TPSS Member-Owners,
A thriving democracy starts at the community level. The TPSS Food Co-op is a democratic institution that is owned by our community. Not by corporate interests. Not by the oligarchy. By you and your neighbors.
The Co-op is serving our community every day by:
● Providing access to fresh, natural food and fair trade products
● Fairly compensating and rewarding employment
● Providing a market for the goods of local producers (on a national basis, at retail food co-ops like TPSS, 24% of products sold are local, compared to 2% at conventional groceries, according to the 2024 annual report of the National Co+op Grocers)
● Doubling the purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients
● Providing financial and in-kind support for numerous local non-profits
To make this all happen, we need a robust and active Board of Representatives. I’ve been a member of the Board of Representatives for more than six years. Most of our work is behind the scenes – not exciting, but essential. We are responsible to the membership-at-large to ensure that our cooperative business is well-managed and in good financial standing. This involves developing an understanding of the cooperative grocery business. We set and review policy. We scrutinize reports and balance sheets. We work on strategic issues with an eye to the future health of our business and its continued relevance to our community.
In 2025, the need for and value of our work has changed. The turmoil at the national level, where democratic and good governance norms are under attack, gives the importance of our job fresh meaning. Every fall, TPSS holds an election for our Board of Representatives and due to our term limits, every year we have openings. We are asking TPSS members to consider running for a seat on our Board in 2025.
In the days and weeks to come, be on the look out for messages from other Board Members about why serving on the Board is important to them and opportunities to learn how you can support your Co-op in this critical and meaningful way. We hope you’ll consider joining us.
Bob Gibson, Board Treasurer