Steering Committee Finalizes Working Agreement

The Steering Committee (SC) for Big River Grocery has achieved a crucial milestone in formalizing its organizational structure with the approval of the WORKING AGREEMENT on 8/27/25. At the core of this organizational achievement is the finalized statement of purpose: to establish a sustainable retail food cooperative in Helena, Arkansas. This co-op is envisioned to promote multiple desired community outcomes, including but not limited to access to healthy food, support for local food entrepreneurship, the establishment of a safe community gathering place, functioning as a social hub, and providing food education.

Co-ops are ultimately organizations of member-owners who elect a board of directors that lead the organization. Before there are member-owners and a board, the SC provides the leadership role. The Steering Committee for Big River Grocery is made up of 10 volunteers who serve as co-chairs on 5 different sub-committees or task groups including Leadership, Membership, Events, Finance, and Legal. The Working Agreement spells out the duties and responsibilities of each group required at this early stage of development and sets the foundation for this early stage development work.

Jade Barker, a leadership consultant from Columinate who helped guide this process said, “I'm impressed. I have seen folks take years to do what you've done so far. Nice work!”