Greetings from the Co-op. We want to express our deepest sympathies to everyone who suffered losses or other impacts from last week’s flooding. It feels like we had finally turned the corner from pandemic challenges, only to be hit with this disaster. We were extremely fortunate that our facility escaped damage, but our community will be forever changed. I am somewhat in awe of the spirited determination of folks to regroup and rebuild for themselves and our neighbors. “Sisu” is how my Finnish relatives would describe it. 

It’s been ten days, but we are still gathering information about all the needs and ways to help. Here is a brief summary of how we are organizing our relief efforts here at the Co-op, which may be helpful to you if you are seeking or wanting to offer help. 

In addition to supporting our employees who were harmed by the flood, we are focused on three primary areas: 

Food and supplies for our local food pantries
With so many people displaced, isolated and/or out of work, the demand for food and basic supplies here in central Vermont may never have been greater. Non-perishable foods, paper products and toiletries are top priorities. 

• The Co-op made two donations of supplies to the Rainbow Bridge Community Center in Barre, along with other smaller donations to other groups. 
• We are collecting food for the Montpelier Food Pantry; all non-perishable donations are appreciated!  Drop off is in our exit way. 
• Our largest supplier, United Natural Foods, Inc., contributed ten pallets of products to the Vermont Foodbank this week.  
• Please consider rounding up or making a larger donation at the register to Community Harvest of Central Vermont, who is a key supplier of many of our local food pantries. 
• We are actively planning additional efforts to gather resources to feed local folks during this crisis.

Supporting volunteerism for the cleanup effort 
It’s incredibly challenging work. We greatly appreciate all the volunteers (and professionals) who are helping us to get started with rebuilding. 

• Our co-op has made several donations of food and water for cleanup volunteers. 
• If you want to volunteer in Barre, visit The Rainbow Bridge Community Center at 81 N. Main Street in Barre. There is a table set up just outside that is managing all incoming labor needs and dispatches folks as available.  
• The Montpelier Flood Cleanup signup sheet.

Financial support for our local farm and vendor community
The stories are still coming in, but the damage to our local food system is immense. Immediate support is needed to help businesses with payroll and critical investments in cleanup and rebuilding.

• We are encouraging Co-op members and our national food co-op community to consider donations to these important funds: Farmer Emergency Fund | NOFA Vermont or Emergency Loan — Vermont Farm Fund 
• Foote Brook Farm, our second-largest produce vendor, experienced catastrophic losses. They are seeking donations to their recovery fund.
• We will continue gathering and communicating information about farms and vendors in need.  

This seems like a good opportunity to remind everyone that our Co-op provides a 10% discount off most purchases to members who qualify for through our Co-op Cares program. If you are receiving FEMA assistance or have filed an insurance claim as a result of flooding, please consider applying. We are happy to work with you if you have any questions. We are also very pleased to be accepting WIC benefits for families enrolled in the federal Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children. This is another way we can help provide access to our high-quality products and include more people in this amazing cooperative community. 

Thank you for supporting our co-op, 

Kari Bradley (he/him)
General Manager
[email protected]
(802) 262-3219 

Photo credit: Paul Richardson