A New Food System is Possible:
Role of Cooperatives
June, 2002
Current U.S. agriculture policy - even with changes in the most recent Farm Bill, does little to support environmental stewardship of farmland or social well being of farmers, farmworkers, rural communities and consumers. Corporations who have concentrated the resources and wealth of the land and people dominate our food system. They squeeze small family farmers out of the market while manipulating consumers into believing that they are getting a great bargain. Although supermarket shelves are stocked with a greater variety of food sold at lower prices than at anytime in history, this food is really not a bargain at all - its price does not include the hidden costs of degradation to the land, the unfair and unsustainable returns to farmers, and unfair wages for farmworkers.
This unsettling picture is gradually changing as farmers seek new ways to increase control over their future. Cooperatives are one form of cooperation now being widely explored. The cooperative form of organization has existed for many years in sectors such as agriculture, banking, energy, and housing. The International Cooperative Association, whose purpose is to promote and protect cooperative values and principles, defines a cooperative as "an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise." This definition can be simplified by highlighting the basic values and principles deeply rooted in the cooperative model: equality, solidarity, social responsibility, and understanding.
Cooperatives empower their members to profoundly shape sustainable communities. Through their role and experience in this structure, the cooperative, members come to realize their capacity to improve their circumstances and future outcomes through collective action rather than individual effort. They share authority in the governance of the cooperative where they have the right to participate, to be informed, to be heard, and to be involved in making decisions. This equality among members fosters mutuality, understanding, and solidarity which itself fosters a greater appreciation of society's resources and well being.
Cooperatives by their very nature challenge the practices of the dominant society by emphasizing the value of labor over the ideal of seeking a profit at any cost. Cooperatives build compassionate and intentional understanding of how their consumers can contribute to social change by examining more closely how products are made, whose lives are impacted by consumer choices, and what are the consequences of these decisions. In order for cooperatives to be successful and to stem the poverty and displacement of small, family and indigenous farmers across the globe, consumers must not only be aware of cooperative principles, but must also appreciate their value and be willing to participate. By taking ownership over portions of the economy, cooperative members are showing that they can meet their own needs and the needs of others in a way that is more beneficial to all. Social change begins with the fundamental values that cooperatives firmly and willingly accept: deep concern for community and caring for others.
In todays' agriculture and food system, farmers and farmworkers struggle to secure their livelihoods while they continue to be shut out of decision making in the political process. Cooperatives are being formed as a conscious alternative to the current food system that excludes small family and limited resource farmers from the market, and exploits workers. Cooperatives are creating a movement to transform the current social, political, and economic climate by placing fair trade, environmentally sound methods, socially just practices and sustainable community structures as their priorities. Their efforts to preserve the family farm model of production, revitalize rural communities, seek justice for farmworkers, develop alternative food production and increase access to healthy food for all are accomplishing small scale yet growing changes in society.
The Rural Coalition's SuperMarket Project is just one of thousands of examples of a cooperative as an alternative to the dominant corporate food system. A collaborative effort of rural, community-based agricultural cooperatives, SupermarketCoop uses technology in to preserve communities, cultures and farming professions, and helps previously excluded farmers and rural businesses access tools essential to business growth, while opening new markets and increasing access for small farmers. The project currently focuses on three exciting opportunities: an on-line retail storefront, an online product availability database, and a subscription-based food of the month program, known to you as the Small Farm Connection. Through the Coop, the participating organizations achieve an Internet presence that is often not possible for individual farmers and small cooperatives. Our Web site, SuperMarketCoop.com, is home to a retail store front for cooperatives with processing capabilities. The groups have all learned that cooperation is a viable strategy in today's marketplace. Our Small Farm Connection shipment this month includes products from three cooperatives featured in this article: H.O.M.E., Flora Viva, and Fall River Wild Rice.
Saving Another Farm from Unjust USDA Actions
A cooperative stands in solidarity with its members in times of need! In the past few weeks, our Rural Coalition and SuperMarket Cooperative members have done their utmost to support and encourage our sister, Gail Lennon (shown left, with Daisy Garrett of Mississippi Association of Cooperatives). Gail, a wild rice grower and member of the Fall River Wild Rice Cooperative and our own Supermarket Coop's Customer Relations Manager, was informed in late May that her farm would be sold at a tax sale on June 4. Gail has been in a dispute with the Farm Services Agency of the Department of Agriculture for more than 15 years, and FSA had not paid taxes due on her property as they are required to do. A long-time farm advocate, Gail's history of activism was one factor that led to her unjust treatment. Over the years, her property was unfairly appraised, more collateral was required, her appeals overturned and she has been denied resources needed to operate. With encouragement from her many friends and supporters, she narrowly - and temporarily - averted the tax sale by filing for bankruptcy. We in the SuperMarket Coop will be doing all we can to offer our support and help SAVE GAIL'S FARM. We'll keep you informed as the case evolves.
