Success Story of a Little Food Co-op in Southwest New Mexico (The Silver City Food Co-op History) by
520 N. Bullard Street Silver City, N.M. 88061 575-388-2343 Open Mon thru Sat 9am- 7pm * Sun 11am - 5pm
David Burr / 2021-2026 / President
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When I moved to Silver City in 2019, I actively solicited volunteer activities at the Silver City Food Co-op because it is a local gem. I received training for food handling and was assigned to bulk repacks, which I did for more than a year until a new general manager was hired. I am continuing to support the Co-op as a member of the Board. I have experience in board activities from other organizations and am enthusiastic to use these skills to contribute to the Co-op's expansion and future development. The next several years will be critical as the Co-op moves to a larger facility, with more locally-sourced products, while maintaining the current ambiance and small town atmosphere. I feel privileged to bring my experience to the Board of the Silver City Food Co-op.
Tuan Tran / 2020-2026 /Vice President
I like what Grant County has to offer and I enjoy helping the community grow in a positive and sustainable direction. Having been an employee, I would like to encourage the Co-op's stated goal of being an empowering workplace for employees. Hopefully, we can imagine a pleasant future together.
Sandy Lang / 2022-2024 / Secretary
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As a small-scale food grower from south Texas, I spent nearly eight years growing vegetables, meats and eggs for local restaurants, friends and personal consumption. I got spoiled eating my meals straight from the farm! When considering moving to Silver City, I was surprised and excited to discover a co-op offering local, healthy, organic food choices. It was an influential factor in my decision to move to the area. Once here, I immediately felt compelled to be a part of the Co-op so it continues to thrive and offer organic, local food choices to the community.
Jane Spinti / 2022-2025 / Treasurer
I grew up on a farm in Wisconsin and have always been interested in in nutrition and the relationship between food and health, as well as food and a sense of well-being. I value the Silver City Food Co-op because it offers a large variety of high quality organic foods. I also like the opportunity to buy in bulk from bins as a way of reducing plastic waste. There is such a strong sense of community in Silver City and the surrounding area. The Food Co-op is a huge part of that community, offering the best of fresh local produce to this part of southwest New Mexico.
Shanti Ceane / 2018-2024 / Member
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Serving on the Board has been a rewarding challenge for me and one which continually
allows me to learn and grow. I expect the challenges and growth to continue in the
coming years as we begin the physical process
of expanding into the Pope Street location. My professional experience as civil engineer, project manager, and construction manager should lend itself well to my being a valuable presence on
the Board and a resource during the construction process. Over my years serving on the Board,
I have gained an understanding of our policies and procedures, while working with a commendable group of professionals, both on the Board and the management and staff of the Co-op.
Paul Slattery / 2022-2024 / Member
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I started working at the Silver City Food Co-op in 2013 and retired from there, when I retired in 2019. I found working at the Co-op very uplifting and soon realized it was the hub and heart of a community of people like myself. Working here helped me become more connected with all of Silver City. So, after having some time off in retirement and a Covid vaccination, I decided to step up and start contributing again to the Co-op by being a board member. I feel my extensive life experience, including many years of consensus decision-making processes, work at mainstream jobs, multiple co-ops, and many non-profits enable me to contribute to a healthy Co-op from many different perspectives.
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Leo Andrade / 2022-2026 / Member
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Working for a small, family-owned grocer through high school and college, not only helped me earn money for books and clothing, it also provided me with the experience of stocking, bagging, customer service and cashiering. I became knowledgeable of the "ins and outs" of running a small community-focused grocery. When my partner and I first visited Silver City in 2015, we knew immediately that it would be our new home. We are devoted and appreciative customers of the Silver City Food Co-op. Since joining the SCFC Board in January of 2021, I have been strongly supportive of growing the Co-op's presence and delivery of wholesome foods in the Silver City marketplace. I am a passionate supporter of working toward making the move of the Co-op to its new Pope Street location a reality. Striving to deliver to Silver Citians a first-class source of healthy food options, especially locally-sourced products, is my passion.
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Kristina Kenegos / 2022-2025 / Member
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After a career as an elementary and middle school teacher, I moved to Silver City from Kauai, Hawaii where I lived on a farm. My partner grew food for a living and so I learned the steps of small scale farming and the beauty and challenges of growing food. Here, in an ever-changing climate, I live out this ethic of compost and production. But I am constantly aware that I am part of a larger whole and there is a need for coordination of our efforts. Being on the Board of the Co-op is one way that I can become more involved in building a stronger community-wide understanding of the importance of food.
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Members
of the board