Governance
Who is The Mustard Seed? You are The Mustard Seed.
Welcome to The Mustard Seed Co+op, where more than 3,000 of member-owners comprise our community.
From our value driven, hard working owners who have collectively volunteered thousands of hours for The Mustard Seed, to our committed staff team, led by our General Manager Stacey alongside Bookkeeper, Rachel, Fresh Foods Purchaser, Nadia, Grocery Purchaser Laura and Receiver Wade and all the way to our members, everyone one of us has a role to play in how we govern ourselves.
Have a say. Make an impact
Become a member-owner today to join our community who are actively nourishing our local economy, environment, and ourselves.
Annual General Meetings
Each year we hold our Annual General Meeting. This is the perfect time to meet and connect with other member-owners, and see the ins-and-outs of what your Co-op has been up to.
“Our AGM feels like that moment when everyone is finally seated together at the family table - even if in times like these, that table is metaphorical. It’s a reminder of the strength, resilience and commitment of The Mustard Seed. I look forward to it every year.” - Jenna Anderson, member since 2015
Member Updates
We keep our members updated as much as possible through a combination of social media, website and emails. The board plans 2 to 3 member update meetings or events annually to update and connect.
Unable to attend the AGM or a Member Update but have a question or want to raise an issue? Contact the Board at any time: board@mustardseed.coop.
Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation
The Mustard Seed Co-operative Inc. was established on November 23, 2012 under the Co-operative Corporations Act of Ontario. Read our Articles of Incorporation.
Our Co-operative’s bylaws were developed by the Board during 2012/2013 based on owner input and reflect our co-op’s vision. Read the General Bylaws of the Mustard Seed Co-operative.
Board of Directors
Get to know us.
The Mustard Seed Co+op’s Board has guided the development of our Co+op through the various stages of development. Board member elections are held at each Annual General Meeting.
Kate Brown
Kate lives in Hamilton, ON. Having recently completed her BA Honours in Linguistics and Indigenous Studies, she works several jobs, including developing materials for the German department at McMaster University, coordinating a Mohawk language grant with McMaster Indigenous Studies students and Six Nations members, and serving as the Accessibility Projects Coordinator within the Office of Equity and Inclusion at McMaster. Kate has been involved with food justice projects and organizations for nearly a decade and in her free time loves to invent and test recipes in her awkwardly shaped kitchen.
Chris Carey
Chris is involved in environmental causes, and is starting to get more involved in community causes. His background, through both employment and spiritual pursuits, gives him a different and unique perspective and approach to solving problems. Both wild foods and clean foods are of great interest to Chris, as well as food security and environmental sustainability. Having lived in different cities, especially Winnipeg, where co-ops are increasingly common, Chris hopes to be able to help the Mustard Seed both to succeed and continue to pave the way for other co-ops to set up and thrive here in Hamilton.
Jane Depraitere , Treasurer, The Mustard Seed Co-op
Jane is an entrepreneurial business professional with over 25 years of diverse business experience. Jane holds an LL.B. and called to the Bar of Ontario in 1984. She completed her CGA designation in 1998 followed by an MBA in 2005. In 2015 she completed the Level 3 Sommelier designation from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. Jane returned to Aldershot to live full time having sold her wine importing and distribution business based in Alberta in 2018.
Jane has held various directorship and membership positions on the boards of several not for profit and for profit organizations from 1995 to present. Originally from Norfolk County an area whose agriculture has benefited from the Mustard Seed’s support, she looks forward to meaningfully and sustainably engaging more in her community from the quality and source of the food supply and the beverages we enjoy to the art and architecture in the environment that surrounds us all.
Jeff Karry
Jeff has lived in Hamilton for 30 years. His career included corporate experience in finance and operations with Procter & Gamble as well as extensive experience running small and medium sized businesses e.g. He was co-founder and CEO of a start-up that grew to a mid-sized North American business with 150 employees and sales of ~$45MM. This provided him valuable experience in many aspects of building and running an organization – strategy, legal, operations, finance, marketing and HR. He spent most of his career in Toronto so volunteering with Mustard Seed provides Jeff an opportunity to give back to the community in which he lives.
Jeff Martin
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Johnathan McNeice
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Esther Hornsveld
Esther is a local producer, has been an active Co+op member and she works in the non-profit sector. Esther has a passion for volunteering, equity, plants and animals.
Ellie Quinn
Ellie would like to help our Co+op be more visible and valuable in our community. She is a holistic nutritionist with a passion for wellness and affordable, quality nutrition. Ellie is also a small business owner with almost 30 years experience in operations, customer relations, human resources, technology, marketing and finance. In addition to nutrition and wellness, she is a beginner at minimalism, zero waste, and playing the guitar.
Mary Lou Tanner , President, The Mustard Seed Co+op – 2nd term BOD
Mary Lou Tanner worked in municipal management and leadership for over 25 years. Mary Lou was previously with the City of Hamilton, authoring downtown and waterfront plans including Putting People First and Setting Sail.
Mary Lou has strong roots in Hamilton’s non-profit community with board membership in Phoenix Place, Interval House, and YWCA Hamilton. She brings to the Mustard Seed leadership her strong support for democratic decision-making, passion for farmers and their economic sustainability, and a commitment to the long-term viability of our Co+op. Mary Lou loves include golf, dogs, board governance, politics, and Hamilton.