We Invite You…

As a teacher, fall always becomes a time of new beginnings: meeting new students, planning new courses, and a time to engage a little differently than I have before.

 

As co-chair of the Cedar Falls Food Co-op membership committee, our awesome summer of growth makes me think about how fall can be a time of new beginnings for new members and commitments to re-engage with our long-time members.

 

With that, we want to invite you to engage with your co-op in a new way this month:

  • We invite you to gather for community at our potluck on September 12th.
  • We invite you to celebrate local food at our Fall Food Fest on September 26th.
  • We invite you to invite a friend to either event!
  • We invite you to schedule a coffee date (outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop) with our outreach coordinator to learn more about how you can help the co-op open our doors sooner!
  • We invite you to share our events and posts on social media.
  • We invite you to attend a committee meeting to see what we’re up to.
  • We invite you to join our volunteer mailing list.
  • We invite you to dance in the Rooty costume and have the time of your life.
  • We invite you to tell one friend about why you joined the co-op. Personal conversations matter.

 

I am so proud of the community we are building together. This fall, I invite you to take one action to re-engage and help our efforts reach even more people. Happy Fall!

 

In Cooperation,

Brenna Griffin

Day of Service Saturday, September 30, 2017 with Heartland Habitat for Humanity

Please join us at our first annual Day of Service event on Saturday, September 30, 2017! Here’s your opportunity to practice Co-op Principle 7: Concern for Community as we assist with a current building project of Heartland Habitat for Humanity.

We’ll fill two shifts at the build site – 8:30-11:30am and 12:30-3:00pm. Habitat will provide all the tools and materials necessary for the workday, but volunteers should wear work boots or tennis shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.

Can’t participate that day? Please consider helping us with lunch preparations! We’ll be providing a brown bag lunch for volunteers at the build site.

To sign up for a shift at the build, please click the link below (includes a volunteer waiver):

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP AND WAIVER.

 

Thank you for helping your co-op live Principle 7: Concern for Community!

 

Save the Date: Annual Member-Owner Potluck and Meeting

Tuesday, October 24

6:00-8:00pm

Location: TBD

 

This year’s annual meeting of the Co-op ownership will start with a potluck. The monthly potlucks have been lots of fun, so for the month of October, we’ll combine the social gathering of Co-op owners with the annual “state of the Co-op” address.

 

Bring the whole family for the yummy food and even more nourishing company, and then stick around for the latest updates and reports from your Co-op board. It’s your chance to ask all the questions you have about your Co-op.

 

Stay tuned for more details.

 

 

 

 

 

Are You Board Material? Help Lead the Co-op During the Most Exciting Stage of Development

As the terms of the Board of Directors are staggered, this summer we will once again have an opportunity for Co-op members to run for election to the Board. Every year 3 seats are open, and each term is 3 years. Full details about how to become a candidate for the Board of Directors are on the Co-op’s website. The deadline to submit an application for candidacy is September 9.

 

I invite you to consider joining in this effort. It is demanding, but extremely rewarding work. As we get closer to opening our doors, you be part of the leadership that oversees the transition from our development stage to an actual, physical grocery store. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Join Us for the Fourth Annual Fall Food Fest

Tuesday, September 26

6:00-7:30pm

Cedar Falls Community Center

 

Door prizes, live music, and hands-on activities for kids. Plus tasty food. And new this year will be two food trucks. The Fall Food Fest keeps growing each you – you won’t want to miss it!

 

We’ll have food demonstrations, and free food samples from local growers, live music from Fuzzy Logic, and other goodies. Learn about the Co-op, purchase a T-shirt, and for all members, pick up your NEW founding member tote bag! See you at the Fest!

Board Happenings: August 2017

Take a minute to see what your Board has been up to lately!

– We now have over 650 member-owners! This has been an amazing summer, and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without our amazing volunteers.
– If you’re interested in serving on the Board, you still have time to turn in your application. Mailed packets need to be postmarked by September 7th, and those that are emailed need to arrive before midnight on September 9th.
– Be sure to join us for the Fall Food Fest on September 26th. This will be our fourth (!!) year hosting this event, and it’s a great chance to sample foods from vendors that we hope to have at the co-op. See you there!

Member Spotlight: Sue Hummel

Sue Hummel and her husband Dan, share their home with their dog Lily, and two cats, Midge and Mr. Pumpkin.  She was born and raised in Waterloo and has lived in Cedar Falls for 28 years. She graduated from Iowa State University and worked at a couple of advertising agencies as a graphic artist. Her heart was with animal care though, so she switched careers and worked as a veterinary assistant for eight years. During that time she started a pet sitting business, which she sold many years later, but she continued to work as an independent contractor for Dusk to Dawn Professional Petsitters. She is also involved in animal rescue, rehabilitation, and foster care.

Continue reading

From the Outreach Coordinator: Local businesses are key to the success of our Co-op!

Concern for community, cooperative principle 7, is something we live as a co-op daily. This is embodied through our numerous connections with local businesses. While we often tout the over 60 different businesses who are providing discounts to card-carrying Co-op member-owners, their support goes well beyond this perk. In my time with the Co-op, I have been overwhelmed with the generosity of our local business community.

Continue reading

Whole Grain Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Now that the kids are back to school and summer is winding down, weekend family breakfast is an excellent way to spend some time together. Let the kids help make some pancakes, yeah! Kids and pancakes, now that’s fun and delicious. 

 

Fresh blueberries are fabulous right now, and this recipe is delicious and nutritious. Blueberries are full of fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and phytonutrient contentThe cottage cheese in the recipe adds protein. Pick some up at Hansen’s Dairy, where you can also find fresh farm eggs, buttermilk, and maple syrup. You can also find eggs, maple syrup, and other great items at the Cedar Falls Farmers Markets.

Continue reading

Drive Home the Savings (and don’t forget the take-out)

Foodies rejoice! Join us in welcoming two new locally owned restaurants to our Business Partners.  But that’s not all! Car aficionados will appreciate discounts at a local repair shop. Read on….

If you haven’t had a chance to check out Urban Pie yet, now’s your chance! Co-op member-owners will receive 15% off of their dine in order. Fresh to the downtown foodie scene (since February 2017) Urban Pie’s pizzas are a fresh take on an old staple. Urban Pie is a “fast casual, family-friendly restaurant. We create high quality Neapolitan-inspired pizza in an on-the-go setting. Eat in or take out, it’s all good with us.” They offer a fast-fired pizza, cooked in a high temperature open flame oven. Their menu includes several great pizza topping combinations, all fully customizable to your taste. Wings, breadsticks, and dessert pizza are also featured. If you’re thirsty, you may order any of eight beers on tap! Check them out here: http://www.urbanpiecf.com/ . Continue reading