FCI Live: Lessons From the First Two Years

Lessons from the First Two Years: Navigating Startup Challenges with Sam McCormick, Assabet Co-op Market

Opening a food co-op is an exciting but challenging journey, and the first two years of store operations are full of learning moments. In this session, I’ll share my experiences—from tackling financial and operational hurdles to building strong community engagement and governance. I’ll talk about what worked, what didn’t, and the unexpected lessons that reshaped our approach along the way. I hope these insights will support the planning and development of your co-op, helping you anticipate challenges and build a stronger foundation for long-term success. Let’s learn from each other and keep strengthening the cooperative movement!