GM Update from Emilee

October marked my first full month as your official General Manager, and I want to thank everyone- staff, board members, community partners, and shareholders who have offered encouragement, guidance, and trust during this transition. 

As we settle into fall and embrace the rhythm of a new fiscal year, we’re reminded of how much our Co-op is not just a grocery store, but a resilient community hub built on values of cooperation, equity, and compassion. We have a lot to share this month and a lot to look forward to, but we also want to take a moment to acknowledge the broader realities that are impacting many of our neighbors.

What’s Happening at the Co-op

There’s been no shortage of momentum inside the store. Over the last month, we welcomed Maggie Aldrich as our new People & Culture Manager and Jeremiah Treadwell as our new Wellness Manager. These additions to our team are helping us strengthen both our internal support systems and the way we engage with our customers on the floor. 

Our 50th Anniversary celebrations continue to roll out with themes that lift up the core of who we are. October’s focus on “Celebrating Co-ops” made space for thoughtful reflection on the power of democratic businesses, and November’s theme “Celebrating Giving & Gratitude” is a perfect fit as we enter the season of thanks.

Looking Ahead

We are making progress on major projects, including our refrigeration upgrade, which ties directly to our Ends Policy #4 “An enterprise that engages in sustainable and regenerative environmental practices”. 

Our retail performance in Q1 of FY2026 showed strong sales and modest growth, even in a time of tighter margins and increased operating costs. Like many grocers, we’re navigating the balance of maintaining affordability while managing the realities of inflation, supply chain shifts, and resource constraints. 

Supporting Our Community in Times of Uncertainty

In recent weeks, we’ve been following the concerning news about the potential shutdown of 3SquaresVT/SNAP/EBT/WIC programs in Vermont and the broader impacts of federal uncertainty. For many families in our region, these programs are a lifeline and the disruptions, delays, or reductions in benefits could mean choosing between food and other basic needs.

We want to acknowledge that some of our own employees may be affected by this, and we are actively encouraging anyone on our team personally impacted to connect confidentially with our People & Culture team. The Co-op is committed to being a source of support, not just in theory, but in action.

We are also actively exploring ways BFC can more directly serve those experiencing food insecurity. This might include adjusting how we allocate round-up funds, pausing general giving campaigns to focus on emergency food relief, or partnering with local food shelves to stretch our impact.

As always, we welcome feedback as we evaluate these options.

Closing Thoughts

The Co-op’s future is bright, but we don’t take our stability for granted. Our success is directly tied to the strength of our community, the compassion of our staff, and the loyalty of our shareholders. Thank you for standing with us, shopping with us, and believing in this cooperative mission.

In cooperation,
Emilee Hobbs, General Manager