We are building an Expanded Distribution System with partner farms, farm stops, other retail outlets, and food hubs. Be a part of the plan by participating in focus group meetings. If you are a farmer up north, downstate, or in the UP, we are interested in collaborating with you to solve problems like supplying food deserts and responding to harvest surplus.
We start building a farmer-owned, grassroots distribution system that moves produce regionally to best serve the farmers and eaters of food alike with a new cargo van thanks to the federal and Michigan Departments of Agriculture.
The Torch Lake Co-op starts to accept EBT and deliver for free to those using SNAP, thanks to a mini-grant from the Groundwork Center that continues to pay our delivery drivers.
We start to develop a partnership with the Higgin's General Store in Alden, which becomes our most popular pickup point outside of Bellaire. We start attending the Sara Hardy Farmers Market in Traverse City as a group. We add lots of products from other local food producers into our online farmers market.
Our legal documents are filed with the state and the steering committee becomes the board of directors. We launch our delivery service, creating more access to local food. We join more farms and identify the need to support beginning, new, and transitioning farmers.
All six farms experience growth. We are assisted by Wendy Wieland and Chris Bardenhagen of MSU Extension along with the continued support of Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology and write our by-laws and agreements with each other.
The Torch Lake Co-op is founded by six farms and the business is operated together. We join the Open Food Network, which facilitates farmer collaboration. We support each other in the face of a global pandemic, creating new markets and ways of distributing seasonal food.
We start to discuss what it would look like to collaborate and help each other succeed. We collectively acknowledge the problems we are faced with as farmers and start to talk about solutions. Daniel Marbury of Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology facilitates these discussions.
Our Mission: The Co-op provides high-quality food produced locally in ecologically sound ways at fair value, and is committed to enhancing the community through the practice of cooperative economics and relationship of food to health.
Our Values: We are committed to supporting one another in achieving success as farmers. We aim to provide our community with nutritious food and strengthen the local economy while adhering to the seven cooperative principles.
Our Vision: To collectively own assets, support new or transitioning farmers, and manage risks together. By prioritizing sustainable practices, regenerative standards, and nurturing the land, we aim to leave a positive legacy for future generations.
Our Foundation: Our leadership is grounded in democratic principles, equality, equity, transparency, and fairness.
To shop for your local food groceries from all of our producers, click above. The link takes you to the
Open Food Network, open source software designed to help farmers collaborate and create thriving enterprises.
Fridays & Wednesdays
Alden
Bellaire
Williamsburg
Grand Traverse Commons
Elk Rapids
East Jordan
1. Voluntary & Open Membership
2. Democratic Member Control
3. Member Economic Participation
4. Autonomy & Independence
5. Education, Training & Information
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
7. Concern for Community
