Mark Thorne, Board President
mthorne@moscowfood.coop

I am very honored and grateful to be a member of the Board of Directors for the Moscow Food Co-op! Ever since I first frequented the Moscow Food Co-op, I knew it was a very special business. This was back in the early 90s when it was located on 3rd Street. I very much appreciated the nice selection of bulk items and different coffees and teas. And, it was nice to experience a friendly, socially conscious environment.

My spouse and I left the Palouse in 2001 for the eastern U.S. but returned in 2015 to find the Co-op in a new location. I am excited to be part of a great organization that is unique and serves a very important need in the community. I value community and local interests and the Co-op is clearly at the heart of both of these.

It is my desire to see the Moscow Food Co-op grow and continue as a source of good local food, healthy alternatives to commercialized products, and a place where people gather for a welcoming friendly atmosphere. I have been on the production as well as academic research side of agriculture and have an extensive awareness of the need for conservation, diversity, and productivity.

My early experiences as a young farmer have helped me understand many of the issues and struggles that growers, particularly small-farm growers, face in producing food and local products. I am empathetic to local producers working so hard while at the same time needing to make a living. My experience in research has taught me the importance of objective and critical thinking to make informed decisions. In all my activities, I have found that listening and trying to understand the issues at hand are critical in effecting good outcomes and building consensus.

I was first elected to the Moscow Food Co-op Board of Directors in 2019, just ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic, and am currently the Board President. Serving on the Board has been an awesome and humbling experience, which has greatly increased my appreciation for the staff, management, and members that are so passionate and committed to the Co-op and its mission. This experience has also helped me grow personally in working with people who may have different opinions, backgrounds, and perspectives. I am grateful to be working with so many good and caring people.