DORCHESTER FOOD COOP: STRENGTHENING EQUITABLE AND RESILIENT FOOD ACCESS

The Dorchester Food Co-op is a grassroots initiative to build a grocery store that makes healthy food accessible and affordable and advances economic opportunity for all through neighborhood engagement. Owned and controlled by community and worker member-owners, our co-op is operated for the mutual benefit of members and the community, returning profits to the community through employment, discounts and programming. The co-op is committed to racial equity and lifting up the leadership of BIPOC residents of Dorchester's diverse community. The Co-op is committed to creating a model of green, sustainable store design, and upholding high standards for socially responsible business practices.Major goals for the project are:1) Increase healthy food for low-income residents of Dorchester and the surrounding communities.2) Increase self-reliance in providing for healthy food in a low-income neighborhood3) Contribute to economic revitalization of the neighborhoodObjectives include:1) Remove barriers to Co-op membership and patronage for low-income residents.2) Ensure that pricing in the Co-op is affordable to low-income residents3) Building partnerships with local health centers, farms, and community organizations4) Improve health outcomes related to diet for members and shoppers in the store.5) Invest in Co-op worker-owners, hired from the neighborhood, through job and worker-owner training6) Circulate revenue from store sales throughout the neighborhood7) Prioritize local purchasing, directly generating revenue for local farmers and entrepreneurs.