Deborah Eid Co-Founder, 2014-2018
1. Describe your involvement with the coop.
I am a co-founder and co-president of the GRFCI which began with a neighborhood conversation between Linda Jones and myself 3 years ago and has evolved to its current status as a fully incorporated Michigan cooperative representing the interests of people throughout the City in healthy food access and community building. I have led many of our meetings, alternating with Linda, including the early study groups in Sociocracy, our method of making group decisions.
I was involved with the creation of our Vision, Mission and Aims, have attended two years of the national food coop trainings in Indiana and Milwaukee and the three day Anti-Racism training with members of the People’s Food Coop of Kalamazoo.
As the former executive director of the Creston Neighborhood Association we hosted the coop meetings and assisted with in- kind organizing and staff support for the formative first two years of the organization, 2015-16. In that capacity I did some grant research and writing and did outreach with our City of GR commissioners and city staff and GR area foundations.
I currently serve as a member of the Top Circle (steering committee), Finance and Diversity Action Circles and participated in the Volunteer Engagement Short Circle. I participate in outreach events as a volunteer.
2. Do you have any other relevant experience?
Yes! I am a former member of a housing cooperative in Chicago and currently am a member -owner of a cabin cooperative which is a member organization of the Circle Pines Cooperative in Delton, Michigan. I have been active there for 11 years, teach Spanish Camp there twice a year, and have children who have attended the camp and worked there. I grew up in and attended university in the Twin Cities and shopped the food coops there. I seek them out when traveling to support this economic model and learn about their unique local models. My careers have been primarily in advocacy and social justice related work and most recently worked for twenty years in community and union organizing. I am trained as a mediator for peaceful conflict resolution and in group and interpersonal dynamics.
3. What should the coop's role to be in the broader community?
Our GRFCI aims describe the vision we have for our leadership role in the Grand Rapids and Western Michigan and I fully support those and look forward to making them a reality. This can be accomplished by cooperatively building “a welcoming place that fosters community awesomeness and generates positive change.” The aims address all the areas we hope to impact;
a profitable community owned business that offers and advocates for healthy food for every budget, good employment, cultural diversity, food security, education and environmental sustainability.
4. Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that member owners should know?
Engaging and training new leaders is a personal interest of mine and I am committed to the “true democracy” philosophy contained in our very effective sociocratic governance model. I have great group and oral and written communication skills and a network of community activists and leaders I have worked with over my 21 years in GR. We are anticipating a busy year with an uptick in our workload and I feel it’s equally important to bring in new leadership and have a core group with a good understanding in the history of our GRFCI, many of us with several years of training to move the project forward. I am running for a 2 year term at this time.
1. Describe your involvement with the coop.
I am a co-founder and co-president of the GRFCI which began with a neighborhood conversation between Linda Jones and myself 3 years ago and has evolved to its current status as a fully incorporated Michigan cooperative representing the interests of people throughout the City in healthy food access and community building. I have led many of our meetings, alternating with Linda, including the early study groups in Sociocracy, our method of making group decisions.
I was involved with the creation of our Vision, Mission and Aims, have attended two years of the national food coop trainings in Indiana and Milwaukee and the three day Anti-Racism training with members of the People’s Food Coop of Kalamazoo.
As the former executive director of the Creston Neighborhood Association we hosted the coop meetings and assisted with in- kind organizing and staff support for the formative first two years of the organization, 2015-16. In that capacity I did some grant research and writing and did outreach with our City of GR commissioners and city staff and GR area foundations.
I currently serve as a member of the Top Circle (steering committee), Finance and Diversity Action Circles and participated in the Volunteer Engagement Short Circle. I participate in outreach events as a volunteer.
2. Do you have any other relevant experience?
Yes! I am a former member of a housing cooperative in Chicago and currently am a member -owner of a cabin cooperative which is a member organization of the Circle Pines Cooperative in Delton, Michigan. I have been active there for 11 years, teach Spanish Camp there twice a year, and have children who have attended the camp and worked there. I grew up in and attended university in the Twin Cities and shopped the food coops there. I seek them out when traveling to support this economic model and learn about their unique local models. My careers have been primarily in advocacy and social justice related work and most recently worked for twenty years in community and union organizing. I am trained as a mediator for peaceful conflict resolution and in group and interpersonal dynamics.
3. What should the coop's role to be in the broader community?
Our GRFCI aims describe the vision we have for our leadership role in the Grand Rapids and Western Michigan and I fully support those and look forward to making them a reality. This can be accomplished by cooperatively building “a welcoming place that fosters community awesomeness and generates positive change.” The aims address all the areas we hope to impact;
a profitable community owned business that offers and advocates for healthy food for every budget, good employment, cultural diversity, food security, education and environmental sustainability.
4. Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that member owners should know?
Engaging and training new leaders is a personal interest of mine and I am committed to the “true democracy” philosophy contained in our very effective sociocratic governance model. I have great group and oral and written communication skills and a network of community activists and leaders I have worked with over my 21 years in GR. We are anticipating a busy year with an uptick in our workload and I feel it’s equally important to bring in new leadership and have a core group with a good understanding in the history of our GRFCI, many of us with several years of training to move the project forward. I am running for a 2 year term at this time.
Michael Ludwig, Marketing 2018
1. Describe your involvement with the coop.
I have been involved with the co-op for one year. I have sat in finance and outreach circles.
2. Do you have any other relevant experience?
I have managed multiple grocery stores. I have experience in small independent, mid-size and large corporate grocery environments. I understand the industry and the unique challenges of being both ethical (to the world, farmers and employees) and accessible to lower-income (or price conscious) shoppers.
3. What should the coop's role to be in the broader community?
The co-op's role in the broader community should be to provide food that is good for our bodies, our farmers and our planet before focussing on low-cost food. We should be a welcoming place of business for customers of all backgrounds, but when necessary, prioritize food justice as our highest value. We should be heavily focussed on being a good employer by providing livable wages as well as excellent training and reasonable benefits. In order to do this, we have to admit to ourselves that we will not be the least expensive grocery store in town (even if we pay minimum wage we will not be the lowest price grocer). We can be the best grocer in town by focusing on quality food and customer service.
4. Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that member owners should know?
My background within grocery has been somewhat focussed on the "dry" side of the business - that is, non-perishable items, dairy and (primarily) beer and wine. With the exception of managing a store, I don't have much experience in the meat, produce or the prepared foods (deli/bakery) side of the business.
1. Describe your involvement with the coop.
I have been involved with the co-op for one year. I have sat in finance and outreach circles.
2. Do you have any other relevant experience?
I have managed multiple grocery stores. I have experience in small independent, mid-size and large corporate grocery environments. I understand the industry and the unique challenges of being both ethical (to the world, farmers and employees) and accessible to lower-income (or price conscious) shoppers.
3. What should the coop's role to be in the broader community?
The co-op's role in the broader community should be to provide food that is good for our bodies, our farmers and our planet before focussing on low-cost food. We should be a welcoming place of business for customers of all backgrounds, but when necessary, prioritize food justice as our highest value. We should be heavily focussed on being a good employer by providing livable wages as well as excellent training and reasonable benefits. In order to do this, we have to admit to ourselves that we will not be the least expensive grocery store in town (even if we pay minimum wage we will not be the lowest price grocer). We can be the best grocer in town by focusing on quality food and customer service.
4. Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that member owners should know?
My background within grocery has been somewhat focussed on the "dry" side of the business - that is, non-perishable items, dairy and (primarily) beer and wine. With the exception of managing a store, I don't have much experience in the meat, produce or the prepared foods (deli/bakery) side of the business.
Carrie Liebrock, Volunteer Coordination, 2018
1. Describe your involvement with the coop.
My current involvement with the co-op is as a member. My desire is to become much more than that and to really be a part of something magical for our community.
2. Do you have any other relevant experience?
Relevant experience that I have is not working with a co-op specifically, but I was nominated this year to be on another board - the West Michigan JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). We do a lot of outreach, education, and fundraising. One of the things I've been very involved in thus far is to help plan a JDRF Summit for children and their families in the UP. I'm proud that I have been an integral part of planning this event. Just like healthcare access, I feel passionately about people also having access to nutritious and affordable food. Food IS medicine!
3. What should the coop's role to be in the broader community?
On a broader level, I think the co-ops involvement in the community should be to really raise awareness about sustainability, access to affordable, locally grown food and about how this can bring our community together. Personally being on the board for the JDRF, attending lunches at the Hispanic Center, going to galas for the Red Shoe Foundation, the JDRF galas, Paws Claws and Corks, etc I see how charitable our community is. I have no doubt that if we get the word out we will have the support we need.
4. Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that member owners should know?
I have been a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator for nearly 20 years. Promoting health and nutrition and helping people is my absolute passion. I am a bit of a liberal minded hippie that believes in helping those in need and being a voice for those who don't have one. I am also in sales, so I'm very outgoing and unafraid to talk to anyone who will listen to me 😁 I'm accustomed to working as a vendor at events and also accustomed at trying to woo people. The reason I'm as successful as I am in my current job is because I believe in my product 150%. That is how I feel about the co-op and would love to be directly involved in something that helps all members of my community.
1. Describe your involvement with the coop.
My current involvement with the co-op is as a member. My desire is to become much more than that and to really be a part of something magical for our community.
2. Do you have any other relevant experience?
Relevant experience that I have is not working with a co-op specifically, but I was nominated this year to be on another board - the West Michigan JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). We do a lot of outreach, education, and fundraising. One of the things I've been very involved in thus far is to help plan a JDRF Summit for children and their families in the UP. I'm proud that I have been an integral part of planning this event. Just like healthcare access, I feel passionately about people also having access to nutritious and affordable food. Food IS medicine!
3. What should the coop's role to be in the broader community?
On a broader level, I think the co-ops involvement in the community should be to really raise awareness about sustainability, access to affordable, locally grown food and about how this can bring our community together. Personally being on the board for the JDRF, attending lunches at the Hispanic Center, going to galas for the Red Shoe Foundation, the JDRF galas, Paws Claws and Corks, etc I see how charitable our community is. I have no doubt that if we get the word out we will have the support we need.
4. Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that member owners should know?
I have been a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator for nearly 20 years. Promoting health and nutrition and helping people is my absolute passion. I am a bit of a liberal minded hippie that believes in helping those in need and being a voice for those who don't have one. I am also in sales, so I'm very outgoing and unafraid to talk to anyone who will listen to me 😁 I'm accustomed to working as a vendor at events and also accustomed at trying to woo people. The reason I'm as successful as I am in my current job is because I believe in my product 150%. That is how I feel about the co-op and would love to be directly involved in something that helps all members of my community.
Ayanfe Free, Facilitator, 2019
1. Describe your involvement with the coop.
I met Linda at a local sociocracy event and joined with her on working to expand collaborative practice s and governance work. I was invited to help in some group facilitation and also to join as a member-owner.
2. Do you have any other relevant experience?
I have had many varying experiences with collective work and responsibility and cooperative lifestyle and economics across my lifetime. My father was the first person who taught me about alternative currency and exchange or barter. He was a veterinarian. Living in different cities as an adult I have patronized, supported, and worked at food co-ops:Nashville TN - sunshine grocery, country life Knoxville TN - Knoxville community food co-op, three rivers market Summertown TN - the farm store Atlanta GA - sevananda Jackson MS - rainbow natural grocery cooperative Asheville NC - west village market, french broad food co-op, firestorm cafe, Ujamaa Freedom Market (co-founder)
3. What should the coop's role be in the broader community?-model of community unity-model of collective work & responsibility-model of cooperative economics-model of shared ownership & shared power-facilitator of accessible community ed & lifelong learning-facilitator of food justice work-facilitator of anti-racism & anti-oppression work
Eddie B Jenkins, Co-President 2019
Annabelle Wilkinson, Top Circle/In Reach
1. Describe your involvement with the co-op. I started noticing the awesome yard signs around town on my walks around the neighborhood. Once I read about the Food Co-op, I knew I had to be a part of it! So far, my involvement has been fairly minimal, as I joined as an owner in August, but I thought joining the Leadership Team would be a great way to increase my involvement in what I think is an important step for our community.
2. Do you have any other relevant experience? My experience around community outreach, fundraising, and education are key skills that I believe could contribute to the co-op. I spent four years as a Manager of Volunteer Services for nonprofits, where I both conducted outreach to engage over 3,000 volunteers and assisted our development department in fundraising campaigns. I have experience working at a local credit union, and am Treasurer of the Community Collaboration on Climate Change (C4) on the Executive Committee. In my current role as Environmental & Climate Justice Specialist with the City of Grand Rapids I research and engage on food waste reduction as a climate mitigation technique, and food justice and food sovereignty as climate adaptation movements integral to address the impacts of climate change. I am also a member of the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. Lastly, with my schooling (master of urban and regional planning) and experience as a planner, I am hyper-organized and focused on systems planning and how all aspects of our world intersect - how thinking of food access must also incorporate transportation availability, etc. For a fun fact, I am also an avid vegetable gardener who loves cooking a home cooked meal for friends and family with the bounty of my small but awesome harvest. :)
3. What should the co-op’s role be in the broader community? I think the co-op will play an important part in moving towards a local solidarity economy in Grand Rapids where economic practices prioritize people and the planet over profit. I think it's important for folks to realize that traditional capitalism is not the only way to engage with an economy, but instead participatory democracy can apply to not just political voting, but be an essential part of how we engage with our economy as well. I see the co-op as an essential way to address food insecurity and economic pressures that prevent access to healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods. I hope the co-op provides access to education on food systems, cooperative values, and the interconnectedness of food, health, and the environment. Lastly, I see the co-op working to address inequities in our food system, and specifically how the co-op can help address food access disparities for our communities of color and low-income communities.
4. Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that owners should know? Ultimately, food unites us. It provides an opportunity to come together and share a meal and conversation with community. It's a powerful tool of connection, but in our country's history it's often been used as a form of erasure. Stealing land, prioritizing large agricultural practices over small farms, denying financing for farmers of color, and ultimately attempting to erase traditional Black and Indigenous food culture. Whereas for Latinx and Asian/Pacific Islanders, American culture has only accepted their food and not their people and culture as a whole. Yet I believe food can still bridge that gap, and create connections to culture and land that white supremacy has tried to wipe away. I would like to work with the co-op to ensure those values are embedded in every aspect of bringing the owners' (and community's) dreams to reality.
1. Describe your involvement with the co-op. I started noticing the awesome yard signs around town on my walks around the neighborhood. Once I read about the Food Co-op, I knew I had to be a part of it! So far, my involvement has been fairly minimal, as I joined as an owner in August, but I thought joining the Leadership Team would be a great way to increase my involvement in what I think is an important step for our community.
2. Do you have any other relevant experience? My experience around community outreach, fundraising, and education are key skills that I believe could contribute to the co-op. I spent four years as a Manager of Volunteer Services for nonprofits, where I both conducted outreach to engage over 3,000 volunteers and assisted our development department in fundraising campaigns. I have experience working at a local credit union, and am Treasurer of the Community Collaboration on Climate Change (C4) on the Executive Committee. In my current role as Environmental & Climate Justice Specialist with the City of Grand Rapids I research and engage on food waste reduction as a climate mitigation technique, and food justice and food sovereignty as climate adaptation movements integral to address the impacts of climate change. I am also a member of the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. Lastly, with my schooling (master of urban and regional planning) and experience as a planner, I am hyper-organized and focused on systems planning and how all aspects of our world intersect - how thinking of food access must also incorporate transportation availability, etc. For a fun fact, I am also an avid vegetable gardener who loves cooking a home cooked meal for friends and family with the bounty of my small but awesome harvest. :)
3. What should the co-op’s role be in the broader community? I think the co-op will play an important part in moving towards a local solidarity economy in Grand Rapids where economic practices prioritize people and the planet over profit. I think it's important for folks to realize that traditional capitalism is not the only way to engage with an economy, but instead participatory democracy can apply to not just political voting, but be an essential part of how we engage with our economy as well. I see the co-op as an essential way to address food insecurity and economic pressures that prevent access to healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods. I hope the co-op provides access to education on food systems, cooperative values, and the interconnectedness of food, health, and the environment. Lastly, I see the co-op working to address inequities in our food system, and specifically how the co-op can help address food access disparities for our communities of color and low-income communities.
4. Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that owners should know? Ultimately, food unites us. It provides an opportunity to come together and share a meal and conversation with community. It's a powerful tool of connection, but in our country's history it's often been used as a form of erasure. Stealing land, prioritizing large agricultural practices over small farms, denying financing for farmers of color, and ultimately attempting to erase traditional Black and Indigenous food culture. Whereas for Latinx and Asian/Pacific Islanders, American culture has only accepted their food and not their people and culture as a whole. Yet I believe food can still bridge that gap, and create connections to culture and land that white supremacy has tried to wipe away. I would like to work with the co-op to ensure those values are embedded in every aspect of bringing the owners' (and community's) dreams to reality.
Lauren Greer, Top Circle/Inreach Lead
Describe your involvement with the Co-op.
Although my involvement with GRFCI has thus far been limited, I would like to submit myself for consideration for the Top Circle. The elements of my life have aligned in such a way that now seems the moment for me to invest more deeply in this cause. So far, I have tabled at one event, and have been periodically delivering yard signs as needed. Though not an intensive effort, sign delivery at least functions as a way to keep the coop top- of-mind for me and I appreciate this connection.
Do you have any other relevant experience?
I have a strong interest in food: I have independently studied nutrition, and am a prolific cook/baker, with most of my “playtime” spent in the kitchen. I have also devoted time to learning about home gardening techniques and growing my own food, and one year I had a working farm share at Blandford and earned my veggies through weekly field work shifts.
I also have experience in customer service roles (a diner, a garden center, the Children’s Museum), and lots of experience working with diverse families. Though currently furloughed, I have been employed by the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum for a little over 9 years. During my time at the museum I have had the opportunity to work in many different roles and gain diverse skills. I held direct guest- interaction positions, served as staff trainer, worked in management, and was a department director. I developed procedural documents, worked collaboratively with my colleagues and community members on projects, and developed short, and long-term programs. I created hands-on experiences for children and their families, wrote and managed budgets, presented at conferences, hired performers and guest facilitators, and designed print collateral for various events/programs. Although my experience has been focused on operations and educational programs (and not administration or development), I have also learned a lot about non-profit business strategy. Most importantly to me, my museum experience has given me a firm belief in societal improvement through education-- and what is a coop if not a hub of community-based knowledge sharing??
When possible, I am involved in community theater in both acting and technical capacities. I am currently a member of a commedia dell'arte troupe, I have developed basic carpentry skills by assisting in the building of sets, and creatively solved problems while finding and building props and costumes. I have honed my ability to work as a contributing team member both on stage and in the wings, and bring this experience into all that I do: I “stay in my lane”, listen to my colleagues, and put in the necessary effort to complete the job well.
What should the co-op’s role be in the broader community?
I would love to see many different educational opportunities through the coop around nutrition, food prep, food history, gardening, etc. I am specifically interested in engaging families/children through marketing and educational efforts-- perhaps even periodic special events. With the shift in public school education away from home economics (among other subjects), there is a need for instruction in how to healthfully feed oneself. The coop should be seen as a welcoming entity for everyone, regardless of means, in accordance with the coop principles, and I envision a community center atmosphere, with space to have casual social interactions, participate in workshops, and purchase fresh food.
Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that owners should know?
Since food is one of the most basic necessities, it is a most natural topic around which to engage our community in dialogue-- discussions about the economy, the health of our families, equity and food security, cultural differences, and sustainability are all directly tied to the aims of the coop. This initiative is poised to work in collaboration with existing and growing organizations to search out members, build the coop we dream of, and work to bring equity to the Grand Rapids area through education and access to healthy food.
Describe your involvement with the Co-op.
Although my involvement with GRFCI has thus far been limited, I would like to submit myself for consideration for the Top Circle. The elements of my life have aligned in such a way that now seems the moment for me to invest more deeply in this cause. So far, I have tabled at one event, and have been periodically delivering yard signs as needed. Though not an intensive effort, sign delivery at least functions as a way to keep the coop top- of-mind for me and I appreciate this connection.
Do you have any other relevant experience?
I have a strong interest in food: I have independently studied nutrition, and am a prolific cook/baker, with most of my “playtime” spent in the kitchen. I have also devoted time to learning about home gardening techniques and growing my own food, and one year I had a working farm share at Blandford and earned my veggies through weekly field work shifts.
I also have experience in customer service roles (a diner, a garden center, the Children’s Museum), and lots of experience working with diverse families. Though currently furloughed, I have been employed by the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum for a little over 9 years. During my time at the museum I have had the opportunity to work in many different roles and gain diverse skills. I held direct guest- interaction positions, served as staff trainer, worked in management, and was a department director. I developed procedural documents, worked collaboratively with my colleagues and community members on projects, and developed short, and long-term programs. I created hands-on experiences for children and their families, wrote and managed budgets, presented at conferences, hired performers and guest facilitators, and designed print collateral for various events/programs. Although my experience has been focused on operations and educational programs (and not administration or development), I have also learned a lot about non-profit business strategy. Most importantly to me, my museum experience has given me a firm belief in societal improvement through education-- and what is a coop if not a hub of community-based knowledge sharing??
When possible, I am involved in community theater in both acting and technical capacities. I am currently a member of a commedia dell'arte troupe, I have developed basic carpentry skills by assisting in the building of sets, and creatively solved problems while finding and building props and costumes. I have honed my ability to work as a contributing team member both on stage and in the wings, and bring this experience into all that I do: I “stay in my lane”, listen to my colleagues, and put in the necessary effort to complete the job well.
What should the co-op’s role be in the broader community?
I would love to see many different educational opportunities through the coop around nutrition, food prep, food history, gardening, etc. I am specifically interested in engaging families/children through marketing and educational efforts-- perhaps even periodic special events. With the shift in public school education away from home economics (among other subjects), there is a need for instruction in how to healthfully feed oneself. The coop should be seen as a welcoming entity for everyone, regardless of means, in accordance with the coop principles, and I envision a community center atmosphere, with space to have casual social interactions, participate in workshops, and purchase fresh food.
Are there other statements relevant to your candidacy that owners should know?
Since food is one of the most basic necessities, it is a most natural topic around which to engage our community in dialogue-- discussions about the economy, the health of our families, equity and food security, cultural differences, and sustainability are all directly tied to the aims of the coop. This initiative is poised to work in collaboration with existing and growing organizations to search out members, build the coop we dream of, and work to bring equity to the Grand Rapids area through education and access to healthy food.
