WHY THIS IS OUR 2020 Impacts Report - Food Co-op Initiative
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THIS IS OUR WHY 2020 Impacts Report
Letter from the
Letter from the Board Chair Executive Director
The Food Co-op Initiative quickly and creatively responded to the needs of start-up Last year when I wrote this message, we were starting to feel the full impacts of the
food co-ops after the pandemic hit. FCI provided critical support to groups figuring out Corona virus pandemic. While many businesses shut down to prevent spread, grocery
how to continue serving their communities and how to navigate new paths to opening stores were recognized as essential services — something we already knew. But along
for business. Staff expertly pivoted to remote learning and networking to accomplish with that recognition came great responsibility and co-ops responded. Many of the
Chair: Richard Dines
Engagement Consultant, Credit
our objectives. startup co-ops we support understood that even though they did not have a storefront, they had an organi-
Union National Association
The Board is proud of the work staff has done to assist development efforts across the zation that was committed to the health and welfare of their communities. Food distribution, welfare check-
country and, in particular, its work to support Black-led co-ops. The Board is recommitting to our own jour- ins, and many other programs popped up across the country bringing some relief where food and social
ney in making diversity, equity, and inclusion a central focus of our work. As an organization dedicated to connections were difficult.
providing critical resources to communities forming democratically owned and controlled institutions that
At the same time, our country was forced to reckon be almost 40 — now available in our resource library
supply nutrition and basic needs, as well as developing local food systems, we strive to ensure that every
with the repercussions of systemic racism as the as video-on-demand.
community has access.
pandemic exacerbated the impact on people of color,
making it all too clear that we do not treat everyone Rural co-ops have always been an area of focus for
And we were pleased to welcome new members to the Board, including amaha selassie, Olivia Rebanal, and
equally. Black-led co-ops are on the rise in the U.S., FCI, and in 2020/2021 we continued to see growth in
Rich Larochelle. Both amaha and Rich play key leadership roles in start-up projects celebrating opening their
and the attention given to white supremacy and inquiries, particularly from smaller rural communities
doors this year: Gem City Market in Dayton, Ohio and Fredericksburg Food Co-op in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
black/brown disenfranchisement spurred dramatic where independent grocers are closing shop at an
In cooperation, growth for many of these co-ops. Earlier this year increasing rate. Through partnerships with Kansas
Richard Dines the Gem City Co-op opened in Dayton, Ohio and State University and other cooperative development
co-ops in Detroit and North Flint are preparing to centers, we have provided new materials and training
break ground on their stores this fall. Dozens for community leaders to encourage them to use
2021 Board of Directors more are in development. cooperative solutions.
FCI responded to both trends, quickly kicking off As always, we rely on the generosity of the co-op
a highly popular series of live webinars intended to community to make this all possible. Our thanks to all
help organizing teams understand the dynamics of the co-ops, individuals and organizations that support
growth during a pandemic. Expert presenters offered FCI and the startup food co-ops we serve. Your gifts
advice and startup co-ops shared their own stories. enable us to provide our free support to the diverse
Black leaders talked about what it means to organize and growing number of communities across the
in their communities where outreach methods and United States seeking a better future.
capital sources often differ significantly from what Stuart Reid
Steve Cooke Treasurer: Secretary: Advisory Member: Vice Chair: Gerardo Espinoza used to be considered “typical” co-ops. What started Executive Director
General Manager, Brian Misenheimer Darnell Adams Sohnie Black Chris Clamp Executive Director,
Friendly City Food Co-op, Senior Loan Officer– Firebrand Cooperative Center for Housing and Director, Center for Local Enterprise as a plan for a dozen or so webinars turned out to
Harrisonburg, VA VP Franchise Financing, Community Studies Cooperatives and CED, Assistance Fund (LEAF)
Live Oak Bank Southern New Hampshire
University
As we prepared to go to press, we found out that a dear friend and colleague
recently passed away. Allan Gallant died on July 24 at home with his family.
Allan helped set the direction for FCI, serving on the original task force and
as a member of our board of directors since the very beginning. His vision
and conviction made it possible for us to transition from a “project” to an
incorporated 501c3 development center thanks to major financial commitment
from the Blooming Prairie Foundation. His contributions to the food co-op
community are many, from establishing a cooperative food distribution system
John Guerra Richard Larochelle Olivia M. Rebanal amaha sellassie Jeanie Wells serving remote Alaskan villages to trying to save the foundering Berkeley
Business Development retired Senior Vice Chief Impact Officer, Assoc. Prof. of Sociology, Operations Manager
Director, National Co+op President, National Rural Ecotrust Dir. of the Center for and Organizational Co-op. But more importantly, he was a friend and mentor. He always had
Grocers (NCG) Utilities Cooperative Applied Social Issues, Consultant, Columinate
Development Finance Corporation Sinclair Community College words of praise and encouragement for those around him. As he often
Co+operative said to me, “atta boy!” Thank you, Allan.
points of pride
After an unprecedented year, we have much to celebrate!
The 2020 Neighboring
Co-operator Award
The “Neighboring Co-operator Award” acknowledges special
Our
Vision
Strengthening
contributions made to the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) Communities through
and the advancement of our vision by a staff member, director or member Cooperation
of a Member Co-op or partner organization.
An amazing virtual Up & Coming “Up & Coming is really terrific “This was my first Up & Coming Food Co-op Initiative
We are excited to announce that the recipient of the
with record attendance: for our co-op as a startup! It’s and I learned SO much. Speakers Neighboring Co-operator Award for 2020 is JQ Hannah,
paves the way for
445 attendees amazing to realize how generous were wonderful and I was able to Assistant Director of Food Co-op Initiative (FCI). New Food Co-op
fellow cooperators are with the connect with folks from other Excellence, leading
141 first-time attendees JQ’s passion for and support of the next generation of
benefits of their collective Co-ops which was wonderful. food co-ops is profoundly impactful, both in our region
to better fed, healthier
82 co-ops/39 states represented experience”. I feel much better equipped to and across the country. In addition to delivering techni- communities with
42 workshops continue the progress of our cal assistance, best practices, and cutting-edge innova- local control and
Co-op development.” tions in startup development at NFCA’s monthly peer Coordinated Startup connections.
56 speakers Calls, ze also worked with the NFCA and Co-op Development Coordinator,
Bonnie Hudspeth, to create the annual “Northeast Startup Day,” bringing
together startup organizers in our region for peer learning and deep-dive
training. Ze helped to replicate NFCA’s successful peer calls and startup day
The FCI COVIDeo series launched quickly after the Covid lockdowns 1301 registrations across the country — FCI is now offering seven additional peer learning
groups across the country with over three dozen startups participating
Our
Mission
began. The series met startups’ need to determine “what now for us?”
266 unique attendees (many monthly. JQ also co-founded the “Up & Coming Conference,” a national
and pulled in experts and peer leaders from across the country for attended multiple sessions) annual conference bringing together over 300 startup organizers for work-
candid conversations. shops, networking, and training to help their food co-op organizing success.
35 total sessions in the series FCI aims to increase
The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) is a co-operative federation the number, success,
of over 40 food co-ops and startup initiatives across New England.
and sustainability of
Our peer learning program tripled in size, reaching every corner 10 peer groups Read the full award announcement at www.cdf.coop/nfca.
new food cooperatives
of the nation beginning Oct. 2020 — the perfect time to reactivate and
48 participating food startups delivering access to
connect startups — helping them learn together and get growing again.
65 cooperators each month, healthy food in diverse
Topics have ranged from How to Incorporate, to Onboarding your GM, Co-ops that opened in the last 12 months
average participation communities across
and everything in between, hosted by industry experts and peers.
this country. It provides
Co-op at 1st, Denver, CO
information, training,
and technical assis-
Farm to Family Cooperative, Hay Springs, NE tance, as well as seed
capital, and engages
Fredericksburg Food Cooperative, Fredericksburg, VA in research, to blaze,
maintain and improve
Launch of the Release of the first Collaboration with National recognition Close and effective the development path
new online FCI Spanish-language the Rural Grocery by NFCA of JQ’s collaborations with Gem City Market, Dayton, OH
for new food co-ops.
Classroom portal — startup guide for Initiative of Kansas contributions to multiple Black-led
FCI-classroom.com food co-ops State guiding small the food co-op development
rural communities industry (see article organizations South Philly Food Co-op, Philadelphia, PA
seeking to retain on next page) resulting in mean-
or re-open a ingful outcomes
Village Bountiful Grocery Co-op, Unadilla, NY
grocery store
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN:
WHY FCI?
What’s YOUR reason for
supporting FCI?
our
“Our leadership team is amazing with a diverse skill set, but none of us has ever started
a food co-op before! FCI has been an invaluable lifeline for us — offering tailored
guidance at every step of our development, connecting us with professionals in the
co-op world, coordinating monthly peer calls with other start-ups, and offering
encouragement and support through the tricky times. FCI’s dedication to building
$75k $80,000 a cooperative community equipped with strong governance, successful business
Is it because you know food co-ops revitalize $70k goal
$65,000
planning and well-developed community support comes through in everything they
communities? Or because our free services
$60,000 do. We are so grateful for FCI and all they do to support food cooperatives!”
to co-op organizers are so vital? Do you
Let’s
$55,000
—Katy Kondrat, Kingston Food Co-op
love seeing our growing number of peer $50,000
WHY matters
create
what we do
$45,000
calls; our new online FCI Classroom;
“Around the country, in every kind of community, people
a full
$40,000
or our rapid response with our wildly $35,000 are turning to the cooperative model to ensure access
circle!
popular COVIDeo series to help $30,000
to great food. Before FCI, there was no organized way
to help support these communities. Now, 10 years
organizers pivot during the pandemic? $25,000
strong, FCI provides needed resources, development
$20,000
opportunities and support to hundreds of communities
There are as many reasons to support FCI $15,000
who are fighting to bring good food, good jobs and
as there are startup food co-ops! Those $10,000 social justice to their communities.”
$5,000
— Jeanie Wells, FCI Board Member
organizers are working tirelessly to improve their
communities. Startups need FCI. And FCI needs YOU. “The overwhelming support from the community shows how needed
and wanted a food co-op is here in Butte, and how much its residents
I don’t know where we would be without want to further invest in and support the local food economy. We
FCI.coop/donate FCI’s resources, their mentorship, and all the are grateful for the support from FCI and other start-ups helping
other co-ops we’ve make our co-op vision come to life here in Southwest Montana.”
YES, your co-op
met through FCI. — Krissy Kraczkowsky, Butte Food Co-op.
can pledge now,
The amount of shared
be invoiced later! “FCI’s work is vital because community ownership is
knowledge at FCI is a precious resource that must be nurtured. There is a
Email us at just incredible. very noticeable difference in [a town with a co-op] and
info@fci.coop — Lacey Reichwald, the spirit of collective responsibility that it brings. Every
Whitewater Grocery Co. place deserves to have a co-op, and FCI helps bring that
and we’ll take care of the rest! dream to life when a community resolves to create one.”
— Richard Dines, FCI Board Member
startup highlights real world impacts
of FCI’s work
Years FCI has
supported co-ops:
$465 million 17
in annual sales
Butte Food Co-op Detroit People’s Kodiak Harvest
$107 million
in local food purchased at startups
166
co-ops opened
Butte, MT (pop. 33,964)
Food Co-op Food Co-op since 2006
(FCI provided resources and
200,000
Stage 2A, feasibility; Detroit, MI (pop. 670,031) Kodiak, AK (pop. 6,022))
incorporated in 2021 support to almost all of them)
Stage 3B, implementation; Stage 2A, feasibility;
Next milestone: Financial Feasibility, 1278 member-owners incorporated in 2016
Pro Forma Development
Next milestone: breaking ground Next milestone: finish their owners
4,278
The Butte Food Co-Op set records Spring 2022 Business Plan
this past winter with 864 member-
The Detroit People’s Food Co-op Kodiak is a small, island community
owner pledges in just over two
has been a long time coming, but south of Anchorage—connected
weeks (including 540 on the first
17
the wait is nearly over. With 1,285 only by ferry and air transport.
new jobs (FTE)
35
day!) The co-op got its start when
34
owners, the co-op will be located Food access takes on a whole new
a neighborhood grocery store was created at startups:
in Detroit’s historic North End meaning when deliveries are
offered up in “turnkey” condition—
and is a project of the Detroit dependent on weather and stag-
almost all the equipment and
Black Community Food Security gering freight costs. FCI has been
fixtures were still in place. FCI staff
Network. It will be a unique model, working with Kodiak Harvest since
84
were concerned that the location # of active startups per corridor
serving an urban, predominately 2016 and have provided board
could not support the lease and
African American, low and training, site evaluation, and
overhead costs and encouraged
moderate-income community. business planning support. Today
the organizers to get a formal
The co-op will be within the Kodiak Harvest has 548 owners,
market study. After a site visit,
meetings with the owner and
Detroit Food Commons, a more than 25% of the local house- active startups served
$17 million dollar project that holds. They are running weekly
market report, the co-op opted
will incorporate community space veggie markets and have a small
by FCI right now
to start from scratch and began
and community kitchens as well as online store featuring Alaskan
formal organizing. Support has
the food co-op. The 17,000 sq. ft. products, including Kodiak Harvest Income Expenses
been phenomenal and with
building is new construction, sockeye salmon. As the co-op 2020 2020
73
strong leadership and community
totally owned and controlled continues to grow, they have their
engagement, the co-op is making
by the community. eyes on a prime commercial site
great progress.
and hope to open a full-service
grocery co-op soon.
Grants 84% Programming 65% new inquiries
Contributions 14% Mgmnt & General 26% in 2020
Other income 2% Fundraising 9%
14314 Featherstone Tr.
Savage, MN 55378
844-324-2667
www.FCI.coop
Legacy Donors Major Donors
Sustaining Donors
Flatbush Food Co-op* GreenTree Cooperative Grocery, Mt. Pleasant, MI Spiral Natural Foods Co-op & Grocery,
Hastings, MN
River Valley Co-op* Green Top Grocery, Bloomington, IL
Sugar Beet Co-op, Oak Park, IL
*Combined, these two co-ops have contributed over Maple City Market, Goshen, IN
$60,000 through their owner patronage programs. Three Rivers Market, Knoxville, TN
The Merc, Lawrence, KS
Viroqua Food Co+op, Viroqua, WI
Ashland Food Co-op, Ashland, OR Menomonie Market Food Co-op, Menomonie, WI
Valley Natural Foods, Burnsville, MN
Basics Cooperative Natural Foods, Janesville, WI Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, Middlebury, VT
Wedge Co-op TCCP, Minneapolis, MN
Boise Food Co-op, Boise, ID Mississippi Market, St Paul, MN
Wheatsville Food Co-op, Austin, TX
Briar Patch Food Co-op, Grass Valley, CA Monadnock Community Market Co-op, Keene, NH
Whole Foods Community Co-op, Duluth, MN
Chequamegon Food Co-op, Ashland, WI Monadnock Moon Food Co-op, Keene, NH
Willimantic Food Cooperative, Willimantic CT
City Center Market, Cambridge, MN Neighborhood Co-op Grocery, Carbondale, IL
Willy Street Co-op, Madison, WI
City Market, Onion River Co-op, Burlington, VT Oneota Community Food Co-op, Decorah, IA
Ypsilanti Food Co-op, Ypsilanti, MI
Cook County Whole Foods Co-op, Oryana Natural Foods Market, Traverse City, MI
Grand Marais, MN Outpost Natural Foods, Milwaukee, WI
The Co-op Natural Foods, Sioux Falls, SD Ozark Natural Foods, Fayetteville, AR Special Thanks
Cultivate Community Food Co-Op, Benicia, CA People’s Food Co-op La Crosse, La Crosse, WI …to the many donors who continue
Eastside Food Co-op, Minneapolis, MN Roanoke Co+op, Roanoke, VA to show their belief in FCI by supporting
Fiddleheads Co-op, New London, CT Seward Community Co-op, Minneapolis, MN our work!
Friendly City Food Co-op, Harrisonburg, VA Skagit Valley Food Co-op, Mount Vernon, WA
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