Willy Street Co-op (Madison, WI)

Have you heard of the local foods movement? Why is this a nationwide phenomenon? There is more demand than ever to know where our food is coming from and more people are deciding to vote with their pocketbooks, and in this case, really putting their money where their mouths are. The Cedar Falls Food Co-op is committed to providing locally sourced products on our shelves once our store is open. Since our store will be a one-stop-shop model (meaning that you can find your grocery needs all in one store), we will also have products from further afield, but we will source locally whenever possible.

Oneota Community Food Co-op (Decorah, IA)

Here are several reasons why we support buying local:

Supporting Local Farmers and Producers

Cooperative principal number 7 is Concern for Community. We want to get to know farmers and business owners in our own backyard and also encourage them to provide us with fresh, quality produce, honey, cheeses, beauty products and much more. A food co-op supports an average of 157 local producers compared to 65 at a conventional grocery store.

Keeping Dollars Local

Money spent on local products supports those producers, and money paid to them goes back into the local economy via income they earn and taxes they pay. On average, 38% of revenue generated by co-ops is spent locally compared to 24% at conventional stores. In addition, a co-op is a local business, employing people within the community who receive better pay and benefits than those who work at big-box stores.

Reducing Carbon Footprint

Have you heard of food miles – the transportation of food from production to consumption? Studies have shown that the average distance traveled for a conventionally grown meal a U.S. person eats is 1500 miles! That’s a lot of fuel, not to mention the energy used to keep that food from spoiling before it reaches you – which for produce ranges from 4 to 7 days from the time it’s picked to when it reaches the supermarket shelf. No wonder a conventionally grown tomato often tastes so lifeless compared to one fresh-picked at the farmers market. Co-ops support healthy, sustainable living, and reducing food miles is a great start.

Eating What’s in Season

Local growers are providing produce that is in season, as anyone who has supported a CSA (community supported agriculture) knows. Eating what grows naturally in your environment is a healthy way to enjoy the freshest produce possible. We will compliment CSAs and other local producers by providing additional ways for them to sell their in-season products.

How will we define what we consider local? Co-ops vary in their definitions because of where they are located as well as availability of produce (often the definition is within a certain mileage radius). What we will deem a local product is yet to be determined and will hinge upon conversations with our member-owners as well as recommendations from other co-ops and consultants. Do you have an opinion? Let us know by emailing us at info@cedarfallsfood.coop.

The seven cooperative principles are what sets a cooperative business apart from other businesses. Many of us ensconced in the day-to-day work it takes to get our community-owned grocery store here live these principles, but we need to ensure that all of you, our readership, have a solid grasp of this unique foundation that creates one of the best business models available.

So, why are these principles so important? Co-ops must abide by them ultimately creating businesses that are honest, just, transparent, behave with integrity, and remain accountable in every way to one another and the community they serve.

Principle 1: Open and Voluntary Membership

• A Co-op is a voluntary organization open to everyone
• No gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination

Everyone is welcome! Anyone can join the Co-op, but also anyone can shop in our store when it’s open and attend our events (with the exception of the annual member meeting).

Principle 2: Democratic Member Control

• A Co-op is a democratic organization
• Member-owners actively participate in policies and decisions (One member=One Vote)

Member-owners purchase a member share in the Co-op. This is different from an ongoing fee you pay for membership to many other organizations. Once you own a share, you have an equal vote and say in your Co-op and how it is run. Your vote is most often used to elect board members who represent member-owners in day-to-day decision making. But member-owners are listened to and can voice concerns every step of the way.

Principle 3: Member Economic Participation

• Member-owners contribute equitably to the cooperative capital
• Profits are reinvested into the Co-op itself, or other membership-approved activities

Each member-share is an equal ownership in your co-op. In profitable years, member-owners may receive dividends dependent upon frequency of purchases in the store.

Principle 4: Autonomy and Independence

• A Co-op is an autonomous, self-help organization
• Controlled by its members

Co-ops are not part of larger corporations, but instead respond to their board elected by the member-ownership. Co-ops are locally focused and locally controlled which provides more community connection and buy-in.

Principle 5: Education, Training and Information

• A Co-op provides education and training, not just for members, but for community betterment as well

Co-ops educate. Co-ops train. Co-ops provide information. Co-ops focus these provisions on membership, employees, elected representatives, managers, and also provide details about the nature and benefits of cooperation to the general public.

Principle 6: Cooperation among Cooperatives

• Cooperative businesses collaborate rather than compete with one another to ensure the best opportunity for success within and among these businesses.

When starting up and once doors are open, our Co-op is reaching out to as well as providing assistance for other food co-ops across the nation. We help one another progress more quickly by not having to recreate the wheel at every step but instead sharing ideas, discussing both successes and failures, and promoting one another.

Principle 7: Concern for Community

• A Co-op works toward sustainable development of its own community
• Member-owners develop policies toward this end

With regards to sustainable community enhancement, the Co-op should be present and behind these efforts. When a co-op is focusing energies on opening doors, much of the concern for community is wrapped up in efforts to bring the store to the area sooner rather than later. While maintaining this focus, the Co-op finds ways to collaborate with community organizations, participates in service projects, and promotes community engagement in a multitude of ways that will become even more robust once we have a viable and vibrant grocery store.

There you have it! Your 7 Cooperative Principles explained. I encourage you to revisit these from time to time to fully understand the unique business we are bringing to the Cedar Valley. As always, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. Thanks for your time and support.

Melanie Drake

Outreach Coordinator

outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop

There was a virtual revolving door at 250 State Street at a co-op party hosted by member-owners Jim and LeAnne Sprau. The buzz over the future food co-op around downtown Cedar Falls was electric. “Sign me up!” became the mantra that evening, which ended with 9 new member-owners! Huge thanks to Jim and LeAnne as well as other house-party hosts in June: Dianna LaPole Geiger, Glenn Keith and Michelle Jungers, and Ethan Wiechmann. More member-hosted gatherings, which are a great way to introduce new people to the Co-op, are in the works – let me know if you have an event planned or want help planning one.

Wow!

We started the month of June with 765 member-owners and an ambitious goal to reach 850 by the month’s end. In addition to the aforementioned gatherings, member-owners shared Facebook posts, reached out to friends and neighbors, marched alongside Rooty in the Sturgis parade, and proudly wore Co-op t-shirts and carried Co-op tote bags. They also continue to display Co-op yard signs. Member-owners definitely made it happen – we ended our month with 846 member-owners, and we hit a record number of new members for one month with 81!

Wow!

June brought new volunteers, events, and community partnerships. We were thrilled to partner with Randolph Bryan of Cottonwood Canyon for a plus-one event with live music and delicious food where 6 new member-owners joined for a chance to win a kayak. Did you see it at Cottonwood Canyon or around town? Thanks to Scott at The Runner’s Flat and Nick at Second State for displaying the kayak, and member-owner Tara Sundt for volunteering to transport it between venues. Speaking of Second State, everyone is invited there to celebrate the record month of June at the next Co-op Connections on Thursday, July 12 from 5 – 6:45 p.m. Raise a pint in celebration and be on hand for the drawing to find out who will be the lucky kayak owner.

Wow!

Several committee members headed to Decorah mid-June to see Oneota Community Food Co-op. We are grateful for the in-depth tour provided by outreach manager, Phil showing us what we can look forward to when the Cedar Falls Food Co-op opens. This 8,000 square foot store is in the heart of downtown Decorah with a community kitchen space right next door. Thanks to Kelsey Hammers-Park for creating an informative video, which provides a taste of what’s to come in Cedar Falls. Check out the video HERE!

Wow!

With each new member-owner, we gain even more momentum. There’s no reason why July 2018 can be just as exciting. Member-owners are making it happen. Thank you all for your support in bringing this community-owned business to the Cedar Valley.

So I say once more, Wow!

Melanie Drake

Outreach Coordinator

outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop

73.

This is the number of area businesses offering deals and discounts to Co-op member-owners, so don’t forget to carry your member-owner card. From New Dawn Yoga in Cedar Falls to the Shinehouse in Evansdale to Wild Carrot in Waverly to Jameson’s in Waterloo, businesses throughout the Cedar Valley partner with the Cedar Falls Food Co-op in this important way.

Member-owners who are already taking advantage of these business partner deals often marvel that they have gained back most of their member share cost with the money they’ve saved at these establishments. I’ve certainly done so via classes at Three Pines Farm, my free sheet set from Fosters Mattress, many trips to Cottonwood Canyon, Cup of Joe, and Sidecar for my coffee fix, dining out at various business partners including Ginger Thai and SingleSpeed, grabbing a brew with friends at Lark or Second State, getting running shoes at the Runner’s Flat, and purchasing gifts at Miss Wonderful, Mohair Pear and Purse-N-ality. My list of savings goes on, but you get the point.

If you haven’t yet taken advantage of these business partner savings, what are you waiting for? If you are a member-owner and have yet to use your Co-op card to get your 5% off of milk at Hansen’s or a tea/food discount at Laughing Tree Tea & Café, you are missing out. And if you have been thinking of becoming a member-owner but are wondering what you get for your investment, this program is an amazing value worth checking out. I’ve already highlighted several shops and restaurants, but there are many more business partners including yoga, chiropractic care, other co-ops, home and garden improvement, photography, massage therapists, boat rentals, wellness professionals, and more.

Is your curiosity piqued? Check out the latest deals here including links to business pages: http://rootedcarrot.coop/business-partner-specials/

Co-op member-owner Jennifer Garrett’s curiosity got the best of her, and she recently looked into how much she has saved using her member-owner card for business partner discounts. She shared with us how a member-owner can make purchases over a specific lengths of time and replenish the $200 invested in a Co-op member share. The following are some of her examples:

A $200 member share can be replenished through purchasing…

• 2 gallons of milk per week at Hansen’s Dairy Outlet (5% off of milk) over 10 years.
• One Sidecar coffee 3 times per week (10% discount) over 3 years.
• 2 tickets to productions at the Waterloo Community Playhouse ($5 off of each) and dinner out at one of our restaurant business partners (often 10% off). If you do this 4 times per year, your membership is paid off in 3 years.

Finally, if you used each of our business partner discount/specials only once in a year and spent at least $10 at each place (or the minimum stated in the business partner deal), your savings are almost $700. That’s the equivalent of 3.5 member-owner shares!!!

Our cooperative grocery store is not yet open, and we are grateful to those who are investing as founding members at this exciting time in our development. Huge thanks to the 73 businesses who support us by providing deep discounts to our member owners before they are able to shop at the Cedar Falls Food Co-op. We look forward to many more business partnerships in our co-op’s future!

Melanie Drake

Outreach Coordinator

outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop

Whatever you believe about moon energy, I imagine you feel some sense of awe when gazing at the moon, and perhaps if you saw this phenomenon that feeling was intensified. This is what I’m feeling about the Co-op right now – an amplified sense of awe and wonder.

As a co-op, we are in super-blue-blood-moon mode – and NOT because we are a rare phenomenon; In fact there are around 120 start-up co-ops throughout the U.S. Instead, I believe we are in this mode because we are in a time of incredible and unique energy as we find ourselves poised on that next and final phase in our Co-op’s journey – finding our store site and ultimately opening our storefront!

The co-op energy is palpable: In January, we co-hosted our annual Member Mixer with Second State Brewing Co. This was a “plus one” event to which many members brought guests who were interested in hearing more about our efforts. Four people became new member-owners, and everyone had a fabulous time catching up, meeting new people, and enjoying good food and drink. Over a dozen volunteers made soups and breads to share, while more than 80 people gathered, finding great food, drink and company on an otherwise rainy evening.

Back by popular demand, our potlucks start up again this month on February 20 at 6 p.m. We are grateful to Second State Brewing Company for allowing us to bring our own food while also providing 10% off of beer draws for card-carrying Co-op member-owners.  Our potlucks (like almost all of our events) are open to the public. All that we ask is that you bring a dish to share, but we also encourage you to bring your own tableware to help us reduce garbage waste.

There are so many exciting things coming up this year with the Co-op that I won’t be able to list them all. But, here’s a teaser:

• Co-op Connections: Every month, these casual gatherings pop up at local businesses around the Cedar Valley region. Drop in to get your co-op questions answered, meet new people, and have more one-one time with others in the community. These local businesses partner with the Co-op to offer discounts to member-owners so don’t forget to bring your card. The next Co-op Connections will occur Monday, February 12 from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. at Cup of Joe and Thursday, March 8 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. at Urban Pie.
• Co-op Book Club: Recently formed, this book club has been a popular event on the Co-op calendar. The group discussed Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Mineral in January. Devil in the White City by Erik Larsen is the February read. The group will meet on February 26 at 4:45 (location TBD). They plan to meet the fourth Monday of each month.
• Co-op Trivia Night: In March, we will co-host a trivia night which promises to be a fun-filled event. Start brushing up on your trivia skills and stay tuned for more details soon.

I tell people that even without a store, we are a co-op already. We are a co-op of people actively engaged with one another and the community in many positive ways. Not the least of those ways include the five committees through which volunteers keep the momentum moving forward on ensuring our Co-op will be in the Cedar Valley for generations to come. When I attend committee and Board meetings, I’m always struck by the enthusiastic energy and dedication from those in the room. If you have interest in learning more about the work these committees do, I am happy to speak with you about them; you are also welcome to visit meetings so you can see for yourself what they are all about. Our upcoming committee and board meetings are always listed in the sidebar on the right side of your co-op newsletter, The Garlic Press.

The Cedar Falls Food Co-op phenomenon is happening and I’m so glad for all who are on board to experience it! Thank you.

Melanie Drake

Outreach Coordinator
outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop

319-830-3398

A Growing Community
This was our biggest year for membership growth. 2017 saw an increase of 227 new owners! We had our largest individual month of membership growth in June with 78 new member-owners. That’s a 58% increase from the previous June! More important than numbers, however is the fact that our Co-op community is growing and more people across the Cedar Valley are learning about and supporting our efforts. In fact, we now have owners from 39 cities in Iowa and more than 10 states. 75% of our ownership comes from Cedar Falls, and almost 10% comes from Waterloo. Waverly and Denver combined represent 5% of our member-owners. This support shows that the Cedar Valley is ready for a grocery store that supports local producers, healthy and sustainable foods and other products, and community-based events.

Stellar Campaigns and Events
From our new yard signs to our kayak giveaway to our presence at a variety of community events across the Cedar Valley, your Co-op friends have been busy planning campaigns and events that spread the word and further our business goals. Your Co-op is here already in the Cedar Valley community whether a group of us is volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity build, communing at one of our monthly potlucks, or gathering for a book club discussion. Don’t forget to keep checking our Facebook page, which has the most updated event and campaign information. Our next event is on January 21 at Second State Brewing in Cedar Falls. Join us for our Plus One Member Mixer from 4 – 6 p.m. All are welcome!

Fabulous Member-owner Discounts
Our business partner program has grown significantly this year, with more than 65 businesses throughout the Cedar Valley providing discounts to member-owners! What does your $200 investment in a member-share give you? Besides the opportunity to be a founding member-owner with a vote and a voice on the front-end regarding how the Co-op will look and run, you also get discounts at restaurants and specialty food shops, other co-ops and health stores, chiropractors and holistic health practitioners, yoga and pilates, retail businesses and so much more. Check out all of our discounts via our business partners right here. Don’t forget to carry your member-owner card in order to take advantage of these deals.

As someone who has been with this start-up from the beginning, I continue to be inspired and amazed by everything we have accomplished. While there is more work to be done, now that we are in the final stages of development, I can visualize our storefront more vividly. I envision how much it will contribute to this region as I continue to experience the energy and enthusiasm this community has for bringing a cooperative grocery store to the Cedar Valley.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Melanie Drake
Outreach Coordinator
outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop

The energy was palpable on Tuesday night as more than two dozen volunteers cheerfully set up for the 4^th annual Fall Food Fest. Then local growers and producers began showing up with goodies to share. Doors opened, the music started, and people of all ages began streaming in. With local food samples from apples (Blueridge Orchard) and tomatoes (Kaiser Farms), to yogurt (Country View Dairy) and cheese (Hansen’s Dairy), to pork (Joia Food Farm) and Thai food (Chotto House/Ginger Thai), to pie (the Pie Lady) and spice demonstrations (Luann Alemao and Assoc./Frontier Co-op), to microgreens (CC Greens) and corn (Kerns Homegrown and Fitkin Popcorn), guests had plenty of opportunities to taste as well as talk to local producers and business people about their quality products. Good Neighbor and the UNI Local Foods Program also added to the education that evening. Children greeted (or sometimes hid from) Rooty the Co-op Carrot while waiting in line to have their faces painted (thanks, Hearst Center!). The musical duo, Fuzzy Logic, entertained the crowd. Lucky attendees walked away with fabulous door prizes including gift cards from many of the Co-op’s business partners plus knife sets from Rada Cutlery. Candidates in the upcoming Board elections mingled with guests, and people stopped by the membership table to pick up their Co-op bags, buy a T-shirt or sign up to become a member-owner. This year, two food trucks (La Calle and Kubo) added to the ambience by offering more delectable local treats outdoors. When the fun concluded, the volunteers who stayed after to clean up basked in the glow of what good community embodies.

Eight new members joined that night, bringing the membership numbers to more than 690! This is an incredible number – we have had a 26% increase in members since the beginning of June (545 at that time)! But member growth is only part of the tale of your Cedar Falls Food Co-op. While we don’t have a brick and mortar store yet, those of us working closely on this project often say that our Co-op is present in the community of people involved. Whether that is someone stopping by a booth to ask questions and learn more about our efforts, or someone engaged throughout the month in committee or board work, your Co-op is here and growing. Community-owned is an apt description of your Co-op and the grocery store it is becoming. We are almost 700 member-owners strong, and the momentum continues.

Three years ago, the first Fall Food Fest had a great turnout, and many joined to become the first member-owners. This year, new members included at least one person who is brand new to this community. This is not unusual, as we see again and again that people who are new to our community immediately begin making connections to the Cedar Valley via the Co-op. This is a positive sign. We are a co-op. We will be here for future generations, because we are taking steps to get this right and be sustainable for many decades to come. Thank you all for your continued support and enthusiasm.

Most recently, Octopus College Hill provided the venue, jazz music, and drink specials for our Co-op Celebration (August 27) of how far we’ve grown in membership this summer. More than 75 people attended, and it was a party to remember with amazing appetizers donated by Co-op volunteers and incentives for people who joined the co-op that night. In addition, we had door prizes donated from Chad’s Pizza, Copyworks, Mohair Pear, and Sidecar Coffee. This event helped us cross the threshold of 670 member-owners!

Downtown businesses across the Cedar Valley have been key to our outreach through providing space for our information table and creating unique deals for people who join during a specific time frame. Special thanks to Bryan’s on 4^th, Chocolaterie Stam, Crawdaddy Outdoors, Miss Wonderful, and The Runner’s Flat for providing fun ways for us promote the Co-op’s efforts this year.

In addition, a new tradition has begun through regularly scheduled potlucks hosted at Second State Brewing Co. I hope you will join us for the next one September 12 at 6 p.m. You won’t want to miss it – the delicious food is becoming legendary!

And finally, a shout-out to Mill Race, the collaborative coworking space downtown Cedar Falls. We use this fabulous location for our board and committee meetings, and are thrilled to be in partnership with them.

If you want to see more local business and producer support of your Co-op in action, join us for our Fall Food Fest on September 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Cedar Falls Community Center. Together, we ARE creating a community-grown grocery store!

News about the Co-op is spreading rapidly through word of mouth, yard signs, local news coverage, and a variety of events where the Co-op has a presence. Before June, I spent much of my time asking people if they knew about the Co-op – and almost as much time explaining what it is; Now people often approach us inquiring, “Can you tell me more about the Cedar Falls Food Co-op that I’m hearing and seeing so much about?”

This renewed energy and interest in the Co-op would not have happened if it weren’t for our volunteers who provide an amazing amount hours of support and energy to our efforts. From dressing up as Rooty the Co-op carrot to making nutritious food for an event to delivering yard signs and founding member tote bags, our volunteers make things happen. In June alone, more than 35 volunteers donated over 400 hours of their time!

I want to end with a big THANK YOU to every single one of our volunteers whether board members, committee members, booth staff, chefs, and much more. You are the reason why our Co-op is happening!

The Cedar Falls Food Co-op is pleased to announce that Melanie Drake has accepted the position of Outreach Coordinator. She will work with new and potential members to help the Cedar Falls Food Co-op move closer to realizing a new store.  The hiring committee interviewed a number of fantastic candidates but felt that Melanie was the best fit for the position.

“I’m thrilled to be in the position of the Outreach Coordinator for the Cedar Falls Food Co-op,” said Melanie. “My husband and I moved to Cedar Falls four years ago because of the community. I had no idea at that time that I would be so involved in the efforts to start a food co-op in the Cedar Valley region. It has been an amazing journey so far with so many dedicated community members who have given countless hours to this endeavor.

“We will have a food co-op in Cedar Falls. While I know we all want this tomorrow, we are taking the time to be intentional about the process and make sure we cover all of the necessary steps to have a sustainable co-op for generations to come.  If there is one thing you take away from this message, let it be the following – when I or others reach out to you to assist with Co-op activities, please always respond to us, even if the answer is, “no.” We would much rather hear from you and know you remain committed to our efforts, even if you cannot assist at that time, then hear nothing from you at all. Thanks to all who have provided support so far and thanks in advance to everyone who will be giving their time and talent for our future efforts.”

By accepting the position, Melanie has stepped down from the Co-op’s Board of Directors. The Board will be appointing a new member to fill her vacancy. Please join us in welcoming Melanie in her new role!