Co-op Business Model Workshop to Enhance Local Food System
Posted: November 2, 2016
Categories: Events / GoodFoodBites / Growing Good Food Ideas / News from Sustain Members
Learn about how a co-operative buisness model can enhance our local food system.
The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario a Sustain Member is hosting an event about comparison of Co-op Models on Saturday November 5 at 1:30pm- 5:00pm at The Root Cellar Organic Café (upstairs) located at 623 Dundas Street, London.
The event is 40 dollars for EFAO members and 60 dollars for non-members register at efao.ca.
The workshop will explore the co-operative business model and how local food producers and consumers can use this model to enhance our current local food system. Through the experiences and knowledge of the speakers, attendees will have the opportunity to hear and learn first-hand from co-op owners.
Using that discussion as a starting point, we will then cover the areas of: co-op structure and operations, co-op financing and resources for a farm co-op development. We will explore how the cooperative model allows ecological agriculture to become a sustainable and productive player in our food system locally.
The workshop will answer questions like:
- What are the different ways farms can become co-operatives? (i.e. worker co-op, marketing co-op)
- What are the steps in creating a farm co-op in Ontario?
- How do farmers benefit through the opportunities that a co-op can bring?
- What farm co-ops already exist in Ontario and how can they connect?
- How can farmers who are interested in the co-op model better connect with one another?
Panelists:
Frédéric Thériault – Tourne-Sol Co-operative Farm, Les Cèdres, Québec
Thorsten Arnold – Eat Local Grey Bruce, Owen Sound, Ontario
Jennifer Evans – Shaws Creek Farm Co-op, Erin, Ontario
After the workshop The Local Organic Food Co-ops Network invites farmers, co-opers, food lovers and friends to come to the co-op social. It will be a great opportunity to meet others and personally connect while enjoying some good food together. The Root Cellar Café will be hosting the event it is a proud supporter of local farm businesses and has a strong commitment to building community. They have reserved space after 5pm in the café. Come enjoy dinner and a nice refreshing beer from the London Brewing Cooperative! Please register for the social. Light refreshments will be provided.
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Local Organic Food Co-operatives Network and generously funded by the Libro Credit Union Prosperity Project and the Agricultural Management Institute.
The social is generously funded by the Libro Credit Union Prosperity Project.