Food For Thought - July 2019
Welcome New Faces to Food Shed Co-op!
Join us in welcoming some new faces to facilitate Volunteer Coordination and Marketing. Tessa Fisher and Emily Duthorn will be assisting with new volunteers for events and educating them on Food Shed's mission. And Michaela Notman, an intern from McHenry County College will be assisting with marketing, public relations and outreach efforts. Their energy and smiles are infectious and we are excited to have them on board!
Tessa Fisher
Volunteer Coordinator
Emily Duthorn
Volunteer Coordinator
Michaela Notman
Marketing & Outreach Coordinator / Intern
A few of our board members got the opportunity to give back to our community by donating supplies and serving a picnic lunch for participants in the McHenry PADS program, Compassion for Campers.
Volunteers donate and serve a picnic luncheon to those in need in McHenry and surrounding counties. They also visit and make new friends and offer encouragement for those who need a helping hand or simply to chat.
If you are interested in donating, please contact PADS McHenry County for more information and an extensive list of how to donate items needed. You can also drop off donations at Blue Lotus Temple located in Woodstock, Illinois at 221 Dean Street.
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We love our volunteers and all their hard work! We have some great events coming up to help us spread the word about Food Shed Co-op to our community. Sign up for these events are still available and we need you!
Summer in the Park | Woodstock | Sunday, July 21 | 1313 Kishwaukee Valley Rd., Woodstock, IL 60098
This five day festival has something for everyone – music/concerts, children’s entertainment, food/drinks, bags tournament, Movie in the Park and much more!
We'll need a few volunteers to represent the Food Shed at our outreach table - if you can help out - RSVP/sign-up for a shift.
Algonquin Harvest Market | Sunday, September 21 | 100 Jefferson St., Algonquin, IL 60102
Local Food, Fun & Crafters! There will be a wide variety of vendors including farm fresh produce and crafts. Don't miss this event featuring entertainment and fun for the whole family.
We'll need a few volunteers to represent the Food Shed at our outreach table - if you can help out - RSVP/sign-up for a shift.
Woodstock Farmers Market | Woodstock Square | Third Saturdays
THANK YOU to everyone who has already volunteered for Saturday, July 20th. We couldn't do this without you. We are grateful for your support.
If you still want to be a part of the Woodstock Farmer's Market, we will be there again on August 17th and will need volunteers. Come on out to the award-winning Woodstock Farmers Market in downtown Woodstock and enjoy live music and vendors offering quality produce, plants, local artisan foods, gifts and more!
If you can help out - RSVP/sign-up for a shift.
Food co-ops are retail cooperatives that are owned by the people who shop there. This means that food co-ops are owned by members of the community – not outside investors.
Each member-owner has a say in decisions that affect the co-op; and instead of paying outside investors, co-ops return their profits to their member-owners in the form of patronage refunds – dividends, cash, discounts, or store credit.
Food co-ops source products from more local farmers and producers, donate proportionally more dollars to charity, have better worker wages and benefits, and give back more to the local economy than traditional grocery stores.
Mark your calendar, our annual owner meeting will Monday, September 9th at 6:30 at McHenry County College. All owners are encouraged to attend for Food Shed updates. If you're not a member, what are you waiting for? JOIN TODAY
There are many options for joining the Food Shed Co-op, including our monthly payment plan of $21/month for 10 months. For those who need a little extra help, you can apply for our Financial Assistance Fund.
So MANY reasons to join: Owner Discounts, Voting Rights, Patronage Dividends and more! Plus supporting local farmers and food artisans promotes more nutritious food choices and improves our local economy by giving back to our community!
Spread the word to your friends, neighbors and community! Be a part of something that is good for your family and community.
We're Having a Contest! Send in Your "Fresh From the Garden" Recipe and Win!
What do you love from your garden? What is fresh and local? What inspires you this time of year? Send us your favorite go to summer meal that you feel represents our community and all the goodness it offers.
Natalie, our resident foodie, will test the recipes and the winner will receive a Food Shed t-shirt and be featured in our late summer Food for Thought newsletter! We can't wait to see what's cooking! Think garden. Think fresh. Think local.
Contest is limited to the first 20 entries, because that's a lot of food! Please submit your entries no later than August 15th. Send your recipes to [email protected]
Live your best life!
Cooperatively,
Your Food Shed Co-op Team
Food For Thought - June 2019
We have some news! As our community outreach and marketing goals continue to grow, so do we. Two new staff members have joined us in helping to make our vision a reality.
Join us in welcoming our new team members who together have years of experience in outreach and volunteer coordination as well as marketing communications and graphic design to make this happen.
Natalie Ziemba
Community Relations Manager
Natalie Ziemba is our new Community Relations Manager; her role will primarily involve events coordination and outreach. Natalie moved to the area recently, taking up residence in Woodstock.
She holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Teaching and taught high school English for 10 years in Chicago. She currently works in product and marketing management for a global company.
Natalie is enthusiastic about her new role and brings years of experience volunteering with several organizations throughout Chicagoland. We're excited to have her on board.
Say "hi" to [email protected]
Lisa Moeller
Marketing Communications Manager
Lisa's background in marketing and graphic design spans over 20 years. She is a self starter with a knack for communicating both visually and verbally. Originally from Iowa City, Iowa, Lisa has a B.A. in Economics from The University of Iowa.
"I consider myself a right brain/left brain creative. I have a business degree, but I've always worked in a creative field, whether corporate or freelance. I’m passionate about grass roots projects and seeing an idea become reality."
In her free time Lisa hikes, shares her golden retriever as a therapy dog with Alliance for Therapy Dogs International and likes spontaneous day trips to quaint small towns that surround her.
Say "hi" to [email protected]
FUN FACT: IF JUST HALF OF OUR CURRENT OWNERS FOUND ONE MORE OWNER - WE'D BE OVER 1000 OWNERS! IF ALL OF OUR OWNERS FOUND ONE MORE OWNER WE'D BE READY TO BREAK GROUND!
To get to our next stage of growth, we need to reach 800 owners; become an owner and get involved! There are many options for joining the Food Shed Co-op, including our monthly payment plan of $21/month for 10 months. For those who need a little extra help, you can apply for our Financial Assistance Fund.
If you're not a member, what are you waiting for? JOIN TODAY!
So MANY reasons to join: Owner Discounts, Voting Rights, Patronage Dividends and more!
Plus supporting local farmers and food artisans promotes more nutritious food choices and improves our local economy by giving back to our community! It's a win-win!
We love our volunteers and all their hard work! Below are great opportunities to spread the word about Food Shed Co-op to our community. Shifts are two-hour commitments and super fun! Join us on our journey to support our local growers and healthy living at these farmer's markets.
Pearl Street Market | Pearl Street, McHenry | Fourth Thursdays
The Pearl Street Market (formerly The McHenry Farmers Market), is where you'll find a variety of homemade and homegrown fare including produce, honey, soaps, pies, sweets, crafts and other goods!
Help us to reach our ownership goals!
We'll need a few volunteers to represent the Food Shed at our outreach table once a month at this fun market - if you can help out - RSVP/sign-up for a shift.
Woodstock Farmers Market | Woodstock Square | Third Saturdays
Come on out to the award-winning Woodstock Farmers Market in downtown Woodstock and enjoy live music and vendors offering quality produce, plants, local artisan foods, gifts and more!
We will be there with an outreach table this summer and fall, offering information and answering questions about our local food cooperative.
We'll need a few volunteers to represent the Food Shed at our outreach table every third Saturday - if you can help out - RSVP/sign-up for a shift.
Are Your Passionate About Food Shed Co-op? Have Great Ideas? Become a Board Member!
If you are interested in being on the Board of Directors, review the board role description to make sure you qualify to be a board director and to be sure you can commit the time and effort required. Then if you are ready to commit, fill out the application and submit.
If you have any other questions about joining the board contact our board President at [email protected]. Click HERE to access the board role description and application. Please have all applications in by 7/11/2019.
Beets: Nutritional and Good for You...What's Not to Love?
A Good Mood Food Beets contain betaine, a substance that has been found to help treat depression. Betaine works with SAMe, a compound often given as an antidepressant, to increase its efficiency and lower depressive symptoms.
Heart Health Beets are rich in potassium, antioxidants and phytochemicals, which help protect against heart disease. Potassium helps muscles to contract, regulate the heartbeat, and prevent a build-up of plaque on the arteries.
Exercise & Stamina Naturally occurring nitrates in beets are converted to nitric oxide in the body, which helps to relax blood vessels, increase blood flow and reduce the amount of oxygen needed by muscles in exercise. This allows the muscles to work more efficiently, improving overall exercise tolerance and performance.
Prenatal Care Folate, or folic acid, is a B vitamin crucial to the development of a baby’s spinal cord. Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive can get nearly 70% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance of folate from three baby beets. Cooked beets have lower levels of folate than raw beets, but are still a good source of the nutrients!
Hungry? Here's a Great Summer Recipe Using Fresh Vegetables From Your Garden
Citrus Roasted Asparagus
Ingredients
2 seedless oranges
2 lemons
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds asparagus spears
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons tarragon leaves
Sea salt and coarsely ground pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. From one orange and one lemon, cut 1/8 x 2-inch strips, avoiding the bitter white pith; set aside. From same orange and lemon squeeze a total of 2 tablespoons juice; set aside.
- Thinly slice remaining orange and lemon; drizzle slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper; set aside.
- Wash asparagus; break off woody bases. Place spears in baking pan. Sprinkle with garlic, tarragon, and citrus strips. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil; toss to coat spears. Spread in single layer. Season with salt/pepper.
- Roast asparagus and citrus slices 12 to 15 minutes, turning once or twice until asparagus is tender and citrus begins to brown. Transfer to serving platter.
- Meanwhile, for vinaigrette, whisk together reserved juices and remaining 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt/pepper. Drizzle over roasted asparagus, citrus and garlic. Sprinkle with roasted citrus slices. Serve warm. Makes 8 servings.
Live your best life!
Cooperatively,
Your Food Shed Co-op Team
2019 April Newsletter
After the rain, comes the sun! After the showers, come the flowers! So, shake off your umbrella, put the spring back in your step, and join the Food Shed Co-op TODAY because we have exciting news just around the corner!
If you've been on the fence about becoming an owner, NOW is the time to jump off and dive in. The Food Shed Co-op's success is determined by YOU, our community members. We need to significantly increase our owner base to move forward with our plans to open OUR grocery store.
Are YOU in?
Important Owner-ONLY Meeting! May 16th | May 22nd
- PROPOSED SITE LOCATION meetings at McHenry County College
- Choose your date: Thursday May 16th @7pm or Wednesday May 22nd @7pm
- Not an Owner? Want to come to this important meeting?
- You must become an Owner first! BECOME AN OWNER TODAY!
- You'll get the inside scoop on our proposed location and timeline to open our doors and make OUR store a reality!
Owner Info Sessions
- Have questions about becoming a Food Shed Co-op owner?
- Want to learn more about the Food Shed's location status and timeline?
- Curious about how to get more involved and help open our store?
- Stay tuned for dates and locations, where we'll answer all your questions!
Business Partnership Program | Owner Benefits Program
Through the years, we've partnered with many wonderful businesses and organizations who align with our mission and values, and who have donated their products and services to help us with our outreach efforts. We've returned the favor by promoting their goods and services to our community.
Our community LOVES to know about like-minded local businesses! So, we're following in the footsteps of co-op communities across the nation by making our partnerships OFFICIAL!
The Food Shed Co-op has a SIZEABLE audience who are eager to hear about your events, products, and services!
- Facebook: 3100+ Likes & Followers!
- Instagram: 660+ Followers!
- Twitter: 850+ Followers!
- Email Subscribers: 1800+
Tentative Program Features:
- Food Shed Co-op Supporter/Owner window signs for brick and mortar businesses
- Offer Food Shed Co-op owners a 10%-15% discount on select products or services
- Your business promoted to our LARGE engaged audience!
Interested in the Food Shed Co-op Business Partnership Program? First, take a look at our Cross-Promotion Policy to see if you qualify and then email Barbara, our Community Relations & Marketing Manager: [email protected]
Volunteer & Paid Positions Announced Soon!
As the Food Shed speeds up towards landing our site, we'll need some passionate and skilled people to join us to help us cross that finish line!
If you haven't done it yet, NOW is the time to fill out the quick Volunteer Registration form on our website so we can contact you based on your skill set and interests when the time comes - and that will be soon!
Full job descriptions are coming soon:
- Capital Campaign Fundraising Director (Paid position)
- Volunteer Manager (Volunteer position)
- Administrative (Data Entry & Owner Processing: Volunteer position)
- Film & Video enthusiasts/Amateur Film Directors & Wanna-be Actors (Volunteer position: sense of humor a must!)
Thank You & Keep It Up!
Thank you to a NEW wave of volunteers who are ENERGIZED and EXCITED to help our mission!
Follow their lead! Become a Food Shed Co-op Volunteer Today! Free T-shirt & Fun included in each volunteer sign-up!
- Barbara Hackel
- Bill Brennan
- Carina Vowels
- Carol Alfus
- Cecilia Carman
- Cindy Germata
- Emily Duthorn
- Jennifer Thurber
- Pam Witte
- Rich & Terry Yunker
- Ruth Raubertas
- Thea Johnson
Attention Artists & Graphic Designers!
As we move into our next stages of development, we're making some improvements - including our yard signs. We've seen some snazzy signs and catch-phrases from other successful co-ops and with your help we're hoping to incorporate these ideas into a redesigned sign!
Designs will be voted on by our owners, and the talented winner will receive a $50 Gift Card to Reprographics Art Supplies in Crystal Lake. Email us to let us know if you're interested, and stay tuned for additional details.
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