Collaboration between farmers, food hubs, and distributors to get more local food into the hands of consumers in Metropolitan Washington has been underway for years, with new business arrangements being considered frequently.

Several years ago, five food hubs formed the Tap Root Cooperative to produce and distribute a variety of Colorado-grown, fairly-priced agricultural products to Denver, southern CO, and the High Plains. What can be gleaned from their experience working to grow profitability as separate enterprises and as a cooperative?

COG’s Local Food Distribution Work Group is pleased to welcome farmer and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) staff member, Dan Hobbs, to learn more. RMFU has supported the Tap Root Cooperative since its inception. Dan will share an overview of the group’s history, key legal and business structure considerations, and observations on the value and challenges of cooperation to grow the supply of source-identified local food.

Please join us for this interactive presentation, networking, and refreshments.