these individuals make up your democratically elected board of directors
Rusty Foszcz • President • 2022-2024
Because he LOVES to eat, Rusty Foszcz is interested in getting local food from the fields to the table quickly and organically. What’s important is to do this in a cost-effective way that makes prices competitive with larger chain grocery stores. McHenry County is rich with local farmers raising foods without pesticides – safe, organically healthy, and delicious. Restaurants like Duke’s Ale House in Crystal Lake are already serving these foods – Rusty believes we need to offer them to everyone in a Food Shed Co-op grocery store!
Rusty is a retired Information Technology consultant that now spends his time volunteering with non-profits both actively and in board member roles.
Scott Brix • Vice President • 2021-2023
Scott brings valuable experience to the co-op board from the mainstream food industry with a background in food science, engineering, and biotechnology. His time at global Fortune 500 corporations inspired his involvement in launching the Food Shed Co-op. He’s deeply committed to promoting local sustainable agriculture as a way to protect our planet for future generations and believes that creating opportunities for local farmers and producers is key. Since the co-op started in 2014, Scott has held roles as Board President, Vice President, and Treasurer. He looks forward to continuing his leadership for a couple of years after the store opens to help ensure a strong start for co-op operations.
Vern Heinen • Treasurer • 2023-2025
I’ve been a resident of McHenry County for approximately 20 years and been retired for the past year. I’ve been a member of different food coops in the various places I’ve lived over the years and think there would be a great benefit to bringing a food coop to McHenry County. It would give access to healthful affordable food to the county residents and also provide an outlet for products from local farmers. I would like to serve on the coop board and play a more active role in helping to bring the Food Shed Co-op to a successful opening.
Kim Brix • 2021-2023
As an individual with many food allergies Kim is driven to open a food store in McHenry county where she can find a wide selection of healthy, organic, and locally grown foods free of pesticides and all under one roof.
Kim Brix is a recently retired nurse of 30 years, mother of two and grandmother of one. Owner of a fused glass art studio and business, namely Glassworks by Kim, located in Marengo, Illinois. Ten years ago she was co-founder of The Children’s Center For Autism in Cary Illinois. She is passionate about eating healthy for living a long, healthy life.
Martie Gorman • 2022-2024
When Martie Gorman retired after 35 years of full time teaching, she had the time and opportunity to have fun volunteering for causes and organizations that serve our community or preserve our environment. This led her to become an ESL tutor in conjunction with MCC, a volunteer for animal assisted programs at Main Stay Therapeutic Farm, and as a board member for the McHenry County Conservation Foundation.
After she became an owner with the Food Shed, volunteering at events allowed her to meet many like-minded residents who feel local and sustainably sourced food is important and necessary. When the chance came to be more centrally involved with the Food Shed, she gladly focused her energies to help open the first community-owned grocery store in McHenry County!
Caron Wenzel • 2023-2025
Caron Wenzel brings 35 years of involvement with food coops and working in and with Nature. She is married to Steve Wenzel. They have two grown adult sons, Greg and Jeff Wenzel and two grandchildren, Rupert and Harrison.
Caron is an environmental educator and consultant who is owner of Blazing Star Inc, a native seed and soil amendment company founded in 1990. She and her husband Steve have worked on conservation and green issues for over 25 years. Caron has also been an enthusiastic supporter of food co-ops since college.
Carol Alfus • 2023-2025
Carol Alfus has been a resident of McHenry County for most of her life. For over 30 years she tutored, taught and substitute taught special needs students. In retirement, Carol has stayed busy volunteering with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of McHenry County, Main Stay Therapeutic Farm and the McHenry County Conservation District. She also enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, traveling and writing poetry.
Carol has long believed in the power of community. As Food Shed owner #72, she has spent many hours volunteering at information tables to explain the value of a community-owned grocery store that supports local farmers and producers, offers more healthy, natural food choices, observes environmentally responsible practices, and keeps the profits in our community.
Meet Your Food Shed Staff
These people are the backbone of the co-op! Without their dedication and energy things wouldn’t get done!
Here are the Food Shed Co-op staff members.
Peter Waldmann • General Manager
Peter Waldmann’s career started in the 1980’s, working for one of the first health food retail chains in the nation, Mrs. Gooch’s. Since that time, he has enjoyed over 30 years of professional experience in the Natural Foods industry. Peter worked for several well-known retailers including; Whole Foods Market, Wild Oats Markets, Green’s Natural Foods and most recently PCC Community Markets. During his tenures he held numerous positions, ranging from bagger to Chief Executive Officer. To date, he has opened over 20 retail grocery locations in 15 different states.
Peter came to learn that business is among the most powerful entities in society. He understands that we have the substantial responsibility to use that influence to advance the wider common good. He feels honored to lead the Food Shed Co-op’s mission to create a local food cooperative that promotes a healthy, ethical and resilient community. In 2024, when the store opens, Woodstock and the surrounding communities will cross over a key milestone toward a self-sustained healthy environment.
Peter feels passionately about democratizing community food access and control, supporting local vendors and ultimately bringing affordable, healthy, natural foods and products to the community. He plans to listen carefully to all of the shareholders, staff and customers. Translating their feedback into a self-perpetuating and self-fulfilling grocery store experience.
He reflected, “We will navigate a course focused on the big picture of envisioning how food cooperatives are different from regular grocery stores.” Using an operating system called Policy Governance, the co-op will hold itself accountable to a triple net bottom line of social, environmental and financial responsibility. We will stand up for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Peter feels very lucky to have been married to his wife Amy for 27 incredible years. They have two amazing sons, Evan and Adam, both recent graduates from CU in Boulder. He believes that real leadership starts at home. His hobbies include; reading, food, and working out.
Peter is excited to join the Food Shed and look forward to connecting!
Tracy Bordis • Center Store Manager
Tracy brings many skills to this position, honed over her 19 years of professional experience in purchasing and several recent years in operations and working with executive teams. More importantly, she will bring with her the passion cultivated over a lifetime of loving to grow, garden, harvest and enjoy the fruits of her labor. She looks forward to tapping into her professional and personal life experiences to foster local, affordable, healthy food choices for our community. She said that she is proud to be part of making history in McHenry County by opening the first grocery store co-op and look forward to many successful years to come.
Cassie Muellner, Food Prep Manager
With over 18 plus years of living and working in McHenry County, Cassie has developed a strong food service leadership background, equipping her well to lead our Food Preparation Team. Her energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the highest quality customer service will be amazing assets for her in the role of providing customers with an excellent Grab and Go/Deli experience.
Cassie feels that living with many food allergies caused her to become passionate about where food comes from. Finding the Food Shed Coop has been an amazing learning experience for her, igniting her passion for providing delicious food to Food Shed Co-op shoppers.
Jada Downs, Office Manager
Jada has developed a strong background in payroll administration and account payables in her ten years of living and working in McHenry County, preparing her to manage the day-to-day finances of the co-op. Jada is passionate about gardening and growing native plants for butterflies. She also enjoys setting up donation events for charities around McHenry County. She and her family became a co-op owner in 2022. Joining the Food Shed team has motivated Jada to learn more about the food industry and eating healthier.
Kris Rios, Data Scan Manager
Kris Rios joined our leadership team in the position of Scan Data Manager. In this role, she will ensure the smooth functioning of the store’s point-of-sale and back-of-house system and maintain the store’s technology. Kris has over four years of inventory and data experience and a huge passion for supporting local and small businesses and farmers. Kris comes to us from Crystal Lake. As a vegetarian and animal lover, she is an avid supporter of local farmer’s markets and loves to hike and camp! She is extremely excited about the opportunities and healthy alternatives that Food Shed will bring to the community!
Kevin Ortega, Produce Manager
Kevin is a dedicated professional with six years of experience in the produce industry, in merchandising and sales on both the retail and wholesale sides of the business. Fueled by a passion for promoting local produce and a commitment to fostering sustainable practices and supporting community-driven agriculture initiatives are driving motivations for Kevin.
