We are excited to share what we have accomplished so far—and what comes next.
Our emerging values and vision
Our Steering Committee began its work by defining values to guide the development of a community-owned store. These values—Respectful, Supportive and Inclusive—have helped shape our working vision:
We seek to be a flourishing marketplace, welcoming all with everyday essentials, fresh food, and community for generations to come.
This vision is still developing, and community input will help us strengthen it.
Listening to our community
We have begun a series of small-group conversations with islanders representing a range of experiences and perspectives. These conversations are just the beginning. A community survey will follow, helping us better understand local needs and priorities before a larger community meeting later this fall.
We intend to provide opportunities for everyone who cares about the future of our island to participate.
We know islanders have important questions: What will the store offer? How will it operate and be funded? How will membership work? When might the store—and fuel—be available? Our job now is to do the work necessary to answer these questions thoughtfully and responsibly, and to keep the community informed as we learn more and decisions are made.
Building the organization
Our Steering Committee volunteers bring deep experience and knowledge in key areas needed to establish our new community-owned store:
- Outreach and Membership
- Finance
- Facilities
- Operations
- Procurement
- Information Technology
Over the coming months, we are working to develop a sustainable business plan, evaluate and improve store facilities, source fuel, groceries, and fresh and prepared foods, and prepare for a community-wide membership drive. We will also be inviting you to help decide something especially exciting: the store’s name and digital identity.
As you can see, there is much work to be done!
Steering Committee
In alphabetical order
Tom Barker • Kolbi Christianson • Lisa Knowles
Rachel Kurtz-McAlaine • Patty Lampman • Thompson Morrison
Liat Parker • Ann Prater • Craig Richards
Sofia Sabeti • Val Teters • Joe Winkler
Interim Board
Thompson Morrison, President
Kolbi Christianson, Vice President
Tom Barker, Treasurer
Rachel Kurtz-McAlaine, Secretary
This leadership structure is temporary. Once the store is established, the Steering Committee and Interim Board will dissolve, and Co-op members will have the opportunity to elect the store’s first official Board of Directors.
Member owned, open to all
Our goal remains to create a welcoming and sustainable community store—one that restores access to everyday essentials and fresh food, reduces trips off-island, provides a place to connect, and belongs to the community it serves.
We are especially grateful to the Gillettes, the current property owners and former store owner-operators from 1979 to 2009, for their support and for sharing their knowledge of the store’s history. We are also grateful to the generous islanders whose support helped make this effort possible.
There is still a great deal to learn and accomplish, and there will be many opportunities for the community to participate along the way.
Together, we will build a community marketplace that serves Anderson Island for generations to come.
Thank you for your encouragement, ideas, patience, and continued participation.
Warmly,
Steering Committee and Interim Board
The Anderson Island Food Co-op
Anderson Island Food Cooperative is organized as a cooperative association under Washington State law (Chapter 23.86 RCW). As a cooperative, earnings are used for the benefit of the cooperative and its members. We are governed under Subchapter T of the federal tax code.