Dear Owners,
Thank you for your continued support as we enter the summer. This is typically a slower, and therefore less profitable, season for the Isla Vista store, so there will be some changes ahead to support our survival.
Summer hours begin today, 6/16. We will now be open from 12pm to 7pm Thursday through Monday, closed on Tuesday, and open for extended hours of 9am -7pm on Wednesday!
Customers will see emptier shelves as we are scaling down from 3 restock deliveries a week to one per week. This will help us manage payroll hours more efficiently, rotate stock, and give the board more chances to plan owner service days (more details to come). While we understand this change is likely frustrating and will require adaptation, we will be back to normal operations come September. All programs like B2B, Special Ordering, and patio programming will continue as usual.
Downtown hours will remain the same, 7am-8pm daily, with the deli open 7am-3pm.
Board Meeting, THIS WEDNESDAY:
Join us on Wednesday, June 18th at 6:30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3777153488?pwd=QVhYTXZWTHI3VzRVMWJ3NlFEYzBFUT09&omn=82159486421
Meeting ID: 377 715 3488
Passcode: IVFC
Recipe Contest
Get your entries in on Instagram! The contest closes tonight! Winners will be announced this Wednesday 6/18
Step Up to Lead Your Co-op
2025 IVFC Board Elections – Apply by Saturday, June 21st
The Isla Vista Food Co-op is at a critical turning point. After over 50 years of community ownership, we are facing one of the most serious challenges in our history — and we need strong, committed leaders to help guide us through recovery and toward long-term sustainability.
We’re calling on owners who care deeply about food justice, community resilience, and cooperative values to step forward and run for the Board of Directors.
The Isla Vista Food Co-op is navigating a period of serious financial precarity. We’ve developed a bold and detailed Recovery Plan, but its success depends on strong, mission-driven leadership at the Board level to guide and sustain its implementation.
This is not business as usual. This is a call to courageous, forward-thinking co-op members to help stabilize and rebuild the institution that feeds, employs, and inspires our community.
As a Board member, you’ll help steer IVFC through financial recovery, support the Interim General Manager Team, and uphold our cooperative values during a time of real transformation.
Whether you bring financial skills, strategic thinking, or simply a deep love for your community and co-op — we want you to consider running.
- ~10 hrs/week commitment
- Monthly Zoom meetings + project work
- Directors receive a 10% Co-op discount
- Support available for tech access and onboarding
Come to our next Board Meeting: Wed, June 18 at 6:30pm
Questions or ready to apply? Email elections@islavistafood.coop
This is your Co-op. This is your moment. Help lead us forward.
Tiger Team Updates: What’s New This Week?
Thank you to everyone who’s stepped up to support the Co-op during this critical time. Your energy, time, and creativity are making a real difference. Here’s what’s happening across our Tiger Teams:
- Community Engagement
- Director Megan is holding the second meeting on Sunday, June 22 at 2:30pm virtually. Please find the agenda here. Reply to this email and ask to be added to the calendar invite.
- Fundraising
- Director Neal worked with Web Designer Asia to make fundraising centralized as possible on the new website. Check it out here!
Fundraising & the 2025 Business Recovery Plan: Our Top Priority
Fundraising remains our most urgent need. We’re incredibly grateful to our owners, staff, and community who have contributed money, time, and expertise to help stabilize the Co-op.
Since our last town hall, the Board’s main focus has been on finalizing the 2025 Business Recovery Plan — our roadmap to keep the Co-op from insolvency and build a more sustainable future. We look forward to presenting it to the ownership soon.
Mark your calendar for our next Town Hall on Saturday, July 26 from 2–5 PM.
Once we’ve launched the business plan and secured more financial footing, all the Tiger Teams will be ready to fully activate. In the meantime, email the board with any questions, comments, or exclamations you may have.
Keep Building Momentum:
- Shop at the co-op – every purchase counts – and encourage your networks to do so too.
- Make a donation to our GoFundMe of any amount – every bit helps
- Donate through our website: https://islavistafood.coop/save-the-coop/
- Make a tax-deductible contribution of $500 or more—Please contact treasurer@islavistafood.coop for more details.
- Share your network – Reply to this email with 3–5 contacts who might donate or support.
- Connect us with like-minded businesses – We’re eager to form business-to-business partnerships that strengthen both our local economy and our community.
- Join a Tiger Team– Help expand our efforts and bring fresh ideas.
Notes From The Ground:
Updating Your Information with IVFC has never been easier! Make an account in our webcart portal to update your address, phone, and email. All you need is your owner number!
Thanks for Standing With Us
We’re not out of the woods yet, but the commitment and passion of this co-op community continue to inspire the team towards improving the cooperative for all.
In pursuit of a thriving cooperative,
Your Board of Directors
