From the Board President: By the Numbers: The Co-op Index

As our Co-op continues to move closer to opening a full-service, community owned grocery store, we tend to gauge our progress on one factor: how many members we have. As I’ve written before, our progress is determined by multiple factors: sales projections, annual budgets, capital raised, number of house parties, etc. At our last board meeting we spent a lot of time discussing how to increase the number of member-owners attending the upcoming annual Member-Owner meeting (save the date: Tuesday, Oct. 24 in the evening).

This got me thinking: It’s all about the numbers. It’s not, for example, as powerful to tell people that we have a Business Partner program where local businesses are supporting our efforts by offering discounts at their stores for Co-op members. It’s more powerful to say that 57 businesses are part of this program!

So, with apologies to the Harper’s Magazine, I’d like to present to you, The Cedar Falls Food Co-op Index:Continue reading→

Board Happenings: July 2017

– We had an AMAZING June, and July was another great month for membership. A huge congrats and thanks to everyone who helped us grow to this point.
– So far this years our volunteers have donated over 410 hours, totaling over $40,000 worth of wages.
– We’ve heard how much you all love the yards signs. If you were able to get one before we ran out, snap a selfie with it and tag us to let all your friends know how proud you are to be a co-op owner!
– We know that August is going to be just as great as June and July we’re already planning to celebrate. Join us at the Octopus on August 27th as we work out way Onward and Upward to 700!
– We’ve decided to become a member of the Cooperative Grocer Network. This is a national network of food co-ops that offers a number of benefits, including discounts, resources, and access to industry experts.
– Now accepting applications for our next set of Board members. If you’re interested in learning more or applying, visit CedarFallsFood.coop for more information.

Recipe: Lavender Lemonade

Summer is a great time to enjoy some fresh squeezed lavender lemonade. After trying different recipes, and playing around with the ingredients, this combination may be one your family loves. Steep the lavender buds and mix the tea with fresh squeezed lemons and just the right amount of honey… delicious, enjoy! Bonus, the ingredients are good for headaches, allergies, and colds too.


Ingredients:
2 c. of boiling water
2 Tbsp of lavender buds
3/4 c. raw unfiltered honey
1-1 1/2 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice (3-4 larger lemons)
Cold water

Directions:
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the lavender buds, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Pour tea into a 2 quart pitcher. Add honey and stir until dissolved. Add 1 to 1 1/2 c fresh squeezed lemon juice to the pitcher (depending on how tart you like it) and mix. Add cold water to make 2 quarters, mix, enjoy, or refrigerator for later.

Bring Home the Savings (or Let Them Come to You)

What can save energy in your home and add a stylish accent? Window treatments of course!  Now co-op member owners can shop at Budget Blinds of Waterloo to save 25% off their order plus receive a free decorative pillow on orders over $500! Budget Blinds has been in business since 2012 and offer shutters, blinds, draperies, shades and window film. Their selection includes window treatment solutions for commercial buildings, child safe options, and they even extend their design sense to flooring, bedding, and wall decor. Follow this link to their website to learn more: http://www.budgetblinds.com/decorative-film/.

 

 

If shopping for new window treatments left you hungry, consider Chad’s Pizza on 23rd Street in Cedar Falls. Chad’s does a whole lot more than pizza, including appetizers, chicken or fish tubs and combos, basket dinners, sandwiches, salads, and burgers. Make sure you try some of their specialties such as the Funk Burger or the Panther Pizza. Rather have them bring the pizza to you? Chad’s delivers in style so look out of the Chadillac pizza delivery service! Offering daily specials and regular entertainment, Chad’s has a lot to offer as a co-op business partner. Co-op member owners can enjoy pizza on a weekly basis with this special offer: Buy 1 Large (14″) specialty pizza (a $17.95 regular price) per week for $50 a month, 3 Large specialty pizzas per week for $135 a month, and 6 Large specialty pizzas per week for $240 a month. Ask about their healthy pizza diet options! Contact Chad’s Pizza with discount questions. Look at their menu here: http://www.chadspizzacf.com/menu.html.

 

Don’t forget to check out the rest of our business partners! Find them here: https://rootedcarrot.coop/business-partner-specials/

 

Lots to do and Little Time…

Do you want to help your Cedar Falls Food Co-op, but you don’t have time to volunteer? No worries! You can donate an item needed to help our Co-op run so that we can focus our limited budget on other start-up costs it takes to open our grocery store.

 

The list may fluctuate as we continue in our progress, but here are some current needs:

  • Forever Stamps
  • 100% Recycled multipurpose office paper (8.5” x 11”)
  • Paper Cutter
  • Ink for Co-op Printer
  • Access to a copier for small-batch Co-op jobs (under 50 copies)
  • Storage space (like a dry basement or garage) for some co-op supplies
  • Potential incentive gifts (tickets to a local show, gift card to a local business, etc.)

 

If you are interested in donating any of these items or have another idea for an item to donate, please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Melanie Drake at outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop or 319-830-3398.

 

Thank you for your continued support of your Cedar Falls Food Co-op!

From the Board President: Year End Updates: Happy New Year!

Like many businesses, the Cedar Falls Food Co-op operates on a June through July fiscal year. That means July is the beginning of our “new year,” and it also marks the beginning of our 4th year of operations. But this is no ordinary year of operations. It’s during this year that we’ll be tackling some of the most exciting steps in the Co-op’s development. Let’s take a moment for some updates and then a look ahead at what’s in store (pun intended) for your Co-op…Continue reading→

Board Happenings: June 2017

  • We have a budget! Co-op business isn’t all fun and kayak giveaways. Just like any other business, we propose and adopt a budget every year. It’s not exciting, but it’s an important part of what we do, and we spend plenty of time making sure we’re using our funds wisely.
  • Have you been to one of our Co-op potlucks? We’re planning to continue these throughout the year to give our members a chance to enjoy great food and even greater company.
  • October will be here before you know it! We’ve started planning for our Annual Member Meeting and getting ready for our Board elections. If you or someone you know is passionate about building the Co-op, you’re encouraged to run for one of the open Board seats!
  • Our next meeting will be July 17th, at 7pm, at Millrace. Guests are welcome!

Reaching 600 Members

What’s in a number? Quite a lot, as it turns out. Especially in the on-going effort to raise enough members to help open the doors for a community-owned grocery store.

When the Cedar Falls Food Co-op incorporated in the fall of 2014, the goal was to get 1,000 individuals to each become a founding member. The sooner we got 1,000 members, the sooner we’d have a grocery store.Continue reading→

From the Board President: The Advantages of Community Ownership

Six years ago, when my wife and I were considering a move to Cedar Falls, we met with a group of residents, and, over lunch, listened to them explain what they liked and didn’t like about living in this part of Iowa. “What’s one of the best things about living in Cedar Falls?” we asked. Do you know what they all agreed on? It was the municipally-owned Cedar Falls Utilities. They said that with the local control, there’s better service and better prices.Continue reading→