A Letter from the Board

Spring 2010

Dear Members:
Over the past year, we, the New Pioneer Board of Directors, have engaged in a strategic planning process in cooperation with the Co-op's members. In addition to board meetings and two retreats, we also held several member open forum meetings with you to get your input. Based on this process and by consensus, we have identified improving our facilities as the Co-op's top ongoing strategic goal.

Our Co-op has two locations: Iowa City and Coralville. In Iowa City, further growth is physically and legally limited by the store's location. Moreover, this store is in the 100-year floodplain, exposing us to considerable risk if flooding should occur again. In Coralville, we lease rather than own the store. We believe that the membership would be best served by investigating: (1) a relocation of the Iowa City store, and (2) a purchase of the Coralville facility.

We are proceeding with diligence and prudence, because changing the stores’ location or size is a major undertaking, and we acknowledge that there are risks to be considered. We want to assure members that the feasibility of implementing these priorities, the financial outlay needed, the preferred option, and the timing will be known only after we gather considerably more information. Our immediate goal is to keep you informed as partners in this process.

Over the coming months, we expect to update you on our progress through multiple channels, including the Catalyst, the Co-op's website (www.newpi.coop), open meetings, blog posts, Facebook, Twitter, and email. As always, we welcome your suggestions and encourage you to attend our regular open board meetings if you wish to contribute to the discussion. You may, of course, contact any of us by phone and/or by email with your questions, suggestions, or concerns. As members, you own the Co-op and we can only move forward with your collective approval of our actions. Indeed, our Articles of Corporation require a vote of the membership for opening a new store.

Sincerely,
The New Pioneer Food Co-op
Board of  Directors:
Sarah Walz (President)
Richard Grimlund (Vice President)
Caroline Dieterle (Secretary)
Henry Madden (Treasurer)
Ramji Balakrishnan
Jen Knights
Robynn Shrader