Six free webinars designed for boards, volunteers and stakeholders of startup food co-ops. Each live webinar is offered by author JON STEINMAN and will be recorded and made accessible to startups following the live event.
A MESSAGE FROM JON STEINMAN:
“After travelling to food co-ops nationwide in 2019, including being hosted by 23 startups, I recognized opportunities for startups to expand food systems and grocery retail comprehension and the role of food co-ops within these larger contexts.
From this experience, and through the many engagements I’ve had with startups since, I became inspired to design a series of sessions similar to those I regularly deliver to boards and staff of storefront food co-ops. These sessions will equip startup boards, volunteers, stakeholders, and founding member-owners, with foundational knowledge, inspirational stories, and talking points to support you from conception through to opening day.”
Learn the history of food co-op formation in America.
Sessions feature extensive slideshows of food co-op interiors.
Glimpse the successes of startup food co-ops now operating full-service grocery stores.
Learn about the growing interest in the food co-op model among black-led organizations and communities. (Pictured here: Up & Coming Food Co-op Conference 2022)
Load up on effective talking points to help you describe what makes a food co-op different from any other grocery store.
Prepare your co-op with talking points and responses to some of the most common questions like “What is a food co-op?” and “Why are food co-ops important?”
“Well researched, well articulated and much appreciated!” - Pittsburgh, PA
“This was great - lots of good ideas for our messaging.” - Bethlehem, PA
“I found this session and information great for co-op members and board to keep aligned.” - Kingston, NY
2022 WEBINARS
APRIL 12, 2022 (runtime: 60min)
THE PROMISE OF FOOD CO-OPS IN THE AGE OF GROCERY GIANTS
Grocery stores bear tremendous responsibilities in the communities they operate. Their impacts on health, the food system, local economies and the environment are substantial. This session makes the case for the consumer cooperative as a model of grocery store ownership that can ensure grocery stores remain committed to the communities in which they operate. What makes food co-ops different? The session offers an introductory overview of many of the topics covered in the other sessions.
Access restricted to startup food co-ops
APRIL 19, 2022 (runtime: 75min)
125 FOOD CO-OPS IN 6 MONTHS - A VISUAL JOURNEY
In 2019, Jon visited 125 food co-ops and 23 startups over a span of 6 months and he took a LOT of photos! This presentation offers a unique visual glimpse into the state of the food co-op sector and the inspiring changes and growth taking place. Jon continues to keep a close watch on the evolution of food co-ops across the country and includes in this presentation the most current developments underway (including among startups). The talk is an uplifting and inspiring account of the success of food co-ops nationwide and will support startups to feel connected to the larger movement that your efforts are a part of.
access restricted to startup food co-ops
APRIL 26, 2022 (runtime 80min)
GROCERY STORES: THE FOOD SYSTEM’S CONTROL CENTER
Grocery retailers might be the most influential force shaping the food supply. We examine the position of grocery stores within the food system and their role as ‘gatekeepers’ – determining which foods make it to market and which do not. This session examines global and local impacts of the dominant position of the grocery giants and the practices they employ to maintain market share and power over suppliers.
ACCESS RESTRICTED TO STARTUP FOOD CO-OPS
MAY 3, 2022 (runtime 75min)
“FOOD CO-OPS ARE EXPENSIVE!” - UNPACKING FOOD PRICES
Food co-ops often carry with them the stigma of being “expensive”, “over-priced” and inaccessible to many. Jon unpacks the topic of food prices by deconstructing the truth and myth behind high price perceptions. Participants are left with food price talking points to use in their communities.
ACCESS RESTRICTED TO STARTUP FOOD CO-OPS
MAY 31, 2022 (runtime 75min)
A CENTURY OF GROCERY RETAILING AND FOOD COOPERATION IN AMERICA
How can we know who we are and where we are going if we don't know where we have come from? This session explores the fascinating, frustrating and inspirational history of modern grocery retailing and the waves of food co-op formation that emerged alongside.
ACCESS RESTRICTED TO STARTUP FOOD CO-OPS
JUNE 7, 2022 (runtime 80min)
WHY FOOD CO-OPS?
A single interaction with a prospective member-owner or stakeholder – maybe no more than fifteen seconds – can make or break their potential investment into an emerging food co-op. The session offers effective talking points to spread the ‘co-op difference’ message. This session is particularly useful for startups’ public relations strategies.
ACCESS RESTRICTED TO STARTUP FOOD CO-OPS
This free webinar series is made possible with the generous support of:
