Menomonie Market Co-Op (above) is one of 38 co-ops nationwide screening Food for Change on Nov. 3, highlighting the cooperative movement in America.

In celebration of National Food Co-op Month, Menomonie Market Food Co-op is hosting a screening of Food for Change, a documentary detailing food co-ops as both a political and economic movement across the country. Thirty-eight different co-ops are participating in this nationwide screening event. Beth Martin, marketing manager at the Menomonie Market said the topic is incredibly relevant to our area.

“Outside of New England, the Upper Nidwest (Wisconsin and Minnesota) has the highest concentration of food cooperatives in the country,” Martin said. “What’s great about this film is how well it provides historical context and illustrates food cooperatives’ unique ability to strengthen local food and help build food security.”

Narrated by the film’s director, Steve Alves – a proud member of the Franklin Community Co-op in Greenfield, Mass. – the film will show archive footage of the progress co-ops have made toward providing organic whole foods to communities, and in the process building up those communities to be fields for change. Steve Hanson of Menomonie Market Co-op’s Board of Directors elaborates: “Food For Change explores the history of the cooperative movement in America through conversation and rare film clips of cooperatives at work,” he said. “Although it concentrates on the food cooperative movement in New England, the food co-op history in Wisconsin is very similar, and just as strong. Much of the film will seem familiar and nostalgic to long-term co-op members. ”

Space is limited. You can reserve your free ticket for the Thursday, Nov. 3, screening (7-8:30pm) by visiting www.mmfc.coop/calendar.