Today we’d like to introduce you to Rev. Bernadine Harvin.
Hi Rev. Bernadine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As Board Chair of Southside Food Co-op, founded June 2020. South Side Food Coop (SSFC) mission is to provide the South Side of Chicago, which has limited access to supermarkets, the opportunity to purchase fresh, nutritious foods at affordable prices and job opportunities that pays living wages. We are a Black-led, community-owned Cooperative.
You might ask, what is a Cooperative (Co-op)? Cooperatives are companies owned by the people who use their services. These member-owners form the company for a particular purpose: to satisfy an economic or social need, to provide a quality good or service (one that the market is not adequately providing) at an affordable price, or to create an economic structure to engage in needed production or facilitate more equal distribution to compensate for a market failure.
“An autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.”
What differentiates us from Farmers Markets? Our new store will be a year-round, community destination for delicious, fresh, locally-sourced food with 80% organic and 20% conventional. We want our members and community to be able to make us a one-stop shop. Food co-ops like ours want shoppers to enjoy the pleasures and health benefits of fresh foods, which is why we are working TOGETHER to bring affordable options to our community.
Being an entrepreneur is my life, I had several home based business and I’m currently starting another. Southside Food Co-op is an undertaking that requires everyone connected to be involved to share their skillset with the building of the Co-op. The Cooperative model came to William Daniels and he introduced it to our family members and friends during Covid Pandemic & the murder of Geoge Floyd. We believe Cooperatives are the answer to systemic racism. Within the Cooperative… I have plans for a for-profit “Southside Soul Cafe.”
Where did the idea come from? SSFC began with a thought how can we do something to solve something our community was missing after the looting and rioting. We felt our young people had no vested interest in the business sector of our communities. How do we change that? Southside Food Co-op! Bringing a Food Co-op to the South Side of Chicago. Our Tagline: A Better Way of Eating, Business, Living, and Life!
This has been a collective business development journey. We have followed guidelines of other cooperatives and there have been some much need deviations made due to us being a Black-Led Cooperator. We continue to model our formation after the Food Cooperative Initiative (FCI) model.
Our Collective Goals: To support local Black farmers and sustainable agriculture. To provide health-enhancing foods and nutrition education to the underserved in the African American community. To keep prices as low as possible. To create a sustainable business based on member ownership and democratic decision-making. To be fair and supportive to our employees and pay a living wage, be sensitive to those who make what we sell.
To be a community resource that helps the people of Illinois, specifically the South Side of Chicago lead healthier lives. To be good stewards of the environment through conscientious, sustainable use of resources. To reach out to low-income members of the community, and to welcome all.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road organizing during the Covid19 Pandemic… we struggle with getting our messaging to the community to gain their support. So many organizations have promised glorious gains for the South Side of Chicago but failed to manifest good ideas and plans, which leaves the community doubtful of organizations that encourages the community to support financially and physically by lending their voice to the cause. Community support is so needed. This entity is for the community, owned by the community.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
SSFC changed my life. Being a pastor alongside my husband of 27 years, Bishop Mark Harvin of Cornerstone Family Christian Center and Outreach, we already are family-focused (3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren), and community-driven. It was an easy transition to connect with this assignment to head SSFC and help bring it into fruition.
Our community impact has been bringing members together that have signed up for something new… something different… something better. So, it’s about organizing the people to bring change and not wait for change to come by outside entities. Another proud moment was being featured in the ChiBizHub June Member Spotlight for upcoming startups. I am educating myself by securing certifications and attending every webinar that will help me master this work of building a Cooperative, which is exciting. How do we connect with our community?
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is Christmas. My mother always made it special for us, spending way too much money. I have two brothers and two sisters. Dad always made sure we had a live Christmas tree every year.
Pricing:
- Our member/owner contribution is $100
Contact Info:
- Email: southsidefoodcoop@gmail.com
- Website: www.southsidefoodcoop.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Southsidefoodcoop/
