Cooperatives and Local Development

Cooperatives and Local Development
Author: Christopher D. Merrett
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 343
Release: 2016-09-16
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1315290286

First Published in 2004. The market economy has changed profoundly over the past two centuries. In the nineteenth century, business enterprises were largely single-product ventures, managed directly by the owners and rooted within national economies. In the twentieth century, firms employed managers who were not owners. Firms also evolved into multiproduct, multiunit entities that could employ thousands of workers. In the twenty-first century, many firms operate on a global scale, taking advantage of free trade policies and rapidly evolving computer and telecommunications technologies. Given this potential, it is crucial that producers, consumers, economic developers, and researchers realize how co-ops can promote local economic and community development. Hence, this book includes the perceptions of experts on a variety of cooperative issues, including the challenges involved in starting a co-op and in understanding its impact on surrounding communities. This book can be especially useful because it provides the theoretical foundations and practical applications of cooperative behavior.

Running a Food Hub: Volume Two, a Business Operations Guide

Running a Food Hub: Volume Two, a Business Operations Guide
Author: James Matson
Publisher: Government Printing Office
Total Pages: 84
Release: 2015-09-17
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780160929847

This report is part of a multi-volume technical report series entitled, Running a Food Hub, with this guide serving as a companion piece to other United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports by providing in-depth guidance on starting and running a food hub enterprise. In order to compile the most current information on best management and operations practices, the authors used published information on food hubs, surveyed numerous operating food hubs, and pulled from their existing experience and knowledge of working directly with food hubs across the country as an agricultural business consulting firm. The report’s main focus is on the operational issues faced by food hubs, including choosing an organizational structure, choosing a location, deciding on infrastructure and equipment, logistics and transportation, human resources, and risks. As such, the guide explores the different decision points associated with the organizational steps for starting and implementing a food hub. For some sections, sidebars provide “decision points,” which food hub managers will need to address to make key operational decisions. This illustrated guide may assist the operational staff at small businesses or third-party organizations that may provide aggregation, marketing, and distribution services from local and regional producers to assist with wholesale, retail, and institution demand at government institutions, colleges/universities, restaurants, grocery store chains, etc. Undergraduate students pursuing coursework for a bachelor of science degree in food science, or agricultural economics may be interested in this guide. Additionally, this reference work will be helpful to small businesses within the food trade discipline.