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 2024 Council
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Interim General Manager(802) 262-3244
Rick Pereira
Staff RepresentativeRick 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Interim General Manager(802) 262-3244
Rick Pereira
Staff RepresentativeRick 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.
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 and current meeting agendas. The 3/13/24 meeting will be held in executive session with no open meeting.
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. This committee will regularly meet on Wednesdays at 3 pm at the Nature Conservancy, 575 Stone Cutters Way. See agenda for Zoom link. 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.