Featured News:

Member-Owner of the Month:

Sonia Sandoval

This month, we're proud to shine the spotlight on Sonia Sandoval (MO #1350), known throughout Schenectady, the Capital Region, and far beyond by her superhero alter ego: DJ RVMBA (pronounced "rumba").

Like many great superheroes, Sonia spent years balancing two worlds. By day, she supported diverse communities as a Certified Technology Specialist at Union College and her leadership across numerous local organizations. By night—and on weekends, festivals, block parties, and dance floors around the world—she transformed into DJ RVMBA, spreading joy, connection, and celebration through music.

This month, Sonia has taken the leap and gone all-in on her superhero identity, pursuing DJ RVMBA full-time. We're thrilled to celebrate not only her growing success as an internationally recognized DJ, but also the deep roots of service, equity, sustainability, and community care that have always powered her work.

As DJ RVMBA, Sonia brings global energy and cultural connection to every gathering. Born in Colombia and inspired by travel, culture, and community, she has performed across Australia, Colombia, Mexico, New York City, and beyond. Her sets blend international rhythms with an intuitive understanding of what makes people move, creating joyful experiences that bring people together across cultures and generations. Whether at a wedding, festival, private celebration, or community event (like the SchenEQUITY Juneteenth Block Party Friday!), DJ RVMBA's mission is simple: build connection through music.

But every superhero has an origin story.

Long before she was filling dance floors, Sonia was helping build stronger communities in other ways. She recently completed her fourth year as President of Schenectady Pride, where she became known for cultivating joyful community rooted in LGBTQ+ inclusion, belonging, and cultural equity. She also served for years on the board of the Schenectady Greenmarket, helping strengthen community outreach, volunteer engagement, and market operations.

Her commitment to a more regenerative local food system runs deep. Sonia worked with the Capital Region composting organization Empire Zero and, before that, founded FoodScraps360, a trailblazing compost collection company that helped divert food waste from landfills. After years of growing the organization, she successfully sold the business in 2019.

Seen together, these chapters reveal a consistent set of superpowers: bringing people together, building community, creating belonging, and helping transform systems for the better. Whether she's organizing Pride celebrations, reducing food waste, supporting local agriculture, or filling a dance floor, Sonia's work has always centered on connection.

As a Member-Owner of the Electric City Food Co-op, Sonia embodies the cooperative values of community, equity, sustainability, and mutual support. We're grateful to have her as part of our co-op family and proud to celebrate this exciting new chapter in her journey.

You can catch DJ RVMBA in action at the Co-op's Fourth of July Cookout. Don't miss the chance to experience one of Schenectady's hometown superheroes in her element!