Notes from the Gathering Nov. 28, 2007

The most recent UNF Member-Owner Gathering (held 11/28/07) was attended by approximately 50 people. Board Member Don Sanderson led off with a brief report on global warming and other megatrends that will impact the store in coming years. He then opened the meeting to the floor.

Several member-owners expressed a strong desire that products sold in the store be as “local” as possible. There was mention of a packaging system that lets the consumer know just how far a given item has traveled to reach store shelves. GM Lori Rosenberg said that, as is typical with stores of our type, the products sold at UNF come from thousands of distributors all over the world. She also mentioned that UNF merchandising policies strongly favor local products even though some of these products can be “pricey.”

Produce Manager Libby Uhuru said that most of the produce sold in the store is from California. She said that the store tries to offer “fair trade” items where possible. The issue of local produce came up later in the discussion around the new availability of Mendocino Renegade produce.

[Note: Please see Co-op News January/February 2008 edition article “Co-op Produce Goes One Step Beyond O!” by Susan Grelock for the latest on Mendocino Renegade).

Member-owner Lucia Bianchi said that she would like to see a station in the store where filtered water could be obtained.

[Note: The 2008 budget approved by the UNF Board of Directors on January 14 includes this as a “possible” item for acquisition.]

The next speakers focused on facility improvement, something that the staff and Board have been spending quite a bit of time on over the past several years. There was strong support for solarizing our current facility, for creating better workspace for UNF employees, for shade trees in the parking lot and benches in front of the store.

[Note: Lori will take preliminary plans for expansion of our existing store to the City of Ukiah Airport Commission on February 7. This is the first step in the approval process. Making the store as energy efficient as possible is a stated policy of the Board of Directors. Dealing with the deficiencies of the parking area has been problematical because of the ownership interest of the dry-cleaning business adjacent to UNF.]

Member-owners Dorothea Dorman and Leah Middleton spoke about the need for a UNF delivery service. (Some of us have been around Ukiah long enough to remember when Wildberger’s Market operated such a service.) Both felt this was particularly important given the aging demographic of the store. Dorothea also wondered if UNF could offer online purchasing. Jan Moore suggested the need for a UNF member data base that would facilitate carpooling and discounts for those willing to shop during less crowded times of the day.

[Note: Lori announced at the last Board Meeting that UNF is changing our format for Member Appreciation Day. Member-owners can now make their own member day by simply choosing any day in the time period selected to get the extra 6% discount on all their purchases of that day. Watch your mailbox for more information.]

Several member-owners spoke favorably about continuing to use the newsletter as a way to encourage the “buy local” ethic and encourage people to produce their own food by planting backyard gardens. Board Member Jacquie Lee said that it’s important to help people learn how to prepare food. She used the example that many people are flummoxed by the idea of preparing something as simple as squash. Preparing your own food is both less expensive and more healthful, she said.

Member-owner and Ukiah Farmer’s Market manager Scott Cratty talked about the need for improved coordination between UNF and the Farmer’s Market. He said that local farmers need to have a better idea of what UNF needs. He also mentioned that the Farmer’s Market is a good place to educate the community about all aspects of food.

Member-owner Charles Martin suggested a program called FarmLink (currently based in Marin County) which brings retired farmers together with aspiring farmers. He discussed the future need for year around growing (in the wake of climbing energy prices that could hamper food transportation) in large (e.g., 20 x 100 ft.) greenhouses.

Member-owner Estelle Clifton wondered whether UNF might consider purchasing land for a large community garden that could supply the store. She also thought UNF might consider a decentralized approach, with “satellite stores” perhaps handling different categories of products (e.g., a “bulk purchasing” warehouse).

Member-owner Trudy Morgan wanted to see UNF promote products for a future in which energy costs are much higher than they are today. She mentioned that she and her husband purchased a “non-electric clothes dryer.” Trudy also mentioned that there is a lot of fruit going to waste in Ukiah Valley and suggested an organized gleaning project to utilize it.

There was also mention in the meeting of the need for a local meat certification venue, since farmers must now go to Eureka or Orland. Estelle Clifton said that with the local pear crop on the ropes, it might be opportune to encourage pear farmers to move toward more diversified crops. It was suggested that UNF might pay “futures” in order to alleviate some of the risk involved in making such changes.

Marlene Sanderson and Diane Nelson took notes for the Gathering. These notes were compiled and edited by Dan Hamburg.

Jacquie Lee coordinated the delicious meal. John McCowen brought pies that were baked at the Senior Center.