Order Overview

Estimated Total: $

All posts by: coop-admin

Rainbow over the co-op

Help Plan the Future of Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op!

Would you like to get involved in helping plan the future of Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op? We are excited to invite you to apply for a position on the Long-Range Planning Community Engagement Committee!  

Our Co-op continues to grow in both membership and sales, and this growth makes it possible to expand the positive impact that MNFC has in the community.

 

We provide healthy food to more people, support more local producers, and return profits back to the community, for example.

But this growth has also meant that the workspaces for staff are tightly packed and sometimes dangerous, that the parking lot is often full, that the store can be crowded, and that there is less space for storage than is needed, among other concerns. 

For the past year, a subcommittee of six board members has been meeting with Greg, the General Manager, to learn about the issues the co-op faces, to investigate how other co-ops have addressed such issues, and to begin planning for our future. Now it’s time to expand this work beyond the board and to hear from the voices of the members and the community we serve. We need help with this process. 

We are seeking four individuals, including at least one staff member, to work with board members and the General Manager to identify and listen to diverse voices and gather the findings in order to inform the Long-Range Plan. The group will conduct community listening sessions, focus groups, surveys, and other activities to gain a sense of member and community views about the future of the co-op. 

Timeline: This work will take place over roughly an eight-month period, starting in November 2026 and ending in June 2027. 

Commitment: Committee meetings will take place every two weeks, with some additional work between each meeting. The Committee will likely conduct community engagement activities (like focus groups and town halls) during March and April 2027; more time will be required from committee members during this period.

Qualifications: Time and interest in supporting the long range planning process! We are seeking a diverse range of skills, experiences, and community involvement so that we can work together to gain a broad array of perspectives. No special qualifications are needed.

Stipend: Each individual member will receive a stipend of $600 to support their time and effort to participate in the Committee.

Number of open positions: 4 positions, including at least one position dedicated for a staff member

How to Apply: Start by visiting our Long-Range Planning page to learn more about the process, read the complete committee guidelines, and see what participation will involve. When you’re ready, complete a short application online or pick up a paper application in the store. Applications are due by Friday, October 3rd; all applicants will be notified by Friday, October 16th.

We hope some of you will want to join us in this important work! 

Still have questions?  Reach out to the Board: Board@middlebury.coop  or 802.388.7276 ext 377

graphic logo featuring middlebury waterfall and bridge and sun

Meet Our 2026–2028 Co-op Connection Partners

One of the benefits of Co-op membership is that it extends beyond the Co-op itself. Through the Co-op Connection, local businesses and organizations offer special discounts and benefits to Co-op members — giving you more ways to save while supporting the businesses that help our community thrive.

Over the past several months, we’ve been working with businesses across the area to refresh the program and build our next group of Co-op Connection partners. We’re excited to introduce the 2026–2028 lineup, which includes both new and returning partners and a little something for just about everyone. Simply show proof of your current Co-op membership at participating businesses to receive the listed offer.

Services

Wellness

Food & Drink

Retail & Lifestyle

Keep your member card handy and take advantage of your Co-op Connection benefits whenever you visit one of our participating partners. And stay tuned — we’ll be introducing you to more of the people and businesses behind the program in the months ahead.

Celebrating a Profitable Year with Patronage Dividends

We are pleased to announce that, following another profitable year, the Co-op will issue a patronage refund for the 11th consecutive year since member-owners voted to adopt our patronage system.

Patronage refunds are a defining feature of the cooperative model. A portion of the Co-op’s profits is returned to member-owners based on their purchases, while the remainder is retained and reinvested in the Co-op for the benefit of all member-owners.

The Board approved returning 25% of this year’s patronage allocation. In total, $178,945 will be returned to our member-owners and community through patronage refunds and donations to our local food shelves. The remaining $536,834 will be retained by the Co-op on behalf of all member-owners.

These retained funds strengthen the Co-op and help finance improvements to our facilities, equipment, and operations. Over time, retained patronage becomes part of the shared value we have built and continue to own together.

Changes to This Year’s Distribution Model

This year, patronage refunds have been credited directly to member-owners’ store accounts rather than mailed as paper checks. This change reduces printing and mailing costs, makes refunds available more quickly, and allows us to return patronage to more member-owners than before. To learn more about this change and read our FAQ, click here. 

Individual refund amounts are prorated based on each member-owner’s eligible purchases during the Co-op’s fiscal year, April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. Refunds of less than $1 will not be issued and will instead be donated to our local food shelves, HOPE and CVOEO. Any patronage refunds that remain unused after six months will also be donated to HOPE and CVOEO.

Featured Co-op Connection Business – Green Mountain Adventures

Spring is finally here, and with it comes that familiar itch to plan your next Vermont adventure. Whether you’re dreaming of backcountry trails, mountain-fed rivers, or just a weekend escape close to home, Green Mountain Adventures—located right on Middlebury’s Main Street—is the place to start. They offer top-tier gear, guided outdoor experiences, and one of the best local summer camps around. Member-owners enjoy a 10% off their purchases year-round, and we’re thrilled to spotlight this local institution as April’s Co-op Connection featured business! 

​A Family-Owned Business with Deep Roots

Green Mountain Adventures is co-owned by Steve and Marion Atocha, who first opened the business (originally called Middlebury Mountaineer) back in 1998 in a small space above the Storm Café on Mill Street. Since then, the shop has moved a few times—first to the old Ben & Jerry’s spot on Park Street, then a bit further up the street next to the Sheldon Museum—before finally landing, in 2017, at their current, sunny Main Street location. It’s the space they’d always hoped for: centrally located and easy to find, with a steady stream of locals and out-of-towners alike.

The Family

Steve and Marion Atocha co-own Green Mountain Adventures. On the store’s webpage, Steve is described as a father, a fly fishing enthusiast, and a certified American Canoe Association Kayaking Instructor. He spends his free time hiking for out-of-the-way fishing holes or backcountry skiing on the Lincoln Gap. Marion serves as a clothing buyer for the store, and divides her time between the shop and working full-time as a nurse in Bristol. An avid hiker, swimmer, and Nordic skier, Marion’s real passion is raising her three boys and working on her family farm. In true family business fashion, their boys pitch in as part of the Green Mountain Adventures team. 

Steve and Marion Atocha
Steve Atocha with his sons

 

Quality Gear & Rentals for Every Season

Green Mountain Adventures is known for carrying high-quality outdoor gear and apparel, with a focus on brands that hold up to Vermont’s rugged landscape. You’ll find gear from Patagonia, Prana, Blundstone, Darn Tough, Howler Bros., Hydro Flask, Yeti, and more. In winter, they’re a go-to destination for Nordic skis, boots, poles, wax, and accessories from trusted brands like Rossignol, Fischer, Swix, Salomon, and Craft.

Not ready to buy? They offer rental and lease options year-round, so you can test out top-tier gear before committing—or simply grab what you need for a weekend trip without having to invest.

 

Guided Trips for All Experience Levels

For those who want a more hands-on introduction to Vermont’s outdoors, Green Mountain Adventures offers guided trips for fly fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, hiking, and even rock climbing. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to refine your skills, they can customize a full or half-day adventure that fits your goals. Guides are experienced, knowledgeable, and deeply familiar with the local terrain.

Unforgettable Summer Camps for Kids

Green Mountain Adventures also runs one of the most beloved summer day camps in the region. Now in its 26th season, the camp serves kids ages 6–15 and offers an immersive experience in the wild landscapes that surround us—from rivers and cliffs to wooded trails and glacial swimming holes. Campers might spend one day paddling, another hiking or biking, and another tubing or rock climbing, all led by experienced local guides.

Camp groups are intentionally small, with a low camper-to-guide ratio (max 6:1), and the culture is all about building confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging. As Steve puts it, “We encourage a ‘come as you are’ ethic where campers can be fully themselves, without external pressure to act or perform in a certain way.” Over the years, many campers have returned summer after summer, forming deep friendships and memories that stick.

 

Plan Your Visit

Green Mountain Adventures is more than just a gear shop—it’s a community hub for outdoor adventure. Whether you’re shopping for new equipment, booking a guided trip, or looking for a meaningful summer camp for your child, they’ve got you covered.

Don’t forget: Co-op member-owners receive 10% off year-round—just show your member card at checkout. Stop in this month to take advantage of the deal, explore what’s new, and start planning your next adventure.

Hand-drawn picture of a goat

Spotlight on Big Picture Farm

This week’s Member Deal Spotlight features a producer we’re proud to have on our shelves: Big Picture Farm, a goat dairy and farmstead confectionery located in Townshend, Vermont. Their focus on environmental stewardship, humane treatment of animals, and thoughtfully made food makes them a natural fit for our community of shoppers. And from April 15-21, Members enjoy 20% off their delicious line of products. 

Family in a field with their dog
Photo courtesy of Big Picture Farm

Big Picture Farm was founded by Louisa Conrad and Lucas Farrell—artists who became farmers with a vision of raising goats and making something meaningful from their milk. Their small herd of pasture-raised goats is at the center of their operation, and you’ll see them (the goats) featured proudly on their packaging. Each one has a name and personality, and the farmers make it clear they’re the heart of the farm.

Sustainable and Humane from the Start

The farm is solar-powered, uses zero-waste packaging, and holds Certified Animal Welfare Approved status—one of the highest animal welfare standards out there. Their goats spend their lives outdoors on pasture, and the team is deeply committed to making choices that are good for the land, the animals, and the people who enjoy their caramels.

Goats in a field
Photo courtesy of Big Picture Farm

Award-Winning, for Good Reason

Big Picture Farm has earned multiple national awards, including several Good Food Awards and Best Confection at the Fancy Food Show. Their Sea Salt & Vanilla caramel is a classic, but they offer a range of rotating seasonal flavors, too—each one rich, creamy, and a little bit addictive.

 

Boxes of caramels on a wooden table
Photo courtesy of Big Picture Farm

20% off for Members April 15-21

Now’s a great time to try them (or stock up) while they’re on sale for members. Whether you’re picking up a treat for yourself or a gift for someone else, these are the kind of sweets you can feel good about.

A Different Kind of Coffee Supply Chain

We’ve partnered with Equal Exchange to offer Organic BioRevolution coffee – available only at food co-ops. What makes it special? A fully cooperative supply chain and added impact: for every pound purchased, 50¢ supports farmer-led environmental resilience projects.

Cooperative Power, From Farm to Shelf
From cultivation to your cup, this coffee moves through a network of co-ops. Small-scale farmers grow and process the coffee through their own cooperatives. Equal Exchange – a worker-owned co-op – sources, imports, and roasts it, paying premiums that support organic farming, quality, and community-led projects. They then sell it to food co-ops like ours, building relationships rooted in transparency, shared values, and long-term commitment.

This creates a unique co-op to co-op to co-op supply chain – connecting our members not just to one farm, but to dozens of farmer co-ops, and by extension, hundreds of individual farmers. Because Organic BioRevolution is sold only in food co-ops, that connection extends across co-op communities nationwide. What looks like a simple bag of coffee is actually a network of people working together to build a different kind of food system.

Environmental Innovation, Led by Farmers
The farmers behind this coffee are also committed to organic, restorative practices that work with ecosystems rather than against them. In response to growing climate challenges, Equal Exchange created the BioRevolution fund – contributing 50¢ per pound sold to support farmer-led innovation. Thanks to co-op shoppers, this fund has already directed over $100,000 toward projects that strengthen environmental resilience.

These efforts include farmer exchanges to share knowledge across regions, the development of “living fertilizers” made from local microbes to improve soil health and plant resilience, and integrating native stingless bees into farming systems. These bees boost pollination, support biodiversity, and produce high-quality hone – adding both ecological and economic benefits.

Why It Matters
Organic BioRevolution is more than a coffee – it’s a way to support cooperative ownership, environmental stewardship, and a global network of farmers and communities working toward a more resilient future.

Spotlight on Klinger’s Bakery

Our Member Deals Spotlight this week is Klinger’s Bread Company, a Burlington-based bakery known for its traditional European-style artisan loaves. From March 18–24, Co-op member-owners receive 20% off Klinger’s full line of fresh-baked breads.

 

Founded in 1993 by the Klingebiel family, Klinger’s has been producing hearth-baked breads in Vermont for more than three decades. Their loaves are made using time-honored techniques: slow-developed starters, long fermentation, and careful hand shaping before baking in a French brick oven. The result is bread with real structure and flavor — crusty on the outside, tender and chewy within.

Klinger’s breads are made with simple, high-quality ingredients and the patience that good bread requires. It’s the kind of loaf that turns a simple meal into something memorable — and a reminder that great bread doesn’t need to be complicated to be exceptional.

Business of the Month: Middlebury Fitness

We invite you to check out this month’s featured Co-op Connection Business — Middlebury Fitness! Flash your Co-op member-owner card and you’ll receive 50% off your enrollment fee! Read on to learn more about what this community wellness center has to offer:

 

 

Middlebury Fitness is a community health and wellness center founded in 1997 that puts its members’ needs first. Their facility features a wide variety of the most current strength and cardio equipment by the leading brands in the industry. Is group fitness your thing? They offer a variety of live and remote programs and group fitness classes to meet the diverse and ever-changing needs of their member base, ranging from ages 13 to 93. Click here for their class calendar and descriptions. Other services and amenities include personal training, sport-specific athletic performance training, nutrition consultations with Registered Dietician Amy Rice of Champlain Nutrition Solutions, and more!

The crew at Middlebury Fitness is incredibly proud to be so active in this great community and annually receives recognition and awards for various initiatives. For the past four consecutive years, they have received the United Way of Addison County’s “Partner Award” for an annual event that has raised $60,000 for our local friends and families in need since 2014. Wow!! They were also the 2018 recipients of the prestigious BOB (Best of Business) award in the Health Club category by Vermont Business Magazine. 

At Middlebury Fitness they understand that you have options when it comes to your health and fitness needs. They aim to meet and exceed their members’ expectations every day and believe they have some of the most attentive, caring, professional, and knowledgeable instructors, personal trainers, and staff you will find. Their ultimate goal at Midd Fit is to ensure that each of their members achieves their personal fitness goals while experiencing exceptional customer service in a supportive atmosphere of fun and camaraderie.

If you are a current member, they’d like to extend a sincere THANK YOU for being a part of the Midd Fit family! If you are not yet a member, please visit and let Middlebury Fitness guide you through your fitness journey today! And don’t forget to mention that you’re a Co-op member-owner!

Mary Hogan Fifth Graders Investigate Buying Decisions at the Co-op

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Jessica McColly’s 5th grade class from Mary Hogan Elementary School to the Co-op. The students are currently learning about how consumers and businesses make buying decisions – including discussions about fair trade, supply chains, and the ways everyday purchases can affect workers and farmers. We were glad to open our doors for a hands-on activity that brought those ideas into the real world.

After a brief discussion about what influences buying choices – price, need, familiarity, supply – students paired off, grabbed clipboards, and headed into the store. Their assignment wasn’t to decide what people should buy. Instead, they were asked to investigate why a grocery store might choose to carry certain products in the first place.

Each pair rotated through departments – produce, dairy, bulk, and grocery – answering the same set of questions in each space. They compared local and non-local foods. They examined different versions of the same item – organic and non-organic, store brand and national brand.

They considered what might make a product easier or harder to keep on the shelf if something changes. They also looked at familiar, widely expected foods that shoppers rely on, even if those items aren’t local.

When we gathered back together, the conversation was thoughtful and wide-ranging.

Students noticed that some foods simply don’t grow in Vermont, but might be in season somewhere else. They observed price differences and talked about how offering multiple options helps different families shop in one place. They considered what might happen if a popular item disappeared from the shelves. They wrestled with the idea that staying financially healthy is part of what allows a community-owned store to support local farmers, employ staff, and continue serving the community.

One theme surfaced again and again: tradeoffs. No single product accomplishes every goal. A grocery store – especially a co-op – has to balance supporting local producers, offering accessible choices, remaining resilient when supply chains shift, and meeting the everyday needs of its customers. It’s not about perfect decisions. It’s about how those decisions add up over time. Walking the aisles as investigators rather than shoppers sparked questions we don’t always stop to ask.

We’re grateful to Jessica McColly and the Mary Hogan fifth graders for spending their morning with us and for bringing such curiosity to the conversation. We’re always glad to welcome students into the store as part of their learning, and look forward to meeting next year’s class of 5th graders!