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Good Foods Newsletter Good Foods Newsletter

March202

SavetheDateforour AnnualOwner Meeting.Joinus May16,2026(11am2pm)forupdateson allthingsGood Foods,tastytreats, doorprizes,and more th

Donate to the co-op today Donate to the co-op today nowacceptingtax-deductibledonationsthroughthe BluegrassCommunityFoundation

Inordertogrow,sometimesyouneedalittle extraTLCGoodFoodsCo-opisluckytobea partoftheBluegrassCommunityFoundation, whichmeansweareabletoacceptdonations inordertokeepourstorethrivingandstriving toalwaysimprove.Yoursupportmeansthe worldtous!ScantheQRcodetodonateand championGoodFoodsCo-opalongsidethe manylocalmakersandshakerswesupport.

scan or click here to access the link! scan or click here to access the link!

DearOwners,

Thistimeofyearcanstarttofeelprettycoldanddreary,withwinter hangingonalittlelongerthanwewouldlike.Iamlookingforwardto longerdays,somemuchneededsunshineandtheenergythatcomes withanewseasonWeloveseeingourlocalfarmersandproducers rampupfortheyearandwatchingthestorefillwithfreshspring produceandnewproductsItisareminderofhowcloselyweare connectedtothepeoplewhogrowourfoodandhowmuchthat connectionmatters

BoardVoting:Oneofthemostimportantwaysyoushapethefuture oftheCo-opisbyvotinginourBoardelections.Strongparticipation keepsourCo-opgroundedinthevaluesandprioritiesofits membershipPleasebesuretocastyourvoteintheupcoming election.

AnnualOwnersMeeting:Wearealsolookingforwardtogathering withyouatourAnnualOwnersMeetingThelastfewyearshave broughtsomechillyandunpredictableAprilweather,whichhasmade hostinganoutdoorgatheringabitofagamble.Tomaketheevent morecomfortableandenjoyableforeveryone,wehavemoveditfrom ApriltoMay16th.Wehopeyouwillmarkyourcalendarandplanto joinusaswecelebratetogether

TheCo-opreachedsomesignificantfinancialandoperational milestonesin2025,andIlookforwardtosharingmoreaboutthat progressatourAnnualOwnersMeeting.Iammoreoptimisticevery dayaboutwhatliesahead.ThankyouforstandingwiththeCo-op andbelievinginwhatwearebuildingtogether.Letuskeepthat momentumgoing

Withgratitude,

Jennifer Burnett, Board President

Ataco-op,ownershiplivesbeyondthecheckoutlane.

AsGeneralManager,Iseethateveryday.

Sometimesitlookslikeaconversationintheaisleaboutwhywebroughtina newlocalproduct.Sometimesit’saquestionaboutpricing,asuggestionfor storeimprovements,oranowneraskinghowtheycanbecomemore involved.WhatIloveaboutthosemomentsisthis:theyonlyhappenbecause thisstoreisownedbythepeoplewhoshophere

Manypeopledon’talwaysseewhathappensbehindthescenesOurBoard ofDirectorselectedbyyoumakesdecisionsonbehalfoftheownersto protectthelong-termhealthofthecooperative.Oneoftheirmostimportant responsibilitiesishiringtheGeneralManagerThat’swhereIcomeinThe Boardentrustsmewithrecruitingandleadingourdedicatedteam,ensuring compliance,executingoperationalstrategy,andreportingdirectlybackto them.Thatstructurematters.Itcreatesaccountability.ItreflectsDemocratic MemberControlinactionleadershipbeginswiththemembership,andI amresponsibleforcarryingoutthatdirectionwithintegrity.

HonestyandtransparencyguidehowIapproachthisrole.Ireportopenlyto theBoardWereviewperformancethoughtfullyWeplanforsustainability andindependence,notshort-termgain.MemberEconomicParticipation meansyourpurchasesaremorethantransactionstheyareinvestmentsin abusinessdesignedtoserveitsownersandcommunity,notoutside shareholdersThat’sself-helpatitsstrongest:peoplechoosingtobuild somethingforthemselvesandforfuturegenerations.

YoucanseethatsamespiritthroughourGiveWhereYouLiveprogram. Whenyouroundupattheregisterorsupportourcommunitypartners,you extendcooperativeimpactbeyondourwallsownershelpingneighborsin intentional,meaningfulwaysIn2025alone,$21,06893wasroundedupat theregistersanddirectedtoourcommunitypartners,turningsmallactsof participationintomeasurablelocalimpact

I’llsaythisclearly:acooperativeonlyworkswhenownersparticipatePlease taketimetovoteforyourBoardofDirectorcandidates.Learnaboutthose willingtoserveEngagewithourcommunitypartnersAskquestionsStay involved.

AsyourGeneralManager,IcanleadoperationsOurBoardcanprovide governanceButthestrengthofthisco-opultimatelydependsonyou Ownershiplivesbeyondthecheckoutlaneandyourparticipationiswhat keepsitpowerful.

-Holly Deering, General Manager

Meet your 2026 good foods co-op board candidates Meet your 2026 good foods

Anthony Guglielmi Anthony Guglielmi

Anthony Guglielmi is a proud dog dad and husband! He is a local business owner and has served on several non-profit boards and committees, holding various positions of service. After spending part of his career working with small farmers of Kentucky, he realized the importance of local food sources to the community. He would be honored and privileged to be of service to the Co-op, of which he has been a patron for over two decades.

Emily Spencer is a Lexington, KY native. She has worked with local food since 2017. She currently works for the University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification, where she gets to work with farmers around the state to improve their marketing. Emily lives a 10 minute walk from the Co-op and has been a member since she moved to the neighborhood in 2023. She has seen first-hand the incredible impact that Good Foods has on our farming community and being on the board will give her the opportunity to center local farmers in conversations here. Additionally, Emily’s background is in Community Development, so she looks forward to using that knowledge and skillset to better engage Co-op owners in the mission of Good Foods.

Emily Spencer Emily Spencer

About The Board About The Board

Your elected Board of Directors represent you, our owners, as they help make decisions about our strategic goals and ensure the sound management of our Co-op. Each board member is elected to serve a three year term. Terms are then staggered so about a third of the board is elected or re-elected each year. To vote on this year’s ballot, visit our website or social media channels which will both guide you to the appropriate form. You may also vote via paper ballot in store! Voting closes 4/14/26.

Emily Spencer

Anthony Guglielmi

*Please vote for up to 2 candidates

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DV8

Floracliff

Foodchain

Friends of the Lex Pub Library

Glean, KY

Gleanings Housing

HOPE Spay Neuter

Jubilee Jobs

Kids Books Lex

Lexington Children’s Theater

Northside Common Market

Red Oaks Forest School

The Nathaniel Mission

Trees Lexington