A Message from the Manager
I, like many of you, feel blessed to live here. Not only for the beautiful nature around us but for the strong sense of community we have (something that seems lost in most other places I’ve lived). But we still face many threats to our close-knit community. I believe one of the biggest threats is online shopping for basic goods. I’ve been thinking about this since the Amazon-Whole Foods merger.
While I’m not above shopping online for things that aren’t easily available to us out here in the boonies, I do have concerns about the normalization of buying our weekly groceries from a giant online corporation that will ship those goods from hundreds of miles away, stripping us of the connections with our food, where it came from, and the people who grow it and sell it to us. And removing the human element from our food culture is just one of many concerns. The rolling back of environmental, organic, and free-range standards is certainly another.
I truly believe that now, more than ever, is the time to invest in our community. As GM at the Arena Co-op, I hope to make that as easy as possible for our members and our customers, because supporting your local market should feel good, and not like a sacrifice.
Natalie Cortese
General Manager
Board Member Report
by Ginny Wyatt
Greetings, blessings and happy June! What a unusually cold spring. My garden and I are looking forward to some sunshine.
I am working diligently with Natalie our new general manager to improve our market. Any and all of your suggestions, feedback and help are greatly welcomed. I have been approaching many members and asking for assistance with some changes to be made in the layout of the store. The response has been positive and I am projecting that this change will happen this month. The job will need the hands of many to complete and reset the market with as little disruption to the smooth functioning please call (882-3248) or email (gntwyatt@yahoo.com) me if you want to be included in this project.
The goal is to create an area for all to go foods in the front of the store and to align the registers for a easier transition when the second register is needed. Natalie has been bringing in new and varied products. I hope you have been noticing and enjoying some of our new offerings and more expansive options in the produce selections. Please know that what you want matters and either,write a suggestion, talk to Natalie and / or place a special order with us and let the market provide you with what you want. Ordering is done weekly.
Thanks to Lena, Claudia, Brenda and Laura for working to update our contact info. We do send out a newsletter and want to be sure all have a chance to read it. I will ask Blake to print and leave some copies in the cafe for those that don’t do email and there is a binder with a hard copy as well for those that don’t do paper.
Since Natalie has taken on this position there has been some staff changes and presently the store needs and wants to hire individuals that are dedicated to the co-op’s mission to offer good service and products. We are looking for pleasant hardworking consistent folks that enjoy working with people and don’t mind being on their feet. The market family is a great team and we have just a few spots left. Please contact Natalie if interested.
All members receive a 5 % discount on purchases daily and 10% is given on the first Friday of the month. If your account is not current the cashier will you advise you but if you aren’t current you don’t receive the discount. The market strives to increase our sales, every purchase matters. With increased sales we can flourish and retain and support our wonderful staff. Thank you for shopping locally as much as you can.
Other ways you can support the market loan us some money ($$$ we always need cash for capital improvements), pay forward on your account, bring in new members and/or become an equity investor. Remember, Arena Market is your Co-op!
New Products
Black sesame crackers - Thin, crispy, a little salty with a nice tamari zing. Cracker that can be eaten like chips. $4.59
Arare rice crackers - perfect crispy snack with a nice strong flavor of Thai basil. $4.49
Tempt Hemp Milk - Rich, creamy goodness loaded with healthy omega, calcium and vitamin D! $5.49
Lukes white truffle & sea salt chips - Perfection in a chip. $4.49
Sale Items
Local Hive honey - Raw & unfiltered northern california honey. $ $7.99
Pomi finely chopped tomatoes - super-fresh tomato flavor. $3.79
Haigs Roasted Eggplant Baba Ghannouge - delicious with no added oil. $3.99
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