Voices from the Field

Lights, Cameras, Co-ops!

Stronger Together

The spotlight is on food co-ops for Co+op, stronger together’s video series celebrating 2012 International Year of Cooperatives and hosted by celebrity chef Kevin Gillespie. In this series, Kevin travels to food co-ops across the country-from grocery aisles to farm fields-to share their passion for delicious food and their local communities. Watch and you’ll quickly discover the many ways food co-ops, their shoppers and owners, and their communities are stronger together. Lights, Camera, Co-ops! videos.

Meet the Host: Kevin Gillespie

Many of you may know Kevin Gillespie for his “fan favorite” status on Season 6 of Bravo’s hit show Top Chef, but there’s more to this Atlanta-based chef than meets the popular-viewing eye. Kevin is passionate about locally sourced, organic ingredients, so it’s no surprise he was named one of Mother Nature Network’s Top 40 Chefs Under 40. He’s also a member of Slow Food Atlanta and the Society for the Preservation of Traditional Southern Barbecue.

Keep tabs on Kevin by joining him on Facebook.

It’s the International Year of Cooperatives

The United Nations declared 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives, and Co+op, stronger together is celebrating the many ways food co-ops help build a better world. Our video series is just one of the ways you can discover that food co-ops are about fresh delicious foods and so much more. Also join us on Facebook, and check out the inspiring stories of all kinds of co-ops around the world at www.stories.coop.

Video Release Schedule

1/21/12
A Community of Shared Values: Seward Co-op Grocery & Deli and Backyard Harvest
Minneapolis, MN

Grow Where You’re Planted: Gardens of Eagan and Valley Natural Foods Co-op
Minneapolis, MN

Celebrity Farmers: Just Food Co-op and L&R Produce
Northfield, MN

2/6/12
Three Generations of Cooperation: Putney Food Co-op
Putney, VT

2/20/12
Five-Star Eggs: Community Food Co-op and Misty Meadows Farm
Bellingham, WA

3/5/12
A New Breed of Farm: Community Food Co-op and Heritage Lane Farm
Bellingham, WA

3/19/12
Feeding the Community: Community Food Co-op Celebration and BUGS
Bellingham, WA

4/2/12
One Farm at a Time: Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op and Davis Food Co-op
Sacramento and Davis, CA

4/16/12
Co-ops Helping Co-ops: The National Cooperative Bank
Davis, CA and Richfield, MN

4/30/12
A Farm for the Future: Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, Davis Food Co-op, and Good Humus Farm
Sacramento, Davis, and Capay, CA

5/14/12
Local Power: La Montañita Co-op and MoGro
Albuquerque, NM

5/28/12
Everyone Agrees on Good Food: La Montañita Co-op and Los Poblanos
Albuquerque, NM

6/11/12
An Economic Engine:  Los Alamos Co-op and Distribution Center
Los Alamos, NM