Food Co-Op of Indiana PA

Reorganizational meeting

July 21, 2016

indianafoodcoop.wordpress.com

Agenda

• Introductions•Why local food? •Who we are• 2015-2016 accomplishments• Purpose and goals•Discussion: your co-op ideas • Committee structure:

seeking volunteers• Acknowledgements•Next steps

Why local food?

Consumers Local farmers and vendors

solutionstalk.com Indianagazette.com

Buy fresh, buy local Pennsylvania. (2016). http://buylocalpa.org/why-buy-local/

2015-2016 Accomplishments

• Formed our first steering committee

• Established a website and Facebook Page

• Raised ~$1,600

• Secured a tentative location

• Made new contacts and friends

• Became incorporated as a non-profit: we’re official!

What is the purpose of The Food Co-op of Indiana PA? What are our goals?

• Create a member-owned food cooperative • Market and promote healthy, farm-fresh, local foods, and

products

Advocate for local food

Stimulate access to locally grown and

sustainable foods for all Indiana area

residents and visitors.

Increase access to fresh produce and healthy foods for all income levels.

Food Justice

Invest in our local economy by supporting regional food producers/growers and local businesses.

(Indiana County Farmers’ Market, 2016).

Offer opportunities for food education and community empowerment about healthy food.

Community Education

Develop an economically viable yet socially conscious member-based food co-op emphasizing 3Ps: people, planet, and purpose

Sustainability

Your ideas for the co-op

•5 min: In groups of three, discuss: “What are some of your ideas to make the co-op successful?”

•10 min: Share your ideas with the the group

Food Co-Op Ideasfrom the 2016 reorganizational meeting

The success of the co-op depends on getting more leaders and volunteers

involved in the effort.

Food Co-op of Indiana PAHow are we organized?

Steering Committee… now recruiting new members!

Up to 14 people, including:

Two co-chairpeople

Secretary

Treasurer

Four committee chairs

Four Committees

Membership and PR: People

Fundraising committee: Money

Planning committee: Legal, Business Planning

Local food advocacy committee: Food

Membership committee: People

Getting new people and keeping in touch with those we have…

• Website

• Membership lists and drives

• Volunteer recruitment

• Advocacy

• Education

• Newsletter

Fundraising committee: Money

Raising money to support our operations…

• Organizing fundraisers

• Grant-writing

Planning committee: Legal

Planning the organizational structure --

• Obtaining 501(c)(3) status

• Bylaws

• Budget

• Record-keeping

Local food advocacy committee – Food

Promoting local healthy food --

• Buying club

• CSAs

• SNAP-EBT

• Promoting local food in Indiana County

• Setting up food co-op

What do we hope for the future?Food Co-op Initiative

Join as a member today!

What’s next?

• Join as a member – share a form with a friend

• Volunteer – fill out an interest form

• Sign up for our email list

• Tonight: Food Co-Op mixer at The Brown Hotel

• Next membership and steering committee meeting: Tuesday August 9, 4:30pm-6:00pm, 701 Philadelphia St.

• Northern Appalachian Folk Festival: September 9 to 11

Acknowledgements• 3 Ponds Farm - 3pondsfarm.blogspot.com

• Artists Hand Gallery & Espresso Bar - theartistshandgallery.com

• The Brown Hotel - facebook.com/DownAtTheBrown

• Gatti Pharmacy and Gift Shop - gattirx.com

• Levity Brewing - levitybrewing.com

• Mahoning Creek’s Farms - mahoningcreekfarm.com

• Portia’s Bistro and Donut Connection - portiasdonutconnection.com

• Romeo’s Pizzeria & Mediterranean - romeos-pizza.com

• Sandy’s Custom Cuisine - sandyscustomcuisine.com

• Six Hand Bakery – Facebook: Six Hand Bakery

• Spaghetti Benders - spaghettibenders.com

• Uncle Henry’s Garden - unclehenrysgarden.com

• And several other businesses and individuals

Questions and comments

Resources

Buy fresh, buy local Pennsylvania. (2016). http://buylocalpa.org/why-buy-local/

Co-operative identity, values & principles. (2016). International Cooperative Alliance. https://ica.coop/en/whats-co-op/co-operative-identity-values-principles

Food Co-op Initiative. (2016). http://www.foodcoopinitiative.coop/

Local Food Promotion Program. (2016). United States Department of Agriculture. https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp