Ben Kuzma

One reason why Boise Co-op joined the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) several months ago was to benefit from the institutional knowledge their members have gained over the years through collaboration with other food co-ops. Sharing knowledge and experiences is a major benefit of membership and a better alternative to going it alone. Many NCGA member food co-ops have experienced new competition in their marketplaces and learned valuable lessons from those experiences. They cooperatively share their wisdom with food co-ops in similar situations.

For the last five months we have been making changes at our Co-op to prepare for new market competitors that will soon be arriving in Boise. We would have made the changes under consideration at some point regardless, but the timing has created a new sense of urgency to implement these changes sooner than later. We have asked NCGA for their help with our preparations. By working in partnership NCGA, we are planning an all-out effort to make critical improvements to our Co-op to better serve our member-owners. In the coming months you will begin to see the results of this collaborative effort, so hang on to your hard hats!

For three days during the last full week of January 2012, the NCGA’s Western Corridor will hold their quarterly meeting in Boise. These meetings usually rotate to various locations throughout the year where a host NCGA member is located. As one of the newest members of NCGA, it will give Boise Co-op an opportunity to get acquainted with our neighboring food co-ops in the Western states.

The 40 – 50 people attending the Western Corridor meeting will be comprised of Designated Representatives (DRs – mostly general managers of Western food co-ops) and NCGA staff. Part of the meeting will include a mini-audit of our Co-op. The auditors will include thirty DRs, six Boise Co-op staff leaders and six NCGA staff. The group will break into six teams that will focus on different aspects of our store’s operation. Our Co-op’s aisles will fill with these inquisitive co-op people who are not only willing to share their knowledge but also wanting to learn about what we do well and how we will react to the challenges we face. When the audit is complete, they will compare their observations with what are considered to be “best practices” and make recommendations where appropriate. Boise Co-op may then use some or all of these recommendations to make further improvements to our store.

Co-ops interacting with other co-ops and exchanging ideas is what makes us stronger as a group. George Bernard Shaw once said: “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.” That’s the basic recipe we are relying on to help us prepare for the future.

We are currently in a planning stage to unclutter our store so that there is room for new equipment and upgraded facilities. As we quickly move forward, look for more information about our progress in the store, on our websites and in our newsletters. We want to provide our customers with a better shopping experience so if there are ways we can do that for you please let us know. Share your ideas with us – who knows, before long they may show up at a distant food co-op as well at our own. Thank you for your support.

Ben Kuzma

Planning a home or office party? Tired of fried foods and chips? Now you can have delicious and healthy Sushi at your next event! Made to order, your sushi platter will be prepared with the freshest fish and all organic produce.

All platters come with wasabi, pickled ginger, soy sauce and chopsticks. Please mention any allergies when calling and provide 48 hour notice. Prices listed do not include tax and are for pick-up only. Drop-off platters are available for an extra charge.

The #1: 50 Pieces–$49.95
California Rolls–Spicy Tuna Rolls–Philly Rolls–Dynamite Prawn Rolls–Avocado Rolls

The #2:  75 Pieces–$74.95
California Rolls–Tuna Rolls–Southside Philly Rolls–Samurai Rolls–Spicy California Rolls–Eel Rolls
Shrimp Nigiri–Smoked Salmon Nigiri–Tuna Sashimi

The #3: 75 Pieces (Vegetarian)–$50.95
Spicy Veggie Rolls-Sunflower Rolls–Avocado Rolls–Cucumber Rolls–Sweet Tofu Inari Pockets

The #4: 100 Pieces–$99.95
California Rolls–Tuna Rolls–Spicy Tuna Rolls–Philly Rolls–Dynamite Prawn Rolls–Eel Rolls–Samurai Rolls–Dynamite Tuna Rolls–Shrimp Nigiri–Smoked Salmon Nigiri–Tuna Nigiri–Tuna Sashimi

We also offer on-site sushi preparation, for your party or event.

Need a customized or larger platter? We can do that as well. For pricing or to place your order, please call Scott at the Boise Co-op Meat & Seafood Department. Phone-472-4516

To see our daily sushi menu, please click here.

Freshness and flavor matter to us!

• We use only the freshest organic produce available.
• We use only real Chilean Rock Crab (never imitation!), fresh sashimi grade Yellowfin Tuna, and feature several unique, house-made sauces.
• You may get your roll made with whole grain brown rice upon request.
• All orders come with natural pickled ginger (no food coloring or aspartame), washabi and light soy sauce.
• Design your own roll (list at the bottom of this page), or order from our menu.
• Beautiful, affordable party platters are available! Click here for our Catering Menu.
  

Veggie Sushi -$5.99

• Spicy Veggie Crunch- Leaf lettuce, Sriracha, Carrot, Green Onion, Sesame Seeds, Cucumber.
• Sunflower Roll- Sunflower Seeds, Carrot, Roasted Red Peppers, Green Onion, Cucumber and Avocado.
• Inari Roll- Inari Tofu, Carrot, Green Onion, Sesame Seeds and Avocado.
• Rice Pearl- Inside/Out Roll. Cream Cheese, Green Onion, Carrot and Cucumber. Topped with rice pearls.
• Linda’s Roll- Sunflower Seeds, Mango, Cream Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers, Carrots and Avocado.
• Fire Roll- Inside out Roll. Carrot, Avocado and Cucumber. Topped with Togarashi Chili Spice.
• Inari Box- Six Sweet Tofu pouches, filled with seasoned Brown Rice, Green Onion, Sesame Seeds and Carrot.
• Veggie Chirashi Bowl- Made with brown or white rice. Carrot, Mango, Cucumber, Avocado, Carrot, Roasted Red Peppers, Green onion, Inari Strips. Topped with Sesame and Sunflower Seeds.
• Inari Combo- Half of any roll above with three Sweet Inari Tofu Pouches.

Seafood Sushi/Cooked – $6.99

• California Roll- Chilean Rock Crab, Avocado, Sesame Seeds. Rolled Inside Out.
• Spicy California Roll- Tobiko, Chilean Rock Crab, House Made Spicy Mayonnaise, Avocado. Rolled Inside Out.
• Dynamite Prawn Roll- Shrimp, House Made Spicy Mayonnaise, Carrot, Lettuce, Avocado.
• Samurai Roll- Chilean Rock Crab, Sriracha, Shrimp, Carrot, Green Onion, Avocado.
• Philly Roll- Cold Smoked Salmon, Organic Cream Cheese, Green Onion, Cucumber.
• Southside Philly Roll- Cold Smoked Salmon,Organic Spicy Cream Cheese, Green Onion, Cucumber.
• Kabayaki Unagi Roll- Freshwater Eel, Green Onion, Avocado.Topped with House Made Eel Sauce and Sesame Seeds.

Seafood Sushi/Raw – $6.99

• Tuna Roll- Yellowfin Tuna and Avocado.
• Spicy Tuna Roll- Yellowfin Tuna, Sriracha, Tobiko and Cucumbers.
• Dynamite Tuna Roll- Yellowfin Tuna, House made Spicy Mayonnaise, Carrot, Green Onion, Avocado.
• Hamachi Roll- Yellowtail Tuna and Avocado.
• Spicy Hamachi Roll- Yellowtail Tuna, Tobiko, Sriracha, Cucumber.

Chirashi & Combos – $7.99

• Chirashi (Scatter Sushi Bowl)- Rice Topped with Yellowfin & Yellowtail Tuna, Chilean Rock Crab, Cold Smoked Salmon, Shrimp, Avocado, Cucumber, Carrot, Sesame Seeds.
• Nigiri Combo- Half of Any Roll with your choice of Four Piece Nigiri.
• Nigiri Options: Ebi (Shrimp)
• Maguro (Yellowfin Tuna)
• Hamachi (Yellowtail Tuna)
• Sake (Cold Smoked Salmon)
• Unagi (Freshwater Eel)

Create Your Own Roll – $7.99

Let your creativity run wild!

FISH:

• Chilean Rock Crab
• Cold Smoked Salmon
• Freshwater Eel
• Hamachi (White Tuna)
• Maguro (Red Tuna)
• Shrimp
• Tobiko (Flying Fish Roe)

VEGGIES:

• Asparagus (seasonal)
• Avocado
• Cucumber
• Carrots
• Green Onion
• Jalapeno
• Roasted Red Pepper
• Mango (seasonal)
• Lettuce
• Sesame Seeds
• Sunflower Seeds
• Togarashi (Japanese Five Pepper Spice)
• Rice Pearl (Crisp Tapioca)

EXTRAS:

• Brown Rice
• White Rice
• Kabayaki Sauce
• Spice Ponzu Sauce
• Spicy Sweet Sauce
• Wheat-Free Tamari
• Sriacha
• Spicy Mayonnaise
• Cream Cheese
• Soy Wrapper (add $1.00)

(We have to say this: Consuming raw or undercooked meats, seafood, shellfish or eggs, may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.)

Please click here to read the agenda for this meeting.

Our Board can be reached at boardofdirectors@boisecoop.com

Ben Kuzma

We recently took time to do an after event postmortem of the Boise Co-op election process shortly after the ballot results had been tallied. Not surprisingly there are many aspects of the election process that could have gone more smoothly, but we are very pleased with the process overall. Some highlights of our analysis:

There were more votes than necessary to have a valid election:
The new bylaws put into effect last summer by the Board, established a quorum requirement to conduct Co-op business during an election (ballots from 1,000 or 3% of eligible member-owners, whichever is less).  We were concerned about a low voter turnout – we needed at least 784 valid ballots, but we received 967!

Member-owners voted overwhelmingly for the changes to our Articles of Incorporation:
The most substantive change to the Articles may have gone by unnoticed because even for anyone with a good understanding of the nature of the cooperative business model, it’s more complicated than what meets the eye. Although the newly changed bylaws gave the Board the language they needed to issue patronage rebates to member-owners, the old Articles of Incorporation did not give the Board the authority to issues shares which is necessary to act upon the new language in the bylaws. With this election we are – in the eyes of the law – a consumer cooperative entitled to all of its advantages; we now operate under the 7 cooperative principles; we are required to return at least 20% and up to 100% of the Co-op’s profits generated from member-owner purchases back to our members in profitable years and it will take a vote by a quorum of member-owners to make further changes to the bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation.

Board meetings and annual Member-owner meetings will be regularly scheduled and announced well ahead time to encourage participation:
With so little time between when the new bylaws that took effect at the end of the summer and when the election took place, there was little time to thoroughly plan for this event. The Board will develop a planning calendar that will lay out the important dates during the year – deadline dates for the election process; when the annual Member-owner’s meeting will take place; when and where regular Board meetings will take place. Forums will be arranged before the election so that member-owners may meet the election candidates. Committees that may include member-owners will be used for activities such a reviewing our financials or conducting an annual election. Our member-owners will be better informed about what’s happening at the Co-op during the next election.

The voting process will be streamlined:
The election process itself was adapted from the way several other food co-ops conduct their elections. It had high integrity with the use of double envelopes and with precise procedures about how the votes were counted and verified, but there is much that can be done to improve the process. It was at times cumbersome, fairly expensive (mailing ballots to ~24,000 households is costly!) and not very intuitive. We are looking at electronic voting, which is allowable under the new bylaws for potential future voting. If you have any ideas about how the voting process can be improved please let us know.

Thank you to the 974 member-owners who participated in this learning experience which was accomplished by courageously going forward and just doing it. In certain areas, the election could have gone better but it will improve as we gain experience with more practice. I look forward to the next Co-op election cycle with even more member-owners participating.

Tuesday, November 1, 6:00 pm
The Linen Building
(1402 Grove Street, Boise)

The Boise Co-op’s Annual Member Meeting and Board of Directors election will take place on November 1. This is an opportunity for our members to discuss ideas and concerns about the future direction of the Boise Co-op with our Board, General Manager, staff and fellow members. You’ll also be asked to elect three Board members and vote on proposed amendments to the Co-op’s Articles of Incorporation. This email will introduce you to our Board nominees and address other details you’ll need to make an informed decision. Please attend this meeting and exercise your rights as a shareholder of the Boise Consumer Co-op!

Function of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the governance body for the corporation under which the Boise Co-op is structured. Directors are responsible for overseeing the operations and finances of the Co-op with all that entails, and each offers his or her skills and experiences toward that task. The Board hires and oversees a General Manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations.

Three of our current Directors’ terms end in 2011, so Boise Co-op members will be voting to fill those seats. All three of the incumbents are running for re-election, and we are happy to introduce two additional candidates from within our membership. Directors elected in 2011 are expected to serve a full three-year term.

Meet the Candidates

Patrick Haas (incumbent)
Pat has been a member of the Boise Co-op for over 25 years and has served on the Board since 2005. Active in co-ops for over 40 years, he was a co-founder of a chain of neighborhood co-ops in Dallas in the early 1970s. He worked as an executive in the food service business for 26 years, and feels his experience in business and management has enabled him to assist the Boise Co-op in its transition to a more professional organization both in terms of finance and personnel. During his tenure on the Board, he has worked to put the “co-op” back into the business by improving communication with members, encouraging transparency and member participation, and sharpening the emphasis on local, healthy products and community support. Pat intends to continue to work for the benefit of the Boise Co-op and its member-owners.

Steve Lester (incumbent)
Steve has been a member of the Boise Co-op since its inception in 1973, and was a volunteer at the original location in Hyde Park. He works in natural resource management, and over the past 32 years has held positions with the US Forest Service, Idaho Department of Lands, and Idaho Department of Water resources. A member of the Boise Co-op Board of Directors since 2008, Steve has been instrumental in facilitating communication between the Co-op and its members, and has dedicated himself to enhancing member benefits. He played an active role in revising the Bylaws and hiring our new General Manager, and believes that being present at the creation of our new direction makes him particularly well-suited to help build a better Co-op. Steve sees himself as an “average member,” and brings that perspective to his work on the Board.

Robert Shepard
Robert has been a Boise Co-op member since 1993, and offers a diverse background in business development and operations, economic consulting, strategic planning and college-level teaching. His years of experience have honed his expertise in feasibility studies and the creation of business plans. He understands the value of customer service and respects the need to create a great shopping experience for Co-op members. He wants to be on the Board to help ensure that our shoppers’ money stays local instead of going to a corporate office in another state, and to assist the Co-op in its continuing mission to offer quality products in a quality environment with excellent service. Robert is committed to the sustainability of the Boise Co-op and its members.

Carole Skinner (incumbent)
Carole has been a Boise Co-op member since 1983, and is the owner and operator of The Flicks, a landmark business that has enriched our community since 1984. She is the recipient of the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (1997), Idaho Business Review’s Women’s Excellence in Business Award (2000), the United Vision for Idaho Award for Most Progressive Business Person (2002), and the Community Heroine Treasure Valley Public Access Television Award in 2009. She is a proud member of Think Boise First. Carole sees strong parallels between The Flicks and the Boise Co-op, which share many loyal customers and as well as a unique place in the hearts of our town’s citizens. She believes that her skills in marketing, resource management and community outreach over the past 27 years will be a strong asset to the Co-op’s Board of Directors.

Tara “TJ” Stevens
Tara has been a Boise Co-op member since 2004, and as an advocate of the local food movement believes the Co-op plays an important role in providing products, education and outreach to our community. She is a manager at REI, where she has developed systems and processes that ensure an efficient and profitable business, and is the Education Director for the Boise Rec Fest. Tara intends to bring to the Board a fresh perspective, a proven track record in business planning, and a passion for sustainable, local foods. She feels her distinct skills and experience as a business leader and champion of change will be an asset in keeping the Co-op relevant, competitive, and effective in the face of competition.

Proposed Changes to our Articles of Incorporation

The Board of Directors is asking members to approve amendments to the Boise Co-op’s Articles of Incorporation. The substantive changes that would be made by these amendments (number references being to the amended and restated Articles) are as follows:

• In Article II, to improve the statement of purpose, including adding the requirement that the Boise Co-op be operated on a cooperative basis and in accordance with cooperative principles.
• In Article V, to authorize the advantageous procedure of issuing shares to acknowledge the contributed capital of members.
• In Article VI, to facilitate the limited immunity of directors from personal liability.
• In Article VII, to facilitate the beneficial procedure of distributing patronage dividends.
• In Article VIII, to adopt sensible and equitible rules for liquidating distributions.

The amendments also eliminate unnecessary verbiage from the Articles, and would consolidate the original and all amendments into a single new document.  These changes have been reviewed by the Board and are believed to be advantageous for both the Co-op and its members.

To read our current Articles, please follow this link. There is also an amendment from November, 2003, which may be read here.

Click here to read the proposed updated Articles of Incorporation in their entirety.

Procedure for Voting

Voting officially begins on Monday, October 3, 2011. Ballots are being mailed to members, and you may also pick one up at the store. The locked ballot box will be located at the front of the store. The right to vote is limited to members who are current in their equity payments on September 30, 2011, or who are of low-income status. Each member number receives one vote.

For more information, please contact our Board of Directors at boardofdirectors@boisecoop.com

We review donation applications on a biweekly basis. To be considered for a donation, you must submit a completed copy of our Donation Application no later than four weeks before your event. In order to be fair and consistent in our policy we cannot make exceptions to this schedule.

If we are able to fulfill your donation request we’ll notify you at least two weeks prior to your event. We’ll contact you only if we’re able to fulfill your request. Although we would like to support every worthwhile cause, due to the volume of applications and limited budgets it is not possible to fulfill every request.

All requests must be emailed to memberservices@boisecoop.com or mailed directly to:

Boise Co-op
888 W Fort St
Boise, ID 83702
Attn: Member Services

Requests must be made formally using our donation application.

Your organization must be based in Boise and your event must serve the greater Boise community.

Preference will be given to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

Requests from the following organizations will be considered:

• Events, programs, and projects that focus on improving the quality of life in our community, particularly in relation to physical and mental wellness, nutrition, education, animal welfare, human rights and environmental preservation.

Requests from the following organizations will not be considered:

• Political candidates
• Service clubs or fraternal organizations
• Third-party fundraisers
• Private clubs funded through membership fees
• Sporting events or sports teams
• Individuals/sponsorship of individuals

Please understand that past support of an organization or event is not a guarantee of future support.

You may download a PDF of our Donation Application by clicking here, or copies of the application are available at the store. Thank you for your interest.

Boise Co-op Progress Report

November 2009

The Boise Co-op is a local, member owned cooperative with a mission to provide healthy, great tasting food at reasonable prices since 1973. Our customer-driven organization strives to assemble the best people and resources to deliver the finest sustainable and specialty products to the community. Boise Co-op features a comprehensive grocery department of natural, organic and ethnic products, a full service deli, over 300 domestic and imported cheeses, locally-grown and organic produce and highest-quality meats. The Co-op also offers unique gifts and housewares, full service health and beauty departments and an expansive selection of local, domestic and imported beer and wine. Located at 9th and Fort Streets in Boise’s North end, we are open seven days a week. Non-members are always welcome.

Boise Co-op has enjoyed great success in 2009. We worked hard to cut unnecessary expenses to safeguard us during this low economic time, and as a result had our best year ever! We proudly achieved this level of success through hard work and dedication of our staff, and the continued support of our loyal customers. In turn, we have not laid off any employees, nor have we asked employees to work for any less. Our success is proof of the dedication and team effort of all.

The Co-op values its loyal members and strives to maintain transparency to all, while providing continued education and member rewards. This year we welcomed Linda Ledbetter to the position of Member Services Coordinator, serving as liaison between Boise Co-op members and employees. Her focus is to add value to Co-op membership, providing benefits such as special pricing on products and educational opportunities. Members receive benefits and store information via our newly debuted email newsletter, and can get up-to-date at the new in-store kiosk/information bulletin board at the front of the store. To join our newsletter, please visit www.boisecoop.com or stop by store kiosk.

Also new to the Co-op are cooking classes! We are very excited to provide a full Culinary Education Program, with classes offered weekly. With culinary educator Sylvie Ryan at the helm, our amazing instructors provide a wide variety of classes for all ages and experience levels. Many of the classes are hands on, and perfectly paired wine is provided courtesy of the Boise Co-op Wine Shop for those 21+. Learn to transform everyday ingredients into spectacular dishes simply and affordably. Discover the value and benefit of cooking with fresh and local ingredients. Fun, delicious, informative and members receive special discounted rates! Visit our website for more information, but reserve your spot quickly, as these classes have been selling out.

Boise Co-op was honored this June, when Easter Seals-Goodwill President and CEO for the Northern Rocky Mountain territory presented the Co-op with the 2009 Business of the Year Award “for outstanding commitment in promoting the dignity and independence of people with disabilities and disadvantages.” The Co-op sold tulip bouquets and donated a percentage of net sales during our annual wine and cheese event to project P.L.A.Y., a play based, in-home early intervention program for children in the Treasure Valley diagnosed with autism.

Currently, we are partnering with the Hispanic Business Association to raise funds for Idaho teachers in need. On Wednesday, October 28th, Boise Co-op will donate 4% of the day’s net sales to the Hispanic Business Association’s Dollars for Teachers program. Funds will be distributed to the 25 hardest-hit school districts in Idaho, to help teachers purchase the supplies they need. Visit our website to learn how you can help.

At Boise Co-op, we encourage consumers to be conscious of resources and waste. Conservation starts locally, and Boise Co-op asks you to be proactive in your consumer behavior: SHOP CONSCIOUSLY AND USE REUSABLE BAGS. We now have reusable shopping bags from post-consumer recycled material for 99 CENTS available at the front of the store. Thank you to all who commit to waste reduction!

Over the next couple weeks, watch for a new face to our produce department! We’ll be undergoing a remodel, and we’re excited to bring you a much more comprehensive and expansive produce area.

For more information about Boise Co-op, please visit www.boisecoop.com or call customer service at 208-472-4500.

Thank you all for your continued support over the years.

~Robin Zimmermann, Boise Co-op Marketing Director

For over 100 years, the Treasure Valley Family YMCA has been providing young people with lasting memories in their resident camping programs in Valley County. Amidst the beauty of nature, Y Camp has always promoted the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

The Y has now entered into an exciting new era with the opening of YMCA Camp: Horsethief Reservoir this past summer! Only occasionally in the past 50 years has a new Y Camp been built in the United States, and this rare opportunity to create one in the mountains of Idaho is something everyone in our region can be proud of.

Operating Y Camp is a costly venture, and the Boise Co-op wants to help the YMCA continue to provide this incredible opportunity to families in our area. So, on November 10, we will donate 4% of our net sales for the entire day to this program. Please mark you calendar and plan to shop your socks off that day!

Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS is a local organization committed to preventing the transmission of HIV and AIDS through education, public awareness, and free 20-minute testing. They also provide supportive services to infected and affected individuals.

December 1 is World AIDS Day, and the Boise Co-op is honored to make our ALPHA our Shop for Good recipient for the month of December. We’ll donate 4% of our net sales that day to this awesome Boise organization. Please mark your calendar now and schedule your shopping to help the ongoing fight against HIV and AIDS.