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2012 Education Recap
Maya Bauer, Education Coordinator
2012 is coming to a close and it is incredible how much we have accomplished, as a Co-op and as a community. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the generosity and inventiveness that I have encountered in our Co-op's owners in the several months that I've been in the Education position.
We've broken records for sales, and stayed on target with our projected deadlines for our expansion project, we've pulled together as community to make possible a challenging, exhausting, rewarding expansion that feels monumental to so many people who have lived in this community for decades, and a huge number of new faces as well to add to our complex and exciting owner base.
Here are some of the big things we did in education this year:
Classes and Events: We held more than 70 Common Ground classes and educational events this year, from Urban Chickens to Cheese 101 and beyond. We also presented Grow On programs in a handful of classrooms, and talked to dozens of children and parents about food and nutrition at three different wellness and environmental events.
Expansion: Expansion means the opening of the Flatlander Classroom, a space that will enable us to offer diverse and exciting class experience to the entire community and also work towards our Ends! Check out the Flatlander story here!
We have developed a new set of class policies for the new year to ensure a fair wage for our instructors and the best classes for everyone. We offer classes on a trimester basis: information about the classes we will offer January-April, May-August, and September-December will now be available on the first day of the respective trimester. As we start the new year we will be going online with our class sign up process! Customers may still come into the store to sign up, of course!
Food For All Educational Grants: In an effort to make sure that our classes and educational opportunities are accessible to folks of all different incomes and financial situations we are expanding our AWESOME Food For All Program to include Educational Grants. Anyone in need is eligible. It will be easy to use in-store and online!
Local Media and Community Engagement: Local media consulted Common Ground for numerous articles and stories. We are proud to be a community resource on food and sustainability issues. We also sent representatives to conferences on the health and safety of our food, and given presentations and workshops for community organizations. We have a representative on the Local Foods Policy Council (that's me!), and are always innovating new and effective ways to stay involved in our community and effect change.
Newsletters: We sent out twelve editions of our monthly e-newsletter, From the Ground Up, to well over 3,000 community members. In addition, we sent out 4 e-newsletter Action Alerts about national-level food issues.
Here's to an even more productive and educational new year!
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A Year at Common Ground
Jacqueline Hannah, General Manager
2012 has been nothing short of magic at our Food Co-op.
Common Ground has been busy setting high goals as a community, reaching them, and then surpassing them for almost five years now. It will be five years ago this coming January that this tiny grocery Co-op with a big spirit that was located in the basement of a church started reaching toward its first star-high goal - raising a quarter of a million dollars from the Co-op's owners to move from that little basement room into a beautiful storefront at Lincoln Square Mall. That goal was reached and exceeded within six weeks and a tradition of accomplishing even more than we dreamed, over and over again, was born at Common Ground.
Yet, as amazing as every year since 2008 has been at Common Ground, I think 2012 is the first year at our co-op I'd sum up as "magical". When you lay out the bare facts of what we've accomplished together this year, it's pretty breathtaking:
- raised $1 million dollars in owner loans to make our second expansion in four years possible
- sent over $900,000 in revenue back to local farms, a 650% increase since 2007
- just short of tripled the size of our store
- reached 4200 active CGFC owners, doubling the number of owner we had just five years ago (that's 3.5% of everyone who lives in C-U who owns a share of our co-op!)
- added 30+ new jobs to our community in one short year!
But, facts alone aren't what made this year magical, although the fact of this year are awe-inspiring. What's made this year magical at CGFC is not just the facts, but what these facts add up to:
An empowered community, committed to creating powerful change.
As the owners of Common Ground, we've invested our money in growing the mission of our Co-op; we've invested our time to participate in roundtable discussions and visioning events; we've stepped up to teach classes to the community on healthy eating and living; we've told our friends all about our fabulous Co-op and heck, some of us have even dragged in our neighbors!; we've walked our talk and grown our support of local farms by hundreds of thousands of dollars this year alone. And after all this hard work, I've heard owners say again and again: I want us, as a co-op, as a community, to do even more. We're only getting started.
Read More!
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From Your Board of Directors
Lisa Hinchliffe, Board Member
 Creating the World Through Our Giving
Late fall/early winter is one of my favorite times of the year in Central Illinois. As nature goes to sleep for the colder months, we humans also cocoon a little bit, enjoying the warmth of our homes and family gatherings. We begin our reflections in preparations for the new year. We also dig a little deeper and share whatever we have been blessed to have in our lives with those who are less fortunate and struggling. - The co-op is the center of a vibrant, inclusive community
- The cooperative movement is strengthened
- The co-op serves as an educational resource on food issues
- Our local food movement is equitable, robust, and environmentally sound.
These statements put out to the world what it is that we are seeking to create through shared ownership. I find myself grateful for a community of owners that comes together around such inspiring goals and for my small part in making our community a better place. Giving and receiving gifts is one of the hallmarks of this season. Small gestures that signify our importance to each other and reinforce and deepen our relationships. This year I'm thinking even more carefully about how the gifts I choose speak not only to the individual to whom I'm giving the gift but also how my choices contribute to the world I want to help create. Read more from your board about giving!
| Have any thoughts, questions, or comments about this article or for your Board of Directors? Email the Board at board@commonground.coop.
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Local Producer Profile: Prairie Fruits Farm
By Billy LeGrand
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If you haven't heard, Illinois' first farmstead cheese making facility lies just past I-74 on N. Lincoln Ave. Leslie Cooperband and Wes Jarrell started in 2005, milking roughly 25 goats, with seven acres of former corn and soybean fields. It started slow - the initial creamery setup cost three times what they had estimated. They only made chevre, a fresh goat's milk cheese. But it was incredible! I liked it so much I got up at the crack of dawn every week on my day off to go to the farm and see how they worked with the animals and made cheese. Their future was bright.Seven years later, they are now milking about 70 goats, buying sheep milk from an Amish family in Arthur, making 8-10 cheeses regularly as well as a few seasonal cheeses, and working an additional 8 acres of pasture and 25 acres to grow their own alfalfa. They host incredibly successful seasonal breakfasts and dinners on the farm, and have 5 full-time and 5 part-time employees. Most importantly, they have continued to make incredible cheese. This past August, Prairie Fruits Farm won a prestigious First Place Award in the Sheep and Mixed Milk Cheese category at the American Cheese Society conference with their Black Sheep. This is a great honor, and though the sheep's milk has given up for the season, their goats still have a few weeks of cheese production left in them. So head into Common Ground now to catch the end of the season for these elegant cheeses!
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Holiday Recipe: Simple Cooked Eggnog
Colleen Wagner, Events Coordinator
Active cooking time:
20-25 minutes
Total time (with cooling): 120 minutes
12 servings
This eggnog is surprisingly easy to make, and you'll be delighted with the fresh flavor that comes from using local ingredients! Try it with or without the optional bourbon and nutmeg garnish- it's a real holiday treat either way!
4 cups Kilgus milk 1 ⅓ cups sugar
12 large local egg yolks
½ tsp. vanilla extract
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup chilled heavy cream
½ cup bourbon, (optional)
Grated nutmeg, (optional)
In medium saucepan, whisk milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks. Whisking constantly, pour hot mixture into yolks in a slow and steady stream.
Return mixture to pan; cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until thick enough to coat back of spoon, 20 to 25 minutes; do not let simmer. Quickly strain into a bowl. Stir in bourbon, if desired, and cream. Cool completely; cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until chilled. Garnish with nutmeg, if desired.
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DECEMBER CLASSES & EVENTS
Owner Appreciation DAYS
December 4th AND 5th, ALL DAY
It will be our FIRST EVER 2-DAY Owner Appreciation Day. Owners receive discounts any time they shop on those two days.
FREE! No registration required.
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 Billy's Favorite Holiday Cheeses...Paired with WINE!Led By Billy, Speciality Cheese Buyer
Tuesday, December 4th, 6-7:15 pm
owners $10/non-owners $15
Family Favorites Made Healthier
Led by Judith Krakower B.S., M. ed.
Wednesday, December 5th, 6-7 pm
$3 owners / $5 non-owners
 Eating Healthy on a Budget Led by Common Ground Staff
Saturday, December 8th, 1-2:30 pm
Free, but pre-registration is required.
Ginger Bread Decorating Party
Saturday, December 15
from 2-4pm
Free, no pre-registration! Come on by!
click here for more details |
Community Spotlight: The Greater Community AIDS Project
Maya Bauer, Education Coordinator
Today is World AIDS Day. Each December 1st I am reminded that the global struggle to end the AIDS pandemic is far from over. Around the World, on this day people are pulling together and reviving awareness of the real effects of AIDS on our communities and on our world. We can also use this opportunity to show our support of the globally estimated "34 million people (who) have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history ( 1)." Our local Greater Community AIDS Project (GCAP) works to fight the AIDS pandemic with holistic life-affirming approaches. GCAP offers solutions to housing and food needs, serves as a community education provider, and offers emergency assistance grants to help people who are living with AIDS or are HIV positive. Contact them for information about volunteering, if you feel so moved! Interested in having your organization featured in out Community Spotlight in CGFC's Newsletter? Email me here, and I'll try to work you in!
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| December Sales! |  | Check out our current sales here!
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DECEMBER ROUND UP FOR GOOD
|  | This month we are
rounding up for
The Crisis Nursery.
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 open 24 hours, 365 days a year for the entire community to access with no fees, income eligibility or waiting list. Besides safe shelter for children, ages birth through six, we also provide family support and parenting education to strengthen parent skills and confidence. We believe that asking for help is a sign of strength.
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| COMMON GROUND
GIVES BACK
| As part of our
mission to BUILD COMMUNITY.....
Collectively we have raised
OVER $500
for the Center for Women in Transition!
Thanks to everyone who participated in our monthly Round Up! |
THIS YEAR
your generosity has put more than
$6,000
into our community organizations!
THANK YOU!!
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MEET YOUR VEGGIE
 Warren Pears | | The Warren Pear is an all-around spectacular pear, complementing tart, salty, rich, AND sweet dishes. Originally known as the post office pear, it was discovered by Thomas Oscar Warren naturally growing outside of a post office in Mississippi. With a buttery, vanilla tone, you will eat this succulent fruit like candy. The Warren Pear also avoids the typical grittiness of a pear and has been known to convert many previous non-pear eaters. Available until early January, try one before they're gone!
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December Special Sample!
|  | Freshly baked and decorated gingerbread cookies are a keystone of the holiday season. Come get in the holiday spirit by decorating home-made gingerbread with us on Saturday, December 15
from 2-4pm!
Common Ground will provide the cookies, toppings, and handouts with helpful holiday baking tips and several recipes for homemade gingerbread cookies, including several allergen-free options!
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BEER AND WINE!
 | | We finally got both our city AND state liquor license!
By THIS TUESDAY AFTERNOON we'll have craft beers and artisanal wines on the shelves--right in time for Owner Appreciation discounts!
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Owner Appreciation DAYS!
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This December 4th and 5th is our first ever TWO DAY long Owner Appreciation Day(s)!
If you can't make it to your Co-op one day, don't worry there is another. Hopefully, this will reduce the lines and make for an easier shopping trip.
What is Owner Appreciation Day?
Common Ground offers four Owner Appreciation Days a year because without our owners, there would be no Common Ground Food Co-op. On these days, all owners in good standing receive 10% off their entire purchase. Only the items on the Food For All Staples List are excluded, so this means now all meat and dairy are included! We will sampling a wide variety of products in every department throughout the day. There will be raffles for gift baskets and give-aways for all owners.
Owner Appreciation Days are a great time to stock up! From 5-6pm on both days, there will be a special hot chocolate tasting with vegan marshmallows to try!
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| Common Ground WELLNESS | | Common Ground's Wellness Department is growing! We will be offering more products, more
samplings, and more opportunities to learn about personal care and supplementation for yourself and
your family.
Our new department carries a full line of personal care basics. In addition, we are proud to feature
clean, effective, and affordable skincare and hair care lines including Avalon, Dessert Essence, Weleda, and Andalou, among others.
 The supplement selection is increasing by over 500%; new lines include Nordic Naturals, Country Life, Flora, Jarrow, and Natural Factors, with more to come.
Beginning in January, we are launching our Wellness Wednesday program featuring discounts, classes,
and samplings on the third Wednesday of every month. As we get closer to the beginning of the year, look for more information in the store, on our website, and at our new Welcome Desk.
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