Gateway Food Co-op receives Grant

Gateway Food Cooperative is extremely pleased to announce that it was one of 10 food co-ops selected to receive funding through a competitive seed grant program sponsored by Food Co-op Initiative, a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities make their co-op vision into reality.

The funding will support Gateway’s community outreach and member-owner recruitment efforts. “Reaching out and building relationships is key to realizing our vision for a food co-op that is representative of the rich cultural diversity of our community on the East Side of St. Paul,” says Beth Butterfield, Co-Chair of the Gateway Food Co-op Steering Committee. “All our work to date has been accomplished with the vision and talent of our volunteers and supporters. We’re excited about the ways this grant award will increase our capacity to engage with community partners during the co-op’s organizing phase.”

One of the added benefits for Gateway is that the Steering Committee will by supported with technical assistance from community-organizing and food co-op development experts at FCI. Gateway sees this support as equally valuable to the actual grant money in helping the co-op make progress towards its mission.

Gateway Food Cooperative’s mission is to establish a sustainable, natural foods cooperative on the East Side of St. Paul that provides healthy, local, ethically-produced food. Guided by the Cooperative Principles, we are committed to:

·      Promoting wellness for our neighbors and community

·      Connecting local farmers with consumers

·      Supporting a community-based food system

·      Raising awareness about food justice issues

·      Being an active member of our community

·      Being a welcoming destination for all the diverse cultures that call the Twin Cities home

A wood-fired pizza party – free to Gateway Co-op member-owners – is scheduled for early October in partnership with Phalen Ovenworks, which regularly sells bread to help raise funds for the co-op. Visit www.gatewaytofood.org, if you are interested in learning more about or becoming a Gateway Food Co-op member-owner.

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Gateway Food Cooperative began as a conversation at a coffee shop between two friends, Beth Butterfield and Sarah Geving, both of St. Paul’s East Side. After a tremendous turnout at the first community event held last autumn, a volunteer Steering Committee was formed and began meeting. In April 2012, a second community event added more enthusiastic volunteers and momentum. The Gateway Food Co-op Steering Committee has 14 active members and is in the process of implementing multiple outreach and member recruitment efforts.

Food Co-op Initiative is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to helping communities make their co-op vision into reality. They are the only national organization dedicated exclusively to helping startup food co-ops. Their grants, free consultations, and extensive library of educational resources have helped dozens of co-ops get their start since Food Co-op Initiative’s inception in 2010. Food Co-op Initiatives grants are funded in part by USDA Rural Development and Blooming Prairie Foundation.

Contact:

Beth Butterfield

612-419-8751

eastcoop@gmail.com