Board of Directors

Carla Johnson

JFC Friends – My name is Carla Johnson, and I am in the first year of my
second three-year term on your Board of Directors. Currently, I serve as the
President. My husband and I moved to Northfield in the fall of 2020, a return to Northfield for me and a new location for him.

Previously, I lived in Northfield from 1976 to 1990 and then moved to other communities for jobs until we both retired. In retirement, I have been working as a yoga instructor at Fifty North, swimming, learning to do art, doing some volunteer work, and learning how to have free time to fill. Family is super important to me and being in Northfield
allows us time with son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter!

Food co-ops came into my life in 1979, when I was part of the group of people
who started the first cooperative buying club in Northfield. It’s fabulous to
come full circle, be part of JFC, and see the growth and change that has happened over the first twenty years.

Tim Braulick

Our family has lived in Northfield for almost 30 years and we love it here! We are among the first 300 owner-members of JFC. I’ve previously served on the Board during the planning and early days of the expansion. My wife, Leslie worked at JFC as a cashier. She and I have both served on the Friends of the Library Board and she helped to initiate the Sidewalk Poetry project. I volunteered at the Food Shelf during Covid, delivering food and stocking shelves. We’re both self-employed – she is a published poet and writer and I’m a training and communications consultant.

I’ll be serving on several JFC committees, including the Search Committee for a new GM, as well as the Finance and Outreach committees. I’m interested in working toward a larger and more diverse candidate pool for new Board members, and continuing to support our wonderful Co-op!

Jacob Morton

I am in my third year serving on the board, and I am the board Treasurer and head of the Finance committee. I have been living in Northfield for seven years and love it here. I’m an associate professor in the Classics department at Carleton College. In my free time, I like playing music, cooking, and studying the history of food and cooking from the ancient world to today. I hope to help make JFC the most vibrant co-op in the midwest, the best place to work in Minnesota, and a wonderful community space for local farmers and shoppers.

Page Nelson

I have been serving on the Just Food Board of Directors since 2020, and before that I was a
Just Food employee for seven years in the Produce department. I am currently the Secretary for the Board, as well as Chair of the Education committee and a member of the Events Committee.

I believe if we work together we can strengthen our connection to each other and the earth, finding ways to create a more sustainable culture ecologically, economically, and socially. I work at Spring Wind Farm, manage an Airbnb, teach piano and voice lessons, sing and play guitar in the band Tractorhead, and take care of my family.

I hope my time on the board helps grow Just Food’s positive impact in our community, strengthening its connection to local producers and making our store more accessible to everyone from all walks of life.

Leona Openshaw

I started working at Just Food when it opened in 2004 and retired at the end of last year, after 19 years in the produce department as the Local Produce buyer. Now I’m a newly-elected board member, hoping to contribute to the co-op’s vitality in other ways.

This year I will be serving on the Outreach and Education committees. I moved to Northfield in 1999, and love this small college town. I belong to a walking group, book club, Italian study group, choir, and attend classes offered by the Cannon Valley Elder Collegium and senior center. I appreciate being able to walk and bike around town and attend events at the two colleges, and I patronize local businesses whenever possible.

For me, Just Food contributes greatly to the quality of life here in Northfield, and I hope to help us deepen our roots in the local community, and expand the products and services we offer, always prioritizing quality, sustainability, and the best-possible workplace for our employees.

Brenda Kragseth

I have been serving on the Just Food Board of Directors since 2024. I am currently a member of the Events and Finance committees. My family has been involved in the food co-operative movement since the late 1970’s.

I enjoy traveling, gardening and reading. I work at St. Olaf and am happy that I can work locally. I am passionate about service to the community, environmental sustainability and access to local food resources for everyone. I am grateful that I can participate in the democratic process at JFC. My husband, son and I have lived in Northfield since 2005 and have been long time members of Just Food Co-op.

I am delighted that I have the opportunity to offer my skills, talents and time to the Just Food Co-op community.

Stacey Sandler

I was recently elected to the Just Food Board of Directors for a three-year term and also serve on the board’s Outreach and Education Committees. For the past seven years, I have worked part-time at the co-op as a customer service representative, curbside shopping supervisor, and cashier.

When looking for a part-time job, it was important to me to find a place that aligned with my values. Just Food checked all the boxes—environmental stewardship and sustainability, support for local farmers, strong community connections, and access to high-quality, diverse foods.

The co-op is more than just a grocery store; it’s a gathering place where people come for connection, whether sitting to enjoy a meal from the deli, a place to study, or catching up with friends. Outside of my role at the co-op, I am a teacher at Prairie Creek Community School and mom to two adult children (both of whom have worked at the co-op). I enjoy the outdoors, reading, and time with family and friends. I have called Northfield home since the spring of 2007.

Claire Rafferty

I am excited to begin my first year on the JFC Board of Directors. I serve on the Events and Education committees. I am passionate about food coops, particularly their connections to local producers as well as their positive impact on the environment and was a member of Harmony Food Coop in Bemidji for 40 years.

I am relatively new to the Northfield community. My husband and I moved here 6 years ago to be closer to family after 43 years in Bemidji (we are originally Californians!). One of the first things we did after moving here was to join JFC, and have found it to be a wonderful place. I am a retired psychotherapist and worked for 40 years in Bemidji in private practice.

Now that I have more time, I participate in various French activities, play a lot of tennis, take fitness classes at Fifty North, read, hike, and spend time with our young grandchildren. I also belong to a Northfield walking group. JFC is a tremendous asset to the Northfield Community, and I am excited to contribute to its continued growth and success as it reaches out to an even wider community.

Brandi Adelmann

I have lived in Northfield since 2014. I was honored to join the Just Food Cooperative board in 2024. As a JFC board member, I hope to help JFC continue to deliver access to diverse goods to the Northfield community and foster a best-in-class employer. I’m a Human Resource professional and currently work at Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative in Jordan.

In my free time, my husband and I enjoy golf, college football (Go Longhorns!), supporting local businesses and spending time with our pups. In addition to serving on the Just Food Cooperative Board, I enjoy volunteering for Rice County Habitat for Humanity, Northfield Meals on Wheels, Project Fairy Godmothers, Dress for Success, Twin
Cities SHRM Mentoring Program, and Hosanna Church.