This month we would like to share with members an introduction to two newly appointed Board Directors, an invitation to attend an upcoming monthly meeting to be eligible to run for the Board, and a recap of Three Rivers Market’s participation at Holleroo.

Board Appointments

Jackie Kittrell and Fred Stephens have been appointed to fill two vacant seats on the Board of Directors.

Jackie says: “I’m Jackie Kittrell, newly retired from being the Executive Director at Community Mediation Center.  I am a Tennessee attorney who is originally from Smith County in Middle Tennessee. I’ve lived in Knoxville since 1979 when I came here to go to law school.  I then married (Cliff Honicker) and gave birth to three native Knoxvillians (Myles, Beckett, and Ulika).  I’ve been a member of the Three Rivers Market and its predecessors for I don’t even know how long, but let’s estimate its been 40+ years. I am so grateful that I live in the only town in Tennessee with a cooperative grocery.  I live in East Knox County on a  heritage farm.  I am a cat lover, a reader, an artist, a forager and a collector, a rex begonia fan, and I watch TV occasionally.  And I am an election worker. And I have a granddaughter!  I believe conflict and peace are both necessary and inevitable. My reasons for agreeing to be appointed to the Board include having more time, wanting to help create and hold space for members, Board and staff to be able to discuss and problem-solve together in a respectful and joyful way, even if it involves difficult conversations.”

Fred says: “I am happy to serve our cooperative food community primarily because healthy food is a necessity for a healthy life and healthy food has always been important to me. I believe a co-op can do better than for profit companies. We have a great co-op already – and a great national food co-op community – and I hope I can be helpful by keeping us on the track of promoting and selling to people who see food as medicine. I also have a retail business management background that can sometimes be helpful.”

2025 Board of Directors Election

Election season is here! The Board is looking for dedicated member-owners interested in taking their TRM support to the next level. If you’re up for the challenge, reach out to the Board Perpetuation Committee via email at board@threeriversmarket.coop, or feel free to ask questions during the member forum at the next Board Meeting. Candidates are required to attend a board meeting in July, August, or September. More information and resources for the 2025 election will be posted to the Election page of the website on July 1.

Holleroo!

Three Rivers Market was in the streets for Holleroo – and Board members Brian and Adam were proud to be a part of it.  TRM staff were showing up for our co-op during the May 17^th street fair, passing out cold beverages, selling some tasty snacks, and talking about the value of co-op membership – and, of course, piloting the Cluckin’ and Truckin’ car to a strong performance in the soapbox derby.  Board members joined to talk about co-op governance, and to support the staff on a hot day in North Knoxville.

Board member Adam Hughes said, “I became a Three Rivers Member when I moved to Happy Holler, and I was proud to represent our co-op and celebrate my old neighborhood. I’m glad to see the co-op invest in showing up for community events.  Our community is what sets us apart from other stores, and the only way it will grow is through conversations with the people around us.”

SoKno Pride! 

Several employees and Board members represented Three Rivers Market at SoKno Pride on June 21st. We enjoyed sharing a selection of food and drinks from the store and some other fun items with visitors to our booth, and had many great conversations about the only food co-op in Tennessee, where everyone is welcome.