Sara Vara

Endorsed by the Nomination Committee

Personal Statement

Hello, my name is Sara and have lived in Austin for 8 years, 7 of those years have been spent living on South Lamar and within a short walking distance to Wheatsville. I can remember vividly the first time I walked into the store. I was immediately drawn to the locally sourced produce, abundance of organic and sustainable food, health, and personal care products, and the wonderfully diverse, friendly, caring and outgoing staff that greeted me and checked in on me several times while perusing each aisle to see if they could help me find anything or if I had any questions.

My shopping experience at Wheatsville over the years has educated me on sustainable household and personal care products. It was the catalyst in developing my passion and interest in understanding how more can be done with choosing products that contain natural and safe ingredients that produce less waste.

I am excited about the opportunity to join a passionate and collaborative board of directors and leverage my 8 years of experience working as an HR Leader at a local financial co-op to advance the mission, principles, and values of Wheatsville in the Austin-metro area.

What role do you think Wheatsville will play in Austin’s future?

As Austin continues to experience unprecedented growth, Wheatsville should serve as the example of how supporting local sustainable food systems, providing healthy and affordable food solutions, educating consumers on the important role that that food co-ops have for local farms, and employing a happy and engaged workforce contributes to the long-term mental and physical well-being of our community.

In what ways are you working to contribute to and improve the Austin community?

Professionally, I have organized and participated in numerous volunteer opportunities that my employer provides our employees that support a variety of local charitable organizations throughout Austin including the Central Texas Food Bank and Keep Austin Beautiful. Personally, I chose to regularly shop at locally owned small businesses and farmers markets. 

If you can find healthy, organic food at another grocery store, why choose Wheatsville?

I chose Wheatsville because of the overall shopping experience and purpose that the co-op strives to achieve for its owners and local community. Shopping at Wheatsville is a destination for me, not an item to check-off on my to-do list. I know the money that I spend on my purchases are coming from trustworthy and reliable food sources. The profits are intentionally re-invested back into the Austin community and the workplace at Wheatsville.

Which of the 10 cooperative values resonates with you most and why?

Honesty. I truly believe that this is a hallmark of Wheatsville that sets itself apart from the other major grocery store chains in Austin that are not consistently being fully transparent and honest with the sourcing and sustainability of the products that they offer.  I think it is imperative, and a basic human right, to honestly know the farming practices of our produce and meat suppliers, and also know the chemical or synthetic ingredients in the products that we use daily.

Rose Marie Klee (incumbent)

Endorsed by the Nomination Committee

Personal statement

Wheatsville is an inextricable part of who I am and what I value in the world. I first came to shop at Wheatsville as I began to think more about economy, sustainability, and community and it began with the question “if we don’t sell it at Wheatsville, do I really need it?” Right away, I came to remember what real produce and real food tastes and looks like and found that even with a smaller footprint there is a never-ending discovery of new products on our shelves.

I was initially attracted to the Wheatsville board to support the organization while cultivating my on skills, and I have remained deeply engaged because I believe that the ability of leadership groups to work effectively is the most powerful way to affect change.

I am a civil engineer, specialized in transportation and water resources, and I also work to support boards of directors of co-ops and non-profits.

What role do you think Wheatsville will play in Austin’s future?

Wheatsville will continue and deepen our role as a leader and model for ethical business practices, cultivating the local economy, and creating community.

In what ways are you working to contribute to and improve the Austin community?

My love of Austin has always been the driver for my profession of civil engineering (developing and maintaining public infrastructure) and decision to enter public service (responsible to and in service of the community). I am committed to a vibrant local economy, and have enjoyed serving on City of Austin Boards (Airport Advisory Commission, Flood Mitigation Task Force).

If you can find healthy, organic food at another grocery store, why choose Wheatsville?

Wheatsville has a carefully-curated selection of high-quality groceries catering to a broad variety of preferences, cultural, and dietary needs. You can always trust the quality, but you can also trust that Wheatsville is focused on fair wages for staff, fair prices to our local farmers and vendors, and fair prices to customers. At Wheatsville, the grocery cart is the most powerful vehicle for social change!

Which of the 10 cooperative values resonates with you most and why?

Caring for Others: this value resonates deeply with me because I believe that the fact that we are different is not so true as the fact that we are one. I want to create and experience a world where we lead with this value because I think it empowers us to be happiest, to do amazing things, and to contribute the very best that we each have to offer to the world. We all do better when we all do better!

Megan McDonald (incumbent)

Endorsed by the Nomination Committee

Personal Statement

I’m a social worker, psychotherapist, and advocate for healthy food and community. Wheatsville is one of my favorite things about Austin. I’ve been so appreciative of all it does from supporting our farmers nearby and the local economy to providing a safe space to buy healthy, fairly traded food.

A common thread links my past work and passions. As a therapist, I work with people to help them live a fulfilling life, whatever that means to them, with the hope of contributing to a more peaceful, healthier society. Prior to graduate school, I was involved in environmental studies/activism, and I worked to protect the planet for people and animals alike. Wheatsville at once combines healthy, sustainable food, community, and economy. I would like to further contribute my time and energy to its mission by continuing to serve on the board.

What role do you think Wheatsville will play in Austin’s future?

Wheatsville will continue to be a place devoted to community, cooperation, friendliness, and healthy, sustainable food. I hope that Wheatsville continues to do more of these things by expanding to more locations and serving more of our Austin community.

In what ways are you working to contribute to and improve the Austin community?

As a current board member of Wheatsville, I think of the time I spend serving on the board as a way to invest in an organization that does so much good for out community through living wage jobs, supporting the local economy, and by supporting environmentally conscious farmers and producers. I also work as a mental health professional helping individuals reduce mental suffering, like anxiety and depression, and live more fulfilling lives. I help the smaller member of our community—birds, pollinators, and other wildlife—by maintaining a wildlife friendly habitat on my property.

If you can find healthy, organic food at another grocery store, why choose Wheatsville?

It’s the only grocery co-op in Austin! Wheatsville and I share very similar values and that’s so important to me. It’s a place I trust, and it’s the most pleasant shopping experience in town.

Which of the 10 cooperative values resonates with you most and why?

It’s difficult to pick one out of the 10, but the most important value to me is social responsibility. Wheatsville acts for the benefit of society at large. Wheatsville supports good farming practices, promotes and sells healthy food, donates and supports other good community organizations, and makes sustainability a priority.