In partnership with the City of Phoenix and the Sustainable Food Economy Lab at ASU, Thrive is hosting a free 2 hour lunch-and-learn workshop: Building the Cooperative Food Economy in Arizona.

Join us as we present and discuss the opportunities that worker-cooperative business model present in creating more equitable and sustainable food businesses in Arizona.

In this workshop you will learn about the current state of Arizona’s cooperative food economy from sustainable business experts and a panel of cooperative entrepreneurs. This workshop will be the kick-off event for a series of workshops and other interactive events that deal with the future of the local food economy in Arizona, laying the ground for individuals, organizations and institutions can support the development and success of these value-based businesses.

Agenda:

12-12:10: Welcome and Introduction

12:10-12:25: Presentation of the current state of the cooperative food economy in Arizona by Prof. Arnim Wiek, ASU Sustainable Food Economy Lab

12:25-12:40: Presentation of Sustainable Cooperative Food Business Development Program by Thrive

12:40-1:45: Panel discussion: moderated by Nick Shivka, Local First Arizona. Panelists include:

• Maria Parra Cano, Food Forest Cooperative (Phoenix)

• Ian O'Grady, Phoenix Food Co-op

• Rosanne Albright, Office of Environmental Programs, City of Phoenix

• Sarah McBroom, Project Equity

• Anh-Thu Nguyen, Democracy at Work Institute

1:45-2: Outlook on future events and closing remarks

We invite all people interested in learning more about the cooperative food economy in Arizona – from the latest cooperative food businesses to novel training opportunities. 

The workshop will be available to join in-person and online via Zoom. For those joining in-person, we will have lunch provided by: Sana Sana.