by Glenda Bissex
When Anji moved to Plainfield with two small children, she soon found the Co-op, a store that carried the kind of food she wanted. And so began a long and increasingly intense connection. She has worked for the Co-op for 13 years now, almost the longest of any current staff member. (Margie Yoder, who trained her when she started working at the Co-op, has been with us the longest time.)
Anji’s responsibilities have continued to increase, especially in the recent absence of a store manager. Her devotion to the Co-op is amazing and helped hold things together during stressful times. She and her family live high up on Gore Rd., where the town does not maintain the road and there is no power line. She has two lawn-mowing goats. During the July 2024 flood a culvert was washed out lower down the road, leaving an impassable gorge with water raging through it. Even after the culvert was replaced, getting up and down the road was treacherous. Anji hiked a steep stretch in order to make it into the Co-op to work.
Not only is Anji devoted to the Co-op but her family is, as well. Her son, Dragon, is on staff now, too; and her daughter, Charlotte, worked here several years ago. Not to be left out, her husband helps as a volunteer with emergency repairs. If Anji’s on the floor when you come into the store, you feel truly welcomed.