A Green Bay food co-operative is being formed to provide fresh, local, organic, and sustainably raised products.
The members of the Board of Directors are:
Ned Dorff – Green Bay Area Public Schools Teacher, Alderman City of Green Bay
I am an Alternative Special Education Teacher at Franklin Middle School and Green Bay City Council Alderman, District 7.
I’ve lived downtown for a total of 5 years and seen big changes, and I’d like to keep the momentum going forward. I attempt to push sustainable downtown development forward both as a resident and as an elected official. It’s ridiculous that we don’t have healthy food access in the central city every day, all year. I have also shown commitments to downtown non-profits in the past, including serving as Downtown Neighborhood Association President, first 2 years; as a Howe Resource Center Board Member and leading the way with the Downtown Community Gardens, among many other initiatives in the City of Green Bay and beyond. I have made many connections with neighbors, school staff, city staff, and elected officials that have and could continue to be beneficial in promoting the New Leaf Co-op. I’ve volunteered for New Leaf Market Co-op distributing surveys, getting the word out to downtown residents, etc. I work with urban families who have often never been exposed to healthy food alternatives and I think I could connect them to this resource when it becomes a reality. I also intend to raise a family in the central city and want my family to have access to healthy food.
Karen Early (Vice-President) – Nutrition Education Program Coordinator, UW-Cooperative Extension
I have been involved in the conception and development of New Leaf Market since its inception and currently serve on the interim board as Vice President and serve as chair of the Membership and Marketing Committee. My continued involvement on the New Leaf Co-op Board will provide continuity of vision and knowledge of what needs to happen to develop an economically sound food cooperative in Green Bay.
I have experience with food cooperatives as the manager of a previous food cooperative in Green Bay. As a registered dietician and food advocate for 35 years, I am passionate about sustainable food systems and the benefits of nutrition and sustainable agriculture to the health of individuals and to the planet. For the past 20 years, I have worked with UW Cooperative Extension as the Nutrition Education Program Coordinator in Brown County. My work has included initiatives to improve food security in low-income populations for the past 20 years. New Leaf Market will fill a need to improve access to quality food from sustainable sources.
Sue Harju – Owner, The Urban Frog
Based on my education, work experience, concern for the local community/economy, as well as my personal philosophy, I believe I can contribute to the New Leaf Market Board of Directors. Here is some information about my background: Education: BS in Business/Accounting, San Jose State University; Farm Business & Production Management, NWTC; UW Oshkosh current part time MBA student. Personal Experience: 25+ years of financial and cost accounting management at paper industry manufacturers in Green Bay; Co-own with my husband an organic crop farm in Forestville, WI; Owner of Aromatic Gourmet All-Natural Herbs and Spices sold at the local farmer’s markets; Owner of the Urban Frog restaurant which serves local and organic foods. Community Involvement: Serving as Treasurer of Acts 1:8 Ministry in Green Bay, Serving on Music Team at Heartland Church in Howard; Serving on “On Broadway” Farmer’s Market committee. Philosophy: I believe in buying, eating and serving local fresh foods as much as possible because they are healthier and buying local helps sustain farmers, businesses, and families in the area. My philosophy is very much in line with the mission of New Leaf Market Cooperative. I have already committed to give a 5% discount to New Leaf Market members at my restaurant.
Carol Karls – Business & Community Development Manager, Wisconsin Public Service
I have been involved with New Leaf Market since its origin and am on the interim board, past president and currently serve as Chair of the Finance Committee. Co-ops are new to me so I’ve had a large learning curve but I’m tremendously excited about the grass roots nature of this effort which in economic development terms we would call “community initiated development.” I have used a lot of my skills on this effort so far like project management, real estate development, and economic development but what’s been most critical for all us intensely involved up to this point is our total commitment to making this happen.
Like so many of us, I have a passion for food. I see New Leaf Market as the core component of a larger vision to rebuild our local food economy and a healthier food system. In the last few years we have experienced unprecedented dialogue on local food, food systems and food security. The result has been a wide array of new and unique initiatives that address improving how and what we eat. The timing for this couldn’t be better. When we bring our community together with their food-related initiatives under one roof there will be greater synergy and impact for the community.
I have over 20 years experience in economic development including commercial real estate development. My employment background covers not-for-profit, government, small business and large business endeavors, and I have experience assisting other start up for-profit and not-for-profit ventures. I am a UWGB grad with a degree in Urban Design.
Rich Krieg – Biology Teacher, East High School
I am a Biology and Environmental Science Teacher at Green Bay East High School; Board Member of the Fox Valley Sierra Club; Member of the Mayor’s Sustainable Green Bay Task Force.
I am a long-time conservationist and environmental activist. I have recently become very interested in food issues. Providing access to organic and locally produced food is probably the most powerful thing that communities can do to help solve our environmental problems. I also believe that strong downtowns and traditional neighborhoods go a long way in terms of meeting sustainable community goals. I strongly support the effort to bring a food cooperative to downtown Green Bay and feel it is badly needed by the people who live and/or work downtown. One of my goals, as a board member, will be to make sure that the healthy food choices sold at the New Leaf Market, are accessible and available to everyone, despite their income levels.
Alan McAfee – Vice President, Director of Cash Management, Baylake Bank
I joined Baylake Bank in 2010 and have nine years of experience in the financial services industry. My work experience includes trust administration for institutional clients, commercial client services, and treasury management/cash management.
I earned a Bachelors of Music — Music Education degree from St. Olaf College in May of 1993, a Masters of Architecture from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in May of 2003, and the Certified Treasury Professional accreditation in July 2009.
I volunteered and served on the Board of Directors at Third Coast Design Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Also, I served as the Student Representative to the Masters of Architecture Admissions Committee for UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Finally, I volunteered and was a committee member for the United Way Campaign while living and working in Madison, Wisconsin.
Crystal Osman (Secretary) – Downtown Green Bay, Inc. & Olde Main Street, Inc.
I am the Program Manager at Downtown Green Bay, Inc. and Olde Main Street, Inc. I help coordinate many of our volunteer committees and some of the special projects like the East River Trail Connection. I am an active participate in issues related to sustainability and the environment in the community, a few of them include the Sustainable Green Bay Committee and Baird Creek Preservation Foundation. I am currently the Secretary for the Board of Directors for New Leaf Market Co-op. I am a UW-Green Bay graduate in Environmental Policy & Planning. Downtown Green Bay, Inc. is very supportive of this initiative and has been involved from the beginning by providing administrative support, file storage as well as been the fiscal receiver for the Wisconsin Department of Commerce grant, received in 2009 among others things. We know that the impact a grocery store and food hub will have on downtown revitalization will be key to continuing to advance downtown.
I also have a strong personal commitment to sustainability and the enhancement of the environment as a system and food issues are a key piece of the puzzle. I have been part of this initiative since the first meetings and am very excited about the progress thus far and the enthusiasm of everyone involved. I look forward to a food hub in Downtown Green Bay!
Marilyn Sagrillo (Treasurer) – Associate Professor of Accounting (Retired), UW-Green Bay
I am the recently retired, Director of the Cofrin School of Business and Chair of Business, Chair of Accounting and Associate Professor of Accounting at UW-Green Bay. Currently, Treasurer of the Interim Board of Directors for New Leaf Market Cooperative.
I have been interested in sustainability and locally raised foods since moving to northeast Wisconsin many years ago. My husband and I have five acres of land that allows us to grow most of our own vegetables and a lot of our own fruit. I also support locally grown organic foods by buying from a local organic farmer.
Lynn Walter (President) – Co-Director, UW-Green Bay Center for Food in Community and Culture
I am Co-Director of UWGB’s Center for Food in Community and Culture; Chair of the Food and Local Health Sub-Committee of Sustainable Green Bay; co-editor of Critical Food Issues: Problems and State of the Art Solutions. I grew up on a farm and worked my way through school as cook at the Green Lantern Co-op restaurant in Madison, WI.
My experience and passion for promoting healthy, local food will help sustain the time-consuming and complicated project of establishing New Leaf Market Cooperative and creating a thriving and vital community food hub. My vision for New Leaf Market Co-op is that it serve as a food hub for Northeast Wisconsin, connecting consumers, growers, and artisan producers to support health and wellness, prosperous local farm and food businesses, good jobs, equitable communities, and a thriving local food economy.
Advisory Committee to Board of Directors
Jessica Beckendorf – Associate Vice President of Economic Development, Advance, Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Quasan Shaw – Economic Development Department, City of Green Bay
Fred Depies – Coordinator for Eastern WI Sustainable Farmers Network
Cathy Huntowski – Nutrition Educator, UW Brown County Extension
