Dear Owners,
Happy Labor Day! Today we celebrate the achievement of workers rights: the 8 hour work day, benefits, and the victories of unionized workers everywhere. On this day, we keep hope alive for workers attempting to unionize their workplaces across the United States and the world. In the cooperative sphere, worker-owned cooperatives are one of the many ways workers are seeking protection, ownership of their labor, and familial benefits. The struggle of present and past sheds light on the truth that a united people is stronger than a divided people.
Read on for updates and ideas on how you can show up for your co-op this week:
Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendars
- Wednesday, September 10th – Work in Progress Wednesday @5pm IV Patio
- Thursday, September 18th – Ambassador Program Info Meeting 6pm @IV Patio
- Wednesday, September 24th – Work in Progress Wednesday @5pm IV Patio
- 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!
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 to their community.What’s working for you as a shopper or owner?
What’s not?
What would inspire you 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
Feedback like yours helps the co-op grow towards being a community market that is truly for all. 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
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- Director Bill is working closely with the Store Improvements and Fixes team.Stay tuned for future updates.
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- Fundraising Team
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- The Board is preparing to reignite the fundraising team. At current time, we are reaching out to individual members to pick-up where we left off.
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- Owner Engagement Team
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- Director Megan is holding meetings biweekly on Sunday but with a new time of 6:30pm! Next meeting is September 7th at 6:30pm.
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- Store Improvements and Fixes Team
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- Director Eric has provided the following status update: The Store improvements and fixes team worked on the patio and replaced bulbs in the IV store.
- Thomas Matthias removed one of the bar tables between the pillars on the patio as requested by many owners. We hope this change provides better flow and more room for community gatherings. Bill Palmisano painted the patio seating. Light bulbs were replaced in aisle 2.
- Downtown, Bill removed the large, pokey Agave and replanted the planters with a tasteful selection of succulents.
Bill’s Compost Corner: Week 4
The biology in soil works logically with lots of moving parts. The term “soil organic matter” refers mostly to living critters and roots. There are 4 basic soil microbial players. Bacteria are present in any soil, no matter how degraded. One teaspoon of healthy soil has 75,000 bacteria species or more. Each species is most active in a narrow soil moisture and temperature range. Each species provides different services in the soil. The myriad of species are vital to fulfill all the bacterial soil services all the time. Degraded, chemicalized and poisoned soil still has maybe 5,000 species, not enough to be healthy. Fungi are also present in all healthy soils. One teaspoon of healthy soil has about 25,000 species of fungi. Each species is also most active at certain temperature and moisture ranges and also perform different services in the soil. Fungi are very fragile and completely absent from highly cultivated soils. Fertilizers and pesticides also destroy beneficial fungi. Now for the microbial animals; microbes that eat other microbes. Protozoa are single celled animals that eat mostly bacteria, but also fungi and other protozoa at times. Amoebae, flagellates and ciliates are the main soil protozoa characters. Each individual protozoa devours hundreds or thousands of bacteria a day. There are many thousands of species of protozoa in a teaspoon of healthy soil. The fourth soil microbe, nematodes, are tiny multicellular roundworms. The largest ones can be barely visible to the naked eye; earthworms are their big cousins. The vast majority of nematodes eat bacteria, fungus, and each other. There are hundreds of species in a teaspoon of good soil. Next week; how plants feed these microbes, and one way that microbes feed plants.
IVFC Ambassador Program: Sept 18th Informational Meeting
Owners and community members alike have been clamoring for a low barrier to entry to get involved with the co-op while not serving on the Board or a more involved committee. If that sounds like you, save the date for our informational meeting Thursday, September 18th at 6pm on the Isla Vista Patio. You’ll be able to speak with your Board Members.
Learn more and sign up here: https://islavistafood.coop/ambassador-program/
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 to shop and help us widen the cooperative circle!
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:
- Both stores are open on Labor Day.
- Isla Vista store now open on Tuesday 12pm-7pm.
- Special Orders now redirected to: volume@islavistafood.coop
- Downtown Market hours are now: 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
