What Makes the Co-op the Co-op?

By Judy Fink, Board member

On Tuesday, June 18 at 5:30 in the BFC Community Room, the Board launched the first of what will be an annual spring event. Jerelyn Wilson, BFC Board President and  Anthony Santorelli, General Manager, facilitated a lively conversation with new and veteran shareholders, BFC employees and Board members, addressing the question, “What Makes the Co-op the Co-op?”  We eagerly shared our thoughts, fueled with delectable finger food prepared by the BFC catering team. 

Jerelyn kicked off the conversation by asking participants what motivates us to shop at the Co-op. Some responses:

• I feel better about shopping where I know employees are treated well. 
• Organic and local food choices fit my shopping style.
• The food, the values, and business structure values people over profit.
• The BFC supports local producers.
• The scale is small.
• The quality of care. I recognize the producers and the product.

Jerelyn then explained how shareholders, as owners of the BFC, vote to elect the governing body, vote on the bylaws – which are the agreement between the shareholders and the Board on how the Board will govern – and serve on the Board. All co-ops operate in a way that reflects the Cooperative Principles, but our Ends statements are unique to us. We are our own store and respond to our own community. However, we get tremendous support from the larger network of co-ops, so we are not alone. The Board governs using a set of policies developed over the years that are designed to be flexible and dynamic. The policies structure how the Board holds the General Manager and itself accountable to good business practices that reflect the Cooperative Principles.  

Anthony talked about how the BFC operationalizes the values of Cooperative Principles. Before joining the team, he had worked in a corporate environment. But something was missing for Anthony professionally. He was looking for and has found at the BFC a business that gives back to the community and is a source of local and sustainable goods for all at a fair price. The BFC has over 9,000 shareholders and is a union shop where a majority of employees are shareholders. The BFC continues to build and strengthen relationships with local producers and farmers. It partners with 30 “Commitment to Community” organizations in numerous ways, including by granting shareholders a discount for volunteering with them. In 2023, the BFC and its shoppers donated over $80,000 to these and numerous other local organizations, and with shareholder help, cooked and distributed over 6,000 holiday meals.

Jerelyn then asked what we would miss if the BFC all of a sudden disappeared. Reactions:

• There would be no location for locally produced goods and services, which would negatively affect the producers and makers, the small vendors in particular.
• Employment for 160 people.
• Downtown Brattleboro would become a food desert. 
• It would be a huge loss to the community. We give so much support to organizations, and provide food to people who are hungry.
• The library and BFC are the 2 bookends for Brattleboro – 2 organizations, one that is more than a library and the other more than a grocery store, who have their arms around the vulnerable population.

Anthony and Jerelyn wrapped up the lively conversation with a discussion about the challenges and pressures of surviving and thriving in the retail grocery world. The supply chain hasn’t fully recovered from the pandemic, and industry consolidation is a continuing threat. However, the BFC is retaining staff at a much higher rate than most grocery stores. Our catering business is flourishing. In addition to one-off events, we are now well into our second year as the caterer for the Marlboro Music Festival at Potash Hill. 

BFC Policy requires the Board to periodically reach out to shareholders to report on its activities and decisions, to engage with shareholders on matters that vitally affect the BFC, and to link the Board to shareholder viewpoints and values. At regular monthly Board meetings and in committees, we often discuss how to expand our outreach to you, our shareholders and cooperative owners of this amazing Co-op. We are committed to and passionate about the work we do on behalf of the BFC; we want to share this work with you; we would love to involve you in any way that works for you, and we want you to feel welcome! 

Please come to the Annual Meeting, which we will hold this year on September 21 in the beautifully restored North Barn at Retreat Farm. Break bread together with other shareholders, meet your Board, and talk with representatives from our Commitment to Community partners. And, plan to join us next spring for another enjoyable and informative shareholder gathering!

Judy Fink

BFC Board Director