The Three Rivers Market Annual Picnic was held at Ivan Racheff House & Gardens & Arboretum, located in the Lonsdale neighborhood, on Saturday, June 17th, with lovely weather to highlight the peaceful beauty of the historic natural surroundings. Those in attendance not only enjoyed a relaxing celebration of and with our co-op community, but also had the opportunity to share ideas with the Board of Directors.

Music by Kukuly and the Fuego was the perfect accompaniment, and Three Rivers Market provided a tasty and healthful assortment of items for lunch. We also enjoyed cupcakes from Magpies Bakery and a decorative flower arrangement from Rainbow Roots Floral. Door prizes were generously donated by our local business friends: The Glowing Body Yoga & Healing Arts, Magpies Bakery, Stanley’s Greenhouse, and the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum. The Native Plant Rescue Squad offered information and plants to take home. Members and their guests explored the beautifully tended gardens and walking trails surrounding the house.

Members had the opportunity to share with the Board which of the 7 Cooperative Principles matter most to them, and to tell us what impact Three Rivers Market currently does or potentially could have on members, the community, and the world. Members in attendance indicated that Cooperative Principles 5: Education, Training, and Information and 7: Concern for Community are paramount. Members also noted that our greatest impact stems from providing access to local and healthy food, and serving as a model of a democratically-owned cooperative in Knoxville and beyond.

The Board of Directors and the employees of Three Rivers Market would like to thank our venue hosts, donors, and our members for the success of this picnic, and for their involvement in the greater endeavors of our cooperative.

– Kathryn Tilson, Chair, Member Linkage Committee, and Caitlin Seidler, Chair, Board of Directors