Nikki Jackson

Education: Food & Nutrition from ISU

How many years have you lived in B-N? 11 years

Owner number: #1914

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors of GTG?

I want to continue serving on the board because I like to help get things done! I have a passion for all things local and this last year on the board has taught me so much about what the Bloomington Normal and surrounding areas has to offer. Over the past year, I have served on several board committees, assisted with compiling the monthly agendas and board informational packets. Next month, I will be attending a national co-op conference in Wisconsin because I want to gain an even deeper understanding of co-op board leadership. I want to continue to serve our owners in cultivating a thriving co-op!

What are you passionate about? How could we see that passion in action in your day-to-day life?

I am passionate about food. I am passionate about sustainability. And I love to learn new things. When I first started my college career, I was sure I wanted a future in Environmental Recreation. Unfortunately, I suffered several life threatening medical setbacks. (My digestive system was paralyzed and I received all of my nutrition directly through my blood stream.) These obstacles caused me to stumble into the field of Nutrition and this natural combination of healthy food and sustainability just took over my world. I believe in people having the right to know where their food comes from and I believe in giving everyone access to healthy food, no matter their income level or background.

Describe an experience where you worked on a team. What did you offer the team? How did you compromise for the team’s benefit?

I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the board for the last year and I believe I have been a reliable and hardworking teammate. I have sat on countless committees and teams during my
10 years of college, from Student Government to Disability Advisory Boards. I bring an unusually unique perspective to the table; I have been legally blind for the majority of my life and my brain almost always thinks of “how can we make this idea accessible to those of us who might need outside of the box accommodations?” I am also low income, and often need to be creative with a tight budget. Those years serving on committees with a wide range of people with other perspectives have helped me hone my compromising skills. I am content when decisions don’t go the way I might want as long as I know that every voice was heard before the decision was made. Serving on these teams have also help me appreciate the value of people’s time and efforts.