Catalyzing worker co-ops & the solidarity economy
“When Jerry founded the company he talked about doing the right thing for our customers, our employees and the world,” said Deborah Farrell, one of three equal managing directors who now lead the company. “That idea of the ‘triple bottom line’ wasn’t even a thing then, but he made it a thing. For us to become a worker-owned coop is a fulfillment of that vision.”
The New Leaf Co-op is Edinburgh’s hands-on wholefood store. With a focus on products that are fresh, local, Organic, low packaging, and at a reasonable price; this is a jam-packed wee shop! They’re also a workers’ co-operative, and this is fundamental to the way they run their business and connect with the world at large. During Co-ops Fortnight, what better time to find out more about New Leaf!
For people who don’t know the New Leaf, tell us a little about how you started and what you are?
Organizing in the solidarity economy often feels like steering a boat in a storm whose wind and currents continually shift us off course. While structural conditions make course correction difficult, it’s something we must do in our daily practice if we are to stay focused on our goals and the horizon we’re aiming for.
Avocado seeds, banana peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, onions, grapes and a number of fruit and vegetable waste combined with leaves and dirt can make a beautiful combination, despite how it actually looks.
“What it ends up being is a super diverse mix of nutrients and micronutrients and minerals," said Shawn Hendrickson. "So it’s not like putting manure in a field, it’s the complete picture of what a plant can use.”
Economic reconciliation is much more than the creation of wealth. It encompasses many concepts that are important to the well-being of a community.
Cooperatives are taking shape and growing in all parts of the food system. And yet, their founders are swimming upstream in an environment shaped by hierarchical business models. For this reason, learning how to run a successful co-op requires time, patience, and a team that’s willing to go the distance. It also works best when you have adequate support from those with experience working cooperatively.
On the farms of Herenboeren, founded in 2016, food is produced for customers who are also owner of the farm. The foodchain is short and people form a commoning community.
We at TESA are proud to have played a role in building the cooperative movement for the past 12 years. (Whew – that number feels weird to say!) In fact, since we first started working with organizations, co-op developers, city governments, community groups and more – we’ve helped build the cooperative movement locally, nationally, and even internationally.
Online teachers are getting ripped off, and we are sick of it. We have been completely left out of the discussion about what happens in our industry. There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of professional online educators around the world being exploited by people and corporations that don’t care about us.
It’s been a challenging two years for the residents of Post 83 and 115 Place, who have been living under a cloud of uncertainty as they waited to hear whether their buildings would be sold to a private investor. CHF BC has been working hard to ensure that wouldn’t happen and, today, we are thrilled to share that these homes are secure for current and future residents.
Two of the largest low-wage healthcare sectors, home health and nursing home care, are increasingly dominated by private businesses, including private equity firms, which reduce care quality while increasing costs in pursuit of profits.
The last month has seen both Casanova in Crookes, and Broomhill’s Balti King — both well-loved, local businesses — be put up for sale because their owners are seeking to retire.
The news has been followed almost instinctually by the question, “who will they be sold to?”.
[...]
