Dear Owners,
We asked and you showed up! The 2025 Board Election achieved a quorum with a majority of YES for expanding the Board to nine seats total. Enclosed in this bulletin, you will find updates, calls to participate in community, and opportunities to support your cooperative.
Food co-ops are more than stores; they are movements for shared power, community resilience, and democratic ownership. In a moment like this, your engagement can determine our future.
Here’s how you can take action this week:
Board of Directors Meeting, Wednesday August 20, 2025 at 6:30pm
Join by phone: 1 (669) 444-9171; Meeting ID: 377 715 3488, Passcode: 672404
Join by computer: Meeting ID: 377 715 3488, Passcode: IVFC
- Approval of August 20, 2025 meeting agenda (6:30pm, 5 min.)
- Announcements (6:35pm, 5 min.)
- Owner Input (6:40pm, 15min.)
- Approval of July 16, 2025 Meeting Minutes (6:55pm, 5 min.)
- Resignation of Director (7:00pm, 5 min.)
- Recording of Email Motions (7:05pm, 5 min.)
- Formally Accepting the Resignation of Neal Singh
- Board Calendar, Discussions & Reporting (7:10pm, 60 min.)
- 2025 Board Election Committee Report
- Start of Term Protocol
- Town Hall Reporting
- Board Discount Policy Proposal
- Updated NCG member agreement
- Owner Engagement Committee – Updates, Round Up Program Proposal
- Credit Card Policy Update Proposal
- Interim GM Reporting (8:10pm, 45 min.)
- Upcoming Meetings (8:55pm, 5min.)
- Owner Engagement Committee 31st of August at 6:30 PM
- Potluck Aug 23rd (4th Saturday of each month)
- Action Items Checklist (9:00pm, 10 min.)
- Closed Session (9:10pm, 30 min.)
Estimated meeting length: 3:10. Estimated end time: 9:40pm.
This draft agenda has been written by the Board Vice President, Tyler Marton
The agenda is not finalized until approved by Board motion.
Times listed are estimated and subject to the discretion of the Chair.
August Community Gathering: Starting a 4th Saturday Tradition
This Saturday, August 23rd at 2pm, we are hosting a casual gathering on the Isla Vista Patio with some board provided snacks. Board Directors will be in attendance to discuss your questions about the co-op, but hope that you come to socialize as a community member. Bring a dish to share, a book to put in our little free library, or just yourself. We’ll be happy to have you.
2025 BoD Election and Ballot Measure Results
BALLOT ITEM #1: NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
Any change in the number of Directors on the Board requires a vote of the owners. The Board requests your vote on the following:
“Approval of a temporary increase in the size of the IVFC Board by 2 persons for the Group I 2025-2027 term. This would bring the total number of directors to 9 while the temporary increase is in place.” This temporary increase will apply only for the 2025–2027 term and will revert to 7 directors thereafter unless renewed by a future vote.
• Yes votes: 102
• No votes: 3
The votes in favor surpassed the majority required to be approved. This ballot item has passed the approval of the ownership.
BALLOT ITEM #2: CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARD
The role of the Board of Directors is to provide long-term planning and decision-making for the IVFC on behalf of the Ownership, to provide oversight of your co-op finances and General Manager, and to generate, maintain, & improve the policies that govern our cooperative. The Board of Directors is the governing body of representatives from the Ownership.
• Arielle Goodson: 62 (59.0% of total valid ballots)
• Eric Schug: 71 (67.6% of total valid ballots)
• Megan Ashley: 66 (62.8% of total valid ballots)
• Shiona Davene: 68 (64.7% of total valid ballots)
• Susi Solis: 59 (56.2% of total valid ballots)
• Tyler Marton: 68 (64.7 of total valid ballots)
• Tyler White: 56 (53.3% of total valid ballots)
The candidates with the highest vote count have been elected by the IVFC ownership onto the 5 seats for the 2025-2027 Group 1 Board term. Those names are in bold.
At the time of this report, there is an additional vacant seat on the Board for the remainder of one 2024-2026 term. The Election Committee recommends that the Board appoint into that vacancy the candidate who did not meet the threshold for election, but with the next highest vote count.
Election results will be officially confirmed by the Board at the 8/20 Board od DIrectors meeting wherein the new term of Directors will be seated.
Take the Input Survey – Help Shape What’s Next
We’re shaping our recovery plan now, and your input is vital to getting it right. Whether you’re a regular shopper or haven’t been by in a while, your perspective as an owner makes a difference.
So far, owners have asked for better deli pricing and simpler grab-and-go meals, more bulk and local products, improved hours, and creative ways to connect — from produce specials to local art pop-ups. Feedback like this is already helping guide our priorities.
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:
- Product Selection & Pricing
- Deli & Prepared Foods
- Marketing & Promotions
- What Would Help the Co-op Thrive?
- Owner Engagement
Let’s build the future of our co-op, together.
Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendars
- Wednesday, August 20th – Board of Directors Meeting @6:30pm
- Saturday, August 23rd – August Community Gathering @2pm on IV Patio
- Wednesday, August 27th – Work in Progress Wednesday (Craft Night), IV Patio @5:00pm
- Saturday, September 27th – 4th Saturday Community Gathering, 2pm @ Downtown Market
Subscribe to our NEW shared calendar (board events only).
Tiger Team Updates: What’s New This Week?
Here’s what’s happening across our Tiger Teams:
- Customer Satisfaction Team
- Director Bill Our team meets every other Thursday from 6-7pm to discuss what we can do to make the Coop stores more pleasing for customers. Members of our team will start applying a new coat of stain on the patio wood next week. Some of the things on our to do list are getting more healthy Deli and grab and go items, better lighting in the downtown store, more signage showing the value of shopping at the Coop, and information and pictures of the local farmers that provide produce for the Coop.
- Owner Engagement Team
- Director Megan is holding meetings biweekly on Sunday but with a new time of 6:30pm! The first Work in Progress Wednesday on the IV Patio was a lightly attended but impactful gathering of 6 people. We’re excited to host the August Owner Gathering this Saturday the 23rd,as well as the next WIP Wednesday on the 27th.
- Store Improvements and Fixes Team
- Director Eric has provided the following status updates: Team members completed patio cleaning and replacement of agave plants in the planters at the downtown market. Additionally, power management has succeeded for the ice cream freezer at the downtown market that was causing the circuit breaker to trip. Plans are afoot to repair some of the woodwork on the Isla Vista patio where needed, replace lightbulbs, and complete baseboard repair.
Bill’s Compost Corner
In the late 80s, the gardening and farming energy at the Red Barn waned. Brenton and Matt started composting the produce waste for the IV Parks District where they worked. This went on for several years until 1999 when they left the District and took over ownership of Island Seed and Feed.
I then started to use the produce waste at the Open Alternative School’s Organic Healthy Lunch Garden, located on the south side of La Colina Junior High School. The waste was used as feed material in new double dug garden beds and to feed large worm bins. At one point OAS had 3 continuous flow worm bins with a combined surface area of 122 square feet. For years an estimated quarter of a million red wiggly worms were making over 600 gallons of the highest quality compost possible every year. Explore Ecology has been composting school cafeteria food waste on site at schools on the South Coast for at least the past 10 yrs.
School gardens all over the South Coast benefited from the composting operation. Depending on the season, sales, and the produce manager, I composted between two to six 32 gallon cans of produce waste a week from the Co-op. Starting in 2009, the Co-op’s produce waste load was also composted at Carpinteria High School, Fairview Gardens Farm, and Pilgrim Terrace Community Garden in addition to local elementary schools. Since 2020, I’ve done the co-op’s composting in my Santa Barbara yard.
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
Storefront Updates:
Isla Vista store now open on Tuesday 12pm-7pm.
Special Orders now redirected to: volume@islavistafood.coop
Board Updates:
New directors WEEEEEEEE. Attend the meeting this week weeeeee
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
