From the Board Chair, Caroline Kinsman
I want to start with appreciation and gratitude for our Co-op community. The management team and staff continue to serve our members and the collective community under extraordinary circumstances. I am equally thankful for the encouragement and support from our members who have voiced appreciation for keeping our stores open, attending to the evolving needs of the community, and undertaking additional precautions for the health of our shoppers.
Under different circumstances, we would be hosting our annual meeting in person, hearing from Co-op leadership, and learning about how we can all participate in tackling plastics together. While that isn’t possible this year, the Board would like to share a brief operations overview and high level financial information about your co-op.
We will validate and announce the Board election results in early April, and we hope to reschedule our panel on tackling plastics together.
Thank you for your membership and for supporting the Community Food Co-op.
From the General Manager, Adrienne Renz
A major part of my job is thinking about the Co-op’s future and how we can evolve and serve a wide range of constituents—from growers to consumers. To that measure, in 2019 we made great progress on a number of initiatives related to our 10-year Strategic Plan Goals.
I recognize this space is held as a review of the 2019 Community Food Co-op’s operations; however, I would be remiss in not acknowledging our current environment of operating a business deemed essential by our Governor and identified as critical infrastructure by Homeland Security during a worldwide pandemic.
We are showing up every day for our members, staff, and community. It can be scary and hard, and also rewarding, knowing we serve a needed purpose. Members see familiar faces (behind the safety of plexiglass) and purchase nourishing food in an unconventional environment no one has experience navigating. While many other aspects of life have changed for us and our members, we are proud to be a place of community and provide a sense of normalcy.
I appreciate the support from our members, the Board of Directors, and staff, and I look forward to celebrating our 50th anniversary this year.
Be well.
From the Finance Director, Jon Edholm
For more detail on the financial information, please contact Jean Rogers at jeanr@communityfood.coop to schedule an appointment with Jon Edholm, Finance Director.
