The Rutgers Food Innovation Center (FIC) provides support to Business Associations and Cooperatives through a unique Business Association Mentor (BAM) Program. Through this, it helps individuals, businesses and community groups learn about and form associations and cooperatives. BAM staff and FIC business development specialists are particularly well equipped to assist in the formation and financing of association programs that are or will serve and support rural communities in New Jersey and nearby states.

Business Associations are membership organizations that are engaged in promoting members' business interests. They may:

• perform business functions such as common marketing of crops, joint advertising, cooperative purchasing, or collaborative distribution of goods and services;
• conduct research on new products and services;
• develop market statistics; sponsor quality and certification standards;
• design and implement public relations campaigns to promote the interests and image of their clients;
• publish newsletters, books, or periodicals for distribution to their members or the general public;
• produce and sell products.

As an active participant in a far reaching network of groups advancing New Generation Cooperatives and Business-oriented Association ventures, BAM offers assistance in helping individuals and organizations learn about how to start, operate and improve the performance of cooperatives and business associations.

There are many types of Business Associations that can be supported by BAM. Some are volunteer groups, others are led by personnel engaged by a board of directors. A variety of business and legal models can be deployed to achieve shared objectives in areas such as marketing, distribution, purchasing and policy promotion.

This website offers an array of opportunities to learn about these affective business models and provides direct links to FIC Business Association Mentors and to contacts working in many settings to help associations and cooperatives achieve important business and earning goals.