GREETINGS
FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
LORI ROSENBERG general manager
As I draft my final greetings in this newsletter edition, I am so grateful and proud to have been a part of a locally owned and operated cooperative natural foods grocery store. My thirty-nine years of memories will forever hold a place in my heart and spirit. The thousands of community members, employees, board of directors, and local vendors who I have directly crossed paths with have impacted me and contributed to my personal growth, awareness, and perspectives. We live in a tight-knit community of diverse people who gathered with deep-rooted values and vision, just as our Cooperative began 49 years ago. We are fortunate to have successfully shaped a community-owned and operated Cooperative built on shared values for healthy living and the support of locally produced products and organically grown foods. Thank you for the opportunity and your support.
As we move ahead to the next chapter, the board of directors is actively recruiting for a new candidate to fill the general manager position. I wish the new general manager success and future growth. They will have the opportunity to collaborate with a talented team of staff who hold the shared mission and values to heart. I leave behind a
Why no board elections this year?
group of 100+ staff that have filled my heart and soul, and I will deeply miss them all.
We are excited to celebrate our 49th Annual Member gathering with you. This member event will be held on Saturday, April 19th, at Gather Events. Please join us for a delightful afternoon filled with food, wine, beer, and local DJ music. Find more details of the event in this edition of the newsletter. Mingle and hear from our board of directors, staff, and community members!
As we welcome the new spring season, I cannot help but feel the excitement of getting outdoors, seeing the beauty of spring flowers, listening to the birds sing, and digging in the garden. The Co-op is ready to support your gardening journey with a great assortment of local and organic seed packets from Open Circle, and organic plant starts from Strong Roots.
A natural foods cooperative since 1976
OPEN EVERY DAY TO EVERYONE Store hours 7:00am - 8:00pm
Organic Espresso & Juice Bar
7:00am - 6:00pm
Soup & Salad Bar
11:00am - 7:00pm Hot Bar
11:00am - 7:00pm
Bowl'd Bar
11:00am - 7:00pm
Bagel Bar
7:00am - 2:30pm
721 South State Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
707 462-4778
www.ukiahcoop.com
e-mail: UNF@ukiahcoop.com
UNF Management
General Manager
Lori Rosenberg
Facilities
Dan Thompson-Sagehorn
Finance
Anne Wright
Food Service
Chance Breen
Front End
TRosenberg
In Cooperation, Lori
he Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op Board is made up of nine seats and the term of office for each director is three years. This is designed so that three directors’ seats are up for election each year on a rotating basis which minimizes the disruption caused when new members begin their terms.
It is vitally important that the Board maintains its cohesion and can pass on its institutional knowledge to new members while continuing to function at a high level.
This year we had three directors’ seats up for election. The three incumbents on the board re-applied for the open seats and we did not receive any other applications. Therefore, no election will need to take place and the remaining six board members will re-seat the incumbents back on the board for the three-year terms.
Lodie DeAlba
Grocery
Peter Perkins
Human Resources
Dagoberto Gonzáles
Information Technology
Tasha Jelen
Marketing & Outreach
Yvonne Boyd
Produce
Libee Uhuru
Wellness / Health & Beauty
Katie McClure
Co-op Beet
Managing Editor
Yvonne Boyd
Editor
Lori Rosenberg
Design & Production
Nicole Martensen - Tierra
Design
Cover Photograph
Yvonne Boyd - Ranchomatic Studios
Contributors
Lori Rosenberg, Yvonne Boyd, Grey Wolfe-Smith
Views expressed in the Co-op Beet are the writers’ opinions and are not necessarily the views of Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op.
THROUGH THE YEARS WITH
Thank you for 39 years of hard work, We will miss you, and we wish you all the best in your continuing life journey!
WITH LORI ROSENBERG
work, devotion, leadership & laughs!
GATHERING
Yazmin Mendoza’s
YVONNE BOYD
Marketing & Outreach Manager
For over 15 years, Yazmin Mendoza has been helping Mendocino County celebrate life's biggest moments. Born and raised in Ukiah, Yazmin has built a strong reputation in the local event industry. She started with her business, Brides & Maids by Little Yazmin, which later evolved into Mendocino Bridal and Tux.
Today, she leads Gather Events, an all-in-one event planning service that caters to weddings, parties, and corporate gatherings. Whether clients prefer a fully curated experience or want to incorporate outside vendors, Gather Events ensures a seamless and stress-free process.
Yazmin believes that hosting an event should be a joyful experience, saying, "Having an event is meant to be fun." Her goal is to allow clients to relax and fully enjoy their special moments while she and her team take care of the details.
words and photography by
GATHERING THE BEST Vision for Events in Ukiah
Beyond private events, Gather Events is also focused on giving back to the community by hosting their own celebrations. Yazmin's favorite holiday is Christmas, and each December, they transform their space into a winter wonderland, complete with decorated horses and Santa Claus. Parents can bring their children for photos with Santa while enjoying cookies and hot cocoa, creating cherished holiday memories.
Looking toward the future, Yazmin and her team are building a lasting legacy. Their logo features a willow tree, symbolizing deep roots, with an artistic depiction of two people uniting. At the bottom, their children's initials are woven into the design—representing the foundation they are creating for the next generation.
With deep community roots and a passion for bringing people together, Yazmin and her team continue to create unforgettable experiences, making every event as special and unique as the people celebrating.
The Co-op's annual member event will be held at Gather Events on Saturday, April 19, 1-4 PM.
counter-clockwise from top left: 1. Visit the horses in the barn who magically turn into Santa's helpers at Christmastime. 2. Water features, a gazebo, and a stately courtyard are some of the many backdrops for your special day. 3. Yazmin Mendoza knows how to grow community. 4. The Gather Events logo is inspired by deep roots of unity. 5. Serene environments for hosting your reception. 6. A spacious indoor space is transformed with elegant chandeliers.
GATHER EVENTS
Feeds a Crowd!
Recipes from Yazmin Mendoza and her family.
Cóctel de Camarón
7 Layer Bean Dip Meatballs
Garbanzo Salad
Cóctel de Camarón
Ingredients:
1 lb baby shrimp - peel, devein, and set the shells aside to make broth
4 Roma tomatoes, cut into cubes
1 medium onion, cut into cubes
1 bundle of cilantro, cut finely
2 large cucumbers, cut into cubes
2 avocados, cut into cubes
16 oz ketchup or V8 juice
fresh juice of 2 lemons
1-2 small jalapeños, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
Salt
Instructions:
1. Take ¼ cup tomato, ¼ cup onion, 3 garlic cloves and blend with 2 cups water.
2. Boil 1 quart of water in a stock pot, add the blended mixture and the shrimp shells to boil, and add salt to taste. Simmer for 15-20 minutes
3. Remove the shells from the broth, add the shrimp and let them cook for 5 minutes. Let the broth cool.
4. In a bowl, place the cut onion and mix with the lemon juice. Add cut tomatoes, cilantro, cucumber, and jalapeño pepper (to taste), and avocado; mix.
5. Once your shrimp and broth are cold, combine with the vegetable mix, add ketchup or V8 tomato juice.
6. Serve cold; enjoy with chips or crackers.
Garbanzo Salad
Ingredients:
1 lb garbanzo bean, soaked in water overnight
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 large onion (use ¼ onion for boil; chop remaining onion into small cubes)
1 cilantro bundle (use ¼ of the bunch for the boil; chop the remaining cilantro finely)
4 Roma tomatoes, cut into small cubes fresh juice of 2 lemons
salt
Instructions:
1. For the beans: rinse the garbanzos. In a stock pot, add water, onion, garlic, cilantro, garbanzo beans, and salt to taste; boil for 30-40 minutes or until the garbanzos are soft.
2. Cool the garbanzos. In a bowl, mix the chopped onion and lemon juice. Add remaining cilantro, tomatoes, and the cooked garbanzo beans; add salt to taste and serve.
7 Layer Bean Dip
Ingredients:
1½ cup pinto beans (soak them in water overnight).
2 large tomatoes, cut in quarters
3 jalapeños (1 pepper finely chopped for the beans, 1 pepper cut in quarters for the salsa, 1 pepper cut in slices for the final layer).
¼ of a small onion
2 garlic cloves
16 oz chedder cheese
Sour cream mixed with a bit of water to soften the mix
1-2 avocados, cut in slices
1 can of sliced olives
olive oil
Salt
Instructions:
1. For the beans: Rinse and drain the soaked beans. In a stock pot, add water to cover the beans, add salt to taste, and cook them for 1 hour or until they are soft. Strain the bean juice and set it aside. Add olive oil and smash the beans; add bean juice as needed. You want firm, soft texture -- not watery. Flavor your beans with jalapeños, to taste.
2. For the salsa: Bring tomatoes, ¼ cup water, onion, garlic and jalapeños to a boil. Put in a blender and blend, making a thick salsa.
3. Layer the ingredients in a deep pan: 1 -1/12 inch deep of beans, salsa, cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, olives, and jalapeño slices.
Meatballs
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
¼ cup cooked rice
2 Roma tomatoes, finely cut
½ onion, finely chopped
¼ cup mint, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped salt & pepper
Italian seasoning olive oil
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix ground beef, rice, tomatoes, onion, mint, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste.
2. Use a scoop to make round balls.
3. In a skillet, add olive oil and brown the meatballs. Coat with your choice of olive oil, BBQ sauce, marina sauce, or creamy sauce.
Keeping It Local
Staying positive in an uncertain future by focusing on our communities.
words
YVONNE BOYD Marketing & Outreach Manager
In the face of an uncertain and challenging future, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and helpless. It can feel like an individual facing many challenges alone; however, while national and global crises can feel overwhelming, our immediate communities can serve as sources of support, connection, and strength.
The future is never guaranteed to be easy, but it is shaped by the actions we take today. When we invest in ourselves, our relationships, and our communities, we are keeping it local and creating a foundation of strength, adaptability, and growth.
Shop local, play local, and invest in your community by keeping it local.
and photography by
Spring Happenings
APRIL 1 - 30
April Round Up at the Register Ukiah Senior Center
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9
Wellness Wednesday 15% Off All Wellness, Health & Beauty
15% Off All Cheese
15% Off Select Produce
SATURDAY, APRIL 19
Annual Member Event 1-4 PM at Gather Events. Tickets $5, RSVP at customer service by April 11.
MONDAY, APRIL 21
Board of Directors Meeting – 5:30pm All members invited to attend. Email board@ukiahcoop.com for the online link.
TUESDAY, APRIL 22
Earth Day Bulk Sale 15% off all bulk plus an extra 5% when you bring your own container.
MAY 1 - 31
May Round Up at the Register Raise & Shine
FRIDAY, MAY 9 & SATURDAY, MAY 10
Mother’s Day Sale 15% Off All Wine
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
Wellness Wednesday 15% Off All Wellness, Health & Beauty
15% Off Select Produce
SATURDAY, MAY 17
Ukiah Valley Children’s Book Fair 10am – 3pm at The City of 10.000 Buddhas
MONDAY, MAY 19
Board of Directors Meeting – 5:30pm All members invited to attend. Email board@ukiahcoop.com for the online link.
THURSDAY, MAY 22 & FRIDAY, MAY 23
Memorial Day Weekend Sale 15% Off Roundman’s Meat
JUNE 1 - 30
June Round Up at the Register Deep Valley Arts Collective
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11
Wellness Wednesday 15% Off All Wellness, Health & Beauty
15% Off Select Produce
FRIDAY, JUNE 13 & SATURDAY, JUNE 14
Father’s Day Beer Sale 15% off beer plus extra 10% off when you build your own six pack.
MONDAY, JUNE 16
Board of Directors Meeting – 5:30pm All members invited to attend. Email board@ukiahcoop.com for the online link.