Initiatives

It Takes Cooperation to Build a Food Co-op

Start-up Food Co-op Development Conference Monday May 23, 2011, 8:30 am - 5 pm

An opportunity for steering committees, boards and members of emerging and recently opened consumer food co-ops, buying clubs and farmer owned retail stores in New York and New England to learn best business and organization practices from established co-ops, cooperative development specialists and financiers.

To make the most of the depth and diversity of information, contacts and networking offered by this conference, the participation of at least three people from each co-op is highly recommended. The deeply discounted registration fee for additional people is structured make group participation affordable. Your co-op's carpool conversations to and from are guaranteed to be stimulating and productive!

Registration fees:

$100 for 1 person, $25 for each additional person from the same organization.

You may pre-register your group by sending a check to:

• CDI
• PO Box 422
• Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

Online registration opens April 29, 2011 and continues to May 14, 2011. Space is limited so sign up early!

• Location:
• The Arts Block, 289 Main St, Greenfield, MA 01301.

More Information

Conference schedule and workshop and lunchtime topic descriptions

Presenter Bios

Conference Materials

Map of Co-ops in the Region

View or download the press release for the conference

Hotel accommodation information from the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

Bookmark the conference registration site, which will be updated with workshop descriptions and logistical information, as well as this webpage, which will feature additional resources and links.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at 202/720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.