Hello Minnesota!

By Lindy Bannister, General Manager

Thank you for your warm welcome to Minnesota, Minneapolis and to the Wedge. This has certainly been an educational five months. New infor mation has been coming at breakneck speed, incurring an exhilarating ride.

After working for over 20 years in conventional grocery stores it is an incredible opportunity to be involved with the coop industry at a time of energetic growth. We are all very well aware of the need to really stop and look at the food we consume, what is in it and where it comes from. Information is coming at all of us from every direction fast and furious. Does a day go by without an article in the paper, a news story on the evening telecast, a talk show on the radio or an advertisement on the side of a bus that urges us to watch our weight, conserve our farmland, or be careful of the medications that we are prescribed? It can be overwhelming.

I was reading a report the other day that suggests that the average consumer is time constrained ... wants to be healthier and a different age ... is trying out new roles ... will spend extra on the stuff he or she really wants ... likes immediate gratification ... needs a release from everyday pressures and feels a sense of social/ethical responsibility.

I think our response to this should include the following: Read the local paper, eat local food, buy from your neighborhood shops and join your local co-op! Become a part of your community by doing so.

I am so pleased to be able to write this first column in an edition of our newsletter that is so important. Please take time to get acquainted with the three nominees for our two Board of Director positions. After voting, please mail, return it to the store, or better yet, join us at our annual meeting. This year we have joined with Linden Hills Co-op to have an evening with a guest speaker, appetizers and beverages. Lucia Watson of Lucia's Restaurant in Uptown will be addressing the combined group of members before we break out into our separate groups for our Annual Reports. Also in this edition are the WedgeShare candidates. You'll have a challenge to pick out your favorites this year. We had a record number of applications and have given you 12 to choose from.

Thank you to everyone for your interest and ongoing hard work. I look forward to seeing you all in the weeks to come.