Continued Cooperative Success

As the new General Manager of City Market, my first Onion Skin article could go in many different directions. I’d like to focus on my appreciation for where we are as a Co-op and where we’re headed in the future.

First, on behalf of our entire Cooperative community, I offer a sincere thank you to Clem Nilan for all of his accomplishments as General Manager. In reviewing tangible measurements like financial data and less tangible measurements like employee morale and staff growth, Clem has worked tirelessly together with our staff to make City Market so successful. For any of you that know Clem, you understand his desire to not be in the limelight. He consistently pushes recognition from himself to the staff and Members of the Co-op for any accomplishments or recognition. So here’s a small bit of limelight to say, “Thank you, Clem, for all that you have done for the Co-op. We’re excited that you will continue working with us on projects that enhance the local food system.”

To ensure continued success and build on our accomplishments, we will continue to focus on ways that we can better serve the needs of our Members. We will continue to support the local economy, the local community and our many community partners. We will continue to work toward the goals set for us by the Members in our Global Ends and Mission Statement. I appreciate the confidence placed in me by the Board of Directors when they approved my position as General Manager. City Market has become, at $36 million in annual sales, the largest single store Co-op in the United States. Equally important is the role we play in the Burlington community. Sixty percent of our almost 9,000 Members live in Burlington. Over sixty-five percent of our 205 employees live in Burlington. Over 33% of the products we sell are local, Vermont-grown or Vermont-made products.

We will continue to honor and build on the Co-op’s success as we transition leadership. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your General Manager. I welcome your feedback and look forward to seeing you in the Co-op and around the community!