On Wednesday, July 22, Corey Ruiz was shot and killed by a Madison Police Officer at Baldwin and Williamson Streets. Our newsletter had already gone to press, but we shared a statement on social media and our website that read, in part:

“We recognize that his death carries profound pain for his family, friends, witnesses, and members of our community. It also comes within a long and painful history of Black people losing their lives in encounters with law enforcement—a history that has created understandable grief, anger, and distrust here in Madison and across the country.

For over 50 years, this neighborhood has been our home. This tragedy occurred in a place that is at the heart of our story. This should be a safe place for everyone.”

In the days that followed, your Co-op provided supplies and opened Aubergine, our community space across from Willy East, for events to support people in the grieving and healing process. We also contributed to the Williamson Marquette Business Alliance’s Willy Street Business Relief Fund to help businesses and employees affected by the temporary closure of the intersection. We arranged counseling and time off for Willy East staff, and staff from our other stores stepped in to help at East. Now, we are talking with our managers to understand what went well, what we learned, and how we can improve.

There have been inquiries from some Owners and staff as to the financial impact of the events. Although we are currently under our sales budget, I’m confident we can recoup those sales by the end of our fiscal year in June 2027. I am hopeful that our neighboring businesses will be able to recover from the temporary closure and reduced traffic. You can help those businesses by buying a gift card, having dinner in the neighborhood, and shopping at their stores, many of which were significantly impacted by recent events.

This moment cannot just pass us by. So many people in our community are dealing with homelessness, hunger, mental illness, and systemic racial disparities. We all deserve a place to call home, food in the pantry, access to healthcare, and systems around us that treat us equitably.

These are difficult, complex issues that require sustained work. It requires a willingness to see them, to lean into the conversation, to talk honestly about them, and to resist the temptation to look away when they are not directly affecting us. It’s easy to become accustomed to problems we do not know how to solve. Complexity can be an excuse for indifference. Each of us has both a circle of influence and a circle of concern. What can we do to be the change? History doesn’t have to repeat itself.

On a personal note, I join our community in grieving and hope we can turn the pain and difficult conversations into meaningful action towards a safer, kinder, and more equitable future.

Eat Local Month

September is here, and with it comes another school year; cooler, crisper nights, and “Eat Local Month”.  This month, we enthusiastically celebrate LOCAL food and the people who make it possible. Our stores usually have the biggest selection of local fruits and vegetables this time of year, including many types of apples, plums, pears, tomatoes, squashes, root vegetables, and pumpkins. Watch for the purple signs to spot LOCAL food options. When you buy local products, you help keep money in our community, which benefits everyone. See details here.

Farm to Table Dinner

The Co-op is hosting the third annual Farm to Table Dinner in partnership with FairShare CSA Coalition on Friday, September 11 from 5:30 – 8:00 pm. This event sells out every year, so make your reservation today! See details here.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar:

In recognition of Labor Day, stores will close at 7 pm on Monday, September 7.

-Anya