Dear Co-op Members,
I’m honored to be serving as Acting President of the Nashville Food Co-op and continuing this important work. It has always been the Co-op’s goal to support local farmers while cultivating community amongst our owners. Together, we have made big strides in both of these areas in the past six months, and we’re excited to share our progress below!
In community,
Tera Ashley
Community Connections
Last fall, we had the following opportunities to to connect, learn, and celebrate together:
Farm Visit to Sugar Camp Farm: We had the wonderful chance to visit Sugar Camp Farm, seeing firsthand where some of our food comes from and connecting with the farmers who make it all possible. We were thrilled that Chris deJesus, executive chef of Butcher & Bee was able to give a sweet potato cooking demo just in time for Thanksgiving!
Gathering at Folk: We also hosted a special gathering at Folk, bringing our community together to share food, conversation, and connection.
Community Investment Box:
Our Journey and Your Impact
When we started this co-op, our dream was to open a full-service grocery store. While that goal still burns bright, our board has embraced an iterative approach by taking meaningful steps that serve our community now while building toward that larger vision.
This approach led us to launch the Community Investment Box (CIB) this past winter, and we’re so proud of what it’s become. Here are examples of our weekly food box:
Why the CIB Matters:
- Year-Round Support: The CIB program is one of the few year-round CSA programs in our area, providing consistent, weekly access to fresh, local food.
- Direct Impact: Every box you receive directly supports multiple local farmers and producers, strengthening our local economy, as well as our regional food system.
- Community Building: Each pickup is a chance to connect with neighbors who share your values around local food and sustainable agriculture.
Thank you to everyone who has participated in the CIB. Your support makes this program possible and keeps our local farmers thriving. Be sure to follow us on social media to see photos of the incredible food making its way into your boxes each week!
New CIB Pickup Locations!
We’re making it easier than ever to access your Community Investment Box:
- West Location: We’ve recently added a new pickup location at TinWings, 816 51st Ave North, in the Nations.
- South Location: We’re excited to announce our brand new pickup location in South Nashville at Jon’s house, 2003 Rosemary Lane, 37210.
- East Location: Will continue to be picked up at Home Church, 3511 Gallatin Pike in Inglewood.
Join Us for Community Info Sessions
Curious about the co-op? Want to learn more about the Community Investment Box or how to get involved? Join us for an upcoming information session! Stay tuned to our socials (Facebook, Insta, and LinkedIn) for dates and times.
Facilitator: Board member Alex Abels will be on hand to answer all your questions and share more about our vision for the future.
Get Involved: Volunteer Opportunities & Community Spaces
We’re always looking for ways to strengthen our community connections and create opportunities for members to come together.
Volunteer Together: We’re seeking volunteer opportunities where Nashville Food Co-op members can get involved and serve our community together. If you know of any organizations or events that could use our collective energy, please reach out!
Community Gathering Spaces: Just as Folk generously hosted us for a community gathering, we’re looking for other welcoming spaces where we can meet, connect, and build our co-op community. If you’re connected to a venue or space that might be willing to host us, we’d love to hear from you!
Marketing and Social Media Help: The Nashville Food Co-op needs your talent and creativity to help us grow. From video for socials to ideas that expand our audience and support, we need you!
Please reach out with any leads or ideas to the Nashville Food Co-op on social or at info@nashvillefood.coop.
Save the date for our Annual Members Meeting!
May 16th
9:00-11:00 AM
The Nashville Food Project:
5904 California Avenue
Upcoming Board Elections
We’ll be holding board elections in the coming months, prior to our Annual meeting May 16th. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of our co-op. Stay tuned for more information about how to nominate candidates or put your name forward. Here’s a link to the online Board Member application: https://nashvillefood.coop/about/elections
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Every step we take together- whether it’s picking up your weekly box, attending a farm visit, or simply spreading the word- brings us closer to our vision of a thriving, locally-rooted food system.
In co-operation,
The Nashville Food Co-op Board