hybrid meetings are cooperative justice
Dear Coop community,
As someone who works to make technology more accessible for people with disabilities—many of whom are too often excluded from participating fully in daily life—I’ve been heartened to see the Board move forward with establishing hybrid meetings.
The truth is, much of our world is designed with the assumption that everyone can participate in the same way. But we know that’s not the case. Hybrid access gives us the chance, right here in our Coop, to help level that playing field. It’s a concrete step toward inclusion, making sure that more members are able to join in one of the best parts of living in our great city: the democratic process of cooperative governance.
In a time when disability rights are being challenged across the country, it is especially meaningful to see our Coop taking a different path—one that centers equity, care, and community. Hybrid meetings are not just about technology; they’re about affirming our cooperative values and ensuring that no one is left out.
I encourage the Board to continue leading in this direction. It’s an opportunity to live out the spirit of cooperation we all value and to strengthen our community by making it more welcoming to everyone.
In solidarity,
Matthew Bambach
peaches
Dear Coop members:
In the Sept. 16, 2025, letters to the editor, there is a letter by a member who had peaches that “were not very good.” I would like to reply that this season, I had amazing, delicious, juicy local IPM yellow peaches almost every time. I let the peaches sit out a day or two to soften and ripen. I was sorry when I shopped last week that there were no longer any local IPM yellow peaches. I look forward to them next season.
Sincerely,
Julie Gabriel
in support of hybrid meetings
Dear Coop community:
I’ve heard that the Coop Board is considering hybrid meetings. I’m writing to fully support hybrid meetings so those members who wish to attend in person may do so, and those many more (busy parents, disabled, crowd-avoidant folks) who may wish to attend online may also do so.
Approving hybrid meetings and hybrid voting strikes me as a logical, rational move to include as many members as possible.
Kind regards,
Daniel Millman
Member since 2014
Yes to Hybrid Meetings
To the editor,
I have been a Coop member for the last 11 years, since moving back to New York City from California. As much as I would like to attend every meeting, it is just not possible for me. I am very interested in what happens at the Coop and am completely in favor of hybrid meetings. As the saying goes, no one is smarter than all of us—hybrid meetings give all members an opportunity to be part of the discussion and to vote on the many important issues that are discussed. I urge the Board to approve hybrid meetings so we can move on and start working together for the benefit of all members.
In Cooperation,
Joy Millman
In Support of Hybrid Meetings
Dear Gazette:
I am writing to support the PSFC Board in implementing hybrid general membership meetings for our beloved Coop. Participating in our Coop’s democracy should not be hindered by an inability to show up to a physical space (because of Covid concern, childcare needs, or myriad other reasons). The recent vote showed that a large majority of the members who voted support hybrid meetings. Thank you in advance, PSFC Board, for making this a reality.
Sincerely,
Steve Quester
Board Vote to Enact Hybrid Meetings
To the editor,
I’m relieved to hear that the Coop board will likely hold a vote on hybrid meetings soon and that it is expected to pass. Those members who voted have already made it clear that the majority prefers more accessibility to decision making. We want the wider membership to be able to participate fully, only fair given that we’re all owners.
I’m confident that the Coop can (in this instance anyway) show the world what democracy, inclusiveness and tolerance look like in an intolerant time.
Best regards,
Sierra Smigelsky
Preserving a Cooperative Community
Dear Coop community:
Did a lack of decorum at August’s Food Coop General Meeting signal tacit approval to blacklist members? A member was allowed to belittle and vilify fellow members who signed the petition opposing the Israeli government’s escalating mistreatment of the Palestinian populations.
Singling out a member by name and publicly accusing them of being unfit for participation in Coop activities because they signed a petition smells a bit like McCarthyism, no?
What cold wind is blowing through what was formed as a socially democratic institution?
We, all members, are responsible for preserving this very special cooperative community.
Sincerely,
Pam Thomas
Hybrid Meeting Format!
Hello Coop Members!
I am soooooo excited and in complete support of our Board for passing this crucial ability for all of us to be able to attend and make important decisions about our beloved Coop. Thank you to all who made this happen! It is so hard to attend monthly meetings and now we can all do this from the comfort and ease of our electronic devices from anywhere in the world! I am currently overseas tending to sick elderly parents and do not know when I’ll be able to return. And being able to attend a meeting virtually is the only way I can be a vital part of our community. So another big thanks!
Sincerely,
Ūna Weiss
Everybody Gets a Vote!
Dear Coop members:
Having been away for some months, I am now gratified to learn that there will, in fact, be a way for ALL of us to vote on Coop matters after all! The Board will meet and discuss the matter of hybrid voting, that is to say, voting both in person and from home, in the near future. Moms and/or dads in need of child care or elder care, those who are disabled and can’t get to the park, those who are immunocompromised and risk illness and even death as did my own (and only) brother last June from exposure to Covid, those for whom a walk at night through a City park is a little too daunting… we ALL will get to vote on all Coop matters from the comfort of home or office if we prefer not going to meet in person. Our Board will take the information gained by previous discussions, forums and votes and will make it happen!! Finally!!
The crisis of governance with which we’ve been confronted will be resolved democratically, and by all Coop members, in the near future. What a relief! The Coop gets more democratic while the rest of the country gives in to bullies. That’s why I love our Coop. We can undergo difficult change and the bullies don’t win. This gives me hope for us all.
Sincerely,
Carol Wald