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 … Read More »

4th Annual Member Picnic 

The Board invites you to the Fourth Annual Member Picnic, which is coming up quickly! It will be held on Saturday, June 28, from 2-5 p.m. at the Racheff Gardens and Arboretum, 1943 Tennessee Avenue, Knoxville, TN  37921. This event will be family-friendly and have activities for all ages. You will have time to network with other like-minded co-op co-owners, you can tour the beautiful gardens, and there will be time for you to engage with Board members if you would like. Please register here if you plan to attend. We look forward to seeing you there.

Board of Directors Election

Election season is almost 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 … Read More »

This month the Board would like to update members about two upcoming events our Owner Engagement Committee has been planning: behind-the-scenes store tours, and our fourth annual member picnic. We hope you will make plans to join us!

Store Tours for Members 

Great news, members! There will be limited opportunities for a guided tour of the Three Rivers Market building. The first one is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, from 6 to 7 p.m. The first 10 people to sign up at info@threeriversmarket.coop will be put on the list. Folks joining the tour will need to sign a waiver as you will be in employee only spaces that can be confining, small, and with equipment meant for staff.

There will be other opportunities to tour the store at later dates, and we are working to video one of them so that folks who … Read More »

Each spring the Board of Directors takes time away from the normal hustle and bustle of Board service to retreat and connect in an intentional way outside of the co-op. This year we visited the Oakwood-Lincoln Park Clubhouse on the 2nd of March for a day of collaboration, reflection, and just a little bit of fun. Below are some reflections from a few of the Directors who attended.

Adam Deen: Entering my third year on the Board I have grown accustomed to the demands of the role. It takes time to get into the swing of not only participating, but contributing meaningfully to board proceedings and decisions. The spring retreat (there will be a subsequent session held in the fall with different priorities) is an opportunity to not only review how and where we are spending our time, but to take … Read More »

Operating the only grocery cooperative in the state of Tennessee has many challenges. You may have noticed some of your favorite products out of stock on the shelves or wondered if your annual member owner interest payment is worth it. Or you may be like some others who feel that shopping at the co-op is expensive when compared to some of the larger national chain grocers.

Last year we hosted Jon Steinman, who is the author of Grocery Story: The Promise of Food Co-ops in the Age of Grocery Giants (New Society Publishers). Jon held a series of cooperative dialogue workshops in the Three Rivers Market dining room, and recently published an article where he addressed the often-times false perception that a grocery co-op is more expensive:

“Claims that food co-ops are more expensive than other grocers often … Read More »