The MARC Joins Regional Cooperative Leaders in Texas to Advance Fresh Food Access
The MARC joined regional leaders from across the country in McAllen, Texas to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and explore new opportunities to expand access to fresh, nutritious food. They came together to learn, collaborate, and bring back insights that will help strengthen regional sourcing efforts and better serve food banks and neighbors.
In February, leaders from regional food bank cooperatives across the country gathered in McAllen, Texas, for an in-person convening focused on one shared goal: strengthening how we source and distribute fresh, nutritious food across our regions.
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative (MARC) was proud to be part of this important conversation, represented by Executive Director Beth Hamilton and Member Services Manager Nicole Calle.
Hosted by Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley and the Collaborative for Fresh Produce, the convening brought together representatives from ten regional cooperatives, alongside partners from Feeding America and key produce donors. The gathering created space for cooperative leaders to exchange ideas, explore challenges, and identify opportunities to strengthen regional sourcing and collaboration.
Throughout the visit, attendees had the opportunity to see firsthand how strong partnerships and innovative logistics can expand access to fresh produce. From touring local facilities to learning more about cross-border sourcing efforts, the experience highlighted how collaboration across food banks, growers, distributors, and community partners can build a more resilient and responsive food system.
For the MARC, whose work is rooted in connecting food banks with fresh, high-quality products through efficient sourcing and distribution, the convening reinforced the value of regional collaboration. It also underscored the importance of learning from peer cooperatives to continuously improve how we serve our network and, ultimately, our neighbors.
"We are so grateful to our hosts at the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank and the Collaborative for Fresh Produce, all attending cooperatives, and the Feeding America representatives that helped put together this great opportunity for us all to get together to discuss ideas, challenges and opportunities for our organizations," shared Nicole Calle. "This event was full of fruitful discussions and we walked away with a deeper understanding on how our fellow cooperatives operate. We look forward to the possibility of increasing our regional collaboration.”
Gatherings like this are more than just meetings. They are opportunities to strengthen relationships, share knowledge, and align around solutions that increase access to fresh, nutritious food for neighbors. The MARC looks forward to building on these connections and continuing to advance regional collaboration in support of food banks and the communities they serve.
