Annual meeting
April 10
Quabbin Harvest members:
Join us for our Annual Meeting!
Thursday, April 10, 2025, Athol Public Library
The theme of this year's meeting is "Co-op at a Crossroad." After 10 years at 12 North Main St, our co-op faces urgent questions about how to sustain ourselves. How can we thrive in a future where small locally-owned grocery stores are increasingly challenged yet also increasingly important as alternatives?
We ask all members invested in the future of the co-op to join the board for an update on where we are financially and a discussion of strategies to strengthen member commitment and involvement.
Gather at 5 pm, dinner and meeting begin at 5:30. Bring a dish to share and come prepared for good food and meaningful conversation!
Voting for the board of directors will be open in the store starting March 10 and at the Annual Meeting until 5:30.
There are seven people running for nine open seats on the board this year:
Seth Isman (Hadley), running for a third two-year term.
“Every place I've lived I've connected with a food coop to support (and usually a credit union as well). I'm inspired by the collective energy of food coop members seeking to improve and support their communities and their neighbors' lives. I'd like to continue on the Board and contribute to that collective energy.”
Cassandra Bevan (Phillipston), running for a second two-year term.
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“It has been a pleasure, challenge, and growth experience to serve on the Quabbin Harvest Board of Directors. For these reasons, and many more, I am running for my second two-year term. As a person who was raised in Orange, I care about this community- the people, the farmers, the eaters. I would like the opportunity to continue learning, growing, and serving the Quabbin Harvest Co-op as a member of the Board!”
Nancy Wilson (Warwick), running for a second two-year term.
“As a board member, I've learned so much about how Quabbin Harvest Co-op operates to serve the needs and interests of our members and the community. I'm running for another 2 year term on the Board of Directors. I'd like the opportunity to continue to help make good things happen in our community!”
Anne Cutler-Russo (Athol), running for a first two-year term.
“I have been shopping and volunteering at Quabbin Harvest for several years and am always impressed by the staff, other volunteers, members of the Board of Directors, variety of local foods and goals of the coop. I think it is important to have this store in Orange, to support local farmers and businesses and to make healthy food available to all. I am eager to learn more about Quabbin Harvest and to help in any way I can to ensure the success of the store. My husband and I live in Athol where we raised our two daughters and where we steward our 10 acres of gardens, fields and forest. I am now retired after working for many years at the Athol Public Library and as a teacher of languages in the area. I look forward to taking a more active role at Quabbin Harvest and contributing as much as I can.”
Frank Hains (Orange), running for a first two-year term.
“I am running for a position on the Quabbin Harvest Board of Directors because I would like to help the store continue to serve Orange and the surrounding communities. I worked in the store for over three years and feel I have a different and useful perspective as a past employee. I feel this unique perspective will help the store to continue to grow and prosper for all concerned.”
Sandra Langmandel (Athol), running for a first two-year term.
“I hope to be a member of the quabbin harvest board of directors because of the many opportunities it creates for our local food system, giving local farmers and vendors a place to sell their products at a fair price and allowing consumers to support local businesses. I am excited to learn and work on continuing all the great work the co-op does to support our local community.”
Cathy Stanton (Wendell), running for a first two-year term after serving three terms and taking one term off, as prescribed by our Bylaws.
“I’m interested in returning to the board to help continue the unfinished work of setting the co-op on a firmer foundation for the future, as well as communicating with our community about why the challenging work of sustaining this kind of independent food business is so important for that future. I’m particularly hoping to work on strengthening our day-to-day operating systems, engaging more members more actively with the store, and building the board to ensure succession and continuity for the long haul.”
Voting is open in the store between March 10 and April 10. One vote per member household.
This is an important year for Quabbin Harvest as we work toward our goal of raising sales by 10%. Come to the meeting and hear more about how we're working on that!
Posted: to News on Wed, Feb 5, 2025
Updated: Tue, Mar 11, 2025