More Than A Market: How Communities Build Food Co-ops
Speakers
More Than a Market: How Communities Build Food Co-ops
A Thought-Provoking Two-Session Learning Experience
Food co-operatives play an important role in strengthening local economies, improving access to food, and building community ownership. This two-session learning experience is designed for individuals interested in understanding how food co-ops are formed, governed, and operated in a financially sustainable way.
Participants will gain a practical overview of the key steps involved in organizing, funding, and running a food co-operative, with real-world insights shared by experienced presenters.
Session 1: Food Co-op Formation and Organizing
This session focuses on the foundation of food co-operatives and how they are structured.
Topics include:
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What a food co-op is, including its purpose and benefits
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Different food co-op models
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Organizing and structuring an executive committee
Wednesday, February 18
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Session 2: Food Co-op Operations
This session explores the operational side of running a successful food co-operative.
Topics include:
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Governance, including power sharing and decision making
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Basics of operating a food co-op store
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Key drivers of store profitability
Wednesday, February 25
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Chris Dilley has been working in and with cooperative grocery retail for over 25 years. Most of his experience was with People’s Food Co-op of Kalamazoo, starting with board service in 1998 then as general manager from 2003 to 2023, where he helped the co-op to move locations and quadruple the store size and expand sales ten times, take on operation of the Kalamazoo Farmers Market, and work to address inequities in the local food system. After leaving PFC and spending two years as a manager on contract, for the past year Chris has served as the Director of Support at Food Co-op Initiative, a national non-profit supporting the community-based efforts to develop startup food cooperatives. He is passionate about the cooperative model, great grocery experiences, local food systems development, and equitable access for all. He is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Darnell Adams is a dynamic leadership coach, facilitator, and business strategist, who has over two decades of experience working with nonprofit, for-profit, and cooperative businesses. She has been personally recognized in “Bold Thinkers Who Are Shaping Our City” by Boston Magazine’s Power of ideas and as a Social Innovator by the Social Innovation Forum accelerator program. She develops and facilitates strategic plans, special projects, and workshops, providing expertise and training on an array of topics including transformational leadership, understanding implicit bias and power. She has presented to large and small groups within industry, city and state governments, universities, and media outlets. Darnell has a Master of Education from Harvard University and is an International Coaching Federation Credentialed Coach.
