MCM Co-op Ambassador Training

Overview: Co-op Question & Answers

What is a Cooperative?What is the MCM Co-op?Where will we be located?How was the site chosen?Mission and Vision? Benefits of membership?How do I join the Co-op?Why should I join now?How is our Co-op Financed?When will the Co-op open?How will the Co-op work with farmers?Benefits for our local economy?Why YOU are so important!

An organization of people who work together

for a mutual benefit

All cooperatives are: Member-owned Member-controlled Democratically managed Businesses, not clubs Accountable to internationally recognized principles

What is a Cooperative?

•Local, natural, and healthy food for the Monadnock Region

•A community gathering place, offering education around food issues.

What is the MCM Co-op?

Where will we be located? How was the site

chosen?

Right in downtown Keene!

Process of site selection: Market Study

Our Mission

The Monadnock Community Market Co-opwelcomes neighbors, connects community, and contributes economically to build a healthy &

sustainable food system and community.

Our Vision: How does the Community Benefit?

Making healthy, local food accessible to our community members all year round

Creating more local jobs and keeping money in the community

Supporting the region’s farmers and producers and helping to preserve the rural landscape

Offering education and training to employees, members, and to the region

Our Vision…continued

Working with other businesses on sustainable development in the downtown

Serving as a community gathering place with workshops and community service programs

Helping to promote a strong local economy

Helping to create a walkable community by providing a community-owned food store in the downtown

What are the benefits of Membership?

1. The STORE!

2. You have a voice in the business

3. If the Co-op does well, YOU do well

4. Investing in your community

5. Specials from local businesses

How do I join the Co-op? Why should I join now?

How is the Co-op Financed?

1.MCM Co-op memberships: $200,000

2.Member Loans: $800,000

3.Donations & Grants: $35,000

4.Vendor Credit: $200,000

5.Gap Loan: $125,000

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TOTAL: $1.36 Million

When will the Co-op open?

January 2011: Preliminary Store Design Revised Pro Forma

April, 2011: Launch Member Loan Drive 600 Member-owners

July, 2011: Begin Construction Hire General Manager

800 Member-owners

June 2012: Open the Co-op doors! 1,000 Member-owners

How will the Co-op work with Farmers?

MCM Co-op Local Producer Outreach:

Interview local farmers and producers in our region

Assess their interest in selling to the MCM Co-op

Create a database that will be given to the Co-op’s Produce Manager (when hired) so s/he can contact them to coordinate selling to the MCM Co-op.

What are the economic benefits of food co-ops for employees/regional

economy?

Hire at least 45 staff to operate our store.

Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) study in 2007:

The average wage at the 17 food co-ops was 18% higher than the average for comparable food and beverage stores in the same states.

Purchased more than $33 million in local products.

You are the ambassadors of the co-op, helping to

spread

the message about:

Who owns the Co-op (we do!)

How the co-op will benefit not only the member-

owners, but the whole community and

region.

Share why you joined!

Ask others to join.

The Importance of Ambassadors

How can YOU help?

Recruit new member-owners: 370 more by September 2011!

Join the Events Committee.

Table at future outreach events.

Table at area businesses through our Cooperative Employer program.

Host a Co-op potluck/coordinate a potluck outside of Keene.

Thank You!