While our board and committee members continue important behind-the-scenes work on site selection, name change, and much more, there are also upcoming public events we are planning and welcome your attendance! The following events are for the whole community, meaning that you don’t have to be a member-owner to join in on the fun. We do hope you will ask questions at these events and consider investing in your community in this important way if you haven’t yet.Continue reading
When we lived in California, this time of year was one of my favorite times. The apples were ready for harvesting. Our home was Petaluma in Northern California, a region that is wine and fruit country. Napa, Sonoma, Sebastopol and Santa Rosa are towns where good food, great wine and the best apples are grown. Good food comes from fresh ingredients, great wines happen because of the climate and the wine makers, and the apples grow in in excellent ground. You can pick your own apples or stop at an apple stand and get Gravensteins, then go for a picnic in the Red Woods. Gravensteins don’t ship well, but the local folks consumed most of the crop anyway. But you can find great apples from local orchards around here too such as Blueridge Orchard, Timeless Prairie Orchard, and Apples on the Avenue.Continue reading
Several Co-op members and friends, had the privilege of hanging out with owner Lindsay Kaiser of Kaiser Farm at her garden in Waverly last month. Kaiser Farm is a Certified Organic grower with goals of protecting the fertile Iowa soils and providing their customers with the best produce possible. Lindsay is also a co-op member-owner and huge supporter. Having offered a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program in the past, with the addition of a second little one to the family last year, Kaiser Farm has decided to focus exclusively on the Cedar Falls Farmer’s Market this season. Continue reading
When I think summer, I think of food my mother made from scratch: the pies, the jellies, and the freezer full of vegetables and fruit she preserved. My favorite summer vegetable is that grand globe of red goodness called a tomato. We had tomato sandwiches, tomato and cucumber salad, sliced tomatoes and fried green tomatoes. My favorite of those of course were the fried green tomatoes. My mother was a master at making them. I imagine you might like this recipe to use some of those garden tomatoes if you are willing to pick them green.Continue reading
The Co-op is pleased to announce the appointments of two new members to serve on the board of directors.Continue reading
We have great news for those who enjoyed last month’s Potluck in the Park as well as anyone who was sad to miss it: We are having this popular event at Washington Park in Cedar Falls (located at the end of east 9th Street) again this month! Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 13th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and join us.Continue reading
In cooperation with the Hearst Center for the Arts, your co-op will be hosting journalist and author Jon Steinman this fall. Jon, who wrote the fascinating new book, Grocery Story: The Promise of Food Co-ops in the Age of Grocery Giants will be making the only Iowa stop during his book tour across the United States.Continue reading
Travis and Lindsay are excited to host a group of co-op volunteers on their certified organic farm on Tuesday, July 16, from 4-6:30 p.m. Volunteers will have an opportunity to get their hands dirty while learning about the work that goes on during the summer months on the farm. The group will help with some farm tasks and will be treated to a tour of the farm. Plus, there will be some yummy food samples to round out the evening. This is a unique opportunity to connect with the land and support the organic and sustainable food movement in our own community. Space is limited, so sign up if you would like to volunteer and learn more about one of our local farms owned by fellow co-op member-owners.
This is coming up next week – Tuesday, July 16 from 4 – 6:30 p.m. Space is limited, so sign up soon at the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080F4EA8AD2DA6F94-kaiser
Carpooling is encouraged – please plan accordingly to arrive by 4 p.m. If you wish to carpool but don’t know others on the list, please email outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop.
The evening was perfect on Monday for our outdoor potluck at Washington Park in Cedar Falls. Co-op friends of all ages joined together for food, friendship and fun. Guests arrived by bicycle and car, bringing delicious dishes to share including homemade chocolates, freshly squeezed juice, and a variety of refreshing salads among other delectable delights.Continue reading
Sometimes pictures say more than words, so this month’s column will be shorter than usual. Instead, I’ve put my thoughts in the video below.
Bottom line: This Co-op is not going to open itself. We all need to pitch in to do our share to help launch the Cedar Valley’s only community-owned and community-built grocery store.
All kinds of volunteers are needed, but we’re in particular need for people who are good with finances and communications. If you are interested in joining the growing number of volunteers who are pitching in to build the Co-op, please contact me (tomwick@sbcglobal.net) today.
In cooperation,
Tom Wickersham