At a recent food co-op conference, I heard a sobering account of what happens when federal immigration enforcement actions collide with local community life. Since ICE and other federal agencies have been conducting surge operations across the country, this scenario could unfold here. 

In May, Council Vice President Jeff Roberts and I attended CCMA, an annual conference of food co-op leaders. Gabby Davis, Equity, Inclusion & Community Engagement Manager at National Co+op Grocers (NCG), led the opening session and introduced four Twin Cities co-op executives. They described their experiences steering their organizations through Operation Metro Surge, which began in December 2025 and which the Department of Homeland Security labeled “the largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out.” 

Alex Betzenheimer, Operations and Finance Director at Seward Co-op, described the scale of the ICE presence in the Twin Cities as “inescapable.” Panelists recounted a period charged with high tension and sudden violence. They spoke of helicopters overhead, agents using “crash and burn” tactics to apprehend people, and the deep emotional echoes that followed when federal agents killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti in the streets. 

For these General Managers and CEOs, the challenge was multifold: how do you maintain a functioning business with safety for employees and customers while simultaneously managing a humanitarian crisis? 

“All of a sudden, you had this big thing that was happening, that was really challenging for safety, and there was a lot of fear, and things were changing every minute,” said the general manager of Eastside Food Cooperative, Anne Gazzola. “You had to immediately implement a crisis response scenario. During COVID, we were able to rely on like government agencies for guidance—and that was not something we could do here. We had to figure out where to find reliable information and stay up to date with it so we could know how to react in our stores.” 

Nick Seeberger, CEO of Twin Cities Co-op Partners, explained how they developed “wink-and-nod” protocols to allow their employees to do what each of them thought was right to protect people from federal agents, while advising them of potential legal liability. “We said, ‘You could be arrested for obstruction of justice,’” Seeberger explained, “‘but know that if you do these things, you will face no corrective action at the co-op.’” 

They created secure, locked spaces in backrooms for employees to shelter in if agents entered the property. They learned to distinguish between administrative and judicial warrants—and what each type legally empowered law enforcement to do. 

All four co-ops also closed their stores for the general strike, the so-called “Day of Truth and Freedom,” on January 23. “The co-op community decided as a group to provide coffee and food on what was like the coldest day of the winter, to the 30,000-plus people who had taken to the streets,” said Seeberger. Co-ops also donated tens of thousands of dollars to a local food shelf. 

After the surge of federal agents moved on to the next locale, Gazzola described how her co-op transitioned to the new normal. “During Metro Surge, there were people packing hundreds of bags of groceries in their living rooms to take to other people” who didn’t dare leave home. “There’s still ICE reported in my neighborhood today, she continued, and “we’re figuring out how to support the ongoing work in the community.”  

The co-ops took a financial hit during this time. As Seeberger put it, “It was not a great first quarter of the year.” 

But the co-ops’ customers were loyal, helping mitigate the financial impact. “Because of how we were showing up for the community, they were showing up for us, too,” said Gazzola. On the day of the general strike, “It was a closed day with—we still paid staff for the day—just like we would for Christmas Day, which normally is a hit. But I think we had a better week than we would have had if we stayed open. I think people would have been mad and not wanted to come shop,” if the store had stayed open. 

The Twin Cities co-ops demonstrated that when federal actions destabilize a community, cooperatives can serve as vital, stabilizing forces. Our role extends beyond selling groceries; we have a responsibility to help sustain the social fabric of our community. 

Council candidate filing deadline extended to July 16 

With at least one council member whose term expires this year stepping down, there is room for more talented people to step up and serve the Co-op on the council. Voting starts at the Annual Meeting on September 24, and we’ve realized that the timeline allows us to extend the deadline for filing as a candidate to July 16. It’s an exciting year to serve on the council, as it’s the council that gives final approval of the strategic plan that all members will be invited to give input on this year, and the plan will affect how we make best use of the recently purchased 707 Stone Cutters Way property.  

If you’re interested in joining the council, or know someone who would be a good candidate, please check out the information on how to run on the Run for Council page.

Q: Why is the Co-op’s bulk section popular during prom season? 

A: It’s a good place to find dates. 

—Carl Etnier, Council President

Do you have any questions or comments about the Co-op or the council? Do you know any jokes even faintly related to food and/or co-ops? Please email them to me!