niagara local food co-op 101
TRANSCRIPT
Niagara Local Food Coop
Local food to local people with
nothing in between.
Linda Grimo President
Getting Started Fall 2007 – Project leader called farmers together
for a meeting with a co-op consultant ~ formed steering committee– Discussed co-op concept and vision
– Which model to use
– Feasibility study
April 2008
Visit Oklahoma Food Coop– Meetings with President
– Treasurer
– Members
First Shopping cycle was
in October 2008 with the
first distribution day
November 4, 2008.
What???
The Niagara Local Food Co-operative is
an innovative marketing and distribution
system for local farmers, agricultural
producers, and consumers.
The essential business of the cooperative is to provide a
marketplace where willing buyers and sellers can meet.
At no time does the cooperative ever have title to any of the
products. We have no inventory. The products that go through
our distribution system are owned either by the producer, or by
the customer who purchases "title" to the product from the
producer.
Who is involved? Our vision is to get locally grown
produce into the homes of local people, and as of 2015 into the hands of Niagara chefs
Our Consumers are customers who live anywhere in the Niagara Region
Our Producers include the farmers who grow the produce directly as well as Producers who add value to the locally grown produce
– These include bakers, entrepreneurs…
Our Producers
Aceto Niagara Andrzejewski Perogies Black Bow Farms Busimex Trading Con Gusto Bakery Edible Options Fenwood Farms Garden City Essentials Green Lawn Farms Greenview Farms Grimo Nut Nursery Health Nut Vegan Foods Holy Smokes BBQ and Soul
Food Itty Bitty Pie Company Lake Land Meats
Mathias Farms Meier Family Organic Farms Niagara Aquaponic Produce Niagara Cuisine Niagara Food Specialties Niagara Presents Specialty Foods Niagara's Fresh N & B Vegies ON. Nat. Food Co-op Orshinsky Family Farm Rosewood Estate Winery Small Batch Co. Skinny Dip Soaps St Davids Hydroponics Sweet Potato Johnny Upper Canada Cheese Warner Farms White Meadows Farms Windwood Farms Ying Ying Soy Food
Mathias Farms,Tom and Beth
Niagara Specialty Products,His assistant and Mario
Nicole and Yvette, consumers and promoters
Arden Vaughn, Lakeland Meats
How does it work? Virtual Farmer’s Market…That’s right, you can buy your food
Online !
Producers add their products
to the site
- Each Producer sets their own
market prices
- Add details about their farm to “tell their story”
- Have control over what they sell and how much via their login page
How do I shop?
Order Online into a virtual shopping cart
– Login with personal information
– Buy in a continuous cycle until the end of the
shopping cycle (on Saturdays)
– Pay by PayPal or e-Transfer
Welcome Grimo Nut Nursery
Ernie and Linda Grimo!
Current Time: Thursday, June 5, 2014 11:30 pm
Ordering Closes: June 14, 2014 11 pm
Delivery Date: June17, 2014
Browse the Product Lists Click here for PDF versions
* Start here *
Products Sorted by Category
(Full List)
Products Sorted by
Producer
Products Sorted by
Product ID#
New Products Changed ProductsProducts Sorted by
Category
Customer Info: Product and Order Info
View Your CartView Your
In-Process InvoiceView Past Invoices
Producer Info: Product and Order Info
Delivery Day Labels:
One Label per Customer
One Label per Product
Producer Invoices:
by Customer
by Product
Past Producer Invoices
Edit Your Products: [Unlisted] [Listed] [Add]
Edit Your Public Info
Consumers Order Online into a Virtual Shopping Cart– Make personal food selections
They can come and go as they please
Any time of day or night
– Only order what they want, not a CSA
– Pay by PayPal or e-Transfer to complete the order
• Coop fees pay for rent, internet, insurance and any costs for the cooperative
- Producers pay 10% on all sales- Consumers pay 5% on all purchases
Distribution Day– Every second Tuesday
– Hubs throughout the Niagara region
– Producers drop off the orders and assemble
them into customer baskets
Leave with their pay cheque
– Consumers arrive to
pick up their personal
order of fresh locally
grown food
- OR it can be delivered right to your home for a
small fee.
How is it governed?
We are a Co-operative
Board of Directors
– September 7, 2008 met to elect the first Board of Directors
All members are Shareholders
– Producers buy $100 Share (buy and sell)
– Consumers buy $50 Share
– Shares are a one time cost (like a credit union)
Volunteers help run distribution day
Advantages ~ for the Farmer
No middle man, farmer gets top dollar
Farmer has a dependable market
Makes farming sustainable and keeps
farmers producing on local lands
Distribution is to one location, not
having to deliver to several locations
New market ~ the new age shopper
Enables value added revenue
Innovation and value
added…
Advantages ~ for the
Consumer Getting the best tasting
food
Food is safe
Food is picked fresher
because it doesn’t have to travel far
Supporting your local economy
Know exactly how their food was produced
and where
…
Advantages ~ for the
Environment
Reducing our carbon footprint
Supports sustainable and humane farming
Reduces transportation costs
– lessen fossil fuel consumption, pollution, and
greenhouse gas emissions.
Advantages ~ for the
Community
Money remains in our community
Supports our local economy
Creates business opportunities
Creates employment
Builds direct relationships
among producers, chefs,
consumers and
neighbours.
Economy
By supporting our local
farmers you are
directly supporting
– Jobs for farmers
– The creation of wealth
that remains in our
community
– Job creation as farms
are able to increase
production or value
added
What is Next?
With grant money we are able to:
Hire a marketer that specializes in online
commerce.
Build a new dynamic and engaging website.
Create an online presence.
Marketing campaign to attract foodies in the
Niagara Region who value buying local AND
who like to shop online.
And More…
Build an avenue for our producers to sell
wholesale.
Strategic Partnerships with Niagara
Community groups that are mutually
beneficial.
Make a difference in our community
Questions?
Linda Grimo
Grimo Nut Nursery
President
Niagara Local Food Co-op
