January 3, 2024
December 12, 2023
December 5, 2023
November 20, 2023
November 9, 2023
November 9, 2023
November 1, 2023
October 27, 2023
October 6, 2023
September 28, 2023
September 22, 2023
September 21, 2023
September 15, 2023
September 7, 2023
August 25, 2023
August 16, 2023
August 11, 2023
August 8, 2023
August 4, 2023
July 10, 2023
July 6, 2023
June 15, 2023
June 8, 2023
Co-op shoppers are invited to “Round Up at the Register” for New Minowa Players of Decorah Monday, June 12 through Monday, June 26. The mission of this local nonprofit is “building community by entertaining, educating and enriching participants and audiences of all ages through diverse theatrical experiences.” New Minowa Players will present “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” this month; performances are scheduled June 22-25. Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.newminowaplayers.org/ or at the Decorah High School box office from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. during show week.
June 7, 2023
The Co-op welcomes Triple H Family Farm of Postville. Hear about this family-owned business directly from owner Brent Strahm here:
May 9, 2023
If you haven’t enjoyed the artisanal salami crafted by local producer Driftless Provisions of Viroqua, Wis., we recommend a visit to our Meat case at the end of Aisle 1 in the near future! The Co-op carries multiple selections created by the award-winning Driftless Provisions team.
May 9, 2023
Oneota Co-op shoppers are invited to “Round Up at the Register” for NAMI Northeast Iowa Monday, May 15 through Monday, May 29. This event is scheduled to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month. Each May, NAMI works with other organizations to “fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.” This year’s theme is #MoreThanEnough. Each individual, despite diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status background or ability is “More Than Enough” and deserving of support, resources, fulfillment and a caring community.
May 5, 2023
Gearing up for outdoor season and wondering what essential oils to stock in your spring kit?
Here’s some of the things I’ll keep handy – whether I am hitting the trail or the deep woods with my girl Hazel or just chilling with a fire in my backyard.
April 17, 2023
The 2023 OCC Board of Directors election results have been tabulated. Two seats were open during this election cycle. OCC Board Vice President Scott Hawthorn and Board member Hannah Breckbill have served their respective terms. Hawthorn did not run for re-election; Breckbill filed candidacy in this election cycle.
April 14, 2023
Oneota Co-op shoppers are invited to “Round Up at the Register’’ for IA Driftless Trout Unlimited Monday, April 17 through Monday, May 1. This nonprofit is funded through donations, and while contributions are gladly accepted throughout the year, IA Driftless TU does hold an annual fundraising event each spring. This year’s event is Saturday, April 29, 6pm, at Hotel Winneshiek (Steyer Opera House) in downtown Decorah. IA Driftless TU is a 2023 Flying Film Tour (F3T) host. Event tickets are $20 and include admission to a film and appetizer buffet fee.Tickets must be purchased online at the F3T website (https://flyfilmtour.myeventscenter.com/event/Decorah-Ia-Iowa-Driftless-Chapter-Of-Trout-72887). Event guests also may enjoy a cash bar and chance to take home a variety of raffle prizes. Those unable to attend the event may still support IA Driftless TU and be entered to win prizes (including the grand prize).Raffle tickets may be purchased on the organization’s Square page (https://square.link/u/woy1P9cc).
March 30, 2023
By Tanya O’Connor
We welcomed local apples from Van Lin Orchards to the Co-op this week. Shoppers may select EverCrisp, Sonya and Honeycrisp options from this multi-generational, family-owned and operated orchard of nearby La Crescent, Minn. We caught owner Rick Vin Lin via phone on Monday for a quick chat about the legacy his parents, Frank and Helen Van Lin, began back in 1959.
Read more…
Renovation campaign underway; Donation address and GoFundMe link provided
March 16, 2023
By Tanya O’Connor
Oneota Co-op shoppers are invited to “Round Up at the Register” for Senior Citizens Hospitality Center of Decorah Monday, March 20 through Monday, April 3. Commonly referred to as the “Senior Center,” this organization’s stated purpose is to “provide opportunity for social, recreational, educational, and other activities beneficial to members and the community.”
Ten featured wine selections celebrate women winemakers & proprietors
March 15, 2023
In a 2023 poll by Statisica, 43.2% of women chose wine as their preferred alcoholic beverage. This is nearly double the men’s reported percentage of 22.1. The facts tell us that women prefer, and purchase, more wine than their male counterparts. Despite this, 82% of winemakers (globally) are male. Senior leadership positions in this historically male-dominated industry also grow slowly. This picture is changing – slowly. Learn more in this SevenFiftyDaily piece here: https://tinyurl.com/t9kfvmw8.
Here in our little corner of northeast Iowa, the Co-op’s committed to being part of this change. This March, during Women’s History Month, we celebrate all women in the food and beverage industry – and that includes our “Women in Wine” selections. Shoppers visiting Aisle 1 are invited to watch for signage indicating wine selections created by women winemakers and companies owned and/or steered by women.
Producers, vendors and supporting organizations work to strengthen local food systems
March 10, 2023
By Tanya O’Connor
In last year’s Oneota Co-op Annual Report, Fresh Manager Mercedes Martin wrote this:
“Buying local is about much more than the food in your hands. It’s about the growth of your neighbors, your community and your regional economy.”
Mercedes spoke to us about transportation, supply chains, climate change and told us that “the food systems in our country are tired” and that “education, clarity and a changed mindset regarding our current food system is crucial to maintaining a healthy food landscape in the U.S.” The importance of local, she reminds us, “has never been more apparent.”
Read more…
March 3, 2023
I’m Ben Tuckman and I’m a senior management major at Luther College. I grew up in Skokie, Illinois which is just north of Chicago. I love all kinds of sports and video-games, and I’ve recently discovered that I love looking at statistics and analytical data and want to pursue these interests in my future career. My internship is with the Oneota Co-op Marketing Department.
February 9, 2023
Oneota Co-op shoppers are invited to “Round Up at the Register” for the 13th annual Oneota Film Festival (OFF) at purchase Monday, Feb. 13 through Monday, Feb. 27. This local impact driver provides for a weekend of independent film screenings in downtown Decorah. Learn more about OFF, and the history behind this arts nonprofit, from Elise Skellenger, creative director, and Nancy Sojka, long-term board president, in a Co-op Q & A below:
Fun facts about Best Case Wines founder and owner Robert Morey of Iowa City: He’s an academic-turned-wine buyer. He loves food. And he’s a former long-term New Pioneer Food Co-op staffer. The latter of these things is what married Morey and wine (especially French wine).
Co-op shoppers will find local pork products from Al’s Country Meat Locker of Calmar now stocked in our Meat case. Current varieties include smoked loin and spicy, rope and sliced sausage. This local partnership is one example of the Co-op’s commitment to local products and producers. As Oneota Co-op Organizational Ends 2 states: We support building thriving local food systems and encourage the expansion of locally-grown food sources.
In this week’s Oneota Blog, General Manager Nate Furler discusses inflation’s impact on the Co-op:
20 Jars of Salsa? Nope.
By Nate Furler, GM
Over the past year I have spent more time behind a register than in the entirety of my 15+ year career here at the Co-op. I’m not perfect and have the same fat-finger issue that everyone has from time to time. I’ve accidentally run someone through for 20 jars of salsa, only to instinctually realize when I get to the end of the transaction that something was amuck just by the size of the transaction total. What I noticed as 2022 progressed was the number of times this instinctual reaction kicked in – but it wasn’t because of my error. It was because prices were climbing. What my brain knew as a $50 transaction was now $75. And it wasn’t because of 18 extra jars of salsa.
Oneota Co-op shoppers are invited to “Round Up at the Register” for Project Linus of Northeast Iowa from Monday, Jan. 9 through Monday, Jan. 23. This national nonprofit organization has a two-fold mission, notes Chapter Coordinator Elise Skellenger of Decorah. “First: to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need through gifts of new, handmade blankets, lovingly created by our ‘blanketeers.’ Second: to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.”
Wrapping Area Youth in Blankets: Project Linus of Northeast Iowa
Local chapter welcomes volunteers, youth groups to create handmade blankets; teen sizes are especially welcome
Co-op customers are invited to shop our Field Day Organic BOGO (Buy One, Get One) sale now through Tuesday, Jan. 3. This sale includes multiple household staples; watch for orange “BOGO” signage throughout the store.
The Field Day Organic brand provides sustainably-sourced and produced products that have undergone third-party certification such as USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project, Whole Grains Council, Gluten Free and Fair Trade. Field Day products do not contain preservatives, artificial colors or flavors. All packaging is BPA Free. If palm oil is listed as a product ingredient, it has been sourced sustainably. Household and body care products are cruelty free as well. (source: fielddayproducts.com)
The reason I serve on the board of directors of the Oneota Community Food Co-op is simple: people power!
I am so inspired by the way cooperatives work by pooling resources from a community in order to benefit that community. We can do so much more together than we can on our own, and the cooperative model takes advantage of that.
Oneota Co-op shoppers are invited to “Round Up at the Register” for Friends of Decorah Public Library (Friends of DPL) at purchase Monday, Dec. 12 through Monday, Dec. 26. The Friends of DPL mission statement reads as follows: “It is the purpose of the Friends of the Library to promote and enhance the Decorah Public Library and its programs for the leisure, entertainment and personal life-long learning of the citizens of Decorah and greater Winneshiek County.”
Hello! My name is Detra Dettmann and I have one more year left on my second term on the
Oneota Co-op Board of Directors. I currently serve as secretary of the board.
Tell us a bit about yourself! For instance, what’s your “day” job?
In my day job I serve as the NE Iowa district supervisor with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for the state parks, forests, and preserves bureau. I see my role as supporting the 20 field staff working in the state parks and state forest in my region. I have amazing staff who are stewards for some of Iowa’s most beautiful places and also help create lasting memories for the visitors who enjoy these special places. My region include Yellow River State Forest, Pikes Peak State Park, Backbone State Park, Maquoketa Caves State, Cedar Rock State Park, Volga River State Recreation Area, Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, Bellevue State Park, Clear Lake State Park, McIntosh Woods State Park, Beeds Lake State Park and George Wyth State Park. I feel very fortunate to have work that knits together my love and passion for natural resources and my skills and interest in administrative duties such as budgets and planning.
Bill Iverson’s Co-op story began like many others. He met somebody already a part of the Co-op community.
In Bill’s case, it was the woman he’s been married to since 1978, Jo Berg Iverson. “Jo became part of the Co-op soon after high school,” recalls Bill, “and was later a member of the collective and a vendor through her business, Waving Grains Bakery.” Bill decided to run for the board after Jo retired, as he says, to “be part of the good.” He’s now serving his second term as board treasurer.
Round Up at the Register event is November 21 to December 5
Individuals seeking assistance from DCFP are encouraged to call (563) 202-0872, email contact@decorahpantry.org, visit decorahpantry.org or the DCFP Facebook page. Anyone who resides in the state of Iowa may use DCFP services. Access hours are Mon., Wed. and Friday from 12:30-4:30 p.m. and Tues. and Thursday from 1-7 p.m. Note that DCFP is closed some holidays and during inclement weather.
Hey there! My name is Scott Timm, and I have one more year left on my second three-year term on the OCC Board of Directors. I currently serve as vice president of the board.
What prompted you to serve the OCC Board?
Maren Beard (of Luna Valley Farm) cornered me and talked to me about it; she’s good at that sort of thing! My family had recently moved to Decorah and it seemed like a good way to connect and serve right away as new community members. And, two of my children work at the Coop – Grant (studying engineering at Iowa State University) and Corina (a junior at Decorah High School), so we’re pretty invested as a family.
Minnesota-made dressing company turns 15
Join us in celebrating Salad Girl Organic Salad Dressing’s 15th birthday here at your Co-op! This Minnesota-made collection of fresh vinaigrettes made history when it became the first certified organic fresh dressing in the state of Minnesota. The company was created by Pam Powell and named after summers she spent as a teen working in a northern Minnesota resort kitchen – where she loved being the “salad girl.”
The Oneota Community Food Cooperative (OCC) Board of Directors is responsible for the long-range viability of your co-op. This is accomplished through the myriad of skill sets each elected member brings to the position. Collectively, these abilities merge to become the voice of overall direction for the ownership. Our board is best served by having representation as diverse as the Co-op itself.
“Child care is community infrastructure, just like housing, trails, recreation and more.”
– Winneshiek County Development and Tourism Executive Director Stephanie Fromm
New center construction offers increased amenities, including farm to school educational curriculum; Discovery Center exhibits to focus on Driftless Area natural resources and attractions.
The Oneota Co-op Round Up at the Register event for Sustainable Iowa Land Trust will continue through Monday, Sept. 26. Shopper round ups will be generously matched by Lyle and Sue Luzum of Decorah, who donated the 170 acre Luzum Heritage Farm to SILT in 2017. Shoppers are offered the opportunity to round to the next dollar at purchase. Additional round up amounts, up to one hundred dollars, also are an option during Co-op Round Up at the Register events.
An Oneota Co-op Round Up at the Register event for Sustainable Iowa Land Trust will be held Monday, Sept. 12 through Monday, Sept. 26. Shopper round ups will be generously matched by Lyle and Sue Luzum of Decorah, who donated the 170 acre Luzum Heritage Farm to SILT in 2017. Shoppers are offered the opportunity to round to the next dollar at purchase. Additional round up amounts, up to one hundred dollars, also are an option during Co-op Round Up at the Register events.
Oneota Co-op values accountability as it pertains to operational practices surrounding the product we place on our shelves. Because of this, we wish to address recent concerns, and media coverage, surrounding Amy’s Kitchen, long-term producer of vegetarian-oriented prepared foods.
By Tanya O’Connor, marketing coordinator
Your Co-op’s Prepared Foods Manager, Phil Jahnke Sauer, is an expressive guy. That is – if you happen to find him actually sitting down. When Phil pushes ‘pause’ from creating food and starts talking about it, his passion’s pretty contagious.
By General Manager Nate Furler
As I write this, I envision a tunnel. It’s a tunnel lit by light at the end – but it’s still a tunnel. This passageway shifts, descends and climbs. On any given day the path changes. There’s no longer a linear approach forward; the journey is one of switchbacks. But the light’s still there.
OCC Updates Organizational Ends – Board President Timm speaks on process of revision.
The Oneota Community Food Cooperative (OCC) Board of Directors recently completed a revision of the Co-op’s Organizational Ends. This process involved numerous discussions throughout the past year, as well as a member survey and input from General Manager Nate Furler.
We’ve reached out to OCC Board President Scott Timm to discuss what, exactly, Organizational Ends are, how they serve the Co-op, and how the current updates came about.
The Co-op welcomes all interested owners to confirm candidacy in our next board election cycle. There will be three open seats on the 2022 election ballot. Applications are due Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.
The Oneota Community Food Cooperative (OCC) Board of Directors is responsible for the long-range viability of your co-op. This is accomplished through the myriad of skill sets each elected member brings to the position. Collectively, these abilities merge to become the voice of overall direction for the ownership. Our board is best served by having representation as diverse as the Co-op itself.
Since the new year began, our shoppers have generously placed $6,255.03 in the hands of numerus non-profit organizations in the region.
The following organizations have benefitted from the Co-op’s monthly “Round up at the Register” campaign thus far in 2021: Friends of Decorah Public Library, $1,196.13; Downtown Decorah Betterment Association (DDBA), $1,084.00; Lansing Iowa Food Trust, $1,166.86; Decorah Pride, $1,557.38; Northeast Iowa Montessori, $1,250.66.
The 2021 Board Election results have been tabulated and the candidates have been notified. Our sincere thanks to all of the candidates for their willingness to represent the owners on the Oneota Co-op Board of Directors.
By: David Lester, Co-op General Manager
Almost eleven years ago I accepted the position of General Manager (GM) of the Oneota Community Cooperative (the Co-op). I had previously worked at Luther College for thirteen years in college foodservice and as the Head Women’s Golf Coach. I became a member of the Co-op in 1996 after a move to Decorah from Iowa City. This move was heavily influenced by the people we met on the street, dancing at a Highlandville dance and conversations with members I met while shopping at the Co-op. Twenty-five years ago, it was obvious that hospitality and community engagement were things that our Co-op were good at, and I think we have expanded and improved in those areas the last eleven years.
By: Scott Hawthorn, Co-op Board Vice President
As we approach the changing grocery market of the area and successfully navigate a new COVID-19 world, the OCC Board is seeking people interested in serving on the board of directors for the Oneota Co-op.
The Co-op is governed by a 7-member Board of Directors, with each director elected to serve a 3-year term on the board. The primary responsibilities of the Board of Directors are to provide overall direction and ensure the long range security and viability of the Co-op. This includes creating and sustaining a transparent and accountable relationship with the member/ownership. In addition, the Board of Directors is responsible for hiring, compensating, delegating responsibility, and holding accountable a general manager (GM).
By: Maddison Macdonald, Co-op Staff Member
The holidays are here again, and boy has it been hard to get here. With COVID going around, it’s no wonder that the holidays can seem even more stressful than usual. COVID has caused not only physical damage, but mental and financial. Gifting season is around the corner, and for a little peace of mind and some bang for your buck, here are some great ways to still spread joy, while preserving your own.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign November 9th through 23rd. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support the Decorah Community Food Pantry. The campaign held in early November raised $1,226.
By: Scott Timm, Oneota Co-op Board President
Dear Member/Owners of the Oneota Community Co-op,
One of the most daunting duties outlined for the Board of Directors, as elected representatives of the Membership, is the hiring of the General Manager. As many of you likely know, our successful GM of 11 years, David Lester, will be leaving the OCC in January, and we have been involved in a GM search since early Spring this year. Our process aimed to be inclusive and thorough. We leaned on tools that utilized best practices in hiring Co-op GM’s, and included the Co-op’s Human Resources manager in our search process. We held a nation-wide search, casting our net far and near.
By: Genie Maybanks, SILT Corporate Relations Specialist
To all the member/owners and shoppers of Oneota,
By: Niki Sanness, Finance Manager
We have been utilizing phenol-free (BPA/BPS-free) receipt tape at the Co-op for several years. Most thermal cash register receipts contain either BPA (Bisphenol A) or BPS (Bisphenol S). Because these chemicals simply line the receipt and are not bound to it, the residual is said to be easily absorbed into the body through the skin.
By: Kristin Evenrud, Human Resource Manager
As with most things in 2020, our Round Up at the Register campaigns did not go quite as expected. We originally intended to hold one Round Up campaign per quarter – as we did in 2019. When COVID-19 hit and we closed the doors of the Co-op to customer foot traffic, this greatly diminished the feasibility of such a campaign. For this reason, we postponed the Round Up campaign for quarter two until after our doors were back open to the public.
We re-launched the Round Up campaigning in quarter three and realized there was an enormous pool of organizations that had applied for consideration of these funds. In order to maximize our impact and spread it among as many organizations as possible, we decided to include a Round Up campaign each month for the remainder of the year.
By: Gretchen Schempp, Wellness Manager
Just when we think we’re about in the clear from summer’s creepy crawlies we find ourselves in the late tick season! This year dry weather has given us a strong tick population this fall. Living in the country I am no stranger to these pointless bloodsuckers. I’ve currently got three rambling pooches and have dealt with ticks and dogs for over half my life.
By: Gretchen Schempp, Wellness Manager
Osha has long been touted for it’s great activity as an expectorant, support for colds and coughs and deep lung detoxification. With the current season and the new climate of health this year, Osha has gotten even more attention! This coveted root is having some if its own troubles though.
By: Hannah Breckbill Oneota Co-op Board Member
Democracy is a big and almost intimidating word these days. We are about to cast our votes for national offices and many of us feel a great deal of weight this election season. I’ve noticed my inbox filling with ever-more-frantic messages from candidates across the nation, requesting donations or my name on a petition, telling me I’m needed to help take down the opposing side. I’m told that the fate of democracy hangs in the balance.
I don’t doubt it.
But even as this swirl of tension permeates the media, I still believe…
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign August 31st through September 14th. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Feed Iowa First of Cedar Rapids. The campaign held in early September raised $1,013.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
What? Yep, I said warm up with a cup of mushrooms!
Medicinal mushrooms have gained much attention with Paul Stamet’s TED talks and You Tube videos along with his awesome line of Host Defense products.
Four Sigmatic has a great line of mushroom elixers, coffees and cocoas.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
Sleep support is a huge category here in our Wellness department and a 30 billion dollar business overall. I can count on doing a few things every day. Talking to consumers about sleep is something I do multiple times on any given day in the Wellness aisle.
There are a lot of different ways folks struggle with sleep. Many have trouble unwinding, some just struggle to fall asleep, and very commonly people have troubles staying asleep.
By: David Lester, General Manager
It has been a while since I’ve written a piece of communication for our quarterly Scoop publication, which has been on hiatus since March. You will be getting more frequent communication from OCC as we transition to a blog format. I hope you enjoy these future pieces from our staff, board members and member-owners.
A Time of Transition
We are entering a time of transition at the Oneota Community Co-op. You may have seen the recent posting for a General Manager (GM).
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign July 20th through August 3rd. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center. The campaign held in late July raised $1,508 for NEIPJC.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
The beauty of midsummer is undeniable. Flowers, wild and curated, are in full bloom…. You might be eating from your garden on the daily. The roadsides are full of beauty and even some changing color around the countryside. Glorious days of windows-down drives and floats on the river…. What could possibly make these days not perfect?
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
This past Spring our world, collectively, was shaken up, turned upside down and inside out. Regardless of beliefs….I don’t think there is a person that this hasn’t affected in some large way.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign February 3rd through February 17th. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity. The campaign held in February raised $2,000 for Habitat by rounding up the sales of over 4,300 transactions.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
Are the holidays hard to digest? Joyful and busy. Exciting and hopeful. Maybe mentally and physically exhausting? Definitely a challenge on the gut. The 12 days of Christmas are sometimes more than a person can take, but they don’t have to be!
By: Kristin Evenrud, Front End and HR Manager
As 2020 draws near, I cannot help but reflect back over the past year and recognize how generous our customers have been during our Round Up at the Register quarterly campaigns.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign November 18th through December 2nd.
On March 1st the Oneota Co-op kicked off a member loan campaign to raise funds to finance a store remodel that is currently underway. Capital campaigns are used by consumer co-ops around the country to generate capital for projects while simultaneously offering their owners a chance to invest their money in a local business that is dedicated to serving the community.
The Co-op will be closed today, Tuesday, April 2nd through Thursday, April 4th. Here’s a look at what will be happening these three days:
Welcome to the Co-op Remodel 2019. We are thrilled to be looking ahead to the future and are excited to let you know what is happening and what’s in-store.
The 2021 Board Election results have been tabulated and the candidates have been notified. Our sincere thanks to all of the candidates for their willingness to represent the owners on the Oneota Co-op Board of Directors.
By: David Lester, Co-op General Manager
Almost eleven years ago I accepted the position of General Manager (GM) of the Oneota Community Cooperative (the Co-op). I had previously worked at Luther College for thirteen years in college foodservice and as the Head Women’s Golf Coach. I became a member of the Co-op in 1996 after a move to Decorah from Iowa City. This move was heavily influenced by the people we met on the street, dancing at a Highlandville dance and conversations with members I met while shopping at the Co-op. Twenty-five years ago, it was obvious that hospitality and community engagement were things that our Co-op were good at, and I think we have expanded and improved in those areas the last eleven years.
By: Scott Hawthorn, Co-op Board Vice President
As we approach the changing grocery market of the area and successfully navigate a new COVID-19 world, the OCC Board is seeking people interested in serving on the board of directors for the Oneota Co-op.
The Co-op is governed by a 7-member Board of Directors, with each director elected to serve a 3-year term on the board. The primary responsibilities of the Board of Directors are to provide overall direction and ensure the long range security and viability of the Co-op. This includes creating and sustaining a transparent and accountable relationship with the member/ownership. In addition, the Board of Directors is responsible for hiring, compensating, delegating responsibility, and holding accountable a general manager (GM).
By: Maddison Macdonald, Co-op Staff Member
The holidays are here again, and boy has it been hard to get here. With COVID going around, it’s no wonder that the holidays can seem even more stressful than usual. COVID has caused not only physical damage, but mental and financial. Gifting season is around the corner, and for a little peace of mind and some bang for your buck, here are some great ways to still spread joy, while preserving your own.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign November 9th through 23rd. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support the Decorah Community Food Pantry. The campaign held in early November raised $1,226.
By: Scott Timm, Oneota Co-op Board President
Dear Member/Owners of the Oneota Community Co-op,
One of the most daunting duties outlined for the Board of Directors, as elected representatives of the Membership, is the hiring of the General Manager. As many of you likely know, our successful GM of 11 years, David Lester, will be leaving the OCC in January, and we have been involved in a GM search since early Spring this year. Our process aimed to be inclusive and thorough. We leaned on tools that utilized best practices in hiring Co-op GM’s, and included the Co-op’s Human Resources manager in our search process. We held a nation-wide search, casting our net far and near.
By: Genie Maybanks, SILT Corporate Relations Specialist
To all the member/owners and shoppers of Oneota,
By: Niki Sanness, Finance Manager
We have been utilizing phenol-free (BPA/BPS-free) receipt tape at the Co-op for several years. Most thermal cash register receipts contain either BPA (Bisphenol A) or BPS (Bisphenol S). Because these chemicals simply line the receipt and are not bound to it, the residual is said to be easily absorbed into the body through the skin.
By: Kristin Evenrud, Human Resource Manager
As with most things in 2020, our Round Up at the Register campaigns did not go quite as expected. We originally intended to hold one Round Up campaign per quarter – as we did in 2019. When COVID-19 hit and we closed the doors of the Co-op to customer foot traffic, this greatly diminished the feasibility of such a campaign. For this reason, we postponed the Round Up campaign for quarter two until after our doors were back open to the public.
We re-launched the Round Up campaigning in quarter three and realized there was an enormous pool of organizations that had applied for consideration of these funds. In order to maximize our impact and spread it among as many organizations as possible, we decided to include a Round Up campaign each month for the remainder of the year.
By: Gretchen Schempp, Wellness Manager
Just when we think we’re about in the clear from summer’s creepy crawlies we find ourselves in the late tick season! This year dry weather has given us a strong tick population this fall. Living in the country I am no stranger to these pointless bloodsuckers. I’ve currently got three rambling pooches and have dealt with ticks and dogs for over half my life.
By: Gretchen Schempp, Wellness Manager
Osha has long been touted for it’s great activity as an expectorant, support for colds and coughs and deep lung detoxification. With the current season and the new climate of health this year, Osha has gotten even more attention! This coveted root is having some if its own troubles though.
By: Hannah Breckbill Oneota Co-op Board Member
Democracy is a big and almost intimidating word these days. We are about to cast our votes for national offices and many of us feel a great deal of weight this election season. I’ve noticed my inbox filling with ever-more-frantic messages from candidates across the nation, requesting donations or my name on a petition, telling me I’m needed to help take down the opposing side. I’m told that the fate of democracy hangs in the balance.
I don’t doubt it.
But even as this swirl of tension permeates the media, I still believe…
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign August 31st through September 14th. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Feed Iowa First of Cedar Rapids. The campaign held in early September raised $1,013.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
What? Yep, I said warm up with a cup of mushrooms!
Medicinal mushrooms have gained much attention with Paul Stamet’s TED talks and You Tube videos along with his awesome line of Host Defense products.
Four Sigmatic has a great line of mushroom elixers, coffees and cocoas.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
Sleep support is a huge category here in our Wellness department and a 30 billion dollar business overall. I can count on doing a few things every day. Talking to consumers about sleep is something I do multiple times on any given day in the Wellness aisle.
There are a lot of different ways folks struggle with sleep. Many have trouble unwinding, some just struggle to fall asleep, and very commonly people have troubles staying asleep.
By: David Lester, General Manager
It has been a while since I’ve written a piece of communication for our quarterly Scoop publication, which has been on hiatus since March. You will be getting more frequent communication from OCC as we transition to a blog format. I hope you enjoy these future pieces from our staff, board members and member-owners.
A Time of Transition
We are entering a time of transition at the Oneota Community Co-op. You may have seen the recent posting for a General Manager (GM).
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign July 20th through August 3rd. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center. The campaign held in late July raised $1,508 for NEIPJC.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
The beauty of midsummer is undeniable. Flowers, wild and curated, are in full bloom…. You might be eating from your garden on the daily. The roadsides are full of beauty and even some changing color around the countryside. Glorious days of windows-down drives and floats on the river…. What could possibly make these days not perfect?
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
This past Spring our world, collectively, was shaken up, turned upside down and inside out. Regardless of beliefs….I don’t think there is a person that this hasn’t affected in some large way.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign February 3rd through February 17th. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity. The campaign held in February raised $2,000 for Habitat by rounding up the sales of over 4,300 transactions.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
Are the holidays hard to digest? Joyful and busy. Exciting and hopeful. Maybe mentally and physically exhausting? Definitely a challenge on the gut. The 12 days of Christmas are sometimes more than a person can take, but they don’t have to be!
By: Kristin Evenrud, Front End and HR Manager
As 2020 draws near, I cannot help but reflect back over the past year and recognize how generous our customers have been during our Round Up at the Register quarterly campaigns.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign November 18th through December 2nd.
On March 1st the Oneota Co-op kicked off a member loan campaign to raise funds to finance a store remodel that is currently underway. Capital campaigns are used by consumer co-ops around the country to generate capital for projects while simultaneously offering their owners a chance to invest their money in a local business that is dedicated to serving the community.
The Co-op will be closed today, Tuesday, April 2nd through Thursday, April 4th. Here’s a look at what will be happening these three days:
Welcome to the Co-op Remodel 2019. We are thrilled to be looking ahead to the future and are excited to let you know what is happening and what’s in-store.
The 2021 Board Election results have been tabulated and the candidates have been notified. Our sincere thanks to all of the candidates for their willingness to represent the owners on the Oneota Co-op Board of Directors.
By: David Lester, Co-op General Manager
Almost eleven years ago I accepted the position of General Manager (GM) of the Oneota Community Cooperative (the Co-op). I had previously worked at Luther College for thirteen years in college foodservice and as the Head Women’s Golf Coach. I became a member of the Co-op in 1996 after a move to Decorah from Iowa City. This move was heavily influenced by the people we met on the street, dancing at a Highlandville dance and conversations with members I met while shopping at the Co-op. Twenty-five years ago, it was obvious that hospitality and community engagement were things that our Co-op were good at, and I think we have expanded and improved in those areas the last eleven years.
By: Scott Hawthorn, Co-op Board Vice President
As we approach the changing grocery market of the area and successfully navigate a new COVID-19 world, the OCC Board is seeking people interested in serving on the board of directors for the Oneota Co-op.
The Co-op is governed by a 7-member Board of Directors, with each director elected to serve a 3-year term on the board. The primary responsibilities of the Board of Directors are to provide overall direction and ensure the long range security and viability of the Co-op. This includes creating and sustaining a transparent and accountable relationship with the member/ownership. In addition, the Board of Directors is responsible for hiring, compensating, delegating responsibility, and holding accountable a general manager (GM).
By: Maddison Macdonald, Co-op Staff Member
The holidays are here again, and boy has it been hard to get here. With COVID going around, it’s no wonder that the holidays can seem even more stressful than usual. COVID has caused not only physical damage, but mental and financial. Gifting season is around the corner, and for a little peace of mind and some bang for your buck, here are some great ways to still spread joy, while preserving your own.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign November 9th through 23rd. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support the Decorah Community Food Pantry. The campaign held in early November raised $1,226.
By: Scott Timm, Oneota Co-op Board President
Dear Member/Owners of the Oneota Community Co-op,
One of the most daunting duties outlined for the Board of Directors, as elected representatives of the Membership, is the hiring of the General Manager. As many of you likely know, our successful GM of 11 years, David Lester, will be leaving the OCC in January, and we have been involved in a GM search since early Spring this year. Our process aimed to be inclusive and thorough. We leaned on tools that utilized best practices in hiring Co-op GM’s, and included the Co-op’s Human Resources manager in our search process. We held a nation-wide search, casting our net far and near.
By: Genie Maybanks, SILT Corporate Relations Specialist
To all the member/owners and shoppers of Oneota,
By: Niki Sanness, Finance Manager
We have been utilizing phenol-free (BPA/BPS-free) receipt tape at the Co-op for several years. Most thermal cash register receipts contain either BPA (Bisphenol A) or BPS (Bisphenol S). Because these chemicals simply line the receipt and are not bound to it, the residual is said to be easily absorbed into the body through the skin.
By: Kristin Evenrud, Human Resource Manager
As with most things in 2020, our Round Up at the Register campaigns did not go quite as expected. We originally intended to hold one Round Up campaign per quarter – as we did in 2019. When COVID-19 hit and we closed the doors of the Co-op to customer foot traffic, this greatly diminished the feasibility of such a campaign. For this reason, we postponed the Round Up campaign for quarter two until after our doors were back open to the public.
We re-launched the Round Up campaigning in quarter three and realized there was an enormous pool of organizations that had applied for consideration of these funds. In order to maximize our impact and spread it among as many organizations as possible, we decided to include a Round Up campaign each month for the remainder of the year.
By: Gretchen Schempp, Wellness Manager
Just when we think we’re about in the clear from summer’s creepy crawlies we find ourselves in the late tick season! This year dry weather has given us a strong tick population this fall. Living in the country I am no stranger to these pointless bloodsuckers. I’ve currently got three rambling pooches and have dealt with ticks and dogs for over half my life.
By: Gretchen Schempp, Wellness Manager
Osha has long been touted for it’s great activity as an expectorant, support for colds and coughs and deep lung detoxification. With the current season and the new climate of health this year, Osha has gotten even more attention! This coveted root is having some if its own troubles though.
By: Hannah Breckbill Oneota Co-op Board Member
Democracy is a big and almost intimidating word these days. We are about to cast our votes for national offices and many of us feel a great deal of weight this election season. I’ve noticed my inbox filling with ever-more-frantic messages from candidates across the nation, requesting donations or my name on a petition, telling me I’m needed to help take down the opposing side. I’m told that the fate of democracy hangs in the balance.
I don’t doubt it.
But even as this swirl of tension permeates the media, I still believe…
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign August 31st through September 14th. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Feed Iowa First of Cedar Rapids. The campaign held in early September raised $1,013.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
What? Yep, I said warm up with a cup of mushrooms!
Medicinal mushrooms have gained much attention with Paul Stamet’s TED talks and You Tube videos along with his awesome line of Host Defense products.
Four Sigmatic has a great line of mushroom elixers, coffees and cocoas.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
Sleep support is a huge category here in our Wellness department and a 30 billion dollar business overall. I can count on doing a few things every day. Talking to consumers about sleep is something I do multiple times on any given day in the Wellness aisle.
There are a lot of different ways folks struggle with sleep. Many have trouble unwinding, some just struggle to fall asleep, and very commonly people have troubles staying asleep.
By: David Lester, General Manager
It has been a while since I’ve written a piece of communication for our quarterly Scoop publication, which has been on hiatus since March. You will be getting more frequent communication from OCC as we transition to a blog format. I hope you enjoy these future pieces from our staff, board members and member-owners.
A Time of Transition
We are entering a time of transition at the Oneota Community Co-op. You may have seen the recent posting for a General Manager (GM).
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign July 20th through August 3rd. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center. The campaign held in late July raised $1,508 for NEIPJC.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
The beauty of midsummer is undeniable. Flowers, wild and curated, are in full bloom…. You might be eating from your garden on the daily. The roadsides are full of beauty and even some changing color around the countryside. Glorious days of windows-down drives and floats on the river…. What could possibly make these days not perfect?
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
This past Spring our world, collectively, was shaken up, turned upside down and inside out. Regardless of beliefs….I don’t think there is a person that this hasn’t affected in some large way.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign February 3rd through February 17th. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity. The campaign held in February raised $2,000 for Habitat by rounding up the sales of over 4,300 transactions.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
Are the holidays hard to digest? Joyful and busy. Exciting and hopeful. Maybe mentally and physically exhausting? Definitely a challenge on the gut. The 12 days of Christmas are sometimes more than a person can take, but they don’t have to be!
By: Kristin Evenrud, Front End and HR Manager
As 2020 draws near, I cannot help but reflect back over the past year and recognize how generous our customers have been during our Round Up at the Register quarterly campaigns.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign November 18th through December 2nd.
On March 1st the Oneota Co-op kicked off a member loan campaign to raise funds to finance a store remodel that is currently underway. Capital campaigns are used by consumer co-ops around the country to generate capital for projects while simultaneously offering their owners a chance to invest their money in a local business that is dedicated to serving the community.
The Co-op will be closed today, Tuesday, April 2nd through Thursday, April 4th. Here’s a look at what will be happening these three days:
Welcome to the Co-op Remodel 2019. We are thrilled to be looking ahead to the future and are excited to let you know what is happening and what’s in-store.
The 2021 Board Election results have been tabulated and the candidates have been notified. Our sincere thanks to all of the candidates for their willingness to represent the owners on the Oneota Co-op Board of Directors.
By: David Lester, Co-op General Manager
Almost eleven years ago I accepted the position of General Manager (GM) of the Oneota Community Cooperative (the Co-op). I had previously worked at Luther College for thirteen years in college foodservice and as the Head Women’s Golf Coach. I became a member of the Co-op in 1996 after a move to Decorah from Iowa City. This move was heavily influenced by the people we met on the street, dancing at a Highlandville dance and conversations with members I met while shopping at the Co-op. Twenty-five years ago, it was obvious that hospitality and community engagement were things that our Co-op were good at, and I think we have expanded and improved in those areas the last eleven years.
By: Scott Hawthorn, Co-op Board Vice President
As we approach the changing grocery market of the area and successfully navigate a new COVID-19 world, the OCC Board is seeking people interested in serving on the board of directors for the Oneota Co-op.
The Co-op is governed by a 7-member Board of Directors, with each director elected to serve a 3-year term on the board. The primary responsibilities of the Board of Directors are to provide overall direction and ensure the long range security and viability of the Co-op. This includes creating and sustaining a transparent and accountable relationship with the member/ownership. In addition, the Board of Directors is responsible for hiring, compensating, delegating responsibility, and holding accountable a general manager (GM).
By: Maddison Macdonald, Co-op Staff Member
The holidays are here again, and boy has it been hard to get here. With COVID going around, it’s no wonder that the holidays can seem even more stressful than usual. COVID has caused not only physical damage, but mental and financial. Gifting season is around the corner, and for a little peace of mind and some bang for your buck, here are some great ways to still spread joy, while preserving your own.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign November 9th through 23rd. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support the Decorah Community Food Pantry. The campaign held in early November raised $1,226.
By: Scott Timm, Oneota Co-op Board President
Dear Member/Owners of the Oneota Community Co-op,
One of the most daunting duties outlined for the Board of Directors, as elected representatives of the Membership, is the hiring of the General Manager. As many of you likely know, our successful GM of 11 years, David Lester, will be leaving the OCC in January, and we have been involved in a GM search since early Spring this year. Our process aimed to be inclusive and thorough. We leaned on tools that utilized best practices in hiring Co-op GM’s, and included the Co-op’s Human Resources manager in our search process. We held a nation-wide search, casting our net far and near.
By: Genie Maybanks, SILT Corporate Relations Specialist
To all the member/owners and shoppers of Oneota,
By: Niki Sanness, Finance Manager
We have been utilizing phenol-free (BPA/BPS-free) receipt tape at the Co-op for several years. Most thermal cash register receipts contain either BPA (Bisphenol A) or BPS (Bisphenol S). Because these chemicals simply line the receipt and are not bound to it, the residual is said to be easily absorbed into the body through the skin.
By: Kristin Evenrud, Human Resource Manager
As with most things in 2020, our Round Up at the Register campaigns did not go quite as expected. We originally intended to hold one Round Up campaign per quarter – as we did in 2019. When COVID-19 hit and we closed the doors of the Co-op to customer foot traffic, this greatly diminished the feasibility of such a campaign. For this reason, we postponed the Round Up campaign for quarter two until after our doors were back open to the public.
We re-launched the Round Up campaigning in quarter three and realized there was an enormous pool of organizations that had applied for consideration of these funds. In order to maximize our impact and spread it among as many organizations as possible, we decided to include a Round Up campaign each month for the remainder of the year.
By: Gretchen Schempp, Wellness Manager
Just when we think we’re about in the clear from summer’s creepy crawlies we find ourselves in the late tick season! This year dry weather has given us a strong tick population this fall. Living in the country I am no stranger to these pointless bloodsuckers. I’ve currently got three rambling pooches and have dealt with ticks and dogs for over half my life.
By: Gretchen Schempp, Wellness Manager
Osha has long been touted for it’s great activity as an expectorant, support for colds and coughs and deep lung detoxification. With the current season and the new climate of health this year, Osha has gotten even more attention! This coveted root is having some if its own troubles though.
By: Hannah Breckbill Oneota Co-op Board Member
Democracy is a big and almost intimidating word these days. We are about to cast our votes for national offices and many of us feel a great deal of weight this election season. I’ve noticed my inbox filling with ever-more-frantic messages from candidates across the nation, requesting donations or my name on a petition, telling me I’m needed to help take down the opposing side. I’m told that the fate of democracy hangs in the balance.
I don’t doubt it.
But even as this swirl of tension permeates the media, I still believe…
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign August 31st through September 14th. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Feed Iowa First of Cedar Rapids. The campaign held in early September raised $1,013.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
What? Yep, I said warm up with a cup of mushrooms!
Medicinal mushrooms have gained much attention with Paul Stamet’s TED talks and You Tube videos along with his awesome line of Host Defense products.
Four Sigmatic has a great line of mushroom elixers, coffees and cocoas.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
Sleep support is a huge category here in our Wellness department and a 30 billion dollar business overall. I can count on doing a few things every day. Talking to consumers about sleep is something I do multiple times on any given day in the Wellness aisle.
There are a lot of different ways folks struggle with sleep. Many have trouble unwinding, some just struggle to fall asleep, and very commonly people have troubles staying asleep.
By: David Lester, General Manager
It has been a while since I’ve written a piece of communication for our quarterly Scoop publication, which has been on hiatus since March. You will be getting more frequent communication from OCC as we transition to a blog format. I hope you enjoy these future pieces from our staff, board members and member-owners.
A Time of Transition
We are entering a time of transition at the Oneota Community Co-op. You may have seen the recent posting for a General Manager (GM).
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign July 20th through August 3rd. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center. The campaign held in late July raised $1,508 for NEIPJC.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
The beauty of midsummer is undeniable. Flowers, wild and curated, are in full bloom…. You might be eating from your garden on the daily. The roadsides are full of beauty and even some changing color around the countryside. Glorious days of windows-down drives and floats on the river…. What could possibly make these days not perfect?
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
This past Spring our world, collectively, was shaken up, turned upside down and inside out. Regardless of beliefs….I don’t think there is a person that this hasn’t affected in some large way.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign February 3rd through February 17th. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity. The campaign held in February raised $2,000 for Habitat by rounding up the sales of over 4,300 transactions.
By: Gretchen Fox Schempp, Wellness Manager
Are the holidays hard to digest? Joyful and busy. Exciting and hopeful. Maybe mentally and physically exhausting? Definitely a challenge on the gut. The 12 days of Christmas are sometimes more than a person can take, but they don’t have to be!
By: Kristin Evenrud, Front End and HR Manager
As 2020 draws near, I cannot help but reflect back over the past year and recognize how generous our customers have been during our Round Up at the Register quarterly campaigns.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign November 18th through December 2nd.
On March 1st the Oneota Co-op kicked off a member loan campaign to raise funds to finance a store remodel that is currently underway. Capital campaigns are used by consumer co-ops around the country to generate capital for projects while simultaneously offering their owners a chance to invest their money in a local business that is dedicated to serving the community.
The Co-op will be closed today, Tuesday, April 2nd through Thursday, April 4th. Here’s a look at what will be happening these three days:
Welcome to the Co-op Remodel 2019. We are thrilled to be looking ahead to the future and are excited to let you know what is happening and what’s in-store.
