Reflection on the Past Year

Recently, I was reflecting upon the last year and on the people in my life—my family, friends and co-workers—and I couldn’t think of anyone who isn’t currently, or hasn’t been, in a state of mild to acute distress at some time this last year. We have all been affected by the last year; by the many deaths, the quarantine, mask wearing, uncertainty and isolation, the worry over loved ones.

However, as I reflected a little bit deeper, my own distress was comforted by all the wonderful people that make up our cooperative community. I am grateful to all of our staff for coming to work each day. For setting aside those real concerns and working hard and being friendly. For providing leadership in our community-owned business. For working to build a local food system amid the overwhelming wave of global capitalism. I so appreciate your commitment to our mission to provide healthy, local, organic food in a manner that represents the values of our co-op model.

Our work matters. It matters to the farmers who grow our food and to the local and regional manufacturers who make our food. We had over $12 million in food sales from our farmers and local and regional manufacturers this past year. How could you not feel good about that? It matters to our community of members and customers who relied upon us on us to give them access to delicious, local food in a kind and caring environment. I believe our approach to try and provide the safest environment we could during the pandemic was greatly appreciated by our shoppers and members.

Our work really mattered to our team of employees. On a daily basis, I witnessed coworkers leaning on each other and sharing their personal experiences with one another. Our Co-op became a support system for us all. Every day, we were buoyed by each other’s support and kindness.

Our business was deemed an essential business during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. We were looked upon as a means to provide food access to our members and shoppers in the community, but we were much more than that. We were a place for our shoppers to interact with one another, even though that required donning a mask. We were one of the few places people could gather while shopping and see one another. Even if our interactions were brief, they were so valuable to our lives.

Our Co-op experienced many challenges and sufferings throughout the pandemic. Our challenges included temporary closure of many parts of our business and the eventual permanent closure of our Third Street Cafe. Every time a part of our business was shut down temporarily or permanently, many people’s lives were impacted. But we hung in there as an organization and we persevered. Not only did we hang in there, but we stayed true to our values and mission throughout. We continued to support local organizations in need through food and cash donations. In fact, in 2020, we donated over $50,000 to charitable organizations in need.

Thank you, Co-op staff, members, and customers, for all you have brought to our Co-op over the past year. Your compassion, kindness, and friendliness has helped me personally survive this last year. I feel grateful to be given the opportunity to lead this community treasure. I look forward to our Co-op and community returning to something that resembles our pre-pandemic lives.

Tony White

General Manager