Fresh Bites, Spring 2023 - the Good Foods Co-op Owner Newsletter and Annual Owner Report

FRESH BITES

Know an organization or program that’s helping our community GROW to meet its food needs?

Have them apply for a grant with us! Visit the Community page of our website for submission instructions. Deadline to apply: Monday, March 27 at 5 pm

savE THE date

march

March 27 Good Foods Charitable Foundation deadline for grant applications, 5 pm

april

April 9 HAPPY EASTER! Stay tuned to our emails to see what our kitchen is cooking up for Easter!

April 30 Annual Owners Meeting, 3:00-5:00 pm in the Good Foods parking lot

May

good foods

charitable foundation

May 14 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Stay tuned to our emails to see what our kitchen is cooking up for Mother's Day!

GOOD FOODS IS PROUD TO SPONSOR...

HELP US BE A LITTLE GREENER

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robert walker GENERAL MANAGER

Although the Co-op continued to face many of the same challenges in previous years due to the continuation of the pandemic, we began to see continued sales growth on the deli side. With the base pay being increased to $15 an hour, we are no longer experiencing staffing shortages which has had a dramatic impact on our sales growth on the deli side.

While our wellness department continues to see a steady decline, we are in the early stages of revamping the area to increase our pet offerings by reducing multiple facings of duplicate wellness products. Although, inflation has caused prices to rise across the nation, we have been lowering prices throughout the store to ensure that we’re offering value to our customers all while maintaining a margin that ensures profitability. We’re able to do this mainly with our local products and basics program through National Co-op Grocers (NCG). While we await our audited financials, which we plan to publish in our fall newsletter, I did want to share some preliminary data and trends.

As 2022 came with it’s many challenges, we still continue to see substantial growth in Co-op ownerships. We had 530 new owners join the Co-op in 2022, and that’s the second highest amount in five years! Your continued support of the Co-op through your ownership and participation ensures the Co-ops ability to provide locally-sourced products and services that support our local community and our local economy.

Amidst the strong growth in ownerships, we did experience a decline in customer count and overall sales mostly in the summer during the closure

of nearby roads. We are continuing to work with NCG, as well as our staff, to improve customer experience and product selection to help improve sales. We would also like to hear from you about products that you would like to see the Co-op carry.

As we continue to look at ways to increase sales, we also continue to look at ways to cut our expenses. We are revamping many of our systems and processes to ensure efficiency gains throughout the Co-op to help reduce the impact of inflation of cost of goods. While we are yet not completely over with the pandemic, your Co-op staff are continuing to work diligently everyday to ensure we are providing the services and products you need.

We’re happy to be a part of a great community and look forward to seeing you at the annual owner meeting as well as taking care of your needs on your next visit to the Co-op!

claudia goggin BOARD PRESIDENT

board update

Good Foods Co-op welcomed 530 new owners in 2022! This is proof of the value of the Co-op in our community and the tremendous work of the staff. We look forward to celebrating the milestone of 10,000 owners.

We want to express our gratitude to all the owners who took the time to give us their input during the recent Owner Survey. This information enables the board to focus on what is of most importance to our owners: access to healthy and local food and providing owners the opportunity to support our community and local producers while shopping. It also provided planning information for our Annual Owners Meeting which will be held on Sunday, April 30th at 3pm at Good Foods Co-op. We hope to see you there!

The board has worked diligently attending monthly board meetings (now on the 2nd Monday of each month to avoid conflicts with several holidays) and participating on various committees. 2022 was once again a very challenging year financially. The staff and board have worked together to ensure the Co-op is able to adapt and return to profitability. The board selected a new auditing firm with the goal of having finalized financials at the Annual Owners Meeting this year. Furthermore, the investment by owners in preferred shares (Capital Campaign) has enabled the co-op to purchase critical equipment. The board recently approved the charter for a Sustainability Committee to help us move forward in this key area.

We also want to thank the owners who have stepped up to share their skills and talents to provide strategic direction to the Co-op by running for a board position. For this election cycle, you will see that there are four open seats on the board. After almost five years of outstanding service on the board Liz Knapp resigned earlier this year due to work and travel obligations. We are very grateful for Liz’s many contributions to the Co-op. We would like to encourage you to show your support with your vote for the owners who are stepping up to offer their time and talents to the Co-op. This is also an opportunity for you to vote for the Give Where you Live partners. These are the organizations

that will receive donations from rounding up during check-out over the upcoming 12-month period. Additionally, you will have an opportunity to submit questions for the Annual Owners Meeting.

If you have questions, suggestions, or concerns for the Board, feel free to join us at a board meeting or send us an email at board@goodfoods.coop. We look forward to seeing you at our Annual Owners Meeting!

Recipe: Chipotle Shrimp Quinoa Bowls

Serves 4. Prep time: 30 minutes active; 40 minutes total.

• 2 1⁄4 cups water

• 1 1⁄2 cups quinoa (Aisle 4)

• 3 tablespoons cooking oil, divided, 1 for pan (Aisle 6)

• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (Produce)

• 1 small chipotle in adobo, minced, plus 1 teaspoon adobo (Aisle 2)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced (Produce)

• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt (Aisle 4)

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (Seafood Freezer)

• 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained (Aisle 2)

• 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved (Produce)

• 1⁄4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (Produce)

• 1 large avocado (Produce)

• 1 large lime, quartered (Produce)

• 1⁄2 cup fresh cilantro (Produce)

In a small pot, bring the water to a boil, then add the quinoa. Return to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool.

In a large bowl, combine the oil, lime juice, chipotle and adobo, garlic and salt. Stir to mix, then add the shrimp and stir to coat. Marinate for 10 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Divide the quinoa between four wide, low bowls. Arrange the black beans, tomatoes and red onions on one side of each bowl.

In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, add in the shrimp and its marinade, and saute until the shrimp is pink and cooked through, about 4 minutes.

Divide the shrimp between the bowls, and drizzle pan juices over the toppings. Cut the avocado in half, then remove the pit and use a paring knife to slice the avocado vertically in the shell. Use a spoon to scoop the slices out, and fan 1⁄4 of an avocado over each bowl. Garnish with 1⁄4 lime and cilantro.

Ingredient Checklist

Produce

Lime

Garlic

Grape Tomatoes

Meat/Seafood

Shrimp

Grocery

Cooking oil (Aisle 6)

Red onions

Avocado

Cilantro

Black beans (Aisle 2)

Chipotle in adobo (Aisle 2)

Bulk

Recipe: menemen

Serves 4. Prep time: 30 minutes active; 40 minutes total.

In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat, then add the onion, peppers and tomatoes. Stir until sizzling, then reduce the heat to medium and saute, stirring occasionally. Add salt, pepper, oregano and pepper flakes and cook for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and the pan is nearly dry. Pour the eggs over the vegetables in the pan and scramble, stirring until the eggs are softly cooked, about 4 minutes.

Ingredient Checklist

Produce

Onion

Tomatoes

Dairy/Refrigerated

Eggs

Grocery

Olive oil (Aisle 6)

Bulk (Aisle 4)

Red pepper

you'll need:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped

• 3 large tomatoes, chopped

• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried

oregano

Oregano Salt Pepper Red pepper flakes

• 1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 6 large eggs, lightly

whisked

Aaron & Irina Lange

Casey County, KY

foxfire farm

Foxfire Farm is the second-generation iteration of the work started by Jerome and Paula Lange in 1991. Aaron Lange was born on the farm, grew up working there, and came back after college to continue the farm legacy that runs in his family's veins. Irina, Aaron's wife, had spent much of her time as an employee and volunteer on the Lange farm, so it was a natural adjustment when she took on the family name. Jonathan (pictured above), like his papa Aaron, was born on the farm and will grow up working and playing on this land.

In 2022 the farm business was rebranded to Foxfire Farm as Aaron and Irina reached majority management of the farm. Foxfire Farm is also the hub of Organic growers in Casey County, unofficially known as Casey County Organics. Foxfire Farm, with its two acres of low-till intensive market garden, produces a wide array of greens, herbs, roots, and other veggies. At Good Foods, look for our seasonal offerings of mesclun, arugula, herbs, lettuce, radishes, bok choy, kale, turnips, patty pan squash, beets, carrots, elephant garlic, green onions, cabbages, and more! Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/foxfire.farm.ky to enjoy the changes of the seasons and generations.

srikant dharwad

My name is Srikant Dharwad and I have been a member of Good Foods Co-op since 2006. It was a delight to find the co-op after my move from Atlanta where I was a member of the local Life Grocery Co-op. Good Foods Co-op helped me ease into my move by providing a sense of belonging and familiarity. When my son attended SCAPA, the café served as our dinner spot for many an evening.

I have been part of non-profit organizations and was the president of Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society (2020) and a board member from 2019-2021. I am also the current chair of Asian Network Diversity Association at my current place of work. I have seen the Coop change over the last several years, adapting to the needs of the community and changes happening in Lexington. I would love to work with a diverse group of individuals in furthering the mission of Good Foods Co-op and it would be an honor to serve on 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, with terms staggered so about a third of your board is elected or re-elected each year. To vote on this year's board candidates, fill out the ballot on pages 12 & 13 and mail it in. You can also vote online at www.goodfoods.coop.

nick lally

I am an artist and geographer with longstanding interests in cooperative forms of ownership and local foods systems. Throughout my adult life, I have benefitted from and been a part of a number of food, housing, and bicycle cooperatives because of their commitments to shared ownership, democratic control, and community engagement. Since moving to Lexington in 2018, Good Foods has been an important part of my life because it connects the community with local food systems, offers space for socializing, and is an important and accessible source of healthy food. I wish to offer my background in organizing and my longstanding interest in food cooperatives to contribute to the mission of Good Foods Co-op.

jamie wittman

Jamie grew up in Lexington, Kentucky where she trained in classical ballet with The Lexington Ballet. She graduated from Cornell in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Psychology. Upon graduation she joined Google at their headquarters in Mountain View, CA where she onboarded over 4,000 new Google employees, produced flagship business inclusion events, led programming, testing, and launch of

Google’s annual company-wide survey sent to over 90,000 employees, and created research reports for Google’s most senior leaders. Jamie went on to complete her MBA at Vanderbilt Business School concentrating in Real Estate and Strategy while working for Brookfield Properties. She currently lives in Lexington, KY with her husband and two sons and specializes in real estate investment and development at RD Property Group.

Patsy wilson

BOARD CANDIDATES about the board

Patsy is the Extension Viticulture Specialist in the UK Department of Horticulture. She works directly with Kentucky grape and wine producers and designs her research projects specifically around the needs of the industry. Her current research interest is in the use of King Stropharia as a weed suppressant to reduce herbicide use, improve vine productivity, and build soil health. Her long-term research interest continues to focus on vineyard design and growing and managing cultivars that are best suited to the changing climate in Kentucky. She works closely with the Kentucky Wineries Association to develop and implement educational programming and to help connect wineries with local producers. Patsy is a long time member and supporter of the Co-op and appreciates having the Co-op as an option to buy local and support local businesses.

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, with terms staggered so about a third of your board is elected or re-elected each year. To vote on this year's board candidates, fill out the ballot on pages 24 & 25 and mail it in. You can also vote online at www.goodfoods.coop.

vote early. vote online.

Cast your vote online for the Board candidates and Give Where You Live partners at goodfoods.coop. Quick, easy, done! Online and mailed ballots must be received by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, April 26.

Important! You must fill out this panel completely for your mail-in vote to be valid.

OWNER NUMBER

Found on back of owner card. Ballot is invalid without owner number.

questions

fill out vote

YOUR FULL NAME

Owner of record's name. Ballot is invalid without owner name.

SIGNATURE

Sign here. Ballot is invalid without owner signature.

You may write any questions you have below. We will make our best effort to address them at our Annual Owners Meeting.

Board of Directors candidates (vote for up to four)

The candidate with the least votes will serve a 1-year term.

g ive w here

vote GWYL Partners (vote for up to ten)

You may vote for up to 10 charitable organizations including a write-in organization. You can find more information about each on our website. The top 10 organizations chosen will be our Give Where You Live partners from May 2023 through April 2024. The Good Foods Charitable Foundation and Kentucky Double Dollars program will round out the year as our remaining organizations.

Bluegrass Greensource

Broke Spoke Bike Shop

Children's Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass Fayette Alliance

Floracliff

Friends of the Lexington Public Library

Glean KY

Habitat for Humanity

Hope's Embrace

Itty Bitty Kitten Rescue

cut & mail

1. Cut ballot along dotted line.

2. Fold and place in an envelope.

Jubilee Jobs of Lexington

Justin's Place

Kentucky Heartwood

Kentucky Resources Council

Legal Aid of the Bluegrass

Lexington Children's Theatre

Lexington Humane Society

Lexington Tool Library

Seedleaf

The Working Cat Project

Trees Lexington!

Good Foods Co-op

Attn: Merrick Johnson

455-D Southland Drive

3. Drop it off at Good Foods Co-op or stamp and mail to:

Lexington, KY 40503

I have included my Co-op owner number, name and signature.

I am submitting the full ballot page (no panels removed).

My ballot is being mailed in time to be received by April 26.

y ou l ive

ROUND-UP Update 2022

We had another very successful year with our register round-up program, Give Where You Live (GWYL)! Through your generosity, we raised over $22,000 through small change donations alone. Incredible!

This number goes to show that it does not individually take much to make a difference, and through collective giving, we can make a massive impact in communities like ours. If you’d like to continue to support our monthly GWYL community partners, tell your cashier you want to round up your total to the nearest dollar at checkout. Did you know we’ll also donate $0.10 on your behalf for bringing your reusable shopping bags? Owners are able to further help causes by voting in our annual election for the charitable organizations they’d like to see us support in the next GWYL cycle, which you can do with the ballot on the preceding page or on our website.

We are also proud to report that throughout 2022, Good Foods was able to give an additional $3.643.83 in local sponsorships, gift cards, products and in-kind contributions to local nonprofits, schools and other community organizations.

Concern For COMMUNITY

THANK YOU for giving back and helping us fulfill our cooperative calling!

lexington habitat for humanity

MERRICK JOHNSON Marketing Manager