CoFED is helping the next generation of leaders creating a just, sustainable good food economy.

And, until May 13, we've got $20,000 on the line. Our friends at the 11th Hour Project challenged us to raise $20,000 from 200 or more people.

Chip in and be counted!

Skills

Struggling to hold an effective meeting? Striving for radical inclusion in your food business? Feeling anxious about finishing your business plan or talking to administrators?

Get skilled-up with training, resources, mentors, and more! 

Resources

CoFED facilitates a wiki-styled national resource share. Students can share and research planning and organizational documents for their coop, and CoFED staff share resources that support the work their student teams are doing. Check it out to find: 

  • CoFED Developed Resources like our "How to Start a Food Coop", "How to Operate a Food Coop", and other helpful guides
  • "The Share" - best practices, templates, and policies uploaded by students across North America
  • "The Library" - pertinent books, movies, useful organizing toolboxes, and a place for students to publish their own research

Stay tuned for The Academy! The Academy consists of training videos and related materials for any student team. Our first video, Financial Management 101 is here! 

Training and Events

Regional Organizers serve their regions as trainers and facilitators of a bottom-up solidarity network of student teams. They support and connect cooperatively-run food projects throughout their region by conducting events and providing on-going coaching to help students make progress towards their goals. Their pedagogy is based in Coop-to-Coop exchanges like coop tours, peer-mentoring calls, and skill sharing events. 

Mentors Network

Our National Mentor Network is made up of your friendly cooperative development and food business professionals. When it comes to signing leases, creating bylaws, incorporating, and doing financial projections, some expert help can be a lifesaver. These experts are committed to fielding questions from CoFED member teams. Thank you, mentors! If you would like to get in touch with any of these wonderful people, email your Regional Organizer.

We are currently building regional Mentors Networks, in order to find the expertise closer to home and utilize that local knowledge! Here are our pilot programs: 

The Northwest Mentor Network - If you would like to get in touch with any of these local North-westerners, email anna@cofed.org.

The Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Mentor Network - If you would like to get in touch with any of these folks, email lauryl@cofed.org. 

CoFED