Community Organizing, Co-op style
"A cooperative is a cooperative not because it has a collective management structure, not because it carries a certain product line, and not even because of any particular social agenda it may have. A cooperative is a cooperative because it is owned by the people who use it." [1]
The West End Food Co-op will be the first new food co-op in Toronto in about twelve years [2]. But we haven’t just dusted off an old model-- we’ve revised it according to a new need. We have formed a multi-stakeholder co-operative in recognition of an increasingly centralized and undemocratic food system. Farmers, workers, consumers and community organizations, those typically left out of decision-making around food, are our key stakeholders.
What began as a good idea has slowly gathered allies, and with the Launch of our Bond Campaign, we have hit the ground running. WEFC is currently in its fundraising and community mobilizing stage: and we need YOU!
“Imagination: the fuel for the force that keeps an organizer organizing."
Saul Alinsky, Rules for Radicals, 1971
The spark of an idea is what drew me into working with the West End Food Co-op. A year and a half ago, I was sharing dinner with some friends, and we began talking about a food co-op in the West End and a farmer’s market starting up in Sorauren Park.
Something in me snapped to attention: what, who, where? Exciting!
I already knew why, based on my own work in food and farming-related issues. My spirit had been run through the gamut researching industrial agriculture in my M.A; I’d seen the struggles of my own small family farm. But this idea suggested a healthy, innovative and imaginative alternative. So I contacted the founders, and became involved.
"What keeps [an organizer] going is a blurred vision of a great mural where other artists - organizers - are painting their bits,
and each piece is essential to the total."
Again, Saul Alinsky speaks aptly. One key innovation of WEFC comes with naming non-profit members (other artists-organizers) as key stakeholders.
Over the last year we have conducted community mapping sessions, and outreach meetings with non-profit organizations, businesses, churches, and residence associations in Parkdale and Roncesvalles. We’ve recognized that the co-op needs to rely on the strength and expertise of other players in the community. WEFC will continue to build these allies, for solid and sustained networks are essential to the greater mural of food security. If your organization is keen on talking about further partnership, please be sure to contact us.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
Margaret Mead
Many of you have heard this quote before: it’s used liberally, in anything from grade-school essays to leftist email signatures. And the West End Food Co-operative has essentially functioned because of the work of our small group of Directors. But now is the time for WEFC to reach out to the broader community, beyond the ‘small group’ to form a critical mass.
One way to support the co-op is through buying bonds to raise money for the co-op store.
But we are also looking for volunteers in the New Year. For us to reach our vision of a 2010/2011 member-owned food store, we are drawing from imagination and innovation, great allies, and you, our community! We want to catalyze the many people who have offered their assistance and time over the past two years. This means helping with the small and necessary pieces of community organizing: promotions, postering, farmer's market set-up, canvassing.
If you are interested in becoming involved, please stay tuned to the website for more info., come chat with us at the Winter Market, or email melissa@westendfood.coop.
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[1] From "Why Some Co-ops Died and What to do About the Others" by Jesse Singerman
[2] Other prominent Toronto food co-ops include Ontario Natural Food Co-op, Karma Food Co-op and The Big Carrot.