A Note from the Board
The Viroqua Food Co-op is many things. As the only independent grocery store in our town, we are a cornerstone of the community. We are a place to greet your neighbors and meet new friends, and a place that connects local growers and producers to shoppers who buy their goods. We are a grocery store, but so much more. We are a community of owners, shoppers, producers, board members, leaders, and workers who come together to nourish our families, strengthen the local economy, and cultivate a resilient food system that honors our land and our future.
As a co-op board member, I have learned a lot about how the co-op works. The board, elected by co-op owners, plays a vital role in shaping the co-op's direction. Whether at its founding, during the first expansion to our current location, or during the second expansion that brought us to what you see today, co-op board members make strategic decisions to ensure the co-op continues to serve the needs of our owners. With the recent retirement announcement of General Manager Jan Rasikas, we face another significant milestone in the co-op's history: hiring a new General Manager.
As the board works through the search and hiring process, we’re also preparing for our 2026 Annual Meeting in October and the next round of board elections. If you’ve ever considered running for the VFC Board, this is a great time to step forward, both to participate in our cooperative system of governance and to support a strong onboarding for our next General Manager. I’ve found that serving the co-op is incredibly rewarding. On the co-op board I have continued to strengthen my business acumen — reading monthly financial statements, digging into policy, considering our long-term strategy, and asking good questions. And mostly, I have learned that our success isn’t measured by profits alone. A thriving co-op means successful employees, participating members, thriving local producers, and a community that’s well served.
The VFC Board is now accepting applications for the 2026-2029 term. If you’re curious about running, or just want to learn what board service is really like, please reach out anytime at viroquafood.coop/board-of-directors, or stop by the board table at our Welcome Summer Sampler event on June 18th to talk with current board members. Applications and details are available at viroquafood.coop/annual-election or at the co-op’s service desk.
I want to thank Jan Rasikas for her 27 years of dedication, hard work and thoughtful leadership of the Viroqua Food Co-op. Under her guidance, we have built a work of enduring value for our community. The co-op board, leadership team, and staff are ready to welcome a new GM and carry the torch to reach the next milestone in our co-op’s history.