Message From The General Manager
Greetings Everyone –
As we begin a new year I thought I’d reach out to all our members (and to those that are currently “kicking the tires) to wish everyone a Happy & Healthy New Year. I’d especially like to thank all those who helped make 2021 another successful year… those who serve on the Board… those who volunteer on delivery days or have served on a committee… the members who attend our monthly “Coffee w/ The Co-op” meetings… and, of course, ALL our members who placed orders this past year. We just can’t do what we do without member support.
Looking back over the past twelve months I’m pleased to report that, despite the ongoing concerns over Covid, we actually had a pretty good year. Of course, there was the time that an entire order of Fresh Produce arrived completely frozen… and then there was the order from Blue Valley Meats that never arrived because it was stolen in Seattle… but overall we held our own. A few highlights are as follows:
- We continued with three deliveries per month.
- We brought in 77.6 tons of food worth $538,106.
- We turned 10 years old in October and celebrated by giving out $1,230 in member discounts.
- Our members volunteered a total of 1,469 hours on delivery days
- Increased our staff to 6 part-time employees (including myself)
- Received $33,000 in grants
- Donated $4,655 to the community
- And financially, we ended up in the “black” once again.
Those are just some of the highlights. A complete report of all the statistics and other metrics will be presented at the next Annual Meeting…. which everyone is naturally invited to attend once the date is set. 🙂
In advance of the annual meeting, I just sent out our annual survey to all active/paid members and I really hope you’ll take a few minutes to fill it out. Your answers help us learn more about who we are as a cooperative and how we can best serve our members and the community at large. Your answers will also determine which organizations will be our 2022 “Co-op Cares” recipients. (If you have not received the email with that link please let me know and I’ll resend it.)
Lastly, let me just say that I look forward to continue working with and for you throughout the coming year. It’s amazing how far we’ve come over the past ten years and I’m certain the next few years will be equally as challenging, and just rewarding, as the past few years have been.
Cooperatively Yours,
Keith Nyitray
General Manager