Co-op News

The Imperative of Cooperative Growth

By Pat Burns, General Manager

Much has changed in the forty-plus years that co-ops like ours have been in business. We have slowly and deliberately grown in all areas – sales, members, square feet – but not simply for the sake of growing. There are outside influences felt by co-ops around the country that make us ask the question, “can we afford not to grow?”

Continued Cooperative Success

By Pat Burns, General Manager

As the new General Manager of City Market, my first Onion Skin article could go in many different directions. I’d like to focus on my appreciation for where we are as a Co-op and where we’re headed in the future. First, on behalf of our entire Cooperative community, I offer a sincere thank you to Clem Nilan for all of his accomplishments as General Manager. In reviewing tangible measurements like financial data and less tangible measurements like employee morale and staff growth, Clem has worked tirelessly together with our staff to make City Market so successful.

Know Your GMOs

By Clem Nilan, General Manager

The issue of GMO labeling is a hot topic around the State House these days – as you’ve probably heard, there are bills in both the Vermont House and the Senate that would mandate labeling foods containing genetically engineered ingredients (GMOs). The House version of the bill, H.112, is sponsored by an incredible 50 of 150 representatives including Republicans, Democrats, and Progressives.

Spring Into Transition

By Clem Nilan, General Manager

We have a number of transitions coming our way over the next several months. Some of these are already underway and some of them are still in progress. Because these transitions affect leadership at the Co-op, it feels like a good time to share them with our Members and customers.

Food Traditions for the New Year

By Clem Nilan, General Manager

I am humbled to know that despite my best planning only some things in the New Year will turn out the way I anticipate. Lots of things will just happen of their own accord, and I expect this is true for all of us. While I wouldn't call my family superstitious, we do have a few traditions based on the premise that it doesn't do any harm to give a nod to Lady Luck on New Year's Day.