Linda Illsley (Four Corners Slow Money) interviewed Ole Bye (Southwest Farm Fresh Cooperative) in December 2020 for this story:
At the beginning of 2020 the SWFF Coop had an unsure future. The CSA model that was in place had worked for them, yet it was not quite enough to ensure they would be able to continue with their work to market and distribute the produce from member farms. The coop was formed to resolve this problem, which is a main concern for many of the local farmers in our area.
COVID gave the members the opportunity to create an online market model, which offers more flexibility for customers than the CSA model did. At the end of the year Ole reported that the future of the Coop is looking brighter than it did early in the year.
At present, the SWFF Coop is working with approximately 25 and 30 producers from Montezuma and La Plata Counties that are working collaboratively to create greater resilience in our local food system.
Two of SWFF’s producers, Adobe House Farm and Sol Vista Farm, are Four Corners Slow Money loan recipients!
Ole also mentioned that due to COVID there is greater collaboration between organizations in the region like Manna Soup Kitchen, the Good Food Collective and the Good Samaritan, amongst many others that have resulted in helping support individuals and families that are experiencing food insecurity challenges.
Collaboration made possible by funding from Nourish Colorado allowed for 20 families in Durango and 30 Cortez seniors and families to receive weekly boxes of produce from SWFF Coop . Ole hopes that with continued funding, this much needed work will continue in 2021