Dear Owners,
The Board continues to learn lessons in governance, store operations, and community building. This past week has shown how our new board members, committees, and community energy can reinvigorate the cooperative spirit within all of us. With that in mind, we are working on re-establishing the fundraising committee. To all fundraising committee members, we will reach out to you soon! For any owners who haven’t participated in committee work yet, consider this a renewed opportunity and call to aid your cooperative.
Read on for updates and ideas on how you can show up for your co-op this week:
Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendars
Wednesday, August 27th – Work in Progress Wednesday (Craft Night), 5pm @ IV Patio
Thursday, August 28th – Customer Satisfaction Committee Meeting, 6PM
Sunday, August 31st – Owner Engagement Committee Meeting 6:30pm on Zoom
Saturday, September 27th – 4th Saturday Community Gathering, 2pm @ Downtown Market
Subscribe to our NEW shared calendar (board events only).
Help IVFC 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 helps 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 invited 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.
Tiger Team Updates: What’s New This Week?
Here’s what’s happening across our Tiger Teams:
Customer Satisfaction Team:
Director Bill has provided the following update:Janet, her husband Rick and I have been repairing the IV patio, Rick, prepping and staining is ongoing for a few more days in the morning coolness, and Janet keeps the planter boxes trimmed, watered and attractive.
The next meeting for the Customer Satisfaction team is Thurs, Aug. 28 from 6-7pm.
Fundraising Team:
Please look out for an email from the Board! We’re hoping to meet and rebegin our efforts in funding our capital campaign. We can’t do it without you!
Owner Engagement Team:
Director Megan is holding meetings biweekly on Sunday but with a new time of 6:30pm! The next WIP Wednesday is on the 27th and will feature everyone’s favorite ScanCoord, Preston Towers! Preston will be leading a lesson in cross-stitching. All implements will be provided. Crafters are still welcome to bring their current projects to work on. The next committee meeting will be this Sunday, August 31st.
Store Improvements and Fixes Team;
Director Eric has provided the following status updates: S.I.F.T will be working on removing the table areas between the pillars on the IV patio and replacing light bulbs in the store.
Bill’s Compost Corner
Regenerative farming is getting lots of attention nowadays, as well it should. What exactly does this mean? Regenerative agriculture strives to emulate Nature. Soil in nature has two components; mineral and biological. The mineral component comes from rocks. The biological is living life forms, or decomposing formerly living material. The biomass production in nature is greater than what humans have been able to produce with tilling, fertilizers and pesticides. Nature does not till nor need any inputs other than sun, air, water, plants, insects… In natural soils there are tiny tiny amounts of plant available nutrients for plant roots to absorb. In nature nutrients are held in the living microbiome of the soil. There are 3 recently discovered (10-40 yrs) distinct microbial systems that provide plants with all the nutrients they need to be vibrant and productive without any fertilizers or pesticides. Most plants use all 3 systems, the radish family uses 2. These natural systems shut down when fertilizers are applied. By copying nature and depending on soil biology to provide nutrients, yields do not decrease, and quality increases. Input costs for farmers typically drop by 3/4 or more. Erosion is minimized or eliminated. Water demand decreases and dry farming often becomes practical as roots grow deeper and access previously unavailable water. Carbon sequestration in the soil is a byproduct of life. A significant decrease in the carbon content of the atmosphere will result as the soil acts as the largest carbon sink imaginable. CO₂ from the atmosphere, not nitrogen, is actually the #1 plant nutrient. We need the excess CO₂ for the revegetation of denuded soils. More on soil biology next week.
Save the Date: September Community Gathering
Save the date for Saturday, September 27th at 2pm, we are hosting a casual potluck gathering at the Downtown Market 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 or just yourself. We’ll be happy to have you.
Our August gathering allowed us to share a meal, conversation, and allowed the workshopping of ideas for the cooperative. In summation, it was absolutely lovely to meet with cooperators and rejoice in the restorative energy of the community.
Keep Building Momentum:
Every action helps to stabilize the cooperative and 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. Each location is accessible by bike, bus, and car. Bring a friend
Make a Donation – Any amount guides us towards stabilization.Donate via GoFundMe or through our website.
Give a Tax-Deductible Gift of $500+ – For larger contributions, please contact board@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
Starting this coming weekend (8/30) the Downtown Market hours will change to: Monday-Friday: 7am-8pm
Saturday & Sunday 8am-8pm
Board Updates:
The next Board of Directors meeting is Wednesday, September 17th at 6:30pm on Zoom.
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
