December 2019
Featuring New Store Hours, Co-op Holiday Gift Baskets, & Holiday Store Hours
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In this month's newsletter:
- A Word from the GM
- A Word from Your Board
- December Owner Appreciation Days
- New Store Hours
- December Cafe Featured Drink
- Top Ten in Grocery
- An Update on Citrus in our Produce Department
- A Guide to Gift Giving
- Co-op Holiday Gift Baskets
- Free Wine, Beer, & Cheese Tasting
- Mistletoe Market
- Holiday Store Hours
- New Items
- Roundup For Good
- December Classes & Events
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From the GM
Gary Taylor, General Manager
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Read Gary's piece on the upcoming Owner Appreciation Days and how important our owners are in helping us to support our community.
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The Cold Season is Upon Us
Board Member Evelyne Tardy talks about holistic Co-op remedies to boost your immune system
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Brrr…the cold season is upon us! During this time of year it’s so important to take care of our immune systems in order to stay healthy and strong while colds and flus are among us. The Coop is a sound resource for staples to keep us healthy year round, but especially during this time of year. Some of what I’d like to recommend include some local highlights as well as well-regarded brands.
Backyard Beauty, the Coop’s newest local vendor, has a gift crate located in the Wellness section endcap, ready to boost your immune system. In this box you will find Yang Tea, a daily immune system support blend, Yin Tea, another daily immune system support blend, and an immunity tincture. Backyard Beauty’s farm is located in White Heath, Illinois, and everything they grow is without chemicals.
Dayempur Herbals, a company located in Southern Illinois, has an amazing Elderberry Syrup to boost your system and stay healthy this season. Dayempur Herbals grows their own organic herbs and uses traditional methods to create their salves, oils, tinctures and syrups. Elderberry is a natural remedy for the cold and flu, and also works for fatigue and nerve pain. They also have a three-pack health blend that can be found on the shelves in the wellness section.
Garden of Life sells organic, fermented turmeric and ginger vegan gummy drops, which is found on the endcap of the Wellness section as well, right next to Olbas cough syrup which comes highly recommended by the Coop staff! Also in the Wellness section you will find Oil of Oregeno, in softgel or tincture form. Oil of Oregeno is a leading proactive measure to take for colds and flus as well as earaches and fatigue. Other highlights include Non-GMO Ener-C multivitamin drink mix, and a Deep Sleep formula in capsules made by Common Ground Coop. Lastly, local Urbana vendor Glow by Lola, sells an aromatic Relax blend bath salts. When boosting our systems, relaxation is so important so treat yourself to a warming bath with these healing salts.
Other items that can be found around the store to help keep you healthy and vibrant this season including organic Traditional Medicinals’ Throat Coat and Breathe Easy teas, and Yogi Breathe Deep and Stress Support teas. The Coop makes soups daily with fresh and local ingredients, and there are also many options on the shelves to choose from. Or perhaps a cup of hot cocoa with a Coop sweet treat will create the sense of relaxation and boost your system needs.
Most importantly, share some kindness! Kindness has proven to help the immune system by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure and improving our mood. What kindness have you experienced recently?
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Disclaimer:
Evelyne is not a medical doctor and if you are not well please seek medical attention from a professional health care provider. Before trying new supplements, always consult your physician*
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The
next meeting
of the Board of Directors is Monday, December 9th, from 6:15 to 8:15 pm at First United Methodist Church of Urbana located on Race Street near the west entrance to Lincoln Square. Owners are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Please use the entrance with the maroon awning, on the east side of the church.
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December Owner Appreciation Days 2019
It's the best time to be an owner
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We're celebrating our community-owned food co-op with Owner Appreciation Days, Thursday Dec 5 - Sunday Dec 8, where all owners will receive 10% their shopping trip of their choice, get amazing deals, local samplings, cooking classes, and much more
Events:
Friday, December 6th
Saturday, December 7th:
Sunday, December 8th:
More events and sampling to come!
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December Cafe Feature
The month of December features the Candy Cane Mocha
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$4.39 (12 oz) or $4.99 (16 oz)
$1 off on Fridays
Mocha latte with
Co-op made chocolate syrup, Co-op made peppermint syrup, a double shot of Colectivo espresso and your choice of milk.
About our Cafe: Ethical sourcing is our bread and butter. Whenever possible, everything is made local & organic. You can get your morning coffee, build your own sandwich for lunch or order one of our signature options, have a slice of pizza with our featured drink, and much more.
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Top Ten Products in Grocery
A list of top ten favorites from our Grocery Department as told by our Grocery Clerk Evan!
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1.
Nature's Path Pumpkin Spice Waffles
- (These subtly sweet toaster waffles fuel our fall-themed breakfasts from September-November.)
2.
Alden's Vanilla Dark Chocolate Almond ice cream bars
- (Pairs well with Co-Op pepperoni pizza.)
3.
Bellwether Farms Sheep's Milk Yogurt
- (So smooth, I'm never going back to cow's milk yogurt.)
4.
Way Better Sweet Chili tortilla chips
- (The only way to snack.)
5.
Field Day Spicy Arrabiata
pasta sauce
- (Really brightens up any bowl of noodles with a hint of spicy kick).
6.
Bulk Dried Red Tart Cherries
- (Perfect for trail mixes or as a topper for Nature's Path Heritage Flakes cereal.)
7.
Page Roasting Company Coffee
- (Great tasting, high-quality coffee from a cool local company.)
8.
Coil Farms Eggs
- ("They taste like how eggs are supposed to taste!")
9.
Just Pik't Orange Juice
- (The freshest tasting OJ north of the Florida panhandle.)
10.
Base Culture Banana Bread mini-loaf
- (One of the cuter snacks we sell. Goes great with a cup of Equal Exchange tea or coffee.)
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An Update on Citrus from our Produce Department
The weather has delayed the growing season
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"Usually, we start seeing an influx of different varieties of citrus at this time of year. It's pretty normal for us to already have meyer lemons, red navels, and a tangerine or two by the beginning of December. This year is different; most of our citrus comes from California, and the weather there has set everything back. Rest assured though, that we will have delicious members of the citrus genus on the shelves as they become available." -Produce Assistant Manager Anne Bargar
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A Guide to Gift Giving
A list of great gifts in our Wellness Department as told by our Wellness Department Manager Jacob
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Klean Kanteen Insulated TK Pro
- These heavy duty thermoses are the latest design from Klean Kanteen. Able to keep your drink warm for more than 24 hours, these bottles make the perfect winter gift for any coffee or tea lover.
Lucuma Finger Puppets
- A Co-op gift classic. These organic cotton finger puppets are made by hand in Peru. The Craftspeople are paid fairly for their labor and the puppets they produce are unlike anything. Check back regularly to find your favorite from our rotating cast of characters.
SunLeaf Perfume Rollons
- These Essential Oil Roll-ons are the perfect blend of potent and subdued. They feature scents enticing enough to catch someone's attention and blends soft enough to leave skin and sensitivities happy.
Organic Bulk Catnip
- This one is for your favorite cat person. If it’s one fur baby or seven, we’ve got you covered with ounces and pounds of the highest quality Catnip in town!
Animal Scarfs from Andes Gifts
- Andes Gifts is another wonderful long standing fair trade partner of ours. If you’ve been around the co-op in the Holidays before you’ve probably noticed the adorable animal hoods knitted by their craftspeople. This year we are excited to add full size animal scarfs to our lineup. With Llamas and Unicorns and everything in between you're sure to find the right fit!
Sunbeam Pillar Candles
- These heavy duty pillars are designed to burn for hours and fill your home with their seriously moving essence. Choose between giving the gift of Blessings, Gratitude, Transformation or Healing into your loved ones lives this holiday.
African Market Baskets
- Our last Co-op Classic gift to highlight! These baskets are found hanging all around our store and make a great gift to any farmer's market shopper! No one on your list frequenting the market? These baskets make great centerpieces at home or a cute Container for your favorite throw blankets or linens.
Backyard Beauty Gift Crates
- We are welcoming a brand new local vendor to the Co-op just in time for the holiday season. These handbuilt crates are assembled in White Heath, Il. All the herbal goodness is made by hand by Meghan and the crates built by her Husband Steve. We are featuring three crates two Health and Beauty variants and one Immunity crate!
To-Go Ware Tiffin
- These Stainless Steel lunch containers are a thoughtful gift for any young professional or commuter on your list. Popular across Asia these containers feature two or three different compartments all fastened together for ease of transport.
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Chocolate
- Nothing says Co-op Holidays like a chocolate bar with ten different kinds of mushrooms in it! The perfect last minute addition to any gift basket or stocking this sweet treat is guaranteed to send your gift giving into the realm of “ Where’d ya find that”
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Pre-order Your Holiday Gift Baskets
4 baskets, 2 price points, 1 great gift
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Make gift giving easy this holiday season with Co-op Holiday Gift Baskets! During the first half of December, Common Ground will be holding pre-orders for gift baskets overflowing with co-op goodies! Shoppers can choose from two themes: Charcuterie and Spa Day, along with two price points for each theme. Smaller baskets are available for $60, and larger baskets are available for $100. All gift basket goods are arranged and sold in fair trade African market baskets.
All pre-orders must be placed by December 15th at 9:30pm. Shoppers can order baskets in store at the cash registers or online through the Common Ground website. Baskets can be picked up on December 18th from 4-6pm or December 21st from 10am-1pm See below for a detailed list of each gift basket's contents! There is a limited number of baskets available, so order yours soon!
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Charcuterie Basket Includes
$60 Basket ($75 retail value):
2 local cheeses
2 charcuterie meats
Local chutney
Local black currant jam
Fair trade olive oil
Kalamata olives
$100 Basket ($127 retail value):
All $60 basket items
+2 bottles of wine
+1 cheese
+1 charcuterie meat
+local honey
+local mustard
Spa Day Basket Includes:
$60 Basket ($70 retail value):
Local essential oils
Local soap
Local bath bombs
Lip balm
Candle
African shea butter
Massage oil
Face Mask
$100 Basket ($120 retail value)
All $60 basket items
+Vitamin E face cream
+Body scrub
+Shampoo
+Conditioner
+Fair Trade herbal tea
+Incense
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Free Wine, Beer, & Cheese Tasting
It's happening on
Thursday, Dec 19th 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
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Want to taste the perfect wines to have for the holidays? Join us on Thursday evening for a Special Wine and Beer tasting in our classroom. Several experts will be here to have you taste some of their favorites paired with delicious Co-op cheeses. The tasting is free to all, attendees must be 21 and over.
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Mistletoe Market
Locally crafted goods & gifts
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Local artisans, makers, growers & creators will have their best locally made goods on offer in one cozy & welcoming community space in the Co-op mall hallway on Friday, December 6th from 4-10pm during Owner Appreciation Days.
Grab a glass of wine or beer for purchase from us from 5-8pm.
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New to our Wellness Department
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We now carry
Backyard Beauty
Gift Crates! Backyard Beauty is made from the plants of a centennial family farm in White Heath, Illinois. Everything is grown without chemicals and the use of many biodynamic processes. Tulsi basil, calendula, & borage are included in the recipes used for the product in the crates. Black walnut hulls were used from Two Million Blooms in Urbana.
Find them in our wellness section!
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Seasonal Cheeses In For the Holidays
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Porta Rocca
- A new cheese from buffalo milk cheese innovators Bruno and Alfio of Quattro Portoni. It has a beige rind and light straw colored paste with small eyes throughout. The buffalo milk provides richness and sweetness, with a mild milky flavor and light tang. Serve with grapes, hazelnuts, and a drizzle of cherry honey. Pairs well with a crisp white wine or witbier.
Locatelli-Saracino w/ red pepper
-This tasty cheese has just a few tiny holes. Its grooved rind has earned its name “canestrato” meaning, aged in baskets. It's best served with fruit, diced in mixed salads, shredded on pasta or melted on pizza or focaccia.
(NEW) Ropp Jersey Cheese Natural White Cheddar w/ apples
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New Spreads & More In Our Cheese Department
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Spring Brook Farm Maple Cream -
A
spreadable version of the pure Vermont maple syrup sourced from the farm’s own maple taps. Spread on pancakes, muffins and buttered toast, or experiment with it as a
condiment alongside salty cheeses.
Figs In sherry-Pedro Ximenez
- Dried Pajarero figs are bathed in sweet Pedro Ximenez sherry for this pitch perfect cheese accompaniment.
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Delitia Buffalo Milk Butter
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Made with cream leftover from making Mozzarella Di
Bufala, this butter is subtle and bright in flavor with a hint of gaminess. It is best served with a slice of crusty bread and a touch of coarse salt.
England Preserves Blackcurrant Blightly Jam
- A delicious, sweet, sour jam that is a wonderful addition to a rich buttery croissant.
Mitica Membrillo (Quince Paste)
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Contains only three ingredients: quince, sugar, and lemon, cooked into a reddish paste. Tt is fresher tasting and less sugary than many commercially produced varieties. It has a shelf life of one year opened or unopened – the color darkens with age
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Mitica Miticrema
- A spreadable sheep’s milk cheese that is great both for cheese plates with a drizzle of honey or for cooking. Try using it as a raviolli filling, or add a dollop on top of pancakes. The bright, sweet flavor is approachable and can go either savory or sweet.
Castello Under $5 Mini Cheese Wheels
Edam Rounds
Gouda Rounds
Smoked Gouda Rounds
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Mitica Cherry Honey
Fabrizio and Pierpaolo Cazzola have been tending bees and collecting honey for over 20 years.
This honey evokes the flavors of Spring with its all-natural cherry flavors.
Pair with a mild goat cheese or your favorite Italian Cheese!
Divina Hot & Sweet Peppers Stuffed with Cheese
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Item Out Of Stock in Meat & Cheese
MT Sterling - Raw Goat mild cheddar cheese
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November Round Up: Courage Connection
An update on the November Round Up
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In November, together we raised around $4000 for
Courage Connection
and contributed towards its efforts
to provides a continuum of services so that individuals and families facing domestic violence can achieve safety, support and success.
As a member of the Champaign-Urbana Continuum of Care, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and other community collaborations, Courage Connection is committed to identifying and addressing the growing and changing needs in our community. This organization is guided by its mission: to help individuals and families achieve safety, support and success.
Thank you for helping us support such a great organization!
Round Up For Good is a call-to-action inspired program, which
began in February 2010
when Common Ground owners expressed a desire to help fund the relief of the earthquake in Haiti. Since then, the program has transformed into a community-focused ongoing effort to help fund local organizations that are selected democratically by store owners during September.
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December Round Up:
Crisis Nursery
Introducing the December Round Up For Good Recipient
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Crisis Nursery creates an "Island of Safety" dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect by providing 24-hour emergency care for children and support to strengthen families in crisis.
Crisis Nursery is the only emergency-based child care facility in Champaign County that is open 24 hours, 365 days a year for the entire community to access with no fees or income eligibility.
As Crisis Nursery celebrates 35 years of success and community support, take a walk down memory lane to explore its origins and listen to the stories of families who have used their services.
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See what else is new for the month of December in our current
classes email
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You can always sign up online or in store and classes are listed on the
class calendar
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Sat, Dec 7, 2019 2:00 PM CST
Lentils Three Ways
Common Ground Food Co-op,
Urbana
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Sat, Dec 14, 2019 2:00 PM CST
Cooking with Condiments: Tapas, Appetizers & Canapés for the Holidays
Common Ground Food Co-op,
Urbana
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Enjoy $2 off your next purchase of $15 or more
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Just bring in this slip or show it on your device. Valid through the end of December. May
not be reused or used for sale items, Co-op Basics, or alcohol.
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