Press Release: Lee Bradford Announces Departure from Co-op

Brattleboro Food Co-op

2 Main Street

Brattleboro, VT 05301

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 1, 2023

Lee Bradford Announces Departure from Brattleboro Food Co-op

Brattleboro, VT – Lee Bradford, the revered General Manager of Brattleboro Food Co-op, has announced his departure from the Co-op, effective September 1, 2023.

In his time at the Co-op, Lee has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the BFC. His leadership, dedication, and strategic vision have been instrumental in the Co-op’s achievements over the last year and a half. These include significant investments in the staff, strengthening the partnership with the UFCW 1459 union, deepening the Co-op’s support of such organizations as Groundworks Collaborative, and building strategic partnerships with Retreat Farm, Potash Hill and the historic Marlboro Music Festival.

As Lee shared with Co-op staff, “I want to state clearly that I am not leaving the Co-op because of any concerns, questions, regrets, or challenges. On the contrary, I have unwavering confidence in the future of our Co-op. I know that we have a strong foundation that will guide us into the future.” 

Lee expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with such a talented team and thanked the organization’s stakeholders for their support throughout his tenure. He also shared his excitement for the next chapter in his career.

In a message to Co-op shareholders, Jerelyn Wilson, BFC Board President, stated “We are grateful for the incredible team building and systems development that Lee has accomplished in his short tenure with the Co-op. We are very sad to see him go, and determined not to lose the ground we’ve gained and the positive culture he has helped to develop over the last year. The Board will be working toward a smooth transition as we identify the best person to take the helm of our much loved Brattleboro Food Co-op.”

The Co-op will begin the search for a new General Manager immediately. During this transition period, the Core Team and the Board of Directors will ensure the successful running of day-to-day business. The Co-op remains committed to its mission, values, and principles and will continue to provide exceptional services to its valued shareholders and customers.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Amy Crawford

Marketing & Community Relations Manager

802-246-2813

amyc@bfc.coop

About Brattleboro Food Co-op:

The Brattleboro Food Co-op was formed in 1975 as a small buying club. The current location opened for business in June 2012. Today, the Brattleboro Food Co-op, a downtown anchor business and a key player in the community, occupies 14,580 square feet of a beautiful building that also includes affordable housing.

This unique four-story building resulted from a collaboration with the Windham and Windsor Housing Trust and Housing Vermont, with many environmental features, including space heating augmented by waste heat from refrigeration and solar panels on the roof. While the Co-op’s grocery store occupies the entire ground floor, Co-op offices, commissary kitchen, cooking classroom, and community room are housed on the second floor. The top two floors of the building comprise some 24 apartments managed through Windham and Windsor Housing Trust.

The Co-op is a vital destination for shoppers, offering natural foods that are locally and ethically sourced, organic produce, fresh-cut meats, and seafood, Fair Trade coffee and spices, a large bulk department, a full-service deli and café, catering, local bread and baked goods, flowers, local and international cheeses, natural wellness products, housewares, and a wide selection of beers and wines, including many from local breweries.

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