The roots of the co-operative movement are in food security. Faye Conte from Hunger Free Vermont presents the challenges around access to healthy, affordable food in New England, and how can our food co-ops be a part of the solution, inviting more people to be a part of our movement?
3. Food
Security
in
New
England
Between 2007 and 2011, participation in food
stamps (SNAP) increased by more than 50% in
every state in New England:
STATE Participation 2010 Growth 2010-2012
CT 10% 55%
MA 11% 86%
NH 8% 88%
RI 12% 136%
VT 13% 78%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, "SNAP: Average Monthly Participation (Persons) by Fiscal
Year," http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ offsite.
4. Some
Questions
• Is there a role for food co-ops in
addressing food insecurity?
• Do we have an obligation or legacy to
consider in this challenge?
• Is there an opportunity for food co-ops in
addressing food insecurity?
• How do we go about this? Who are our
partners?
5. The
International
Year
of
Co-‐ops
Recognizing the contribution of of co-ops to:
• Poverty reduction
• Employment generation
• Social integration
• Fairness & globalization
• Conflict resolution
• Food security
6. Co-‐operative
Origins
What was the motivation of the Rochdale
Pioneers, who codified the values and principles
on which the co-operative movement has based
since 1844?
We know it today as food security.
Dame Pauline Green, President
International Co-operative Alliance
7. The
Rochdale
Pioneers
The Co-operative Model
• Mutual Self-Help
• Local Ownership
• Democratic Control
• Affordable Membership
• Healthy, Basic Food
• Co-operative Economy
9. Food
Co-‐ops
&
Healthy
Food
Access
NFCA Goals
• Increase access to healthy food and co-
op membership for low-income
individuals
• Support peer to peer collaboration
among member co-ops on programs
• Raise profile of co-ops as a tool for
increasing food security in our region
10. Network
Collaboration
Seeking Out Partners
• Co-op Fund of New England
• New England Farmers Union
• Hunger Free Vermont
Grant Support
• Co-operative Foundation
• Newman’s Own
• Jane’s Trust
11. Progress
• Resource development: timeline, financial
planning, Toolbox
• Peer Collaboration
• New Partners
• Seeding national dialog
• Sharing our story
http://nfca.coop/healthyfoodaccess
12. “A
Place
at
the
Table”
• National awareness
campaign
• Six NFCA co-ops
participating
• Coordinated screenings,
community dialogs
• Raise profile of co-ops
as leaders and
community partners
13. Healthy Food Access:
Creating a Welcoming
Food Co-op
Presented by Faye Conte, 3SquaresVT Advocate
Neighboring Food Co-op Association Fall Gathering
September 7, 2013
15. What does hunger look like?
• Living on inexpensive
foods that lack critical
nutrients
• Bare cupboards at the
end of the month
• Parents skimping on
food for the benefit of
their kids
16. Food Security
Access to enough food for a healthy life,
including:
• Ready availability for nutritionally adequate
safe foods
• Assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in
socially acceptable ways
(e.g. not from emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing,
or other coping strategies)
17. Food Insecurity
Limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally
adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain
ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially
acceptable ways.
The lack of access to enough food to fully meet
basic needs at all times due to lack of financial
resources.
18. Who is hungry?
Food Insecurity
• United States: 14.5% (10.68 million)
• Northeast: 11.9% (1.59 million)
• CT: 13.4%
• MA: 11.4%
• NH: 9.9%
• VT: 12.7%
Food Insecurity with Hunger
• United States: 5.7% (6.95 million)
• Northeast: 4.6% (997,000)
• CT: 4.9%
• MA 4.2%
• NH: 4.3%
• VT: 5.6%
19. The Burden of Hunger
• Individual health,
development, and ability to
thrive.
• Family stability and
long-term success.
• Economic and social cost
to the community.
20. Why do we have hunger?
A family of 4 in rural VT with both parents working full time at minimum
wage:
Monthly Income: $2,910
Monthly Expenses: $5,046 (VT Joint Fiscal Office)
Common Tax Credits: $450
Federal Nutrition Benefits: $467
3SquaresVT $306
WIC $56
School Meals $41
Child Care Meals (CACFP)$64
At the end of the month, even with aid from the
federal nutrition programs, this Vermont family still
has a monthly deficit of $1,669
ANNUAL DEFICIT: $14,628
21. The cycle of food insecurity &
malnutrition
Lethargy
Increased illness
Learning deficits
Behavior problems
POVERTY
SCHOOL
FAILURE
Decreased food intake
Narrowed food choices
Decrease in vitamins
and minerals
MALNUTRITION
Reduced Earning
Potential
Exclusion from the
knowledge community
22. Breaking the Cycle: SNAP
• A program by many names:
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Food Stamps
• EBT
• 3SquaresVT in Vermont
• A federal nutrition program of the USDA that gives eligible
households money each month to spend on food
wherever EBT is accepted, including farmers’ markets.
• Participation in May 2013:
• CT: 426,863 (11.94%)
• MA: 885,701 (13.53%)
• NH: 116,319 (8.84%)
• VT: 100,607 (16.08%)
23. Breaking the Cycle: WIC
• WIC is a federal nutrition program of
the USDA for low-income women,
infants, and children up to age 5.
• Similar income eligibility limits as
SNAP.
• Operates differently in each state,
but all include spending vouchers or
money on WIC-approved foods in
stores.
• Participation:
– CT: 56,584
– MA: 122,568
– NH: 16,299
– VT: 15,471
24. Why does this matter to your co-op?
• Co-ops provide important food
access points
• Opportunity for increased sales &
membership
• Increased food security and food
access often fits into a co-op’s Ends
Statements and mission
25. What can your co-op do?
Financial Incentives
• Food For All (FFA)
• BASICS
Welcome the entire
community!
26. Food For All
• Universal (excluding alcohol) discount on groceries for low-income
shoppers
• Eligibility options
• Accessible ownership options
• Community partnerships for outreach and technical assistance
• Monitoring & tracking
Potential & Considerations
Challenges:
• Membership
• Legal considerations
• Staff capacity
• Financial impact on store
• Public perception of co-ops
27. BASICS
• Lowering price points on everyday
staples
• Similar to supermarkets’ own brands
Potential & Considerations
Challenges:
• Financial impact on store
• Public perception of co-ops
• Staff training & signage
28. Welcome the entire community
• Accessible membership
• Customer education on
through signage, classes, and
tours.
• Variety of product types
• Staff training and awareness
• Inclusive marketing
29. Special Considerations
• Staying true to the
cooperative spirit and store
values.
• What’s good for your
business?
• Ends Statements
With intention & ingenuity,
your co-op can be your entire
community’s grocery store!