Two recent stories in the Courier have got me thinking more about our cooperative model. To me, they reinforce the value of local ownership. Too often we’re at the mercy of executives or shareholders who live outside our area.
Banana Bread Recipe
Banana Bread
This recipe uses much less sugar than conventional recipes. We used stevia as a replacement for most of the sugar, but it’s still sweet and delicious! Remember when using stevia, it’s twice as sweet so you only need half as much.
Get Moving in May
May is the month where spring seems to finally have a strong grasp on the weather and nature is confident enough to start growing in earnest. May is also National Bike Month, an initiative created by the League of American Cyclists in 1956, to encourage people to get back on their bikes. National Bike Month events happen all across the country, providing educational and recreational opportunities to help people choose bicycling as a hobby and as a mode of transportation. Two events in particular occur simultaneously across the nation; Bike to Work Week, held on May 11-15, and National Bike to Work Day, on May 15.
MAY WE SHARE THE LOVE WITH YOU?
Yes, of course we may and we ARE! Just like every month, it’s a fabulous month to be a Cedar Falls Food Co-op member!
During the month of May member-owners who show their co-op membership card will receive 10% off an order plus a free small cup of coffee at Cottonwood Canyon Coffee located at 218 E 4th St in Waterloo. So generous & we’re feeling the love this spring!
From the Board President:
A few weeks ago, I was talking to a Cedar Falls woman about the Co-op while at Hartman Reserve’s Earth Fair. She had previously lived in Decorah, and was a frequent shopper at Oneota Food Co-op. “I LOVE that co-op,” she told me repeatedly. I agree with her, it’s a wonderful co-op.
Farmers Market Season is Upon Us!
The season for farmers markets has finally arrived! Whether you’re looking for locally grown organic produce or handmade goods, farmers markets are an excellent place to reconnect with your community. Besides providing a direct market for local producers farmers markets have a positive impact on the local economy, with a study conducted by Iowa State University for the Iowa Farmers’ Market Association in 2003 finding that farmers markets contributed up to $20 million in sales and another $12 million in direct and indirect economic activity (such as tourism). Farmers markets also reduce the environmental impact of food buying by reducing transportation costs and encouraging environmentally friendly farming practices. Be sure to visit one of our many local markets this season to show your support and see what your community has to offer!
Meet the Rockstars!
From the very beginning, the Cedar Falls Food Co-op has relied on volunteers to keep the momentum going. Two artist have made a huge impact on the Cedar Falls Food Co-op. Meet rockstars Desiree Dahl, who created our logo, and Matt Rafferty, who created our video.
Desiree Dahl is an Iowa artist working primarily in printmaking and graphic design. She graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in studio art from UNI with an emphasis in printmaking and a minor in art history. She worked as a graphic designer for the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences at UNI for three years, and has worked on freelance and pro-bono projects for community organizations. As an artist-designer hybrid, she seeks to maintain creativity and quality, and work on projects that promote organizations with a positive mission.
A Cedar Valley native, Matt Rafferty graduated from UNI in May of 2014 with a bachelor of science in biology honors research. Along with his studies, he pursued a life long interest in videography and photography by starting his own production company. Matt’s work has been featured nationally with organizations such as the American Heartworm Society and Educause. His 2011 PSA video “Protecting Your Computer in a Public Place” earned a first place award in Educause’s national security contest. Matt is looking forward to continue growing his business and helping people express themselves creatively.
From the Board President:
On Monday, March 23 at Three Pines Farm Board and committee members sat down together to share a home cooked meal that included marinated asparagus, split pea soup, sweet potato and quinoa chili, a fresh green salad, homemade biscuits, a growler of SingleSpeed’s Cooperate beer, and other delicious items. It was soul warming, a evening filled with satisfying food and wonderful people. But it was also an informative evening as the four Board members who attended the Up & Coming, Up & Running food co-op conference in February shared details about what we learned.
Celebrate Earth Day!: 5 reasons Food Co-ops are Good For the Earth
- Co-ops promote and offer local options
When farmers, producers, and artisans are able to sell their goods locally there is not much of a carbon footprint to be left behind.
Food co-ops work with local growers and business to provide a place to sell their goods. This keeps transportation and fuel use down, and provides the freshest possible produce to customers. It also keeps dollars local.
Imagine getting you’re fresh tomatoes from a few miles away rather than flown, trucked, railed, and or shipped all the way from Mexico!
The best part is things taste better when they’re not shipped half way around the world.
Buy local!