LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake Co-op hosted a meet and greet for its new board members on Jan. 9 at its overage site at 307 N. Main Street in Lakeport.

The members were appointed by outgoing members Janine Smith-Citron and David Goolsbee.

“I'm so pleased to see the caliber of individuals stepping forward to help further the mission of the Co-op,” said Smith-Citron.
 
Incoming President Jim Leonardis also was pleased. “We have a lot of exciting initiatives on our plate right now. To see such talent come forward is really exciting.”

Leonardis also expressed an interest in finding two additional board members, one of which would serve as the Co-op's treasurer.
 
The Co-op's main initiative for 2014 is to accept EBT (SNAP or food stamps) to better help those wishing to purchase more local and organic, but that have been hit by the financial crisis in recent years.

With 23 percent of Lake County residents below poverty level  according to the 2008-12 U.S. Census, there is increasing concern about the ability for residents to access fresh organic and local food.

Incoming Director Mireya Turner, who manages the Saturday Farmer's Finest market in Finley, will be overseeing this effort.

“It was so rewarding to see families at the farmers' markets this summer be able to make healthier food choices that benefit them and our local farmers. I want to see this expanded to include Co-op customers who are able to take advantage of local purchasing year round,” she said.
 
“We also want to participate in more community events,” said incoming Secretary Linda Wankel. “This takes a lot of effort and energy, though. But, it is so much fun and rewarding. Our presence at the Taste of Lakeport last year showed us what great opportunities there are to connect in community, so keep your eyes out!”
 
Vice President Terry Daniels looks forward to finding deeper community connections that will strengthen not only Lake Co-op but other organizations and the community at large in an effort to continue to build a stronger local economy.

He exampled the new Lake Works store that features locally made arts, clothing, jewelry and more and shares the space with the Co-op overage site at 307 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

“That shared space includes the Time Bank of Lake County and Thrive Lake County and shows how a group of dedicated visionaries can provide more opportunities for Lake County residents to support each other,” he noted.
 
Board Director Peggy Barthel sees the opportunities for Lake Co-op's expansion through social media as her focus this year.

“Since the Co-op has been so successful so far because of it's use of technology to bridge the geographic divide in Lake County, using social media to strengthen and lengthen those bridges is a no-brainer to me,” she said.
 
Lake Co-op started in 2008 when a group of individuals interested in procuring affordable organic food, preferably local, was formed.

Since then, they have explored a brick-and-mortar storefront option and, due to the economic crisis of 2009, opted to strengthen a new model of local food systems through an online ordering and distribution system.

The Co-op offers local, regional and beyond organic food and non-food products. Their order cycle is open Sunday through Tuesday with home/office deliveries and easy pick up at twelve drop points on Thursdays throughout Lake County.
 
Lake Co-op also offers an “overage store” on Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 307 N. Main St. in Lakeport that features produce that was not presold through their online system, as well as regional cheeses, local breads, regional rice and beans, local olive oils, micro-greens, walnuts and more.
 
For more information on shopping with Lake Co-op, visit www.lake.coop .

For more information on becoming a board member for Lake Co-op, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .