Election Results

Thanks to all our member-owners who voted in the 2021 Board Election and to those who attended our Annual Membership Meeting via Zoom on May 12. We are happy to welcome back incumbent candidates Tom Theisen and Brad Claypool. We'd also like to extend gratitude to all the candidates who ran this year; your support of and interest in the Co-op is much appreciated!

The membership also voted to approve changes to the Skagit Valley Food Co-op Bylaws, which can be found on the website along with the recorded Zoom meeting.

2021 Skagit Valley Food Co-op Board Members:

• Tom Theisen, President • Brad Claypool • Rob Smith • Kristen Ekstran • Casey Schoenberger • Britta Eschete • Wayne Rushing, Voting Staff Representative • Tim Penninger, Non-Voting Staff Representative

Tom Theisen Brad Claypool

Skagit Valley Food Co-op Mission Statement

The Skagit Valley Food Co-op is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide good food at a fair price. As stated in the Co-op Bylaws: “The Co-op shall promote member welfare by utilizing their united funds and their united efforts for the purchase and distribution of commodities in accordance with the following criteria:

A. Maintaining the non-for-profit status of the Co-op;

B. Offering high quality products which contribute to good nutrition;

C. Supporting a low impact, non-harmful approach to the environment;

D. Supporting local suppliers and producers;

E. A commitment to building a cooperative economy and supporting others who share that commitment;

F. A commitment to educational programs relevant to members and non-members in the community.”

The Skagit Valley Food Co-op Natural Enquirer is a quarterly publication of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and may not reflect Co-op policy. No articles are meant to be used for diagnosis or treatment of illness. The Co-op does not endorse the products or services of advertisers.

Editor: Nicole Vander Meulen | Layout & Design: Megan Feichtinger

Staff Contributors: nancylee bouscher, Ben Goe, Jenny Sandbo, Leigha Staffenhagen & Tony White Board of Trustees: Brad Claypool, Kristen Ekstran, Britta Eschete, Casey Schoenberger, Rob Smith, Wayne Rushing, Tim Penninger & Tom Theisen

from the general manager

Reflection on the Past Year

by Tony White

Recently, I was reflecting upon the last year and on the people in my life—my family, friends and co-workers—and I couldn’t think of anyone who isn’t currently, or hasn’t been, in a state of mild to acute distress at some time this last year. We have all been affected by the last year; by the many deaths, the quarantine, mask wearing, uncertainty and isolation, the worry over loved ones.

However, as I reflected a little bit deeper, my own distress was comforted by all the wonderful people that make up our cooperative community. I am grateful to all of our staff for coming to work each day. For setting aside those real concerns and working hard and being friendly. For providing leadership in our community-owned business. For working to build a local food system amid the overwhelming wave of global capitalism. I so appreciate your commitment to our mission to provide healthy, local, organic food in a manner that represents the values of our co-op model.

Our work matters. It matters to the farmers who grow our food and to the local and regional manufacturers who make our food. We had over $12 million in food sales from our farmers and local and regional manufacturers this past year. How could you not feel good about that? It matters to our community of members and customers who relied upon us on us to give them access to delicious, local food in a kind and caring environment. I believe our approach to try and provide the safest environment we could during the pandemic was greatly appreciated by our shoppers and members.

Our work really mattered to our team of employees. On a daily basis, I witnessed coworkers leaning on each other and sharing their personal experiences with one another. Our Co-op became a support system for us all. Every day, we were buoyed by each other’s support and kindness.

Our business was deemed an essential business during a once-in-alifetime pandemic. We were looked upon as a means to provide food access to our members and shoppers in the community, but we were much more than that. We were a place for our shoppers to interact with one another, even though that required donning a mask. We were one of the few places people could gather while shopping and see one another. Even if our interactions were brief, they were so valuable to our lives.

Our Co-op experienced many challenges and sufferings throughout the pandemic. Our challenges included temporary closure of many parts of our business and the eventual permanent closure of our Third Street Cafe. Every time a part of our business was shut down temporarily or permanently, many people’s lives were impacted. But we hung in there as an organization and we persevered. Not only did we hang in there, but we stayed true to our values and mission throughout. We continued to support local organizations in need through food and cash donations. In fact, in 2020, we donated over $50,000 to charitable organizations in need.

Thank you, Co-op staff, members and customers, for all you have brought to our Co-op over the past year. Your compassion, kindness, and friendliness has helped me personally survive this last year. I feel grateful to be given the opportunity to lead this community treasure. I look forward to our Co-op and community returning to something that resembles our pre-pandemic lives.

Mural by Emily Zimmerman