From: the General Manager

By Lindy Bannister

Writing the annual report gives me the unique opportunity to condense our busy year into a document that can make you all very proud of your co-op.

As you remember at last year's Annual Meeting, we announced our intention to purchase an organic farm, Gardens of Eagan. We knew that we would have many hurdles to jump, but didn't know they would appear the very next week. We worked hard with the Department of Agriculture to be granted an exemption from the law disallowing corporate ownership of farms in the State of Minnesota. We planned to use the farm for educational purposes, such as training farmers in organic techniques. We are happy to announce that we were issued a 501c3 non-profit status for our school, now known as The Organic Field School. It is exciting to anticipate the possibilities for this school in the years ahead. The farm itself had a good year. The cool, wet spring weather affected the early crops, but the rest of the summer went well. I hope you've all enjoyed the corn, watermelon and tomatoes. We'll have cabbage, broccoli and kale into the fall.

Inside the store, you've probably noticed our drive to "Repeal the Teal." We're all enjoying the softer colors, and we're pleased that our new flooring does not require striping and waxing with harsh products. We look forward to complementing these interior changes with new lighting as well. Throughout this process, we've used sustainable products whenever possible. You have communicated to us that you like the new Wedge bags at the registers along with the parking lot signs that remind you to bring them back in with you. We regularly assess the rest of the plastic bags we carry to offer you more and better options.

This year has been a year of opportunity at Coop Partners Warehouse as well. We are helping many producers and manufacturers get their products to their customers by cross-docking with us. If we are delivering to an account we both work with, we can save them money on fuel costs by piggy-backing their products with ours, and it's a great success. We're expanding our product line and we sent our first professional catalog to customers this spring. Our new website is almost ready to go; we'll link it to the Wedge website so you can keep up with everything as it happens.

WedgeWorldwide, the online store, continues to grow sales. This year we added the option for members to buy online and then pick up their purchases at the store. Remember our gift-wrapping and shipping options when you look for holiday gifts this year!

This was the last year of our three-year commitment to participating in the Eco Experience building at the State Fair. We truly feel that we were successful in our mission of putting the face of our farmers and producers in front of the fairgoers. We gave many thousands of people the opportunity to connect great food with great people.

We have signed a pledge with the Local Fair Trade Network to be involved with their work in the Cities and surrounding areas. Our Commitment to Sustainability includes actually having a position in the store to address Fair Trade issues. Our work in the education field continues with the Midwest Food Connection and trainings for groups across the broad spectrum that our co-op food world reaches.

It has been another great year. Our success still lies with our store. From the staff that works so hard to put the products on the shelf to the members and others who shop here, from our farmers to our producers, you all play a very important part of why we're here. There are many fun and exciting times ahead of us, and I am so glad to be a part of them.

Lindy Bannister