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Partner Feature: Urban Recipe
Empowering Seniors with Food Security and Community
National experts say the current food crisis in the U.S. doesn't have a single starting point. Rather it stems from a combination of factors that have been worsening over time. While food insecurity was a concern before, it has been amplified in recent years by several events, including the 2008 Great Recession, which led to increased food insecurity, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which further exacerbated the issue with job losses, supply chain disruptions, and school closures, impacting food access for many. Ongoing issues, such as inflation and the rollback of pandemic relief efforts, have also contributed to the current state of the food crisis.
In 2023, our Food Programs team started a conversation with our friends at Urban Recipe to figure out how the food distribution organization's community co-op model could fit into Intown Cares' food philosophy. We were looking for ways to support vulnerable neighbors amid the changing food landscape, particularly a group of seniors on fixed incomes. In February 2024, we collaborated to launch the Intown Cares Food Co-op at Parish Grove (formerly Cathedral Towers). Since then, 32 residents of the independent living apartment complex, some of whom had been part of our weekly grocery delivery service, have come together as co-op members to participate in community – growing alongside each other as they sort, distribute, and pack food for themselves and their neighbors. Through varying abilities and languages spoken, the co-op members serve one another with respect and equity and increase food security in their homes.
Urban Recipe's food co-ops for low-income families provide a unique alternative to many traditional food-centered programs. They create food security and provide a place where relationships and community are built and the dignity of everyone involved is affirmed. Members volunteer to unload, sort, organize, and distribute an average of 3,000 pounds of food equitably and according to family size. Once all the food and goods are loaded into boxes, members gather for a meeting that includes a reflection, community announcements, and on occasion an educational portion. After the meeting, food boxes are assigned to each member. The goal is for each member to have an adequate supply of food for two weeks.
With the co-op pilot completed last spring, our team is thrilled that year two is underway and that the vision of providing food security for neighbors in need sustains. Below, Urban Recipe’s Executive Director Jeremy Lewis, and Reed Stewart, Program Manager, share a few points on our successful partnership.
Now in its second year, what has made the Intown Cares Co-op successful?
A combination of dedication from Parish Grove co-op members, commitment from Intown Cares, and ongoing support from Urban Recipe has made the Intown Cares Co-op a success.
The Urban Recipe co-op model would not succeed without the contribution, leadership, and dedication of its co-op members. Every two weeks, participants of the Intown Cares food co-op, otherwise known as co-op members, arrive ready to unload pallets of food, sign in and support new and returning members, sort items equitably, inspect the quality of produce, discuss how to improve co-op operations, and uplift each other. Despite varying physical abilities, co-op members make sure everyone has a job to do. The Intown Cares Co-op over its first year has welcomed change and challenges but has remained dedicated to the mission of increasing food security for themselves and their community.
Although emerging leadership from members has been present from the beginning, the co-op officially elected its first Steering Committee last month. This is a significant milestone reached after one year of successful co-op operation. Steering Committee members Linda (President), Michelle (Vice President), Tommy (Secretary), and Daryl (Vice Secretary) will now take even further ownership of the co-op, with support from the co-op coordinator.
How does the mission of Intown Cares align with Urban Recipe's Cooperative Pathway Program?
Intown Cares' food programs aim to address food insecurity for neighbors in need without stipulation and with as many barriers removed as possible. In addition to their own food pantry and grocery delivery program, Intown Cares’ partnership with Urban Recipe through the Cooperative Pathway Program (CPP) has increased sustained and dignified food support.
The Urban Recipe CPP empowers organizations like Intown Cares to launch food cooperatives designed to support communities by addressing food insecurity through equitable food access, strong relationship building, and active participation. Intown Cares, who has been a certified CPP partner of Urban Recipe for over a year, went through comprehensive training on the essential aspects of co-op operations and member management, and in return, receives continued support and food sourcing from Urban Recipe.
The CPP Food Co-op at Parish Grove, though supported by Intown Cares and Urban Recipe, is truly community-owned. Co-op members contribute to the co-op’s success through active participation, communication, and leadership. Much like Intown Cares’ approach of “food without stipulation,” the Urban Recipe Food Co-op model only asks co-op members to make a statement of need, and then welcome participants in the food co-op as long as they need support. Specifically, the food co-op at Parish Grove breathes the mission of Intown Cares’ low barrier distribution, considering members do not need to travel outside of their apartment complex to participate in the co-op and receive food support.