The Covid-19 pandemic has closed or curtailed most stores, with the Davis Food Co-op and other grocers among the few exceptions. So what has it been like to work in the Co-op during the pandemic? Has the experience changed as shoppers adjusted to new conditions, are there insights here as other Davis stores prepare to re-open, and why are flour and toilet paper rarely on the shelves?

My guests today are two employees of the Co-op: Madison Suoja, the co-op’s education and outreach specialist, and Laura Sanchez, the store’s operations manager. A few items from the interview: Sales for the second quarter are up almost 11 percent from a year ago, shoppers are buying significantly more items per trip (and lately, making fewer trips), and the Co-op just started offering online shopping, with curbside pickup.

Soil at a new house, managing cherry trees for size and in warm-winter climates, flowers for a cutting garden on a budget, and more.

The impacts of COVID-19 sharply impact cities, and still there are things like municipal measures (such as MeasureJ/R)  and local elections to consider. We talk about that and more with Davis Mayor Brett Lee.  Today's conversation included an overview of how the pandemic is impacting the city's budget as it prepares for a new fiscal year starting July 1, 2020.  We also heard from Jessica Hubbard of Yolo Community Foundation about this week's local giving program #BDOG2020 for the Big Day of Giving, which is this Thursday, May 7, and the foundation's donor engagement program.  The Yolo Community Foundation is spearheading an effort to raise awareness and funding for our region's hard-working nonprofit organizations with the Yolo COVID-19 Relief Initiative.  This initiative is made possible through the partnerships with Yolo County and the cities of Davis, West Sacramento, Winters and Woodland.  

Episode 13 features two rock stars of the local nonprofit scene: Sheila Allen of Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance, and Chris Granger of Cool Davis. What challenges is each organization and its constituent population facing? How are they meeting those challenges  now, and how will those challenges change as we begin to plan for an uncertain future?

One of the new programs launched this month by Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance is Phone Friends for Seniors. They match seniors who would like to receive check-in phone calls with volunteers who can also assist with linking to services such as food/meal and prescription medication deliveries, and provide an important chance for social contact. Over the past 10  years, their network of organizations and service providers for local seniors has grown to  97!