Phoenix Earth Food Cooperative
Board Minutes
April 27, 2017
Present: Colleen, Nic Botek, Member/Guest, Leah Foley — Staff, Tom Fine, Anita Levin, Hermann Von Grafenstein, Sandor Halasz, Tiffany Hubbell, Caitlin Cousino, Shelly Boraby, Alyx Kendzierski
Absent: Sean Fitzgerald — General Manager, Adrienne Armstrong
- MSC: Moved, Seconded, Carried
- GF: Gluten Free
- Meeting Called to Order: 6:36 PM at the Toledo-Lucas County Main Library, by President Hermann.
- Minutes — MSC unanimously, to approve minutes of last Board meeting, 2/24/16, as revised.
Review of Board Gathering 3/34/16. There was not a quorum, but reviewed the following:
Phoenix Earth Food Co-op Board Meeting Minutes 3/23/16
**NO QUORUM REACHED**
- Meeting began 6:55pm with the following in attendance: Hermann von Grafenstein, Sándor Halász, Tom Fine, Leah Foley, Alyx Kendzierski, and Sean Fitzgerald
- Could not approve previous meeting’s minutes
- Reviewed GM report:
- NCG Meeting in North Carolina 4/5–4/7
- Discussed survey results [~60 responses]:
- Almost 80% of respondents were 45 years or older
- 81% were female
- Mostly 2-member households
- Shopping frequency and member ownership affects return visits
- Smaller household size results in higher likelihood of recommendation
- Members and smaller household sizes spend more per visit
- Single/smaller households spend more overall
- Shopping local/organic > nutritional value > earth friendly > non-GMO > price > …
- All diets except Paleo and GF increase shopping frequency and amount spent
- Encouraged to start flier drop ASAP
- Wild Food Initiative discussed:
- Wild Food logo [place in store to attract attention]
- LPFM radio station weekly updates?
- Take vote by email for green light for program
- Tom initiated motion to begin program — Hermann and Sean to work out details
- 4/0/0 [for/against/abstain]
- Postponing GM evaluation until later date [TBD]
- Policy Register
- Formative [provide feedback]
- General Manager Report — Sean Fitzgerald reported in writing, Significant is that more Coops are struggling, especially in our corridor. Board consensus is to stay focused on our mission and as local as possible.
- Outreach — Adrienne’s focus and leadership were complimented. Tiffany reported on the Party for the Planet at the Zoo Earth Day event. We need volunteers for future events. Next Outreach Mtg is 5/17/16.
- Financial Reports — Tom Fine deferred to later in the meeting.
- Aquaponics Proposal — Nic Botek reported. See attached proposal as circulated. Revised not to use dehumidifier and will enclose to reduce evaporation. Discussed possible code regulations for growing produce. Alyx will inquire at the Health Department. Nic will research regulatory/licensing issues and use these to address mold in the basement. MSC to accept this proposal and set up
trial version
following the inquiries and approvals of regulations and mold remediation.
- Wild Food Initiative — Hermann discussed initiative as circulated. See planning and logistics portion. 5 Growers are committed. 3 are already planting.
Tiffany had to leave at 7:37 PM
- Jackson Loan Update — No new information. Hermann will contact Scott C to see if any movement on this has occurred.
- New Action Items
Hermann — Will meet with Sean General ,Manager re: tonight’s meeting including his upcoming evaluation.
Adrienne — Continue outstanding work on Outreach.
Alyx&Nic — research aquaponics proposal re: regulation, licensing and mold remediation.
Hermann — Follow up with Scott re: Jackson loan
Shelly — Plan potluck date in coordination with Outreach at Hermann’s backyard, preferably in June, 2016.
- MSC — Adjournment at 8 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Anita Levin, Secretary