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MAY
2020
Annual Election Newsletter
Page 1
YFC Social
The Value of Regional Food in the Year of Covid-19
Before we were in the midst of the pandemic, several board and staff attended the
Washtenaw County Local Food Summit 2020. Held at Washtenaw Community College
on March 10, the Summit is an annual event that brings together local farmers, food
producers, purveyors, and other non-profits to discuss and celebrate the state of our
food system in our community.
Staff member Michelle LaBelle attended, and was impressed by the summit and had this
to say: “This year’s focus was on how we could make our local food system more in-clusive to everyone. Understanding ways we can help to bridge the gaps of food inse-curity and injustice, and bring more diversity into local farming and every other as-pect of our county’s food-ways. l left with a renewed sense of the Ypsilanti Food Co-op’s role as a community store that is welcome to everyone. The summit gave me in-sight into how our Co-op provides nourishment and life to those in our community. Also how those of us that call Michigan our home are the stewards and protectors of the land and waters around us for future generations.” We understood that how food is grown affects the quality, taste and nutritional value
of food. We knew that growing food regionally was important to many aspects of the
food system, including self sufficiency and sustainability. But, we had not really
thought about all of the implications that having food would be affected by a pandem-
ic or other national emergency.
It became apparent quite quickly that our ability to continue to provide food to our
community could easily be impaired. Food scarcity was a concern to many, and for
the coop our ability to keep food coming was challenging and difficult at times. With
the surge by consumers to stock up on groceries, many items were out of stock at
the coop and other grocery stores. Our warehouse put limits on the amount we could
buy, causing us to not be able to keep up with the demand.
We were able to shift our purchases to other vendors, such as Cherry Capital, that
distributes mostly Michigan products. We had access to several other distributors to
obtain flour, beans, baking yeast, produce and meat, which were in high demand and
often out of stock at the coop and other grocery stores. We worked diligently to
obtain food from any and all of our options and had pretty good stock available most
of the time.
Besides changing our purchasing, we made many changes to our store processes
quickly, and instituted curbside pickup by March 18. Customers responded incredibly
well to the process of emailing their wishlist to us and picking it up the next day!
We immediately shortened our store hours of being open to noon to 7pm, previously
9am to 9pm, dedicating the morning time to having pickup orders shopped.
We took action quickly and closed the Kid’s Room, stopped getting signatures on
credit card slips, process credit card payments over the phone for pickups, stopped
hot food or coffee to go, added glove requirements in the bulk department and a
comprised shopping hour before opening, request social distancing, and have a limit
of 6 customers in the store at a time. (Cont. page 2)
2019 Highlights
In the annual report you will learn a little more about some of the
work that the YFC did to help make the Ypsilanti community and its
people a great place to be while following our Ends. 2019 was a year
of some positive growth in sales and in profits.
We were awarded Best Natural Food Store in Washtenaw County,
and that positivity was catchy.
The bees thrived under the watchful apiary skills of Connor and Ashley, and honey was harvested and
sold to customers at the coop.
Our community outreach had many opportunities with participation at various events. We attended two
farmers markets last summer, and we continued to administer Double Up Food Bucks in 2019 , increasing
access of Michigan produce to customers on EBT, continuing our mission of promoting good eating by
more folks.
Our planning and work on the expansion continues, with two grants, money in the bank, and plans mov-
ing along. We got our new doors in at the end of December, and more exciting changes will happen in
2020!
Navigating the ‘New Normal’ (Cont. from page 1)
We have a great group of member-owner volunteers who stepped up to help us with the
work needed to get orders picked. We have also hired 3 new staff, as well as increased
hours for any staff who is able to. As deli and the hot soup were shut down, the deli
staff moved over to the store to help shop and cashier. On top of that, we’ve been able
to make sure all of our staff receive an additional $2 per hour hazard pay bonus for
their hard work during these difficult times.
We also have added plenty of additional cleaning and sanitizing to our routine. Alt-
hough we were not always able to obtain hand sanitizer for sale, we had enough alcohol
and aloe gel that we were able to make our own to always have it available for staff and customers to use.
We instituted staff health assessments to the beginning of each shift, and all staff and delivery people wear masks
and gloves. We have a store policy following the State’s Executive Order 2020-71. Section 1 which states “Any indi-
vidual who enters a food-selling establishment or pharmacy who is able to medically tolerate a face covering must
wear a covering over his or her nose and mouth, such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief.”
We are continuing to do pickup orders, and plan to continue to follow best practices of the CDC and the state,
and as scientific information suggests the best practices for us to keep all of our staff and community safe and
healthy. We will make changes as necessary and thank everyone for supporting your Co-op during this time. We
do not know what the new normal will look like, but we know that you are here with us and that feels great!
We also began partnering with local maker Sloth-Girl to sell handmade and sanitized cloth face masks. Proceeds
from the masks are going to the Corner Health Center, which provides affordable health care services to teens and
young adults. So far, we’ve sold more than 750 masks and raised $3,750.00 for Corner Health! Sloth-Girl is still
churning out masks for us to sell, so pick one up on your next trip to see us. Thank you, Corinne Sikorski, General Manager
Page 2
Page 3
A Note from Board Member Celeste McClellan
Being a part of our Ypsi Food Co-op community that responds,
serves and helps our members has been one of my best experiences
during my entire 27 years of living in Ypsilanti.
Before I became a Co-op member I stopped by occasionally to shop.
Once I became a member my Co-op grocery list kept getting longer
as I discovered that most items I needed were available at our little
store, with the added bonus that I was able to take advantage of the
member discount and other sale prices. In recent years I’ve been able
to buy all my groceries here. And since I’ve become a member of the
Co-op Board I really get to see how much wonderful energy our staff
puts into making things run smoothly for our patrons.
When thinking about why my shopping experience at the Co-op changed I quickly noticed how very different the
Co-op is from a big box store. The intimacy, friendliness and varied offerings are easily managed. I now feel lost in
a big box store and really prefer to shop at the Co-op or local farmers’ markets. I will make a rare trip to Meijer to
stock up on paper products. Just need to make it quickly in and out. Their other many options are overwhelming.
Whereas at the Co-op I may not find the exact item I had in mind, I can try something similar of equal quality.
In our household we often take advantage of the recipes in the Co-op’s weekly emailed newsletter. All the ingredi-
ents are always available in the store to be able for us to make the featured recipes at home that week - and again!,
if we liked the results. All the attentiveness and accessibility are why I love our Co-op.
I also like to reach out to our neighbors, whether or not they’re Co-op members, and relate how important and
valuable our food Co-op is to our direct neighborhood as well as to the sense of community in our entire city and
surrounding areas.
Recently I researched who shops at the Co-op and why. I hung out in the store one Saturday in February to talk to
shoppers, members, and non-members alike, and welcomed them to our Co-op community. I was interested to find
out that we have shoppers ranging from walking-distance Ypsi residents to Ann Arbor and Belleville residents and
even further, as well as travelers just passing through.
It was amazing to discover the reach of our Co-op, especially since I was only there for a couple hours that one
day. Several shoppers decided to join as members, particularly once they heard about the options for ordering spe-
cific items, as well as the member discount and household membership. Many
shoppers came specifically for our deli selections and excellent breads (made
with wild Ypsi yeast!).
Several people shopped our bulk section and commented on healthy options
for their home cooking and baking. The friendliness of our staff was also ap-
preciated. It was great to find out that shoppers in our Co-op extend beyond
members and neighbors.
Our store is here for everyone, and now in the midst of the COVID-19 re-
strictions and isolation we can be especially grateful that our Ypsi Food Co-op
has food and supplies to fulfill our needs in a friendly way while being mindful
of our health concerns and safety.
Here I am enjoying our Easter dinner with everything from the Co-op: kale,
sweet potato, kielbasa, ham, sourdough rye and wine.
Thank you for 45 years! We did not have an opportunity to celebrate our 45th birthday this
year yet! Our Articles of Incorporation were signed on April 11,
1975, which was just a date after years of formation from a buying
club to an actual store. We have had many years of selling local and
organic food in Ypsilanti. From the buying club to Sheridan Street
to Perrin Street and on to River Street, we continue to be member
owned with the same integrity and goals of sustainability of food
for the people in our community!
We will celebrate with cake soon, and we’ll let you know when!
Page 4
With the pandemic, many aspects of running our cooperative have been affected. Our election of the
board was postponed, but will go on via the enclosed ballot, in the same manner it has the past several
years. Directions and the ballot are on page 5.
We will not have an Annual Meeting but will prepare the 2019 Annual Report. It will be emailed to all
member owners, to the email address supplied when you joined. We have postponed board meetings
during the past two months, but as things have calmed down, we will resume in June. We will still be tak-
ing precautions, and if you are interested in attending, please contact us via [email protected].
Voting shows your active support of your community owned food coop! Our cooperative is owned dem-
ocratically, which means it is owned by our member-owners. Every year we reconsider our leadership and
how we will continue to interact with the world. There are four candidates running in this year's election,
for four open seats. The nominating committee feels these are solid candidates who have proven to be
engaged with and connected to our community.
The Co-op and Board of Directors are here to serve you, while keeping positive forward motion and
growth of the store that we all love so deeply. We look forward to growing with you, finding more joy
with you, and most importantly serving you!
How to Vote
1. Please complete the ballot on page 5 to vote for up to four (4) candidates. If you lose this ballot, you
can get a blank one at the store.
2. Put your ballot in an envelope with your name on the front (to verify membership). If an envelope is
received without a member’s name on it, the vote will not be counted. You must be an active member
by June 5, 2020 in order to vote.
3. Place envelopes in the collection box in the store beginning June 1 through June 14, 2020.
4. You can also mail your ballot to us at 312 N. River Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198.
5. Board members will verify membership on each envelope, then in a separate transaction will remove
the ballots from the envelope, and count the votes after they’re separated from the names so that the
names are not connected with specific ballots.
6. The results will be announced in the board minutes, via Facebook and in the store.
2020 Voting Information:
Meet Your Candidates
To ensure a healthy eating diet, Celeste McClellan’s family grocery-shops exclusively at the Ypsi Food Co-
op. They also usually make the weekly featured recipe, and indulge in the delicious treats offered by our
first-class bakery. YFC is totally integrated into her daily life, so running for the Board is a natural step
that strengthens that bond. Now that she’s completed one term on our Co-op board she is excited to run
again, particularly in order to support our expansion efforts. Our monthly Board meetings, which focus
on the Co-op’s results and direction, are informative and helpful to her understanding and enjoyment of
learning how the business thrives. Celeste wants to continue to participate in her capacity as a Board mem-
ber to offer her thoughts, opinions, and suggestions about how to move our valued Co-op forward into
an even more prominent position in our community.
Tessa Sarapo is a resident of Ypsilanti who loves our local food scene. She ran for the board in 2016 to become
more involved in the community. Tessa has visited numerous co-ops throughout the state and is a regular at-
tendant of our local farmers markets. She has a background in the natural foods industry, working for a natural
foods manufacturer, Eden Foods, in Sales and Marketing, and has management experience at the natural food
retailers The Better Health Store and Plum Market. Tessa shares a passion for natural and sustainable living and
has volunteered her time as the Ypsilanti Food Coop Board of Directors Secretary for the last two years.
During the 1970s Peace Movement there was talk about building a new society to replace the old one. A new
society of hospitality, kindness, and generosity versus the old society of greed and hatred. Some of the talk
was about cooperatives; food coops, housing coops, bakery coops, bike coops, etc. Imagine people working
together as co-owner/workers and creating their own jobs.
In 1979 Don Broersma moved into Ypsi, joined the Ypsi Food Co-op and has been here ever since. Since then
he has helped the Co-op focus on the future of sustainable healthy food and a robust Co-op economy. If
elected, Don says: “I will help the Co-op focus on the future. The Board offers guidance to the General Man-
ager. Our organizational performance is on behalf of our Co-op owners.”
Alison Foreman has worked with Ypsilanti area non-profits for more than 15 years. She is a graduate of Eastern
Michigan University, with a bachelor’s degree in juvenile justice and a master’s degree in public administration.
Alison worked with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Book Industry Charitable
Foundation before joining Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels in 2013. Alison serves on the boards of the Ypsilanti Area
Community Fund, Washtenaw Leaders Advisory and the Area Agency on Aging 1B Diabetes Program Advisory
Group and is a member of the Ypsilanti Kiwanis Club. She is a former member of the SOS community services
board, an organization which provides transitional housing, food, and therapeutic programs for local children.
Alison lives in Ypsilanti Township with her husband, Nate, and their two Devon Rex cats, Ray and Jen. Alison
and Nate enjoy hiking, fishing and spending time outdoors.
Allison Foreman Celeste McClellan Don Broersma Tessa Sarapo
To vote in this year’s elections you must be an active member-owner for the 2020 year by Friday, June 5, 2020
Applications are available at the register! If you have any questions about your current member status ask at the register and the YFC staff will inform you of your current standing!
Gold Card members are full paid members.
2020 Board of Directors (Vote for 4)
BA
LL
OT
Page 5
Ypsilanti Food Co-op
312 N River St.
Ypsilanti MI 48198
734-483-1520
General Manager:
Corinne Sikorski
Editor:
Krista Jacob
Printer:
Standard Printing, Ypsilanti, MI
Printed on 100% recycled paper
from the French Paper Company
of Niles, MI
FROM:
The Ypsi Food Co-op 312 North River Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
www.ypsifoodcoop.org
New Member Orientation These have been postponed until fur-
ther notice.
Annual General Membership
Meeting We will not hold an Annual Meeting
at this time, but will prepare the An-
nual Report to be emailed out to all
members with a current email.
Tuesday, June 16th
Coop Board Meeting at 6:30 pm
We anticipate being able to meet in
person, while practicing social dis-
tancing. If you would like to at-
tend please contact us at
Pickup orders are still
available!
Email your order to [email protected]
with your phone number. We will call you with the amount
you owe and discuss any sustitutions or
questions. Once paid, your order will be ready for pickup any time until
close.