People's Food Co-op of Kalamazoo is a consumer-owned cooperative grocery store, bringing a full array of natural products and healthful foods to the community at reasonable prices. Learn all about us, our history, and our governance.

About Us

The People's Food Co-op of Kalamazoo exists to create access to food that is healthy for people, land, and the economy.  This statement is known as our “Global Ends” and helps to direct every decision we make. As such, we are more than your average grocer!

Here are a few things that make the Co-op different:

• We strive to provide fresh, organic, and whole foods, offering our community healthy choices for a variety of dietary needs.
• We purchase locally grown and produced goods, helping to keep local funds cycling back into our economy.
• We participate in and support our local farmers markets, including the 100 Mile Market, the Kalamazoo Farmers Market (on Bank St), and the Kalamazoo Foods Market.  
• We help provide access to food assistance programs (SNAP benefits) both at the store and at several local farmers’ markets. Everyone should be able to eat healthy, delicious, and local food.
• We provide educational opportunities for our community related to food and food systems (such as cooking classes, tabling, speaking engagements, hosting events at the store and in the community).
• We work together with other organizations. As we are able, we provide sponsorships and donations to organizations and events that support our global ends, making our community a better place.

The Team

It takes a lot of great people to keep our Co-op going!

Front End Staff

• Sheila Anderson, cashier
• Simon Borst, lead cashier
• Chelsea Emery, cashier
• Amber Hejl, front-end manager
• Jacob Pinney-Johnson, cashier
• Maureen McKenna, cashier 
• Drew Tyner, cashier

Grocery Staff and Buyers

• Sarah Beckman-Ellenwood, grocery assistant
• Max Hospadaruk, bulk and bakery buyer
• Dave Grant, grocery lead
• Spenser Gurtner, grocery assistant
• Abbie Miller, wellness buyer
• Mechele Peters, meat and cheese buyer
• Ken Quayle, grocery and merchandising manager
• Tyler Scheutte, grocery assistant

Deli Staff

• Joe Bette, deli assistant
• Randall Davis, deli manager
• Mike Denny, deli assistant
• Cassandra Ervin, deli assistant
• Stefanie Grande, deli assistant
• Marcus Hughes, deli assistant
• Derek Jackson, deli assistant
• Stephanie Lenhart, deli assistant
• Elizabeth Sell-Kimble, deli assistant

Produce Staff

• Michelle Brenes, produce assistant
• Andy Catlin, produce assistant
• Theresa Israels, produce assistant
• Rosie Florian, produce manager
• Jace Raver, produce assistant

Administrative Staff

• Chris Broadbent, Kalamazoo Farmers' Market manager
  
• Chris Dilley, general manager
• Celeste Elechi, outreach coordinator
• Liz Hinz, administrative assistant
• Kristi Montgomery, bookkeeping assistant
• Chris Moore, outreach assistant and volunteer coordinator

Board Members

Our Board is made up of volunteer directors. Please see our Board of Directors page for a list of the current board members, as well as related information such as board meeting summaries, meeting minutes, and upcoming elections. 

Volunteers

As a community-owned grocery, we have made a conscious choice to involve our community in a great many ways, including encouraging volunteerism. At People's we depend on people like yourself to help make the organization stronger through volunteering both in the store and at special events. The PFC is incredibly grateful to all of you who lend a hand to keep our store running. Interested in being a volunteer? Why not help out?