ABSTRACT
Co-op Cincy incubates worker-owned union cooperatives as a part of a larger effort to transform the economy. Their food sector organizing includes Our Harvest farm and food hub and other farm and grocery initiatives. The chapter describes how these organizations promote food access, equitable local ownership, sustainable growing practices, and democratic control of the food system. Although grassroots efforts to promote food access are easily recognized as health activism, organizing for economic equity, environmental stewardship, and participatory democracy address the fundamental causes of illness and health disparities. This chapter examines the interrelationships among health and illness ideologies, organizing, and the food system. The case study takes a critically holistic approach to investigate how Co-op Cincy’s vision for the food system can improve health and well-being. It also discusses how the incubator manages key communication challenges involved in promoting transformative change.
