Meet Your Board &
Positive Change Candidates

 

Voting will open on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025, and
close on Friday, October 24th, 2025, at 11:59pm.

 

There are two matters Owner-Members will be voting on in this election period:

  1. Three open Board of Director seats

  2. Eleven 2026 Positive Change recipients

Check out the Voters' Guide by clicking the image to the left for all the info you need as an Owner-Member to make your voice heard.

 
 

Who can vote?

Any “active Owner-Member” (presently defined in Bylaw 2.7) in good standing who joined at least 30 days prior to the start of the election has the right (and responsibility) to vote. Active members are entitled to notice and vote on any matter submitted for a vote within the election period and timeline authorized by the Board of Directors and specified in the voters’ guide. Individual owner-members, households, and legal entities are subject to one vote per membership number of record.

Why You Should Vote – A Message from Your Board of Directors:

Bloomingfoods, is not just a grocery store; it's a community of like-minded individuals who have come together to support local farms and businesses, sustainable practices, and the overall well-being of our community. The decisions we make as members have a profound impact on the direction our cooperative takes, the products we offer, and the values we uphold.

Here are some key reasons why your vote matters:

  • Voice of the Community: Bloomingfoods is a cooperative in the truest sense of the word. It's owned and operated by its members – people like you and me. Voting in our cooperative elections is a powerful way to have your voice heard and to shape the future of our organization. Every member's perspective is unique and valuable.

  • Protect Our Values: Our cooperative was founded on principles of sustainability, community support, and ethical business practices. Voting ensures that we maintain and strengthen these values, preventing the dilution of our cooperative's mission.

  • Accountability: By participating in elections, you hold our cooperative's leadership accountable. Your vote helps ensure that the individuals elected to serve the cooperative are aligned with our shared vision and values.

  • Financial Health: The decisions made within our cooperative can directly affect its financial health. By voting for candidates who prioritize fiscal responsibility and sound management, you help safeguard our cooperative's long-term sustainability.

  • Community Engagement: Your participation in the voting process fosters a sense of community and cooperation among our members. It reinforces the idea that we are all in this together, working collectively for the betterment of our community.

Voting in our cooperative's elections is a privilege and a responsibility. We encourage you to review the candidate profiles and their platforms so that you can make an informed decision when casting your vote.

Join us for the 2025 Spooktacular & Annual Meeting on Friday, October 24th, 2025!

Owner-Members who RSVP will be entered into a gift basket giveaway ($100 Bloomingfoods gift card, branded merch, and fair trade and environmentally friendly products)! You must attend the Spooktacular & Annual Meeting to claim your prize if you are the winner, or a new winner will be drawn.

Please RSVP by Friday, October 17th.

Introducing your 2025 Board candidates!

If you have any questions or comments for the Board candidates, please email nancy.m@bloomingfoods.coop.

 

Fritz Lieber

I have lived in Bloomington since 1980. I have benefited enormously from our community and its unique resources, such as Bloomingfoods; but it is time once again to return the favor, according to my lights.

 

Morgan Occhino

Bloomingfoods is one of my happiest places in Bloomington, and I’m excited to support a cooperative model grounded in equity and democracy. I want to help provide a safe, welcoming space where the community can access nutritious food and support local vendors in a way that reflects shared values.

 

Tammy Ostroski

I believe in community-driven organizations that prioritize health, equity, and sustainability. I’m inspired by Bloomingfoods' mission to support local producers and inclusive practices that nourish both people and the planet.

 

Robyn Peffinger

I've loved Bloomingfoods for over two decades. I am committed to leaving this world a better place, which is evident in the career I've chosen, how I shop, and much more. Bloomingfoods has my heart, and I want to give back to the coop for all of the good they do.

 

Martha Philion

I have been shopping at Bloomingfoods as my primary grocery store since 1999, and then was lucky enough to be employed by the Coop for over 16 years. Since retiring two years ago, I have continued supporting Bloomingfoods and continue to be invested in its success.

 

Leslie Rutkowski

Especially now, in our current national and state political climate, I am deeply concerned about democracy. I am firmly committed to local, democratic organizations. As a member-owned, unionized, community member, the Co-Op exemplifies democratic values, and I want to be a part of steering Bloomingfoods successfully into the future. 

 

Meagan Vargas (Incumbent)

I aspire to serve on the board to become a better leader, expand my network, give back to the community, and make a difference. I hope to share my knowledge while also learning from farmers, small business owners, community leaders, and government officials. 

Introducing your 2026 Positive Change candidates!

Organizations are listed in the order their applications were received. Please review the Voters’ Guide for more information on each candidate.

  1. Monroe County CASA

  2. Bloomington Winter Farmers' Market

  3. Amethyst House

  4. Bloomington Center for Global Children (BCGC)

  5. Tandem

  6. Hoosier Chess Academy

  7. Community Kitchen of Monroe County

  8. Girls Rock Bloomington

  9. USA International Harp Competition

  10. Area 10 Agency on Aging

  11. Mother Hubbard's Cupboard

  12. League of Women Voters - Bloomington - Monroe County

  13. Monroe County Parks and Recreation Foundation

  14. Bloomington Symphony Orchestra

  15. New Hope Family Shelter, Inc (d.b.a. New Hope for Families)

  16. The Mill

  17. Conservation Law Center

  18. Middle Way House, Inc

  19. Mobility Aids Lending Library

  20. Bloomington Montessori School

  21. Buskirk-Chumley Theater

  22. People & Animal Learning Services (PALS)

  23. Stone Belt Arc

  24. Pathways

  25. Bloomington Meals on Wheels

  26. Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools

  27. Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana

  28. Courage to Change Sober Living

  29. New Leaf New Life

  30. Sycamore Land Trust

  31. CanopyBloomington

  32. Lake Monroe Water Fund

  33. Community AIDS Action Group of South Central IN

  34. Beacon, Inc.

  35. Susie's Place Child Advocacy Center

  36. Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc.

  37. WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology

  38. Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County

  39. Windfall Dancers, Inc.

  40. United Way of South Central Indiana

  41. El Centro Comunal Latino/Latino Community Center

  42. Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington

  43. Center for Sustainable Living

  44. Sojourn House

  45. Girls Inc. of Monroe County

  46. Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project

Voting will open on Wednesday, September 24th, and
close on Friday, October 24th, at 11:59pm.

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