Personal Statement:
After having lived in crowded metropolitan areas, my family was attracted to East Aurora because of its friendliness, walkability, pride in community, and dedication to excellence, as seen through its schools, neighborhoods, and downtown. To me, EACM is a perfect representation of those values.
My background, in profession and volunteer capacities, is in non-profit management, a for-profit start-up, a cooperative pre-school board, and a summer camp. Those experiences have helped me see the multiple layers of stakeholders and administration involved with our community store. I have been fortunate to have served on the EACM board for the last six years as we have worked through some challenges and still grown toward financial sustainability. I started on the board during COVID, serving with some original members, and would like to continue my time with this dynamic group to see the store thrive.
Questions and Answers:
- What role do you think the EACM will play in East Aurora’s future?
EACM’s presence on Main Street has rounded out the services available in downtown EA for residents and visitors, who now can get almost all of their basic necessities within walking distance of one another. As more people from the area find EACM, it will be a bigger feed to the surrounding shops. In addition, it will be a draw for people to move to EA, because who doesn’t love the idea of getting to grocery shop at a community owned store on Main St.? - In what ways are you working to contribute to and improve the East Aurora community?
I have served on the Co-op board for 6 of the 12 years I’ve lived in East Aurora, because I feel that the community members that founded EACM gave us a gift of a grocery store that reflects the values of our community: close to nature, supporting local businesses and farmers, and community involvement. You know your local grocer, because it’s you and your neighbor. I also volunteered with the PTO when my kids were in school, and I shop local. - If you can find healthy, organic food at another grocery store, why choose the East Aurora Co-op Market?
I love the ease of shopping at the Co-op. I used to dread going to the grocery store, but the Co-op is so easy to get around and bright and clean and friendly. I get energy from people I see there and from the nutritious offerings. I also like knowing that much of my dollar stays local, and that the Co-op is owned by the community. We’re all in this together. - Which of the 10 cooperative values resonates with you most and why?
To me, the cooperative value of caring for others is a large part why the model works. EACM’s founders saw a need in the community, and gave of themselves so others could benefit, others became owners, and some of them lenders and investors. This element of giving not only supports our store, but our store is part of a cooperative network of other food co-ops that share knowledge information. The result is a grocery store that the community can trust.
