A Message from Your General Manager
It seems safe to say Spring is really, truly, finally here! It's been a bit warmer, and clearer skies mean we get to see more of all of you. When we get a long & wet winter, I'm reminded of how great it is to be community owned.
Thank you all so very much for your ongoing support! Thank you for shopping local and supporting the employment of the 20ish members of your community that work here at your co-op. Thank you for making it nearly impossible to make enough soup to keep up on the blustery days. Thank you for prepaying into member accounts, to ease the challenge of the slow season. We’re here for you 364 days a year, and it's heartening that so many of you have made us your first choice for organic produce, lunch, or cafe goodies! Thanks for being here for your co-op.
How can we better serve you? Do you have any suggestions for our Deli case? What are you picking up out of town that we could possibly provide? Even one more item purchased locally makes a world of difference, and we'd love to stock exactly what you want.
Remember, your co-op isn't a specialty store…
We're the regular store, for specialty people!
See you at the co-op!
Mike Sakellaridis
General Manager
From the President
Appreciating Co-op Employees
Any member who comes into the Arena Market & Cafe interacts with our wonderful employees. We employee about 20 people on average with slight dips during winter and increases during summer. They serve you coffee, prepare bagels, ring up your purchases, stock the shelves, freshen the produce cooler, cook deli items, order stuff from our vendors, unload the trucks, enter data in our our point-of-sale system, and strive to provide extraordinary customer service.
Since 2009, we’ve employed over 100 people from the Point Area area. Our lenders from the economic development groups in Mendocino and Arcata areas were totally stoked to see how many employees that the co-op had given jobs, several of whom got their first real job at the co-op. Their loan funds rarely generate so many jobs, so they were very pleased to be supporting us.
Now, don’t get the wrong idea that our employees come and go frequently! We have five employees who have worked at the co-op for more than 5 years. Our 20 employees total 59 years of service at the co-op. The average tenure is 2-3/4 years. And only five employees have worked for us for less than a year.
Your co-op employs your neighbors, friends, and children. We train them for the jobs we need; in fact, we cross-train them for several jobs so an employee can help out in another area when the workload gets heavy.
We welcome interest from people who want to work at the co-op. Talk with Mike, our General Manager. Know that we strive for high standards of work ethics, diligence and productivity.
Thanks to our employees, we have a successful and growing business in Point Area.
Cheers
Rick
President, Coastal Organics Cooperative, Inc.
Employee Spotlight
Appreciating Natalie Cortesse by Ginny Wyatt
Each month I would like to use this space to spotlight one of our employees! This month we’ll be hearing from one of our longest serving employees--Natalie Cortesse, the employee responsible for invoicing, banking, and choosing vegan products at the store.
Natalie has a long history with the co-op, dating back to before its inception, since she was also employed at the Record (for those new to the area, the Record was the natural foods market whose closure inspired the community to come together to create the Arena Market Cooperative). She was around when the first coat of paint went on the walls of the cafe. This is a natural fit, because Natalie has been a vegan most of her life and has always depended heavily on health food stores to meet her needs.
Natalie says, “I believe in what we do at the co-op. Without them I would be lost, unable to find my meat and pesticide free grub. Grocery stores years ago didn't have 'specialty food isles' and it was slim pickings for vegans and food conscious shoppers."
When asked what she liked about our store and working here, she shares, “I like the sense of community I feel when I am here.” As for what advice she might give our customers/members, she says, “Don't hesitate to let us know what you would like from us. We are not Whole Foods, our resources are limited so we rely heavily on customers feedback/support to help keep the co-op great.”
When asked what she would like customers to know about her, she mentions her soon to be product line “Vegan Girl.” She says these healthy vegan products will be low sugar, gluten free baked goods. We hope to have them in the co-op soon.
When asked for a funny "staff" story, she confides that Van Sickle assigns a different animal noise for each employee. Hmmm, perhaps he has one for each member too?
Some of Natalie’s favorite foods include Wildwood sprouted tofu (sprouting makes it easier to digest), Yves deli ham (excellent for sandwiches, and meat lovers like it as well), Silk almond milk dark chocolate coconut yogurt (yum!), and Kevita tangerine pro-biotic drink.
I have known Natalie for a few years now and what I enjoy and most impresses me about her is her honesty and dedication to what she believes in. The Arena Market is fortunate to have her working here to help meet the needs of our community. Thanks Natalie.
Tune in next month to see which employee I will spotlight.
Natalie's Tofu Chocolate Pudding
Here's a favorite recipe from Natalie…
Wildwood silken tofu
½ c oil ( light flavor)
1 c sweetener
½ c cocoa powder
½ t salt
3 t vanilla
Blend until smooth, refrigerate overnight ( it will thicken and becomes yummier as it sets) This is the original recipe, but you can change the fats and sweetener and it always seems to come out delicious.
New Products
Lactaid Lactose Free Milks
Forager Project Dairy-Free Cashewgurt
Kettle Brand Hawaiian Barbeque Chips w/ Avocado Oil
Blue Lotus Golden Masala Chai, featuring turmeric and maca
April Deals at your Co-Op!
All Zevia Zero Calorie Sodas- only $.99
Select Bulk Section items are 20% off!
Dr. Kracker
3 Seed Flatbread Crackers Was $5.04 Now $4.29
183 Main Street