History
2005
Early 2005, a producer networking group from Audubon and Guthrie Counties called Growing Food & Profit began discussing ways to get more local products in the hands of consumers. During one of their meetings they broke out into two groups, producers and consumers. When they returned to review the discussions they found both groups thought of the same things:
- producers have product to sell but not enough time to sell in more than one place
- consumers like to buy local products, but find farmers' markets to be inconvenient
- farmers' markets aren't doing as well and many times the selection is poor
- Iowa's food laws can be difficult and expensive if you want to sell at one or more farmers' market
- retired producers who still garden want to sell products but don't want to spend the time at farmers' markets
- consumers are driving further away to get organic and natural food and products
With this information they began exploring solutions. After a conversation
with the GM and Operations Manager of Wheatsfield Cooperative in Ames and
a trip to Floyd Blvd Market in Sioux City it was decided to begin pursuing
a Cooperative business focusing on local, organic and natural foods and
products.
2006
Public speaking ensued to generate interest around the communities. The Carroll, Audubon and Guthrie Center Extension offices assisted us in sending out questionnaires to producers. A steering committee was formed in May and a meeting was held with interested producers in July. Again, the GM from Wheatsfield came and spoke to the group to help answer questions. We had over 50 people in attendance on a hot, sticky July day and had some people join that day.
The steering committee then began working on a $9,000 matching grant from Food Coop 500, which they were awarded in November. Plans to incorporate and have a market analysis completed began.
2007
In January, Community Market Cooperative was officially incorporated in the state of Iowa under Chapter 501A with the help of our attorney John Gerken in Jefferson. Patron Shares and Non-Patron Investment Units were officially being sold.
A board was formed and the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation were officially adopted. Monthly informational meetings were held throughout the eight counties.
We held a BBQ potluck at the Garst River House in April, with over 50 people in attendance, we had an informational booth at the Wednesday Farmers' Market in Carroll, we held a bread baking demo at the Farmers' Market in Carroll (on one of the windiest days!) and we held a Local Harvest Banquet in November in which 90% of the menu was made with local products, with 123 people served!
We ended 2007 with 150 members.
2008
This year is going to be extremely busy as we ramp up our ownership drive and begin the business planning portion of the project. Here is a snapshot of what we will be working on the first part of 2008:
- finalize our business plan
- launch our Owner Loan Program
- continue to build our owner-base
- hold our first Annual Meeting on April 15
- hold more informational meetings around the area
- begin pursuing financing
- get more owners involved with our planning process
