Allison Oskar
What inspires me to serve on the City Market Board is the opportunity to combine my enthusiasm and expertise, both personally and professionally, with my love of working with a team towards a shared goal. Since moving to Burlington over 20 years ago, I have increasingly been drawn to local foods and farms and their connection to the health and wellbeing of our communities. City Market has made these connections approachable and accessible to a diverse range of community members. As a member of the Board I would like to help ensure that this resource continues, grows and expands for both its members and the non-member community as well.
Please describe any professional skills you have that will help you to be an effective Board Member. How would you help the Board to balance the business needs of a $50 million business with the need to meet our Global Ends as a community-owned cooperative?
My work in the financial and accounting fields has always been associated with local non-profits and sustainably-minded businesses. Prior to my current role as a financial analyst supporting UVM Medical Center, I worked at NRG Systems in Hinesburg and Shelburne Farms in Shelburne. In all of these positions I have enjoyed the challenge of thinking and responding both analytically and globally by not only considering in terms of numbers, but also considering the people, products and services behind those numbers. I have always enjoyed the challenge and triumphs of working with a team of diverse thinkers and love to not only try to share knowledge and ideas, but to learn and listen as much as I can. I believe my breadth of business skills along with my resolve to be a welcoming and engaging team-player would add to the already strong team of Board of Directors.
Describe your prior involvement with community organizations and/or cooperatives. What did you learn from these experiences?
In my early years living in Burlington, I had the opportunity to live in a housing cooperative. While being a member of the co-op, I served on the membership committee, as well as the Board of Directors as a general member, Secretary, and then Treasurer. In the short time I was involved in the Board, I learned a great deal about the voice of my community, leadership, and communication. Since then I have spent my spare time gardening with the Burlington Area Community Gardens and volunteering with organizations like the South End Art Hop and Shelburne Farms. I love the opportunities that this area provides for individuals to get involved and be an ambassador for the organizations they support. Some of my favorite memories have been when I’ve met members of the community while volunteering for some of these organizations, and I hope as a member of City Market’s Board of Directors I would be able to be a vocal and engaging ambassador for the co-op.
What opportunities and challenges do you see in the future of City Market?
Many years ago, I heard about the Onion River Cooperative in the old north end. I was curious, but intimidated by the unknown- what was a food co-op? What does it mean to buy in bulk? Once the co-op moved and re-opened as City Market downtown, I found it much more approachable and it didn’t take long for it to become my regular grocery store. With the mix of organic and conventional produce, local and not-so-local, and natural and traditional grocery products, I see how the co-op has broadened its reach in the community. The educational offerings, community engagement, and now the new store in the South End have furthered the reach and accessibility. I see both opportunities and challenges by extending accessibility to the community, through expanded education, further diversifying products to accommodate the diverse population including the area’s refugee residents, and expanding the co-op’s reach outside of Burlington.