Democracy is at the heart of the co-op’s organizational structure and values. This year’s election is for 3 seats for a three-year term beginning in January 2026. Our candidates are:
Amanda Weberg, incumbent
Yusef Orest
Crystal Gail Welcome
Scroll down to read their candidate statements.
All owners will receive an election announcement postcard by mail by Oct 15, 2025 at the latest. Election notices will also be sent via email throughout Sept and Oct. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our board members directly if you have questions or comments.
2025 board election ballot PDF download
Vote by dropping your ballot (1 ballot per ownership account):
– at the Co-op
– by email
– in the mail (PO Box 813, Grand Marais, MN 55604)
There are 3 open board seats this year and 3 candidates.
Vote now through October 28 at 7pm (when the co-op closes). New board members will be announced at our Annual Meeting + Owner party on October 29.
We will mail this ballot to all of our U.S. and Canadian owners. If you don’t get yours, please let us know so we can check the address we have on file.
Amanda Weberg – incumbent + current board vice president
Hi Friends! I would be honored to be re-elected to serve a second 3-year term on the Cook County Co-op’s Board of Directors. I have served as the Vice President for the last one and a half years and would enjoy the opportunity to use the knowledge and skills I have gained to continue learning in leadership roles at the Co-op (an essential business in Cook County).
The most important roles of the Coop board, to me, are to rigorously monitor the General Manager in the four categories of policy governance and be a voice to owners at large and small. It is important that individual board members develop a trusting relationship with the general manager and have the time to dedicate to the co-ops bylaws, policies, and finance statements. I am committed to each of these.
Personally, I lead a low waste and impact lifestyle and am a huge champion of the Co-op’s third Ends policy: the co-op will be a leader in environmentally sustainable practices. In the last three years the co-op has removed plastic bags from the bulk section in favor of paper bags, reduced deli plastic clamshells in replacement of paper lined bags, switched to wooden biodegradable utensils in the dining area, and added numerous zero waste alternative items to the wellness department.
My husband and I moved to Grand Marais 12 years ago and have the privilege of raising our child on the North Shore. We are deeply invested in this community and know our quality of life would be lower if not for the Co-op. Serving on the Board is one way of giving back to a place that continues to give so much to me.
Please reach out if you have any comments or questions about the Co-op or to learn more about what your ownership means. Thank you for reading this candidacy statement. I hope to serve you all again, have a great day.
Crystal Gail Welcome – Candidate
Good Day Fine Folks, I’m Crystal Gail Welcome, an upcoming community leader. Moving to the Nature-positive community of Cook County has inspired me to get involved in initiatives that promote healthy living. My diverse background and fresh perspective can contribute meaningfully to the Co-op’s mission. As a newcomer and Afro-Indigenous person, I bring distinct awareness of the importance of inclusivity and representation. Serving on the board will allow me to contribute skills to ensure the Co-op remains a vibrant, accessible resource for all residents, while also helping to build connections within my new community. I am excited to help co-create a diverse environment where everyone can access nourishing food and community support.
Yusef Orest – Candidate
Hello fellow Cook County Whole Foods Co-op owners! You might recall seeing me around the co-op previously, I served on the co-op board for 6 years previously until the end of 2023. During my tenure on the board, we took on some healthy challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring financial performance in those uncharted waters, exploring expansion opportunities, and selecting a new General Manager to lead the co-op.
Looking back I realize that not only did I enjoy these challenges, but I also realized how important being able to support the co-op, its employees, and the board was as part of my roots in our community.
I hope to re-join the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op Board of Directors to continue supporting the Ends of the Co-op, the principles for which it stands, and the contributions it makes to our community. I appreciate your trust and confidence as the co-op continues to thrive!
In the case we have not bumped into one another before, a little about me: I have worked in the renewable energy sector for the last 20 years, but I also moonlight as a crawfish-er-person in Cook County with my children. As a family of six, we enjoy game night, hikes, fishing, picking thimbleberries and blueberries (and all the other berries too), and being part of this fantastic community – we feel grateful to be connected and rooted here in Cook County!