Your Co-op Bulletin: September 15, 2025 Owner Updates

Dear Owners,

Mid-September brings the September Board Meeting, UC Santa Barbara Move-In Weekend, and the Ambassador Program Informational.

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 17th – Board Meeting @6:30pm on Zoom

• 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).

 

Board of Directors September Meeting Draft Agenda

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 6:30pm

 

Held online via Zoom

Join by phone: 1 (669) 444-9171; Meeting ID: 377 715 3488, Passcode: 672404 

Join by computer: Meeting ID: 377 715 3488, Passcode: IVFC

 

1) Approval of September 17, 2025 meeting agenda (6:30pm, 5 min.) 

2) Announcements (6:35pm, 5 min.) 

3) Owner Input (6:40pm, 15 min.) 

4) Approval of August 20, 2025 Meeting Minutes (6:55pm, 5 min.)

5) Board Calendar, Discussions & Reporting (7:00pm, 60 min.)

1. a) Owner Engagement Committee – Updates 
2. b) Proposal of Increased Loyalty Points for Owners 
3. c) Start of Term Follow-up – Board Officers 

6) Interim GM Reporting (8:00pm, 30 min.)

7) Upcoming Meetings (8:30pm, 5min.) 

1. a) Owner Engagement Committee 28th of September at 6:30 PM
2. b) Potluck Sept 27th (4th Saturday of each month) 

8) Closed Session (8:35pm, 30 min.)

 

 Estimated meeting length: 2:35. Estimated end time: 9:05pm.

 

This draft agenda has been written by the Board President, Tyler Marton. The agenda is not finalized until approved by Board motion. Times listed are estimated and subject to the discretion of the President. 

 

Team Updates: What’s New This Week?

Here’s what’s happening across our co-op:

• Customer Satisfaction Team

• • • Director Bill has provided the following update: The painting of the IV store patio is in the finishing phase, just in time for the store hour change and student return. 

• Fundraising Team

• • • The co-op continues to raise funds through small dollar donations on GoFundMe and networking larger dollar funders to gain tax-deductible donations through our charitable partner Isla Vista Community Development Corporation. If you would like to join this team or help us connect with supporters, please contact the Board.

• Owner Engagement Team

• • • Director Megan has provided the following update: We are looking forward to the launch of the Ambassador Program this Thursday, 9/18 on the co-op patio. The committee is working to grow Work in Progress Wednesday attendance with cool community crafters. A Magic the Gathering Group has been proposed to begin in October. The committee is preparing to call for applications to the Round-Up Program in mid-October.
    • The next meeting is this Sunday, September 28th at 6:30pm. Review past meeting minutes here.

• Store Improvements and Fixes Team

• • Director Eric has provided the following status update: The lights on the right side on the produce cooler are now working. We are working on replacing ceiling tiles at the downtown store. 

Bill’s Compost Corner: Week 6

The second biological source of nutrition for plants are mycorrhizal fungi interacting with plant roots. The fossil record shows that mycorrhizal fungi have coevolved with land plants as long as plants have been around, over half a billion years; longer than the dinosaurs lived. They associate with almost every plant except for crucifers and amaranths. They form vast networks of filamentous hyphae that increase the surface area of roots about a thousand times. Plant roots feed photosynthetic carbon products to these fungi; this is the only food source for mycorrhizal fungi. They cannot exist without a living plant root feeding them. Their spores will not sprout unless they biochemically sense a living root very close by that will start feeding the new fungi hyphae immediately. Viable mycorrhizal spores have been found in Egyptian tombs that are many thousands of years old. In return for being fed by the plant root, the fungi collects and delivers nutrients and water to the root. Not random minerals and nutrients, but specific nutrients the plant “asks” for. For instance, if the plant needs more molybdenum for a certain growth phase than its roots can provide, it tells the mycorrhizal that it needs that mineral. The fungi then finds molybdenum in the soil, absorbs it into its hyphae network, and delivers it to the root. More on fungi services later.      

 

Owner Info Series: Our 8 Cooperative Principles

The IVFC is operated in accordance with the Seven Cooperative Principles (Bylaws Section 2.05) adopted by the 1995 General Assembly of the International Cooperative Alliance. Additionally, our co-op adopted an 8th principle in 2023.

 

Our Eight Cooperative Principles:

 

1. Voluntary, Open Membership: Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of the membership without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control: Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members who actively participate in setting policy and making decisions.  Members serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership.  In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
3. Member Economic Participation: Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of the co-op.  At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative.  Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership.  The economic benefits of a cooperative operation are generally returned to the members, reinvested in the co-op, or used to provide member services.
4. Autonomy And Independence: Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.  If they enter into agreements with other organizations, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by members and maintain autonomy.
5. Education, Training And Information: Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives.  They inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives: Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, regional, national and international structures.
7. Concern For The Community: While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
8. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Cooperatives value diversity, equity, and inclusion and actively embrace them in our operations and governance practices.

 

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 to learn more about your involvement.

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.

Ways to Support Us:

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: The amount of your daily coffee can guide us towards stabilization.Donate via GoFundMe.

Give a Tax-Deductible Gift of $500+: For larger contributions, please contact board@islavistafood.coop for details on giving to the IVFC through a Donor Advised Fund contribution through our charitable partner Isla Vista Community Development Corporation.

Connect Us with Like-Minded Businesses: Help us grow partnerships that strengthen the local economy and community.

Join a Team: Lend your skills and energy to a focused, collaborative project team.

Notes from the Ground

Storefront Updates:

• Blue customer feedback boxes have been installed and are available at both stores for your input & suggestions. We encourage all owners to use this dedicated channel to contact management and the Board.
• Special Orders now redirected to: volume@islavistafood.coop

 

Board Updates:

• The next Board of Directors meeting is Wednesday, September 17th at 6:30pm on Zoom.
• July Board Meeting Minutes are available on the website.

 

Thank you for showing up.Your continued engagement makes the Co-op possible.

 

In cooperation,
Your Board of Directors