On June 14, 2012 we presented a rough-cut of Food For Change at CCMA 2012 in Philadelphia. It was the first time the film was shown and the response was very positive. We are on our way to making a major historical and contemporary film about co-ops, the likes of which, to my knowledge,
has not been done before. At the conference, I stated that once the film's $300,000 budget is raised, we can complete the film in five months. We are two-thirds of the way to that amount.

To complete the film this year, we need more food co-ops to contribute in-line with the  funding plan. Presently, 84 food co-ops across the county are helping to fund the film; 26 are giving according to the funding plan, a total of $113,000. The remaining 58 non-funding plan contributors are giving $58,000. Foundations, other organizations, and individuals are contributing $32,000.

The funding plan was devised, with help from co-op leaders, so that each co-op can contribute an equitable share of the costs according to their size. By following the plan, a co-op share is .5% to 2.7% of the total budget ($500 - $8,000). For this amount each co-op will get a first-rate feature-length historical and contemporary film about food co-ops to use with members, employees, schools, and the surrounding community, on a par with Food Inc., Ingredients, Vanishing of the Bees and other food movies.

Judging by the written reactions to the rough-cut we presented at CCMA, we are doing our part to make an excellent film. We now need more co-ops to join with the 26 co-ops that are following the funding plan. Toward this effort, we have asked co-op leaders who have seen the CCMA rough cut to help us rally more support. If your co-op is not on the funding plan map, you may hear from some of your fellow GMs over the next few weeks. If you do not wish to be contacted, please let us know and we will take you off the list.