This is the second in a series of profiles of our owners—their stories, and what drew them to Prairie Food Co-op. If you would like to be featured, please let us know! Fill out our blog form here and someone will contact you in the next few weeks.
April Sedall
Joined Prairie Food Co-op in May of 2015. Glen Ellyn resident. Married with two daughters, ages 22 and 17.Co-founder of Personal Office Management Incorporated, a six-year-old company that works with high net worth individuals, managing the day-to-day administrative responsibilities related to their finances
Q: What makes you tick?
A: I’m a foodie who is passionate about the environment, the slow food movement, organic gardening, knitting and art. I am very involved in the American Cancer society as a volunteer (I’ve had cancer four times). I really love helping others—through volunteering at church, helping my clients, teaching people to understand more about the environment. I want to have an impact.
Q: What sparked your interest in local, sustainably grown, fresh organic food?
The fact that it’s the healthiest thing for your body. I do everything I can to counter the other forces that take me down, like cancer; healthy food is the one thing I can control. As a parent, I wanted to not only feed my children healthy food, but also help them learn to cook at a young age. I also like to support small, local farmers and people who don’t believe in using chemicals.
Q: What prompted you to join the Prairie Food Co-op?
I had no experience with food co-ops, but when I started to read about the Prairie Food Co-op, I thought ‘this is so me’. I learned about PFC at the Earth Day Festival at the Lake Ellyn boathouse, where they had a table. I didn’t have time to talk, but picked up a brochure and checked out their website. I knew right away that I was going to become a member. The idea of having a co-op in our community is really attractive to me because of the local and organic aspect; its values align with mine.
Q. How have you gotten involved in the Prairie Food Co-op?
I helped volunteer when they had an event at Shannon’s – a night to spread the word and try to get people to sign up. I also attended the annual meeting. This year, my high school daughter is president of the Eco Club at Glenbard West, so I’m trying to get PFC known there, too. Also, I hope to help the PFC reach out to more people to build membership, using gifts that I have as an educator and business person.
Q: Tell us about your vision for the Prairie Food Co-op.
I hope the Co-op turns out to be a place that everybody knows they can go to for the right products for their families. I hope it becomes one of the hubs of the community— a place where like-minded people can meet, learn, share and hang out. I can also see it being a place to bring people of all ages together to educate them that there are shopping and cooking alternatives.
It’s neat to have a place that you feel a part of—not just buying groceries, but supporting your local businesses and farmers, and helping people join the movement of healthy eating and cooking.