The purpose of The Fantabulous DNF Co-op Member Survey 2019 is to gather information on you, our Member-Owners, and improve our Co-op to satisfy your needs and wants. This study will be open for two months. It will open Monday, November 4 and closes Tuesday, December 31. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete with a maximum of 59 questions. We value your feedback, time and thought. We can not wait to hear what you have to say!

There are many Co-ops that are in similar positions that we are in: small, difficult locations, limited parking, heavy competition and aging equipment. This is really not by accident but certainly not intended.

Back in the ‘70s when many of our Co-ops were born, the intent is that they were small neighborhood stores never really intending to grow very big. It was a great idea and small Co-ops flourished.

Times have changed and the economic realities – as well as our ability to serve our communities and Members-Owners – demand that we grow. Those of us from the small Co-ops in small towns sit around tables trying to figure out a successful path forward.

There are no easy answers. While the majority of Co-ops that were started in the ‘70s have long disappeared, those of us remaining have deeply appealed to our communities and survived often due to sheer stubbornness. Nothing is guaranteed and even the big Co-ops often struggle. Last year, we saw the close of the 2-store Harvest Co-op in Boston, MA. That’s scary.

Our Co-op had a brush with closing a year ago. Stubbornness and the support of our Member-Owners have revived us substantially and we are on a path of slow growth.  The NCG is helping, not just with moral support and programs shared with all the Co-ops, but by specific energy directed at our Co-op. It’s a drop in the bucket but helped us through critical times and they continue to lend their resources to us. 

We are in a quite exciting period of our existence. We are growing again with the support of everyone who shops here.

The Survey will go on for two months – Nov 4 to Dec 31.  That’s an unusually long period of time but we know how busy everyone is at this time of year and we really want to reach as many Members – active and inactive – as we can.

Keeping in the spirit of the Holiday Season, as a deeply felt thank-you and as a gift, everyone who completes the survey will receive a one-time 15% e-coupon for use in Jan or Feb so that we can ring in the new year on an energetic and vibrant level!

These next two months will fly fast! Have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season!
Take our Survey! Support your Co-op! Eat well and healthy. 2020 will offer us great opportunities and excitement.
                                                                                                                   ~ By Joe Z

PASSIONATE ABOUT PRODUCE

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and our Produce Department is ready to help bring some seriously yummy ingredients to your family's table!

Yams, green beans, fresh cranberries, fresh herbs, local squash, local onions, local potatoes, and so many other options will be available through November. Expect to see some awesome holiday sales on some of these items as well.

We also now carry Organic Girl greens - and if being certified organic and triple washed isn't enough, the containers are made from 100% recycled plastic. Their container states, "We have it on good authority that Mother Nature is an organic girl."

INGREDIENTS IN ACTION
Spicy Pumpkin Soup

By: Co+op, stronger together

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

Creamy pumpkin soup is spiced up with jalapenos and a refreshing dollop of chipotle sour cream. Served with mulled apple cider and hearty bread, this soup goes equally well with roast pork or a spinach salad. A great starter for your Thanksgiving meal or any chilly November evening!

Full Recipe here.

DNF CO-OP IN THE COMMUNITY

Round Up for Manna during November & December

Currently, Manna serves nearly 60,000 meals per year including breakfast, a hot lunch and hot and cold to-go dinners. While the mission of Manna is still to feed those in need, the organization has expanded its services to include community programs such as the Culinary Program which provides skills and training to prepare people for jobs in the food industry and gain greater self-sufficiency. By doing this, Manna is contributing to the overall health and economic vitality of the region.

Visit the Manna website to learn more about the programs Manna offers and how you can help Manna provide food & supportive services to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families and ultimately, the community.

FRESH FROM THE DELI

Let the Deli Complement Your Thanksgiving Meal 

Order by Monday, November 25!

Not sure of your T-Day dinner plans yet? The Co-op Deli has got your back!  Pre-order from our Thanksgiving menu and pick up on November 27 or 28, Thanksgiving Day.

Deli Manager, Kelli, took a break from food prep to pose for this photo, but not before demonstrating some of her mad knife skills, chopping veggies for the ever-popular Rice Bowl - always organic ingredients!

GREETINGS FROM THE BOARD

Hello Member-Owners and Happy November!

I love moving through different seasons of the year not just by paying attention to the temperature and amount of sunlight, the colors of our mountains, the water level of our rivers, but also by what’s fresh inside our store. It seems like it was just a blink of an eye ago that we were welcoming early summer greens, carrots, and apricots, then experiencing the glee of peach and tomato juice running down the chin, and now all I want to do is bake with my pumpkin pie spices and roast as many squashes as possible, enjoying the sweet, nurturing root vegetable and also the warmth of my oven on these chilly nights.

November is a month we all hopefully get the opportunity to slow down and give gratitude for what we have. At Durango Natural Foods Co-op, the board and staff are so thankful for all of YOU for continuing to show up and put your values to work inside our store. We recently had our busiest day and week of the year at the co-op; we’re so grateful to be part of this community which values fresh and quality foods, supporting local farmers, and socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

 Left to Right: Rachel Bennett, Elise Boyson, Cathy Cowles, Wes Medlock, David Konikowski, Cody Reinheimer.
 Absent: Kelly Rogers

The Board is gearing up for our two-day retreat, during which we’ll establish a 5-year plan that furthers DNF’s vision and mission while ensuring a sustainable path forward. We’re all really looking forward to this opportunity to slow down and think about the future of DNF. We’re so appreciative to all of you who have shared feedback, participated in surveys, and attended meetings; we are here to represent you and we couldn’t do it without your participation.

While we fell short of our goal of $100,000, we are so thankful to the Member-Owners who made equity payments totaling over $67,000. DNF also received numerous cash donations from generous community members. We are in a much better position due to your generosity and we truly appreciate the support. We still welcome Member-Owners to pay equity early, which can be done very easily at the register.

While the Root Cellar campaign is officially over, the board will continue to develop ways to grow our savings account; this is vital for our success. We all know and appreciate that staying connected to our values isn’t always the cheapest decision, and we honor your continued commitment to our community and ethics.

Our next meeting is November 20, 5 -7 pm, at Durango Public Library. We’d love to have you!

Thanks for reading, and for all you do for Durango Natural Foods Co-op.

See you around the store!

                                                                            ~ Elise Boyson, Vice President

SPOTLIGHT ON THE STAFF
An Interview with the Bulk Hulk: Whitney Jones

What is one of your favorite things about working at the co-op?

~ I get to meet people who are working, actively working to make the world a better place.

What’s important about buying in bulk?

~ It is a great way to reduce the amount of packaging we use and most of the products are healthy choices. It is a way to save some money on food expenditures.

Tell us about a rewarding experience while working at the Co-op?

~ I was able to help someone with growing sprouts and micro greens. It’s a great feeling to empower people to grow their own food.

What is your favorite product currently on the shelves at DNF?

~ The deli makes some great smoked salmon.
 

How would you describe your diet – vegetarian, carnivore, etc.

~ I eat mainly veggies and a side of meat most meals and not a lot of fruit to be honest.

Share your favorite meal with us.

~ Beef and Broccoli with sautéed greens and lots of butter!

What is your biggest screw-up in the kitchen?

~ I have a bad habit of trying to multitask whilst cooking… I have burnt food so bad it was mostly charcoal!

If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

~ First off, I am an animal.  But to answer the question, most definitely a chipmunk or a squirrel.

If I had a magic wand, I would ...

~ Give everyone a magic wand.