Dear Urban Greens Members,

My name is Scot DeStasio, and I’m writing to introduce myself as the acting Interim General Manager (IGM) of Urban Greens and a consultant with Columinate. I’m honored to step into this role during such a pivotal moment in the cooperative’s journey.

For those unfamiliar, Columinate is a national consulting cooperative that works with food co-ops across the country, providing expert guidance in governance, leadership, and operations. We provide temporary management support designed to stabilize operations, guide long-term planning, and support the development of strong leadership within the co-op. Columinate has a strong track record of helping cooperatives not only grow but thrive — and we’re proud to be part of Urban Greens’ story.

Urban Greens is a food co-op in growth mode, striving toward financial sustainability while staying grounded in its mission to serve the community with fresh, healthy, and accessible food. This phase of growth brings both opportunity and challenge, and success depends on a thoughtful balance of strategic planning, operational focus, and community engagement.

Despite the barriers, I’m deeply optimistic about what lies ahead. The strength and dedication of the Urban Greens staff is inspiring. They bring heart, professionalism, and a clear commitment to the co-op’s vision. The community’s engagement and the support of national partners like National Co+op Grocers and the Neighboring Food Co-op Association give Urban Greens a strong foundation to build on.

As we look ahead, your involvement as members is more important than ever. The most impactful way to support Urban Greens is simple: shop here whenever you can. Every purchase strengthens the co-op’s financial position and brings us one step closer to long-term sustainability. I also encourage you to help spread the word about our Membership Drive, running May 1st through May 19th. New members bring new energy, ideas, and financial investment to help fuel our growth.

Thank you for being part of this vibrant community. I look forward to working with you and the Urban Greens team to support a thriving, sustainable future for our co-op.

In cooperation,
Scot DeStasio
Columinate Consultant & Interim General Manager
Urban Greens Co-op Market