Prairie Food Co-op Community Grocery

PFC Board Candidate - Gary Reichardt

Owner: 1434
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Why are you interested in serving on the Prairie Food Board of Directors? 

Some time ago, I began to reduce the amount of plastic in my life and in looking for ways to change my grocery shopping habits to achieve this, I discovered the co-op and immediately understood that its success would mean bulk food becoming available within biking distance of my home, and I literally bought in. This remains important to me so if I can make positive contribution as a board member, I would be happy to do so.

I think it's important for the planet that co-ops like this one take hold, spread, and compete in a serious way with the food retail giants, and actively cooperate with regional growers struggling against climate pressures, environmental challenges, and the challenge of competing in a market still dominated by pesticide use, unsustainable and unhealthy farming practices, and a prevailing corporate philosophy of market domination and short-term profit maximizing.

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Employment: Please tell us about your past or present employment 
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I'm a regular full-time employee of a law firm, where I devote my time to formatting documents in Word, processing information in Excel, Managing digital evidence in the form of enormous PDFs, developing PowerPoint presentations, and solving the unexpected technical problems that regularly crop up and interfere with the firm's lawyers' ability to gather information, analyze, write, and discuss.

 

Until 2023, I was a freelance presentation developer, combining graphic design with writing and editing. The majority of my clients were businesses in the fields of marketing, consulting (management and supply chain), healthcare and pharmaceuticals. I have piled up 20 years' worth of experience helping clients to expose problems in ways that generate solutions — and to then present those solutions in ways that lead to action.

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Volunteer: Membership/Affiliation/Leadership Past and Present:
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Have served two stints on the board of my residential condo building.

Which of the following areas do you have expertise?

Communications

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What experience, education, and skills do you have that you feel will contribute to your effectiveness as a Prairie Food Director?
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I can write, edit, and proofread text and am familiar with visual communication. All of this came to my through my education, and during my career I've added project management skills. I would expect to contribute in the areas of marketing and community outreach, and perhaps grant-writing.

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What are your personal goals for Prairie Food Co-op?

I want to see the co-op open on schedule, find a stable base of customers, and become a reliable and affordable source for environmentally-safe groceries.

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What experience (if any) have you had with cooperatives, food or otherwise?

None other than as a shopper.

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