Meet the Nation's Top Champions for Sustainable Food:
Finalists, Winner Named in
First-Ever 'Cooperate for Community!' Contest
IOWA
CITY, Iowa (Oct. 12, 2007) - In the first-ever "Cooperate
for Community!" contest, judges recently named Joseph Kiefer,
Barbara Eiswerth and Juanita Nelson as the individuals whose work
in the area of sustainable food most exemplifies the cooperative
spirit. Presented by National Cooperative Grocers Association
(NCGA), a business services cooperative representing 110 food
co-ops nationwide, the winner and two finalists will each receive
a donation to the nonprofit of their choice.
Judges
selected Joseph Kiefer of Food Works in Montpelier, Vt., the winner
for connecting local growers to local human service agencies in
an effort to teach consumers - the vast majority low-income or
underserved elderly and child populations - how to prepare and
enjoy local produce. For his initiative, he will receive a $7,500
donation to the nonprofit of his choice.
The
two finalists are Barbara Eiswerth of Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting
Network in Tucson, Ariz., and Juanita Nelson of Free Harvest Supper
of Locally Grown Food Organizing Committee in Deerfield, Mass.
Eiswerth organized several hundred refugees and volunteers to
harvest and redistribute locally grown produce. Nelson created
the annual Harvest Supper, an event that celebrates local agriculture
and donates thousands of dollars to the local food pantry. Each
will receive a $2,500 donation for the nonprofit of their choice.
In
July, NCGA launched "Cooperate for Community!" with
its co-sponsor, Frontier Natural Products Co-op -- a wholesale
cooperative specializing in natural and organic products -- to
honor people across America who are working for more sustainable
food, while exemplifying a spirit of cooperation. It called on
individuals to submit a 500-word nomination highlighting an individual
or organization they knew who embodied this spirit.
Twenty-seven
co-ops nationwide held local "Cooperate for Community!"
competitions; these local winners were then sent for consideration
in the national judging. Kiefer was the local winner for Hunger
Mountain Co-op (www.hungermountain.com).
Eiswerth was the local winner for Food Conspiracy Co-op (www.foodconspiracy.org),
and Nelson was the local winner for Green Fields Market (www.gfm.com).
"Each
of these individuals have in their own way made the community
a better place by being, and helping others be, more mindful of
the connection between our food, how it is grown, and the impact
on human, environmental and animal health," said Robynn Shrader,
chief executive officer, NCGA. "Their spirit of cooperation
is incredibly inspiring, and we congratulate all of our nominees
on their efforts."
To
learn more about the winners and nominees, visit www.ncga.coop/contest.
About
Co-ops
Co-ops are voluntarily owned by the people who use them; operate
for the benefit of their members; and, regardless of the goods
and services provided, aim to meet their members' needs.
About
NCGA
The National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) is a member
services cooperative for 110 consumer-owned natural food co-ops
located throughout the United States. NCGA (www.ncga.coop)
helps unify natural food co-ops in order to optimize operational
and marketing resources, strengthen purchasing power, and ultimately
offer more value to natural food co-op shoppers everywhere.
About
Frontier Natural Products Co-op
Frontier Natural Products Co-op (www.frontiercoop.com)
is a wholesale cooperative, specializing in natural and organic
products. Frontier manufactures and distributes products found
in natural products stores and specialty shops throughout the
United States and Canada. Brands include Frontier, Simply Organic
and Aura Cacia with items that include spices and seasoning blends,
aromatherapy and natural personal care, holistic and craft herbs
and loose-leaf teas. Frontier Natural Products Co-op's work is
driven by the belief that fostering environmental responsibility
is crucial to the world's future.
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