BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The board meets the 4th Wednesday of every month. Any changes due to holidays or other accommodations will be listed here!
Email board@springfieldfood.coop for a zoom link.
Jack Hurley – President
A few years ago, I moved to Claremont, NH from Rochester, NY where I was a practicing attorney and ran a law-related education program for the Rochester City School District. In addition, I served on the board of directors of Abundance Food Co-op. I appreciate Springfield Food Co-op’s focus on good health, the environment, and social justice through, for example, our offering of local, organically grown food and fair trade products. I also support our Change for Change program in which co-op members may make donations to local groups focused on improving life in our community. I enjoy working with the co-op board of directors and co-op members in continuing our good work. In addition to being a co-op director, I am a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children, serve on the Claremont Conservation Commission, and am a trustee of Claremont’s Fiske Free Library.
Rhona Lofton – Vice President
I was born in Mississippi. I was raised on a farm. I have been around farm vegetables, animals, and fruits all my life. I moved to Vermont in March 2020 when my daughter asked me to move with them. We used to grow cucumbers for the pickling plant in Mississippi to make all kinds of pickles. We also sold vegetables and fruits from our farm or at the farmer’s markets. We also raised animals for our meat. I serve on the Springfield Co-op Board So that I can be community-related and have a place where I can buy local food and food that is helping feed others in the community by supporting community farmers.
Will Mitchell – Treasurer
I was born and raised in Washington DC, and though I didn’t get into my chosen industry – niche meat and specifically grass fed beef – until my early 20s, I’ve always held an appreciation for sharing good meals with family and friends. Understanding where my food comes from has been an amazing journey that has been enriched by my time serving on the board for the co-op. It always fascinates me to see all that goes into getting good food to people. I serve on the Board so that I can learn from and help build a strong organization that can continue to bring good food to the community for years to come. Ensuring more and more people of all walks of life have consistent access to good food is a guiding force for me. I’m thankful for the opportunity to help make that a reality by serving on the Springfield Food Co-op Board of Directors!
Mike Huffmyer – Director
As a passionate advocate for supporting local food systems, I hope to use my experience working for emerging organic and natural food brands to support the financial, social, and environmental goals of the Springfield Food Co-op. In my free time, you’ll find me meandering in my medicine garden, planting more fruit trees in my forest garden, or foraging mushrooms on my 10 acre homestead in Chester, VT.
Renee Nied – Director
One of the first things I did upon moving to Chester in 2017 was become a member of the Coop. Previously, I worked at a non-profit organization for 10+ years where I was responsible for budget management and community outreach while operating an organic market garden and orchard in upstate NY. Having worked at the Coop since 2020, I enjoy meeting and helping everyone who enters the store as well as the conversations I have with my coworkers and vendors. My vision for the Coop is one where the Board is responsive, active and involved in: overseeing co-op operations to ensure good conditions of employment, expanding our ongoing engagement with growers, makers and the community while offering sustainable, organic, local, fair-trade and eco-friendly goods at affordable prices.
