December 2023

I hope everyone is having a nice holiday season and staying warm and dry as winter approaches!

This month’s Moscow Food Co-op Board of Directors meeting was held on December 5 th at the 1912 Center from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Present were eight of nine Board members, our General Manager and Co-op staff, and two Co-op owners via Zoom. The agenda was very full, but we got through everything in good order. The Board reviewed the General Manager’s third-quarter monitoring report for the B1 fiscal policies. All reports were encouraging and accepted in compliance with their respective sub-policy. Sales and net income were both up from third-quarter 2022 with prepared foods and the bakery leading the way. This again is great news and shows a continued rebound from the tussle we had with COVID.

The Board also monitored its C9 policy regarding elections and appointments. The monitoring report for C9 was accepted in compliance and was approved by a 7 to 1 vote. However, the Board engaged in a healthy discussion regarding the appointment process. Interpretations of the policy language were considered, and it was determined that a review of the policy may be needed. Overall, our discussion-centered policy review method is doing its intended job as it brought issues to light from which we can learn and improve as a Board.

The Board also reviewed the entirety of outcomes from all monitoring reports submitted by the General Manager over the past year. This was helpful and encouraging for the Board because it provided a big-picture look at the health of the Co-op, and it showed that the Co-op staff and management are awesome!

For our Study and Engagement Series, Sandra Kelly gave a heartwarming talk about the Alternative Giving Market of the Palouse (AGMP). The AGMP was started in 2009 to support local non-profit organizations and has been doing a great service to the community ever since. The organization is dedicated to helping raise money for a wide range of non-profits that focus on feeding, sheltering, protecting, educating, and nurturing people, and caring for other animals and pets as well as the land. The next Giving Market is scheduled for December 12th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Latah County Fairgrounds. You can find more information and purchase holiday cards online at https://www.agmpalouse.org Our Study and Engagement Series is a way in which the Board and staff become better informed about issues and activities that affect our community. One of the Seven Cooperative Principles states that we have “Concern for Community,” and listening to people describe aspects of concern in our community is directly tied to our Ends.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2024, in the Fiske Room at the 1912 Center (412 E 3rd St, Moscow, ID). The meeting will run from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners an attend in person or via Zoom. To attend via Zoom, contact the Board’s Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP.

Further information about our Board meetings is at https://www.moscowfood.coop/board-meetings

Sincerely,

Mark Thorne, Board President

Moscow Food Co-op Ends Policy

The Moscow Food Co-op is at the heart of a thriving, healthy, and inclusive community where:

1. We embody and embrace cooperative principles and values.

2. All community members have local access to environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and healthful choices.

November 2023

November is pie season! Apple, pumpkin, pecan, and of course, cheesecake are all on my menu list for the season. I hope everyone has been enjoying this year’s beautiful autumn weather.

This month’s Moscow Food Co-op Board of Directors meeting was held on November 7 th at the 1912 Center from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Present were eight of nine Board members, our General Manager and Co-op staff, and two Co-op owners via Zoom.

Policy monitoring included the General Manager’s report for Policy B8 which covers logistical support for the Board. The policy directs the General Manager to ensure the Board has administrative support to maintain communication between Board members and owners, record and archive minutes from meetings, and schedule activities. The Board and the Co-op have benefited from outstanding administrative support personnel, and we are very grateful! The policy monitoring report was accepted unanimously in compliance.

The Board also monitored its C8 policy which ensures the Board shall have funding to carry out its duties including conducting annual meetings, training activities, consulting, and technical support, and can reimburse reasonable costs for directors to attend meetings and retreats, if needed. Along with this policy, we went over the Board’s budget projection for the coming year. It was brought to the Board’s attention that costs associated with the Director’s volunteer store discount have been coming out of the Co-op’s marketing budget. It was proposed and approved to move the discount cost to the Board’s budget instead. The monitoring report for C8 was accepted in compliance and approved by a unanimous vote, as was the Board’s projected budget for next year.

As a future activity, the Directors will take turns leading discussions from chapters in the book, “13 Ways to Kill Your Community” by Doug Griffiths. We are hoping to find insights and perspectives on the structure and function of healthy and vibrant communities, and how we can best support our Co-op. Owners are certainly encouraged to give it a read as well!

For our Study and Engagement Series, Tim Gresback gave a presentation on Access to Justice Idaho, which is a volunteer organization that raises funds to cover legal expenses for low-income and vulnerable Idahoans. Tim is a local Moscow attorney who specializes in personal injury. Tim’s presentation was important for the Board and others present to hear because it raised awareness that many people fail to get adequate legal assistance and can ultimately be treated unfairly by the court system. A community can only be healthy if all have access to needed services when issues arise. To quote the Idaho State Bar, “The need for free legal services is constant and increasing. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has left one in seven Idaho workers unemployed. Many who were seemingly secure, now face evictions, foreclosures, crippling medical bills without health insurance and a myriad of unexpected legal problems.”  Financial donations are needed and can be made through the Access to Justice Idaho website at isb.idaho.gov/ilf/accesstojustice/ or by mail at Access to Justice Idaho, P.O. Box 895, Boise, ID 83701-0895.

Our Study and Engagement Series is a way in which the Board and staff become better informed about issues and activities that affect the community around us. One of the Seven Cooperative Principles states that we have “Concern for Community,” and listening to people describe aspects of concern in our community is directly tied to our Ends.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for December 5, 2023, in the Fiske Room at the 1912 Center (412 E 3rd St, Moscow, ID). The meeting will run from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners can attend in person or via Zoom. To attend via Zoom, contact the Board’s Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP.

Further information about our Board meetings is at https://www.moscowfood.coop/board-meetings.

Sincerely,

Mark Thorne, Board President

Moscow Food Co-op Ends Policy

The Moscow Food Co-op is at the heart of a thriving, healthy, and inclusive community where:

1. We embody and embrace cooperative principles and values.

2. All community members have local access to environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and healthful choices.

October 2023

October is one of my favorite months. For one thing, fly season is coming to an end, but even better, October fall colors are wonderful! Black hawthorn and snowberry are exceptional this year and remind me of leaf-peeping trips through eastern deciduous forests.

This month’s Moscow Food Co-op Board of Directors meeting was held on October 3 rd at the 1912 Center from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Present were eight of nine Board members, our General Manager and Co-op staff, and one Co-op owner. Policy monitoring included the General Manager’s report for Policy B4 covering member rights and responsibilities. which include owner equity, patronage dividends, and owners being informed of their rights and responsibilities. The monitoring report was well prepared and was accepted in compliance.

Owner equity, last approved by the Board, is $150 per owner and payable in one lump sum or $10 per year until the total amount is covered. The policy also requires the GM to implement a patronage dividend system that allows the Board to make an informed decision on declaring dividend payout. Earlier this year the GM informed the Board of a 2022 change imposed by the IRS that required the Co-op to include long-term leases as debt, even though no actual debt had been accrued. This adjusted our debt-to-equity ratio on paper such that the Board voted, prudently, not to pay out dividends this year. This illustrates the importance of our policies in ensuring transparency.

The Board also monitored its C7 Board Committee Principles policy. The policy is written so that we only use committees to assist with Board work, and that in doing so, we do not violate our Board holism directive. The Board only speaks with one voice and therefore, individual Board members on committees or otherwise, have no authority to direct the Co-op GM or staff. We had a good discussion about how best to interact with the GM and staff when committee work involves Co-op resources (time, personnel, and money). We found ourselves in compliance with this policy and came away with a better understanding of our work.

In other business, the newly-merged Elections and Board-Owner Communications Committee (EBOC) will be responsible for the annual election and annual meeting, as well as other communication issues. Great work, everyone! We also heard from the GM about her recent trip to the NCG (National Co+op Grocers) meeting in Minneapolis. She reported on the breakout sessions she attended and how two were especially impactful to her. She heard from one presenter about how the term “healthy eating” means different things to different people, and that we may be excluding some people based on product selection. She was also moved by a presentation about “belonging” and how many people experience loneliness. These issues need to be acknowledged if our message is “Everyone is Welcome.”

For our Study and Engagement Series, Lysa Salsbury, Director of the University of Idaho’s Women’s Center talked to us about the history, mission, and importance of the Women’s Center. The Center was established in 1972 to address gender inequity and to be a safe place for people to come for support and complaints. Recently, its mission has been expanded to include all gender groups. Lysa informed us that the Women’s Center is there for those dealing with abuses of any kind and can be an important resource for UI faculty as well as students. The Women’s Center is also an important resource for health and wellness support. The Women’s Center maintains a food pantry, as up to 50% of students have reported food insecurity, which is a horrific situation. Along with food items, the pantry includes personal hygiene and prophylactic items. Unfortunately, the Women’s Center food pantry is not part of the Idaho Foodbank system, therefore items must come from different routes of donation, and we are all welcome and encouraged to make contributions! We greatly appreciated Lysa’s presentation and recognize that the UI Women’s Center is a valuable resource in our community. For more information, please check out their website at https://www.uidaho.edu/diversity/edu/womens-center. Our Study and Engagement Series is a way in which the Board and staff become better informed about issues and activities that affect the community around us. One of the Seven Cooperative Principles states that we have “Concern for Community,” and listening to people describe aspects of concern in our community is directly tied to our Ends.

Again, as fall is here, I want to remind everyone that your extra produce can be shared by placing items in the cooler in front of the Co-op at the Backyard Harvest Donation Station. Just use the Fresh Food Connect App to schedule drop-offs.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for November 3, 2023, in the Fiske Room at the 1912 Center (412 E 3rd St, Moscow, ID). The meeting will run from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners can attend in person or via Zoom. To attend via Zoom, contact the Board’s Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP.

Further information about our Board meetings is at https://www.moscowfood.coop/board-meetings

Sincerely,

Mark Thorne, Board President

Moscow Food Co-op Ends Policy: The Moscow Food Co-op is at the heart of a thriving, healthy, and inclusive community where:

1. We embody and embrace cooperative principles and values.

2. All community members have local access to environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and healthful choices.

September 2023

September is here and schools are back in session. It is nice to feel the energy flowing through our university towns and across the region. Congratulations to both the Vandal and Cougar football and soccer teams for a great start to their seasons!

The September 2023 Moscow Food Co-op Board of Directors meeting was held on September 5th at the 1912 Center from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Present were eight of nine Board members, our General Manager and Co-op staff, and one Co-op owner.

We reviewed and accepted the General Manager’s monitoring report for Policy B1 covering financial conditions and activities during the second quarter of 2023. The report was thorough in covering several financial statements including profit and loss, cash flow, and the balance sheet. Both second-quarter sales were up, and despite cost increases, net income was positive. A recent change imposed by the IRS requires that long-term leases be included as a debt, even though no actual debt has been accrued. This affects our debt-to-equity ratio. but only on paper. The Board adjusted our self-imposed target for compliance to compensate for the change and will reassess as needed. In addition, 2022 annual sales were up and approaching pre-COVID numbers.

The Board also monitored its C6 Board Officer policy. After a healthy discussion, we found ourselves in compliance with the sub-policies as we understood them and as they were written however, we determined that several sub-policies need corrections and/or wording changes.

The Policy and Bylaw committee will work on correcting the noted issues and bring the policy back to the Board for approval. We also decided that job descriptions are needed so we are clear on the officer’s roles. It is very encouraging to see us working together to do our jobs well!

In other business, the newly merged Board Owner Communication Committee (BOCC) and the Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) reported they are still wrapping up some language and deciding on a new name. Also, a date was set for our fall retreat that did not conflict with anyone’s schedule. And, the GM’s FYI report was again very informative and encouraging showing increases in sales and ownership!

For our Study and Engagement Series, Tom Lamar, Executive Director for the Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) gave a great presentation on the history and accomplishments of PCEI in areas of environmental stewardship, restoration, sustainability, and education for both children and adults. Several of the Board members noted that their kids had been involved in Palouse Roots and the Nature Explorers programs. Furthermore, PCEI is a great place to gather, as our Board did for our spring retreat! We all appreciate the contribution PCEI makes to our community! For more information and to check out their programs and calendar, visit their website at https://pcei.org

Our Study and Engagement Series is a way in which the Board and staff become better informed about issues and activities that affect the community around us. One of the Seven Cooperative Principles states that we have “Concern for Community,” and listening to people describe aspects of concern in our community is directly tied to our Ends.

Ends Policy:

The Moscow Food Co-op is at the heart of a thriving, healthy, and inclusive community where:

1. We embody and embrace cooperative principles and values.

2. All community members have local access to environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and healthful choices.

Again, I want to remind everyone that your extra produce can be shared by placing items in the cooler in front of the Co-op at the Backyard Harvest Donation Station. Just use the Fresh Food Connect App to schedule drop-offs.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for October 3, 2023, in the Fiske Room at the 1912 Center (412 E 3rd St, Moscow, ID). The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners can attend in person or via Zoom. To attend via Zoom, contact the Board Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP. Further information about our Board meetings is at moscowfood.coop/board-meetings

Sincerely,

Mark Thorne, Board President

August 2023

This summer has certainly gone by quickly, but it seems there was so much to do and a lot that has not yet been done. I apologize for the delay in writing this recap as my focus was fragmented with all the summer chores.

The August 2023 Moscow Food Co-op Board of Directors meeting was held on August 8th at the 1912 Center from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Present were seven of nine Board members, our General Manager and Co-op staff, and one Co-op owner..

We reviewed and accepted the General Manager’s monitoring report for Policy B7 covering communication with the Board. The report was thorough and well-prepared and covered the General Manager’s responsibilities in presenting timely and accurate monitoring reports, informing the Board of pertinent issues that affect the Co-op, and informing the Board if the Board is acting outside its own policies.

The Board also monitored its C5 Board Code of Conduct policy. This is critical policy because it reminds us of our responsibilities as well as what we are not to be doing. The Board engaged in a well-thought-out and healthy discussion that helped everyone better understand these policies. We did add some clarification to the Policy that all Directors, not just new Directors, will report and sign the Conflict of Interest statement each year following the seating of any new Directors. We voted to accept the report with the Board in compliance.

The Board also discussed and voted to merge the Board Owner Communication Committee (BOCC) and the Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC). This merger will help synchronize committee duties of planning elections and annual meetings, as well as other communication activities. I want to thank all the members of these two committees for putting together a well-written and thought-out proposal for merging!

The Board is still working on planning a fall retreat and dealing with scheduling issues; however, we are looking forward to the work and benefits that come from these events! Also, the GM’s FYI report was very encouraging; it showed sales and ownership increases!

We did not have a Study and Engagement speaker at this meeting, but we are looking forward to hearing from Tom Lamar, Executive Director for the Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) at our September meeting. Our Study and Engagement Series is a way in which the Board and staff become better informed about issues and activities that affect the community around us. One of the Seven Cooperative Principles states that we have “Concern for Community,” and listening to people describe aspects of concern in our community is directly tied to our Ends.

Ends Policy: The Moscow Food Co-op is at the heart of a thriving, healthy, and inclusive community where:

1. We embody and embrace cooperative principles and values.

2. All community members have local access to environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and healthful choices.

I want to thank all those who have given presentations during Board meetings about community issues and concerns! I also want to remind everyone that your extra produce can be shared by placing items in the cooler in front of the Co-op at the Backyard Harvest Donation Station. Just use the Fresh Food Connect App to schedule drop-offs.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for September 5, 2023, in the Fiske Room at the 1912 Center (412 E 3rd St, Moscow, ID). The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners can attend in person or via Zoom. To attend via Zoom, contact the Board’s Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP. Further information about our Board meetings is at https://www.moscowfood.coop/board-meetings.

Sincerely,

Mark Thorne, Board President

July 2023

The Moscow Food Co-op Board of Directors held their first July Board meeting since we voted in January to meet monthly! And guess what? We survived! Having monthly meetings is effective because we can spread out our responsibilities and be better focused at each meeting.

Our July Board meeting was held on the 11th at the 1912 Center and included Board members, our General Manager, and Co-op staff. There were no Co-op owners present. We reviewed and accepted the General Manager’s monitoring report covering emergency GM succession. The policy states that there should be at least two employees with training and familiarity to manage the Co-op if the GM was out of commission. The report was thorough and well prepared and detailed the experience and training of two current employees who could step in and take the reins if needed. Well done, Melinda and staff!

The Board also monitored a relatively short policy covering the Board meeting process. Essentially, we are to use Board meeting time only for Board responsibilities. Regular meetings are open to current owners unless we need to go into an executive session to discuss confidential matters. Furthermore, in making Board decisions, our policy states that we use motions, seconds, and majority votes. After a brief discussion, we voted the Board in compliance with this policy. The Board also reviewed our recent spring retreat and the GM’s FYI report, which showed the Co-op did not experience a June sales slump and that ownership numbers were up.

In our Study and Engagement Series, Jennifer Wallace, Executive Director for Palouse Habitat for Humanity, talked to us about the challenges and progress Habitat for Humanity is seeing in a post-COVID world. Construction costs are substantially up as well as the need for volunteers. It was also interesting to hear that in some of the more rural towns, there is a need for applications for Habitat homes. Jennifer also described how the Moscow recycling store is expanding and renovating. This will be good for those looking for material and furniture and for those making donations! More information can be found at https://palousehabitat.org/.

Our Study and Engagement Series is a way in which the Board and staff can become better informed about issues and activities that affect the community around us. One of the Seven Cooperative Principles states that we have “Concern for Community,” and listening to people describe aspects of concern in our community is directly tied to our Ends.

Ends Policy: The Moscow Food Co-op is at the heart of a thriving, healthy, and inclusive community where:

1. We embody and embrace cooperative principles and values.

2. All community members have local access to environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and healthful choices.

I want to thank all those that have given presentations in our Board meetings about community issues and concerns!

The next Board meeting is scheduled for August 8, 2023, in the Fiske Room at the 1912 Center (412 E 3rd St, Moscow, ID). The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners can attend in person or via Zoom. To attend via Zoom, contact the Board’s Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP.

Further information about our Board meetings is at https://www.moscowfood.coop/board-meetings

Sincerely,

Mark Thorne, Board President

June 2023

June 6, 2023, Board Meeting Recap

June is here, school is out, and summer begins! I am writing this recap from sunny Sacramento, CA, where I have been attending the annual meeting of the CCMA (Consumer Cooperative Management Association) where people from Co-ops all across the country meet to talk about all things Co-op. It is awesome to hear, see, and meet so many people with love and dedication to the cooperative model and want to learn more about how their Co-ops can thrive. The big message that I am coming away with is that Co-ops, and ours in particular, provide immense value to our communities and ourselves, and we can’t afford to take that value for granted!

Our June Board meeting was held on the 6th at the 1912 Center and included Board members, the General Manager, Co-op staff, and an interested Co-op owner. We reviewed and accepted the General Manager’s well-prepared monitoring reports for the first-quarter fiscal policies. We were pleased to see an increase in sales during the quarter; however, we also saw that higher costs overshadowed those sales increases. First quarters are traditionally difficult and this one was no different. But the encouraging news was that adjustments were made early in the quarter to correct cost offsets and by the end of the quarter margins and trends were headed back in the right direction. The Board also monitored its policies regarding the Board’s calendar and meeting agendas. These are important because they keep us on track and help us do our work. We are required to develop a “workable” calendar, and we recognized that improvements were needed. We made appropriate adjustments that will help us move forward. The Board also discussed the upcoming spring retreat where we will meet on a Saturday to go over issues and strategies that will help us with our governance and planning.

In our Study and Engagement Series, we heard from Lovina Englund, Executive Director, of Palouse Land Trust. Lovina described how the Palouse Land Trust works with individuals and families in our region who want to keep special and important ecosystems and landscapes preserved and protected into the future. This presentation helped broaden the perspective of our Board in the diversity of missions and interests of people that hold the quality of our region at heart. Thank you, Lovina, and the Palouse Land Trust for the work you do! More information can be found at https://www.palouselandtrust.org/.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for July 11, 2023, in the Fiske Room at the 1912 Center (412 E 3rd St, Moscow, ID). The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners can attend in person or via Zoom. To attend via Zoom, contact the Board's Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP.

Further information about our Board meetings is found at https://www.moscowfood.coop/board-meetings.

Sincerely,

Mark Thorne, Board President

May 2023

May is finally here along with flowers, gardening, and The Moscow Farmer’s Market! It is so nice to see the world around us turning so green and full of life. The Moscow Food Co-op held its May Board meeting at the 1912 Center. The meeting was attended by all Board members, the General Manager, Co-op staff, and an interested Co-op owner. We reviewed monitoring reports regarding B3 policies, which cover asset and liability protection, and B5 policies which cover provisions for soliciting and responding to customer feedback as well as ensuring a safe and discrimination-free environment in the store. The reports were in good shape and were accepted and approved by the Board. The Board also monitored policies that pertain to how the Board shall govern and approach its responsibilities. The reports were helpful to remind everyone responsibilities we have, as well as areas where we need to improve. The Board also discussed the Annual Meeting, which was held on April 27 at Maialina Pizzaria in Moscow. We all agreed it was well organized and a huge success, which was accomplished by great planning by members of the Board Owner Communication Committee and staff and management of the Co-op. Thank you, everyone, for great planning, implementation, and attendance! And, thanks to the staff and ownership of Maialina for awesome food and a great space!

In our Study and Engagement Series, we heard from Andie Severson, Executive Director, of Sustainable Moscow Area Regional Transportation (SMART Transit) who talked about the services provided, goals for the future, and the need to increase ridership following COVID. Clearly, public transit is a need in our communities, and finding ways to support and increase service is important to everyone. Andie did an outstanding job of engaging and informing the Board, and the Board was interested in ways we could collaborate. The service began in 1993 in Lewiston and then expanded to Moscow and now offers fixed routes as well as on-demand transportation. More information can be found at: https://www.smarttransit.org/.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2023, in the Fiske Room at the 1912 Center (412 E 3rd St, Moscow, ID). The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners can attend in person or via Zoom. To attend via Zoom, contact the Board's Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP.

Further information about our Board meetings is found at https://www.moscowfood.coop/board-meetings.

Sincerely,
Mark Thorne, Board Chair

April 2023

Greetings to all! The April Board meeting was held Tuesday, April 4 at the Latah County Fairgrounds. The meeting was a hybrid of in-person and Zoom participation and included Board members and Co-op staff. This April’s meeting was a time of big transition for the Board and the Co-op. We gave a big round of thanks to our outgoing Board members: Alice Ma, Rob Ely, Isabel Barbuto, and Julia Parker! Alice and her husband, Nikita, are moving to Portland, OR, to start a new chapter in their lives, so Alice decided to step down from the Board during this election cycle. Rob, Isabel, and Julia also have next-chapter activities ahead of them and decided not to run for re-election this year. Again, we wish them all the best and they all deserve our gratitude and appreciation for the many hours of service they gave to the Co-op!

On the flip side, we warmly welcomed four new Directors to the Board: Priscilla Schmidt, Kelsey Manning, Stephen Barbuto, and David Nelson! It is great to have these smart and talented people on the Board who are willing to share their talents and time.

As for regular business, the Board reviewed Melinda’s monitoring reports for our Ends, or the A Policy, which is the overall vision from the Owners communicated through the Board to the management to guide the direction of the Co-op. It is astonishing to see the impact the Moscow Food Co-op has on the community ranging from supporting local producers, establishing relationships with many great organizations like the Palouse-Clearwater Food Coalition, supporting needs in our community, and being a valued community gathering place for all! The Board also reviewed policies pertaining to how the Board governs and the meaning of the concepts we have incorporated into our policies.

As part of the Board’s new Study and Engagement series, we heard from Mary Jo Hamilton who gave a very heartfelt and inspiring presentation about the Weekend Food for Kids program, which provides meals for kids in the Moscow school district during the summer when school food programs are not available. The program started in 2014 and is filling a major need in the Moscow community. Local support is coming through the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, the Rotary and Lion’s Clubs, local food banks, Backyard Harvest, and volunteers that do the shopping, bagging, and distributing. Volunteers are needed as well as financial support and timely contributions of fresh produce and fruit, which are more difficult to store. More information about the program can be found at: https://palouseuu.org/weekend-food-for-kids/

The next Board meeting is scheduled for May 2, 2023, in the Fiske Room at the 1912 Center (412 E 3rd St, Moscow, ID). The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners can attend in person or via Zoom. To attend via Zoom, contact the Board's Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP.

Further information about our Board meetings is found at https://www.moscowfood.coop/board-meetings.

Sincerely,
Mark Thorne, Board Chair

March 2023

Apparently, that rodent was spot on, winter is not going away! But, that’s okay as there are other activities to engage with, like the Monthly ArtWalk gatherings at various Moscow local businesses, including the Co-op, and the Moscow Food Co-op Board Meetings! The March Board meeting was held Tuesday, March 7 at the Latah County Fairgrounds. The meeting was a hybrid of in-person and Zoom participation and included Board members and Co-op staff. The Board reviewed Melinda’s monitoring reports for the B1 and B2 policies which pertain to fiscal conditions, activities, planning, and budgeting. The reports covered 4th quarter financial data as well as end-of-year data for 2022. The numbers were very encouraging and showed a strong rebound from the COVID months, especially for prepared foods and bakery sales, and the campus store. Also very encouraging was the 2023 store Work Plan developed as a collaborative effort between Co-op management and staff. The Board also reviewed policies pertaining to its relationship with Management over the past 12 months. Our new discussion-based approach to monitoring Board policies appears to be doing what was intended by promoting greater understanding of the policies that govern us, which is very encouraging. 

As part of the Board’s new Study and Engagement series, at the beginning of our meeting, the Board heard from Colin Mannex from the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, in downtown Moscow. Colin described the challenges and successes, as well as lessons learned in keeping theater seats filled in a local venue. However, the Kenworthy’s unique historic presence and its mission in presenting community performing arts as well as a broad array of cinematic art situate it as a real local gem in our community. The Kenworthy is currently one of the Moscow Food Co-op’s participants in the Change for Good program, so bring your own bags when you shop the Co-op and ask that your tokens go toward supporting the Kenworthy! If you are interested in more information about the Kenworthy as well as upcoming performances, check out their website at https://www.kenworthy.org/.  

In April, the Board will be seating three new Board members and will be hearing monitoring reports for our overall Ends (vision) policy as well as reports regarding the Board’s governance commitment and style. The 2023 Board elections close 8:00 pm PDT on March 19th, so be sure to vote! The next Board meeting is scheduled for April 4, 2023, in the Classroom at the Latah County Fairgrounds Events Center (1012 Harold Ave). The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners can attend in person or via Zoom. If wanting to attend via Zoom, contact the Board's Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP. 

Please email any questions to boardelections@moscowfood.coop. Further information about our Board meetings can be found at https://www.moscowfood.coop/board-meetings.

Sincerely, 

Mark Thorne, Board Chair

February 2023

Congratulations, we have made it through the first half of winter and are moving closer to spring! The seed catalogs are emerging and the garden planning is underway! I have flats of arugula seedlings growing under lights and getting ready to plant tomato and eggplant seeds. Anyway, to the business at hand. The Co-op Board held its second meeting of the year on Tuesday, February 7 at the Latah County Fairgrounds. As is the current norm, thank you COVID-19, the meeting was a hybrid of in-person and Zoom participation and included Board members, Co-op staff, and participating owners. The Board reviewed policies pertaining to its relationship with the General Manager and addressed a couple of minor issues with committee charters. Melinda provided an update on current sales and owner numbers, which showed an increase over previous months. The Board also discussed ways to better understand its relationship with the overall vision for the Co-op, expressed as our Ends. Again, I want to personally thank the staff for their incredible work coming through and out of COVID-19, the energy in the store is infectious (see what I did there)! 

At the beginning of our meeting, the Board heard from Autumn Avery representing Family Promise of the Palouse, a local organization that partners with local congregations and organizations to provide shelter and services for families struggling with homelessness. Amber described how they help homeless families find shelter and the help they need to move into long-term housing. She reported that in the past 10 years, Family Promise of the Palouse has provided nearly 16,000 bed nights and over 48,000 meals while seeing a 79% success rate in moving families into long-term permanent housing. If you are interested in volunteering or contributing, more information can be found on their website: https://www.familypromisepalouse.org/. 

Looking ahead, the Board will review the 2022 fourth-quarter financial reports and prepare for the 2023 Board election and new Director orientation in March. The next Board meeting is scheduled for March 7, 2023, in the Classroom at the Latah County Fairgrounds Events Center (1012 Harold Ave). The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners can attend in person or via Zoom. If wanting to attend via Zoom, contact the Board's Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP. Important upcoming events include the Board Candidate Forum on March 6, 2023, between 6:00 and 8:00 pm PST at the 1912 Center, and the 2023 Board Election beginning March 6 at 8:00 am PST and ending at 8:00 pm PST on March 19. Please email any questions to boardelections@moscowfood.coop.

Further information about our Board meetings can be found at https://www.moscowfood.coop/board-meetings.

Sincerely, 

Mark Thorne, Board Chair