This letter from the CEO comes from the summer issue of Seward Co-op’s quarterly newsletter publication Sprout! Read our newest issue to learn about products, upcoming events, and co-op staff.

Happy summer, fellow cooperators!

It’s great to walk down streets lined with green and feel the warmth of the sun. Here at Seward Co-op, our conversations have turned to barbeques, camping, and dinners al fresco. We’re all looking forward to summer events that make our neighborhoods special, like Juneteenth celebrations, Pride gatherings, and splashing around in the lakes. Don’t forget to stop by our stores on the way for snacks to fuel these long days.

Summer is when local produce really starts to shine. Our shelves are filling up with tomatoes, berries, and greens from nearby farms, and a few of our Community Foods producers caught my eye this year. Blessing Farms, a small-scale, sustainably-run, Black- and women-owned farm, will be supplying us with Minnesota-grown okra and garlic. Later in the season, we are excited to dig into juicy yellow and orange watermelons from Home, Hunt & Harvest, an Indigenous-owned, small-scale, sustainable Minnesota farm. By shopping at the co-op, you’re directly supporting these local farmers, their growing practices, and our shared communities.

We also begin our periodic bargaining sessions with UFCW this summer. I’m genuinely excited about this process, and I look forward to working alongside the union to ensure Seward Co-op continues to be a great place to work.

And, owners, don’t forget to mark your calendars! Our Annual Owner Meeting returns to Arbeiter Brewing on Monday, Oct. 26 from 6–7:30 p.m. We’d love to see you there for socializing, co-op financial updates, refreshments, and more. One of the best perks of being an owner is the opportunity to run for Seward Co-op’s Board of Directors. If the past year has shown us anything, it’s that showing up in community matters. Serving on the board is a tangible way to put cooperative values into practice. You’d be joining a group of people who care deeply about the difference our co-op makes everyday: stocking food from small-scale and local vendors, supporting great jobs for staff, and investing in the organizations doing work in the neighborhoods around us. While the first information session for aspiring directors was already held, there are two more sessions available. You can find more information and other info session dates on our website.

As we head into another Minneapolis summer, I’m grateful for our owners, staff, neighbors, and community partners who make Seward Co-op more than just a grocery store. However you join us, whether it’s making us the destination for your favorite local produce or applying to run for the board, you are making a positive impact. The money you choose to spend here directly supports our co-op and broader community, every day.

For even more on what’s happening this season at Seward Co-op, be sure to check out our summer edition of Sprout! for recipes to share, producer highlights, and upcoming events.

In cooperation,
Raynardo Williams, Chief Executive Officer

READ SPROUT!