Definition
A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.
Values
Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.
The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice.
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.5. Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees, and they inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperation.6. Cooperation among Co-operatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.7. Concern for Community
While focusing on members' needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
Our Vision
A vibrant, sustainable, regional food network in Central Florida.
Our Mission
To develop and promote a local, sustainable food system for the communities of Central Florida that ensures safe, consistent, fresh, ethically produced and delivered products direct from our producers. Homegrown strives to serve the growth and long term health of farmers, ranchers, market gardeners as well as chefs, families, restaurants and consumers by developing a sustainable local network that supports the promotion and distribution of organic, all-natural, and fair trade food to our region.
We strive:
- To provide healthy, local, ethically produced food direct from our producer
- To serve local consumers of all income levels
- To support sustainable, local, high quality agricultural practices
- To support certified organic and all-natural foods free of added hormones, antibiotics and genetic modification
- To provide a network for the production and distribution of locally prepared foods and locally made non-food products made with local and sustainably produced ingredients
- To support a Central Florida food system that in turn preserves the cultural heritage, landscape, water, soil and air vital to a sustainable community
- To encourage our producers to enhance the biodiversity of native species on their land and to continually improve their land stewardship and conservation practices
- To use renewable energy sources whenever possible for our distribution of food
- To support the global cooperative movement and principles
Please see our Membership Agreement for more information about our cooperative principles.
History
Homegrown Co-op was developed as a program of the Florida School of Holistic Living (501c3) in Spring 2007. A desire to identify local producers began the first steps of our journey. After conversing with local farmers and realizing the struggle they faced in Central Florida?s corporately controlled food system, we identified the great need for our community to have a sustainable local food network.
Our organizers met regularly with a long list of producers, small business consultants, government officials, food development specialists, and with others out of state working on similar projects. After a year of development, we launched our weekly online food distribution program in November 2007.
Two and a half years later, we now work with dozens of local farmers - many who are new to farming and have been motivated by the success of Homegrown. We also boast over 350 members are will soon be launching additional pick up locations. Events such as dinners with local restaurants, events with local businesses, potlucks and educational seminars continue to take place each month.
In January 2010, we incorporated as an independent organization and announced the launch of our next phase of development, to ensure we can provide sustainable services to the Central Florida Community. We are currently transitioning into a larger facility and fundraising with the help of a matching grant from Florida Hospital. Learn more about these plans here.
At the Homegrown Co-op, we firmly believe that from diligent efforts of all those involved, a picture of our local food system in Central Florida is beginning to emerge. To date numerous ranchers and farmers have joined Homegrown with many local, ethically and sustainably produced foods. There is absolutely no doubt that given the will, organization and financial resources much of our food can be produced within 150 miles of our homes. See our Online Market for information about these producers and the foods they grow for your family.
As support grows with local markets, the varieties of products available will grow. We are on the look out to expand this list with our best and most local options for other valuable products such as oils, salt, organic ice cream, home-cooked foods, bio-diesel, and other value added products.
Our Leaders
- Market Director - Michael Tiner
- Board Chair - Emily Ruff
- Treasurer and Financial Coordinator - Stacey Matrazzo
- Board Member - Dave Plotkin
- Board Member - Craig Mazer
- Board Member - Brian Menzies
- Board Member - Megan Flocken
- Home Delivery - David Kowalewski and Eric Cress
- Outreach Coordinator - Christine Henwood
- Membership Coordinator - Jackie McFadden
- Membership Support - Erika Cooper
- Development Director - Jodi James
- Interns - Brandon Fisher and Laura Hardwicke
- Team Members - Christine Henwood, Martha Morris, John Schooler, Jessica Showers, Scott Browning, Rachel Gonzalez
- Webmaster and Creative Director - Michelle Coutinho
- IT Coordinator and Programmer - Jason Buckner