Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to info@mendovoice.com.
Dear Editor:
The current crisis at the Natural Foods Co-op in Ukiah has been brewing for years. The Big Beautiful Remodel five years ago, especially the Big Cafe, was a big gamble by the then longtime General Manager (GM), and it is not paying off. Sales and membership have remained flat, while costs for labor and store operation have been rising. During the last year, the Co-op Board has hired —and lost — two new GMs.
Towards the end of April, a petition appeared on the bulletin board of the store, calling for a Special Member Meeting to discuss/vote on the removal of four of the nine board members and on changes to the bylaws, allowing more than one staff member to run for board seats. About a week later, a posting was added, telling members they can vote on the items in the store instead.
At the board meeting on May 18 (via Zoom), much was made about a proposal from some staff asking for “self-governance.” Upon research after the meeting, staff explained that the proposal was about decision-making among the department managers during the interim period without a GM, in essence an expansion of shared responsibilities that existed during the previous interim period.
Transparency is lacking by both the board and staff. The board has not been forthcoming about its procedures. For example, it would be helpful to understand the GM hiring process —without revealing any personal information. Board minutes are short, mislabeled, missing or lagging.
Last year’s minutes offer no clue when or whether the new GM — who started work in November — was approved by the full board; no minutes are posted for November ’25 or the first three months of this year.
No annual report for 2025 has been issued. No word on whether Co-op members will receive a dividend this year. No annual member meeting has been called for years. Party gatherings are not business meetings.
Coop staff need to figure out among themselves what they want and communicate it more clearly and openly to the board and the membership. Members should get more involved, even though participation has been discouraged over time, and suggestions have been routinely ignored.
At the last board meeting, the board seemed eager to put the past behind it. The board president briefly mentioned that the last GM had been “terminated” at the end of April, without giving any explanation or a hint of an apology that the hiring/firing might have been handled better, but felt it necessary to remind the listeners that board members are volunteers doing their best. Then he more or less volunteered three board members for the thankless task of finding a new GM.
During the public comment period (14 Co-op members attended, half of them staff), several staff members expressed frustration and lack of confidence, urging the board to give themselves and staff time to rethink, recover.
It will take a lot of goodwill and effort by all parties to sort out the grievances, work on transparency and rebuild trust.
This fall, applications for three upcoming openings on the board will be sought for next year’s seating.
Bruni Kobbe
Ukiah