Co-op News for October 17, 2017

News

• Cannabis Co-op Formed

  Twelve licensed producers of medical cannabis in Canada have announced the creation of the Canadian Cannabis Co-op. The co-op has said it will make a significant investment in Alberta to create a retail solution to address the challenges of safe, regulated supply and socially responsible cannabis retailing. The co-op includes three cannabis producers from B.C. This commitment comes after the government of Alberta introduced legislation to legalese cannabis by July 2018 and launched a framework to manage the distribution and sale of the drug.

  Co-op News: Cannabis producers form co-op for ‘socially responsible’ retailing

• Co-ops raising funds for breast cancer

  Federated Co-operatives is excited to announce the return of its annual Drink Pink campaign, to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. Drink Pink is a partnership between the Co-operative Retailing System comprised of Federated Co-operatives and over 200 independent retail co-ops across Western Canada and Van Houtte Coffee Services Inc. It has raised $580,000 since 2010. The partnership makes a donation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation for every cup of coffee sold in October at participating Co-op Gas Bars and Food Store delis.

  Co-op Connection: Drink Pink

• B.C. credit unions considering merger

  Seven credit unions in southeastern B.C. are considering a potential amalgamation. Credit unions in the Kootenay, Boundary and Columbia Valley regions have announced that they have begun exploring the process of amalgamating to create one credit union. The credit unions considering the proposal are the Grand Forks and Heritage Credit Unions in Grand Forks and Greenwood respectively, as well as the Columbia Valley, Creston and District, East Kootenay Community, Nelson and District and Kootenay Savings credit unions. A combined credit union would serve 82,000 members in 22 communities through 24 branches.

  Boundary Creek Times: Heritage Credit Union explores amalgamation

• Credit union grant for healthy food program

  Coastal Community Credit Union has announced that through its Building Healthier Communities Fund, LUSH Valley Food Action Society will receive a $3,520 grant. The funds will support the society’s new Community Kitchen “on-the-go” kits, ensuring their Healthy Food Program facilitators will be able to deliver quality programming across the region. The organization’s goal is to expand people’s relationship with healthy, culturally appropriate food by providing opportunities to explore food knowledge, skills and security. The Island’s relatively mild winters, rich soils and proximity to the ocean allow the facilitators to take advantage of many local seasonal foods while teaching food literacy.

  Coastal Community Funds Healthy Food Project for LUSH Valley (PDF)