HWFC Staff: Meet Sarah and Fay
Meet Honest Weight’s Education and Engagement Specialist: Sarah Rosenthal
1. In a nutshell, what is your role at HW?
I am the new Education and Engagement Specialist at Honest Weight! I book all classes that happen in the Co-op. At HWFC we offer anything from Acupuncture to Cooking classes, even yoga and meditation!
2. Within that role, what are your goals for HW?
My main priority when choosing classes is to keep them as little-to-no-cost as possible to support community needs. I also am trying to book classes that will bring new faces into the Co-op.
Luckily, when I began this role, we already had really great class offerings. I want to continue building off of that by adding more class times, different practitioners, and new classes.
When booking classes I often prioritize cooking classes, language Classes, classes focused on Children/Teen Learning/Enrichment, and those related to committees or expanding DEI knowledge.
3. What are you most passionate about at HW?
Geez, what am I not passionate about, haha. I love my job and I take it very seriously. I want these classes to be beneficial to everyone and for everyone to feel welcome to take them. It's hard putting yourself out there and I want the Co-op to feel like a space where people can come and hang out and learn and build relationships. We are different from every grocery store in that sense. I feel like in my role it's my responsibility to assist in that.
4. What is the weirdest part of your job?
The weirdest part of my job, weird in a good way, is that I work with people who truly care about the Co-op and care about their jobs. I don't think a lot of people can say that about their jobs. We may disagree at times, but it's only because people want the best for Honest Weight.
5. Do you have any stories you’d like to share?
Everyday is a new story! The one I repeat the most often is my first day visiting the Co-op. It was the day I moved to Albany, it was my first stop when I got off of the plane, I hadn't even walked through the doors and I immediately was welcomed. Actually! The first person I spoke to at HWFC was Elizabeth Meer, a fellow Coop Scoop writer. I will always remember that day because everyone was so friendly and no one knew it was my first day in the city. When I left, I called my husband and told him we had to become members!
Meet Honest Weight’s Graphic Designer: Fay Patterson
1. In a nutshell, what is your role at HW?
I'm the new Graphic Designer for the Co-op! I also handle social media. Basically, I'm the conduit for different departments getting their message out there via visual language.
2. Within that role, what are your goals for HW?
I'd really love to use art to connect & inform people, and get some new faces in the store. We fear what we don't understand, so by making our events & mission easily digestible, it becomes more approachable.
3. What are you most passionate about at HW?
Seeing how much the community treasures Honest Weight makes me want to do my part to raise it to the next level! I appreciate what HW does to make quality food accessible, and how their donations create a loop of giving back to the people that make all of this possible in the first place.
4. What is the weirdest part of your job?
Definitely getting paid to make art. That's always been my end goal, despite the "starving artist" stereotype. My middle school self would be like "we freaking did it!"
5. Do you have any stories you’d like to share?
Still too early to have any crazy stories — I got you next year though!