April 6, 2020 - Letter from the President

Hello everyone,

I hope you are staying healthy and safe during these days of uncertainty. Most of us have never been through anything like this before and we are all experiencing the effects of it, each in our own way. Some of us have been impacted financially, some of us have cared for friends and family struggling with the virus, and some of us have experienced loss. Our hearts and thoughts are with you at this time. Please know that your Co-op Board of Directors are here to help you if you need anything.  Reach out to us and let us how we can support you.

The Board has been meeting weekly through video conference to reassess our outreach strategy and discuss how the recent economic downturn may impact our Capital Campaign. Prior to the “stay-at-home” order, we sent a survey to owners to gather your input on recent and upcoming co-op activities. We are processing the results and will share this information with you shortly. The survey was focused on life before the current pandemic, so we are going to continue to find ways to get input on the current situation as well.   

As we all adjust to this current situation, the need for our store is even more clear. Building local food security, investing in our local economy and creating a community food source is critical for the future of our town. We need to create that foundation for farmers, producers, employees, and businesses that can feed and supply our communities. As an individual household it is difficult and nearly impossible to produce all the food and supplies to live. The thought of raising your own meat, dairy, produce, grain, honey, herbs, pet food, household supplies, etc., seems overwhelming when looking at it from an individual’s perspective. But our local farmers and businesses do this already and are able to supply our community with these needs. Our store can help support them as they do this. Our store can be a place we can all go to get what we need for our family. 

Grocery stores are seeing record sales. When we spend our money at the stores, who are we supporting? What if that money stayed in our local community?  There is a huge difference between a corporate-owned grocery store and a locally-owned grocery store and that difference is local. That difference is community. That difference is connection. This is about all of us, together, making a difference! This is about us standing up for what we want!  

Let’s take care of our community now, our community that we love so much, so we can all be stronger when this is over. We are in this together!

Stay safe and stay healthy, 

Kelly Hilton
President
Silverton Food Co-op 

 

​