From: the General Manager

By Lindy Bannister

My, how our world has changed. It was only a year ago that the Lehman Brothers collapse triggered our downward economic spin, creating a roller coaster ride for all of us.

At the Wedge, we wanted to do the right things for our members, staff and our co-op community. I vividly remember holding all-staff meetings to reassure everyone that if they came to work and did the job they were hired to do, we would do everything in our power to make sure they kept their jobs. In return, I asked employees to make our sales floor an "oasis of calm" for our members in this very unstable time.

We upheld our commitment and have not laid off any staff. In addition, employees have received raises when due, and we have maintained our benefits package. Our overall sales have not had dramatic increases as in years past; several departments (Floral and General Merchandise) even had decreases. We have pressed forward with increased efficiencies and intend to stay aware of trends.

We made strenuous efforts to keep prices reasonable for our members. Our buyers did not pass on to members the major share of the sizable price increases they saw from our main supplier, United Natural Foods Inc. In fact, they lowered prices on a significant number of products. Staff spent considerable time researching area prices to keep us competitive. We increased the number of classes offered on topics like shopping for good food on a budget, and we added basic skills classes to meet customers' growing interest in canning, freezing and bread baking.

The economy remains vulnerable, and the new habits our shoppers have developed will likely remain in place for years to come. We will stay agile and be prepared to respond quickly to the changes yet ahead.

Surprisingly, there were other events in our year as well...

Our farm, Gardens of Eagan (GOE), has wrapped up another successful year. This season started out gangbusters with the beautiful spring. The farm crew added new crops such as lettuce, edamame and radicchio, and built two beautiful hoop houses to extend the growing season. They planted ever-bearing strawberries in one and peppers and basil in the other. We sold extra strawberry plants in the store and they were a big hit. The summer was cooler than we had hoped for, though; the melons and tomatoes took forever to ripen, and the corn matured much later than in past years. We had just started a great autumn when a taste of winter slammed us in early October. The season is quickly winding down as I write this. The numbers aren't in yet, but it was a good year. Under Linda's leadership, our crew learned a lot, and all of them will be back next year to do it again.

The Organic Field School is up and running. As you may remember, this is the 501(c)3 non-profit that was started in conjunction with our purchase of the farm. A board of directors was selected, and they are well on their way to making this a viable project. This summer we teamed up with the Land Stewardship Project for tours and trainings. Learn more about it on the new website, www.organicfieldschool.org.

Tom and his warehouse staff have been very busy this year. Last year they began cross-docking, and this year they made more connections with companies like Beeler's Pork, Izzys, Falk Paper and Ferndale Meats. Three farmers from southern Minnesota have formed an alliance and now bring their produce to Co-op Partners Warehouse (CPW). Jack Hedin of Featherstone Farms, Chris Blanchard of Rock Spring Farm and Rufus Haucke of Keewadin Farm prepare their customers' orders in space rented from us, and we deliver their orders on our trucks.

This year CPW delivered all of GOE's produce, instead of the farm doing their own deliveries. The warehouse has expanded delivery service: it now goes to Sioux Falls, SD, and it takes more deliveries to Duluth, MN and Marquette and Hancock, MI. Our drivers began picking up product and making deliveries for the Woman's Environmental Institute, and helped Mississippi Market move to their new location on West 7th Street. They started a recycling program for stretch wrap, reducing their waste bill significantly. The new warehouse website, www.cooppartners.coop, went live this year. In addition, the staff produces beautiful catalogs twice yearly for the customers.

We have worked especially hard this year in the world of organic standards. As you know, the store has been certified since voluntary retail certification was available in 2002. This past year we were able to certify our Deli Bakery, the last separate department to be inspected and certified. We navigated a very complicated process and met compliance standards. It is an achievement that very few retailers have attempted.

The timing of our new affinity Visa credit card rollout with Spire Credit Union was unfortunate. We understand getting another credit card was not high on many people's lists last February. That being said, the invitation is still out there to join up, and Spire has committed to giving a percentage of the interchange fees back to the store. We were happy to inspire Seward and Lakewinds Co-ops to produce their own cards as well.

I encourage you to follow us in the newsletter, online (including Facebook and Twitter, for those of you who do), and in the store. So much is happening in our world and we try to update you as often as we can. We always appreciate your feedback and comments. We are who we are because of our business structure. You, as owners, are at the top of this structure, and you elect the Board to speak for you. Those of us in operations want to be tuned in to what you need. We look forward to the next year with optimism, committed to be the very best we can be.