We’re Back with More Meet the Board Spotlights!
This month we’re catching up with Amanda Presgraves, who has now been serving on the Friendly City Food Co-op Board of Directors for 4 years. Amanda has been an asset to our board, and her love for fresh, flavorful food—and the sense of community that comes with it—reflects the spirit of the Co-op!
What Has the Board Been Talking About?
- General Manager status report and monitoring
- Monitoring of the board meeting/agenda planning
What is Your Current Favorite Recipe?
At the end of winter, before the season turns to spring, I’m itching for lighter, colorful and flavorful foods. While I wait for summer’s gift of basil, I love to whip up an easy arugula pesto – just adding a bunch of arugula to a food processor with a handful of nuts (such as walnuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, etc), a good pour of olive oil, splash of lemon juice and salt to taste.
What is a Co-op Item You Can’t Live Without?
We’ve been on a ginger kick lately, and nothing is more satisfying than stumbling upon a massive knob in the bin!
What Brought You to First Shopping at the Co-op?
When I was a student at JMU and first began living off campus, my Sunday’s were the one and only day I had off from collegiate swimming. That rest day (me-day!) was my rare opportunity to venture out into the community. I’d sleep in, do my stretching, then bike to the Co-op and peruse the aisles for deals on a *very hungry athlete* college budget – usually, stocking up on bulk goods before cruising home to study and prep lunches and dinners for the week. I look back at that time fondly, and now understand it was the beginning of a routine part of my life to come.
What Do You Think Makes the Co-op Special?
The people. Very rarely does a shopping experience feel so easy, calming and friendly. Everything from the walk or bike to the store, browsing the 99c produce bin, and without-fail bumping into a friend in the produce aisle, before chit-chatting with the most thoughtful cashiers (who always remember the little details about my life!). It’s the experience. Feeling a part of our small but intimate Harrisonburg community.
