What do you do at Co-op Partners Warehouse (CPW), and how long have you worked there?

My role as an administrative assistant and salesperson has me wearing a variety of hats here at the warehouse. I am in charge of buying some of the products that we carry, such as Local Crate and Valley’s Own bakery items. I check in the receiving paperwork as products come into the warehouse and process them in our computer system. I also am in charge of updating a few of our outside customers’ sales systems to help them buy our products. Lastly, I process paperwork for Equal Exchange and Angelica’s Garden, two of our many cross-dock customers.

I have worked at CPW for 10 years. I had been a Wedge Co-op shopper for quite a few years already when I heard about an opening in the warehouse office. I had just had my first son and was in desperate need of a career change, and CPW was the perfect fit.

In your time at CPW, how have things changed?

CPW has evolved dramatically, in large part due to our fabulous IT staff. Handwritten routing boards and orders are now a thing of the past. We recently built new offices at the warehouse, and I really enjoy working in the new, well-lit space.

What do you love most about your job?

The most satisfying part of my job is knowing that I am working for a sustainable, cooperative company that is helping to distribute local, healthy foods across the Midwest.

What are some of your favorite products that come through CPW?

A few that come to mind are Punk Rawk nut cheeses and Wisco Pop’s sparkling waters. But I can’t leave out the wonderful organic produce items we carry like avocados, kale and, now that citrus season is upon us, satsumas. Believe me, I could keep going, but this article would get a bit lengthy!

How do you spend your time outside of work?

I spend most of my time away from work with my two wonderful kids and large fluffy dog. We enjoy biking, bonfires, board games, exploring the city and getting together with good friends.