Photos by Katelyn Foutch, Looking Glass SMM
Written by Priscilla Schmidt, Chair of the Board-Owner Communication Committee
On April 29th the Co-op took over Maialina Pizzeria Napoletana for the Annual Meeting. We had memorabilia from the past 50 years on display, balloons and a Moscow Food Co-op sign proudly displayed. Music from the 70’s played in the background while we mingled, grabbed a drink and found a spot a to sit. Sam Martinet, the Executive Director of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce + Visitors Center standing in for Mayor Art Bettge, read a proclamation declaring April 29th, 2023 Moscow Food Co-op Day. We then got to fill our plates with delicious food provided by our wonderful hosts.
Melinda Schab, General Manager, updated us on the state of the Co-op. The Co-op has had a positive financial impact on the community and partners with serval business from within the community. Melinda also spoke to some challenges facing the Co-op. Mark Throne, Board President, gave us some history of the Moscow Food Co-op and gave a warm farewell to Alice Ma, outgoing Board Vice-President. Dulce Kersting-Lark, Board Treasurer, talked about the sales numbers from this year and the past year. Alice Ma was our MC and graced us with a poem about the Co-op. The presentations were followed by some audience Q&A.
We played a game were we had to guess the price of Lentils, Flour, Rice and Kidney beans in 1973. We talked about what the Co-op has done right these past 50 years in our homes and communities and speculated on what it can do in the next 50 years. Finally, four amazing raffle prizes were handed out.
I would like to thank the members of the Board Owner Communication Committee for all the hard work in putting together an exceptional event and the marketing team for working so hard to make those ideas a reality. I hope to see you all at next years Annual Meeting.