Board Happenings: October 2016

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– We visited New Pioneer in Cedar Rapids and had an excellent time. They’re a wonderful store and we can’t wait to learn from all of their Co-op experience. 

– Keep an eye out for ThanksGIVING: Co-op Style. Anyone who joins the Co-op between November 1-20th will receive a free pie AND Foster’s Mattress will donate $10 to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank for each new member. 

– We’ve agreed to pledge to become Blue Zone Certified once our store opens, meaning we’re even more dedicated to bringing you healthy, sustainably sourced food options. 

– Did you see the Rooty while trick or treating on Main Street? Share your artwork on our Facebook page for everyone to see!

– We have a great contingent of Co-op Board and Committee members who will be attending the Strong and Small conference on November 12th, and we can’t wait to share all that we learn. 

From the Board President: Thanks and an Apology

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In October, the Co-op hosted its second annual Member-Owner Meeting & Social. The annual meeting, a sort of share holders’ meeting in which a “state of the Co-op” is presented, is a big deal. It’s the one event we’re required to host as per our bylaws, and it’s a signature event for food co-ops across the U.S. Our social, held at the Oster Regent, was full of conversations and good vibes (helped in part by generous donations of cookies, mini muffins, beer, cider, and mead!). Yet even with all the generosity and positive conversations, I was unprepared for the email that showed up the next day from Co-op member Randy S.:

[My wife] and I decided to donate a $40.00 gift certificate that can be used to purchase tickets at the Oster Regent Theater, so you can use as you see fit for a membership drive. The gift certificate is good until January 2018.

Thanks for all your hard work.

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Welcome New Board Members

 

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At the annual Member-owner Meeting & Social, the Cedar Falls Food Co-op wrapped up its election season for positions on the Board of Directors, and it is pleased to announce the results of the voting.

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Board Happenings: September 2016

Take a minute to see what our Board of Directors has been up to.

  • We received our first report from our new Outreach Coordinator and everything has been going great! If you haven’t had a chance to hear from Melanie yet, you can be sure you’ll hear from her soon.
  • We have some great event coming up, including several house parties, drinks at Miss Wonderful, and a field trip to New Pioneer! Be sure to follow us on Facebook to get the latest updates about these events.
  • Our annual Member Meeting is October 18th! This is your opportunity to get a thorough update on the state of the co-op, plus we’ll be announcing the results from our Board election and the name you chose for our Co-op Carrot!
  • Speaking of Board Elections, they’re happening now! The polls will be open until 7pm on October 18th. All members who are paid in full will have received an email with a link for you to vote. If you haven’t received this yet, be sure to contact Dan Heit, the Co-op’s Vice President, at gtthrills@mchsi.com
  • We continue to participate in conference calls with other start-up co-ops so we can all share our experiences and be stronger together.
  • A number of our committee and board members will be attending this year’s Strong & Small Conference in Bloomington, MN in November. These conference are a great way for us to grow our knowledge and learn from other co-ops that have been where we are now.
  • We love being able to be a part of this amazing community, and we wouldn’t be able to do it without our members! If you want to know how you can help grow our co-op, you can reach us at outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop

Member Spotlight: Patty Cutts

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Patty Cutts has lived in the Cedar Valley with her husband Ken for over 40 years.  Both are currently enjoying their retirement from careers involving education.  After teaching at Helen Hansen Elementary in Cedar Falls, Patty worked at (then) AEA 7 as a technology consultant. Ken taught graduate courses for UNI and the University of Wisconsin. After retiring from educational roles, Patty worked at University Book & Supply as an Event Coordinator.   Patty and Ken love the friendly atmosphere of the Cedar Valley, the good educational systems as well as the caring organizations that build the community and make it a wonderful place to live.  Patty describes the Cedar Valley as “a large metro area with a small town attitude”.  She then added that the people here care about each other and always help in a time of need. 

Patty and Ken enjoy traveling, hiking and reading in their retirement.  In addition, both serve the community through volunteering.  This includes serving on the boards of  St. Luke’s Episcopal, the Boys & Girls Club of the Cedar Valley, the Food Bank of Northeast Iowa and serving on the committees at the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.

Some of Patty’s favorite places to shop are Hanson’s Dairy and the farmer’s markets for grocery items.  She and Ken both love the fresh food that is available, in particular, anything that is in season is “always delicious”.  Patty very much enjoys cooking and making dishes from scratch with fresh ingredients.  Patty says that her “day at the beach is a counter full of fresh ingredients, pots and pans, a hot oven surrounding my recipe laden iPad”.  Patty and Ken are also both coffee lovers and enjoy visiting Cup of Joe’s, Cottonwood Canyon and Sidecar Coffee for their favorite brew.

Regarding the Cedar Falls Food Co-op, Patty is looking forward to one place where she can shop for food that is made fresh or grown locally.  In addition, she likes that the Co-op will provide jobs and support local businesses, therefore growing and benefiting the Cedar Valley.   Overall, the Cedar Valley is a very special place for Patty and Ken.  Their home is located on the border of Hartman Reserve, and Patty says that “our heart is there as well.  The ever-changing woods are our source of renewal”.

From the Board President: The Cedar Falls Food Co-op Celebrates National Cooperative Month

Being part of a cooperative means being part of something special. The Cedar Falls Food Co-op is celebrating National Cooperative Month in October, along with 40,000 other cooperative businesses serving more than 120 million people nationwide.

“Cooperatives Build” is the theme of this year’s National Cooperative Month. It’s also a great time to host the annual Owner Meeting & Social. Consider these ways that co-ops build:

Cooperatives Build Trust

Most co-ops strive to adhere to seven key cooperative principles, which combine to help build trust between the co-op, its members and the community. For example, the first principle is Voluntary and Open Membership, which means that we are a voluntary organization open to all people to use our services and willing to accept the responsibility of membership. The second principle, Democratic Member Control, gives members a voice in the cooperative’s policies and decisions. If you haven’t yet voted in the board candidate election, you have until 7:00pm on Tuesday, Oct. 18. More details here.

Cooperatives Build Community

The seventh cooperative principle is Concern for Community. Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through employee involvement in local organizations, through charitable contributions to community efforts and through support for schools. Here locally, a team of Cedar Falls Food Co-op board members and friends helped with flood clean-up on October 1. We’re also participating in Girls’ Night Out on Thursday, Oct. 6 (we’ll be providing drinks at Miss Wonderful), and the John Deere Health & Safety Fair on Oct. 19.

Cooperatives Build Jobs

Cooperatives generate jobs in their communities, keep profits local and pay local taxes to help support community services. Cooperatives provide more than 850,000 jobs, providing $74 billion in annual wages. Once open, the Cedar Falls Food Co-op will generate many jobs, and will ensure the wages are fair while providing health care benefits to as many employees as possible. The Co-op also values local economic development, and as such, we’re a proud supporter of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber.

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Cooperatives Build a Better World

Through all of the above ways, cooperatives build a better world. Help the Cedar Falls Food Co-op celebrate National Cooperative Month in October. If you haven’t yet become a member, join today!

In cooperation,

Tom Wickersham

 

P.S. We’re proud to partner with area credit unions during National Cooperative Month, including (as of publication of this newsletter) Cedar Falls Community Credit Union, Collins Community Credit Union, University of Iowa Community Credit Union, and Veridian Credit Union. We’ll be posting information about the Seven Cooperative Principles at select locations—watch for them!

 

SECOND ANNUAL OWNERS MEETING & SOCIAL, OCT. 18

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The Cedar Falls Food Co-op’s second annual Owners Meeting & Social will take place on Tuesday, October 18 from 6:30-8:30pm at the Oster Regent (103 Main Street, Cedar Falls). We’ll come together as a community and practice our core principle of “Democratic Member Control” as we elect new board members (and help develop the Co-op’s key values statement). Only owners can take part in this event, but everyone is welcome to become an owner—you can even join at the door.

The evening will start with reports on operations, finance and other key growth indicators. We’ll look ahead at upcoming milestones and projections on opening. We’ll also announce the results of the board elections. Plus, there will be plenty of time for Q&A from members. The second half of the evening will be a social gathering with food and drink, including homemade cider, fresh baked goods, and fall-inspired snacks. Members attending will have a chance to provide input on the Co-op’s values statement, and will be the first to hear the results of the carrot naming contest!

What sets the Co-op apart from other business models is that YOU are an owner, and the annual owner meeting is a part of the Co-op’s bylaws. Exercise your right as an owner…join us!

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Board Elections Underway. Vote Today!

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Voting is underway for new directors to serve on the Board of the Cedar Falls Food Co-op. Four candidates are running for three seats. Details about the candidates and their full statements are here.

This year, voting is done completely online. Details and instructions have been sent to all member-owners via email. If you haven’t received instructions, or are having difficultly with the online system, please contact Outreach Coordinator Melanie Drake at outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop.

By reducing the amount of paper generated in creating nearly 450 ballots and mailing them, plus using a highly respectable and very secure online system called Simply Voting, the Co-op anticipates an even greater participation in the elections, which is important, as Democratic Governance is one of the Co-op’s key principles.

The deadline to vote is 7:00pm on Tuesday, October 18. Those who do not have a computer can vote during the first half hour of the second annual Owner Meeting & Social on Oct. 18.

Exercise your right, and vote!

 

Enjoy summer’s bountiful zucchini with this lovely treat!

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A lemon version of a popular summer treat. Try putting some of those extra zucchini into this delicious bread (it’s really more like cake).

 

Bake: 325°F for 60 min

Makes 1 large 5” x 9” loaf pan, or 2 small 8” x 4” loaf pans

Ingredients:

½ c. butter or substitute*

3 eggs

½ greek yogurt

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 tbsp. Lemon juice

¾ c. sugar

2 ½ c. Grated zucchini

Ingredients:
3 c. Flour**

1 tsp. Baking soda

1 tsp. Baking powder

1 tsp. Salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Melt butter a little. Mix butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, yogurt, and lemon juice. Add zucchini and mix. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in separate bowl. Add wet mixture to dry and stir well. Empty mixture into greased pan (or pans) and bake for 55 minutes. Allow to cool completely before removing loaf from pan. Enjoy!

notes:

*I used Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks in this recipe

**I like to use spelt flour, but any all purpose flour will work