from the board
Board Announces Patronage Refund
The Co-op Board is happy to announce a Patronage Refund to Co-op member-owners based on their 2021 purchases. More details will be included in the patronage refund letter.
What to Know About Patronage Refunds:
• Patronage refund letters will be mailed later in April. • PLEASE USE YOUR REFUND! You must redeem your refund by July 29, 2022. Otherwise, your store credit becomes taxable for the Co-op, and you forfeit your refund. • A refund is not guaranteed each year: the Co-op must profit, and the Board must decide refunds are financially viable. • The amount will vary from year to year, as needs and profits do. • The more you spend the more you get back. The same percentage is applied to everyone’s purchases. • A percentage of the refund is withheld from distribution and stays in the Co-op. It belongs to the members as a group, to further build the Co-op and promote our practices. • The refund is not taxable income for those who receive it.
Thank you for supporting the Co-op and making refunds possible. It’s great to keep more of our money right here in the community.
Skagit Valley Food Co-op's
Annual Member-Owner Meeting Wednesday, May 11 | 6pm • via Zoom
Join us for an informative evening with your fellow Skagit Valley Food Co-op member-owners, Board of Trustees, and General Manager. Hear the latest news and updates from the Co-op Board and General Manager. Zoom link available at skagitfoodcoop.com
Board Elections
There are two positions open on the Board of Trustees, and one opening for the Voting Staff Representative. Two incumbent Board members are running for the two open board seats, and four employees are running for the Voting Staff position. The information about all candidates and a ballot are included in this issue and are also available online. Candidates were asked to address questions regarding their desire to serve, the Co-op’s connection to community, challenges facing the Co-op, the Board’s role in addressing those challenges, and skill and experience they would bring to the position. All terms are for three years. Active member-owners may vote for two Board of Trustee candidates, and one Voting Staff Representative. You may vote using the paper ballot or online at skagitfoodcoop.com/vote2022
candidate statements
Kristen Ekstran
Board of Trustees Candidate (Incumbent) What a term! The start of my term saw the retirement of our long-time General Manager (GM) Todd Wood, the recruitment process for a new manager, and the onboarding of new GM, Tony White. Then before we could hit our stride, COVID struck. Despite complicated, changing circumstances, Tony and the Board dug in to keep the Co-op moving forward by supporting staff and taking care of our customers. We took risks to spend on updated equipment, remodeling and improving our facilities when there was time and space to do so. I’m in awe of our General Manager, staff, and owner-members who pulled together during such unprecedented challenges. During the pandemic, we’ve also spent time refining our governance methods. Right before the arrival of a new GM, we shifted to a new form of leadership that allows us to review and evaluate a wide variety of management policies annually. We have worked hard to standardize and improve our policies and oversight, as well as learn the techniques for this style of board governance. This is a key means of holding our General Manager accountable to the outcomes defined in our policies. Related to this, we’ve also strengthened our committee structures. We’ve given more time and attention to board development, strategic planning, and community engagement. I’m excited about our possibilities as we come out of the pandemic. The current board has lots of energy, motivation, and growing expertise in Co-op management and policy governance. As we look forward to celebrating our 50th year, I’m appreciative of the special role the Co-op plays for community members. We can hold on to our history while exploring new directions. I want to continue to serve this board, our GM, staff, and owner-members
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New Spring Hours:
7am-9pm
or shop online anytime!
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 not-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: Contributors: nancylee bouscher, Ben Goe, Leigha Staffenhagen, Magnolia Mullen, & Tony White Board of Trustees: Brad Claypool, Kristen Ekstran, Britta Eschete, Casey Schoenberger, Rob Smith, Wayne Rushing, Tim Penninger & Tom Theisen Copyright 2022: Reprints with permission
2 skagit valley food co-op • the natural enquirer • april–june 2022
Rob Smith
Board of Trustees Candidate (Incumbent)
The Skagit Valley Food Co-op is a special place. It serves as a vital nexus for member-owners and customers, our local farmers and food producers, and the Skagit Valley community at large. Our Co-op is both a reflection of our exceptional community, as well as a catalyst for change in forging a cooperative and people-centered local economy. Serving on the Board of Trustees for the past six years has allowed me to engage on a deeper level with our cherished Co-op and to give back to this community I value so deeply. As a Director at Viva Farms, a local non-profit farm business incubator program, and an instructor in Skagit Valley College’s Sustainable Agriculture program, I have been fortunate to participate in the local farming community as a bilingual (English/Spanish) community educator. I engage diverse people around issues of food and farming, social justice, and sustainability, and I have practical experience in business management, strategic planning, budget design, fiscal stewardship, and building community partnerships. I bring this experience and a valued perspective to the table in my Board role. The past three years in particular have been a challenging time in the history of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op, and I’m proud to have done my part to help. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to our Co-op on multiple levels, including the closure and reimagining of the C-SQUARE space, rapid development of an online shopping program, the closure and reopening of the mezzanine, to name but a few. Due to the hard work, tenacity, and dedication of our amazing staff, the Co-op continues to thrive, and I’ve been happy to support them as much as possible. At the same time, we’ve achieved a lot. In 2019, we successfully conducted a nationwide search and hired a capable and confidence-inspiring General Manager in Tony White, after the retirement of Todd Wood after over 40 years. As chair of the Board Development Committee, I’ve facilitated the adoption of a new system of governance known as Policy Governance that formalizes our systems of stewardship and accountability between the Board and management. We’ve amended our bylaws to be able to have electronic voting systems in place for member-owners and developed a strong strategic vision for the next five years. As we move into the next phase in the pandemic, our Co-op is in a strong financial position, and we’re poised for lasting success as a business and greater impact in our community. It’s been an honor to serve on the Board, and I humbly ask for your support in serving another term! Thanks!
