Maine's Newest Food Co-op is Opening in September in Portland

The Portland Food Co-op plans to open its doors this September. They currently have 1147 member-owners and need to reach 1400 to open, so are well on their way. They've had 100 new member-owners join in the past 10 days! Check out their new video: http://vimeo.com/87714644. CDI Board member and CFNE Outreach Officer Gloria LaBrecque gets the last word, talking about how the co-op is a way to strengthen the local economy.

Job posting: Portland Food Co-op seeks General Manager

Portland Food Co-op General Manager, Portland Maine

The Portland Food Co-op is seeking a vibrant community-oriented leader to serve as our first General Manager. The Portland Food Co-op plans to open a grocery store in September 2014, owned by members and open to the public, that will offer a wide selection of high quality and fairly priced local, organic, and natural foods and household products. We are dedicated to supporting local farmers and producers, serving our community and building the local economy.

The ideal candidate should have at least five years experience as General Manager or other senior management position at a food co-op. The General Manager (GM) will plan and oversee all co-op operations and be responsible for meeting all business and organizational goals. Candidates should have a solid understanding of business accounting principles, organizational budgeting and business planning, as well as margins, setting sales goals, pricing, product merchandising, and marketing. The GM will be responsible for hiring and supervision of all co-op management and staff and will report directly to the Board of Directors under policy governance. It is imperative that the GM value co-op principles and demonstrate ability to connect with the local community.

PFC is in the process of establishing a retail storefront, and the GM will have a direct role in decision-making for the store. Our goal is to have over 1400 member-owners and annual sales of $1.7 million in our first year of store operations.We are seeking a leader with demonstrated experience leading a team through a period of significant growth.

Portland is a city full of inspiration, where startups become local institutions.  Portland was ranked #1 Most Liveable City by Forbes Magazine in 2009 and is in the top ten for Greenest City, Best Farmers Market, and Foodiest Small Town.  Learn more at liveworkportland.org.

This is a full-time salaried position with health benefits and paid vacation. The target start date is April 1st 2014. To learn more about PFC please go towww.portlandfood.coop. To apply please send resume, cover letter, and three professional references to: info@portlandfood.coop.

Job posting: R.I. Food Co-op seeks General Manager

Job Announcement for Alternative Food Co-op General Manager position

The Alternative Food Cooperative of Wakefield, RI, is looking for a full-time General Manager and invites applications from the greater food co-op and sustainable living business community. Please see the job description below.

The Co-op, in business for 43 years, is located in downtown Wakefield, a village in the town of South Kingstown on the rural-suburban southern shore of Rhode Island. The University of Rhode Island is four miles from the Co-op. The area has a vibrant and growing local food movement, with several farmers’ markets and Community-Supported Agriculture enterprises that include local fish and shellfish, vegetables, fruits, and meats.

It is a relatively small Co-op at 2200 sq. ft. with about 200 active members, and 14 staff members. Earlier this year, we formed a Strategic Planning Committee of Board members, staff, and members considering a move or expansion to let us better serve our membership. The new General Manager will be an integral member of this team and vision.

We are looking for a General Manager who has the ambition, experience, and energy to take the Co-op to the next level.

Salary will be commensurate with experience. Moving expenses not covered.

This is a wonderful opportunity for an energetic person dedicated to the co-op movement and local and organic food to “make a difference” by growing the Alternative Food Co-op to an organization that takes full advantage of the demographics of south coastal Rhode Island and the growing local food movement. We look forward to meeting our new General Manager!

Please submit a resume and a cover letter for consideration. Include the name, address, email, and telephone number of three references who can attest to your experience and abilities. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

Email to: john@jwsfoodcrafters.com

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General Manager Position Description

General Responsibilities: To manage the Co-op Operations, to meet the goals and objectives of the membership and the Board of Directors, and to uphold the Co-op’s principles as defined in the Mission Statement

Supervision Received: Reports to and serves at the discretion of the Board of Directors

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership, team building, delegation and motivation skills
• Successful experience managing a retail food store, preferably in a natural foods, cooperative model including supervision, business planning, development and administration
• Experience preparing and implementing annual budgets
• A comprehensive understanding of current trends in natural foods industry, and commitment to local, sustainable foods and the cooperative model
• Experience in all phases of retail store operations
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple demands, prioritize, and delegate appropriately
• Demonstrated high integrity and commitment to ethical business practices
• Demonstrated computer proficiency

Responsibilities:

Operations

• Efficiently and effectively organize the Co-op’s operations to ensure profitability
• Identify and address operational problems in a timely fashion
• Plan for the Co-op’s ongoing operational needs, including technology, facilities, and equipment
• Compliance with all applicable laws: licenses, permits, health regulations, workers compensation, & employment requirements

Membership

• Administration of benefits and requirements
• Assessment of member and patron needs and desires to increase membership and participation
• Prioritization of goals and projects
• Timely and accurate reporting including presentations to membership at Annual Meeting

Planning and Development - Assist the board with:

• Development of long term vision (strategic plan)
• Preparation of a business plan
• Store development goals and priorities
• Assessment of capital needs and development of sources

Financial

• Annual operating, capital, and cash budgets
• Timely and accurate reporting to board and membership
• Goals and key indicators for operations: margin, sales, profits, turns, membership

Marketing and Merchandising

• Set purchasing and pricing guidelines

• Promotions and display

• Newsletter, advertising, and other communications
• Oversee keeping website active and up to date

• Participation in community events

Personnel

• Wages and benefits
• Grievance procedures

• Participation and decision making
• Hiring, orientation, training, scheduling, evaluation, promotion, discipline, dismissal

Board Relationship

• Work with the Board to establish and implement goals and policies
• Interpret financial statements and effectively convey them to the Board
• Informational and leadership support

Other

• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Board of Directors

New Hampshire Community Seafood multi-stakeholder co-op featured in Rural Cooperatives Magazine, Sept/Oct issue

CDI's Lynda Brushett and Noemi Giszpenc teamed up to report on the new multi-stakeholder co-op in New Hampshire, NH Community Seafood, owned by fishermen and consumers. Using the community-supported agriculture marketing model, they are shoring up the basis for viable local fisheries. See http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Coop_RurCoopMag.html, Sept/Oct issue, pages 24-25.

photo Sarah VanHorn

Job posting: GM for co-op store in Western MA

JOB POSTING: October 5, 2013

General Manager (GM) for the Old Creamery Co-op in Cummington, Massachusetts. After a three-year start-up period, we are off and running! We took ownership of the Old Creamery business and building on November 6, 2012 and are now operating as a member-owned community supported cooperative.

We are seeking a GM to ensure that the Old Creamery thrives as a vibrant center of the surrounding communities. A full-service grocery store, deli, and café, the Old Creamery currently has annual sales of nearly $1.7 million, 26 full- and part-time employees, and 640 member-owners. Our business plan projects increase of sales to $2 million by 2016.

Candidates must have senior management experience in a retail food business and strong skills in financial management, marketing, problem solving, communication, and community building. We seek an inspired leader who embraces challenge and who has vision, compassion, and a sense of humor. Our ideal candidate will help create the conditions and culture necessary for long-term success while managing the many and diverse activities of a recent start-up, including: final touches on a near complete building renovation and parking expansion, creation and innovation of operational systems, and ongoing management development of staff.

Immediate opening. Compensation and benefits dependent on experience, competitive with similar-type co-ops. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and we strongly encourage applications before November 30, 2013. Refer to our website (http://oldcreamery.coop/) for more information about the Old Creamery Co-op vision and values, and to find the detailed General Manager job description. To apply, please send an email to board@oldcreamery.coop  with the following attachments in MS Office Word or PDF format.

1. Cover letter, including your salary history and salary requirements
2. Resume
3. Three employment references with full contact information (name, address, phone, email, title, relationship)

While the Co-op strongly prefers applications via email, if access to the Internet is an issue for any reason, please apply via postal mail to Board President, Old Creamery Co-op, 445 Berkshire Trail, Cummington, MA  01026.

The Old Creamery Co-op values excellence and diversity in hiring and is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

Matching Grant Challenge for Dorchester Food Co-op

The Dorchester Community Food Co-op is approaching the deadline for our matching fund Challenge Grant from the Boston Impact Initiative.

Thanks to many of you, we have raised $2800 toward our goal of $12,500. Now we need to raise the rest--- $9,700 by April 15! If we meet this challenge, we will receive an additional $12,500 from the Boston Impact Initiative and we will have $25,000 to ensure that the co-op can do the pre-development work to move to the next level.

We are meeting with our development partners to finalize site selection for the new co-op. We are very excited about the vision of a whole new 10,000 sq ft "market center" on Bowdoin St. that will include the co-op, as well as complementary businesses, such as a bakery, a fish store, and a bank or credit union.

Chip in $25 or more right now to help make this vision a reality!

Our goal for this co-op is far more than just a source of food. With your support we will also work to create a hub for community gatherings and build a model green community- and worker-owned business. We are tired of hearing that inner city visions are unrealistic! You may have noticed a recent Boston Globe article that talks about many new supermarkets with natural food being built in the Boston area, and you may have ALSO noticed that Dorchester--Boston's largest neighborhood-- is not included in any of these plans! We need to build our OWN store that brings us economic opportunities and community control over our food choices.

Please act now and help us meet this fundraising challenge. With your continued backing for the Dorchester Community Food Coop, we will show that commitment and hard work can make this dream come true in a diverse urban setting.

To Donate on Line: dotcommcoop.wordpress.com 
Look for the Donate Now icon!

Donations of $100 or more are tax deductible if made by check payable to our fiscal sponsor, the Coop Fund of New England. All checks should be mailed to Dorchester Community Food Coop, PO Box 240231, Dorchester, MA 02124

With gratitude for your partnership,

Jenny Silverman and the Board of the Dorchester Community Food Coop
Jhana Senxian, Bing Broderick, Davida Andelman, Rosanne Foley, Sharon Higgins, Jennie Msall, Lynn Murray, Samantha Tan, Joel Wool

Congratulations to the Old Creamery Co-op!

It was a long haul, but they did it -- the 550 members of the Old Creamery Cooperative became owners of the Old Creamery country store in Cummington, MA. See the Berkshire Eagle story and the mention in the Boston Globe.

CDI provided initial guidance and fiscal sponsorship to the years-long effort. This is the first example in our region of a conversion of an existing grocery store into a community-owned co-op through the creation of a new cooperative business, but we feel sure it won't be the last!

Grants for Start-Up Food Co-ops Build Co-op Economy

Congratulations in particular to Northeast co-ops in Dorchester, MA, Barre, VT and Binghamton, NY!

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Food Co-op Initiative is excited to announce the latest round of grants to startup food cooperatives. Full text of this press release is included below, attached, and available at http://www.foodcoopinitiative.coop/content/fci-grants-build-cooperative-economy

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Grants Build Co-op Economy

Today Food Co-op Initiative announced grants to ten new cooperative grocery stores. An additional four co-ops will receive scholarships for board and organizer training. All fourteen awardees will bring a focus on local economy, community building, and healthy food options to their communities.

Food Co-op Initiative is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to helping communities make their co-op vision into reality. They are the only national organization dedicated exclusively to helping startup food co-ops. Their grants, free consultations, and extensive library of educational resources have helped dozens of co-ops get their start since Food Co-op Initiative’s inception in 2010.

Among those receiving funding is Capital City Food Co-op in Juneau, Alaska. Juneau residents began organizing in May, 2012 to bring a co-op to their remote northern city, which is accessible only by boat or airplane. “People are individualistic here,” says organizer Evelyn Rousso, “But the frontier sense of looking out for one’s neighbors is also a strong bond. Not many people could identify the Rochdale Principles, but, openness to all, democracy, honest business practices, benefits to those who participate, cooperation with others, and the good of the community are all things that really do resonate here, and are reflected in many, many ways in the daily life of our city.”

Another grantee is Dorchester Community Food Co-op, located in one of Boston, Massachusetts’s largest and most diverse neighborhoods. More than just a grocery store, in the words of organizer Jenny Silverman, “Dorchester will be a community and worker-owned market and food hub that provides economic opportunity, healthy affordable food access, and education around healthy food choices.” The Dorchester Community Food Co-op hopes to be part of an network of social enterprises that reinvigorates their inner-city commercial district.

This is the second round of grants distributed by Food Co-op Initiative. In 2011, $50,000 was awarded to eight co-ops. This year, nearly $100,000 will be distributed. However, Food Co-op Initiative Executive Director Stuart Reid says the financial support is only part of the package. “More important is the one-on-one mentoring we give our grantees. Along with regular contact through email and telephone, Food Co-op Initiative development specialists will make personal visits to each startup to provide educational workshops and organizational support.”  Food Co-op Initiatives grants are funded in part by USDA Rural Development and Blooming Prairie Foundation.

Contact:

Stuart Reid

507-664-2034

stuart@foodcoopinitiative.coop

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Complete list of 2012 grantees:

Capital City Market Co-op, Juneau, AK

Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, Detroit, MI

Dorchester Community Food Co-op, Boston, MA

Fuquay-Varina Community Market, Fuquay-Varina, NC

Gateway Food Cooperative, St. Paul, MN

Granite City Co-op, Barre, VT

Green Top Grocery, Bloomington, IL

Hub City Co-op, Spartanburg, SC

Many Hands Food Cooperative, Binghamton, NY

Wasatch Cooperative Market, Salt Lake City, UT

Scholarship recipients:

Deerfield Community Co-op, Deerfield, WI

Ellensburg Food Co-op, Ellensburg, WA

Hudson Grocery Cooperative, Hudson, WI

Local Roots Food Co-op, Buffalo, MN

Course on "Creating a Cooperative Food Economy" at Greenfield Community College, MA

AGR114 "Creating a Cooperative Food Economy" at Greenfield Community College

Meets on *Thursdays, 6pm-7:30pm from 9/6 to 10/18 & Field trip Sun, 9/30 from 10am-2:30pm. *


AGR 114: Creating a Cooperative Food Economy 
(1-credit OR not-for-credit through Community Education) (15 hours total)

Course Description

Explores cooperative member-owned business models (co-ops) and their various forms of democratic ownership with a focus on the local food economy. Students form groups and receive mentorship in creating their own co-op enterprise with the goals of strengthening food security, sustainability, and/or food access. Interactive workshops and hands-on field trips to co-ops inform students' understanding of the local food economy in the Pioneer Valley. Field trips required. No pre-requisites.


Register here: www.gcc.mass.edu/farmandfoodsystems/classes

Creating a Cooperative Food Economy is being taught by next-generation co-op leaders from the worker cooperative Toolbox for Education and Social Action (TESA). The course is part of a broader national initiative
called Cooperative Teach-in, a component of the US program for the International Year of Cooperatives.


Email instructors with any questions: Brian Van Slyke--brian@toolboxfored.org or Andrew Stachiw--andrew@toolboxfored.org.

This course provides a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our regional food system in the Pioneer Valley, gain professional development experience, explore co-operative business ideas, begin working on the foundations of a potential cooperative enterprise, and network with other cooperatively-minded students and entrepreneurs.