With longer days and a hint of warmer weather returning, it’s a nice time to reconnect with neighbors and community. As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the co-op has plenty of ingredients to help inspire your table. In this week’s newsletter, you’ll also find team recognition, community highlights, board updates, kid-friendly activities, and a fresh ways to save. Enjoy!

Employee of the Month

Women's History Month

Board Update

• Board Meeting
• Patronage Rebate Reminder

Ways-to-Save

• Wild Weekly Deals
• Co+op Flyer Deals & Two-Sale Tuesday
• College Fridays

Kids Activities

• Kids Coloring Contests
• Winner Announced
• Co+op Explorer Kids Punch Card

Events

• Taste - Elkano Imports
• Meet - Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention
• Member-Owner Appreciation Days - Savings, Meet Ups and Tastings
• Harvesting Flavor: Plant‑Based Cooking, Nutrition Series
• Berkshire Community Action Council

Community Donations

• Every Penny Counts (EPC)
• Service Desk Drop-box

Memberships

Recipes and Tips

• Hibiscus Lemongrass and Mint Tea
• Buckwheat-Almond Stuffed Cabbage
• Carrot and Sweet Potato Tzimmes
• Roasted Cauliflower and Potatoes with Feta
• Lemon Cured Blossoms

January Employee of the Month: Cheers to Julia

We’re proud to recognize Julia as our January Employee of the Month! She brings positivity, creativity, and a strong sense of responsibility to every shift while supporting her teammates and our shoppers. Her engagement and team spirit make a meaningful impact throughout the store, and we’re grateful she's part of the Wild Oats family.

Thank you, Julia, for helping make the co-op a truly welcoming place for all!

click here

Spotlight: Ellen Swallow Richards - The Founder of Home Economics and Food Safety

This week, we’re celebrating Ellen Swallow Richards, a visionary scientist whose groundbreaking work shaped the way Americans think about nutrition, sanitation, and the safety of the food we eat. As the first woman admitted to MIT and a pioneer in what would become the field of home economics, Richards championed clean water, safe kitchens, and science‑based nutrition long before these ideas were mainstream. Her legacy continues to influence modern food science, public health, and the everyday choices we make to nourish our families and communities.

Learn more, click here

Patronage Rebate Reminder

Back in January, the Board of Directors mailed qualifying Member-Owners important information about patronage rebates for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

If you received the letter, don’t forget: the deadline to redeem your Patronage Rebate is April 16th, 2026. You can redeem it at the cash register when you shop at the co-op. If you prefer to receive a check instead, please email Tierney Beck at finance@wildoats.coop or call her at 413-458-8060 by April 15th to make arrangements. Per our bylaws, rebates unused by April 16th will revert to the co-op as taxable income.

Your patronage and cooperation are what make our co-op thrive - thank you for being an essential part of our community!

Discover What's New!

Taste - Elkano Imports Sat - Mar 14 (10 AM - 2 PM)

Meet - Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention Wed - Mar 18 (8:30 AM - 10:30 AM)

Member-Owner Appreciation Days

Thur - Sat - March 19-21

Anyone can become a Member-Owner to save 10% on one shopping trip during event (excludes special orders, consignment and alcohol.)

Everyone can join these events:

• Meet - Berkshire Natural Resources Council Thur - Mar 19 (9 AM - 11:30 AM)
• Taste - Truffles By Tarah Thur - Mar 19 (12 - 2 PM)
• Meet - Elder Services of Berkshire County Thur - Mar 19 (2:30 - 5 PM)
• Meet - The Heart & Soil Collective Fri - Mar 20 (10 AM - 2 PM)
• Taste - moon bakery Fri - Mar 20 (3 PM - 7 PM)
• Knife Safety and Sharpening - E & M Knife Sharpening Fri Mar 20 (3 PM – 6 PM) (outside - weather permitting - above 30 degrees)
• Meet - The Food Bank of Western Mass Sat - Mar 21 (8:30 AM - 11 AM)
• Taste - Hudson Valley Fisheries Sat - Mar 21 (12 - 3 PM)

Plus, more! click here

Harvesting Flavor: Plant‑Based Cooking

Nutrition Talks & Demo series, March–May 2026

Join Harvesting Flavor and Jill Ahlstrand for beginner‑friendly plant‑based nutrition talks, practical cooking tips, and a live cooking demonstration at the co-op. Learn simple ways to eat more plants, boost energy, and cook meals that fit real life through a five part learning series.

First Session In Five-Part Series:

I. Plant-Based Made Simple: Easy Ways to Add More Plants to Your Plate - Zoom Session - Tue, Mar 24 (5:30 PM – 6:15 PM)

click here to register for this and the full series today

Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC)

Join BCAC for an off-site conversation on poverty and learn more about the needs of individuals and families in our community. Click here for details.

Learn how to support our mission & contribute to community initiatives, visit our donations page.

• Every Penny Counts (EPC) is our round-up program that supports local non-profits and helps build a stronger community, one penny at a time at checkout. In an effort to provide increased assistance to those facing food insecurity, we have redirected our EPC program to support local food pantries. Click here for details

Mar 2026 Recipient - Berkshire Agricultural Ventures

March donations will go to this community nonprofit to help farmers & food producers in our region grow and thrive! BAV is “here for our farmers” - providing business assistance, flexible financing, and other resources to create stronger local farms and a more vibrant rural economy and community.

BAV also plays a big role in doubling SNAP matching at 10 Berkshire-area farmers markets. Their Market Match Fund provides a match up to $30 per transaction to help SNAP users access more fresh local food for their families – and help support market sales for local farmers. click here for details

• Our Service Desk Drop-box is now accepting non-perishable food items to help support neighbors facing food insecurity. You'll find the collection box as you enter the co-op, and all donations go directly to trusted local partners.

Mar 2026 Recipient - Veteran's Food Pantry

Will help support local veterans and military families

click here for details

Thank you! Your generosity changes lives in our community.

Thank you for choosing the co-op!

Your support strengthens our local food system & deepens our community impact.



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Explore the resources below to stay connected

Quick links: Ways To Save l Event Schedule l Healthy Food For All l Co-op Explorer Kids l Gift Cards l Catering l Healthy & Informed Editorials l Ownership Details l Curbside Pickup l Donation Requests