by Joe Wade One of the most gratifying parts of being on the Board is having a reason to stay in touch with our community. Reaching out to long-time member organizations, former Board members and volunteers, and to newcomers to our community is deeply enriching. When I do this, it reminds me of why I choose this lifestyle and career. I’m reminded that there are many others who are intentional members of this community. Some of our members have been [Read More]
by Abigail Harris, incoming Executive Director, Provender Alliance We’re standing at the side of the hot, dusty road, and I feel like I’ve been sucker-punched. Staring out across the acres of farmland, the earth is covered with deep cracks and wide fissures between rows of agricultural crops. I’m driving this stretch of highway with my best friend. The two of us are traveling through California’s central valley to Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada mountains on a backpacking trip. It’s the [Read More]
by Mark DiMaggio, Provender Alliance board member Hello Provender Members! What an awesome first six months on the Board it has been. From hiring a new Executive Director, hosting our first ever 3-city Simulcast Workshop, and an in-person retreat on the Oregon coast, we are laying the groundwork for another insightful and collaborative conference. A special thanks to Kjell van Zoen for his presentation on Holistic Financials as well as Stacy Kraker with Hummingbird Wholesale, Joe Hamilton at Pilgrim’s Market [Read More]
by Jenica Caudill Sometimes it can be hard to articulate what’s special about the Provender Alliance. For many of us, it’s best captured by the way we feel immediately after the conference. But then we leave. We return to our registers, computer desks, packaging lines, and distribution vehicles; the glow wears off and reality sets back in. Sometimes, that reality can feel pretty heavy. And for those of us in the natural foods and products movement, there is no doubt [Read More]
Positively Natural Members Save on Provender Conference Registration Are you a member of Positively Natural? Would you like to come experience the 42nd Annual Provender Alliance Educational Conference? Provender is offering current members of Positively Natural the same rates as Provender members on conference registration, a savings of up to $225. To find out more about the conference, see the full schedule of events HERE. Please contact Vicki for a special registration code if you [Read More]
We are excited to announce our new partnership with Sustainable Food Trade Association (SFTA). Through this partnership, Provender members can receive a 15% discount on their first year of membership in SFTA and 5% off for the following 3 years. This offer is only good for new memberships. In addition to discounts on SFTA membership, Provender members can access SFTA webinars for free. The discount code is available in the Members Only section of the website. Links to the code [Read More]
Please Share! It’s time to get your nominations in for this year’s Provender Awards. Remember, awardees can be anyone you know that fits the bill for this year’s categories, regardless of Provender membership status. Once selected, awardees will be contacted in advance and invited to the awards dinner at the conference, should they wish to come accept their award in person. So, who have you seen or heard making a positive impact in your community? Nominate them here. This year’s categories [Read More]
by Vicki Reich I hope you have October 3rd, 4th, and 5th blocked out on your calendar. Those are the dates for this year’s Provender Alliance Educational Conference in beautiful Hood River, Oregon. There are many new and exciting things coming to this year’s conference, you will not want to miss it! The theme this year is Minding Our Mission, Finding Our Future. We are taking that theme to heart in our planning. We will be minding our mission of [Read More]
by Joe Wade This past month the Board held our annual retreat, this year in Lincoln City OR. During two-plus days of meetings we assessed our current State of Provender and began planning for the immediate and long-term future. This retreat was heavily seasoned with this year’s Conference theme; Minding our Mission, Finding our Future. I am an ancient Provender member, but new Board member. It is clear to me that this is a pivotal moment for us. We are [Read More]
by Vicki Reich Before you is the first or the final edition of “Provender e-News”, depending on how you look at it. Before you get worried (or excited) that the monthly email you’ve come to love is going away, let me explain. When I first took on the job of ED, I started sending out a regular, weekly email with member job postings and press releases (rather than sending them out willy-nilly when I received the information from members). At [Read More]
by Renee Kempka The rain and warmer weather pops out a profusion of spring color in flowers and greenery. We hope this change in season affects our upcoming Provender retreat in the same way, where fertile ideas pop out of Board Member’s heads as we plan for future activities and Provender improvements. As is common with many smaller non-profits, some of the largest challenges come in financial stability, maintaining relevancy and finding member benefits to attract folks with corresponding values [Read More]
by Troy Eustice It is within the context of our current climate of rapid social, cultural and political change that your board of directors has been employed, contemplating the very essence of what the Provender Alliance means to us and to our greater community. What is Provender? What has it been? What does it mean? What might it be in the future? How could it be improved? How can we change it while remaining true to our original beliefs and [Read More]
by Vicki Reich Conference planning is in full swing. I know it seems like we just said goodbye at the last conference and October seems like a lifetime from now, but there are good things starting to coalesce for 2018. The board came up with a great theme for this year’s conference: Minding Our Mission, Finding Our Future. I’m currently in negotiations with two inspiring Keynote Speakers and a really exciting Intensive lineup. Hopefully I’ll be able to tell you [Read More]
by Vicki Reich One year ago yesterday, I received a fateful text from one of our board member. I was on my way home from an annual weekend retreat with some of my best friends and had stopped for gas in a very small town in North Idaho that miraculously had cell phone service. This board member and I had served on the Board for many years and she thought I would like to know that Susan (our long serving, [Read More]
by Rachel Mitrani Hello to our Provender Community! I would like to first send wishes for a happy and healthy new year! As we enter 2018, it is a great time to set positive intentions for both personal and professional goals. Your Provender Board of Directors would like to extend an invitation to let us know what we can do to support your organizations in this new year. We are currently working on a strategic plan to make sure we [Read More]