Co-op Happenings – News From the Board, June 2023
Since our last newsletter:
- We have elected a new executive committee, another new board member, as well as a new board assistant.
- We will miss Jean, our previous board assistant, and wish her well on her new adventures.
- In May, the FBFC Board had the pleasure of meeting, in person, for the first time since 2020!
- Many of us met for the first time!
May we present to you our update 2023 Board Members
Christa Joy Hamilton, President
Andrea Burkins, Vice President
Terra Marshall, Treasurer
Clare Schwartz, Secretary
Kylie Hulver
Adam Bowers
Jerome Smith
Kitty Love
Laura Ann Edmonds
And we are excited to announce our new board member
Nick Fury
As well as our new beloved board assistant
Amy Zimmerman
Double Up Food Bucks Program
The Double Up Food Bucks is a healthy food incentive program that doubles the value of federal nutrition benefits spent at The French Broad Food Coop, helping people buy healthy food while supporting our local farmers and economy.
When SNAP participants buy fresh Fruits and Vegetables on their Snap/EBT card, they can earn a dollar for dollar match of up to $20 per day of in store credit! Once they have earned those credits, or “points” they can spend them on any fruits and vegetables (that do not contain additives like salt, sugar, fat or oil) throughout the whole store, including dried, canned, juiced or frozen!
Our campaign is seeking out additional funding to continue our Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) Program.
Without additional funding the program will end in August.
This program has been proven to help our community by stretching food budgets, improving food security, increasing the consumption of healthy, local foods and also supporting our local farmers and markets.
If you would like to contribute, feel free to make a donation to MoutainWise to continue DUFB availability at 18 sites across WNC, or donate directly to French Broad Food Coop.
Checks to MountainWise@
1830 Lakeside Drive
Franklin, NC 28734
If you have questions feel free to contact laurenw@mountainwise.org
In addition, customers can continue to Donate $1, $3, or $5 at the register to those using the SNAP/EBT Double Up Food Bucks Program.
Expansion Update
At our most recent, in person meeting, Sage Turner, our finance & project manager took us on a tour of all the new expansion happening at the FBFC.
Our board was able to see first hand how the structure of our Co-Op has changed to meet the needs of the customers and our dear employees.
The makeover has reinforced the structural integrity of our dear old build.
In addition, in the past months the Co-Op has received new heating and cooling, a new roof, bathroom, breakroom, and storage.
You all, the owners, and our beloved employees will continue to see exciting new changes.
Read the latest Expansion Update here.
Monthly Board Meetings
We welcome all owners to join us for the owner comment period of our board meetings.
Monthly board meetings are on the third Thursday of every month in the MLC meeting room.