheila Conboy, East Aurora Cooperative Market, East Aurora, NY
Wow! It will take me quite awhile to work my way through all the information and sources you provided. I cannot thank you enough
and will certainly get back to you with questions and status of what I come up with.
- Jack Burden, Lovettsville Cooperative Market, Lovettsville, VA
I've practically worn out my copy of the Legal Primer, which has been an essential resource in understanding the incorporation process and
bylaws preparation. I also shared the document with our pro bono attorneys.
-Carrie Rae, Green Hill Food Co-op, Brooklyn, NY
Your unwavering support for us and our project and your honest perspective and sharing of experiences helps tremendously. The journey to
opening day is long and challenging yet full of richness and learning moments.
-Meg Simans, Kitsap Community Food Co-op, Silverdale, WA
PRESS
Co-op Pros Impressed by East Aurora Efforts
East Aurora Advertiser, April 5, 2012
Grocery Co-op to Open in September in Elkins Park, Philadelphia
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 15, 2012
Food Co-ops on Rise in Philly Area
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 22, 2011
Desire for Control Sends Consumers to Food Co-ops
Business Week via The Associated Press, August 16, 2011
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