This article was filed under Co-ops
IOWA CITY, Iowa (Oct. 8, 2007) —In the first-ever Cooperate for Community! contest, judges recently named Joseph Kiefer, Barbara Eiswerth and Juanita Nelson as the individuals whose work in the area of sustainable food most exemplifies the cooperative spirit. Presented by National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA), a business services cooperative representing 110 food co-ops nationwide, the winner and two finalists will each receive a donation to the nonprofit of their choice.
Judges selected Joseph Kiefer of Food Works in Montpelier, Vt., the winner for connecting local growers to local human service agencies in an effort to teach consumers – the vast majority low-income or underserved elderly and child populations – how to prepare and enjoy local produce. For his initiative, he will receive a $7,500 donation to the nonprofit of his choice.
The two finalists are Barbara Eiswerth of Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting Network in Tucson, Ariz., and Juanita Nelson of Free Harvest Supper of Locally Grown Food Organizing Committee held in Greenfield, Mass. Eiswerth organized several hundred refugees and volunteers to harvest and redistribute locally grown produce. Nelson created the annual Harvest Supper, an event that celebrates local agriculture and donates thousands of dollars to the local food pantry. Each will receive a $2,500 donation for the nonprofit of their choice.
In July, NCGA launched Cooperate for Community! with its co-sponsor, Frontier Natural Products Co-op -- a wholesale cooperative specializing in natural and organic products -- to honor people across America who are working for more sustainable food, while exemplifying a spirit of cooperation. It called on individuals to submit a 500-word nomination highlighting an individual or organization they knew who embodied this spirit.
Twenty-seven co-ops nationwide held local Cooperate for Community! competitions; these local winners were then sent for consideration in the national judging. Kiefer was the local winner for Hunger Mountain Co-op (www.hungermountain.com ). Eiswerth was the local winner for Food Conspiracy Co-op (www.foodconspiracy.org ), and Nelson was the local winner for Green Fields Market (www.gfm.com ).
"Each of these individuals have in their own way made the community a better place by being, and helping others be, more mindful of the connection between our food, how it is grown, and the impact on human, environmental and animal health," said Robynn Shrader, chief executive officer, NCGA. "Their spirit of cooperation is incredibly inspiring, and we congratulate all of our nominees on their efforts."
To learn more about the winners and nominees, visit www.ncga.coop/contest.
Co-ops are voluntarily owned by the people who use them; operate for the benefit of their members; and, regardless of the goods and services provided, aim to meet their members’ needs.
The National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA), founded in 1999, is a business services cooperative for consumer-owned food co-ops located throughout the United States. NCGA is owned by 110 food co-ops operating more than 130 stores in 32 states with combined annual sales of over $920 million. NCGA helps unify natural food co-ops in order to optimize operational and marketing resources, strengthen purchasing power, and ultimately offer more value to natural food co-op shoppers everywhere. For a map of co-op member locations, visit www.ncga.coop/member-stores. To learn more about NCGA, click here.
Frontier Natural Products Co-op (www.frontiercoop.com ) is a wholesale cooperative, specializing in natural and organic products. Frontier manufactures and distributes products found in natural products stores and specialty shops throughout the United States and Canada. Brands include Frontier, Simply Organic and Aura Cacia with items that include spices and seasoning blends, aromatherapy and natural personal care, holistic and craft herbs and loose-leaf teas. Frontier Natural Products Co-op’s work is driven by the belief that fostering environmental responsibility is crucial to the world’s future.
