Episode 64: Juneteenth Features: Brooklyn Packers & Brooklyn Supported Agriculture
Brooklyn Packers cuts out the grocery store to bring NYC fresh produce from independent farmers, foragers, and makers.
From https://www.brooklynsupportedagriculture.com/what-is-bsa : Brooklyn Packers is a worker-owned, Black-led food sourcing, packing, and distribution cooperative. They form a conduit between farms and the city, building Brooklyn food sovereignty. As a part of the greater New York City solidarity economy, BSA: guarantees worker-owners the same salary and equal company voting rights; buys from small, local farms and food businesses that produce food sustainably; and facilitates community access by only charging for labor (i.e. we never mark up food).
Steph Wiley is a worker-owner of Brooklyn Packers and a longtime food justice activist. Steph has over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and has been a member of Just Food’s board, the New York City Network of Worker Cooperatives (NYC NoWC) Advocacy Council, and the NYC NoWC Training Collective. Steph co-founded Brooklyn Packers with Shawn Santana in 2016. Along with his work at Brooklyn Packers, Steph is helping to develop a network of cooperative homesteads. He believes that aligned movements working together in solidarity is the best way to seek justice for all in our lifetimes.
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Episode #64 Notes
0:30 - What is the mission and vision of Brooklyn Packers?
2:15 - What is Brooklyn Supported Agriculture?
3:15 - On selecting farm and food suppliers.
5:00 - How is a worker-owned cooperative different than a typical corporate business? And what are the pros and cons?
8:45 - How do you competitive as a cooperative?
10:00 - Impacts of COVID-19 on the business.
14:00 - How is your cooperative financed?
17:45 - History of cooperatives in Brooklyn.
21:20 - How does Brooklyn Packers contribute to food sovereignty?
23:00 - Book recommendations!
Collective Courage, Jessica Gordon Nembhard
The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. DuBois
