In this month's newsletter:
- A word from the General Manager
- Local Producers Spotlight: Delight Flower Farm
- September Owner Appreciation Days
- 2021 Election Information
- Mediterranean Cooking Class & Meal Kit
- Zoom Meeting of Owners
- Pridefest Trivia & Vendor Fair
- Common Ground History Corner
- Local Produce Spotlight
- New Products
- Round Up For Good
- Art Gallery Updates
|
|
We have a LOT going on in September! Labor Day, Owner Appreciation Days, the Meeting of Owners, the launch of our new Website, Back to School promotions, the list goes on and you can see it all when you read the rest of the newsletter!
|
|
|
Local Producers Spotlight
Delight Flower Farm
|
|
Delight Flower Farm is a small scale organic farm that grows and sells flowers to local businesses in central Illinois. Delight began almost 10 years ago when owner Maggie started a small backyard garden. Initially, the farm had a modest CSA with only 7 members, and Maggie would deliver the flowers herself on her bicycle. As her business began to grow, she worked with The Land Connection, a local organization that assists in agricultural education, to learn the ins and outs of running a farm. All of this was new to Maggie, as she explains “I was an art major in college, and so it is still like making art, the work that I do, but it’s also owning a business”.
|
|
|
Mark your calendars now! Fall Owner Appreciation Days are almost here. During Owner Days you get:
10% off an entire shopping trip
Coupon book for future purchases
Owner exclusive sales items
Raffle entries
Golden ticket items (free items hidden throughout the store)
Wheel of Fortune prizes on Saturday September 18th from 9am - 12pm
|
|
Make sure you nominate your favorite local organization by
Tuesday September 7th!
|
|
Owner Elections
One of the most important aspects of a Co-op is its democratic process. Every September, Common Ground owners can participate in the Owner Election, allowing them to vote for both the Board of Directors and Round Up For Good organizations.
Owner Elections will begin Wednesday, September 22nd and run until the Meeting of Owners on Wednesday, September 29th.
The Board of Directors will send an email with the owner election ballot on September 22nd. Keep an eye out!
|
|
Mediterranean Cooking Class & Meal Kit
|
|
Common Ground's Cooking Classes are back with an online class and Meal Kit! Learn to cook a flavorful Mediterranean meal that highlights peak summer produce from our local farms. Leah Bodine, Chef of Blue Dragonfly Catering, will guide you through the whole process. The $30 Meal Kit is portioned for two and includes all the ingredients needed to cook these dishes for dinner. Tofu is available as a vegetarian substitute, and gluten free all-purpose flour is an option for the orange cake. Add on a bottle of Greek red or white wine to pair with your meal and sip while you cook.
|
|
What is the Zoom MOO?
The "MOO" stands for Meeting of Owners. The MOO is an annual event where owners can hear store updates from the General Manager and Board of Directors. Usually this event is a huge party with socializing, free food, and lots of giveaways. This year, in light of the COVID pandemic, we're moving the MOO online. The event will take place through Zoom, an online video platform.
Why should you attend the MOO?
The Co-op is more than a grocery store. It's an investment! You own part of the Co-op and deserve to be updated on operations, visioning, and community impact. This is your chance to engage with Co-op leaders and have your voice heard!
The Zoom MOO will take place on September 29th from 6:00pm - 7:30pm. Watch for a Zoom invitation via e-mail from our Board of Directors!
|
|
Common Ground Food Co-op is a proud sponsor for 2021 Pride Fest! We will be at their vendor fair showcasing locally produced goods, Common Ground merchandise, and special Rainbow Cookies from our Bakery! Stop by the vendor fair before or after the parade and show your support!
|
|
Help Us Fill the Radish!
We had over 80 new owners sign up during the month of August! We are well underway to reaching our goal of 300 new owners by the end of October. Thanks for all your help spreading the word about Common Ground.
|
|
Common Ground History Corner |
|
As you know, Common Ground has been around for almost 50 years! Our local Co-op has decades of history, and we dug up some artifacts that showcase our story. Here's another wonderful gem from Common Ground's past. |
|
Do you have old pictures, newsletters, or ads from Common Ground? Send them in to [email protected] to have them featured in our next newsletter!
|
|
We are at the height of growing season and have local veggies from a variety of farms. While all these vegetables are AMAZING, it's hard to feature anything other than tomatoes. We have local tomatoes from Blue Moon Farm, PrairErth Farm, and Sola Gratia right now that are ready to be devoured!
|
|
New Merch Available!
Our new line of Common Ground merchandise is finally here! We've got 2 new bag designs AND 2 new shirts! Update your wardrobe and support local with our new swag.
|
|
Chicken Florentine Pasta Salad |
All natural chicken, organic pasta and vegetables in a white wine sauce that is perfect for late summer.
$10.39 per pound
|
|
|
|
|
Only 4 ingredients - house made wheat-free flour blend, sugar, eggs, and honey - go into this delectable dessert!
$5.99 per cake
|
|
Marcoot Jersey Creamery Cheese Curds |
These delicious cheese curds made fresh from the creamy Jersey cow milk are a delightful snack that is packed with protein. Available in plain, garlic herb, & Sriracha.
$5.99 each
|
|
|
|
|
Plainville Farms Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
|
This naturally juicy turkey breast with herb roasted flavoring is uncommonly delicious. Grab the following ingredients for an easy yet delicious lunchtime sandwich!
$5.90 each
Central Illinois Bakehouse focaccia bread
Plainville Farm herb roasted turkey
Organic Valley swiss cheese
Roasted red peppers
Butter lettuce
Freak Flag Organics tomato pesto
|
|
|
|
- Autumn Wheat
- Dark Cocoa Karma
- Strawberry Fields
- Cinnamon Harvest
$4.99 each
|
|
Choice Organics offers a collection of organic traditional tea, organic herbal tea, and unique flavorful organic tea blends.
$4.99 each
|
|
|
|
|
This unique tofu is made with only pumpkin seeds and water! Available in Original, Chorizo, & Sloppy Joe.
$6.29 each
|
|
|
|
Ecos Next Laundry Detergent |
Introducing liquid-less laundry detergent. Just slip into the wash for a plant-powered clean. Available in unscented and lavender.
$16.99 each
|
|
Reserveage Nutrition delivers revitalizing skin nutrients in a sweet and sour treat. Features a patented collagen clinically shown to help reduce volume of eye wrinkles by 20% in just 8 weeks.
$24.99 each
|
|
|
|
|
Luna Bay Grapefruit Jalapeno Hard Kombucha |
Bring the heat with a splash of ruby red grapefruit and a kick of fresh jalapeno. All natural, gluten-free, probiotic & plant based, this is the perfect summer sipper. 6% ABV.
$15 per 4-pack
|
|
Cline Cellars Farmhouse
White Blend
|
Farmhouse was born out of the desire to not only create a clean, herbicide and chemical-free wine but also to teach future generations about what it means to farm with nature, not against it.
Grape selection for this wine was particularly conscious of the intensity of the fruit, the acid balance, and the characteristics each varietal offered to the blend as a whole. The final wine delivers bright, crisp flavors of tropical fruit and lime with a fresh, clean finish.
$9.99 each
|
|
|
|
|
Bells Brewery Oktoberfest |
It's Oktoberfest season! Crafted as a flavorful session beer and perfect for autumn, Octoberfest spends a full six weeks fermenting. With herbal hop aromas, this balanced amber lager focuses on lightly toasted malt that lends body without too much sweetness. 5.5% ABV
$10.99 per 6-pack
|
|
Last month we raised over $5,200 for Sola Gratia Farm! August's Round Up For Good funds are focused on both enhanced food production efficiencies and outreach programs, all with an eye for a balance of social, environmental and economic sustainability so they can continue to serve our community.
|
|
September Round Up For Good: Immigrant Services of C-U |
Mission: "We support the integration of immigrants, refugees and asylees into our community as independent, secure and knowledgeable members. We use a holistic approach, helping with medical, educational, legal, housing, job-related and transportation issues. Our case managers regularly get in touch with the client families for the duration."
Since the pandemic outbreak, they have focused on the weekly delivery of food to 300-400 families (bringing it to the clients' homes with their own van) and the provision of rental and utility assistance to some 50 families. To do this they have formed partnerships with some 2 dozen C-U and Illinois organizations: CUPHD; PTA Council of C-U; C-U Mutual Assistance; C-U Better Together; faith communities as Urbana Universalist Unitarian Church, 1st Prebysterian Church of Champaign, CIMIC, etc., Catholic Charities, Peoria Diocese; Bend the Arc; East Central Illinois Food Bank, and others.
Since their clients continue to suffer under high rates of unemployment, they would use the RUFGG funds to continue this work during the coming year:
- fund 3-4 rental assistance payments ($600 on average per check)
- fund 20-30 bags of food for weekly deliveries ($60 per bag).
The RUFGG funds would significantly increase their capacity to help immigrant families in need during the coming year.
|
|
|
Art Gallery Updates
These cool kiddos from the Urbana Park District made our first installation of 2021 in our Art Gallery! From first drafts individually to working as a team to showcase what they love about the Co-op. Stop by the classroom on your next grocery trip to see their work and artist statements!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
