Sandra McCloy

Co-op Member Since: 1987

Board Member Since: 2006

Fun Food Story: My food story involves gourmet back country meals, a great hike up Mt. Redfield, and ursus americanus (the American Black Bear). We were greeted at the Flowed Land lean-to by a huge female black bear lumbering casually across the campsite. The young men camped in the neighboring lean-to told us we should secure our food sack well. They were planning to hang their cookware and surprise the marauding bear.

We awoke that night to the clatter of pans and a call that our food sack was already “down.” John and daughter Margaret went to the tree and found that all we had left was our cocoa and oatmeal packets.

In the morning, the young men were hiking out so they gave us their remaining trail gorp for our hike up Redfield. The gorp much better than what we brought and lost.

When we returned wearily to the lean-to after scaling Mt. Redfield, we sent our girls over to warn the new arrivals at the neighboring lean-to about the bears while John and I heated water to cook our breakfast oatmeal for dinner. The girls returned with a huge pot of goulash with fresh veggies, hamburger, sausage, and tuna. It was the perfect gourmet ready-to-eat dinner for weary hikers.

We had a great hike, enjoyed wonderful gourmet meals with no effort thanks to the kindness of strangers, and saw our first Adirondack black bear up close and personal.

What brought you to the Co-op Board? In 2006, I worked on the Compensation Committee. Our work was interesting and rewarding. The outcome was well received. Now the new workers at the Co-op can be assured a living wage. In 2007, I wanted to be on the committee that explores what comes after the “reset.” I am interested in how the new POS system can help the Co-op gain efficiency, and I wonder how the Co-op can promote healthy eating and sustainable agriculture in the local community. School lunches are ripe for attack and new choices.