NORWAY — Fare Share Co-op welcomes Emmy Andersson as its new general manager at Fare Share Market on Main Street in Norway. Andersson comes to Fare Share from Square Root Natural Foods in Poland, which she opened almost six years ago to provide healthy, organic and sustainable food to that area.

The staff and board of Fare Share are excited to begin the next phase of their cooperative journey together. They encourage everyone stop by and welcome Emmy Andersson to the community starting today, Thursday, June 4 and say goodbye and thanks to Claire Gelinas, who will end her service to Fare Share as general manager on Sunday, June 21.

Andersson was born and raised in Sweden and came to the U.S. on a soccer scholarship. After diving into an environmental studies major at Green Mountain College in Vermont, she developed a strong interest for food and environmental and social ethics.

She now has a history of more than five years of natural food store management, an MBA with focus on sustainable business practices, and a dedication to local food security work. She has had the advantage of working for two other regional competitors for a total of more than seven years in the industry. Prior to that, she managed a farm raising heritage breed sheep, cattle and chickens, along with producing greenhouse herbs and greens.

In addition to her efforts to support sound local food systems, Andersson has participated in nonprofit organizations such as the Western Maine Art Group. She was part of revitalizing and energizing WMAG through serving on its board of directors from 2007 through 2009. The town of Norway became part of her life then and she is very excited to enter back into our community. Her enthusiasm and passion to further her goals of a local food network will be an asset to Fare Share Co-op.

Gelinas, Fare Share’s current general manager, is retiring after 10 years of dedicated service to the co-op and the community. Gelinas oversaw 50 percent growth in Fare Share sales, the membership tripled, an inventory increase of more than 100 percent, assets have been secured, and the current staff has worked in partnership with her through all of it. Her retirement will be celebrated on Saturday, June 13 at 6 p.m. in The Commons on Main Street in Norway. All are welcome.

Fare Share Co-op has been providing healthy food and education to the area since 1978. Fare Share serves the entire community, member or not. Its membership has grown to more than 350 member families, but all are welcome to shop at the co-op. Fare Share is a cooperative business, meaning the members own it together and is overseen by a board of directors elected from the membership.

Fare Share can supply most, if not all, of a family’s weekly food needs. Shelves are stocked with fresh local produce, frozen meats, local and raw dairy, fresh local eggs, eco-friendly cleaning supplies and personal care products, a large organic bulk inventory and numerous other local and sustainable products. Along with being competitive on pricing with Hannaford’s and other grocery stores in the area, Fare Share offers discounts to members, regular specials, and the ability for members and nonmembers to be able to order in bulk and save even more money. Members can volunteer at the store and receive 5–20 percent additional discounts, depending on the hours they work. Fare Share also accepts, EBT cards from SNAP recipients, WIC benefits, and offers area residents a discount of membership through its Food Access program.

For more information about Fare Share’s new general manager, the market, second floor commercial rental space, and becoming a member of the co-op, call 743-9044.