The FCI Guide to Starting a Food Co-op

This comprehensive guide, "Starting a Food Co-op," published by the Food Co-op Initiative in 2017, serves as an essential resource for communities looking to establish new food cooperatives. It outlines a three-stage development model—Organizing, Feasibility & Planning, and Implementation—providing detailed guidance on crucial steps such as incorporating the co-op, raising capital through member equity and loans, conducting market and financial studies, and hiring key personnel like project and general managers. The document emphasizes the importance of community engagement, strong governance, professional expertise, and continuous communication to navigate the complexities and challenges of creating a successful, community-owned retail food business.