In this month's newsletter:
- A Word from the General Manager
- A Word from Your Board
- Events, Announcements, & Community Happenings
- Happy New Year!
- Common Ground Closed for New Year's Day
- Online Ordering with Curbside Pick-up
- Radish Rewards: CGFC's first owner loyalty program
- Changes to Central Illinois Bakehouse Bread Availability
- Café & Grab n' Go Featured Items
- Latest Blog Posts
- Exciting New Products
- Round Up For Good Update
- Classes Canceled Until Further Notice
- Thanks for Reading $2 Off Coupon
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by Gary Taylor
"What a year it has been! 2020 has been a rough year for everyone to be sure, but the one word to describe our little store is resilient! We don't have a big corporate structure, and we don't have access to the resources that large chains do. When crisis strikes, it's up to us -- not a corporate office -- to find solutions and remain adaptable. Despite our small-scale, what we do have is a loyal base of owners and a staff that will do whatever it takes to serve our community, along with a strong local supply chain that does all it can to keep us fed. That was apparent this year!"
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by Ming Kuo
"As one of your new Board members, I thought I’d share my view of what Common Ground is for, in hopes of hearing your views.
There’s a concept from Buddhist teachings I’ll borrow: “Right Livelihood.” "Right Livelihood” tells us that how we make a living matters, not just financially but ethically and spiritually. It invites us to ask, “How do we make a living in a way that makes the world a better place?
As Common Ground Owners, Right Livelihood invites us to ask, 'how do we run a grocery store that makes the world a better place?'"
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The Board of Directors typically meets the second Monday of the month from 6:15 to 8:15 pm in the Flatlander Classroom.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Directors meets online via Zoom.
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New year, same great co-op! We want to extend an enormous thank you to all our owners and shoppers who supported Common Ground through this trying year. We felt the love from the CU community and are so grateful for those who stuck by us in 2020.
As we all anticipate the exciting possibilities of a new year, we want to remind our owners that we are here because of you and here for you. Common Ground will always strive to serve the local community. Whether you're an owner or a producer, whether you're looking to change your eating habits or seeking environmentally conscious food options, Common Ground wants to be your neighborhood grocery store in 2021 and years beyond.
Here's to a new year, local food, shopping small, and building community!
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We've added more than 1,800 items to the Co-op Shop -- and we're still growing! As COVID continues and the weather turns chilly, let us do the shopping for you!
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We are thrilled to be starting our first-ever owner loyalty program here at Common Ground. Last month, we opened up registration for the Radish Rewards pilot program. Within the first day, every spot was filled! Never fear, though! The official Radish Rewards program will be open to all owners starting June 1, 2021.
Read below for more information!
What are Radish Rewards?
With Radish Rewards, owners can earn 1% back on their purchases. An easier way to think about it is this: You can earn 1 point per dollar spent. Those points can be redeemed as cash off a Common Ground purchase! Owners must accrue 200 points, or $2.00 in rewards, before redemption.
Why is Common Ground starting with a Pilot Program?
We are so excited for this program, but we need time to test it out. This pilot program gives us a chance to work through any complications on a smaller scale before making it open to all owners.
I have more questions about Radish Rewards.
Where can I find answers?
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CHANGES TO CENTRAL ILLINOIS BAKEHOUSE BREAD AVAILABILITY
Your trusty local bakery is making some changes
in the new year!
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Central Illinois Bakehouse will not be delivering between January 1st - January 4th. Common Ground's first delivery in the new year will be January 5th.
Starting on January 5th, CIB will only be delivering Tuesday - Saturday. CIB bread selections will be limited on Sunday & Monday and marked down to 25% off.
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CAFE & GRAB N' GO FEATURES
Try these new menu items & old favorites!
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January's Drink of the Month is the Creme Brulee Latte.
This tasty drink was part of our refreshed cafe menu back in March 2020. With so many changes in our Prepared Foods departments throughout last year, the Creme Brulee Latte -- along with many other espresso drinks -- didn't get the attention it deserved! That's why we named it our first Drink of the Month of 2021.
It's made with 2 shots of espresso, your choice of milk, caramel syrup, and Our Own vanilla syrup.
12 oz : $4.00
16 oz : $4.50
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Don't forget about us for a to-go breakfast and lunch throughout the week! Our Cafe & Kitchen are making fresh foods daily to keep you full & feelin' good! |
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Egg + Cheese Bagel
$6.00
add bacon, ham, smoked turkey, breakfast seitan, or avocado!
+$1.50
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Sunrise Bagel
Eggs + Cheddar Cheese + Arugula Pesto + Spinach + Caramelized Onions + Tomato + Avocado
$8.50
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Farmer's Bagel
Eggs + Ham + Cheddar Cheese + Spinach + Caramelized Onions + Tomato
$9.00
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Curious what will regularly be available in the Grab n' Go? Here's January's entree rotation:
- Chicken Fajita Soup (new!)
- Tex-Mexcellent Tofu Wrap (new!)
- Roasted Chickpea Gyro Wrap (a staff favorite!)
- Ginger Tempeh Soba Noodle Bowl (back after a tempeh shortage!)
- Garlicky Buttery Mashed Potatoes (back by popular demand!)
- Cincinnati Chili 4 Way
- Chicken Linguine Alfredo
- Smokey Red Beans & Rice
- Mock Duck Curry
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HAVE YOU VISITED THE COMMON GROUND BLOG RECENTLY?
Take a look at our latest blog posts!
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SARAH'S KITCHEN CREATIONS: CHICKEN PICCATA SHEET TRAY MEAL |
"Lemony chicken piccata is absolutely delicious - you have to try this baked version. This sheet tray meal is meant for days you just want to throw ingredients on a pan, step away from the kitchen, and pull out a ready-to-eat dinner from the oven. It's so colorful and perfectly flavored, you'll want to make it regularly."
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SARAH'S KITCHEN CREATIONS:
PLANT-BASED MISO RAMEN
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"Try this soothing miso vegetable ramen chock full of local winter produce, including shiitake mushrooms, scallions, carrots, and radishes. This cozy recipe will bring you comfort all while incorporating those whole foods your body craves."
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SEASONAL PRODUCE UPDATE
what's local in January?
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If you're asking yourself, what local produce goodness is there to partake in through January? The main answer is roots of all kinds! Sweet potatoes, potatoes, big tasty radishes, celery root (also known as celeriac), lots and lots of sweet, crunchy carrots...the list goes on and on.
What's harder to get are greens; quantities and varieties are often limited, or we simply can't get any at all. One reason for this is simply a lack of sunlight. Even when we have a mild winter, or the hoophouses are nice and warm, light is still limited, and that slows everything down. So please be patient with our supply; if we can get kale, salad mix, and their friends, we absolutely will. And since they'll have been treated to nice cold temperatures, they should be sweet and tasty!
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MORE NEW ITEMS AT COMMON GROUND
take a peek at what we're stocking now!
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Our Own
Roasted Chickpea
Gyro Wrap
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LOCAL
Janie's Mill
Einkorn Flour
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Pacific Foods
Cream of Chicken Soup
Cream of Cauliflower Soup
Cream of Mushroom Soup
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Milk Bar
Compost Cookies
Confetti Cookies
Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
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Also new on our shelves:
- LOCAL Triple S Farms Pork Guanciale, or jowl bacon
- LOCAL Blind Pig Brewery Apple Cider
- Spencer's Jolly Posh Foods Traditional Pork Bangers
- Spencer's Jolly Posh Foods Herb & Pork Bangers
- Our Own Chicken Fajita Soup
- Our Own Tex-Mexcellent Tofu Wrap
- Three Trees Pistachio Milk
- Beanfield's Black Bean Chips
- Dogfish Head Lemon Quest, non alcoholic beer
- Pavette Pinot Noir wine
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BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
these favorites are back in stock!
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-Our Own Vindaloo Curry Hummus
-Our Own Garlicky Buttery Mashed Potatoes
-Our Own Ginger Tempeh Soba Noodle Bowl
-Mastroberardino “Mastro” Aglianico red wine
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December Round Up For Good: Immigrant Services of Champaign-Urbana, formerly CU FAIR
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In December, we rounded up $3,300 for Immigrant Services of Champaign-Urbana. Since the pandemic outbreak, ISCU has 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.
The Round Up For Good Grant funds will significantly increase ISCU's capacity to help immigrant families in need during the coming year.
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January Round Up for Good: Daily Bread Soup Kitchen
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In January, we are rounding up for Daily Bread Soup Kitchen. The mission statement of the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen is to feed the hungry of our community regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. They welcome all volunteers to this service who share an unconditional positive regard for every human being. They provide a safe, respectful, and inviting environment in an atmosphere of hope and dignity.
With January’s Round Up funds, Daily Bread Soup Kitchen will continue to provide meals-to-go (packaged in biodegradable clamshell containers!) to some of CU’s most vulnerable residents. Daily Bread will also direct your Round Up donations to provide bottled water (did you know public drinking fountains have been shut off to prevent the spread of COVID?) and face masks to those in need.
Be sure to stop by Common Ground and round up for Daily Bread Soup Kitchen this month!
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Due to COVID-19, all classes and events have been canceled until further notice.
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Enjoy $2 off your next purchase of $15 or more |
Just bring in this slip or show it on your device. Valid through the end of January. May not be reused or used for sale items, Co-op Basics, or alcohol.
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