“Local food has become a trend word that doesn’t have the meaning people expect,” Tracy said with passion. Organic farmer Tracy Vinz explains the misconceptions facing the producers of local food and the consumers that want to buy local fresh food. Over time, the desire to eat local food has flourished, but the definition behind what makes a food “local” has become less defined.

The general idea of eating locally is based on the following ideas: Eating food that was grown and/or produced within 100 miles of where you live. 

• Purchasing food directly from local growers firsthand
• Buying food from local farm stands/markets
• Growing, hunting, fishing your own food

With the trend growing, an even broader idea of local eating often includes:

• Food grow in your region
• Food grown in your country

Tracy and her husband Richard are the proud owners of Olden Organics, a 100 acre certified organic fresh produce farm with a four generation history. The farm is in its 14th growing season season and 3rd year processing a line of raw vegetables in the processing facility on site. 

You've no doubt been hearing the buzz about our Oshkosh Food Co-op.  You may know we're currently searching for our location, and that we are only 85 members away from launching our capital campaign.

However, you may wonder what the heck a food co-op looks like on the inside. 

You're in luck, because member-owner Kelly Matthews recently visited the Viroqua Food Co-op and gave us a great tour of their store.

Can you envision a store like this in Central Oshkosh? 

If you're not yet a member, please join us in making this a reality.

https://www.oshkoshfoodcoop.com/join

We have some very exciting news to share-

We welcome 4 new board members and our new PROJECT MANAGER!

Pictured above, from left to right:

Susan Vette, Tracy Vinz, Project Manager Laura Schwartzburg, Warren Bergman, and Peter Westort.

Susan Vette is a longtime Oshkosh resident and has served on numerous community boards such as President of the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services (founder Men Who Cook); and the Grand Opera House Foundation- to name a few!  She is a graduate of Rose C. Swart Campus School, Oshkosh High School, and UW Madison. Her professional career as an advertising copywriter and account executive, along with her marketing and communications expertise, will be an excellent addition to the Food Co-op Board.

Tracy Vinz has been farming her entire life, and currently runs her farm Olden Organics, a year round Certified Organic fresh produce farm located in the Town of Rosendale. She sells their produce and line of Veggie Creations at local farmers markets, privately owned local grocery stores, and to other WI Food Co-ops. Additionally, she proudly serves as a member of the Oshkosh Farmers Market Board of Directors.  We welcome Tracy's perspective as a producer to our Board!

Project Manager Laura Schwartzburg has worked in fundraising in the non-profit industry for more than 15 years. Through her consulting practice, she helps non-profits generate the support they need to be successful. She is passionate about poverty and the effects it has on people and communities. She sees the benefits a Food Co-op can bring to people living in a food desert.  Laura obtained CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) accreditation in 2017 and holds a Master’s in Organizational Leadership and Quality from Marian University.  She served as Board President for Mahala’s Hope and Chair of the Equal Opportunity Commission in Fond du Lac. She also enjoys volunteering at the Humane Society, letting large dogs take her for walks. She has spent summers working on an organic farm, learning about all things produce farm related.

Warren Bergmann is a "semi retired" teacher, bringing his skills in communications and public relations to our Board. Warren is active as a music festival adjudicator, camp orchestra director, and substitute teacher in Oshkosh and Neenah. He also  volunteers with the social justice organization FitOshkosh.   His personal commitment to living a healthy lifestyle and supporting the local food system are an inspiration.  

Peter Westort returns to the Board with a wealth of expertise in Accounting and Taxation.  Peter earned a Ph.D. in Accounting from the University of Oregon, an MBA from the University of Southern Maine, and a bachelor’s degree from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. He is also a CPA and was a Fulbright Scholar in Alexandria, Egypt for the 2011-2012 academic year.   Peter has been involved in not-for-profit organizations in a variety of capacities including AFS (American Field Service), United Way, Boy Scouts of America, UW Oshkosh Credit Union Assets and Liability Committee.   

We are so excited for this HUGE milestone in our project.   Can't you just feel the #comentum?

The Oshkosh Food Co-op's Annual Meeting is an important time to mingle with fellow members, vote for your Board of Directors and hear about the State of the Coop.

If you haven't already submitted your RSVP, please do so here.

Here is the Agenda for this year's meeting:

5 pm: Voting opens. Social hour that includes delicious appetizers, a photo booth, kids activities, and more.

6 pm: Voting ends, meeting begins.   

• Welcome
• Approve minutes
• State of the Coop
• Announce newly elected Board Members
• Door prizes

6:30 Meeting Adjourned, social hour until 7 pm

We are excited to announce this year's Oshkosh Food Co-op Board of Director's candidates!

Our board consists of nine seats. Each year, three board positions are open for election. Board members hold positions for three-year terms, and elections are held in the first half of every year. This year we have four board seats open with one incumbent re-running. We would like to thank our retiring board members for their generous time and commitment to the Oshkosh Food Co-op.

2019 Board of Directors Candidate Slate. You will have the opportunity to vote for up to four of these candidates. Please click the links below to read the nomination statement that each of the candidates has prepared as you consider your vote.

• Peter Westort
• Warren Bergmann
• Susan Vette
• Tracy Vinz
• Travis Driessen

Who is eligible to vote: Every primary member (each member household gets one vote) that became a member on or before March 5, 2019 is eligible to vote.

There are two ways to vote:

1. At the annual meeting! All primary members can vote in-person at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 3, 2019. Be sure to stop by the elections table to cast your ballot.
2. Online! An email will be sent to each eligible primary member at least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. Online elections will close at 11:59pm on Sunday, March 31, 2019. Additional instructions will be included in the email.

 If you have any questions, contact us by email at [email protected]. 

Dear Oshkosh Food Co-op Members,

We are now accepting nominations for the Oshkosh Food Co-op Board of Directors! This is an incredible opportunity to become involved in a meaningful community project with a team of passionate and dedicated individuals. It's all hands on deck as we continue to progress into exciting phases like site selection, hiring our first employee, the capital campaign and growing our membership. We would LOVE for YOU to consider sharing your skills and passions to bring the Oshkosh Food Cooperative to life!

Interested candidates are welcome to sit in on a board meeting or join existing board members for a casual coffee date:

Wednesday, February 6: Board of Directors Meeting 6:30pm, Blue Door Consulting, Oshkosh

Thursday, February 7: Coffee with Lizz and Anna at Planet Perk-City Center from 4:00-5:00pm.

Sunday, February 10: Coffee with Sam and Brenda, Planet Perk-City Center from 12:00-1:00pm.

If you are interested in running for the board, please review the Candidate Packet here. To apply, please complete the Self Nomination Statement and email it to [email protected].

Nominations must be received no later than 11:59pm on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

Questions? Email us at [email protected]

On the heels of the latest update from the Board of Directors, we are excited to share the news that we are now seeking a Project Manager!

No more behind the scenes info, it is time to get the word out and make this exciting position HIGHLY VISIBLE!

We share with you now, as you recognize the importance of a Project Manager/Campaign Coordinator as a catalyst to opening our community-owned store in Oshkosh.

Take a peek at our Job Description.  Could this be FOR YOU? Or for someone you know?

TO APPLY: Submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the subject line: Project Manager Application

We do plan to post the position on various sites within the Oshkosh community, as well as with other food co-ops and food co-op networks. We would appreciate your help to spread the word throughout your various networks.

Let’s flood the OFC Human Resources Team with awesome talent for this critical role. 

We are very excited to announce this year's Oshkosh Food Co-op slate of candidates!

Each year, three board positions are open for election. Board members hold positions for three-year terms, and elections are held in the first half of every year. Two additional board slots are open this year due to two board members leaving their terms early (one for a medical reason, another for a community endeavor).

2018 Board of Directors Candidate Slate. Please click the links below to read the nomination statement that each of the outstanding candidates has prepared as you consider your vote! You will have the opportunity to vote for up to five candidates.

• Lynnsey Erickson
• Brenda Haines
• Samantha (Sam) Larson
• Kelly Matthews
• Elizabeth Redman
• Kathi Reinl
• Peter Westort

Who is eligible to vote: Every primary member (each member household gets one vote) that became a member on or before March 26, 2018 is eligible to vote in the board of directors election.

How to cast your vote:

• At the annual meeting! All primary members can vote between 4:30-5:30pm at the Annual Meeting on April 25, 2018. Click here for more details on the annual meeting. Additional instructions will be available at the annual meeting.
• Primary members can also vote online! An email will be sent to each eligible primary member no less than two weeks before the Annual Meeting. Online elections will close at midnight on April 24, 2018. Additional instructions will be included in the email.

 If you have any questions, you can contact us by email at [email protected]. 

The Oshkosh Food Co-op Annual Meeting & Celebration is coming up soon! We will be celebrating successes, growth, and love for local and healthy food on Wednesday, April 25th at Blue Door Consulting (50 W. 6th Ave., Oshkosh) starting at 4:30pm.

If you haven't already submitted your RSVP, please do so here.

Here is the program for our Annual Meeting & Celebration event:

We hope to see you on April 25th!