Melissa MacKinnon

Melissa MacKinnon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in cooperative economic development, food systems, and community-led change to the Board of the Electric City Community Grocery. She joined the cooperative movement in the early 1990’s in Tucson, AZ as a way to participate in a form of economics that seemed healthier and life-enriching for more people then scarcity- economic models seem to allow. She worked for a time at The Food Conspiracy Co-op, a still thriving food co-op in downtown Tucson. She learned a great deal in those years, including seeing both healthy and unhealthy ways to manage conflicts that will always arise.

Since moving back to Schenectady County, Melissa has spent the past 10 years working collaboratively to grow urban farming with Schenectady Urban Farms.  That work helped her realize the importance of regional economies, especially food systems and how relationship with the land, the plants and people were important aspects too. She loves that Schenectady is a diverse community with a rich agricultural heritage and a rich heritage of democracy that predates European colonization.

When asked why she is motivated to serve on the Board, Melissa explained

"I would like to see us all thrive, including the more-than-human world, and I find cooperatives to be the best embodiment of that type of thinking. I enjoy working in collaboration with others, people and plants, especially around projects I am passionate about, like supporting and growing cooperative economies and healthy food systems." 

She sees the potential of Electric City Community Grocery to be catalyst for transformation in Schenectady and the region:

"I think having a downtown grocery store built on a cooperative model will support and encourage more resilient, local food systems and more economic opportunities for ALL people to experience fulfilling lives here in Schenectady." 

Melissa hopes that ECCG will be the first of many cooperative businesses that contribute to a local economy that generates community-rooted wealth and health. In keeping with that intention, Melissa is representing ECCG on the planning team for the New York Cooperative Summit, which will be held in Schenectady this year, at Armory Studios NY on October 17, 2026!  The Summit is a one-and-a-half-day event that brings together New York State cooperative members, leaders, organizers, and allies to share practical tools and strategies for starting, sustaining, and scaling cooperative ecosystems across the state.