Co-op Updates | Monadnock Food Co-op

Please keep in mind that this date could shift due to construction schedule changes. So check back with us regularly and make sure you’re on our E-Updates list.

Regular store hours are Monday – Saturday, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. A Grand Opening Celebration is slated for June.

This opening is the culmination of many volunteer hours, community support and member investment since early 2008. Over 1,200 Greater Keene citizens prioritized a food co-op as a top priority in the City of Keene Comprehensive Master Plan and close to 1,200 families have joined the Monadnock Food Co-op as Member-Owners, contributing over $100,000 in Member Equity and $800,000 in Member Loans to this start-up community owned business.

Please help us spread the word!

Everyone can shop at the co-op; Member-Owner or not!

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Early March Building Update

Posted in Co-op Updates, tagged Building on March 5, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Since the floor staining on February 16th, our refrigeration cases arrived — including produce, meat & seafood, deli and freezer cases. This equipment really begins to define the inside look of the building and outlines some of our store aisles — so exciting! In addition to our cases, our soup and salad bars are here and sink installation begins next week.
An aisle of Dairy cases with Meat & Seafood cases in the background.

The interior walls are now painted with bright, cheerful (and fun!) colors that match our logo – purples, yellows and other hues to distinguish each section of the store.

This week, Harvey Construction, the building contractor, meets with the city of Keene to discuss our Certificate of Occupancy — which will determine when co-op staff can move into the building. Knowing our move-in date will help us commit to an official store opening date (sometime in early April). Stay tuned!

We want to give a big shout out of thanks to Dan Scully, Katie Cassidy Sutherland and the staff from Scully Architects, and also Matt Holian, Jack Dugan and the staff at Monadnock Economic Development Corp

An aisle of Dairy cases with Meat & Seafood cases in the background.

. They’ve all been wonderful partners in this project, helping us do everything from staining the co-op’s floor to obtaining our exterior sign permit.

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Welcome Kerry Kelley, Customer Service/Front End Manager

Posted in Co-op Updates, tagged Customer Service, Kerry Kelley on February 27, 2013| 2 Comments »

We hit double digits today — in terms of the number of staff we currently employ! We welcome Customer Service/Front End Manager, Kerry Kelley to the Monadnock Food Co-op’s staff.

Kerry worked at United Natural Foods, Inc. in Chesterfield, where she was a Purchasing Associate. She also served as Teller Supervisor at Granite Bank in Keene, before running her own day care service.

“Kerry’s ‘above and beyond’ customer service ethic and her warm smile will set the bar high for our Front End team,” said Michael Faber, General Manager of the Monadnock Food Co-op.

Kerry Kelley started working for the co-op on February 27, 2013.

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Welcome Grocery Manager, Justin Somma to Monadnock Food Co-op

Posted in Co-op Updates, tagged Grocery Manager, Justin Somma on February 26, 2013| Leave a Comment »

We welcome our first Grocery Manager, Justin Somma to the Monadnock Food Co-op team.

Justin owned and operated a hardware store in Hunter, NY for the past seven years. He returned with his family to the Keene area to take advantage of the many quality of life benefits afforded by the city. While in the area prior, he worked in marketing and publishing in Keene and Peterborough.

“Justin’s entrepreneurial background and experience managing sales, margin and labor in a retail setting is a great addition to our store,” said Monadnock Food Co-op General Manager, Michael Faber.

Justin Somma started working for the co-op on February 25, 2013.

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Mid-February Building Update

Posted in Co-op Updates, tagged Building on February 19, 2013| Leave a Comment »

The store window installation is over halfway complete. We learned today that some of the windows weigh 400 pounds each! Dry wall taping started and priming of the walls begins on Friday. The building project continues to run on schedule — which means an early April co-op opening!

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Monadnock Food Co-op Hires Matt West as Meat and Seafood Manager

Posted in Co-op Updates, tagged Matt West, Meat and Seafood on February 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

The Monadnock Food Co-op welcomes its first Meat and Seafood Manager, Matt West.

Matt previously worked as butcher at the Walpole Grocery and meat cutter at Paul’s Choice. He has over eight years of experience in the meat and seafood industry, and has extensive experience with and knowledge of seafood and deli products.

“Matt’s passion for local sustainably raised meats and strong customer service skills will be a great asset to the co-op,” said Monadnock Food Co-op General Manager, Michael Faber.

Matt West started working for the co-op on February 18, 2013.

Welcome Matt!

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TEDxManhattan Giveaways in Keene

Posted in Co-op Updates, Discover Local, Events, tagged Changing the Way We Eat, Sustainable Table, TEDxManhattan on February 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

The organizers at TEDxManhattan donated giveaways for our Changing the Way We Eat Viewing Party on Saturday. Be sure to add your name to the sign up sheet at the event for your chance to win one of the following:

Foraged Flavor: Finding Fabulous Ingredients in Your Backyard or Farmer’s Market – CONGRATS JACKIE C.!

While others have identified in the past which wild plants are edible, Tama Matsuoka Wong, the forager for Daniel, the flagship restaurant of renowned chef Daniel Boulud, and Eddy Leroux, its chef de cuisine, go two steps further, setting the bar much higher. First, they have carefully selected only the wild plants that are worth seeking out for their fabulous flavors. Second, after much taste-testing, they have figured out the best way to prepare each ingredient—a key in getting to know these exciting new foods.

Sustainable Table Tote Bag– CONGRATS MARY KATE S.

Sustainable Table, celebrates sustainable food, educates consumers about food-related issues and works to build community through food. Their projects include the Meatrix and Eat Well Guide.

Monadnock Food Co-op Discover Local T-Shirt – CONGRATS JACLYN L., WREN, & MARCUS

Organic t-shirt printed locally at Beeze Tees of Keene.

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Introducing Pam Croteau – Our IT/P.O.S. Coordinator

Posted in Co-op Updates on February 12, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Welcome Pamela Croteau, our new IT/P.O.S. Coordinator!

Pam held this same position at the Brattleboro Food Co-op, where her technical expertise helped them smoothly transition their IT infrastructure to the new store. Previously, Pamela worked as Support Services Coordinator at Fitz, Vogt & Associates in Walpole.

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Welcome Store Manager Whitney Field

Posted in Co-op Updates, tagged Whitney Field on February 12, 2013| 4 Comments »

A big welcome to our Store Manager, Whitney Field! Whitney comes to us with over 17 years of experience as the Grocery Operations Manager at the Brattleboro Food Co-op, where she managed sales, margin, labor and inventory for multiple departments. Prior to that, Whitney acted as Store Manager for a Natural Market in Scarsdale, New York.