A Message from the Co-op Board President
Co-op Members Benefit in Many Ways.
The co-op board of directors occasionally reviews the benefits available to members. In a co-op, members control the policies by participating in the election of directors and suggesting improvements in economic participation in the co-op. That direct control, with one vote per one member irrespective of financial contribution, has been a hallmark of cooperative principles for decades.
Shopping Discounts
The 5% discount on all purchases may be the most obvious benefit to co-op members who shop at Arena Market and Cafe. The board acted last summer to reinstate this higher discount rate to encourage greater purchases in our modest-sized community. That worked. Co-op members purchased 50% more this June compared with last June. Thank you for your loyalty.
Another discount gets added when you shop on our Member Appreciation Days, the first Friday of each month. We’ve learned that we need to better advertise this benefit so that more co-op members take advantage.
A third way to save is shopping for case/box lots. The co-op offers members the opportunity to order items that our suppliers can provide in larger quantities, such as a case of waters you love or box of salad dressings or even a 50-pound bag of rice. These special orders are discounted below retail because the order can be larger and easier to handle. Talk with our General Manager, Mike, if you become interested in placing a special order.
Product Selection
The co-op features natural foods, especially organic, gluten free and vegan offerings. We actively avoid products that include high-fructose corn syrup. We also strive to choose suppliers that identify non-GMO ingredients, but you can guess how challenging that becomes. Our co-op members who requested specific selections have been among our most loyal customers. You can help serve the community by telling us what you like, want or need.
Local Suppliers
Another cooperative principle involves concern for the community. We source a variety of products from local suppliers, local farms, and local businesses. In some cases, those suppliers are also co-op members, and they get paid in store credit that in turn results in them shopping at the co-op. Oz Farm provides the largest amount of produce of produce grown locally to the co-op, but look for a future article that highlights many of our other local suppliers, large and small.
Among our local suppliers are craft breweries and local wineries. Our beer and wine selection and their sales reveal support among co-op members who prefer these local brands and suppliers.
Propane Buyers Club
Co-ops can negotiate better prices as a group of members than you might get as an individual. We have done that with Suburban Propane for co-op members in the local area who need propane. We are updating the process, so look for more details in the next newsletter as you get ready for the winter weather!
Employing your Neighbors
Finally, the co-op hires your neighbors in our community. Our payroll exceeds $250,000 each year with an average of about 20-25 employees. Several of those employees have been working at the co-op for 5 years or more, and we continue to hire young people in their first real job. They receive an employee discount on their shopping at the co-op as a benefit of providing great member service to you. If you like their work, please tell them. And if they disappoint you, please ensure that you help us get better by talking with our General Manager, Mike.
You Control the Co-op
The management of the co-op follows policies set by the board. Members elect and serve on the board of directors. Your equity purchase of shares in the co-op provides funds to grow the business. As a member, you have the responsibility to ensure that the co-op serves our community. We welcome your involvement.
Cheers
Rick
President, Coastal Organics Cooperative, Inc.
Employee Spotlight
Heart and Soul of the Co-op Kitchen
by Ginny Wyatt
Maria Abanto
Maria Abanto has worked at Arena Market for six years. She enjoys her work preparing the soup, salad, and to go foods for the cold case. I asked what Maria likes best about working at the Co-op, Maria said, “It's a happy place. The staff and customers are happy, and that makes it nice.”
Maria always has a smile and a kind word. She wants customers to feel welcomed in the store and get to know her. Maria can usually be found in the kitchen laughing and preparing food with right-hand lady Cecelia.
Maria and Cecelia consult each other about the flavors of the food they’re creating and as a team create the wonderful food we can so quickly grab and enjoy from the Co-op.
Maria's favorite food at the co-op is ice cream.
Cecelia Flores
Cecilia Flores has been a cook and chef at Arena Market for seven years. I asked Cece what her favorite thing in the store was and she replied “coffee!” Cece said the only thing she might like different would be to come in later. Cece opens the kitchen and starts cooking at 6:30am; she confessed the only thing she might like to change about her job is the very early hours.
When Cece and Maria are cooking, Cece shared, “we work from the heart, taste it to be sure the food is good, and always ask each other, what does this need?”
Cece enjoys the local produce available at the Co-op. Especially parsley, kale and tomatoes. She reads cookbooks looking for recipes for the Co-op and welcomes customer’s feedback. Cece would love to hear about your favorite recipes!
These two women are the heart and soul of our kitchen. They are hard working, happy and care about the quality of the foods prepared for us in the market. I feel blessed to have their dedication to cooking and creating to go items that are tasty and nutritious.
Natalie's Super-Easy
Sprouted Tofu Jerky Recipe
Ingredients:
- 20 oz. package of Wildwood sprouted tofu
- 4 TBSP tamari/soy sauce
- 3-4 TBSP lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- 1 TBSP maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 TBSP onion powder
Directions:
Mix all marinade ingredients in small bowl. Slice tofu in to fairly thin slices (but keep in mind they will shrink). Spread tofu in shallow dish, top with marinade. Leave to marinate for a few hours up to a few days. Flip once. Transfer to baking dish and cook at 170 degrees overnight, 6-8 hours depending on thickness.
Hippeas crunchy vegan cheese puff alternative made out of chickpeas with a good amount of fiber and protein to make for a satisfying and filling snack. Aside from cheese flavor there’s also sriracha, pepper and hickory.
