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Bloomingfoods Hosts Food Co-op Start-up Conference |
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Bloomingfoods is hosting a two-day intensive conference on February 19 and 20 to benefit those interested in starting food co-ops in their own communities. To be held at the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center and the Courtyard by Marriott (with food catered by the co-op), the conference is a joint effort of the Indiana Cooperative Development Center and Bloomingfoods. Support also comes from the Howard Bowers Fund of the Cooperative Development Foundation in Washington, DC.
“My office receives many inquiries about food co-ops,” says Debbie Trocha, executive director of ICDC. “We are aware of nearly a dozen groups in our region who have an interest in starting a food co-op, but they lack the funds needed to hire those consultants who can help them map out a plan.”
Bloomingfoods General Manager George Huntington has often been called upon to offer advice to start-up co-ops. “We recognized the opportunity to bring some of the finest experts together, to share our collective wisdom and experience, and network in a more concentrated way,” says Huntington.
Presenters include experienced leaders from Cooperative Development Services and Food Co-op 500, as well as staff and board members from Lost River Community Co-op in Paoli, Indiana; Neighborhood Co-op Grocery in Carbondale, Illinois; and Bloomingfoods. Topics include financial planning, project management, marketing, and operations, considered from two angles: Laying the Foundation, and After the Paint Dries. Panels will consider the challenges involved in starting a food co-op, looking at successes, cases studies, and cautionary tales. An evening meal at FARMBloomington is supported by Indy Fruit.
“We are able to offer partial scholarships to individuals and groups who may need them,” says Trocha. “We want anyone with a sincere interest in starting a food co-op to be able to attend.” Contact Debbie at
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or 317-692-7707 to learn more, or register at www.ICDC.coop/start-up.
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