About the Wasatch Cooperative Market

Organizing work for the Wasatch Cooperative Market began in April 2009. At that time we didn't have a name for our cooperative. We were simply asking people if they wanted to shop at a community food co-op in Salt Lake City. The answer: Yes!

We had three community meetings in 2009: April 18, May 30, and October 7. Soon after the May 30 meeting we held a vote among interested individuals on the email list to select a name for our consumer-owned cooperative grocery market and that's how we became the Wasatch Cooperative Market!

We have formed several committees to further the development of the co-op. A few need more participants. Contact us if you'd like to get involved.

The plan is BIG! We envision 10 or more stores in northern Utah with 100,000 or more owners!

Current Board of Directors

Benjamin Gaddis (Chair)

I was born and raised in SLC and love it here, as I do the rest of my home state. I did however leave UT for about a 12 year period for college, Peace Corps, grad school, to travel, and for grad school for my wife, with whom I now have two kids. Living in other cities in the US I had the opportunity to experience consumer-owned retail food cooperatives. I loved everything about them and what they represent in the community--community togetherness and cooperation, emphasis on things produced locally, democratic control, concern for community. When my wife and I returned to Utah and there wasn't a co-op to come back to we thought it would be a great idea to start one and that other people would think so too. We also thought it would be fun, so here I am. I hold a Master of Environmental Management and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Duke University, Durham, NC and a B.S. in Environmental Science from Willamette University in Salem, OR. I'm currently an environmental planning specialist and project manager with an environmental consulting company. My Peace Corps experience was in Ukraine where I led various community initiatives.

Allen Stutz (Vice-chair)

My familiarity with retail food co-ops began in Seattle in 1995, when I became a member of PCC Natural Markets, the largest in the nation. My experience there changed my perception on food and I learned the value of a community centric market that also thinks globally. I earned a B.S. in Zoology and a B.S. in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation from the University of Washington. After 5 years working for the Forest Service researching California spotted-owls in a small CA mountain town (where I was able to shop at a co-op) I moved to SLC in 2007 to work with an environmental consulting company as a GIS Specialist. I'm eager to see that the residents of SLC (and beyond for that matter) have the community enriching experience of owning our own natural food market.

Justin Rich (Treasurer)

Hi, I'm Justin Rich. I was born in Utah and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. Currently, I'm the operations manager for a local medical documentation and technology company in downtown SLC. I served in the US Navy from 1991 to 1997. In 2002 I earned a B.S. in Computer Science from CSU San Marcos in San Diego. I returned to SLC shortly thereafter to begin my career in the healthcare industry.

Primarily, my involvement in WCM stems from an urgent personal need to understand how our food is processed and where it comes from; I'm a fierce advocate for local business and I'm interested in supporting the growth and success of our community. I first encountered cooperatives during a family visit to Boise 5 years ago when we stopped in at the Boise Co-op. I was immediately impressed by the vibrant atmosphere, the friendly (and extremely happy) employees, impressive selection of (both local and import) natural and eco-friendly goods, and the amazing community support surrounding their store. Since then, I have many times thought to myself, 'That's what's missing in SLC.' I'm proud and privileged to serve on the WCM Board.

Benjamin J. Rivkind (Secretary)

I was born and raised near Salt Lake City and recently completed the Certification in Fund Development for Nonprofits through the Nonprofit Academy for Excellence at the University of Utah. Additionally, I hold an A.S. in Environmental Technology and plan to further my education. My resolve is that Wasatch Cooperative Market will empower the community to be self-sufficient without continued environmental degradation. This will be done by aligning efforts in localizing economies, establishing food security, sharing expertise through volunteerism, and living simply. I'm also a board member of Citizens For Sustainability, Salt Lake City Open Space Lands, and the Bioneers local conference.

Alison Einerson

I am currently the Event and Publicity Manager for The King's English Bookstore. I served as Executive Director of Local First Utah from 2007 to 2009, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Gibbs Smith, Publisher from 2001 to 2007, and prior to that held positions at various public relations firms in New York City. I hold a B.A. in English and Women's Studies from the University of Utah. I'm passionate about the creation and success of Salt Lake City's first cooperative grocery market, and am committed to making natural and healthy foods available to all in our community. I live in Salt Lake City with my husband, daughter, and two dogs.

We're in the process of filling the other two seats.

(We have structured our bylaws to stipulate a seven member Board of Directors.)

Mission

As a consumer-owned cooperative grocery market, Wasatch Cooperative Market is committed to providing ecologically sustainable, socially responsible, organic and high-quality foods and goods at fair prices. By focusing first on foods and goods produced by local crop and animal stewards and artisans, we create and strengthen relationships between local producers and consumers, and build and keep wealth in the community. We serve our owners and the greater community by providing the highest quality foods, product information, and conscientious choices while engaging in environmentally and socially responsible business practices. In all its endeavors, Wasatch Cooperative Market is guided by the seven cooperative principles, through which we exemplify the values common to all cooperatives.

Vision

To foster and support community well-being throughout Northern Utah

To provide an inviting marketplace offering only healthy, high-quality foods and goods produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner

To constantly strive to run the most energy efficient and sustainable business

To count among our Member-Owners every household in Utah

To be profitable for the cooperative and its owners