Bouncing forward in challenging times

The COVID-19 pandemic is a disruption which has posed challenges to food sector organizations. Yet it may also provide an opportunity for growth of and change in these organizations. Our aims were to describe the surge in demand and innovations introduced by a rural food distribution cooperative and to critically assess responses in light of organizational resilience literature. We chose an organizational case study approach with mixed methods. Data sources included: existing reports, newsletters, policies and quantitative indicators; and new stakeholder interviews (n=20). We describe: the development and nature of the cooperative; its consolidation and anticipatory planning; the March 2020 surge in orders (133/week in February to 205/wk in March); the prioritization of health and safety in modifying product receiving and delivery methods; the warehouse reorganization and product aggregation doubling to twice per week; the strains on employees and human resource challenges; yet the growing organizational resilience.  We reflect on the small role of the cooperative in the inequitable agri-food system of the counties it serves, yet the strong role it plays with other food security oriented organizations in keep with its values. Further work, both research and practice development, can continue to explore the ways in which complex multi-stakeholder, not-for-profit, socially and environmentally principle food organizations can better navigate disruptions in the coming years, particularly in rural areas.