In this month’s Member Owner profile, we are thrilled to introduce you to Tiffany Caldwell (MO# 1185)! Since Tiffany joined Electric City Community Grocery earlier this year, her enthusiasm and commitment to the co-op have been energizing to all who meet her! Whether tabling at events or sharing flyers and information with her neighbors, she is a valued community outreach team member! And in just the last few months that energy has extended into other citizen-driven and community-building spaces throughout Schenectady like Schenectady County Food Council and Farm to Family Wheels events.

We are grateful to Tiffany for sharing her gifts with our community. Please read on to learn more about her!

1.What do you like about being part of the co-op community? 

I relocated to Schenectady from NYC approximately 10 months ago. Community is defined as a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic. Currently Schenectady is a food desert. I was excited about an actual SOLUTION. A community owned grocery store, downtown in the heart of Schenectady! This makes me excited, and optimistic for the future to come. I was immediately drawn to the co-op core mission of addressing food insecurity, perseverance,and community values. The Electric City Community Grocery has made such a huge impact on me in such a short duration. I have met so many amazing members. The co-op have become a part of my extended family. All of whom I truly appreciate for putting in hard work for over a decade, to make this dream a reality. It would not be possible without them. They have become my extended family.

2.What will having a downtown grocery mean to you?

This is definitely huge,and monumental. Location and access for the entire community. Centrally located, we now will have access to locally sourced, fresh, quality food within bus/walking distance. The co-op will create jobs, and countless other opportunities for the community.

3. What do you love about Schenectady?

“ I didn’t choose Schenectady. Schenectady chose me.”
I love the way that the people and community support each other. They rally behind one another in both good and bad times. I love the diversity. The architecture and history of the city. The resiliency, determination, and hard work put in by the people. The sense of community, purpose, and intention lingers in the air.