How To Start A Food Co Op

We recommend that startup teams contact food co op initiative to take the first steps with their projects.

How to start a food co op.

This publication will be revised in 2013 in order to be more consistent with the resources in the following listing. Startup food co op groups that have not already done so should contact food co op. Arguably the simplest type of food co op. Don t convert people just to meet minimums.

Once you have start up costs figured out spread the word about your co op by putting up flyers. 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. Everybody looks through your supplier s catalogue and each member places an order with the co op. For detailed information and step by step instructions on how to start your own food co op check out these articles.

The co op then orders everything together in one big order to get delivered to one place usually somebody s flat or perhaps a cupboard in the student union. Advertise on social media. Start a worker co op or convert an existing business nofa sc 8 8 13 from nfcacoops. Frequently co op businesses are formed to obtain better prices on local food or common products.

How to start a bulk food co op. Erbin crowell executive director of the neighboring food co op association adam trott staff developer for the valley alliance of worker co ops share the basics of the co operative model its relevance to local economies and the process for business development. Make sure your participants also have a real need for the food you are all buying. Department of agriculture rural development office in your state or the national cooperative business association to connect with someone.

Thanks to the co ops that have opened over the last 10 years for all we have learned with you. Before you can start your co op determine that there is a need. However other types include consumer worker producer and purchasing co ops. How to start a local food co op or buying.

Then plan for the logistical side of owning a business by looking up health codes figuring out your competitor s pricing by visiting local grocery shops and figuring out how much it would cost to rent a commercial space. Talk to people at your church post fliers around your neighborhood pta or homeschool co op. How to start a food co op manual. If someone isn t already on board with eating organic vegetables or drinking raw milk they won t have the same level of commitment as the rest of you.

You don t want to have to be chasing people up for money borrowing money from members or for people not to collect the food. How to start a community food co op. The best single introductory publication for these groups is the booklet how to start a food co op updated in 2012 and available from the cooperative grocer network by a free download at the link provided below under related documents. Food co op initiative fci.

If you can t find a co op in your community or there isn t one that suits your needs consider starting your own.