Cloverbelt Local Food Co-op - Ke

Cloverbelt Local Food Co-op

Ke-ondaatiziying Conference 2014 “How Will We Sustain Ourselves?”

The Cloverbelt Local Food Co-operative aims to strengthen food security by encouraging diverse local food production, thereby enhancing overall rural sustainability.

We strive to foster a thriving local food community by: - cultivating & facilitating farmer-consumer relationships; - promoting the enjoyment of naturally grown, fairly priced, healthy food; and - providing education & resources regarding environmentally sensitive agriculture

CLFC 2014 Strategic Plan Goal #1: Increase visibility & accessibility of local foods available for purchase

ONLINE FARMERS MARKET

• Founded August 2013 • Based on 2011 Feasibility Study • To build on Locavore Program • Further develop area agriculture • To increase supply of local food • Ideally create opportunities for Food entrepreneurs, and create jobs • Over 85 Members before 1st order cycle December 2, 2103 Consultant suggested 130 members to start

Cloverbelt Local Food Co-op 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Year-round Convenient: access anywhere Access multiple producers Order what you want, when YOU are an owner Order Saturday-Monday Pick up Tuesdays See what is available from home

Consumers • • • • •

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$25 Lifetime Membership Fee Shop from multiple producers from home, work, or phone One convenient weekly pick up Choose which producers to support Pay 10% fee towards operations (insurance, staff wages) Current payment types are electronic money transfer, cash or cheque. Paypal & Visa/Mastercard in future.

PProducers • $50 Lifetime Membership Fee • Wholesale volume sales at close to retail prices • One weekly drop off • Set their own product prices • Pay 5% of sales towards operation costs • Retain ownership of product • Choose when and how much to sell

Goal #2 To educate our community & surrounding area about the benefits of eating locally • Events: Rec Centre Winter Wellness, Dryden Hospital Wellness, Children’s Resource Centre, Highschool Envirodays • Newsletters • Website • Social Media (Facebook/Twitter)

Goal #3: To increase the amount Of NWO food purchased Locally •

Over $130,000 in sales in 9 months

Other Immediate Benefits Producers from Emo, Kenora, Tbay

5 producers now using local flour Food Safety Handling Workshop •

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Encouraged volunteering • Resulting trained producers Increased consumer confidence

430 members, over 40 producers

What’s Next? 1. 2.

3.

Greenhouse Project Increased Marketing and Member Engagement Opportunities through a grant from the Cooperators Development Fund Regional Food Mapping & Distribution

Community Greenhouse Now: increase supply of local food Educate: school tours & workshops Rent plots to members Central place to share skills Invest in future producers

Do you live in a community that could benefit from a service like ours? Are their products being produced or harvested you could market? How might payment work in your community? Any Questions?

Cloverbelt Local Food Co-op Ordering Site See Us in Action