Dear Owners,
Thank you for your continued support and care during a time of challenge and opportunity for our Co-op and our wider community. Everyday actions matter. Whether it’s contributing to the People’s Pantry, helping with neighborhood safety, or donating school supplies at the Downtown Market to support Ortega Park’s Back-to-School drive you’re showing up. Every step makes a difference. Just like at the Co-op, your involvement helps meet real needs and shape a stronger future. We see you! We’re grateful to be in community with you.
Upcoming Events:
- Sunday, August 3rd – Owner Engagement Meeting @ 2:30pm
- Monday, August 4th – Downtown Co-op Support Market, 11am–3pm
- Thursday, August 7th – Customer Satisfaction Meeting @ 6pm
- Saturday, August 10th – Board of Directors Voting closes at 11:59pm
- Wednesday, August 13th – Work in Progress Wednesday(Craft Night), IV Patio
- Wednesday, August 20th – Board of Directors Meeting @6:30pm
- Saturday, August 23rd – August Owner Gathering/Town Hall @2pm
- Wednesday, August 27 – Work in Progress Wednesday (Craft Night), IV Patio
Subscribe to our NEW shared calendar.
Town Hall Recap:
On July 26th, owners gathered for an engaging Town Hall where the board and Interim GM team shared the Co-op’s current financial state, calling on our owners to help shape its recovery. Click here to view the presentation slides.
Where We Stand: Like many small, values-driven businesses, our Co-op has faced financial strain over the past year. Sales at our Isla Vista store continue to decline, and while our Downtown store is growing, it’s not yet covering its higher operating costs. We’ve had to rely on fundraising, tax credits, and emergency debt to keep afloat, and some vendor payments are still past due.
Signs of Hope: We’ve raised 120K in donations and received 180K in employee retention tax credits These are helping the Co-op stabilize and begin recovery. Other steps taken include improved staffing, expanded local products, and launched a recovery planning process.
But to keep going, we must make our day-to-day operations sustainable. This means increasing sales, improving systems, and reconnecting with our community. Change starts with you.
What’s at Stake: The Food Co-op is Santa Barbara County’s only community-owned grocery store, a living example of economic democracy, and a hub for walkable access to healthy food. If we come together, we can not only survive but rebuild something stronger.
What’s Next And How You Can Help: At the Town Hall, owners shared ideas on what changes could make the biggest impact, from deli offerings to product pricing to community partnerships. That input is being folded into our recovery plan, which we’ll finalize in August.
Now we want to hear from you!
Take the Input Survey
We’re shaping our recovery plan now. Owner input is vital to our work.
- What’s working for you as a shopper or owner?
- What’s not?
- What would inspire you or others to shop, support, or engage more?
Click here to take the Input Survey.
You’re welcome to respond to any or all of the topics in the survey.
Topic 1: Deli & Prepared Foods
Topic 2: Product Selection & Pricing
Topic 3: Marketing & Promotions
Topic 4: Owner Engagement
Topic 5: What Would Help the Co-op Thrive?
Owner Testimonial: Bill Palmisano (Introducing Bill’s Corner)
In the spring of ’74 I remember one of my roommates coming through the front door and entering the bowling alley hallway of our apartment at 6709B Del Playa (a much longer building back then), and announcing that he had just heard that there was a new food coop open on Seville Road. We visited the store right away.
I was at once slightly uncomfortable with the dim, cave-like ambience and musty odor, and intrigued by the barrels and buckets of organic grains, beans, nuts, granola, and trail mixes. The ancient produce cooler had a small selection of local organic produce. Organic food in 1974 was not easily available as it is now.
Everyone in our household joined and started learning to purchase food in a new way. I quickly abandoned corporate grocery institutions and became an active proponent for the cooperative business model.
Urgent: Exploring Interim Store Coordinator Role
The Board is considering bringing in an Interim Store Coordinator to help stabilize the Co-op during this critical phase of recovery. This would be a short-term, hands-on role focused on daily operations, staff support, and increasing sales. It’s not a General Manager position, but a potential bridge to help us regain stability while we continue shaping our long-term leadership model. We’re still evaluating this option, and we’d love your input.
If you know someone with experience in cooperative retail, values-driven leadership, and operational know-how—please send referrals or thoughts to: board@islavistafood.coop
Board of Directors Elections: July 19th – August 10th
The 2025 Board Election is underway—and your voice matters.
Owners are voting on two important items:
- Expanding the Number of Directors
To meet this moment of revitalization, the Board is proposing to increase its size. More directors means more owner participation, more capacity, and a stronger foundation for recovery. The current Board unanimously supports this change. - Electing New Board Members
Board members help guide the Co-op’s long-term vision, provide financial oversight, support the General Manager, and steward our cooperative principles. You can vote for up to 5 candidates who you believe will serve our community well.
Cast your vote using one of three options:
- Fill out a paper ballot in-store
- Vote online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IVFC2025Election
- Call to vote by phone: (805) 699-5685
Click here for candidate bios, full details, and to access your ballot online or in-store. Voting closes August 10th—make your voice heard!
Tiger Team Updates: What’s New This Week?
Here’s what’s happening across our Tiger Teams:
- Customer Satisfaction Team
- Director Bill and fellow owners discussed how to improve the customer experience of the store. Rearrangement and adding color to the deli display, powerwashing the IV Patio, and collaboration with the Store Improvements team were hot topics. The key question? What store improvements would add the most value for owners/shoppers? Final action items for now include: Improved signage, trialing new deli recipes.
- Owner Engagement Team
- Director Megan will be holding the next Owner Engagement meeting on Sunday, August 3rd at 2:30pm over Zoom. We’ll be reviewing incorporated changes to the Round Up and Cooperative Community Fund Proposal, as well as having a reimagining session for the Ambassador Program.
- Visioning Team
- Director Marcelino led the first Visioning Tiger Team meeting to reimagine the Co-op’s role in today’s market. With organic foods now common in chains, the Co-op must highlight its unique strengths: community ownership, justice, local support, and education. This team will center owner input and community values to create a clear, shared vision that guides decisions, boosts engagement, and shapes the Co-op’s future.
- Store Improvements and Fixes Team
- Director Eric and fellow owners had an informal gathering after the July Town Hall meeting. We have a new volunteer for the team who will do a walk through of the Isla Vista store on Monday, July 28th to compile a list of projects. Our first project is to do some repairs on the patio before a refinishing of the wooden fixtures is scheduled. Another item on the list is to modify the table areas between the posts on the patio to allow them to be removable and reinstalled when needed.. We started a discussion about options for a more flexible table and chair configuration.
Keep Building Momentum:
Every action helps move us forward. Here’s how you can support the Co-op’s recovery and growth:
Shop the Co-op – Every purchase makes a difference. Summertime in IV means easier parking—bring a friend!
Make a Donation – Any amount helps us stay strong.
Donate via GoFundMe or through our website.
Give a Tax-Deductible Gift of $500+ – For larger contributions, please contact treasurer@islavistafood.coop
Connect Us with Like-Minded Businesses – Help us grow partnerships that strengthen the local economy and community.
Join a Tiger Team – Lend your skills and energy to a focused, collaborative project team.
Notes from the Ground
Update Your Contact Info:
It’s now easier than ever to keep your info up to date. Just log in to our Webcart portal with your owner number to update your email, phone number, or mailing address.
Share Your Story:
We’re gathering owner testimonials to feature on our website, social media, donation platforms—and in our upcoming business plan. Your voice helps show the real impact this Co-op has in our community.
Thank you for showing up. Your continued engagement makes the Co-op possible.
In cooperation,
Your Board of Directors
