Mary Mullally, our General Manager, gave a wonderful overview of the co-op’s milestones in 2025 in the previous newsletter. From the council’s perspective, I echo everything she wrote there. Our Impact Report is truly impressive; purchasing the former rk Miles property next door positions us to do even more in the future. 

Other highlights:  

• The council and union employees approved a two-year contract that the management team and union leaders negotiated this summer
• We received a lot of member-owner input for renewing the co-op’s vision, which will inform the upcoming strategic planning process
• A vision committee of council members and other member-owners synthesized the input into draft revised ends policies, which are currently under review 
• We moved the Annual Meeting from stick season in November to the relatively long and warm days of mid-September (and we’re open to suggestions on how to take advantage of the weather opportunities at future annual meetings 
• You elected three talented new council members 
• The council adapted to the new calendar by holding its annual retreat in November, rather than January 
• Most of all, we continue to operate a beloved community-owned grocery store that serves as the main source of food for many in our community as well as a prime destination for some out-of-state visitors 

We on the council look forward to serving the Co-op and our wider community in the year ahead, especially through the strategic planning process.  

Ask us anything at the next Co-op Connects Sunday, January 25, 12:00 – 1:00 pm 

If you’ve missed us in a previous Co-op Connects, or want to connect again, please join Mary, me, and possibly another council member for our next Co-op Connects on Sunday, January 25, 12:00 – 1:00 pm. We’d love to chat with you about the past, present, or future of the Co-op—or anything else on your mind. Look for signs to find us.  

The Wrap 

Q: Why did the melon jump in a lake? 

A: It wanted to be a watermelon! 

—Carl Etnier, Council President

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