Dear Customer,

The past few months have been incredibly challenging for the entire world. The pandemic has affected us all in a myriad of ways – uniquely heavy as our individual loads to bear. No matter where any of us stand in regards to this, society as a whole is in flux as new norms impact how we are accustomed to navigating our day to day lives.

I have personally opted to self-quarantine with my family out of concern that I could be the stepping stone for COVID-19, completing a chain of contact that could cause suffering to someone else. This has not been an easy decision and daily I am confronted with the fact that while my team, friends and extended family of loved ones brave the front lines of the pandemic daily (even as I write this) – I am safe at home.

Sevananda has been a pillar of health for decades – the vanguards of health, heavily rooted in the vegan and vegetarian way of life. And though we have met and overcome our fair share of challenges it has been during this pandemic that some of our brightest stars have begun to shine. Our staff has shrunk in numbers and simultaneously has grown (exponentially) as a team, essentially shining a light through these crazy and somewhat dark times… I am humbled.

As of lately your produce department has primarily been kept alive by three produce specialists: Chef Akil Amen, Matthew Mickell and Tuamutef Ani. The contributions of these three have been nothing less than stellar in spite of the times and in lieu of my absence. Though I work remotely – they are nothing less but the ties that bind your produce department together, maintaining an organic fresh produce department while, just like the rest of the world, negotiate the plethora of inconveniences that flail about our lives like some ragged assimilation of normal. They make me proud to be a part of their team.

And for those of you who are long time members and shoppers to those of you who are new to our Coop, I want you to know that without you there would not be a Sevananda. We value you not only as a customer but for being part of the culture that Sevananda stands for. You are our family as well – you are truly cherished. We want you to rest assured that we will continue holding the line for healthy living, as we have for over 40 years – committed to the culture, committed to you.

Derie Keene Shipmon
Sevananda Produce Manager