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FCI Peer Learning Group Program
Being an organizer of a startup food co-op can feel overwhelming. Some weeks the challenges feel too big, your list of questions just keeps growing, and you feel isolated by your leadership role in the process. FCI’s FREE Peer Learning Groups have been an invaluable resource for more than five dozen startups since they launched in 2020! In fact, 97% of participants said they felt it was important for startup co-ops to participate in an FCI Peer Learning Group.
Our Peer Learning Groups connect cooperators who are in similar stages of development to meet monthly for one hour to learn, discuss, and build community with their peers. Each group is facilitated by a co-op development expert, and each monthly learning topic is chosen with group input, based on their unique needs.
- The groups are for all startup food co-ops that are working toward opening a cooperatively owned brick-and-mortar grocery store
- Whether your co-op is just getting incorporated or has hired a General Manager and is planning to open soon, we have a Peer Learning Group that will be the right fit for your co-op’s stage of development
- Our 2026 FCI Peer Learning Group will meet once a month, from January to October
2026 Peer Learning Group applications are closed.
Learn more about the program: Peer Learning Groups Q&A
Questions? Email Chris Dilley at chris@fci.coop
“FCI’s Peer learning groups have been invaluable for our conversion to a food cooperative in so many ways: getting to know others around the country who are doing what we are, how they are doing it, and what lessons they have learned…just getting to know them has been inspiring. We have been provided talks by people who have done the work, not just people who talk about it. We have a great mentor in Chris Dilley, who is there to answer, at least 100 of the million questions we ask. And finally it makes you feel not only that you are not alone but it keeps us going when inspiration may be at a low point.”
“Taking part is FCI’s Peer Learning Groups has been an extremely valuable way for our co-op board and volunteers to learn from others who are traveling the same path as we are. We find out how others have tackled the same obstacles that we face; what pitfalls to avoid; what questions that we hadn’t thought to ask; and so much more. But of equal value to the learning is the support that we get from our fellow cooperators. Whether we’re celebrating a new success or “licking our wounds” from an unexpected set-back, our friends in the Peer Group are there to help keep us reaching for that ultimate goal we all share – opening a cooperatively-owned grocery store in our town.”
“The FCI peer groups have helped me feel less alone through the roles of founder, Board President and Project Manager. The generosity with resources and information that save our volunteer-led co-op valuable time and energy has been such a relief. The kind and supportive presence of the leaders and guests have bolstered my resolve.”
“FCI Peer Learning Groups represent Unity! These Learning Groups allowed Little Africa Food Cooperative to take the information learned during these sessions and create strategy and build upon the lessons learned. If another peer had a better process and we could benefit from that process, the information was always shared!”