Up & Coming

Startup Food Co-op Conference

2027 Up & Coming Conference

The Up & Coming Conference will resume in 2027 in Detroit with our host co-op, the Detroit People’s Food Co-op

ReVisioning Team

The national Up & Coming Conference for startup food co-ops is on pause for 2026 for a collective reimagining to meet this moment of evolution and will re-emerge in 2027 in its new form to serve the 4th wave of startup food co-op organizing.

Our goal is that the revisioning of the national gathering of startup food co-ops reflects the voices of all startup food co-op organizing communities, and of the organizations and experts across the US that dedicate their work to them, through a startup-community-wide process.

Step one in achieving this: The creation of our ReVisioning Team that will work with FCI to design a community-wide input process that will start in July 2026.

We are honored to introduce our conference ReVis Team:

Juliette Banerjee – Bio coming soon

Dr. Jasmine Jackson (she/hers) is an applied food systems research and policy-based specialist. She partners with academic research teams, anchor institutions, philanthropic foundations, and community-based organizations to identify root causes of and develop innovative solutions to food system challenges. Dr. Jas believes that your zip code should not determine your life expectancy, and building relationships are essential to creating a sustainable and just food system.

Allanah Hines is the Startup Resource Manager at the Development Co+op, where she supports startup food co-ops in moving from vision to viability. Drawing on her experience as a community food strategist, she advances equitable food systems rooted in community-driven change. Allanah is known for translating big ideas into actionable strategies, designing workshops and tools that equip leaders to build sustainable businesses and expand access to fresh, nutritious food.

Nicole Klimek – A store planner, interior designer and equipment expert, Nicole has dedicated her 20 year career to independent and cooperative grocers, and startups have been a passion since day one. Nicole began her career in store development at UNFI and worked for many years with CDS Consulting Co-op (now Columinate), contributing to hundreds of store projects along the way.

She is currently a partner with seven roots, a worker-owned group of career food and grocery professionals that offers design and strategy for community food and grocery projects through feasibility, store design, equipment work, as well as governance and organizational development support.

Gabrielle Davis is a Co-op Community Steward who works alongside food co-ops to strengthen their connection to the communities they serve and employ. Her work focuses on helping co-ops move beyond intention by building practices rooted in cultural humility, psychological safety and shared responsibility. She partners with boards, staff and community stakeholders to navigate complex dynamics, deepen trust and create environments where people feel seen, respected and valued.

Tamah Yisrael is a Cooperative Governance & Financial Systems Strategist at TMH Solutions Hub, artist, and creator of Takin It Back. She works with cooperatives, nonprofits, and community-based organizations to design people-first financial systems, democratic governance structures, and sustainable operations.

Her approach blends cooperative strategy, financial literacy, facilitation, and cultural grounding—helping groups move from intention to implementation while centering people, values, and long-term resilience.

Up & Coming Food Co-op Conference collage

What is Up & Coming?

The Up & Coming Conference is for communities that want to open a food co-op.

It’s two full days where you and 300+ of your peers from across the U.S. will share expert knowledge and build a movement together!

Get Started with Food Co-op Initiative

Food Co-op Initiative provides exceptional resources for people in the U.S. working to start a retail food co-op that meets the needs of their community. New startups can use our materials at no charge and are able to reach out to our staff for phone consultations and additional technical help.

Popular Resources

Let’s Start a Food Co-op! What do we do first?

What can FCI Do for me?

Guide to Starting a Food Co-op

Annual Impact Reports

QuickStart from FCI Classroom

Connect with Us

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Food Co-op Initiative is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by the law. Food Co-op Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.