Our Committees & Coordinators
The student team is comprised of four core committees:
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People and Operations
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Purchasing, Sales, and Product Promotion
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Marketing
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Collaboration and Education
Each committee is compromised of its coordinators and members, who are currently enrolled in AEM 3385: Practicum in Social Entrepreneurship, and work within a flat hierarchy of power. All committees meet weekly and are charged with a set of responsibilities to uphold the organization's mission and values. In this flat structure, every person's voice and vote are equal, each member takes a role within a committee and takes on shifts to stock, cashier, and organize the store.
People and Operations
The People and Operations Committee is responsible for all work relating to staff and to store operations. This includes:
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Developing in-store procedures and protocols
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Staffing the store
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Keeping the store stocked with necessary supplies
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Ensuring the store is able to pass inspection at an time
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Being accountable to those managing Anabel Taylor Hall
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Communicating with staff so that our in-store procedures work, the store is a well-organized and welcoming place, and CTA operations and HR policies are followed
Purchasing, Sales, and Product Promotion
The Purchasing Committee is responsible for inventory, sales analytics, and vendor relations. This includes:
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Assessing sales and financial reports
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Curating a sustainably sourced and nutritious product mix that meets customers' cultural and dietary needs
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Pricing products at or below comparative prices
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Maintaining good relationships with all our vendors and reaching out to potential new vendors
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Scheduling weekly deliveries
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Ensuring that vendors are paid in a timely manner
Marketing
The Marketing Committee is responsible for all work related to Anabel’s public relations and outreach to key stakeholders. This work includes:
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Updating and maintaining our website and social medias
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Publishing the weekly newsletter
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Responding to media inquiries and inquiries from external organizations and key stakeholders including Cornell alumni, donors and administrators
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Implementing an effective marketing strategy to increase foot traffic to the store and attract diverse shoppers
Collaboration & Education
The Collaboration and Education Committee, or CollabEdu, is responsible for creating recipes, blogs, articles, food guides, and other food justice related work to be distributed by the Marketing committee. CollabEdu also hosts cooking demonstrations and partners with other student organizations to host coalition- building community events.
Our Faculty Advisor: Anke Wessels
Since 1998, Anke Wessels has served as the executive director of Center for Transformative Action, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides legal and fiduciary support Anabel's Grocery and 34 other nonprofit initiatives. She is also a visiting lecturer and Professor of AEM 3385 (Social Entrepreneurship Practicum: Anabel's Grocery) in Cornell’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, a Faculty Fellow of the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures, and a member of Cornell’s Ashoka U Change Leader Team.
Former Coordinators
Testimonials from Former Staff
"I had the opportunity to speak with a past student regarding the course and its objectives, which peaked my interest. As a Dyson student, Anabel's Grocery satisfies a Grand Challenges requirement, but I found a deeper connection to the course through its social entrepreneurship focus. In Fall 2019 as I wrote my Dyson admissions essay before eventually joining the class of 2024, there was no topic that spoke to me more than social entrepreneurship, and I feel re-dedicated to this passion through Anabel's. For the first two years of Dyson curriculum, there are many requirements like statistics and financial accounting, but taking Anabel's has granted me the opportunity to reflect on what I gain from my courses as well as how I use what I learn in the classroom to make a tangible impact in my larger community. My favorite part by far is the community! Everyone is so welcoming and supportive, making it instantly feel like family, and everyone is passionate about the mission."
- Kellie Graves, Applied Economics and Management '24
"I was inspired to join Anabel’s because of its commitment to providing fresh, affordable groceries on Cornell’s campus. In addition to collaborating with local vendors, my favorite part of working at Anabel’s is connecting with other students through food, from chatting about new products in the store to cooking meals together at community dinners."
- Elinor Behlman, Environment and Sustainability '26
"I joined Anabel's to learn more about the intersection between food systems and social change. It's so meaningful to be part of such a vibrant group of people who care about food and community-building!"
- Eliza Gifford, Environment and Sustainability '24