Everyone can shop, anyone can own!
Meet the Board!
Mark Lundgren - President
Why do you love the Coop?
The Coop is like an extension of our family, a place that is warm and comforting with local organic foods and kind hearted people.
Favorite Products:
COFFEE! And the Soy Creamer. Our family enjoys getting fresh produce, and bulk buying options.
What is your background?
I have been involved in the Millwork industry in various roles for the last 20 years. I am currently an architectural millwork project manager at USA Millwork in River Falls. I have also served on the PTO board, CAB board and helped my wife run her small retail business in River Falls for 5 years.
Goals for the future?
Increasing sales, but more importantly increasing membership and encouraging more involvement within the coop. I'd like to help continue to find talented people to join the board to help foster within our coop. I'd also love to see increased compensation and benefits for our employees.
Alexa Hancock
Why do you love the Coop?
I love The Co-op because it is where we can find products from our local farmers and support our local food system. It's also a place where folks get to work in a collaborative environment and contribute their ideas and talents to our community
Favorite Items:
Oxheart yogurt and milk, WGM Chips, Salsa Lisa salsa.
Why are you on the WE board?
To help the co-op grow and expand to continue to provide a market for local producers and farmers. And to help reach folks in the River Falls community join as members and enjoy the amazing products at WE!
What is your background?
I recently moved here from South Minneapolis where I worked at Seward Community Co-op for 8 years. I believe in the cooperative model and am excited to contribute to the Whole Earth Co-op here in River Falls.
Goals for the future:
Helping WE Co-op expand into a new store and get folks in River Falls excited about shopping at The Co-op!
Nicole Strobel
Why do you love the Coop?
I can easily find organic and local food! I know some of the local vendors (e.g. Lusa Organics). The staff is helpful, knowledgeable, and awesome.
Favorite items:
Split pea soup, coffee, deli salads, Oxheart raspberry yogurt, butter lettuce, sprouts, eggs, Lily's PB cups, and Lusa Organics
Why are you on the WE board?
To use my skills to help us accomplish our goals, to make friends, and to be a part of and learn about something I’m passionate about.
What is your background?
Real estate, hair design, floral design, and organic farming.
Goals for the future:
To learn ways to get involved, provide help when it’s needed, and be a part of the amazing community as the best role model and support I can be for my daughter and others. Also, I would really love to be able to start a living co-op/farm, that would be a dream!
Phaedra Johnson
Why do you love the Coop?
I love being able to get locally sourced items as well as a range of organic products. The Co-op is well-stocked and organized, and the people that work there are amazing, which adds up to a great shopping experience. I always leave happy!
Favorite Products:
Local radishes, microgreens, and other salad makings, bulk honey, Organic Valley dairy products, baking supplies, and all the snacks!
Why are you on the WE board?
I’m thankful to live in River Falls and want to support the WE Market Co-op and our local producers. I’ve been a member of other co-ops (Menomonie Market, Lakewinds Food Co-Op) and believe that they are essential to building healthy communities. I’m excited about the future of our Co-op and want to contribute, in any way that I can.
What is your background?
I’m a health services researcher by training and my professional background includes over 20 years of experience working in global healthcare and life sciences research organizations. I’m currently the Director of Research for the Amyloidosis Research Consortium (ARC), a non-profit research and patient organization for a rare disease.
Goals for the future:
To help sustain this great Co-op, which has kept going and growing thanks to the efforts of past members and Board Members.
Karen Gjelhaug
Why do you love the Coop?
I love that there's a place in River Falls that always has local food options and lots of organic choices.
Favorite items:
Local produce, bulk products, and in-house soups, salads, and sandwiches.
Why are you on the WE board?
I love the WE co-op and the community that supports it and want to take a more active role in my involvement.
What is your background?
I worked in organic certification as a certifier/inspector for the last 5.5 years and am currently a full-time student pursuing an MBA.
Goals for the future?
I would love to see the co-op be able to expand and truly become a one-stop grocery shop that meets all community member needs!
Why do you love the Coop?
I so appreciate everyone that works at the co-op and love the values that the people and organization represent. In particular: local, community, sustainability, and education.
Favorite items:
Mio Soaps and ALL the local produce!! I also have an addiction to Barabara's Original Cheese Puffs and Alden's Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.
Why are you on the WE board?
One of the main drivers for me in joining the board is community. The co-op is part of the community and I want to help drive more of the River Falls community to be a part of the co-op. Good, local, natural stuff for people and more people to support sustainable shopping and local producers. It's a win-win!
What is your background?
My professional background is as a corporate executive and attorney, but the more interesting background is my passion for native plants and wildlife. I'm currently restoring 5 acres of land to native prairie and woodlands, My own little habitat to support biodiversity and help the planet. My personal purpose in life is to inspire others so that we can all be great role models for sustainability.
Goals for the future?
Support the co-op in its evolution and expansion as it grows with the community.
Erin Mahnke
Why do you love the Coop?
I love the convenience of local foods I can pick up at the last minute and the selection of pre-made sandwiches and salads for a quick meal.
Favorite items:
Curry chicken wrap, coffee, farm-fresh eggs & produce.
Why are you on the WE board?
I’ve enjoyed The Co-op for many years and decided to be a part of The Co-op Board as a way to give back.
What is your background?
I’ve been a naturalist for several organizations, a science teacher for 20 years and am currently an Assistant Principal at Dakota County Area Learning School. I’ve lived in River Falls for 21 years.
Goals for the future?
To be a part of the growth of The Co-op!
Kendra Jaeger
Why do you love the Coop?
I think access to local, sustainable, healthy food is so important and I'm grateful to have a location in River Falls that provides that. I also appreciate the close community that is built around the co-op which is welcoming, supportive, and just full of lovely genuine people.
Favorite items:
Whole Grain Milling Co. tortilla chips, Rising Bread sourdough, Oxheart Farm milk & yogurt, Thousand Hills beef & pork, Mio soaps & candles, and Rising Sun Farm produce
Why are you on the WE board?
As a new transplant to the River Falls area, I joined the board hoping to find a community of like-minded folks and was excited to learn more about the operation/management of a business I rely so heavily on. After a year on the board, I've found and learned so much more than that and feel grateful to be able to serve the community here and help the co-op continue to thrive
What is your background?
My background/current profession is in Public Transit Construction Management (more simply, I help build better bus stops :) In my free time, I also care for a few goats, ducks, chickens, fruit trees, and a 5-acre native prairie.
Goals for the future?
Continue to provide local, sustainable, healthy food to our community and help expand and support the sustainable food movement.