The council is responsible for communicating with member-owners, overseeing the general manager, and establishing policies, among other governance functions.
Governance
Your ideas, suggestions, and feedback are represented by up to nine elected member-owners who govern the Co-op.

Meet Your 2023 Council

Eva Schectman
Council President (2019–21, 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

Jennifer Porrier
Council Vice President (2021, 2022–24)As a life-long Vermonter I am deeply committed to the Co-op’s mission of local ownership and providing a retail outlet for our local farmers and providers. Joining the council is an opportunity for me to turn my passion for Vermont and our community into concrete action in the form of bringing together the needs of each to satisfy the whole.
(802) 488-0279

Steven Farnham
Council Secretary (2015–17, 2018–20, 2021–23)I'll endeavor to expand and broaden channels of communication between Co-op Member-Owners and management, because I believe effective communication is key to Member-Owner satisfaction, which, in turn is key to harmonious relations amongst all involved.
(802) 917-2581

Julia Scheier
Council Treasurer (2022, 2023–25)I have worked in Vermont’s agricultural sector since 2015, both at Salvation Farms in Morrisville and at the Agency of Agriculture. My experience has informed a deep respect for all aspects of the supply chain that brings local, nutritious food to Vermonters. I appreciate Hunger Mountain Co-op’s values of strengthening the local food system and I am thrilled to be on the council.
(508) 667-072

RJ Adler
Council Member (2021, 2022–23)In 2020 I moved to Montpelier from Middlebury, where among other things, I sat on the Middlebury Co-op Board for six years, served as vice president for two years, and led strategic sub-committees on defining the mission, most notably. I would bring my entrepreneurial spirit, and understanding of policy governance to the Co-op board.
(802) 458-7194

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.

Catherine Lowther
Council Member (2021–2023)I grow food organically and have been a Co-op member since 1989. I taught climate change at Goddard and practiced psychotherapy, health counseling and conflict resolution. I'm on the board of the Sustainable Montpelier Coalition and was a mentor in Al Gore’s Climate Reality Training. As a member of the council, I help the Co-op pursue sustainability.
(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.
(724) 591-2409

Jeff Roberts
Council Member (2022, 2023–25)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

Kari Bradley
General ManagerA central Vermont native, Kari has worked in the natural foods retail industry for 25 years, the last 18 as General Manager of Hunger Mountain Cooperative.
(802) 262-3219

Genevieve Cambron
Staff RepresentativeI work in bulk, wellness, and receiving. I am here to communicate the perspective of my co-workers with the council, and bring information from the council to them. All this to ensure that we all are on the same page, working together to make this cooperative, employees and community thrive. Let’s exchange to find dynamic solutions and turn challenges into healthy opportunities.
(802) 829-8623

Eva Schectman
Council President (2019–21, 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

Jennifer Porrier
Council Vice President (2021, 2022–24)As a life-long Vermonter I am deeply committed to the Co-op’s mission of local ownership and providing a retail outlet for our local farmers and providers. Joining the council is an opportunity for me to turn my passion for Vermont and our community into concrete action in the form of bringing together the needs of each to satisfy the whole.
(802) 488-0279

Steven Farnham
Council Secretary (2015–17, 2018–20, 2021–23)I'll endeavor to expand and broaden channels of communication between Co-op Member-Owners and management, because I believe effective communication is key to Member-Owner satisfaction, which, in turn is key to harmonious relations amongst all involved.
(802) 917-2581

Julia Scheier
Council Treasurer (2022, 2023–25)I have worked in Vermont’s agricultural sector since 2015, both at Salvation Farms in Morrisville and at the Agency of Agriculture. My experience has informed a deep respect for all aspects of the supply chain that brings local, nutritious food to Vermonters. I appreciate Hunger Mountain Co-op’s values of strengthening the local food system and I am thrilled to be on the council.
(508) 667-072

RJ Adler
Council Member (2021, 2022–23)In 2020 I moved to Montpelier from Middlebury, where among other things, I sat on the Middlebury Co-op Board for six years, served as vice president for two years, and led strategic sub-committees on defining the mission, most notably. I would bring my entrepreneurial spirit, and understanding of policy governance to the Co-op board.
(802) 458-7194

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.

Catherine Lowther
Council Member (2021–2023)I grow food organically and have been a Co-op member since 1989. I taught climate change at Goddard and practiced psychotherapy, health counseling and conflict resolution. I'm on the board of the Sustainable Montpelier Coalition and was a mentor in Al Gore’s Climate Reality Training. As a member of the council, I help the Co-op pursue sustainability.
(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.
(724) 591-2409

Jeff Roberts
Council Member (2022, 2023–25)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

Kari Bradley
General ManagerA central Vermont native, Kari has worked in the natural foods retail industry for 25 years, the last 18 as General Manager of Hunger Mountain Cooperative.
(802) 262-3219

Genevieve Cambron
Staff RepresentativeI work in bulk, wellness, and receiving. I am here to communicate the perspective of my co-workers with the council, and bring information from the council to them. All this to ensure that we all are on the same page, working together to make this cooperative, employees and community thrive. Let’s exchange to find dynamic solutions and turn challenges into healthy opportunities.
(802) 829-8623
Review Committee Charters
View our most current committee charters. Committee charters are reviewed, approved, and updated annually.
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.
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.