Happy Holidays!

Season’s Greetings Co-op Members,

I’m writing to wish you and your loved ones a warm and peaceful holiday season.

One thing I love most about winter is how it invites us to slow down: to light a candle, make a pot of soup, hang lights outside, and savor the small comforts that nourish us. In the spirit of hygge — the Danish idea of creating warmth, comfort, and simple joys during the darkest months — I hope this season brings you moments of ease and connection.

If you’re looking for a little culinary coziness, here’s a banger of a recipe for flavorful warmth: It’s a simple chicken, green bean, and potato stew from The New York Times. It’s wonderfully flexy, too — you can easily substitute tofu, beef, or firm white fish if chicken isn’t your thing. Pro tip: I add a few cloves of garlic, double up on the black pepper, add a dash (or 10) of Funky’s Liquid Sunshine hot sauce, and finish it off with some fresh, chopped parsley.

Old Man Winter has really been testing us with all this rain. It’s only my second winter in Bellingham, and I was definitely caught off guard. Lots of our staff regaled me with stories of the flooding from 2021 and how the community came together to support each other. Once again, our community showed up for one another in the best possible way: Neighbors helped neighbors, farmers supported farmers, and so many people and organizations stepped in to offer care, food, funding and kinship. Moments like these are powerful reminders of how deeply interconnected we are, and how our differing points of view don’t really separate us as much as one might think. We are fortunate to live in a place where people lead with their hearts.

As we reflect on our 55th year as your community-owned Co-op, I’m filled with gratitude. For more than half a century, the Co-op has been both a marketplace and a shared endeavor — supporting good food, local farms, and a resilient regional economy. None of this works without you, our member-owners, who continue to believe in the power of cooperation and community. In today’s world, cooperation is a radical act. Thank you for helping us keep it real every day!

This was also a year in which we were able to pay out a member dividend. It reflects your support and the Co-op’s strong financial footing. Many of you have already used your dividend, and we’re glad it could help support your household food budget. If you still have a remaining balance, friendly reminder: Dividends expire on December 31, 2025. You’re welcome to spend it in our stores or you can donate it to the Farm Fund, which is set up to support farms during times such as these. If you’ve used your dividend but would still like to donate to the Farm Fund, you can do so here, or you can donate at the register on your next visit.

Once again, happy holidays to you and yours. Please know I’m here to answer questions, listen to your ideas, or even grab a cup of coffee — I’m always excited to talk about food, farming, and community (or whatever you want to talk about!).

Ho ho ho,

Lisa Sedlar
CEO/GM