Consolidation Testimonials

Jolene Parker | LHC Store Operations Manager

I’ve been a member and employee of Linden Hills co-op for just over 11 years and was recently promoted from Customer Service Manager to Operations Manager.  I really love working for a place that has a set of values that I can witness.  I take pride in meeting farmers and small local companies that flourish because of what the co-ops have done for them.  I love hearing stories, seeing the thank you letters and having kids come into the store that have received financial support or education that is sponsored by Linden Hills co-op.  I have a deep sense of care and gratitude for the 90+ employees that I see working here, taking pride in what they’re doing and trying to make a difference. I think about the struggles we face when we look at the changing landscape for the co-ops with continued pressure from competition.  For me, the consolidation focuses on the 6th cooperative principle; Cooperation among cooperatives.  There seems to be no other option for a sustainable path for the future without joining together.  This merger will better position us to continue to take care of our employees and give them additional opportunities for promotion and support staff.  I think that this merger will allow us to keep our strong footholds in our communities and continue to grow our support for local vendors, farmers and non-profit organizations. This is why I will be voting yes in October.

Hannah Barnstable | member since 2011, Seven Sundays Muesli Founder

I currently shop at both Linden Hills and the Wedge – I believe they each have their unique strengths and could help each other out. I think there could be purchasing and promotional synergies as well and costs might come down– always a plus. I especially love the Wedge’s (sometimes unique) produce selection and end up going out of my way to go there because of it – Linden Hills is much closer, so I would have my fingers crossed that with a consolidation, LH would get some of that amazing produce! As a vendor there would definitely be a positive impact and make the co-ops easier to work As a vendor there would definitely be a positive impact and make the co-ops easier to work a vendor, we lose that “closeness” with the individual store buyers and team and buyers become harder to access for smaller/local vendors. Hopefully this would not be the case. I shop and support several co-ops around town and would be glad to see the consolidation. There are so many chain grocery stores entering the Twin Cities market (Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme, Hy-Vee, etc.), so I think consolidation is a smart move for our local economy.   

Bryan Deane Bertsch | member since 2004, Deane's Kombucha founder

For the most part, I back the consolidation. From what I understand, each of the three co-ops would still remain fairly autonomous in day to day operations, with most of the "coming together" sharing in larger buying power, accounting etc. If that's the case I think it is a great idea.

My only concern, both as a vendor and member, is that too many corporate decisions squeeze out local vendors. I bring this up because in the last couple years Lakewinds three stores consolidated a lot of their processes and the end result was certain stores losing their identity (leading to many staff members leaving) and too many corporate decisions that affected each store in a perceived negative way.

First thing I noticed at Lakewinds was much less local (for instance, maybe the corporate buyers found a seller in Iowa for certain produce at a really low price and all of a sudden farmer Dan from Hutchinson was no longer being considered.) Personally I noticed a lot less local produce available after Lakewinds consolidated their stores. To me, Lakewinds has much less of a co-op feel and more feels like a Lund's.

To further muddle that, what if each individual co-op is "highly encouraged" to source their goods from CPW, which is fine on the one hand, but again if smaller farmers are not using them, they could get squeezed out as well.

It sure sounds like most of the staffs (at least the ones I've spoken to) are behind the move - and I support that given you ARE the Co-op. But successfully co-ops in a competitive environment can lose that focus when the priorities turn to money and profit.

Peter Erickson | member since 1995, board of directors, 2009 - 2013, president, 2011 - 2013

I support the efforts to merge the Linden Hills, Eastside, and Wedge co-ops.  When I was on the Linden Hills Co-op Board of Directors (2009-2013), it was clear that competition from large commercial food stores, entering the healthy and organic food markets, and even from some of the other local co-ops was having an impact on LHC sales and income.  While LHC was and currently remains in a good financial position, the longer term outlook could present conditions that would put LHC in financial peril.  I think a merger of the three co-ops would make the co-ops stronger and better able to survive these challenges. Further, it is my hope that the co-op merger would make for lower overall expenses, which would be passed on to our members and shoppers in the form of lower shopping costs.  This would strengthen the co-op as well as provide the benefits of our food values to more people.

The merger process, as it has been presented, shows sensitivity to the affection the member-owners have for their own local co-ops.  However, after the first few election cycles, it is possible that the Board of Directors could have no members from the smaller co-ops.  .  I hope the individuality and voice of each co-op can be maintained in the longer term, and I would like to suggest that each co-op maintain a local elected advisory panel that would provide the overall Board of Directors with considered input regarding local issues and concerns. Thanks to all the co-op Boards for their diligence and careful work on the merger.  If well executed, it will be of benefit to all.  I am looking forward to a great  future for our food co-ops!

Susan Sell | member since 1998, Climate Action Team member

I'm in favor of joining together with the other 2 co-ops for this reason: We love the quality of our locally grown/produced  vegetables and fruits, meats and cheese.  We are aware that the prices of our products are too high for some people to buy on a regular basis.  We support the economy of scale in purchasing through the co-op combination and hope lower prices will encourage more people to buy from the Linden Hills Co-op.

Jesse Green | member since 2012

This is cool! Merging petty neighborhood-line individualism centered co-ops, in to a unified, metropolitan strength entity brand co-op is exactly the cooperative community buildling spirit that has allowed these institutions to flourish for all these years! Happily, I will continue to bring my business to anywhere that is in the City of Lakes and is a co-op.