Hello from Our New General Manager

Hello everyone!

I am excited to be writing my first contribution as the General Manager of the Brattleboro Food Cooperative! After a very eventful cross country move that included a U-Haul breakdown, a blizzard warning, and a high wind advisory my family and I are finally settling back into life in New England.

As a quick introduction, I am joining the Co-op after many years in food distribution both with UNFI and C&S Wholesale Grocers. My wife Melanie, daughter Chloe, dog Tallulah, and three cats Merry, Ginger, and Newt all made the trek from California. Melanie is looking forward to returning to the education field and Chloe is a Freshman and will attend Brattleboro High School. Our daughter Isabelle is a high school Senior and our son Max is a Sophomore at the University of Vermont. For fun, and in no particular order, I love the outdoors, science fiction, and computer gaming. I am always looking for a great hike, an engrossing book, or a good game!

Thank you to Whitney for serving as the interim General Manager and to the entire Co-op team for doing such a great job during the search for a new GM. I am incredibly excited for this opportunity and look forward to joining such a great group of people. The experience and dedication of this team is truly humbling!

Over the next 90 days or so I will be focused on three things:

Listening – First and foremost I will spend my time with the team, with shareholders, and with the community understanding what makes the Brattleboro Food Co-op special.
Learning – I will also be intent on learning all about the people and processes that contribute to our operational success.
Understanding – Finally, we will all work together to understand a path forward that builds on the heritage of the Cooperative and continues our tradition of success.

I appreciate everyone’s support and patience as I onboard and look forward to seeing you in the aisles!

Best regards,

Lee

By Lee Bradford, General Manager