Dear Co-op members and shoppers,
There’s a lot going on at the Co-op, and we want to keep you informed!
1. Thank You and Farewell to Sawa Kamara
The Co-op Board of Representatives is sad to be losing Sawa Kamara, who has resigned to run for the Takoma Park City Council in Ward 5. In her almost-two years on the board, Sawa made a great contribution to the Co-op, especially through her outreach to community residents and leaders; and her support of the Small Things Matter food distribution program, which uses the Co-op’s facilities to receive and distribute donations to more than 700 families in Takoma Park. Sawa, we thank you and wish you well!
2. Co-op Election Season is Starting!
The Co-op board is looking for talented and dedicated new members! Each year, the Co-op seeks inspired, skillful and thoughtful member-owners to run for seats on the Board. This year four seats will be contested and the deadline to sign up for running in the election is October 15. All members of the Co-op are eligible to run and candidates nominate themselves in accordance with the procedures outlined in our Election Nomination Solicitation. The election will run through November 10. Member-owners elected to the Board will serve a three-year term starting December 1.
Our goal is for the Board to be representative of all its member-owners, employees, shoppers, and the community. We prioritize making real the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion, so that our vision and decisions reflect what is best, not only for the Co-op, but for all its stakeholders.
Board responsibilities include setting strategic direction for the Co-op, evaluating the performance of the General Manager, ensuring the assets of the Co-op are protected and encouraging the participation and engagement of the members.
Here’s more information about running for the Board. We encourage you to consider running for a seat on the Board.
3. Your Co-op in the Community
We’re very proud of the Co-op’s ongoing efforts to support the community during this difficult time. Our store safety protocols have kept workers and customers safe and healthy since the pandemic began back in March, and the store’s online ordering remains a safe way to get groceries contact-free.
The Co-op continues to support local organizations stepping up to help feed neighbors in need. Small Things Matter uses the Co-op for staging and food distributions weekly. Also from the Co-op parking lot, Sanctuary DMV coordinates food deliveries to undocumented families that can fall through the cracks of other support services. And our General Manager, Mike Houston, sits on the board of the Montgomery County Food Council, which recently announced the Farm to Food Bank program utilizing relief funds to purchase fresh food from local farms and donate directly to food banks serving residents in need.
We’ve received questions about Co-op deliveries. If you’re interested, more info is posted on our website. Our Co-op has always supported many small vendors, local makers and independent businesses. Our commitment to a just food system is how we operate the store, and democratic participation and governance ensures representation of the will of our member-owners in these decisions. That’s the Co-op difference, and we are loudly proud of it!
In co-operation,
TPSS Co-op Board of Representatives