Listening, Growing, Hiring
Dear Co-op Members and Friends,
We’ve been listening. Earlier this year, we conducted surveys with both members and prospective members to understand what you want from the Nashville Food Co-op. The response was encouraging, and the insights we gathered are helping shape our next steps. Here’s what we learned and what we’re doing about it.
Survey Results: What You Told Us
We heard from members and prospective members. Here are the key takeaways:
What You Love:
- The vision of a community-owned grocery store (strong consensus across members and non-members)
- Connection to local farmers and sustainable food systems
- The cooperative model and democratic values
What You Want from the Co-op:
- Cooking Classes (most-requested programming)
- Farm Visits & Field Trips
- Opportunities to Volunteer with Other Members
- Gardening & Planting Classes
- Co-op Merchandise (Stickers, T-shirts, Tote Bags)
We also heard that affordability matters deeply to you. We believe local, healthy food should be accessible to everyone in Nashville. That’s something we’re committed to addressing as we grow.
Upcoming Farm Visit
One thing that the survey revealed was that our members want to meet their farmers and see where their food comes from. We’re currently organizing a farm visit to one of our partner farms, Una Acre Farm, for this Fall.
Stay tuned for more updates as the date approaches!
Co-Op’s Weekly Farm Box & Membership
A Quick Update: We’re now calling it the Weekly Farm Box.
Simpler name, same great mission – $60/week for fresh, local produce that supports Nashville farmers and builds toward our shared vision of a community-owned grocery store.
Becoming a Co-op Member:
One-time ownership share purchase. This makes you an official co-owner with voting rights. You’re helping build the long-term vision of the Nashville Food Co-op, including the future brick-and-mortar grocery store.
Subscribing to the Co-op’s Weekly Farm Box:
$60/week for fresh, local produce. You don’t have to be a member to subscribe. But both support local farmers and the Co-op’s growth toward that brick-and-mortar store.
Want both? Many of our members do!
Become a co-owner and subscribe to weekly produce. You’re fully invested in the Co-op’s vision and enjoying fresh food while supporting local farms.
We’re Hiring: Community & Operations Coordinator
This is it! The Nashville Food Co-op is seeking its first employee. We’re looking for someone excited about cooperative development, local food systems, and helping shape our long-term vision.
Position Details:
• Part-time: 20 hours/week (flexible scheduling)
• Compensation: $25/hour (no benefits)
• Classification: 1099 Independent Contractor
• Location: Nashville, TN (hybrid; community-based work required)
Key Responsibilities:
• Community outreach & membership development
• Community Investment Box operations & distribution
• Cooperative development & strategic planning
• Marketing, social media, and member communications
• Grant writing and fundraising support
This is more than a job– it’s an opportunity to help shape the future of the co-op.
Application Deadline: July 1st
Send your resume and a short statement of interest to: info@nashvillefood.coop
We Need Volunteers!
Your survey responses made it clear: you want to be involved. Here are a couple of concrete ways to help:
Cooking Classes:
This was the #1 request from both members and prospective members. We want to host regular cooking classes featuring seasonal produce, local cooking knowledge, and community connection. Whether you’re a professional chef, home cook, or just enthusiastic about sharing recipes-we need your help planning and hosting these classes. Do you have recipes? A kitchen space? Ideas? Let’s make this happen.
Logo Redesign:
We’re still seeking volunteers for our logo redesign project! Graphic designers, creative thinkers, and anyone with ideas-we want you. Help shape how Nashville sees the co-op visually.
Spotlight: Local Business Partner
We want to give a special thank you to Tinwings for their support of the Nashville Food Co-op.
Tinwings (www.tinwings.com) is a gourmet prepared foods market and catering service located at 816 51st Avenue North in the Nations. Founded by Lee Ann Merrick with the philosophy that ‘Tinwings is an extension of my home kitchen,’ they specialize in fresh, made-from-scratch meals, artisan bread, and quality prepared foods.
Like the Nashville Food Co-op, Tinwings is committed to using the best ingredients and supporting a values-driven food community. We’re grateful for their partnership and their belief in what we’re building together. If you’re looking for delicious, quality prepared meals and want to support a business that supports the co-op, visit Tinwings!
The survey made one thing crystal clear: Nashville is ready for what we’re building. People want affordable, local food. They want to support farmers. They want to own something together. They want to cook, learn, and volunteer together. And they want to help build the co-op that makes all of that possible.
Whether you’re subscribing to the Co-op’s Weekly Farm Box, becoming a co-owner, applying for the coordinator position, volunteering for cooking classes, attending a farm visit, or helping with the logo redesign– you’re building something real with us.
In community,
The Nashville Food Co-op Board