annual report 2014

& election issue 2014

annual report

Your Co-op in Numbers inside the back cover

ON OUR WAY TO CEDAR RAPIDS!

published by: NEW PIONEER FOOD CO-OP 22 S. Van Buren St. • Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 338-9441open daily 7am–10pm

1101 2ⁿd St. • Coralville, IA 52241 (319) 358-5513open daily 7am–10pm

3338 Center Point Rd. NE • Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Coming Soon!

STORE SUPPORT OFFICE22 S. Linn St., Unit 2A • Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 248-6400open Mon.–Fri. 8am–5pm

www.newpi.coop

EDITOR Allison GnadeMANAGING EDITOR Jenifer AngererCATALYST DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION Melanie Roling CATALYST PHOTOGRAPHY Ben PartridgePRINTER Royle Printing, Sun Prairie, WI

Board of Directors MeetingsAll owners are welcome!

Sept. 24 & Oct. 22, 2014 6:30pm, New Pi Store Support Offices22 S. Linn St., Iowa City(3rd floor, Tower Place, at the corner of Linn & Iowa)

Annual Owner Meeting

2-4pm Oct. 26, 2014Kirkwood Room (Governor's Ridge)515 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City

Members are welcome to share their views with the Board:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (year indicates when term expires)

PresidentSARAH WALZ (2015) (319) 466-0908, [email protected]

Vice PresidentJANET RAZBADOUSKI (2014)(312) 476-0943, [email protected]

SecretaryCAROLINE DIETERLE (2016) (319) 338-8674, [email protected]

TreasurerHENRY T. MADDEN (2015) (319) 338-5689, [email protected]

JON FOGARTY (2016)(319) 400-4911, [email protected]

JEN KNIGHTS (2016)(319) 331-6631, [email protected]

CALVIN NORRIS (2014)(319) 355-2603, [email protected]

Board President's Letter

Board Treasurer's Report

Education and Outreach Updates

Ballot and Candidates' Statements

p. 4

p. 6

p. 8

p. 15

In this Issue

New Pioneer Food Co-op Mission StatementNew Pioneer is a cooperatively owned

business, fully serving the needs of the natural products consumer. We emphasize high quality, fair prices, and product information. We are an environmentally and socially responsible member of the community we serve.

New Pioneer’s mission is to serve the needs of its members and to stimulate the local agricultural production of natural and organic foods by providing a market for such foods.

The Cooperative fully recognizes the value and dignity of work and shall place a high priority on the health, welfare, and happiness of all its employees.

The Cooperative shall strive to set a community standard for the best possible working conditions, training, wages, benefits, and opportunities for advancement for its employees.

The world of New Pi is always busy, and this past year has been especially so. Despite the great disap-pointment of the outcome of efforts to relocate our Iowa City store to the corner of College and Gilbert

Streets in the Iowa City downtown, we’ve made strides in other exciting directions. New Pi owners overwhelmingly supported the Board’s initiative to pursue a third store location, delivering a favorable vote of 93% in a ballot referendum. After an intensive property search throughout Johnson and Linn counties, New Pi purchased a site for a third store in Cedar Rapids. The Co-op’s new home in Cedar Rapids is at 3338 Center Point Rd. NE in an established, centrally located area. The store will open before the end of this calendar year and is being designed with high levels of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. This summer, New Pi opened a new central kitchen and bakery facility in North Liberty, also after an intensive property search. It’s been dubbed “The Hub,” as it is the nucleus of so much of our prepared foods programming. We had far outgrown our cramped bakery and kitchen wedged into the Coralville store, which had been in place since 2001. The new facility provides our talented staff with both improved space and equipment, though we still remain committed to producing our food by hand. We also continue to look for options for growing specifically in Iowa City. In a ballot last December, owners overwhelmingly sup-ported relocating the Iowa City store to an area within the downtown, or a second store elsewhere in town. The authorization for the Board to pursue this project lasts for three years. Suitable relocation sites in the downtown are rare, complicated, and costly, and thus relocation is far from a certain prospect. Any new store facility in Iowa City would open two years after our Cedar Rapids store opens, if not later. As a consumer-owned organization, New Pi has no interest in growth simply for the sake of market share. A cooperative exists to serve the needs and shared values of its owners. We seek to strengthen the business of our many small, independent farmers and producers. We are increasing cooperative economy jobs, emphasizing greater levels of full-time over part-time employment. New Pi now supports 40 school and community gardens with funding and staff support – something we could not have done with the fewer resources we had in earlier years.

General Manager: Matt Hartz

"We seek to strengthen the businesses of our many small, independent farmers and producers and increase full-time cooperative economy jobs."

Matt Hartz New Pi General Manager

annual report 2014 • www.newpi.coop 3

Board President: Sarah Walz

New Pi members will be glad to hear that the stronghold of the co-op movement and growth is right here in the upper Midwest!

Board President: Sarah Walz

This is a big step for New Pi, not just as a store, but as an organization uniquely committed to a better way of doing business – one that is rooted in community.

new pioneer food co-op’s newsletter4

It’s been more than six years since the New Pioneer Board of Directors set a strategic priority to expand our retail space. Much discussion with members (and

member votes), market and real estate research, financial modeling, and negotiation with com-munity leaders and developers culminated in our decision one year ago to establish a store in Cedar Rapids. Securing a site for New Pi to grow was not a quick nor easy process for anyone involved, nor was it one without controversy or debate, but we are now poised to open our third store and we could not be happier. We look forward to the opportunity to expand the market for local, organic, and natural foods in Linn County and to extend the reach of our mission and our co-operative principles. This is a big step for New Pi, not just as a store, but as an organization uniquely committed to a better way of doing business – one that is rooted in community. New Pi is a purpose-driven organization; our purpose is embodied in the Mission Statement printed inside the front cover of each Catalyst. New Pi strives to set a community standard for food quality and safety, employment practices, sustainability and environmental responsibility, and all matters related to food information and healthy eating. Our Mission Statement is something the Board of Directors and New Pi management evaluate and discuss throughout the year. One of New Pi's greatest accomplishments, and one that often goes un-heralded, is in the area of employment. New Pi currently employs about 190 people and is set to hire 40 more to staff our Cedar Rapids store. Approximately 70% of our

staff are full-time and all full-time employees are covered by our health plan. More than 130 partici-pate in our 401k (New Pi matches up to 5%). Over the next year, our management team will engage staff at all levels in open book manage-ment in order to encourage fuller understanding of how their work translates into the success of the business. These employment practices allow us to attract talented employees who are dedicated to our mission and who choose to stay with us. New Pi’s success in this and other aspects of our mission is due to the commitment of our man-agement team, staff, and our more than 31,000 owners who invest in our mission by shopping with us. That commitment to supporting the Co-op is truly an investment in a more sustainable community.

Sarah Walz New Pi Board President


Board Treasurer: Henry Madden

Dividends went to all owners who spent more than $500 at New Pi last year (for a total of $130,000).


Fiscal Year 2014 has been a very active one for New Pi. We purchased a building in Cedar Rapids and began upgrading it to become our third grocery store. We pur-

chased a building in North Liberty and renovated it to be our new commissary (fondly referred to as The Hub) to house our growing bakery and deli to support the addition of a third store. Finally, we moved our kitchen equipment into the commissary while continuing to operate the present Iowa City and Coralville stores.

All this sounds easy, but anyone who’s ever pur-chased a house has some idea of the machinations required to search for, satisfy legal requirements, obtain financing, close the deal, and renovate a facility to suit needs, knows that it isn’t easy.

Throughout this time we also managed to increase sales and earn a profit! Some may say, “Why stress ‘earning a profit’?” Well, if we don’t earn a profit we won’t be able to pay off the loan we obligated ourselves to with our new purchases and New Pi would eventually dissolve. Earning a profit is truly a necessity. I’m also pleased to add that we were able to earn enough to pay all our employees a bonus for the previous year, and, for all employees engaged in our

401k program, to match what they choose to invest of their salaries at up to 5%. Many of you owners will also remember that you received a dividend! Dividends went to all owners who spent more than $500 at New Pi last year (for a total of $130,000). We have another very challenging year ahead of us and we rely on our excellent staff to complete and launch the Cedar Rapids store, to increase the variety and volume of food produced by our com-missary, and to renovate our Coralville store.

Henry Madden New Pi Board Treasurer


Education & Outreach: Theresa Carbrey

We successfully grew hops, an essential ingredient in making beer, at New Pi's Earth Source Gardens this summer.

Temps topped 950F at the August 24 Earth Source Gardens Harvest Party. Guests sheltered in the "cow trellis"!

How does the milk come out of the cow? Youngsters practice their milking skills on a mock cow at the June 21 Summer Solstice Party.


2014 was full of happy surprises. The Co-op’s ‘Year of the Cow’ June Summer Solstice party

at Earth Source Gardens featured demonstrations of whipping cream, making and sampling ice cream, and even offered a chance to practice milking skills on a ‘mock cow.’ In a minor departure from ordinary dairy practice, she gave chocolate milk! Mild temps and timely rain made the Co-op’s Earth Source Gardens shine. Fragrant flower demonstra-tions featured Heliotrope, Stock, Flowering Sweet Peas, Four O’Clocks, and Sweet William. Sweet William won the sniff test, with a spicy carnation-like fragrance. Following the impulse to drink locally, we planted wheat, barley, and hops. These ingredients, along with yeast, good water, and skill, can result in heavenly local brews. We sought to understand good beer’s balancing act between crisp, citrusy hops and mellow, molasses flavors of malted barley. Iowa beer surely makes a smaller environmental footprint than wine shipped in glass from Portugal or Chile! We are simply mad for trellises at Earth Source Gardens. From delicate, hand-fashioned willow to sturdy, interwoven bean poles, we enjoy them all. Best is the happy cow trellis made from a hog panel bent into a half circle, anchored with fence posts and planted with scarlet Cardinal Flowers. Earth Source Gardens has been a rewarding collabo-ration with our host, Harvest Farm and Preserve. Doug and Linda Paul, along with Julie Decker, have allowed the Co-op to use these fertile two acres at no charge. One gardener remarked, “I really like that this community garden is on the bus line!” Thank you to the marvelous Co-op working owners who help at Co-op cooking classes, Earth Source Gardens and garden parties, as well as many other Co-op events open to our community! Working members earn a $37.50 gift card for each five hours

worked, up to twenty hours per month. For more information on working owner opportunities, reach me at [email protected]. I continue the rewarding work of facilitating Co-op donations to community non-profits. In May we again hosted the Bike to Work family fun ride: “Old Pi to New Pi Ride” (from the “old” Iowa City store to the “new” Coralville store). Perhaps it is time to rethink that name, as we prepare to open our third store in Cedar Rapids! Wherever we go, our goal is to have fun learning, to wake up to the authentic flavors of fresh, local, natural, and organic foods. Feeling and looking good is a welcome side effect. The challenge of how to support small and local food producers inspired the creation of the Iowa Pollinators, an offshoot of Slow Money. The Pollinators is a group of ten community members who pooled $5,000 each to create a low-interest lending fund. Further members are welcome, as are applications for loans (visit slowmoneyiowa.org). While not an official Co-op project, New Pioneer has generously assisted with graphics and printing support for their efforts. Looking ahead to the excitement of the Cedar Rapids store, we hope to inspire and support the hunger for good food, social justice, and better health in a new town. Thank you for your support!

Theresa Carbrey New Pi Education & Outreach


Education & Outreach: Scott Koepke


I Am a Cedar Rapids boy. Growing up there in the ‘60s and ‘70s, I’ve witnessed many changes, both good and not-so-good, in the City of Five Seasons. When I was a kid, to see urban

chickens, Matthew 25’s urban farm plots, and food scrap compost collection by the city would have been unheard of. Gun violence, however, was also quite rare compared to now.

My excitement about New Pioneer coming to my hometown is fueled by noticing the perfect fit of the New Pi Soilmates program I’ve been blessed to develop for both the health-conscious and at-risk components of Cedar Rapids. We’re strengthen-ing partnerships with community organizations dedicated to growing more local food, and our life skill classes are sprouting healthier neighborhoods. Nurturing plants nurtures people. This past academic year, New Pi Soilmates has extended outreach throughout the Corridor into eight schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Our 2015 schedule includes many more for school garden support, encouraging cafeteria and kitchen food waste collection for compost, and, of course, fun classes in gardening, soil science, and life skills.

COMPOST EDUCATION Perhaps the most rewarding experience for me in 2014 was the honor of New Pi Soilmates being asked to lead the compost education for all 3,200 sixth graders in C.R. during the month of May at the Linn County Solid Waste Agency. As busloads of middle schoolers learned how to convert food and paper waste into plant food by building biology in organic matter, I witnessed consciousness elevation on several critical points:

a. With so many people living with food insecurity, don’t throw food away.

b. If we can’t eat it, we can compost it. c. All food, whether you eat meat or not, comes from plants. All plants come from soil. We make soil more balanced when we make compost.

Congrats to Linn County, by the way, for having one of the largest compost processing facilities in the country located right here in Cedar Rapids!

A SOILMATES BOOK FOR TEACHERS Currently a work-in-progress, we’re excited to be developing a free New Pi Soilmates book for teachers that offers lesson plans and activities during units about plants, geology, and economics. It is our obligation to pass this education onto the next generation.

When healthy habits are established early, they are much more likely to be sustained throughout life. Peers educating peers, as we do with New Pi Soilmates Pioneers – training 11th graders to teach 1st graders – is one of the most effective methods of instruction.

GENERATIONAL DIVERSITY FOR SUSTAINABILITY We understand the vital importance of recruiting student garden club members, parents, teachers, and community volunteers. Sustainable labor means generational diversity.

More and more New Pi Soilmates-sponsored gardens are adding season extensions to their projects through coldframes, hoophouses/green-houses, and food preservation and dehydration. Iowa’s growing season isn’t just April through October anymore!

I’d like to, once again, acknowledge my gratitude to New Pioneer for prioritizing our values and allocat-ing resources for the Soilmates curriculum. At the Co-op, we strive to be inclusive. We welcome diverse voices and choices. Own it with us; be well with us.

Scott Koepke New Pi Education & Outreach


Events: Beyond Groceries!

New Pi hosts the Bike to Work Week "Old Pi to New Pi" ride May 14.

We celebrate the Co-op's ‘Year of Milk and Cheese' with a chance to

practice milking skills on a mock cow. She gave chocolate milk!

Discerning guests evaluate wines at the November 6 Wine Freak-out

at the Coralville Store.

Elida Trochez and Tracie Bettis display Co-op Carrot Cake, 2nd place winner in the March 31 Iowa City "Top Chef"!

Co-op Board President Sarah Walz (at podium) announces

the future location of the Cedar Rapids store.

Tim Palmer of Clover Hill Creations grilled

fabulous chicken for the August 24 Garden Party

in 95 degree heat!


Cycling Team New Pi in their gear during Bike to Work Week.

Shaken cream becomes butter at June 21 Solstice

Garden Party at New Pi's Earth Source Gardens.

Ribbon-cutting at The New Pi Hub, a food-production facility

created to supply our stores. Left to right : Co-op GM Matt Hartz

(with daughter Estelle), Board Vice President Janet Razbadouski,

Amy Nichols, and Bakery Lead Josh Nichols.

Iowa City Store Team Leader Mike Gustaveson, center, lifts a glass

to the success of The New Pi Hub kitchen and bakery at its ribbon

cutting in July.

New Pioneer's Soilmates program features Scott Koepke, shown here leading a "rain dance" at the Soilmates downtown Iowa City Ped Mall Garden.


the ballotYou must hold a New Pioneer Food Co-op ownership in your own name to participate in voting.

• Only the share holder (owner) may vote. Spouses and household members without their own shares are not eligible. Check the name on the mailing address of this publication, inquire at a store register, or call Sandy at (319) 248-6404 to determine the name in which the owner share is held.

• To vote in the 2014 New Pi Board elections, you must have been an owner as of September 11, 2014.

• Read the candidates’ comments ( pages 18-26 ) and select up to 2.

• Mark your selections in the ballot on the next page, 15, with a pen.

• Print your name, sign your name, and print address, phone number, and New Pioneer owner number below your vote selection. Remember, your owner share must be held in your name, and all fields must be completed, or your ballot will be invalid.

• The ballot is a self-mailer. No separate envelope is needed.

• Cut the ballot as shown ( ) and fold on designated lines. Tape at the sides (very important—DO NOT tape at bottom, the post office needs this free of tape), and mail or drop off at either store.

make sure we can count your ballot!• ALL information on your ballot must be accurate.

• Be certain to fill out your ballot completely.

• Print your name.

• Sign your name.

• Print address and phone number.

• Verify your owner number.

2014 Voting Proceduremake your mark

on new pi.we’re different

because you care.mail promptly

• Mailed ballots must arrive at the accountant’s office by October 24, 2014 to be counted.

• You may also drop your completed ballot in a ballot box at either New Pioneer store until stores close 10PM on October 25, 2014, to be counted.


New Pioneer Co-op 2014 This election fills two Board seats.

You may vote for up to 2 candidates.

Ballot

Ballot will be opened and viewed by Bergan Paulsen & Company only.Results will be announced at the conclusion of the Annual Member Meeting Sun., Oct. 26, 2014, from 2-4pm.

Janet Razbadouski

Brandon Reese

Matthew Zuraw

Com

plet

e al

l fiel

ds in

this

sect

ion.

Ballots dueBy mail: Oct. 24, 2014In store: Oct. 25, 2014

signature

owner #

owner name

address

phone #

You must hold a New Pioneer owner share in your OWN NAME to participate in voting.

KT Hawbaker Krohn

Victoria Hennings

Courtney McKibbin

Calvin Norris

An owner petition (added to the ballot after meeting the 100 owner signature requirement) seeks the following product change – verbatim from the petition:

"New Pi: Get out of Eden"Eden Foods is the Hobby Lobby of organic foods. Eden Foods says that they “do not believe that contraception or abortifacients properly constitute healthcare” and that these “almost always involve immoral and unnatural practice.” Holding women’s healthcare hostage is an ethical violation of the employee’s medical autonomy.

As member-owners of this community Co-op, we the undersigned, demand New Pioneer to immediately terminate our business relationship with Eden Foods and demand that New Pioneer send a letter to Eden Foods expressing our disapproval of their policies towards women’s health.

Should New Pi remove all Eden Foods products from our shelves?YES, Please discontinue Eden Foods products. No, Please keep Eden Foods products.

You are not required to vote on this issue. The vote will be determined by a simple majority. To find out more about this petition and the proposed product line change, see page 17.


NO POSTAGENECESSARY IF MAILED

IN THEUNITED STATES

BERGAN PAULSEN & COMPANY PCP.O. BOX 10200CEDAR RAPIDS IA 52410-9927

BUSINESS REPLY MAIL FIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 1157 CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE

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Why vote ‘yes' to removing Eden Foods products? Employers should not have the power to selectively deny employees coverage for medical care based on the employ-er’s religious beliefs. Eden Foods sued the Department of Health and Human Services in a bid to reverse what its founder calls “unconstitutional government overreach.” Eden Foods deserves to hear that shoppers do not support this erosion of women’s access to healthcare. Eden Foods is intruding in its employees’ medical privacy. A company- wide boycott of Eden Foods products, accompanied by a letter from Co-op management explaining why, is the most effective way to express support for women’s access to healthcare.

What is the concern with Eden Foods? Monday, June 30, 2014, the Supreme Court ruled in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby that some family owned companies with religious objections may opt out of an Affordable Care Act requirement to pay for contraception coverage if the company chooses to offer employee health insurance. Michael Potter, CEO of Eden Foods, had previously filed suit challenging the Affordable Care Act's requirement for contraceptive coverage. With the "Hobby Lobby" decision, the Supreme Court remanded the Eden suit to Sixth Circuit for further consideration – a decision in the Eden case is still pending.

Eden Foods’s view on this issue is fundamentally different from New Pioneer’s position as an employer – we do provide contra-ceptive coverage for our staff as part of our employee benefits package. In response to Eden’s position, we’ve received a lot of feedback from our owners. Some owners have asked that New Pi pull Eden Foods products from our shelves, while others have asked us to keep them.

The Co-op serves a large and diverse group of over 31,000 owners, with multiple points of view and opinions. As a cooperative, New Pi has a ballot mechanism in place for our owners to address product line issues in an open and democratic manner.

Here are a few reasons from each side of the discussion:

Why vote ‘no' and keep Eden Foods products? Eden Foods offers a unique and distinguished line of natural and organic products. They have a 40-plus-year track record on organic integrity, domestic sourcing from family farms, and BPA-free packaging. Eden Foods remains one of the few privately held companies in an industry where corporate con-glomerates (Coke, Kraft, and Heinz) dominate. It is unclear what impact the Co-op dropping Eden Foods will have on their policies, and shoppers may seek out Eden products elsewhere, costing the Co-op revenue. This issue falls outside New Pi's product policy guidelines and mission statement and therefore should be left to individuals to choose for themselves whether to purchase Eden Foods products or not, as the Co-op generally discontinues products that do not sell.

Eden Foods VoteNew Pioneer received a petition signed by more than 100 member-owners seeking a vote on whether to remove Eden Foods products from New Pi shelves. The wording on the ballot is taken directly from the submitted petition.

New Pi's bylaws provide for a democratic process that allows member-owners to petition for product line changes. Any such petition must be resolved by a vote. You, as a member-owner of the Co-op, now have the opportunity to vote in favor or against removing Eden Foods products.


KT Hawbaker-Krohn

Q: Please summarize the aspects of your work experience that you feel would be helpful to the New Pioneer Board and New Pioneer Food Co-op.

A: From October 2010 through August 2013, I worked as an interdepartmental clerk at New Pioneer Coralville. In this position, I trained in the front end, well-ness, produce, and grocery departments, while occasionally contributing to the Catalyst. This work experience helped me obtain a position at Wheatsville Co-op in Austin, Texas. I worked there from August 2013 - January 2014, when I returned for my internship at Iowa. Between these two experiences, I gained a rich knowledge of the food industry, the importance of community-sourced foods, customer service, holistic self-care, open-book management, and the structure of cooperative economies.

Q: Have you served on a board of direc-tors before? If so, please describe the organization and your role.

A: As an undergrad, I served three years on Riverfest’s Executive Board of Directors, working as both Development and Music Director throughout my terms. This required meticulous atten-tion to detail as well as improvisation once the festival was in gear. We planned

numerous events around the community and I spearheaded the 2011 Zombie Prom, which featured Dead Larry, and drew in the largest crowds that season. I’ve also had several different leadership roles within the community, including student government, Girls Rock, Iowa Youth Writing Project, Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, CAB, and the Honors Program.

Q: In your opinion, what is the role of the Board of Directors in the operation of New Pioneer Food Co-op?

A: It is my understanding that a coopera-tive structure begins with the owners at the top. An important thing to remem-ber is that the member-owner base is a collective of consumers and employees - everyone needs to feel like they have an opportunity to stay involved. The owners then elect a board from that collective, which hopefully represents the climate of that culture best. It is up to the Board to monitor the different actions of the Co-op and make the most thoughtful, positive decisions on behalf of the owners. It is up to the Board to put policies and projects in place that foster community and growth. This might include bike to work programs for the staff and a stronger sense of trans-parency in regards to buying policies and the structure of management.

Q: As a Board member, how would you guide the Co-op in fulfilling the values reflected in its mission statement?

A: I know that I am young, but I rep-resent an enormous section of our community that is often overlooked and underrepresented by businesses. By having a voice on the Board, I could help promote diverse views, while encourag-ing socially responsible practices. As a former employee, I would do my best to represent my community and advocate for their “health, welfare, and happiness” by integrating successful ideas found at Wheatsville Co-op in Austin, TX and by reaching out to the staff for feedback.

Q: What do you feel are New Pioneer’s primary challenges and how could you help meet these challenges?

A: I love New Pioneer for what it could be. Natural foods are hitting the main-stream. Once Costco started to sell organic, we’d reached a tipping point. It is up to New Pi to compete with larger stores through a sense of community, a high value trait that begins with staff that feels appreciated and fairly employed. New Pi is also responsible for setting an example for that community. That means

Occupation Intern, University of Iowa Department of Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies Wellness Counselor, Builders of Hope Pasta Maker, Zaza’s Pastas and Italian Market Education

BA University of Iowa, Creative Writing (Nonfiction), BA with Honors ‘13 University of Iowa, Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies

Special interests Founding Member of ROAR (Radical Organizing Against Rape), a direct action group of local feminists. “Julia Wild Child,” a blog that I author on a monthly basis, where I discuss different intersections of food and gender roles. The Young Writers’ Studio. Food writing instructor. Throwing dinner parties with my wife, Kate.

continued on page 25


Victoria Hennings


A: While in college I was a part of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. My junior year, I was elected President of Trident Naval Society, our social services organization. This position put me in charge of scheduling and leading volun-teer opportunities for the entire battalion. Not only did I learn how to motivate my friends and shipmates, I learned an enormous amount about the commu-nity we served, what it needed, and how to get the community itself to perform at its best. A year later, as Battalion Operations Officer, I became adept at using technology - as well as the ability to keep excellent records - to communicate information and excite people about life. More recently, my position as a tutor has taught me how to adapt different material to every unique personality I come across. I have held many other titles in my work history, but all build on the idea that the best way to serve others is through educa-tion: that of yourself and of those around you. If elected, I will bring this experi-ence and enthusiasm to the Board and all New Pi interactions.


A: In high school, I was the President of the Junior Board of the Florida Sun Coast Figure Skating Club. The Junior Board made sure that younger club members were represented and were able to enact change within the club. As the President, I was in charge of holding/running Junior Board meetings, report-ing proceedings at senior board meetings, being the liaison between the club and facility management, proposing new events/fund-raisers, and over-seeing their execution.


A: I believe the role of the Board of Directors is to serve as both a mouth-piece and a tool for owners. The Board should address concerns, entertain proposals, and execute the overall vision laid out by New Pi owners. The Board is responsible for enhancing the Co-op experience, fine tuning abstract goals, and consistently creating and making owners aware of events and opportunities which are in line with the mission of the Co-op.


A: The mission of the Co-op is to make every person who enters (the store and the New Pi community) feel welcome. Beyond that, it is to make every patron feel comfortable, at home, like a better version of themselves. To me, the best way to fulfill the values of the mission statement is to treat the Co-op like home and the owners like family. I would like to continue fostering the relationships New Pi has with local farmers and com-munity groups. Furthering education about healthy living is something that will benefit everyone involved, and I would love to promote even more community interaction.


A: Health foods and the organizations that promote them often fall prey to stereotypes. A few of my favorites are: people who shop there are pretentious, it can’t taste good if it’s that healthy, and - a personal top pick - I need to be in

Occupation I am currently enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Iowa. I also work as a tutor in Iowa City and the Quad Cities.

EducationBA History, Arabic, University of Notre Dame, Graduate Work: Religious Studies, University of Iowa

Special InterestsI have always been an athlete and am very active. I love cooking and finding new, healthy ingredients. I have a passion for education and community action. I look forward to making these a bigger part of my life.



Courtney McKibbin


A: I manage and support projects, assist-ing them to achieve the best operating policy including:

- financial analysis and costing for capital purchases, cost savings initiatives, and new products - ideal production rates, shift patterns, batch size, methods, etc. - people impact and minimizing attrition and churn - changes to location and number of production lines and the far reaching impacts - new product launches and all the impacts, financial and otherwise I believe this work is relevant to New Pi’s growth and that I can help the Co-op achieve growth in the best way.


A: No, I have not.


A: The Board of Directors should guide the organization by: staying focused on fulfilling the mission, protecting the sus-tainability of the Co-op for many years to come, and keeping people and the heart of the company at the forefront of all decisions.


A: I was a New Pi customer for the first time in 1995. I have watched New Pi stay true to its mission in a way most companies haven’t. I want to help ensure that the Co-op can meet the growing demand for natural products, but in a way that protects the Co-op and its people, keeping the business strong into the future. I would like to help the Co-op to grow in a smart way.


A: The growth of competition from health products in larger stores is likely a challenge, so New Pi will need to:

maintain its unique advantage of having truly superior products, and communi-cate that effectively so that people know why they should choose New Pi. I believe that my business perspective can help New Pi see and respond to these issues through product choices, features, and communication.

Q: In your opinion, what is the role of the Co-op in the community?

The Co-op provides an opportunity for those of us in the community to get the products we want, rather than the cost-driven products being sold by large corporations. We can support natural product suppliers and enjoy those products in our lives. The Co-op allows natural food companies to keep the integrity of their products, rather than chasing the demands of mass produc-tion. In doing that, we also protect the land and animals in our community.

Occupation I am the Financial Planning & Analysis Lead for the Whirlpool plant in Amana, IA. EducationBBA in Accounting and Marketing, University of Iowa; MBA, University of Iowa; CPA

Special Interests Running 5K’s and being an animal rights advocate.


Calvin Norris INCUMBENT


A: For the last 22 years, I have worked for AEGON USA Investment Management in various finance and management-related roles. One of those roles in particular, my experience as a financial analyst of retail companies, would be very helpful to New Pioneer and its board. Also, for the last seventeen years I’ve taught various finance courses for gradu-ate and undergraduate students at the University of Iowa. This background has provided me a thorough understanding of sound business principles and the knowl-edge necessary to help New Pi achieve its mission within today’s complex and highly competitive business environment.


A: Yes. In July 2002 I was appointed to New Pi’s Board of Directors, and served until my term ended in November. I then served an elected term at New Pioneer from November 2003 to November 2006, and another elected term from November 2011 until today. I currently chair the Board’s management relations committee, and have served on the Board of Director’s Finance committee since 2002.


A: The Board of Directors makes policy and supervises the General Manager. It has been entrusted by the owners of the Co-op to make sound financial decisions and ensure the organization succeeds in achieving its mission. Above all else, the Board must advance the core values of our society and hold them in the highest priority both now and in the future.


A: I am whole-heartedly committed to the cooperative spirit, the values New Pi was built upon, and like most of our owners, I have a strong social conscience. But I also have a great deal of formal business training and practical experience in both New Pioneer’s business activities and in finance. I believe this combination of values, skills, and existing institutional knowledge puts me in a strong position to help our Co-op thrive, without losing focus on who we are and what’s impor-tant to us.


A: New Pioneer’s investment in a new store in Cedar Rapids and a food produc-tion facility in North Liberty represents some of the largest challenges to the organization since the Coralville expan-sion. Fortunately, we’ve learned a great deal since then. We are much better prepared to meet these challenges, both fiscally and operationally, but it is impor-tant we remain vigilant and not repeat our past mistakes.

Having helped New Pioneer recover from its past financial difficulties, and as a resident of Cedar Rapids, I have a vested interest in seeing our Cedar Rapids store and North Liberty operations are a tre-mendous success.

In your opinion, what is the role of the Co-op in the community?

At its core, New Pioneer exists to bring people together. This includes farmers sharing naturally grown foods with health-conscious consumers, and owners getting together to share and reinforce

Occupation For the last 22 years I’ve worked at AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, where I am currently the US Interest Rate Strategist and a portfolio manager for several institutional fixed income portfolios. For the last 17 years I have also taught various finance-related courses as adjunct faculty within the Henry B. Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa.

EducationI have a BBA in Finance from the University of Iowa, a MBA with an emphasis in Finance and Management and Organizations from the University of Iowa, and I hold my Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute.

Special Interests Spending time with my family, home improvement, auto repair, and officiating high-school football.



Janet Razbadouski INCUMBENT

Q: Please summarize the aspects of your work experience that you feel would be helpful to the New Pioneer Board and New Pioneer Food Co-op. A: I’ve been involved in co-ops for 35 years. In the 1980s I worked as the General Manager (GM) of a natural foods co-op in DeKalb, IL, during a period of significant change. Within a two year period, we moved our store to a new location, computerized our systems, and transitioned from a working member only co-op to hiring more staff and offering both working and non-working memberships. This organizational change was accomplished through the hard work of staff, members, and the board. Being the GM during this period gave me experience in the management of a business during a period of significant change and insight into the various roles played by management, staff, members, and the board of directors in a coopera-tive in order to achieve our goals.

After leaving my GM position, I returned to school to pursue a degree in engineer-ing, and have been working as an engineer for the last 19 years. In addition to my technical expertise, I have developed and managed project budgets, prepared short and long term planning, managed constructions projects, and developed

strategic energy and sustainability plans. I currently work at the University of Iowa where I work on energy conservation and sustainability for the University, espe-cially in the design of new buildings. I am a Certified Energy Manager and LEED Accredited Professional. Q: Have you served on a board of directors before? If so, please describe the organization and your role. A: I served as the President of the Board of Directors (BOD) for the natural foods co-op described previously. I also served as an alternate board member for the North Farm cooperative natural foods warehouse in Madison, WI. In 2005-2006 I was on the Planning Committee of the New Pioneer Food Co-op BOD, and helped develop the capital plans for renovations and upgrades in the Iowa City location.

Currently, I am the Vice President of the New Pi BOD and serve as the Chair of the Planning Committee. In this role I have worked with the New Pi manage-ment team and BOD on planning and executing the opening of a third store (Cedar Rapids – in construction) and moving our bakery/deli production to a separate facility.

Q: In your opinion, what is the role of the Board of Directors in the operation of New Pioneer Food Co-op? A: In general the BOD represents the ownership and is responsible for long term planning, asset management, and the fulfillment of the mission statement. While the Board advises management, they are not involved in the day to day operation of the business. In short, the Board sets policy and the management implements policy. It is the Board’s responsibility to evaluate management’s achievement and fulfillment of policies.

Q: As a Board member, how would you guide the Co-op in fulfilling the values reflected in its mission statement? A: I fully support the mission statement and strive to support and expand existing New Pi policies such as the Product Policy, fair prices, and fair working conditions, wages, and benefits.

I can also have a positive impact with the Co-op’s mission of environmental responsibility. Environmental

Occupation I am currently employed at the University of Iowa where I work as an Energy Engineer; I work on energy conservation and sustainability, especially in the design of new buildings and major renovations. I am a Certified Energy Manager and LEED Accredited Professional.

Education

BS in History and Economics; Northern Illinois University, 1983. BS in Mechanical Engineering; Northern Illinois University, 1995.

Special interestsOrganic gardening, permaculture, sustainable design and energy efficiency, cooking, food preservation, and fiber arts.



Brandon Reese


A: I’ve worked locally in banking since 2006, both with the customer and in a staff support role, which gives me an understanding of both sides of the coin. With a career in finance, I create budgets, plan for future expansion, and monitor performance. Many of these same skills will be utilized as a board member. The Co-op must always stay true to its mission; I believe the market for the healthy choice is going to con-tinue to increase. The Co-op needs board members and management that can balance those goals and ideals, while remaining financially sound, especially with the possibility of a new store on the horizon. Q: Have you served on a board of direc-tors before? If so, please describe the organization and your role.

A: I have not, but am eager to give back to the organization however I can.


A: I believe the role of a board of directors in any organization is to act objectively as a guide or a compass, ensuring the organization stays true to its mission in the long term. Using their collective experience and expertise, the board ensures that owners of the Co-op have their voices heard on issues that they feel are important. If an owner reaches out to a Board member, I feel it is his or her responsibility to bring it to the attention of management or the Board, depending on the type of concern. The Board’s role regarding operations of the business should be in an advisory capacity.


A: I will encourage accessibility and education wherever possible. Even if demand continues to grow organically (pun intended), I believe the Co-op can and should use its resources and posi-tion within the community to encourage insightful conversation about the food we eat. Once people begin thinking of food

as an investment in their health and well-being, there will be more shoppers in the stores and owners of the Co-op.


A: New Pioneer’s shoppers should have the fine print read for them. Any product available at New Pi needs to meet or exceed the values set forth in the mission statement. This represents challenges for the Co-op that are ongoing. Ensuring only natural, high quality, sustainable and honestly advertised items make it to the shelves requires constant vigilance. Another challenge I see is expansion. I think that growth needs to happen, but exactly what, where, and when will require careful planning and coordination beyond just the boardroom to ensure it is the best choice for everyone.


A: The Co-op serves the community by enabling choice. Owners and customers alike make choices when they shop at New Pi. They choose the healthy option;

Occupation Financial analyst, MidwestOne Bank, Iowa City

EducationBA Finance, University of Iowa

Special interests I like to spend as much time as possible outdoors. I enjoy camping and backpacking, but even a short walk in the woods is a great way to “disconnect.”

I have a passion for organic, natural foods (of course). I believe many Americans, even many of us here in the Midwest, don’t know where the food we eat comes from or what goes into it. As such, an interest or mission of mine is to share my own thoughts on "Knowing What You Eat" whenever possible.

Janet Razbadouski INCUMBENT



Matthew Zuraw


A: My educational, professional, and volunteer experiences have given me a broad set of skills to help New Pioneer meet the objectives of our mission statement. Most notably, I have been successful in numerous roles that impact my company’s strategy, customer satisfac-tion, and employee retention. Ultimately, my contributions have helped the company reach our objectives and grow our customer and employee base. I have strong analytic skills – bolstered by my experience as a business analyst – that will help the Board understand issues apparent in data. Additionally, inter-personal skills – developed in an MBA program primarily focused on leader-ship and utilized daily while leading an employee base of 450 associates – will help me connect with owners, employees, and non-member-owners about oppor-tunities to improve given their views on the Co-op. Finally, my desire to impact the community through volunteering at organizations like Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and the Ronald McDonald House demonstrate my commitment to the community.


A: Yes, I was the Public Relations Chair for The Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. I contributed to the strategic approach for the community-based, non-profit organization and I was selected for the Executive and Finance Committee as a member of their Board of Directors. The mission of the Urban League is to enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. I was responsible for develop-ing the Thousand Reasons Campaign to raise $100,000 for the organization that would serve as a basis for future commu-nity programs.


A: The primary role of the Board of Directors is to understand New Pioneer Food Co-op owners in order to represent them and make good on the fiduciary and legal responsibilities given. Additionally, the responsibility of communicating to the owners is another large role of the Board of Directors. New Pioneer’s ability to meet the objectives of the mission statement is a direct way to measure the success of the Board. The decisions of the Board of Directors impact both the daily operations and long-term success of the Co-op. If given the opportunity, I will utilize my skills to ensure the Board acts with these roles in mind.

Occupation I am GEICO’s office director for the more than 450 associates employed in Coralville. I am respon-sible for nearly 750,000 customers and over $900 million in revenue. For the last decade, I’ve worked for GEICO in various positions from business analyst in Washington D. C. to customer service director in San Diego, CA.

Education I graduated from a small commu-nity high school in Southeastern Virginia with a class of 29 students. I continued my education at Virginia Tech and earned a BS in Finance, Insurance, and Business Law. Most recently, I earned my Master’s degree

at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and became the young-est graduate of their prestigious Executive MBA program.

Special Interests My interests range from sports fanatic to outdoor enthusiast to business student (I thoroughly enjoy reading the Harvard Business Review and Fortune Magazine). I am most fond of winning the Coaches Award for my high school Varsity Basketball team both years the team won state championships. I love the outdoors and you can find me at the Iowa City Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and at church or Coralville Lake on Sundays. I also play on GEICO’s softball team and enjoy traveling.



Candidate Statements Cont.

a political purchasing policy that doesn’t condone or support the backward ideol-ogy of Hobby Lobby or Eden Foods. This needs to be explicitly communi-cated as part of our mission. Q: In your opinion, what is the role of the Co-op in the community?

A: The Co-op is a concentrated center of optimism - that’s why I loved working in these environments. The Co-op is a hub for ideas and conversation that turn into action. It gives a home to workers from artistic, political, and academic back-grounds who strive for something better and off the beaten path. My grandpar-ents are from Eastern Iowa and New Pi is a very special symbol of their agricultural past combined with my political earnestness. Let’s keep it weird.

KT HAWBAKER-KROHN (continued from page 18)

VICTORIA HENNINGS (continued from page 19)

CALVIN NORRIS (continued from page 21)

shape before I shop at a health food store. There are a multitude of misconceptions about health food, sustainability, clean living, and co-ops in general. I would meet each obstacle with the same weapon: knowledge. By correcting these stereo-types within the community, New Pi would welcome an entirely new audience.


A: The role of the Co-op is to provide its owners with access to the items necessary to live clean, healthy, and sustainable lives. This role extends to all members of the Iowa City area. The Co-op is in a unique

their common values. I believe it is this sharing and caring about others that defines us and binds us to each other and to our community. New Pioneer has an affirmative obligation to actively promote this com-munity spirit within our organization and within our community at large.

position to educate the community on the value of healthy living and the availability of local and sustainable products. The role of the Co-op is not just to create owners but rather to empower the community to believe in and fulfill its own potential.

JANET RAZBADOUSKI (continued from page 22)

responsibility includes building materials, recycling, storm water manage-ment, energy efficiency, water efficiency, and renewable energy. If re-elected, I will con-tinue to use my expertise in these areas to further New Pi’s role as an environmentally responsible leader in the community.


A: The primary challenge for New Pi is to continually meet the growing needs of its owners and employees, while maintaining the financial viability of the Co-op. New Pioneer is faced with new suppliers enter-ing the natural foods market and we need to remain competitive with strong pricing and service. We need to use our strengths to dif-ferentiate us from discount stores that offer some similar products. This includes our

strong workforce, owners, connection to local suppliers, and educational programs. We also have challenges in maintaining owner involvement as we grow into a new market.

The Co-op is financially strong, and despite setbacks (relocating the Iowa City store) we have made great strides in implementing our long term plans. It has been a privilege representing the ownership and working with the management team and BOD to expand the mission of the Co-op. I believe that my communication skills, experience in consensus decision making and in co-op organizations have been an asset to the BOD in meeting the challenges that we face.


The Co-op is a leader in sustainable prac-tices and social responsibility. We are an example of a viable, profitable business that is owned by each shareholder and organized on democratic, cooperative principles. Our work practices focus on full time employees with benefits and a livable wage. We serve a diverse community of owners and non-owner customers, not only providing high quality natural products, but also educating the community about the products we sell. In addition the Co-op is an integral member of the local foods economy, bringing consumers and producers of local, organic foods together.


MATTHEW ZURAW (continued from page 24)


A: Understanding the needs of customers and employees is the base for any business. I would work to gather input from both groups on New Pioneer Food Co-op’s current abilities to meet the values outlined in the mission state-ment. As opportunities are uncovered, I would work with the Board to act in a way that helps us realize our shared vision. Additionally, it is worth understanding the views of those customers who are not owners and those in the community who are not customers. Furthermore, working with suppliers up the value chain would also enhance our ability to fulfill our values.

Candidate Statements Cont.

What do you feel are New Pioneer’s primary challenges and how could you help meet these challenges?

A: Stimulating the local agricultural produc-tion of natural and organic foods is one of New Pi’s primary challenges. Expansion in Cedar Rapids and the transition to a stand-alone kitchen in North Liberty are two recent efforts to increase growth in local producers. Analyzing the buying habits of customers by profiles, product, and store to develop and implement changes would be one of many ways I could help meet this challenge. In your opinion, what is the role of the Co-op in the community?

A: Catalyst is not a misnomer; the Co-op’s role in the community is to increase the rate of change in the community’s efforts around a better way of doing business and a healthy way of living life. The Co-op has to be the beacon of hope for those looking for those values, and for those who do not yet under-stand the importance of those values.

BRANDON REESE (continued from page 23)

whether it be as simple as choosing organic produce and hormone-free milk as an invest-ment in the physical health of their families, by investing in the health of their own community by supporting local farmers and artisans, or by insisting the products they purchase come from companies or producers that are congruent with their values. The Co-op’s role is bringing all of this together to give everyone a choice.


Organic Products

Fair TradeProducts

Gluten FreeProducts

ON THE SHELVES:

3,365

SAVED FROM THE LANDFILL THIS YEAR

TONS OF COMPOST23.4135 1,555

Cooking & Gardening Classes Taught �is Year

Soilmates Classes Taught �is Year

60

300Households Gardened at Earth Source Gardens85

190 EMPLOYED

TO DATE

70%OF EMPLOYEES ARE FULLTIME AND RECEIVE 401K AND BENEFIT COVERAGE

8,000 STUDENTS REACHED

BY NEW PI SOILMATES

through garden education in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City

school districts

NEW THIS YEARover 31,000 2,271+

LOCAL PRODUCERS FEATURED IN OUR STORES119

NEW PI OWNERS

HELPED 33 LOCAL SCHOOL & COMMUNITY GARDENS

SPROUT UP

294,227 LOAVES OF NEW PI BREAD

111,774 GAL. OF LOCAL MILK

609,540 LOCAL EGGS

37,593 LBS.OF GRASS FED BEEF

(number excludes produce and other naturally gluten free foods)

‘14‘13‘12‘11‘10

$ IN LOCAL PRODUCTS purchased from local growers in the last 5 years

SOLD THIS YEAR:

NOW HIRING FOR CR!

given through 5 bag donations bags saved from the landfill$9,529.40 298,756

22 S. Van Buren St.Iowa City, IA 52240(319) 338-9441open daily 7am–10pm

1101 2nd St. Coralville, IA 52241(319) 358-5513open daily 7am–10pm

3338 Center Point Rd. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Coming Soon!

www.newpi.coop

Change Service Requested

VOTE! VOTE! BALLOTS DUE OCT. 24 BY MAIL OR OCT. 25 IN STORE.

ANNUAL

Ask questions at the owner open forum, hear reports from the Board of Directors, & stick around

for the election results.

Get involved!

Sun., October 26, 2-4 PMTHE KIRKWOOD ROOM AT GOVERNOR'S RIDGE

515 KIRKWOOD AVE., IOWA CITY, IA 52240

Sunday, October 26, 2-4 PMTHE KIRKWOOD ROOM AT GOVERNOR'S RIDGE

515 KIRKWOOD AVE., IOWA CITY, IA 52240

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