The Cowichan Valley Co-operative Marketplace (Cow-op) is at a crucial crossroads. As a non-profit cooperative, Cow-op has been a vital link for local farmers and food producers, providing a reliable market for their goods and bolstering the resilience and security of our local food system. However, facing declining sales and increased competition, Cow-op needs your support now more than ever.
Local Food: A Competitive Alternative to the Corporate Food System
Consumers are feeling the pinch at the checkout more and more in the past few years as food prices continue to soar. This might lead consumers to mistakenly believe that local food is becoming less affordable. In truth, with rising prices in the conventional system, Cow-op’s offerings are now more competitively priced than ever. “As a chef, I source as local as I can, and actually, there’s less of a gap now between local costs and those from major suppliers like Sysco,” says Daniel Shipley, local chef and owner of Mensch Kitchen and Catering. Cow-op recently did an analysis of items for sale on the site and found that though some items are more expensive than what you see at the grocery store, many are comparably priced and some are even cheaper.
Factors like high demand since COVID, inflation, labour shortages, and transportation issues have contributed to higher costs in the industrial food system. However, many large grocery chains and companies within this system have reported record profits, suggesting they are passing on these increased costs to consumers, sometimes even marking up prices beyond what the cost increases necessitate.
Meanwhile, Cow-op offers a true alternative to this system, providing local, healthy, and fresh food that supports local farmers and helps strengthen our local food system. Most of the food sold on Cow-op is grown on smaller farms using natural methods that do not rely on pesticides, making it better for the health of people and the environment. Cow-op has a lower mark-up than other grocery outlets, meaning that farmers are closer to making a living wage using this service. Ultimately, the goal of Cow-op is to support farmers and increase customer access to local food. Supporting the local food system is crucial, especially as the industrial system faces more challenges. By choosing Cow-op, consumers help farmers in the Cowichan Valley stay in business and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable food supply.
The Importance of Cow-op
Founded in 2014, Cow-op has been connecting Cowichan Valley farmers and consumers through its online marketplace, Cow-op.ca, since early 2015. With over 80 local farmers and food producers, Cow-op ensures that the freshest, highest quality food is accessible to our community year-round. Farmers who rely on Cow-op for their livelihood express their gratitude and concern. “During our AGM, at least six farmers told me they could no longer farm if it wasn’t for Cow-op,” says Danielle Bellefleur, President of the Board for Cow-op. By supporting Cow-op, you are not only helping local farmers but also contributing to a more sustainable and secure food system.
Cow-op has managed to survive on a shoestring budget, with a small dedicated staff and a lot of sweat equity from its members. “It’s a shame that Cow-op is struggling to continue to operate when grocery chains are recording record profits. We are hopeful we can convince more people to buy local and find partners in the community to support our non-profit and turn things around,” says Danielle.
In a recent visit to Vancouver Island, Christina Holmes, Associate Professor at St. Francis Xavier University noted that many small, local farmers struggle with marketing and distribution – the very services that Cow-op offers to its producer-members. “Many small, local farmers talk about difficulties finding ways to get their products to consumers that are time and cost-effective for them – spending long hours at a farmers market doesn’t work for everyone. Locations like Cowichan that have multiple distribution systems were much more resilient during Covid’s food supply disruptions. We need to work on reliably decentralising our food supply chains – something Omotayo and Ngwenyama from Ryerson University have argued is necessary for smarter food supply chains.”
A Call to Action
Despite the rising costs of conventional industrial food, many don’t realize they can get higher-quality local food at similar prices while supporting local farmers. Cow-op’s nearly 30% drop in sales reflects a broader trend across Canada. By supporting Cow-op, you are directly supporting local food security and local farmers. Let’s come together to save Cow-op and ensure a sustainable future for our community.
How You Can Help
- Shop Online: Visit Cow-op.ca and purchase fresh, local produce and goods.
- Donate: Contact Cow-op directly by making a donation. Donation Link HERE
- Join Our Fundraiser: Participate in our Harvest Supper fundraiser this October. This event will celebrate locally grown and crafted foods and drinks, featuring a multi-course meal catered by Mensch Kitchen and Catering at the beautiful Bird’s Eye Cove Farm. Tickets can be purchased through Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/0c71f3f4-58a8-4dd6-8bad-082ccdf42a8d
For More Information
For more information about Cowichan Valley Co-operative Marketplace and to support their mission, visit Cow-op.ca.
Contact: Danielle Bellefleur Board Chair, Cowichan Valley Co-operative Marketplace www.cow-op.ca warmlimes@gmail.com
About Cowichan Valley Co-operative Marketplace
Cowichan Valley Co-operative Marketplace (CVCM) is a non-profit cooperative that facilitates connections between local farmers and consumers through an online farmer’s market, Cow-op.ca. CVCM aims to provide a viable market solution for producers while giving consumers convenient access to wholesome, sustainably produced local foods.
Together, we can save Cow-op and support the heart of our community – our local farmers and food producers.
