Keep Calm + Co-op On!

Leah and Joey under big trees!

This is my first summer here at the Co-op! Last summer, I was on maternity leave. This time last year I had just welcomed my little Joey into the world. Now, she is toddling around, laughing at our family’s silly animals, and trying her darnedest to say what is on her mind. And amongst all of Jo’s leaps and bounds, what impresses me most is her resilience. When she falls, she is fast to stand again, her scrapes and bruises heal quickly, and her tears turn to laughs just as fast as the upset happened.

Humans are remarkable creatures, and I am astounded by us every day! When thinking of what to write for this article and knowing a common summer theme is often “keep cool”, I immediately thought of all of us here at the Co-op. How do we “keep calm” and “co-op on” when there is always so much going on and so much to do?! If you ask me, the answer is to look forward. We have a lot to look forward to this summer at the Co-op. 

First up, in July our Bulk Department will be receiving a major facelift! New bins that will make shopping easier, new signage that will help educate, and more opportunity for new products. I am so looking forward to this update—the Bulk Department is one of those differentiators that really makes the Co-op a special place.

On August 1, we will host the 13th Annual Bike to Farm event! Join us biking from Edgewater Park to Ralph’s Greenhouse to meet the farmers, tour the greenhouses, and learn more about this local farm that has provided to our Co-op for many years.

Something that I am really looking forward to—our Staff Party! On September 22, our store will close early at 5pm so we can appreciate all of our amazing hardworking staff with food, drinks, and music.  Back in June, we hosted a staff meeting for our entire team of 180! The intention of the evening was connection. In order to sustain our Co-op for another 50 years, we have to focus on resilience. Building that resilience starts with our connection with one another, and I believe that the time spent at our meeting was a step in the right direction.

We have many opportunities (and plans!) to create positivity for our community both here at the Co-op and in Skagit Valley. And I hope you will join us in looking forward to it.

With gratitude,

Leah Scates
General Manager