“What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again.”

-from Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Spring is a time of renewal, and after the past few months, a refresh feels long overdue. For fifty years, your Belfast Community Co-op has weathered chaotic times, serving as a steady anchor for our downtown, staying grounded and connected while the world swirls around us, and we are so happy to still be here! 

Thank you to everyone who came out to our 2026 Annual Meeting of Belfast Community Co-op Owners at the Waldo County Shrine Club. This year, we offered a catered buffet dinner, provided by the BCC Prepared Foods department. Our dinner was a benefit to support Waldo County Bounty,  and we raised at least 325 dollars (and more in direct donations) to help WCB improve access to locally-grown foods for those experiencing food insecurity in our community. It was great to meet so many of you, enjoy some fellowship, and hear about your experiences of the Co-op. The meeting kicked off this year’s Board of Directors election and we heard briefly from the candidates. Thank you to all of the workers in attendance and to the Directors for helping to put on a hearty celebration of cooperation!  Election results will be announced later this month, thank you all for participating in your co-op!

In addition to the Annual Meeting, the 2025 Rootstock BCC Annual Report is now available in the store and online. Covering the past fiscal year, the report includes a breakdown of our financial condition, a letter from your Board President, updates from the Board Committees, as well as shout-outs for all of the ways your Co-op positively impacts our community.

We are getting into co-op conference season, and this year, representatives from BCC will be presenting at the annual Cooperative Maine Business Alliance Principle Six Conference in Auburn on April 11 and at the Consumer Cooperative Management Association Conference in Tacoma, WA, in May.  Both of these events are amazing opportunities for our team to share the successes and challenges that we have encountered at our co-op and learn from our peers.  Co-ops are stronger when we work together, and I am so proud of everyone who will be representing our Co-op at these two events! 

This April highlights Earth Day.  At BCC, we care deeply about the legacy that we are leaving behind for future generations of cooperators. Our renovated building is now a proud host to an array of solar panels installed by ReVision Energy last year.  In honor of Earth Day and our 50th anniversary, we are excited to collaborate with ReVision Energy, which is offering all our member-owners big savings on clean energy! We are marking the milestone with a powerful gift for all co-op owners: exclusive discounts on clean energy.  Find out more here.

I don’t know about you, but around here, we are pretty excited to be turning 50.  What began in 1976 as a small buying club has grown into a community cornerstone in the heart of Belfast, Maine.  The Belfast Community Co-op was built by neighbors, nurtured by shared values, and sustained by generations of owners.  As we look back on our history, we are reminded that this co-op has always been about people. The friendships formed in the aisles, the familiar faces behind the counter, the farmers and producers whose products became traditions at your table.  These are the moments that shaped us.  We are excited this year to be able to share our story with you, and we would like you to share your stories with us.  On August 22nd, we’ll host a free celebration down by the water, and the whole community is invited. We’ll gather for good food, shared stories, great music, a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate everything we’ve built together.  We’d love to hear your favorite Co-op memories. What stories stand out? What moments have stayed with you? Start thinking about what you’d like to share, fill out our interest form, and come celebrate with us this summer!

As we prepare for another bountiful summer on the Maine coast, opening our doors to our friends and neighbors from near and far, stocking our shelves with all the amazing food our local farmers and producers can make, your co-op’s financial position is strong.  We are heading into our most profitable months in a better position than what we budgeted for, and sales growth continues to be strong.  We are settling into the second semester of our sophomore year in the new store, and we are just starting to hit our stride. Our cash position is strong, we can service our debts, and our financial performance is improving every day. Thank you to everyone who supported our co-op this past winter.  It was not an easy one, but we made it through together, and summer is right around the corner!    

As always, see you in the aisles.

-Doug  

doug@belfast.coop