Queens is the most diverse borough in New York City and we are working together with our neighbors and community leaders to bring sustainable and affordable food options to all of the residents of our community through a food cooperative. To learn more about co-ops and their principles, click here.
Founded in Spring 2009, we have grown from a handful of committed volunteers to several hundred strong. We are currently seeking funding through the work of our development committee and our site committee is scouting out an eventual home for our store. Our goal is to open in the spring of 2011. We meet for public meetings once a month where we are planning for the future, working together to find solutions, and assessing our needs as we move from planning to opening.
While we grow and plan we rely on the range of talents of those in our community. If you are interested in volunteering for any of the committees below, click here to sign up, or if you have questions, click on the committee name below to send an email. For all media inquiries, click here.
Queens Harvest Co-op Committees
Buying Club Committee
Queens Harvest Food Co-op currently supports one buying club, located in Sunnyside. It was created to provide wholesale prices and free shipping on a wide variety of natural, organic, and earth-friendly products from food to cleaning products to personal care items and more. This video from Good Morning America explains how a buying club works. Orders are placed once a month, with payment made up front, and shipped to the club manager in Sunnyside, Queens, off the 7 train, 40th St stop.
It will be approximately a year before the Queens Harvest Food Co-op is open for business. In the meantime, we are encouraging and helping to organize Food Buying Clubs around various neighborhoods in Western Queens. If you are interested in starting your own buying club in Queens, please contact the Committee at buyingclub@queensharvestcoop.com or email us to join the mailing list and receive more information, including order deadlines.
Our vendor is Frontier, and you can access their main catalog here or their monthly sale catalog here.
Development CommitteeThe Development Committee is responsible for resource development and fundraising activities in support of the co-op. Potential sources of support include, but are not limited to, grant funding from government and private sector sources, in-kind partnerships, and potential sales. This committee will ensure that its initiatives and outcomes are in alignment with the co-op’s strategic plan including vision, mission and values.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is responsible for overseeing all of the co-op's financial activity, including the bookkeeping and banking activities, the establishment of internal controls, the creation and maintenance of the business plan, the preparation of budgets, and the delivery of a monthly status report to the board. In addition, the committee will explore initial financing options for the co-op.
Legal Committee
The Legal Committee is responsible for researching and presenting recommendations on the form of incorporation and governance for the co-op, and will work with the board to draft the co-op bylaws. The Legal Committee will be prepared to advise the board and other committees on legal questions that may arise relating to membership, policy, financing and other issues associated with the start up and ongoing operation of the co-op.
Outreach Committee
This committee is responsible for internal communication, including welcoming new members and keeping all members informed about co-op news and events. And external communication responsibilities include recruiting new members and supporters, informing the public about the purposes and benefits of the co-op, and liaising with the press and other community groups. For media inquires, click here.
Site Committee
The Site Committee is responsible for determining the requirements of the space for the co-op, finding and securing a lease for a property that would house the co-op, and coordinating the design and construction of the co-op with contractors and volunteers.
Sourcing Committee
In line with the co-op's guiding principles, the sourcing committee identifies vendors and products that are socially responsible, sustainable, and promote the well-being of the community.
Technology Committee
The Technology Committee is responsible for the website, email, listservs and other technology functions of the co-op. As we move into the retail space, the Technology Committee will also research and make recommendations on store equipment.