Phoenix Earth Food Cooperative
Board Minutes
February 24, 2016

Present: Colleen — Member/Guest, Leah Foley — Staff. Helen Eldon — Staff, Tom Fine, Anita Levin, Hermann Von Grafenstein, Sandor Halasz, Adrienne Armstrong, Tiffany Hubbell, Caitlin Cousino, Shelly Boraby

Absent: Alyx Kendzierski, Sean Fitzgerald — General Manager.

  1. Meeting Called to Order: 6:43 PM at the Toledo-Lucas County Main Library, by President Hermann.
  2. Minutes — MSC unanimously, to approve minutes of last Board meeting as amended.
  3. General Manager Report — Sean Fitzgerald reported in writing, Membership is increasing.
  4. Outreach — Adrienne reported that all is in place for Potluck on 2/27/16 6:30 PM . Fliers are at the Coop. Discussed having a Facebook push to publicize. Outreach email list formed for sending out requests for volunteers. Need volunteers at the Seed Swap. Helen will coordinate the table & Box of materials. Outreach Committee met last week and decided not to have a table at Spoken at the Ohio Theater because of cost. Next Outreach meeting at Hermann’s house 6 PM Tuesday 3/15/16.
  5. Survey results — Hermann reported 48 responses. Most important was shopping local & personal shopping experience. There are 60 more responses to be incorporated.
  6. Financial Reports — Tom Fine reported on reports circulated. January 2016 sales are down $4000 from 1 year ago. Cost of Goods Sold are $5000 less than 1 year ago. Payroll remains static over this year and prior year and probably cannot be lowered with the average wage $8.25 per hour. We need to consider increasing our wages especially if a new minimum-wage increase occurs. Leah and Tom answered questions about the reports and different accounts and specific expenses. MSC, unanimously, to accept the financial reports.
  7. Turnaround Plan — Hermann suggested ideas from On the Wild Side by Jo Robinson theories that current crops are deficient in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. But Wild varieties still have these phytonutrients. These are varieties not found in supermarkets. He suggests we have member gardeners or local farmers produce these varieties for the Coop to sell. Improves our local presence and distinguishes the Coop. Need to be complaint FDA Food Safety Act (FSMA). Discussed proposal. MSC to authorize Hermann to explore idea and submit a plan to Board for further discussion.
  8. Tiffany and Adrienne left at 7:30 PM

  9. Jackson-Loan Update — Hermann reported on the letter that was sent to our attorney Scott Ciolek offering Jackson family $1000 and our reasoning for the offer. We are in a wait and see situation now as to what will happen.
  10. Review of Action Items

    New Action Items

MSC to adjourn at 7:57 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Anita Levin, Secretary