2023 Elections – BREADROOT

2023 Board Of Directors Election

OR VOTE IN STORE

GENERAL INFO

Online Voting closes May 5th 11:59 pm.
In Store Voting closes May 5th at 8:00 pm.

Your ballot is due by 11:59pm on Friday, May 5. Each candidate has provided a short biography, so be sure to read those! Results will be announced at the annual meeting on Saturday, May 6 and online the following week.

Voting can be done in store or online. All members with an email address on file were sent an email on 4/6 with instructions on how to vote online. If there are questions they can email manager@breadroot.com

If you want to vote in store, you will have to request a ballot from a staff member

For every vote we donate 1 dollar

to feeding south dakota

The Board works on behalf of the Member-Ownership, to set the mission of the Co-op, as well as monitor the operations and management of the store.

Director candidates must be committed to the Ends Statement of Breadroot Natural Foods Co-op. Board Directors are volunteers for a term of two years and commit to working about 6 – 10 hours per month.

Voting Ends:
Online 5.5.23 at 11:59pm
In-Store 5.5.23 at 8:00 pm

MEET

Jessica Ries

Tell Us About Yourself

I am interested in serving on the board because I have been passionate about food justice, sustainability, and food security for over two decades and Breadroot Natural Foods Co-op plays a vital role in those fields for our membership and community. Breadroot provides its membership and community healthy foods and goods in a welcoming space for all of us. I am immensely interested in making sure the board operates with the voice of the membership at its heart. The power of any co-op is in its membership and to me there is no better way to represent the people than to serve on the board of directors. An integral part of serving on the board is listening, debating, executing proposed ideas, and dedicating the time required to do a thorough in-depth job. The board position also means that we keep the budget and finances of our Co-op in line with our mission and values. I feel that my knowledge base, skill set and personality are well-suited to communicating with our community, our membership and reaching sound decisions with board members and management. “

Why would you like to serve on the Breadroot Board of Directors?

I am interested in serving on the board because I have been passionate about food justice, sustainability, and food security for over two decades and the Breadroot Natural Foods Co-op plays a vital role in those fields for our membership and community. The Breadroot provides its membership and community healthy foods and goods in a welcoming space for all of us. I am immensely interested in making sure the board operates with the voice of the membership at its heart. The power of any co-op is in its membership and to me there is no better way to represent the people than to serve on the board of directors. An integral part of serving on the board is listening, debating, executing proposed ideas and dedicating the time required to do a thorough in-depth job. The board position also means that we keep the budget and finances of our Co-op in line with our mission and values.

From a Board perspective, what do you think are important issues facing the Co-op?

Some important issues in my mind are to continue to collaborate and accomplish sustainability for our community in these challenging times. I want the co-op to continue to be profitable, making sound financial decisions for our future, and provide patronage to members. I would love to see more membership engagement through educational offerings like “how to” classes, cooking or gardening just to name a few. I also see an opportunity where the co-op can grow more in fulfilling our mission and values through building stronger relationships with the membership and the board centered in mutual respect and compassion knowing we all want the best for our co-op.

When there are a lot of healthy options available at big box and grocery stores in our area, why should people shop at the Co-op? What value can we provide which other stores cannot?

Shopping local at the Co-op creates a chain reaction that supports and strengthens our community. Shopping local supports our local economy by keeping over half the dollars spent in our area. It also creates jobs for local folks. And in addition, by carrying more local products, we reach an even bigger impact by nurturing small business and families, boosting employment on a much bigger scale, and reduces the environmental impact.

What skills, experience, knowledge, insights, and talents would you bring to service on the Breadroot Board of Directors?

I feel that my knowledge base, skill-set and personality are well-suited to communicating with our community, our membership and reaching sound decisions with board members and management. I have many talents and insights that will serve well on the board. A few listed but not limited to: strategic planning, building projects, financing, human resources, data management and analysis, strategic communication, interpersonal communication, listening, teamwork, event planning, project management and facilitation.

What Co-op issues do you have a particular interest in?

I am particularly interested in food security from the perspective of the chains of food supply and navigating inflation for our community.

Where do you see Breadroot in 5 years?

I am excited to see the Breadroot continuously thriving in the years to come. We should be charging ahead adapting to the changing times while remaining true to our co-op values. We should also be expanding our local sourcing and expanding into a bigger space.

MEET

Rachel Lindvall

Tell Us About Yourself

Diving deeper into board membership at Breadroot Natural Foods Co -op seems like part of a natural progression for me. My belief is that I have an obligation to serve our local and global communities. Joining the board will positively utilize my training, experience and interest in the world around me.

My early upbringing in NYC as the daughter of a small businessman afforded me a very direct insight into the challenges and rewards of running a retail storefront. Leaving NY to attend college in Madison, Wisconsin provided me with my first exposure to the concept and reality of belonging to a food coop. Back then, members all had a work requirement at the Coop. This hands-on membership provided a venue for talking about food and what it meant to us as part of our present and future. So many years later, food is still central to the policies and discussion of everything in terms of health, nutrition, environment, culture, justice and equity.

Since those college days, I’ve worked in the intersection of small scale agriculture, community and economic development and environmental sustainability. I’ve been a university educator, community extension specialist and a program coordinator. I’ve enjoyed in-depth opportunities to learn from reading, research and interaction with people in a wide variety of situations. I relish talking with people about their experiences and how it shapes their viewpoints. In June 2022, I retired from my position with SDSU. Although I still maintain interest and activity in some of my former commitments, retirement has allowed me to select and prioritize how to best allocate my time.

On a personal level, my husband Mark and I have been married for 41 years. We have 2 wonderful sons who grew up in Valentine, NE. and now live on opposite sides of the country in Los Angeles, CA. and Atlanta, GA. Mark and I moved to the Rapid City area in 2019 with our dog Sparky. We enjoy the amazing outdoor activities available to us at home in the Black Hills. We hike, ski, boat, ride bikes, bird watch, and generally explore together. We also love to travel to destinations near and far. (Ask me about Antarctica!) I’m also a gardener, forager, swimmer and fiber arts enthusiast. “

Why would you like to serve on the Breadroot Board of Directors?

I have an interest in our food systems locally and regionally. I have knowledge and some time to devote to the Board. I’m willing to listen and learn.

From a Board perspective, what do you think are important issues facing the Co-op?

Sourcing quality food items, determining what the demand for non food items is, maintaining a pricing system that is fair and sustainable. I’m open to learning more about other emerging issues.

When there are a lot of healthy options available at big box and grocery stores in our area, why should people shop at the Co-op? What value can we provide which other stores cannot?

Sourcing food locally is important for community sustainability as is maintaining reliable supply chains for for those items that derive from other producers. Coops can also benefit the community by providing services and support to community members and organizations. A coop can also serve as a community education portal; both online and inperson, to assist community members in strengthening their knowledge of good food/healing choices.

What skills, experience, knowledge, insights, and talents would you bring to service on the Breadroot Board of Directors?

I am a good community educator, facilitator and a good listener. I am knowledgeable on issues of food production, food preservation, utilization and food waste. I come from a small retail business background. I have a heart for the importance of food as an instrument for economic development, justice and equity, environmental sustainability, cultural knowledge and enjoyment.

What Co-op issues do you have a particular interest in?

Food sourcing for local/regional items, food waste issues, food justice and equity for our community of producers and consumers and maintaining/strengthening our culture as a community food cooperative.

Where do you see Breadroot in 5 years?

I hope to see Breadroot increasing its networks of locally and regionally grown foods and its membership. I’d like to see increased knowledge and engagement of coop members in the structure and function of the coop. Workforce stability and excellent workforce education help any organization move forward. I’d also like to see Breadroot on a good path towards ensuring its own sustainability as a community institution.

MEET

Tiffany Knight

Tell Us About Yourself

Hello fellow cooperators! My roots to Breadroot run deep, I have been a member since Breadroot opened in 2001 at the Columbus Street location. I volunteered at Breadroot for 12 years, doing everything from moving the store three times, placing orders, running the till, opening and closing the store, helping write the mission statement, as well as serving on the board for many years. The co-op is a magical place for me, I love and appreciate the community that continues to grow and I look forward to being able to keep the growth in the direction of making healthy food affordable to everyone, growing our connections with local producers, educating the public, and strengthening our community. I’m in Breadroot at least 2 to 3 times a week, if you see me, please introduce yourself and feel free to ask me any questions, about how I can best represent you.

Why would you like to serve on the Breadroot Board of Directors?

I have been an active member of The Breadroot from the beginning. I want to see the co-op thrive and grow in a healthy direction.

From a Board perspective, what do you think are important issues facing the Co-op?

Establishing a strong relationship between the board, the GM and staff. Assisting in the growth of the Co-op.

When there are a lot of healthy options available at big box and grocery stores in our area, why should people shop at the Co-op? What value can we provide which other stores cannot?

The Co-op offers far more local options, a super friendly, healthy environment. With your membership you have ownership in the co-op and voting rights to assist in growth and direction of the Breadroot, as a member owned co-op, it is your store!

What skills, experience, knowledge, insights, and talents would you bring to service on the Breadroot Board of Directors?

I’m a good listener and communicator, I love cooperating! Collaborating! I have experience in the running of the Co-op. As an herbalist, I have experience in holistic healing and health. I have been on the Breadroot Board multiple times since the start.

What Co-op issues do you have a particular interest in?

Store expansion and Board, GM, Staff, and membership relations.

Where do you see Breadroot in 5 years?

Thriving with a strong foundation, expansion of local vendors, in house kitchen offering easily available prepared food, in house coffee shop, beautiful growth! Strong community!

Get Involved!

Attend the Annual Member Meeting

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Attend one or more Board meetings

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Meet with a current or former Board Director

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Apply to serve on a Board committee