Member Meeting 2025: Passion and Commitment from Membership Continue to Inspire the Co-op's Mission
Approximately 200 Members, City Market Staff and Board Members joined us for our annual Member Meeting that took place September 25 at Main Street Landing.
To start the night, Members enjoyed a delicious meal courtesy of our Prepared Foods team. There were a variety of sandwiches including meat, veggie, vegan and gluten-free options, and side dishes like pearled couscous, cheese and veggie platters, as well as an assortment of beverages, desserts from local favorites including Miss Weinerz and My Little Cupcake.
After about an hour of grazing, Main Street Landing’s Film House filled up with members and the Member Meeting presentation kicked off starting with remarks from City Market’s General Manager John Tashiro and Board President Sam Werbel.
Board of Directors Candidates
After initial remarks, Members had the chance to meet the 9 candidates that applied in August to join City Market’s Board of Directors. This year’s Board candidates in the running include Ayana Curran-Howes, Debbie Friedman, Helen Rortvedt, Mel Grant, Shoshanna Grunwald and Spencer Wright, and Incumbents John Tanis, Pamela Hunt and Sam Werbel. Board elections voting is open October 1 – 21, and shortly thereafter new board Members will be announced.
Community Service Award Winner
This year’s Community Service Award winner was announced with much enthusiasm. City Market Board members reviewed 8 worthy nominations submitted by community members earlier this summer. They ultimately chose Bianka Cimrin for her profound, tangible impact on the Burlington community through her commitment to public health, equity, and fostering a healthier environment for everyone through her service with Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community (BPHC), Burlington’s Board of Health, and as a former Burlington City Council member. Thank you to Bianka for all her impactful work in our community!
City Market Updates from Leadership
John Tashiro, City Market’s general manager, and Sam Werbel, chair of City Market’s Board of Directors, both shared updates from the last fiscal year starting in July 2024 and ending in June 2025. John highlighted City Market’s successes and challenges from Fiscal year 2025. John and Sam updated Members on the status of our past fiscal year’s financials, membership growth and many other topics that City Market staff took part in to continue to grow Burlington’s only co-op. All this information can be seen in the video below.
Cultivating Food for the Greater Good
The future of the Co-op relies on you as Members. As one Member added at the very end, “it is on us to spread the great work that the City Market staff does and the reasons why it is so important now more than ever to keep our dollars local and supporting our community.”
We look forward to moving into a new year together, cultivating food for the greater good. Thanks to all of the Members who joined us for our annual Member Meeting. Your commitment to our Co-op is inspiring.
If you missed the Member Meeting you can view it in its entirety on YouTube below.