Exclusive Q&A With Dean Sparks: New General Manager of Lexington’s Good Foods Co-op

A New Dawn at Good Foods Co-op

Lexington, Kentucky: Dean Sparks, with his extensive experience in grocery retail and organic farming, takes up the mantle as the new general manager at Good Foods Co-op. Sparks is tasked with steering this community grocery cooperative, established 52 years ago, away from an impending financial crisis.

Before his stint at Lexington’s community grocery cooperative, Sparks made significant strides in grocery businesses like the Vermont-based Morrisville Food Cooperative and Public Market in Wheeling, West Virginia. He consulted his expertise in organic farming while running an organic egg farm for 14 years and helped constitute organic standards for eggs at the USDA.

Challenges Go Past Finances

According to Claudia Goggin, president of the Good Foods board, financial losses have haunted the Co-op since around 2015. The store’s situation had started to improve by 2019, only to be hit by the COVID pandemic, which significantly impacted overall business.

Complications piled on when a partial closure of Southland Drive, where the Co-op is located, incited considerable losses in 2022. The following year, a winter storm caused a power outage leading to a costly shutdown of operations. With no financial cushion to fall back on, dire threats lingered about the Co-op’s continued operation.

Course Correction: Hiring a New General Manager

The board prioritized the appointment of a new general manager as a top goal in their blueprint to redeem the Co-op’s financial situation. The board also urged its owners to sanction temporary loans to aid the Co-op in this trying phase. Recalling the nationwide search spearheaded by a recruiting firm, Goggin recounted, “We had a lot of input from different folks and a multi-step process to vet and select the best candidate to help us turn the Co-op around.”

Upon his induction in early March, Sparks has already set up the groundwork to revamp the beloved community grocery store. He remarked, “The entire grocery set on our shelves will be refreshed over the next few months to bring in a significant number of new products.“

Curating Change

Sparks has recognized the need for category expansion. He hinted at a bigger assortment of pickles and preserved foods, an increased selection of local and regional craft beers, and a well-represented range of vegan and gluten-free options.

As a former farmer, Sparks appreciates the contribution of local farmers and farming cooperatives. “The cooperative model is an important business model. We support 175 or so local vendors,” Sparks averred. The Co-op plans to further cultivate its relationship with local vendors and provide a diversified offering of local and organic products.

Forward-Looking Strategy

Ensuring exemplary customer service experience and providing exclusive food products are chief among Sparks’ visions for the Co-op. He illustrated, “It’s a very optimistic vision. We hope to continue building on that legacy.” In the usually fickle grocery market, the Co-op’s steadfast commitment to strengthened customer relations and quality offerings is a resolute step in right direction.

Results & Outlook

In a hopeful turn-of-events, the impact of these early changes has been positive, reflected by increased shopper turnout and stronger sales figures in March 2024, compared to the previous year. Although it may take time for these changes to bloom fully, the initial voice of customer confidence is a heartening sign for the team steering the Co-op toward a prosperous future.