Attention food co-ops! It’s that time again! Applications for the first round of training and education grants from the Howard Bowers Fund are due February 15. Use this link to learn more about the grants and to make your application: http://ow.ly/O0Ur30hOYYR To learn more about the Howard Bowers Fund, and about past grant recipients, visit: […]
Save the Date! Join the California Center for Cooperative Development on April 29th and 30th for the 2018 California Co-op Conference. Registration will open in January.Visit the conference site for more information. FCI has presented at this annual event customized for California co-ops for many years. It provides some great local training options for startups […]
As FCI reported in the November-December 2017 issue of Cooperative Grocer Magazine, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened its’ doors to working with startup cooperative businesses. This is exciting news as it makes several of the SBA resources available to co-ops now. There remains an obstacle for cooperatives in meeting the requirement of […]
Startups and Small & Strong open co-ops in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin* are invited to attend the Third Annual Small and Strong Conference, a one-day networking and training event for board and staff of Upper Midwest food co-ops with sales under $3 million. What: This year’s theme is Preparing for Change: Whether your co-op […]
Friday, October 20, 2017 in Indianapolis, IN Co-ops have the potential to create jobs, empower individuals and strengthen communities. This business model can provide a path toward more self-sufficiency and greater economic potential. The conference will highlight the impact that African Americans, Hispanics, and Latinos have had on the cooperative movement in this country and showcase their successes […]
Food Co-op Initiative Awards $40,000 as Part of New Program to Address Grocery Gap in Inner Cities Press Release August 25, 2017, Savage, MN Food Co-op Initiative has announced Urban Market Initiative Seed Grant awards of $10,000 each to four groups organizing new food co-ops in urban food deserts. The recipients are: North Flint Food […]
FCI Awards $50,000 in Seed Grants to Rural Food Co-op Startup Groups Press Release August 7, 2017, Savage, MN Food Co-op Initiative (FCI) is excited to announce the award of seven Rural Seed Grants to new retail food co-ops organizing across the United States. Award winners were selected based on the strength of their leadership, […]
Common Ground Food Co-op and Food Co-op Initiative invite you to the Hello, Midwest Cooperators! It’s for the 5th annual IL Startup Workshop Day,. Can you believe it? We’ll be gathering again at Common Ground Food Co-op in Urbana, IL on Saturday, July 22th, 2017. We hope to see many, many of you from both […]
Food Co-op Initiative is proud to announce that the East Aurora Co-op Market in East Aurora, NY, is the recipient of our “Startup of the Year” award for 2017. This award recognizes new food co-ops that have done an outstanding job of organizing their communities, building ownership, and following strong, viable business plans. Providing fresh […]
As Food Co-op Initiative passes our 10th anniversary, we are pleased to present our first Impact Report. Featuring info on the 130+ new co-ops that opened since our founding, it celebrates the combined impact that these new stores have had on their communities, and the cooperative economy. Moving into the next ten years, we are working with over 100 […]