Exciting Updates for Summer 2025
Dear Members and Friends,
The Nashville Food Cooperative is growing, evolving, and energized by new leadership and member involvement. We’re thrilled to share a few important updates that reflect the strong momentum building within our community.
Also, there are still some spots left for the upcoming CIB program! Sign up and learn more clicking here
New Leadership: Tera Ashley as Board President
We are excited to announce that Tera Ashley has been elected as the new Board President of the Nashville Food Cooperative. Tera steps into this role following the leadership of William Crenshaw, who will continue to serve as Treasurer.
Tera brings incredible experience and passion to the role. She works with the Nashville Food Project and is the founder of Sweet Radish, a nonprofit dedicated to donating fresh produce to families in need and supporting food access initiatives across Nashville. Tera has also conducted extensive research on food access in low-income neighborhoods of Nashville, particularly on mobility and accessibility challenges. Her expertise and leadership will help guide NFC toward a stronger, more inclusive vision of local food access.
We are deeply grateful to William for his steady leadership as President and are excited to have him remain on the board to provide continuity and financial stewardship.
Welcoming New Board Members: Oliver Wellington & Stephen Ussery
We are also excited to welcome two new board members who are already making a big difference for NFC’s growth: Oliver Wellington and Stephen Ussery.
- Stephen Ussery is a grant writer and business development consultant who works with farms and food businesses through his company, Stewards Unlimited. He brings expertise in strategic planning, nonprofit development, and securing funding for local food initiatives.
- Oliver Wellington is a serial entrepreneur with a strong track record of launching and scaling businesses. He has already made a significant impact by helping NFC streamline operations and strengthen board processes.
Together, Oliver and Stephen are playing key roles in building momentum for our Community Investment & Buying (CIB) Program, ensuring that it attracts broad participation and supports our long-term sustainability. Their combined energy, expertise, and focus on operational excellence are helping NFC move forward with confidence.
Member Spotlight: Thank You, Michael Belcher!
We’d also like to give a special shoutout to Michael Belcher, a dedicated NFC member. Michael originally planned to join our CIB program but was already signed up for a CSA this summer. Instead of stepping back, he stepped up—volunteering his time to help improve and update the NFC website.
With Michael’s support, we are making exciting progress on new website features that will be announced in the coming month. These updates will improve member communication, showcase local producers, and make it easier to stay engaged with the co-op’s growth. Thank you, Michael, for your contribution and commitment to moving NFC forward!
Looking Ahead
These changes reflect the energy, creativity, and dedication within our cooperative community. With Tera’s leadership, Oliver’s operational expertise, and Michael’s volunteer spirit, NFC is poised to take important next steps toward building a stronger, more resilient local food system in Nashville.
Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks—including details on our upcoming events, opportunities to get involved, and the official launch of our new website features!
Together, we are building something extraordinary.
In cooperation,
The Nashville Food Cooperative Board of Directors
Would you like to receive this newsletter in your inbox?
Sign up here to get the latest posts from the Nashville Food Co-Op.