1. Why are you running for the board, and what skill sets do you bring to the table?

I would like to be a member of the Board of Directors because the Bethlehem Food Co-Op's mission really resonates with me: to band together as neighbors to improve our quality of life, in this case by ensuring that everyone in the community has better access to healthy food.

I am volunteering to join the board so that I can help advance the Co-Op as much as possible. Because I'm self-employed, my flexible schedule allows me to take the lead and jump in wherever I'm needed. As a food blogger and plant-based lifestyle coach, I'm extremely passionate about healthy living and educating others to make informed choices about what they eat. As a writer and translator, my strong suits are communication and education, and I'd love to help get our message out and expand our membership. 

At this crucial moment when we're about to get our Co-Op off the ground and into existence, I'm really excited to join the leadership team and make it a huge success!

2. What do you believe is the value of cooperative enterprise in today's economy?

What we eat is the #1 biggest factor in how healthy we are. I feel strongly that too many greedy corporate interests are overwhelming the messages we see, hear and read every day about health and lifestyle. Huge companies are also dominating our food supply chain. Their profits are growing at the expense of our health, while we consumers are seeing our choices shrink with regard to how our food is grown, produced, and processed.

As a single individual, it can be difficult to feel like there's anything we can do about it. However, as a co-op, we can join forces and "vote" with our money by collectively purchasing food that is good for our health and the planet. For example, we can choose to support locally grown food and eat what's in season. And when we buy in bulk together, we can enjoy more affordable pricing and make good food more accessible to everyone. There's strength in numbers.

3. What aisle can we expect to see you shopping in when our co-op opens?

I am a fruit and veggie lover. Salad is my favorite food, so you'll definitely see me in the produce aisle, especially when it's fresh, local, and grown without chemicals!