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        1220 North Forest Street at Holly Street
        Bellingham, Washington
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        315 Westerly Road at Cordata Parkway
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        405 Holly Street at Forest Street
        Bellingham, Washington
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You are here: Home / Archives for cooperator of the year

Kristina Lee Podesva: 2018 Cooperator of the Year

this is a photo of kristina lee podesva who was named as the 2018 cooperator of the year
Kristina Lee Podesva

Who is a Cooperator?

They are people in our community that:

 ✔ Bring people together
 ✔ Explore common values
 ✔ Create a sense of community
 ✔ Publicly share their knowledge, wisdom, and skills in the community
 ✔ Improve the quality of life in Whatcom County

By Amanda Grelock, Co-op staff and friend and colleague of Kristina
January 2019

Not many people can move to a new place and build a strong community in a short amount of time, which says a lot about a person’s magnetism. In 2015, Kristina Lee Podesva moved to Bellingham from San Francisco with hopes to make a positive and impactful change on a local level and has done so by founding BRUNA press + archive located at 221 Prospect Street.

to make a positive and impactful change on a local level

Kristina is an artist, writer, editor, and teacher. Her vision for how to show up in community is inspiring because it weaves in art, culture, community action, and collective wisdom. She is a powerful member in our community who holds space for the unspoken and unsung stories that reflect our larger worlds.

Kristina is an artist, writer, editor, and teacher.

The mission of BRUNA press + archive, as stated on their website, is to “host and create unanticipated cultural conversations.” At BRUNA you can attend a host of public events such as artist talks and performances, explore the public archive, or sit in the reading space untangling the intersection of art and writing. Building community is the heart of BRUNA, and that is why so much time is spent hosting artist retreats and residencies.

Cooperation and community is at the core of what Kristina brings to BRUNA press + archive, which then ripples throughout Bellingham. To quote Kristina’s reflection on prioritizing collective wisdom, “For once can we step away from the ladder of knowledge and sip from the collective soup of wisdom.” Keep an eye out for the events that BRUNA will be hosting that reflect the sentiments of that quote.

To give you a taste of BRUNA’s genius, attend an ongoing monthly full moon gathering led by Lummi Elder William John X’welwelat’se titled Coast Salish Concepts of Time + Space. The series received partial support from a 2017 Co-op Member Affairs Committee grant.

Kristina’s vision and passion have brought so many people together

Kristina’s vision and passion have brought so many people together, and we cannot say enough about her or her work. That is why she is a perfect community member to receive the 2018 Cooperator Award.

Thank you, Kristina.

SALES| THE CO-OP DIFFERENCE cooperator| cooperator award| cooperator of the year| kristina lee podesva

Neah Monteiro: 2018 Cooperator of the Year

this is a photo of neah monteiro
Neah Monteiro

Who is a Cooperator?

They are people in our community that:

✔ Bring people together
✔ Explore common values
✔ Create a sense of community
✔ Publicly share their knowledge, wisdom, and skills in the community
✔ Improve the quality of life in Whatcom County

By Seth Mangold, Co-op staff and friend of Neah
January 2019

Having grown up in Bellingham, Neah has always had a deep appreciation for our little corner of the world. After graduating from college on the East Coast, she spent a year in Romania as a Fulbright fellow. While living and working in Philadelphia as a writer and editor, Neah felt it was hard to grasp a deep sense of community as a transplant and decided to return home. And we are so lucky she did!

You may know Neah from her role as the Executive Director of the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center (WPJC). As the lone staff person, she oversees all WPJC programs such as Alternatives to Military Service, an in-school tabling initiative to provide students with information on paths to success that don’t involve joining the armed forces. WPJC also offers educational trainings on undoing systemic oppression, anti-racism, military spending, legislative advocacy, and nonviolent protesting.

she oversees all WPJC programs

In September, the WPJC hosted an event to celebrate International Day of Peace. Neah was able to bring people together to promote the event, coordinate volunteers, book speakers and artists, and organize other groups that work to create a peaceful world. Attendants were inspired by a vision for a just and equitable world. She acknowledged the leadership of our youth, which will be needed to carry out this vision.

On top of such a huge job as a head of a nonprofit organization, Neah also serves on the board of directors of the Bellingham Food Bank. She brings a keen understanding of the intersectionality between the often backwards societal and governmental priorities and the causes of hunger in our communities. Neah also has a strong connection to food because she loves to grow as much of her own food as possible. She even raises a few goats for milking and making cheese.

“our main responsibility is to take care of each other ... the easiest way to do that is showing kindness to one another.”

Neah says, “our main responsibility is to take care of each other ... the easiest way to do that is showing kindness to one another.” Seeing other people’s perspectives and hearing from those most marginalized is a necessary step in achieving that goal for her.

It’s clear through all of her work in our community that Neah embodies the cooperative spirit and does so humbly. We couldn’t agree more with one of her nominations that stated “Neah is a gem.”

It’s always an honor to honor those who do so much for us and others. 

Thank you, Neah!

SALES| THE CO-OP DIFFERENCE cooperator| cooperator of the year| neah monteiro

2016 Co-op Cooperator of the Year

by Karl Meyer, Outreach Team

January 2017

Congratulations to the Community Food Co-op’s Co-op Cooperator of the Year—the entire Co-op staff!

When it came time to select the Co-op Cooperator award the Member Affairs Committee was faced with a daunting task—how to possibly choose from among the many accolades for individual Co-op staff and contributors. Then, the obvious answer presented itself.

Who worked hard through the many transitions the Co-op underwent in 2016? Who kept providing top-notch customer service despite some challenging working conditions? Who worked around construction obstacles yet continued to cook up some of the best tasting and highest quality food in town? Who helped shoppers safely navigate the parking lot during construction? Who implemented several new programs this year, including Flash Sales and First Fridays at the Co-op?

Co-op staff, that’s who! And that is why each and every member of our staff earned the 2016 Co-op Cooperator of the Year award!

Kudos to the best team any co-op could possibly ask for.

You kept things rolling during the many transitions and you made it look easy. Co-op’s Rock because the people that work at co-ops ROCK IT every day! Thank you for everything you do to make the Co-op great!

Congratulations to the Nominees

Congratulations to the following Co-op staff who were all nominated for the Co-op Cooperator of the Year award! You rock!

Alicia, Hayley, Seth, Cameron, Brittany, and Lacee Community Food Co-op frozen aisle

Cordata store nominees (from left): Alicia, Hayley, Seth, Cameron, Brittany, and Lacee. Not pictured: Jeannine and Mike.

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Josh Erin Steve Community Food Co-op

Downtown store nominees (from left): Josh, Erin, Steve, and Tiffany (not pictured).

Kris Karl Community Food Co-Op central office

Central office nominees Kris (left) and Karl.

THE CO-OP DIFFERENCE coop staff| cooperator of the year| the co-op difference

2016 Community Cooperator of the Year

by Karl Meyer, Outreach Team

January 2017

Mardi Soloman community food co-op 2016 cooperator of the year

Congratulations to the Community Food Co-op’s Community Cooperator of the Year—Mardi Soloman!

Over the years the Co-op has given this award to some of our most beloved community members and organizers. These Cooperators bring people together, create a sense of community, improve the quality of life of everyone around them, explore common values, and publicly share their knowledge, wisdom, and skills. And they always seem to be the kind, caring, and heartfelt people that we are so lucky and grateful to have living among us.

I can’t say enough great things about Mardi and the impact she has had on our community.

Mardi’s main focus right now is to help Whatcom Farm to School continue to grow and tackle even more important projects. What is Farm to School? The website says it best.
“It’s a movement. It’s a partnership. It’s a meeting of minds and hearts all focused on finding practical ways to get more fresh and local food into school meals, and teaching children to learn to love healthy food.”

What could be more important than that?

Mardi sees herself as a connection maker and I can attest to that as she helped me launch the Co-op’s “The Real Food Show,” which has now been seen by over 15,000 kids in 43 schools. She set me up with the right people to talk to and has opened doors for many in similar situations.

She listens to the needs of others and helps determine the best way to make things happen.

Mardi is involved in and connected with a myriad of organizations in our area—too many to list—that are focused on the health and well-being of our children and the community.

Her latest project is working on a statewide Farm to School network. “By increasing connections and communication, all our programs will rise,” said Mardi.

Though Mardi’s current connections are impressive, they were nearly eclipsed by her much earlier almost brush with fame while attending Occidental College with fellow student Barak Obama. But, Mardi and Barak never crossed paths as youthful college students.

It is with much gratitude that we award Mardi Solomon with the 2016 Community Cooperator of the Year award. Congratulations, Mardi!

Congratulations to the other Community Cooperator nominees: Dan Van Dyken, Elka Fink, and Susan Toch.

Our thanks to everyone who took a moment to share their nominations for Cooperator of the Year awards. The Co-op is pleased to recognize the contributions of community members and Co-op Board and staff with these annual awards.

Learn More

Learn more about Whatcom Farm to School at whatcomfarmtoschool.org.

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THE CO-OP DIFFERENCE cooperator of the year| mardi solomon| the coop difference

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a heart made with an image of fresh produce that says 50 years in the center

Celebrating Our 50th Anniversary!

The Co-op is celebrating our 50th anniversary. Visit our anniversary page and watch a fun video, shop for 50th anniversary Co-op T-shirts and hoodies, and see a timeline of our history.

The barn at Mariposa Farm under construction with support from a Community Food Co-op Farm Fund grant.

Appreciation for the Co-op Farm Fund. Donate today!

Thank you for donating to the Co-op Farm Fund! Farmers share their appreciation for the ways in which the Farm Fund has helped their organic, sustainable farms.

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Co-op Curbside

Co-op Curbside is easy and convenient! Shop our store online and schedule to pick up your groceries at the Cordata store or the Holly Street building across the street from our Downtown store!

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