What does the Board do?
The Board of Directors provides direction to the co-op organization and oversees the operations of the store.
Board members are elected by member-owners using a majority vote as outlined in our bylaws. Board Elections are held once per year for vacant seats after the close of the previous fiscal year.
The KCFC Board of Directors consists of ten (10) Directors, and functions as the entity that is legally responsible for all business and financial decisions of the co-op and its committees, with all committees reporting to the Board. Elections occur at the close of our fiscal year in July for expiring terms, which last three years. Only Members may apply to be on the Board.
Board Meetings are currently held the second Tuesday of each month 6:30pm, and member-owners are welcome to attend.
Currently all board meetings are held online and in-person at Manette Real Estate Co.Â
Directors
Jeff Allen
President
Term: 2026-2028
I have lived in Kitsap County since 1990, where I raised my family and recently reitred from a 37 year career in public education and youth services. I believe strong communities are built when people find ways to contribute and improve the lives of those around them.
I also believe a strong local food system is increasingly important to the health, resilience, and sustainability of our community. The Kitsap Community Food Co-op plays an important role by supporting local food, expanding access to nutritious choices, and connecting people and organizations committed to a healthier and more equitable Kitsap.
I served on the KCFC board from 2012–2015 and again from 2020 to the present. I love this co-op and its mission, and I would be honored to continue serving our member-owners as we grow and strengthen the co-op’s role in the community.
LORA ORSBORNE
Clerk
Term: 2026-2029
Hello, my name is Lora Osborne and I've been a proud member-owner for over 10 years. I joined the co-op because local food, community, and building sustainable earth practices are important to me and I was so excited there was a co-op in my new hometown of Bremerton. Along the way, I've wanted to get more involved and when the opportunity presented itself to become part of the board I happily accepted. I am also part of one of our fun committees seeking to sustain and grow our co-op into the promise of its potential. I hope to use my time on the board to grow engagement with our co-op, keep our co-op values centered as we grow, and to grow my sense of community and friendships in my home area of Kitsap. Come GROW with us at the Co-Op and join us in BEETing the industrial food system in any way you feel called and able!
James Duffy
Director
Term: 2024 - 2027
Hello, my name is James although most call me Duffy, and I'm a Kitsap Washingtonian born and raised. Growing up around Kitsap Lake, I sought after community-based organizations and local farming opportunities. Now residing in Downtown Bremerton, I appreciate the convenience the Kitsap Community Food Co-op offers, providing healthy and local food options in an area where grocery stores are often distant. I am eager to join the Co-op's board of directors to help guide its future, especially in relocation efforts and research initiatives. My technical expertise in OS troubleshooting, diagnostics, and multisystem app development equips me to contribute effectively to the Co-op's technological needs, ensuring seamless operations and innovative solutions.
With a strong background in Python programming and experience in collaborative projects, I am well-prepared to support the Co-op's strategic goals and enhance its digital presence. My passion for community engagement drives me to serve as a voice for Kitsap's youth, advocating for fresh perspectives and sustainable practices. Additionally, my experience in retail and customer service, coupled with a personal interest in horticulture, aligns with the Co-op's mission to foster community-focused growth. I am excited about the opportunity to leverage my diverse skills and experiences to support the Co-op's impact on the community and contribute to its ongoing success.
TARA MCGINTY
Director
Term: 2025 - 2028
I've been working in the nutrition and food system sector for over 15 years, including small-scale, organic agriculture; gardening and nutrition education; and even co-opening a small cooperative grocery store in rural Colorado, where I served in nearly every board position and later acted as general manager for 2 years.
I am deeply familiar with the struggles that come with running a cooperative grocery store, but am also incredibly passionate about everything that they stand for- uplifting local economies, building more resilient food systems, strengthening community fabric, and protecting power and autonomy over our food choices by creating alternative options to big ag and corporate grocers.
MICHAEL MAGNAN
Director
Term 2026-2029
Michael is a local Washingtonian who moved to the Bremerton area in 2018 and fell in love with the community. He joined the Kitsap Food Coop in 2019 as he firmly believed in the mission of the coop and having locally sourced food/produce is vital to a strong community. Seeing an opportunity to support the Coop beyond just shopping he joined the Business Development Committee as a member at large to assist in the expansion process. He is excited for the opportunity to assist in the growth of the community he has come to love.
Michael is an geotechnical engineer who has a background civil construction with a focus in project management, design, and state/federal regulation. He's worked on everything from large multimodal sound transit projects and Costco Wholesale facilities to Fish Passage and Solar energy facilities. He is excited to bring his professional experience, passion for the local community, and energy in bringing the Coop to a larger audience within the Bremerton region.
Amber Casey
Director
Term: 2026-2029
I was born and raised in Bremerton, moved away for college, and have been back since 2020. I want to see downtown (and Bremerton in general) thrive! I am on the board of the Roxy Theatre and have volunteered with the Downtown Bremerton Association. I am passionate about small independent businesses and have retail experience - my husband and I own a wine bar & bottle shop in Madison Park (Seattle), coffee & wine bar in Pioneer Square (Seattle), and a liquor store in Greenpoint (Brooklyn). I have a master's degree in public health (I work at the King County Health Department) and understand how structural factors affect health and wellbeing and will bring a health equity lens to my work with the co-op. In my spare time, I like to read, watch movies, and trail run.
Jeff Stepp
Director
Term: 2026-2029
Growing up on a small organic family farm in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, where my parents were part of the Ozark Organic Growers Association (OOGA), rooted me in the idea of growing/eating organic produce and providing a quality product for the OOGA Cooperative and the community it served.
Before moving to Bremerton, I taught Health and Wellness at Arkansas Tech University, and was an active supporter of the local Farmer's Market. While in Arkansas I was also a member of the local Farmer's Market board where I worked with others to establish bylaws, recruit vendors, and promote the market.
I moved to Bremerton in 2014 and consider it my home now. I love the area and have met some great people while here. I continue to garden and grow as much of my own produce as possible. I have also served on the Bremerton Farmer's Market Board.
Aven Frey
Director
Term: 2026-2029
Within my dual master's degree program in International Environmental Policy and Business Administration (MA/MBA), I focused on food and farm policy because I believe that resilient, localized food and agricultural systems are key to a sustainable future. I have worked on organic farms through the WWOOF program, served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer at Food Lifeline, and been involved with KCFC since moving to Bremerton in 2017. I am also certified in Permaculture Design and manage a half acre urban permaculture food forest.
Adrienne Nejack
Director
Term: 2026-2029
I am a member of the community that frequently shops at the co-op. I want them to see the co-op grow into a thriving business that can support the needs of the community.