In this month's newsletter:
- A word from the GM
- A word from your Board
- Events, Announcements, & Community Happenings
- Phone-In Ordering Still Available!
- Prepared Foods Update
- Solar Power Hour
- Clean Energy Jobs Act
- In Support of Racial Justice
- Exciting New Products
- Round Up For Good Update
- Classes Canceled Until Further Notice
- Thanks for Reading $2 Off Coupon
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Moving Into Phase 3:
Prepared Food Options & Shopping Safely
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"Our job here at Common Ground is primarily to feed people safe and healthy food. To do that we must maintain a safe and healthy environment for our staff to work and for our owners and customers to shop...For us, this crisis is not about politics or economics. This crisis is about doing our absolute best to keep people fed, continuing to support our local producers, and maintaining a strong sense of community. We only ask that everyone respect the health and well-being of our staff and their fellow shoppers by adhering to the policies we have set in place for the time being.
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Crisis and Clarity: Adapting to ‘the New Normal’
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"We’re just over two months into a global pandemic as announced by the World Health Organization on March 11th, and almost exactly two months since Governor JB Pritzker announced the Shelter in Place order on March 20th. If my own experience is any measure, it’s fair to say that the novelty of our ‘lockdown’ has worn off, and it’s becoming more challenging to cope with feelings of anxiety, emotional isolation, and the overall shock of sudden change in all of our lives. The desire to return to “normalcy” is more than understandable, but we have to accept that that’s impossible. Instead, we need to cope with the present and look toward the future that we can build in a post-COVID world."
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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 is exploring options for online meetings. Email [email protected] for more information!
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Many of you are familiar with our phone ordering option by now. After two months, we are thrilled about its success and thankful for everyone who has placed a curbside order with us so far! As the Central Illinois region moves into Phase 3 of Governor Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan, Common Ground will continue to provide the curbside service to the community. Click the button below to read all about our phone order / curbside pick-up option.
Stay tuned for updates!
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Our prepared foods departments took a brief hiatus during the Stay-at-Home order. But now, the department managers are constructing a plan to safely and sustainably re-open these departments. We're starting small and building up as we're able!
Starting the first week of June the following prepared foods will be available:
- housemade cookie 6-packs (pastry case)
- housemade scone 4-packs (pastry case)
- pre-packaged Ye Olde Donuts (pastry case)
- pre-packaged housemade soups (Grab n' Go cooler)
- housemade hummus (Grab n' Go cooler)
- housemade frozen black bean burgers (freezer section)
- select made-from-scratch vegan foods from The Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant (read more in the "New Items" section!
We are so excited to offer these prepared food favorites again! Stay tuned for more updates!
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Prairie Rivers Network is calling on the community to urge representatives to pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act.
This act would support communities through COVID recovery
"by creating new
economic investment
and putting people back to work, especially in communities of color and places with coal-fired power plants."
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Thinking about going solar? Solar energy is a great way to reduce your energy bills, support the local economy, and help create a healthier environment!
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If you are a Champaign, Piatt, or Vermilion County home or business owner, attend a free, virtual Solar Power Hour webinar on Zoom to learn more about the Solar Urbana Champaign program, an initiative aimed at making solar more accessible and affordable in our community. Come learn about the basics of solar, its financial benefits, and how the solar-group-buy program works. After the session, you can schedule a free, no-obligation site assessment. For more information,
click here!
Come join us and see if solar is right for you!
Contact Peter Murphy, Solar Program Director at MREA with any questions –
[email protected]
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Common Ground exists to be the center of an inclusive, vibrant community. We celebrate diversity here. We support the voices marginalized by mainstream society, not just in the CU area, but everywhere. In light of the nationwide protests over the murder of George Floyd, Common Ground staff stand in solidarity with racial justice and the Black Lives Matter movement.
As a community-owned grocery store, our cooperative values include "concern for community." We believe this concern includes the equality, safety, and respect for our Black and Brown citizens. Alongside this concern for community, the Co-op must continue serving as an educational resource to the public. Please know, we are actively seeking reliable and thorough resources to share with our community.
To our neighbors who wish to help: share with us ways to get involved in the local community; your recommended books, podcasts, documentaries; your ideas for effective ally-ship.
To all our neighbors affected by racism and racial injustice: we see you, we celebrate your identity, and we stand firmly with you today and always.
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Red Herring Prepared Foods
We are thrilled to be carrying some ALL VEGAN prepared food options, handmade by the Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant. Starting June 2nd, we will have the following options available in our Grab n' Go cooler:
- Cashew Nacho Cheeze
- Falafel Patties, 6 pack
- Rotating Weekly Meal Specials
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New Cold Treats
for Summer
Red Bicycle Ice Cream
Talenti, Cold Brew Coffee flavor
Oatly, Coffee flavor
Jeni's Ice Cream
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More Cold Treats for Summer
Enlightened Fudge Bars
DeeBee's Superfruit Freezies
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Forager Dairy Free Sour Cream
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Miyoko's Oat Milk Cultured Butter
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Applegate
No Sugar Chicken & Herb Breakfast Sausage
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Applegate
Asian Style
Pork Meatballs
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Teton Waters Ranch Seasoned Beef Burgers
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New in the
Cheese Case
Triple Cream Lincet-Delice De Bourgogue
Carr-Valley Fontina
Westminster Rustic Red Cheddar
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More New Products:
- Local Wild Botanicals men's personal care products
- BHI homeopathic allergy relief tablets
- Oregon's Wild Harvest Schisandra herbal supplement
- Gopi paneer cheese
- Primal Kitchen frozen Paleo skillet meals
- Pacific bone broth
- Bulk adobo seasoning
- Bulk tandoori seasoning
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May Round Up: Common Ground's Food For All Program
An Update on May's Round Up
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In May, we Rounded Up over $3,100 -- plus raising over $2,700 at the Plant Sale -- for our very own Food For All program.
Food For All is our food access program here at Common Ground. Through the funds we raise at the Plant Sale and May Round Up For Good, we are able to give free ownership to those who can't afford the $60 equity payment. Additionally, those Food For All recipients also receive a 10% discount on Co+op Basics products. Co+op Basics are kitchen staples that are intentionally kept at a low price for everyone! Finally, Food For All recipients also have the option to attend our cooking classes free of charge.
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June Round Up Recipient: Eastern Illinois Foodbank
Introducing the June Round Up For Good Recipient
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In June, we are Rounding Up for Eastern Illinois Foodbank.
Eastern Illinois Foodbank exists to alleviate hunger and nourish stronger communities. The Eastern Illinois Foodbank is the primary food source for food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other programs working to feed the hungry. The Foodbank acquires millions of pounds of food and grocery product through purchase or donation and distributes it across their network of more than 160 feeding programs. They have been an incredible resource during the COVID-19 pandemic in supplying food to those in need.
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Due to COVID-19, all classes and events have been canceled until further notice. Keep an eye out for updates!
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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 June. May
not be reused or used for sale items, Co-op Basics, or alcohol.
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