Why I Serve: MNFC Board Members Share Their Stories
Amanda Warren
Why I serve on the Board: We are all familiar with the refrain “voting with your dollars.” I spend my money at the Co-op because I believe in this idea, and I choose to be a member of the Board of Directors because I similarly believe in the concept of “voting with your time.” Each time I engage in Board work, I am grateful for how this model of ownership and governance is different from conventional grocery stores–our Co-op exists to benefit our community, and recirculate wealth, rather than the traditional model of extracting wealth to benefit a small number of shareholders. This is remarkable.
My favorite co-op item: Bonté Bakery’s olive & rosemary bread
About me: Much of my days revolve around planning and cooking meals for my seven year old and four year old twins! When I’m not cooking and eating, I love knitting, gardening and fly-fishing. I also own and operate my own business selling my handmade pottery.
Barbara Hofer
Why I serve on the board: Co-ops serve as a place to put our values into action, and I care deeply about “food for people, not for profit,” the guiding slogan of early food co-ops – and appreciate that whatever profit we do make goes back into the community and not to a corporate headquarters. I feel fortunate to be able to work with such caring and engaged board members and the General Manager to represent member owners in ensuring that the organization is living up to our guiding principles. My favorite Co-op item: I don’t think of the co-op in regard to specific items as much as I do in regard to the experience of shopping there! I deeply appreciate the way the staff make everyone welcome and how knowledgeable and helpful they are, and I love the spontaneous conversations with people I might not see otherwise, as well as the discovery of new products and the delight of old favorites.
About me: A MNFC member since I moved to Middlebury in 1998, I’m a sometimes retired psychology professor. I research, write, and speak about science denial and what to do about it. I enjoy running, biking, hiking, yoga, traveling, and spending time with my twin grandsons.
Caroline Corrente
Why I serve: MNFC is not just a place to buy healthy & delicious food – it is a vital part of our community and local economy. I am lucky enough to have firsthand experience selling my product through the Co-op. When I started out, the employees showed me guidance and patience, and put faith in my food. This is what the Co-op does: it constantly supports our local farmers, makers, and producers; amplifies the voices of those doing good work; and fosters a sense of community–all while investing money and resources back into our local economy. I feel compelled to serve on the Board of Directors to augment the impact and reach of the Co-op’s community engagement and local economic development.
Favorite coop item: So many to choose from! Yalla hummus, Downhill Bread, Jasper Hill’s Harbison cheese (preferably all at the same time). Followed by their peanut butter covered pretzels.
About me: My life revolves around good food. I own Haymaker Bun Company in Middlebury & Burlington. I spend most of my time thinking about what to put on menus, what produce is in season, what bun flavor combinations sound good, and what’s for dinner. When I am not thinking about food I am probably walking my dog, riding my bike, xc skiing, or spending time with my husband & two sons at our home in Middlebury.
Caryne Eskridge
Why I serve on the Board: I find the Co-op’s community ownership model a powerful and compelling way to meet communal needs and share power. As a pastor and mental health worker, I spend a lot of time working with others toward wholeness and justice. I believe that healthier, stronger communities are essential, and our Co-op is part of that strength and cooperation. I love serving on the Board because I get to work with a fantastic team of people to keep our Co-op strong and I get to learn about our vibrant local food system along the way. A win-win!
My favorite co-op item: My top three favorites right now are: Downhill Bread Fennel Sesame Sourdough, Blue Ledge Farm Camembrie, and the Co-op made Chocolate Pudding
About me: I have (unintentionally) lived in 4 places in a row that start with “New:” Newport RI, New Orleans LA, New Haven CT and now New Haven VT. My favorite things are cooking, eating, hanging out with my dog Sammy, spending time with my partner and with friends, mountain-biking, and playing games and puzzles.
Cody Mears
Why I serve on the board: In my experience Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op has been a place of constant community and connection. It plays a key role in our local food system, supporting hundreds of Vermont’s producers. Whether I’m helping out with a delivery for my wife’s family’s farm or just heading in to pick up some groceries, I always value my time spent at the Co-op. I serve on the Board of Directors to foster a closer connection to the Co-op, our food system and the member community.
My favorite co-op item: Golden Russet Farm produce, polenta sourdough from Downhill Bread, any light roast from Brio Coffeeworks and Aqua ViTea ginger kombucha.
About me: I’m a lifelong Vermonter with a passion for cooking, baking and turning on my snowboard. I work in marketing for an outdoor clothing company and on my wife’s family’s organic vegetable and flower farm.
Erin Buckwalter
Why I serve on the board: I believe that a better food and farming system is not only possible, but is critical to our collective thriving future– and I see the Middlebury Co-op as key to this locally. I am grateful for the Co-op and am honored to be able to participate in the democratic processes of our Co-op to support others in keeping more of our dollars and decisions local!
My favorite co-op item: Wow – I have so many! I almost always leave with an Aqua ViTea Blueberry Social Kombucha and possibly some dolmas too.
About me: I have worked at the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) since 2010 and have a master’s degree in Community Development & Applied Economics. My partner and I live in Starksboro with our two young sons and have a small maple syrup operation.
Ollie Cultrara
Why I serve on the board: The Co-op is a place where we get to practice leading with our values, and exploring what shared, cooperative leadership can look like. MNFC is a leader in many ways in consumer co-op governance, and it’s exciting to know that what we are building on a local level can have an impact across the country. Personally, I’ve benefited from training and mentorship that prepared me to become board Treasurer, and I learn a lot by keeping an eye on the Co-op’s and board’s finances.
My favorite co-op item: Every time I get to visit the Co-op (now that I’m based in Massachusetts), I make sure to stock up on Champlain Orchards cider and unscented local soaps.
About me: I’m happiest cooking and eating with loved ones, giving great hugs, and being outside. I am working as a butcher at a specialty food shop that I sure wish was a co-op! I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving on the board remotely.
Samantha Langevin
Why I serve on the board: One of my favorite things about Vermont is its genuine and open support for local food. Local farmers, farm workers, and food producers are all members of our community and the MNFC is an important thread in the web that supports them to feed all of us. I serve on the co-op board because I care deeply about local food systems and I know the MNFC does as well. I also serve because I think representation is important, and that our leadership bodies should reflect their communities. The MNFC is more than just a store (I have city friends that call it “the greatest grocery store on earth”) – It is a statement of our values as a community.
My favorite co-op item: Cheese. Even if I’m not buying cheese, I just have to go look. Which usually means I am buying some. Vault No 5 is worth your time.
About me: I am the Director of Partnerships & Community for Liberation Ecosystem, an organization that supports Vermonters of Color in Land, Environment, Agriculture, and Foodways. I live on a small farm in Bristol with my partner, where I am usually found planning a meal, thinking about cake, or reading science fiction.
