Jacqueline Hannah
About me: I moved to C-U in the fall of 1996 from the suburbs of Chicago, where I had lived my whole life. I fell in love with the friendliness and accessibility of the C-U community and have never looked back. Having lived here over ten years now, C-U is definately "home" to me. I have worked in retail and service management for over fifteen years now and I am proud to say that, after my first job working for a corporate bookstore chain, I have worked exclusively for independently owned shops. I pursued joining the co-op staff because I wanted work that was truly in line with my ideals, where community always came before profit and where it was believed that fiscally sustainable business is not only possible when putting people and the planet first, but that its actually the way to thrive.
What I love about the co-op: When Jessy, the co-op's produce and local foods manager, told me about the position of general manager being open with the co-op, I knew I had to apply. The cooperative movement is first and foremost about economic democracy, about eating with your ethics in mind and investing in your community. Not a cent spent at the co-op goes to line the pockets of another, every cent is invested in strengthening our community economically and our world environmentally. The co-op is so much more than a store with good foods and good prices, it is a place where we work together to build something meaningful. Every member who shops here cares, and you can feel that when you walk in the store.
Favorite co-op foods: The in-season local produce is my greatest love. How do you spell fresh, local cherry tomatoes? That's right, D-I-V-I-N-E!