Hello Fellow Cooperators!
We hope this finds you well, and welcome to March! It’s time for thinking spring, daylight saving, and looking ahead to board elections and our annual meeting coming up on April 26th at 4 p.m. This month’s update contains information about the annual meeting and how to get involved with the board, new job listings, some sneak peeks of your co-op’s 2025 story, and more!
The Co-op’s Impact: Part 2
Annual meeting time is for coming together, reflecting on the journey so far, and looking ahead to the future. In last month’s newsletter, we shared a little bit about the impact you’ve had on small avocado and banana farmers by purchasing through Equal Exchange. This month we’d like to share a sneak peek of the kind of impact you’ve had on our local economy.
In 2025, the Co-op demonstrated strong growth across multiple key areas while making significant strides in energy use, as well. Member-ownership grew by approximately 11% since this time last year, bringing total active member-owners to 4,267. Thank you to everyone from our surrounding towns and beyond for being a part of our story.
Sales of local goods increased by over $265,000, reaching nearly $1.9 million in 2025. Every dollar spent on local products strengthens our regional food system and helps support farmers and producers across our community.
There’s so much more to our story for the year to share related to energy use, community giving, and a lot more. For more details on this and other parts of the co-op story, please plan on attending the annual meeting and celebration on April 26th.
Your Co-op, Your Voice: Annual Meeting + Board Elections
Love your co-op? As a member-owned store, the co-op’s annual meeting and celebration is coming up on Sunday, April 26th, which means board elections are right around the corner. Being on the board provides an opportunity to get involved and help with the long-term management and direction of the business. Running for a board position is one of the benefits of being a member of the co-op.
Member-owner participation through being on the board is a key part of how we’ve gotten through the past 50 years. We have five board seats up for election this year with three current board members running for re-election. If you’d like to run for a board position, stay tuned for more information about when and where to pick up a registration form, or reach out to in**@**fc.coop with your interest. Elections are held each year for three weeks starting at the time of the annual meeting with two-year terms starting May 18th.
The Board represents the member-owners and provides overall vision, direction, and fiscal oversight for the co-op. In short, the Board helps ensure the store stays true to its mission while remaining financially strong.
A significant difference between a co-op and a regular business is that the members, not a single person, own it, and that applies to the long-term direction of the store, as well. If the store does well, the money doesn’t go into one person’s pocket; it benefits the store, the member-owners, the employees, and our local community!
March Board Meeting
The next board meeting is on March 16th at 6 p.m. at the Center for an Agricultural Economy in Hardwick. Please come by to learn more about your co-op and board!
If you’ve ever thought about working here, now’s a great time to join the team.
Produce Team Member
The produce team aims to provide our customers with top-quality fruits and vegetables while maintaining beautiful and appealing displays. The ideal candidate is reliable, focused, has an eye for aesthetics, is attentive to detail, appreciates local farms, and truly cares about providing our community with good food. This job requires lifting up to 50 lbs and traveling up and down stairs frequently throughout the day. Apply here.
Register Team Member
This role involves greeting customers, ringing and bagging with care, handling payments accurately, and helping create a checkout experience that feels smooth, welcoming, and community-centered. The ideal candidate is friendly and steady under pressure, enjoys working with people, communicates clearly, and can stay organized and detail-oriented while keeping the line moving. Apply here using our general application.
Stocking Team Member
The stocking team keeps the store stocked with goods. They stock the store with the proper rotation and stocking procedures. The ideal candidate for this position is able to pay attention to details, loves to be organized and have a tidy workspace. Apply here.
Benefits of working at the co-op include a matched 401(k), Employee Assistance Program, discounts on special orders, and up to 23% off on shopping here, and more! As a growing organization, we hope to add to these benefits to show our commitment to creating sustainable jobs and valuing employees.
Sales & Highlights
March Recipe: Aloo Gobi (Curried Cauliflower)
This popular aromatic North Indian curry is easy to make and delicious served with basmati rice, naan, and a side of cucumber raita.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 pound potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 pound tomatoes, diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 tablespoon jalapeno, seeded and minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
In a large saucepan or a skillet with a lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Saute the onion for a few minutes and add the jalapeno, garlic, ginger, cumin and turmeric along with a pinch of salt. Saute for 1-2 more minutes. Add the potatoes, tomatoes and the water, cover, and simmer 6-8 minutes. Add the cauliflower, cover the pot and simmer another 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the garam masala and cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Serve with brown or white rice.
Serving Suggestion
Fragrant basmati rice is the traditional complement to Indian flavors; serve with naan and a side of cucumber raita (chopped or shredded cucumbers with yogurt and mint).
Reprinted with permission from grocery.coop. Find more recipes and information about your food and where it comes from at www.grocery.coop.