If your goals include healthy eating, supporting your local community, and conscious food choices then you are probably already a member of the Medford Food Co-op. When you choose to be a member, you choose to participate in ownership of a business that is passionate about wholesome food, high agricultural standards, animal welfare, and a selection of products that place community over profits. You are keeping small farmers and ranchers in business and are an advocate for a more sustainable local food system.

Unfortunately, the preservation of Medford Food Co-op and the standards by which it operates are not guaranteed. The safeguarding of co-ops and the principles by which they operate is quite simply driven by the enthusiasm and support of the community. For some, simply being a co-op owner and shopper may be sufficient. For those who desire a greater degree of participation, you should consider joining the Medford Food Co-op Board of Directors.

Directors are motivated by service to owners and the broader community. Serving on the Board is an excellent opportunity to help shape how MFC fulfills its mission. Board service has legal obligations, time expectations, and other commitments that should be carefully considered before you apply to serve.

Medford Food Co-op’s Board of Directors, comprised of up to nine community members (eight at the moment), plays a vital role in the success and sustainability of our cooperative. They provide guidance, strategic planning, and oversight for the Co-op. They also help to ensure that the store is run in a manner that is financially responsible, socially conscious, and genuinely responsive to the wide interests and needs of our owners. Additionally, the Board recommends and presents major policy decisions and objectives to the ownership for approval, facilitates long-range planning for MFC, and protects the Co-op’s assets. The Board does not make operating decisions for the store. This is the responsibility of Anne Carter, the General Manager.

The Board meets monthly and communicates to the ownership regularly on Board activities and decisions. It conducts one annual owner meeting each year to report on the state of the Co-op and to implement any changes that require a vote of the owners – for example: bylaw revisions and election of directors to the Board.

Dan Smith has been a Board member for 18 months. Dan had this to say about his experience:

“The experience has been invigorating. Having joined the Board, I feel more connected to a community organization that is much larger than me. When I see the fresh, organic, locally grown produce in the Medford Food Co-op, I feel good about having played a role in the continuance of the Co-op’s existence in Medford.”

Consider your goals. Are you someone who wishes to contribute more? Would you like the community to benefit from your skill set? Would you like to acquire new skill sets? If you are excited about the potential growth of MFC, if you would like to deepen your knowledge about what makes a co-op tick, if you wish to better support the owners of MFC, then please consider joining the Board! As a Board member, you can help us decide our next steps, as well as how we can maximize the success of our co-op. If you’re interested in serving on the Board of Directors, email us at board@medfordfood.coop to learn more.

Board meetings are always open for owners to attend whether you’re interested in serving or not. Come to a Board meeting, share your voice, and contribute to your co-op!