I think I agree with @Mani a Suma bulk ordering group is a different thing which we should totally do and could be a part of a future network of food co-ops here but I think we need to discuss the project as an actual strategy as I laid out here: Co-op Brum stratergy for 2026 - #2 by kawaiipunk
The strategy being that this will be a public organising project aimed at increasing Co-operation Birmingham membership to around 50-100 people by the end of 2026 with a functioning food co-op split into 10 household groups (with a bigger groups for SCD). Perhaps SCD can be used as a distribution hub for these groups and the first households group.
This will help build a co-operative democratic culture that will give the community a tangible benefit and alleviate poverty. We can then investigate spreading our activities beyond Stirchley into neighbouring areas, starting by inviting groups from other areas to visit us and see the project in operation.
This will be the main organising strategy I will advocating at the Away Weekend.
The learning from the Coop Town handbook is basically that each food co-op just be street based and split into a new co-op at 10 households. I think it would be unwise to ignore these experiences for the actual strategy.
I think it’s critical we go and visit the current food co-ops in operation. They might have even changed or evolved since @Mani was involved.
However starting a Suma bulk ordering group is a good idea which I support. The actual neighbourhood food co-ops could join and receive good from that as well.
However if we are just going to do a Suma bulk ordering group for existing members and not aim to do broader co-opeative neighbourhood based organising down the line, I would be highly critical.