In this month's newsletter:
- BAM! Boneyard Arts Market
- Financial Meeting of Owners & Riggs Event
- A Word from the General Manager
- A Word from the Board of Directors
- Plant, Seed & Garden Supply Swap
- New Artist Installation: Logan Ingold
- Sparkling Beverage Sampling Event
- Cheesemaking Cooking Class & Kit
- Perennial Class Series: Cocktails & Mixers
- Looking Ahead: May Owner Appreciation Days & Annual Plant Sale Fundraiser
- Round Up For Good
- Local Producer Spotlight: Silver Tree Beer & Spirits
- Recipe Features
- New Products
- National Beer Day
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Tomorrow, Saturday April 2nd! |
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BAM is a one-day market for local artists to sell and showcase their work to the public! Common Ground will be setting up a special arts café in the middle of the market featuring artist inspired drinks and snacks. Art Coop will also be hosting art demonstrations and face painting. BAM! will take place in the Common Ground Mall Hallway on Saturday from 10am - 6pm. |
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Invitations were sent via email last week. Please RSVP to attend the Financial Meeting of Owners and receive the virtual Zoom link. If you did not receive an invite, please contact us at [email protected]. |
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Hello Cooperators,
I am very happy to make this pre- Financial Meeting of Owners announcement in our newsletter! If you want to hear more, please come to the Financial Meeting of Owners on April 14th!
During the February Board meeting, our Board voted unanimously to approve the pay-off of the remainder of our 2012 owner loans. This is cause for celebration!
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2022 Financial Meeting of Owners
by Calvin Wang
Join us at 6pm on Thursday, April 14th for our annual Financial Meeting of Owners. Similar to last year, we will be hosting a virtual meeting.
Join us after at Riggs Brewery from
8-10 pm! The first 40 attendees will receive a free beer.
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Sparkling Beverage Sampling Event |
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Join us on the porch on Saturday, April 9th from 10am - 12pm to try some new sparkling beverages! The event is free to attend and will feature a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. |
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If you've been wanting to try your hand at cheesemaking, here's your chance! Long-time CGFC instructor Anna Barnes is returning to teach you how to make quick mozzarella and mascarpone just in time to pair with summer basil, tomatoes, and peaches. You can use equipment you already have in your kitchen: a nonreactive pot and bowl, fine colander, clean kitchen gloves, and a reliable thermometer.
The $30 class kit will include the local Kilgus Farmstead milk, cream, culturing agents (all vegetarian), and butter muslin for collecting the curd. Plus, all proceeds form this class will benefit Jubilee Café at Community United Church of Christ in the heart of campus in Champaign. Jubilee Café is an all volunteer program that provides a free Monday night meal to anyone in need. You can find out more about Jubilee Café at https://www.facebook.com/jubileecafecucc
Tune in to the virtual Zoom cooking class on Saturday, March 30th from 1-3 pm. Class kit will be available for pick up on Friday, April 29th from 4-7pm in the Flatlander Classroom.
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Perennial Class Series
with The Land Connection:
Cocktails - Simple Syrup, Shrub & Bitters
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Join Co-op staff member Liz Sands for our next cooking class, Perennial Cocktails: Simple Syrup, Shrub & Bitters! In the class, you will learn different methods to take your cocktails to the next level using homemade mixers featuring perennial herbs and plants. The menu includes:
- Fennel simple syrup
- Blackberry rosemary shrub
- Lavender rose bitters
The class is free to attend, with the option of a $25 kit that includes all of the ingredients needed to make the mixers. Participants also have the option of adding a bottle of local Down East Wheat Vodka! Vodka is needed to make the bitters, as well as a cocktail featuring the fennel simple syrup that will be made during the class. If you do not wish to add the Down East vodka but plan on making the mixers, please make sure to have at least a cup of vodka for the bitters and 1 1/2 ounces for the cocktail. The shrub and bitters require time to sit, but cocktail recipes will be included for when they are ready!
The Cocktails class will take place virtually over Zoom on Saturday, April 23rd from 2-3:30 pm.
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Last month we raised $4,697 for the Habitat for Humanity Community Garden! The garden is dedicated to bringing people together to help alleviate the burden of food deserts by providing a source of fresh produce, increase education of good health and nutrition through growing one's own food, and strengthen neighborhood collaboration.
Funds from the Round Up Grant will go towards adding additional garden beds to increase growing capacity, conducting a soil analysis, adding compost, and purchasing plants and seeds for the garden.
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March's Round Up For Good organization is Urbana Champaign Books to Prisoners.
Mission: To provide free books to people incarcerated in Illinois and to promote education and incarceration and prisons.
Project Proposal: "Funds from Round Up for Good will enable Books to Prisoners to buy books that complement the generous donations from our community. Books we describe as "never have enough of": GED Preparation, Urban Fiction, Addiction Recovery, Self-Help, and Science Fiction. We will send these books to inmates in Illinois State Prisons and Federal Correctional Institutions in Illinois for them to keep as always. B2P will also be able to supply needed books for the libraries in the Champaign County Jails.
Books to Prisoners will be hosting their annual Benefit Book Sale on Saturday, April 9th from 9am - 5pm at the Independent Media Center in Urbana! Shop a huge selection of books at incredibly low prices. All funds go towards their mission.
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Local Producer Spotlight
Silver Tree Beer & Spirits
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Common Ground now sells a hand-selected variety of spirits!
One of our favorites is this local Down East Vodka from Silver Tree Beer & Spirits in Paxton, IL.
Silver Tree was started by 3 brothers who grew up on their family farm. They started crafting their own beers and the quality made a reputation for their home brewed drinks. After making a deal selling wheat to a brewery in Illinois, they realized they could add value to the farm doing what they already enjoyed; creating premium drinks for people to enjoy.
Down East Wheat Vodka will be featured in our upcoming Cocktails Class!
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Co+op Basics:
Pasta with Chickpeas in Tomato Sauce
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Do you know about Co+op Basics? Co+op Basics are discounted items for everyone. Over 147 unique Co-ops nationwide have teamed up for collective buying power so we can offer low prices on healthy, organic, and wholesome foods everyday. We've got a recipe for an easy and affordable Chickpea Pasta! At only $2.82 per serving, this pasta is a great option for a quick dinner. |
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Springtime Asparagus Soup |
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April means Asparagus season! We've whipped up this light and creamy asparagus soup that will get you excited about spring. |
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Produce Feature: Bulk Mushrooms |
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After a long hiatus, there are finally bulk mushrooms back in the produce section! You can shop from an assortment of mushroom varieties and only buy what you need.
- Cremini $5.99 per pound
- Portobello $6.99 per pound
- Shiitake $13.99 per pound
- Oyster $11.99 per pound
To kick off this exciting new development, we've put together a recipe for savory leek & mushroom hand pies! Get the recipe below.
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Woodstock Frozen Bananas & Cherries |
We've added some new products to our frozen case! You can now find organic frozen cherries and bananas from one of our favorite brands, Woodstock.
- Bananas $2.79
- Cherries $6.49
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Inspired Organics Products |
Inspired Organics is the newest brand at the Co-op! We carry a variety of their products, all of which are 100% organic.
- White corn tortilla chips $4.79
- Clubhouse crackers $3.99
- Brown & wild rice $4.79
- Jam $4.49
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Skinny Sticks Maple Syrup |
This handcrafted maple syrup is made by a family-owned business in Marathon, Wisconsin. Available in a variety of sizes and flavors, including vanilla bourbon barrel aged maple syrup!
8 oz $7.99
16 oz $11.99
32 oz $21.99
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Wixter Seafood
American Scallops &
Canadian Walleye
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An iconic and refined shellfish, Wixter's American Scallops are wild-caught off the southern coast of Massachusetts. A low-calorie seafood with 14 grams of protein per serving, American Scallops are great baked, grilled, or pan-seared over high heat.
$22.50
This Canadian Walleye is sourced exclusively from fisheries that meet the international gold standard in sustainability. Bake, broil, fry, poach, sauté or steam for a firm yet delicate texture and a buttery mouthfeel.
$14.99 each
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Cowgirl Creamery MT Tam Cheese |
This organic cow's milk triple cream cheese has a bloomy rind and pairs well with sparkling wine and California chardonnay.
$16.99 each
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We're taking our hummus to the next level with this garlic & herb variation! Try it with some pita chips, or on a pita with our new Falafel with Tzatziki.
$7.79 per pound
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Pick up some falafel patties with vegan tzatziki sauce from the grab n' go case! These patties are delicious on their own, and also make an excellent addition to a pita or salad.
$6.50 each
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Alaffia Curl Enhancing Products |
Say hello to beautiful waves and curls with Alaffia's curl enhancing collection. Perfect for looser texture patterns like beachy waves and bouncy curls.
- Curl Enhancing Shampoo $10.69
- Curl Defining Gel $10.69
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Honey Pot products are made with materials from the earth, and never contain any toxins, artificial fragrance, or anything synthetic. They also give 2% back to charitable organizations!
Available in Regular, Super & Overnight $8.99 each
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Our new personal care brand, Kiss My Face, prides itself on wholesome personal care products for the entire family. Their highly effective products are made from as many close-to-nature, high quality, clean ingredients as possible.
Prices vary
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Mighty Swell Hard Seltzer |
There's a new seltzer on the shelves! Mighty Swell is based in Austin, TX and strives to create unique and delicious hard seltzers. We've got all of their variety packs, including Tropical & the "Keep It Weird" mixer.
$13.99 for a 12-pack
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Elevate your weekend brunching game! Making a spectacular version of this classic cocktail has never been so easy. Just fill a glass with ice and add your favorite vodka. Pour in 6 ounces of the Bloody Mary mix, gently stir, and add your garnish of choice.
$7.29 each
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