Newsletters

Protecting Local Farms

Posted by · April 06, 2018 8:05 PM

Screen_Shot_2018-04-07_at_10.54.38_AM.png

We recently shared some thoughts from a Michigan farmer on our Facebook page, describing the harsh conditions that drive many farmers out of business. It clearly struck a chord with many of our supporters. Over 1,200 people have t read it so far. It captures so many of the reasons we are motivated to bring a co-op to McHenry County, so we feel compelled to share it again here to make sure no one misses out on this powerful message. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to read it.

This story is all too common for small farmers, but we don't think it has to be the case where we live. Grocery co-ops are uniquely positioned to provide a stable market for local farmers and food artisans. No, we probably won't match prices of $1.50 for a gallon of milk, but we can offer a fair price for the food produced by hard-working local families—people you know and can trust to produce healthy, fresh, delicious food.

Do you want to help protect local farms in your community? Let's get a grocery store open that is committed to making it easier for you to buy local food from local farms. Become a Food Shed Co-op owner and help make it happen.

MARCHing toward a location!

Posted by · March 08, 2018 8:31 PM

The cold winter months may force many people into hibernation mode, but our Board has been busy looking at locations throughout our target area. Negotiations are proceeding with some locations that show great potential, so stay tuned!

Remember that owners will be the first to hear the good news! The time to say you were an owner before you even knew where the store would be is rapidly running out, so make your support of Food Shed Co-op “official” and join us!

National Co-op Month: Co-ops Commit

Posted by · October 18, 2017 10:55 AM

Screen_Shot_2017-10-27_at_11.02.05_AM.png

This month, we’re celebrating National Co-op Month along with 40,000 other cooperative businesses nationwide. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Co-ops Commit,” recognizing the way that cooperative businesses are committed to meeting the needs of their members and communities, rather than generating returns for distant corporations and investors.

Cooperatives commit to their communities by working for sustainable development and economic independence. They generate jobs, keep profits local, and pay local taxes to help support community services. Most of the profits generated by co-ops are either reinvested in the cooperative or returned to their owners. Those dollars recirculate close to home, helping to strengthen the local economy.

Cooperatives also commit to building trust between the co-op, its members, and the community. All co-ops are united by and strive to adhere to seven key cooperative principles. Once principle, Democratic Member Control, means owners have a voice in the cooperative’s policies and decisions. Another principle, Concern for Community, means co-ops give back by making charitable contributions to community efforts, by providing educational opportunities to their community, and by encouraging their employees’ involvement in local organizations.

When you consider all the ways co-ops are committed to their communities, isn’t it time you committed to the co-op in your community? For a ONE-time investment of $200 or by beginning installment plan of $21 per month, you can be a Founding Owner of Food Shed Co-op, committed to making sure we open our doors sooner rather than later!

Join us for a Pumpkin Party!

Our owners are meeting up for some festive fall fun at Terre Vitae Farms! As a friend of Food Shed, you’re invited, too! Join us this Sunday, October 22, for a family-friendly event, where we’ll paint pumpkins, enjoy snacks, and have a “pumpkin chuckin’” contest. (The farm's pigs will be munching on our cracked pumpkins!) This is a great opportunity to get to know some of Food Shed’s owners and check out our community. Pumpkins and painting supplies will be provided — RSVP so we can plan ahead.

DIY Kombucha Workshop

Are you crazy about kombucha? This popular health tonic can be found in almost every grocery store these days. But did you know you can easily brew it at home for a fraction of the cost? Join us on Sunday, November 5, at Conscious Cup in Crystal Lake, where owner Andrea Pracht will show you everything you need to know and send you home with resources and your own SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast) to start your first batch. (Check out Andrea’s website, My Kitchen Clatter, for lots of tips and recipes for cooking with whole foods and information about other classes she teaches.) Space is limited, and only a few tickets are left, so purchase your tickets today!

Add your reaction Share