cooperator Archives | Community Food Co-op

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.

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:

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!

2017 Co-op Awards: Volunteer and Cooperator

2017 Cooperator of the Year: Jade Vantreese

by Kris Buettner, Outreach Assistant and Member Affairs Committee Member

Congratulations to our 2017 Cooperator of the Year: Jade Vantreese!

Her work to promote the cooperative business model, bring awareness through education to food justice issues, and build an equitable food system is inspiring to all who know her, and her accomplishments continue to grow as she works and lives cooperatively for a more just and equitable society.

While working at the Community Food Co-op, Jade was elected by coworkers to serve as the staff representative on the Board of Directors. She also served on the Co-op Board’s Members Affairs Committee, seeking ways to engage member-owners with cooperative values and strengthen the fabric of our community. She was an active participant in the Domestic Fair Trade conferences held in Bellingham, and worked to support farmworker rights and small cooperative businesses.

While studying and working in environments steeped in cooperative principles, Jade continues to raise her children in cooperative housing. She graduated from Fairhaven College with a concentration in alternative food systems and sustainable agriculture and economics. While on campus, she spearheaded efforts to create a food bank at Western Washington University, which is now a reality.

Jade now works with the Puget Sound Food Hub Cooperative, where she is responsible for marketing and development while working with farmers and buyers to promote the mission of the cooperative. As if that wasn’t enough, she is also working on a master’s degree in public administration at Evans School of Public Policy, University of Washington, and has participated in many conferences and trainings on cooperatives.

Jade was recently highlighted in Cooperative Spirit magazine for gathering stories of people living and working cooperatively, intended for a future book. Our community is very lucky to benefit from her studies and her passion for creating a more just and sustainable society. Thanks, Jade!

2017 Volunteer of the Year: Frances Charlock

by Karl Meyer, Outreach Team

We are honored to recognize Frances Charlock as the 2017 Community Food Co-op Volunteer of the Year.

At our Annual Meeting and Party, at which the Co-op prepares food and beverage for over 600 members, Frances has been an able and steady volunteer helping with the beverage station year after year.

I am grateful for her commitment to volunteering in the community and know I can always count on Frances to be upbeat and eager to help at this event and at our other events throughout the year.

Frances also volunteers at Sustainable Connections, Womencare Shelter, and The Lighthouse Mission. During our interview, Frances mentioned her favorite part of volunteering is getting to know the people she gets to work with. Her weekly shifts at The Mission have made her familiar with the community there and she speaks highly of that connection. She said it was a “kick in the pants” getting to know folks at The Mission and now they all look out for her as she bikes around town.

Frances does not drive a car and uses her bike extensively. She and her partner also play piano and sing as part of their volunteer service.

It’s been a pleasure working with Frances. I also enjoy the way she ends her emails with: “Tickle my memory with all the good things you’ve done for me, so that I have a thankful, happy, spirit today!”

Thank you, Frances!

Kristina Lee Podesva: 2018 Cooperator of the Year

Who is a Cooperator?

Thank you, Kristina.

Neah Monteiro: 2018 Cooperator of the Year

Who is a Cooperator?

Thank you, Neah!

2017 Co-op Awards: Volunteer and Cooperator

2017 Cooperator of the Year: Jade Vantreese

by Kris Buettner, Outreach Assistant and Member Affairs Committee Member

2017 Volunteer of the Year: Frances Charlock

by Karl Meyer, Outreach Team

Holiday Recipe Collection

Jalapeño Vodka Cranberry Sauce

Co-op Curbside

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