Join us at our Annual Member Meeting

Dear Community Food Co-op Members,

As we prepare for this year’s Annual Meeting on March 26, I’m reminded that the Co-op is about so much more than just groceries. It’s about people, place, and the shared belief that food has the power to bring us together. This will be only my second Annual Meeting as CEO, and over the past year and a half, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know many of you, along with lots of farmers, community partners and of course our staff — all of whom make this Co-op such a special place. I continue to be inspired by how deeply this community cares about its food system and the values that have guided the Co-op for more than five decades.

Food has always been a connector. It connects us to the land that sustains us, to the farmers and fishers who steward that land and water, and to one another. That idea of connection is at the heart of this year’s Annual Meeting theme: Indigenous food systems and generosity.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, Indigenous communities have understood for thousands of years that food is inseparable from stewardship, reciprocity, and care for future generations. In particular, salmon and the Indigenous culture surrounding it are central to the ecological story of our region. This food source nourishes people while reminding us of our responsibility to protect the rivers, watersheds, and ecosystems that sustain life.

This year, we are honored to welcome to our Annual Meeting a speaker from Children of the Setting Sun Productions — a local organization dedicated to sharing Salish stories and values rooted in gratitude, respect, and responsibility for the land and waters. Their work helps amplify Indigenous voices and reminds us that traditional foods like salmon are not just nourishment, but part of a living cultural and ecological system that connects people to place.

At its core, the cooperative model is built on this same idea of shared responsibility and care. Every time you shop at the Co-op, you are supporting local farmers and food makers, helping to circulate dollars in our regional economy, and strengthening a food system that values people, place, and sustainability.

As someone who has spent more than three decades working in the natural foods industry, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this community. What makes our Co-op so special is the people. Because at the end of the day, a cooperative is not defined by its buildings or even the food on its shelves. It is defined by the people who show up for one another. The farmers, fishers, ranchers who grow and raise our food, our great staff members who bring it to our shelves, and YOU, our members who believe in doing business a little differently than all the other grocers in town.

So, I’d like to personally invite you to our Annual Member Meeting. It’ll take place on Thursday, March 26 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. I’ll share how last year went for the Co-op, and what we’re looking forward to. We’ll also hear from our Board Directors and the candidates hoping to fill two open positions. We’ll enjoy delicious food prepared by our kitchen staff, get to visit with each other, and be treated to a presentation by Children of the Setting Sun Productions. It’s free and open to all of our members, and it’s going to be a great time. If you’d like to join us, please RSVP so we know how much food to make!

With that, I’ll thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the cooperative spirit strong. We had a good year in 2025, and we are looking forward to building on that success in 2026.

With love and gratitude,

Lisa Sedlar
GM/CEO