Governance

Your ideas, suggestions, and feedback are represented by up to nine elected member-owners who govern the Co-op.

Meet Your 2024 Council

The council is responsible for communicating with member-owners, overseeing the general manager, and establishing policies, among other governance functions.

Carl Etnier

Carl Etnier

Council President (2016–2018, 2024–26)

Our Co-op helps us support local growers and producers; we also work hard to make high quality food accessible to everyone in our community through member sales, discount programs and supporting local groups working on food insecurity. I'd like to help the Co-op build on our successes, continue to learn from our many talented members and staff, and to heal from divisions.
(802) 441-3337

Eva Schectman

Eva Schectman

Council Vice President (2019–2021, 2022–24)

I graduated from Goddard College in 1987 and have lived in Montpelier ever since. I've been a member of the Co-op for thirty years. I want to represent values that I think many Co-op members share; putting people ahead of profits; looking out for vulnerable members of the community and making a difference by engaging in the democratic process.
(802) 229-2766

Erich Zeichner

Erich Zeichner

Council Secretary (2024–2026)

I support change consisting of better oversight of the executive component of the business. I am hoping that there will be a consensus leading to a more collaborative, respectful, and equitable partnership with the entire Co-op staff leading to total transparency and better morale. I look forward to being part of that effort in whatever capacity I can. Thank you for supporting change.

Jeff Roberts

Jeff Roberts

Council Treasurer (2022, 2023–2025)

I joined the Co-op in 1995 and it immediately became an integral part of my life. As a dedicated Hunger Mountain Co-op and farmers’ market shopper and advocate for local food, I admire the ingenuity, hard work and perseverance of farmers, growers and retailers and appreciate deeply the daily challenges they address to put food on our tables.
(802) 223-0248

Lauren Antler

Lauren Antler

Council Member (2022–2024)

As a business owner, comedian, parent, and community member, I will bring creative problem solving, community engagement expertise, a sense of humor, a commitment to maintaining a local food supply and tangible experience in board operations to the Co-op Council. Plus, a real passion for the bulk section.

Elizabeth Jesdale

Elizabeth Jesdale

Council Member (2024–26)

As a 23-year employee of the Co-op, it is time to utilize that experience and run for Co-op council. I keep thinking of the six young people who bravely came forward, who, along with many of us, were denied their voice. We deserve to have our voices recognized and changes made. This may be a tall order in a world that does not hold our voices in an equal light. I will persist.
(802) 578-6311

Dvora Jonas

Dvora Jonas

Council Member (2024)

Having been both staff and supervisor, I learned how critical communication among all parties is for the wellbeing of an organization. For the Co-op that means members, staff, management, council and local vendors. We must all listen to one another and respond responsibly.

Catherine Lowther

Catherine Lowther

Council Member (2021–2023, 2024–25)

As a lifelong organic gardener, a therapist and health counselor, a faculty member at Goddard College for 23 years where I started the BA in Sustainability Program, chaired the Sustainability Committee, and offered courses in Climate Change, and a Co-op member since 1989, I am grateful to bring my experiences supporting health and well-being to the Co-op Council.
(802) 272-0349

Ashley Muscarella

Council Member (2023–2025)

I believe food cooperatives are the sustainable grocery option for local communities. Hunger Mountain Co-op should continue promoting local agriculture, reduced waste grocery shopping, and ensuring low- and moderate-income families can belong and shop sustainably at the Co-op.

Mary Mullally

Mary Mullally

Interim General Manager

(802) 262-3244

Rick Pereira

Rick Pereira

Staff Representative

Rick lives in Barre with his partner Kathryn and cat Salem. Currently a sub in the cheese dept., he worked full time for over a year in cheese, beer & wine, and as cross-department clerk in grocery, front end, deli & kitchen. He also works for the Montpelier Community Justice Center and has previously been a business analyst, technical writer, and furniture and cabinet maker.
(413) 346-8460

Carl Etnier

Carl Etnier

Council President (2016–2018, 2024–26)

Our Co-op helps us support local growers and producers; we also work hard to make high quality food accessible to everyone in our community through member sales, discount programs and supporting local groups working on food insecurity. I'd like to help the Co-op build on our successes, continue to learn from our many talented members and staff, and to heal from divisions.
(802) 441-3337

Eva Schectman

Eva Schectman

Council Vice President (2019–2021, 2022–24)

I graduated from Goddard College in 1987 and have lived in Montpelier ever since. I've been a member of the Co-op for thirty years. I want to represent values that I think many Co-op members share; putting people ahead of profits; looking out for vulnerable members of the community and making a difference by engaging in the democratic process.
(802) 229-2766

Erich Zeichner

Erich Zeichner

Council Secretary (2024–2026)

I support change consisting of better oversight of the executive component of the business. I am hoping that there will be a consensus leading to a more collaborative, respectful, and equitable partnership with the entire Co-op staff leading to total transparency and better morale. I look forward to being part of that effort in whatever capacity I can. Thank you for supporting change.

Jeff Roberts

Jeff Roberts

Council Treasurer (2022, 2023–2025)

I joined the Co-op in 1995 and it immediately became an integral part of my life. As a dedicated Hunger Mountain Co-op and farmers’ market shopper and advocate for local food, I admire the ingenuity, hard work and perseverance of farmers, growers and retailers and appreciate deeply the daily challenges they address to put food on our tables.
(802) 223-0248

Lauren Antler

Lauren Antler

Council Member (2022–2024)

As a business owner, comedian, parent, and community member, I will bring creative problem solving, community engagement expertise, a sense of humor, a commitment to maintaining a local food supply and tangible experience in board operations to the Co-op Council. Plus, a real passion for the bulk section.

Elizabeth Jesdale

Elizabeth Jesdale

Council Member (2024–26)

As a 23-year employee of the Co-op, it is time to utilize that experience and run for Co-op council. I keep thinking of the six young people who bravely came forward, who, along with many of us, were denied their voice. We deserve to have our voices recognized and changes made. This may be a tall order in a world that does not hold our voices in an equal light. I will persist.
(802) 578-6311

Dvora Jonas

Dvora Jonas

Council Member (2024)

Having been both staff and supervisor, I learned how critical communication among all parties is for the wellbeing of an organization. For the Co-op that means members, staff, management, council and local vendors. We must all listen to one another and respond responsibly.

Catherine Lowther

Catherine Lowther

Council Member (2021–2023, 2024–25)

As a lifelong organic gardener, a therapist and health counselor, a faculty member at Goddard College for 23 years where I started the BA in Sustainability Program, chaired the Sustainability Committee, and offered courses in Climate Change, and a Co-op member since 1989, I am grateful to bring my experiences supporting health and well-being to the Co-op Council.
(802) 272-0349

Ashley Muscarella

Council Member (2023–2025)

I believe food cooperatives are the sustainable grocery option for local communities. Hunger Mountain Co-op should continue promoting local agriculture, reduced waste grocery shopping, and ensuring low- and moderate-income families can belong and shop sustainably at the Co-op.

Mary Mullally

Mary Mullally

Interim General Manager

(802) 262-3244

Rick Pereira

Rick Pereira

Staff Representative

Rick lives in Barre with his partner Kathryn and cat Salem. Currently a sub in the cheese dept., he worked full time for over a year in cheese, beer & wine, and as cross-department clerk in grocery, front end, deli & kitchen. He also works for the Montpelier Community Justice Center and has previously been a business analyst, technical writer, and furniture and cabinet maker.
(413) 346-8460

Review Committee Charters

View our most current committee charters. Committee charters are reviewed, approved, and updated annually.

Join a Committee

Are you a member interested in joining a committee?

Council Committees

Council committees are charged with making recommendations to the Co-op Council. Current committees consist of the Annual Meeting Committee; Ballot Committee; Bylaws Committee; Communications Committee; Executive Committee; General Manager Evaluation and Contract Committee; Hunger Mountain Cooperative Community Fund (HMCCF) Committee; Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee; Recruitment Committee; Sustainability Committee; and the Work In Progress (WIP) Committee.

Review Meeting Agendas

Review past meeting agendas.

Read Decision Logs

Review meeting decision logs.

Review Stakeholder Survey Results

The following survey results are for both the general membership and for the staff of HMC. The results show significant alignment between what members and staff think are the most important attributes of a General Manager. The Search Committee will use these data as it screens candidates for this position.

General Manager Search

The General Manager (GM) Search Committee advises and makes recommendations to the Council regarding the hiring of a General Manager. The council is solely responsible for deciding which candidate is offered the position and their compensation. At this time, the GM Search Committee has no future meetings scheduled. See Important Documents for supporting documents.

At the Co-op our purpose is rooted in the belief that good food helps to create sustainable local food systems and vibrant, healthy communities.

Important Documents

View important governing documents.

Governance Policies

The Co-op Council governs by a system of policy-setting and monitoring called Policy Governance.

Bylaws

The Co-op’s bylaws are the rules for how we are organized as a cooperative in accordance with the State of Vermont’s Statutes governing cooperatives.

Articles of Incorporation

The Articles of Incorporation serve as our charter establishing the Co-op as a corporation with the state of Vermont.

Cooperative Principles

Established by the International Cooperative Alliance, the Cooperative Principles provide guidance for how we put our values into practice.

Milk With Dignity Resolution

A program that seeks to improve working conditions and alleviate downward pressure on the dairy industry.

Diversity & Inclusion Resolution

In 2020, our council adopted this resolution regarding diversity and inclusion values.

YouTube Recording

View the 2023 Annual Meeting YouTube recording.

 

2022 Minutes

Read the 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes.

Annual Membership Meeting

Our 2023 Annual Meeting took take place on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 5 pm – 7:30 pm at Vermont College of Fine Arts Alumnx Hall in Montpelier, with a Zoom option available.

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