At Seward Co-op, staff often grow into new departments or roles that further suit their interests and skill sets. We encourage a community that recognizes and celebrates talents and experience, and we provide opportunities for staff to have career trajectories that fit their passions and capabilities. For Jael Solis Navarro (she/her), Seward Co-op has offered a number of roles that progressed to her current position as a Kitchen Cook at the Franklin store. “I really just love working with food. It’s so much fun and you can always learn new things.”

When Jael first started working at Seward Co-op, she came into the Deli department with experience from a catering company and restaurants. “Although I was able to get lots of experience in those places,” she said, “it was pretty chaotic and draining working there. When I started working at Seward it was a nice breath of fresh air and I have enjoyed working here since.”

Jael has worked in a number of roles throughout the co-op, starting in the Deli global department at the Creamery, moving to a production cook for Grab N Go, then to the Grocery department, and now in the Deli kitchen at Franklin. “In the Deli kitchen I’ve enjoyed working with many different recipes, especially learning to make different Ethiopian
foods.” But Jael’s favorite Seward-made dishes to eat? “Any of the potato recipes, like the cajun potatoes or the jalapeño mashed potatoes. “Love them, always gotta buy some every time they are on the Hot Bar!”

As much as the food has kept Jael at Seward Co-op, so has the community. “I love that the co-op is very welcoming and diverse. That they care about the community they are located in. And that they strive to do better.” Working at Seward Co-op has also allowed Jael to strike a good work-life balance, which she is thankful for. When we spoke to Jael this fall, she was excited for the future of the Franklin store and the remodel, because though there had been challenges to working in a kitchen temporarily shared by multiple departments, it’s that cooperative community she can rely on. “I think we have been adapting pretty well! Everyone has been doing their part.”