From the Manager's Desk

By Lindy Bannister

At the time of year we expect to be celebrating the harvest with bountiful and beautiful local produce, we are instead scrambling to help our farmers. Those who have always put sun-warmed fruit and vegetables in our hands have been dealt a watery blow by Mother Nature. Not only are these farmers our vendors, they are our friends. We have spent years working with them. Lately, our newsletter pages have featured their farms and their products. Many of them are now struggling to get to their flooded land and save what they can. Many have lost more than just crops.

I want to assure our members that considering the destructive nature of flood water and what it can harbor, we are very mindful of food safety issues. We are being as careful as always about bringing in product that is safe for you to consume. You may see less local product as we move through these difficult times. In no way does this mean that we are not supporting our friends during their trials, we are just being careful, with your safety in mind.

There are many great things going on to raise funds for flood relief. Sow the Seeds Flood Relief is an easy way to donate for those of you who want to help monetarily. You can donate in the store at the registers or you can visit the website www.sowtheseedsfund.org. All of the Central Corridor* co-ops are involved with us in this fundraising opportunity. We know the farmers will appreciate what is being done to help. If you have questions, you can call the store for more information or stay informed from our website www.wedge.coop, which we update as often as news reaches us.

This is the newsletter issue where you are asked to vote for new Directors to join our board. There are three openings this year and a great slate of candidates from which to choose. At this time, I would like to thank our Board President Marcy Cordes for all of her service to the Wedge. She has been with me during my transition to the world of co-ops from the conventional grocery business. We are also saying good-bye to Candace Dow, who served for many years as both board member and board president, and Mark Muller who spent considerable hours during his years on the WedgeShare project.

Don't forget to join us for our Annual Meeting on October 6. We thought it would be fun to do something different this year and a farm harvest party seemed to be the perfect fit. We are very grateful that Gardens of Eagan was spared flooding. We'll provide buses to get you to the farm from the store or directions if you will be driving yourself. The meeting is on a weekend day so you can bring your families, enjoy farm tours, food from our deli and have time to get to know your fellow members.

This issue also carries the choices you have for WedgeShare, so make sure your votes are counted there, too. There are so many great groups to choose from! We've had a very busy year, and I hope to see many of you at the Annual Meeting to share the reports with you.

As I read somewhere this week, think of our farmers this way: For those who always filled our plates, we are now "passing the plate." Thank you.

*Central Corridor is our division of the National Coop Grocers Association - down the middle of the US from the Canadian border to the Rio Grande.