The PEI Growing Circle Organic Food Co-operative is a farmer-artisan-musician-citizen co-op based on Prince Edward Island.
Purpose of the Growing Circle Co-op website
Photo courtesy of Stella Shepard
The Growing Circle website connects producers and buyers.
In order to buy or sell through the virtual farmers' market, you must be a Co-op member, although non-members can browse the online virtual farmers' market at any time.
Orders are placed online through the virtual farmers' market. Once a week, the producers come together to distribute food to the buyers.
The food is delivered to central locations or to buyers' doors.
The objectives of the PEI Growing Circle Organic Food Co-operative are:
- To link the Island’s small-scale organic farmers with citizens in establishing and operating a central physical site for the buying, selling, processing and storage of local organic food throughout the year on the basis of equality, fair wage, fair prices, collabor
Photo courtesy of Gilles Michaudative planning and mutual support between farmers and citizens.
- To recapture a significant part of the market presently supplied by imports, thereby reducing the distance from field to table, rebuilding a local food economy, and encouraging biologically sustainable agriculture on the island.
- To increase awareness of, and commitment to, local organic agriculture including education on site and in schools, community centers, etc. to help people learn how to prepare meals from farm fresh local produce, and learn about food-related environmental and social justice issues.
- To develop and implement strategies to improve access to locally produced organic food for people with lower incomes.
- To build connections and working relationships with other groups and individuals whose values and activities are consistent with our own.
- To facilitate the growth of a vibrant community of people, including artists and musicians, caring about health, sustainability and agriculture in PEI.
Background
Photo courtesy of Dr. Pamela Courtenay-HallA core group of 4 farmers, 4 citizens and 1 organizational consultant spearheaded the Co-op in September, 2006.
Increasing public awareness and promotion has been by newspaper articles, e-mail circulation and word of mouth. Membership currently is at 147 and growing, which includes a number of farmers.
The Co-op has held several public meetings, where the objectives of the Co-op were developed and a collaborative process undertaken where the name PEI Growing Circle Organic Food Co-operative was selected.
The Growing Circle Co-op incorporated on April 4, 2008 as a share based co-op and at the annual general meeting on May 10, 2008, a board of directors was elected. On May 20, 2009, another annual general meeting was held, at which time additional board members were elected.
Farmer-citizen co-ops
Photo courtesy of Gilles Michaud
Farmer-citizen co-ops are based on co-operative planning by farmers and citizens both as to what foods the co-op will sell, how they will source these foods, and how they will price these foods. Unlike farmer co-ops which typically aim for whatever market will yield the highest return, a farmer citizen co-op is premised upon providing food for local needs first, and exporting whatever is surplus. Unlike consumer co-ops which typically aim to secure the lowest food prices they can, a farmer-citizen co-op is based on the principle of ensuring that farmers get a fair price for the food they grow. A farmer-citizen co-op includes active planning, co-operation and mutual support between farmers and citizens to meet the needs of both groups, including collaborative planning of crops, processing and marketing.
The volume of supply will depend upon the number of consumers members, their self-estimated demand, and further market surveys indicating what local traffic to expect. Whether the Co-op will be primarily a site-based co-op or additionally, web based, and provide weekly delivery services, will depend upon the outcome of market research.
Member farmers will have:
- A reliable market for their fresh produce.
- Opportunities to plan out their growing seasons in informed co-operation with other farmers and with citizens interested in buying local organic produce.
- Facilities and staff to process surplus crops, and
- Facilities and staff to man
Photo courtesy of Stella Shepardage exporting of surplus crops.
Become a member of the Growing Circle Co-op...
As a citizen, you will know exactly who produced the food, where it was grown or raised, and what production practices the farmer uses.
You will also have the ability to order from a specific producer.
The food has a story, and as an eater of locally raised foods, you are part of that story.
As a farmer, grower, producer, artisan or musician you will be connected with citizens who value quality products, healthy local economies, and acknowledge a fair income for your work.
Please consider joining the Growing Circle Co-op. Join or get in touch today.
