Dear Members,

As we say goodbye to 2021, I want to extend the Board’s appreciation to all Co-op members and shoppers for your ongoing support. This year proved as challenging as 2020. Our Co-op’s leadership demonstrated incredible flexibility to ensure our operational success and serve the community. Our members continued to shop in stores and utilized our touchless curbside pickup. Your presence continues to inspire us to be innovative, provide great customer service, and source healthy, organic products. Our cooperative values would fall short without strong community members like you. As the threats of the pandemic ebb and flow and the whole world adjusts to new dynamics, we celebrate the end of another year with our eyes on the opportunities the new year may bring us. 

Thank you to the Co-op employees who continue to work relentlessly during unprecedented circumstances. They kept the Co-op vibrant, friendly, and safe. We appreciate each and every team member. Thank you for your empathy, patience, and dedication. You have put a smile on my face when I needed it the most.  

This year's end is especially sad as we say goodbye to Adrienne Renz as our General Manager.  Adrienne was the first woman General Manager in our Co-op’s history and her leadership style brought needed creativity to the Co-op at a time of great transition. Under Adrienne’s leadership, the Co-op experienced a positive balance sheet despite a global pandemic, kept employees’ and customers’ health at the forefront of decision-making, and promptly engaged with community organizations to pivot and address changing needs in the community. We want to thank Adrienne for sharing with us her business acumen, deep understanding of the cooperative model, and her passion for the community. 

With Adrienne’s departure, the Board has begun the search process to hire a new General Manager. As we develop and implement the plan for her replacement, we will keep staff and members informed of our process and progress. We also want to thank Jon Edholm who is serving as our interim General Manager and helping us navigate this change.  

Finally, a reminder that we are looking for candidates to join our Board of Directors. If you are interested, or know someone who may, please request a Board packet at either store’s service desk or by emailing the Board Administrator. Applications are due before January 10, 2022.  

Wishing you all the best holiday celebrations,

Ceci Lopez, Board Chair