Linda Jones, she/her, Co-President
I've been working with the co-op since its founding in 2015. I serve as the President of the Top Circle. I'm busy networking with other institutions, neighborhood groups, businesses and individuals to get more owners and more community buy-in for the co-op. I also do Facebook/Instagram posts, newsletters and help new volunteers find the best fit for their skills and talents with the co-op. I also serve on the Site Selection circle and work with the Marketing circle.
In my other life, I'm married to Jim Jones, student housing co-op elder, and have two sons who have been involved in co-ops, two great daughter-in-laws and three beautiful and extremely talented grandchildren. I also lead the Grand Rapids Threshold Choir. We sing at the bedside when folks are nearing death to provide comfort and connection through our song. If you want to know more, visit www.thresholdchoir.org.
My plant super power would be the ability to convert sun energy to body energy, then I could just go forever.
I've been working with the co-op since its founding in 2015. I serve as the President of the Top Circle. I'm busy networking with other institutions, neighborhood groups, businesses and individuals to get more owners and more community buy-in for the co-op. I also do Facebook/Instagram posts, newsletters and help new volunteers find the best fit for their skills and talents with the co-op. I also serve on the Site Selection circle and work with the Marketing circle.
In my other life, I'm married to Jim Jones, student housing co-op elder, and have two sons who have been involved in co-ops, two great daughter-in-laws and three beautiful and extremely talented grandchildren. I also lead the Grand Rapids Threshold Choir. We sing at the bedside when folks are nearing death to provide comfort and connection through our song. If you want to know more, visit www.thresholdchoir.org.
My plant super power would be the ability to convert sun energy to body energy, then I could just go forever.
Evan Edwards, He/They, Outreach/Farmer Connections
What you’re working on with the food co-op?
Making connections between the coop and farmers in West Michigan, organizing canvassing events, and doing general outreach projects
Things you do outside the co-op.
I teach Environmental Studies at DePaul in Chicago; cook at Gaia House Cafe in the Creston neighborhood; coordinate at the Creston Community Garden; act as an officer in the Grand Rapids Service Industry Workers Coalition; I just wrote a book on the philosophy of food; and I’m a dad to the best seven year old in the world!
If you could have a plant superpower, what would it be and why?
Fungal underground communication networking
What you’re working on with the food co-op?
Making connections between the coop and farmers in West Michigan, organizing canvassing events, and doing general outreach projects
Things you do outside the co-op.
I teach Environmental Studies at DePaul in Chicago; cook at Gaia House Cafe in the Creston neighborhood; coordinate at the Creston Community Garden; act as an officer in the Grand Rapids Service Industry Workers Coalition; I just wrote a book on the philosophy of food; and I’m a dad to the best seven year old in the world!
If you could have a plant superpower, what would it be and why?
Fungal underground communication networking
Bryan Heijstek, he/él, Outreach Lead
~ If I could have a plant superpower, I would want to be able to become a companion plant to any plant growing next to me so all will benefit from my presence and I theirs. ~
As our food co-op continues to evolve following the COVID-19 pandemic, I am pleased with how many face-to-face opportunities we've found. I lead organizing around hosting our info tables - which have included the Neighborhood Summit put on by the City of Grand Rapids, Creston After Dark by Lions and Rabbits, and the OnePeace Hip Hop Fest by Monk and Edwin - and growing relationships with other community organizers. For example, we've seen our relationship with Seeds of Promise blossom and continue to enjoy their Spades tournaments and community engagement in the Southeast side of Grand Rapids. I am also the representative to the Grand Rapids Climate Coalition, moving to make Grand Rapids carbon neutral by 2030. Growing a Food Co-op is all about making connections within our local community. I hope to establish a core group of tablers and canvassers in the near future so that we can increase our face-to-face interactions and give more time to pursue the many relationships we'd like to strengthen. If you're interested in either of these, please reach out !
Alongside the food co-op, I work with a seasoned woodworker and fellow co-op owner, Steve Uren. I also sit on the Land Use Committee at Circle Pines Center where we've begun a prairie restoration project and am exploring various avenues within tree care which has included becoming certified as a Neighborhood Forester with Friends of GR Parks. I'm also an avid chess player and space enthusiast, so let's play a game or visit the Veen Observatory. I'm eager to open our food co-op so I can begin working on the next cooperative enterprise. Any ideas of what this could be ? Let's talk.
~ If I could have a plant superpower, I would want to be able to become a companion plant to any plant growing next to me so all will benefit from my presence and I theirs. ~
As our food co-op continues to evolve following the COVID-19 pandemic, I am pleased with how many face-to-face opportunities we've found. I lead organizing around hosting our info tables - which have included the Neighborhood Summit put on by the City of Grand Rapids, Creston After Dark by Lions and Rabbits, and the OnePeace Hip Hop Fest by Monk and Edwin - and growing relationships with other community organizers. For example, we've seen our relationship with Seeds of Promise blossom and continue to enjoy their Spades tournaments and community engagement in the Southeast side of Grand Rapids. I am also the representative to the Grand Rapids Climate Coalition, moving to make Grand Rapids carbon neutral by 2030. Growing a Food Co-op is all about making connections within our local community. I hope to establish a core group of tablers and canvassers in the near future so that we can increase our face-to-face interactions and give more time to pursue the many relationships we'd like to strengthen. If you're interested in either of these, please reach out !
Alongside the food co-op, I work with a seasoned woodworker and fellow co-op owner, Steve Uren. I also sit on the Land Use Committee at Circle Pines Center where we've begun a prairie restoration project and am exploring various avenues within tree care which has included becoming certified as a Neighborhood Forester with Friends of GR Parks. I'm also an avid chess player and space enthusiast, so let's play a game or visit the Veen Observatory. I'm eager to open our food co-op so I can begin working on the next cooperative enterprise. Any ideas of what this could be ? Let's talk.
Jason Herlands, (he/they/ze), funance circle lead, treasurer
pictured here with Yasuko, looking for adventure . . . or whatever comes their way
what I do with the co-op, mainly:
what I do beyond the co-op:
my evil plant superpower:
pictured here with Yasuko, looking for adventure . . . or whatever comes their way
what I do with the co-op, mainly:
- money $tuff:
- bookkeeping
- processing new owners and payments
- financial reports and budgeting
- sales and income taxes
- pro forma and business planning
- seeking/applying for grants
- site selection and long-term planning
- volunteering at tabling events
- attending related webinars and lecture
what I do beyond the co-op:
- exploring parks and beaches with dog (and husband)
- reading fiction
- food-shopping and cooking
- unserious gardening
- to pay for life: teach Japanese language and culture at Grand Valley
my evil plant superpower:
- produce targeted toxins so that skeeters and ticks leave me (and my krëw — peace!✌️) alone
Marie Sellek, She/Her, Top Circle/Social Media Guru
found the Coop in January while searching Google for a CSA! My family (husband and 2 kids) immediately joined and I started showing up to the monthly meetings. I come from a family with deep values in caring for the community. I also have a background in environmental studies and every paper I wrote undergrad was about sustainable farming and eating (if I had a choice). I am so excited to have found the Coop and get involved with bringing locally sourced and accessible food to central GR!
In my other life, I received my master's in social work in 2016 and currently run my own private therapy practice off of Plainfield specializing in PTSD, substance abuse, and anxiety.
I am SO excited to be a part of the GR Food Coop journey and happy that my social media skills are going to good use!
found the Coop in January while searching Google for a CSA! My family (husband and 2 kids) immediately joined and I started showing up to the monthly meetings. I come from a family with deep values in caring for the community. I also have a background in environmental studies and every paper I wrote undergrad was about sustainable farming and eating (if I had a choice). I am so excited to have found the Coop and get involved with bringing locally sourced and accessible food to central GR!
In my other life, I received my master's in social work in 2016 and currently run my own private therapy practice off of Plainfield specializing in PTSD, substance abuse, and anxiety.
I am SO excited to be a part of the GR Food Coop journey and happy that my social media skills are going to good use!
Wojtek Nocon, Networking Lead
1. Describe your involvement with the co-op. I was actively involved in the early stages of GRFCI, in 2015 and 2016. During that time, I attended the Midwest co-op conference and learned in great detail what it takes to startup a food coop. I was actively involved in all the meetings during this 2-year span and was voted to the first Top Circle that we ever had. I worked closely with Linda and others and helped form many of the early concepts about our mission, values, community and membership. This experience is invaluable when running for Top Circle again.
2. Do you have any other relevant experience? I am passionate about community, sustainability and solutions to climate change. I recently received my Master’s in Sustainability and the information that I learned is well applied to many concepts related to food co-ops. I lived in Minneapolis and was an active member for 10 years at the Wedge Community Coop, this is good first-hand experience to apply to Top Circle decision making. I am passionate about making positive change in the community.
3. What should the co-op’s role be in the broader community? Our co-op can have many roles in the broader community. Educating our members on various topics focusing on food, cooking, farming, health, and climate change will enable the co-op to be a change agent in the community. A healthy and informed community is a stronger community to fight for good and sustainable causes. The co-op should actively engage in community affairs as it pertains to food security/insecurity as this topic is closely related to poverty and communities in need. Activism for causes that support the coop values can be another role played by the coop.
4. Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that owners should know? I am excited to get involved again in the coop and to help wherever help is needed and to keep on building our membership to make the dream come true.
1. Describe your involvement with the co-op. I was actively involved in the early stages of GRFCI, in 2015 and 2016. During that time, I attended the Midwest co-op conference and learned in great detail what it takes to startup a food coop. I was actively involved in all the meetings during this 2-year span and was voted to the first Top Circle that we ever had. I worked closely with Linda and others and helped form many of the early concepts about our mission, values, community and membership. This experience is invaluable when running for Top Circle again.
2. Do you have any other relevant experience? I am passionate about community, sustainability and solutions to climate change. I recently received my Master’s in Sustainability and the information that I learned is well applied to many concepts related to food co-ops. I lived in Minneapolis and was an active member for 10 years at the Wedge Community Coop, this is good first-hand experience to apply to Top Circle decision making. I am passionate about making positive change in the community.
3. What should the co-op’s role be in the broader community? Our co-op can have many roles in the broader community. Educating our members on various topics focusing on food, cooking, farming, health, and climate change will enable the co-op to be a change agent in the community. A healthy and informed community is a stronger community to fight for good and sustainable causes. The co-op should actively engage in community affairs as it pertains to food security/insecurity as this topic is closely related to poverty and communities in need. Activism for causes that support the coop values can be another role played by the coop.
4. Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that owners should know? I am excited to get involved again in the coop and to help wherever help is needed and to keep on building our membership to make the dream come true.
Mika Reed (they/them), Marketing Circle
What you’re working on with the food co-op?
I've worked with other coop owners and top circle members with marketing and outreach projects. I'm currently working on networking with local organizations to reach more potential owners.
Things you do outside the co-op.
I'm a musician, entrepreneur, and avid lover of nature.
If you could have a plant superpower, what would it be and why?
The ability to connect to the mycorrhizal network.
What you’re working on with the food co-op?
I've worked with other coop owners and top circle members with marketing and outreach projects. I'm currently working on networking with local organizations to reach more potential owners.
Things you do outside the co-op.
I'm a musician, entrepreneur, and avid lover of nature.
If you could have a plant superpower, what would it be and why?
The ability to connect to the mycorrhizal network.
Kyle Simpson (he / him), Co-President, Secretary
What you’re working on with the food co-op?
My work with the co-op so far has mainly been tabling at events. My background is in engineering project management, so I’m looking to make sure we have a good plan and focused around it. Going forward I really want to help however I can to make the co-op a reality (hence the many hats). Currently I see a need to help craft our marketing messages & strategies, engage with our owners on their needs and values, and helping us grow the co-op!
Things you do outside the co-op.
My wife and I love to hike whenever we can, explore the city’s great food and coffee (we are foodies through and through), and watch some good anime. I personally love making electronic music, although it’s usually nothing worth sharing 😊
If you could have a plant superpower, what would it be and why?
Turning something little like a seed into something big that feeds people (seeds are seriously amazing)... Sounds like a co-op doesn't it?
What you’re working on with the food co-op?
My work with the co-op so far has mainly been tabling at events. My background is in engineering project management, so I’m looking to make sure we have a good plan and focused around it. Going forward I really want to help however I can to make the co-op a reality (hence the many hats). Currently I see a need to help craft our marketing messages & strategies, engage with our owners on their needs and values, and helping us grow the co-op!
Things you do outside the co-op.
My wife and I love to hike whenever we can, explore the city’s great food and coffee (we are foodies through and through), and watch some good anime. I personally love making electronic music, although it’s usually nothing worth sharing 😊
If you could have a plant superpower, what would it be and why?
Turning something little like a seed into something big that feeds people (seeds are seriously amazing)... Sounds like a co-op doesn't it?
