Providing a space for collaboration and mutual support for Food Co-op leaders is central to the work of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA). Our Annual Meeting typically takes place on the third Saturday of March and brings together Member Co-ops from across our region, as well as partners and guests, for a day of networking, presentations, and workshops.
Below are links to videos, presentations and resources from past gatherings.
13th Annual Meeting, 2024
- “Co-operation: Our Foundation,” featuring a presentation on the Declaration of 2025 as the Second International Year of Co-ops and the contribution of food co-ops to the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development. Small Group Table Topics offered the opportunity for peer dialog on a range of issues, and afternoon workshops included deep dives on Small & Rural Food Co-ops, the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership, and Policy Advocacy. As we work to support civic engagement, now is a great time for your co-op to participate in National Voter Registration Day and encourage your Representative to join NCBA CLUSA’s bipartisan Congressional Co-operative Business Caucus! There was also time for celebration as we presented Alice Rubin, retiring General Manager of Willimantic Food Co-op, with our 2024 Neighboring Co-operator Award. Use this Template for a newsletter story to share highlights from the day with your co-op!
- Click here to download our 2023 Annual Report
12th Annual Meeting, 2023
- “Rebuilding Connections | Celebrating Co-operation,” featuring Jim McGovern, U.S. Representative for the 2nd District of Massachusetts, as Keynote Speaker. Cornelius Blanding Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives / Land Assistance Fund, as our 2023 Neighboring Co-operator.
- Click here to download our 2022 Annual Report
11th Annual Meeting, 2022
- “Living Our Co-operative Identity,” featuring Martin Lowery, U.S. Representative to the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) and Chair of the ICA Co-operative Identity Committee, and Alexandra Wilson, Co-operatives & Mutuals Canada Board of Directors and Chair, ICA Co-operative Identity Advisory Group.
- Click here to download our 2021 Annual Report and Annual Meeting Agenda
- “Our Future is Co-operative,” featuring Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (Maine) and a panel discussion on A Decade of Impact & Visions for a Co-operative Future.
9th Annual Meeting, 2020
- Canceled due to COVID-19.
- “From Soil to Sovereignty: Good Food For All,” featuring Ruth Tyson, Coalitions Coordinator for the Food & Environment program at Union of Concerned Scientists.
7th Annual Meeting & Regional Food Co-op Gathering, 2018
- “Building an Inclusive Economy: The Co-operative Difference,” featuring Doug O’Brien, President & CEO, NCBA CLUSA.
6th Annual Meeting & Regional Food Co-op Gathering, 2017
- “Building a Co-operative Future: Diverse, Inclusive & Resilient,” featuring Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director, Federation of Southern Co-operatives / Land Assistance Fund.
5th Annual Meeting & Regional Food Co-op Gathering (Morning) 2016
- “Reflecting on the Vision of the Middlebury Manifesto,” featuring Judy Ziewacz, President & CEO, NCBA CLUSA.
- 2015 Fall Regional Food Co-op Gathering
- “Co-ops & the Civil Rights Movement,” featuring David Thompson, Twin Pines Foundation.
4th Annual Meeting & Regional Food Co-op Gathering, 2015
- “Connecting Our Co-operatives,” featuring Jerry McGeorge, Vice President for Co-operative Affairs, Organic Valley.
- 2014 Fall Regional Food Co-op Gathering
- “The Co-0perative Difference in Challenging Times,” featuring J. Tom Webb, Global Co-operation, Inc.
- “Farmers & Consumers — Together,” featuring Roger Noonan, President, New England Farmers Union.
- 2013 Fall Regional Food Co-op Gathering
- “Creating a Welcoming Food Co-op,” featuring Faye Conte Mack, Hunger Free Vermont.
2nd Annual Meeting & Regional Food Co-op Gathering Photos, 2012
- “Charting Our Course in the International Year of Co-operatives.”
The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) held its Fifth Annual Meeting on March 5, 2016 at the Arts Block in downtown Greenfield, MA. The meeting brought together over 100 co-operators from 35 food co-ops, start-up initiatives and partner organizations from across our region for networking, strategic dialog and workshops.
Special thanks to Judy Ziewacz, President and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA) for joining us a keynote and setting the tone for the day as she reflected on NCBA CLUSA’s 100 year legacy and vision moving forward. NFCA Executive Director Erbin Crowell and Bonnie Hudspeth, Marketing and Outreach Manager, reported on the activities of the past year, and NFCA’s priorities moving forward, followed by small group dialog on our founding document, the Middlebury Manifesto.
The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) held its Fifth Annual Meeting on March 5 at the Arts Block in downtown Greenfield, MA. The meeting brought together over 100 co-operators from 35 food co-ops, start-up initiatives and partner organizations from across our region for networking, strategic dialog and workshops.
Afternoon sessions included peer to peer dialog on topics of importance identified by our members, followed by a panel on “Building Alignment for Success.” This workshop focused on developing strategic alignment between the governance and operational aspects of co-ops, with examples of effective collaboration and alignment. Workshop presenters featured:
- Kari Bradley, General Manager, Hunger Mountain Co-op & NFCA President, Moderator
- Terry Bowling, NCG Eastern Corridor Development Director
- Faye Conte, Board of Directors, Onion River Co-op/City Market & NFCA Board Member
- Glenn Lower, General Manager, Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, & NFCA Board Member
NFCA Fall Gathering Presentation, 7th Sept 2013
NFCA Annual Meeting Photos, 2012