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From The Ground Up
Common Ground's Monthly E-Newsletter
July, 1 2015 
Owner Days
Lara Orr, Owner Services Coordinator
Owner Days are here again! From July 15th-July 19th we will be celebrating our owners with 10% off one purchase of your choosing, door buster deals and exciting raffle prizes. 

Not currently an owner? This is the best time to join. All owners that sign up during owner days automatically receive owner benefits, meaning you get that 10% off deal, and you would directly impact our owner drive getting us one step closer to a Champaign store.



As we dive into the heart (and heat) of summer, we're excited to see that we're well on our way to reaching 900 new owners in preparation for the new store! 


 
So what does it really mean to be an owner? If you're talking to your friends, co-workers, and neighbors about joining the Co-op community here are a few facts you might not know:


 

1. Owners are actively contributing to the local economy. 

Co-ops on average spend 38% of their money locally; for every $1000 Co-ops spend, more than $1600 is generated in the local economy!

 

2. It's one of the easiest ways to support local organizations. 

Our monthly Round-Up organizations are selected by owners and shoppers collectively raise large contributions to support local causes. Beyond Round-Up Co-ops are known for giving back 3x more than the average conventional grocer. 

 

3. As an owner, you are helping provide great food for all. 

By being an owner of Common Ground you're helping support our Food For All program which provides full equity grants, over 50 deeply discounted items in the store, and daily 10% discounts for those who need it most.

 

4. We not only support good food, we support the environment.

We do our best to implement sustainable practices throughout the store. We collect unused food in store to compost at a local farm. Each month we provided incentives to customers who bike or bus to the Co-op. And recently created a staff sustainability committee  helping educate staff and customers alike on current issues. We support over 95 local producers and encourage transparency  regarding growing practices and utilize How Good, a third party product rating system.

 

5. Owners save money not only on food, but also on classes! 

With over 144 classes a year, owners can attend these classes for an average of $5 less than non-owners. Owners also get 10% discounts on all bulk orders. Stock up and save!

 

Full Steam Ahead!

Satina Braswell, General Manager

I'm sure you've all heard the news by now but I'm incredibly excited to say I recently accepted the position of Common Ground's General Manager.


I look forward to all I can do while serving the community in this new role. Although the transition of GM is still sinking in and we will definitely miss Jacqueline, I feel very strongly about our co-op's ability to progress towards second-store and fulfilling our Ends with just as much steam as we've always had.


It seems Common Ground has been in a constant state of change for more than a decade and I think throughout each change we've learned more about ourselves and our abilities, enabling us to come out stronger in the end. I see this change as no different, it's just part of our nature. As a co-op we aren't a business based on one, we are a business based on many who work as one to reach a common goal. The collective effort is what makes us strong and that is why we can continue on, full steam ahead. We are co-op strong!


Local Fare
 Halie Kastl, Board Member

As summer comes into full swing local produce is easy to be had. This local fare is hard to beat and continues to be cherished year-round in our community. There is another aspect to local food thought that often gets forgotten. Native edible plants are most likely already on your table and in your garden, often given little special thought or very little encouragement. These species, which are traditionally and naturally found in the region's ecosystem, support the continued health and support of the area's biodiversity- all while adding something special to summer meals.


During this time of year in the central Illinois area, native plants are in especial abundance. The next time you are at our Co-op or even the farmers market look for produce like Rhubarb, Berries, Sunflowers, or Evening Primrose to add something extra local to your meal.

 

Regional Profile with Mileur Orchard

Mileur Orchard is a family owned business first established in 1961 by my father-in-law, Max Mileur, on ground that had been farmed since the mid 1800's by my mother-in-law's family, the Graffs. Howard and I took over the orchard in 1996 when his parents wanted to retire.


The orchard and our Farm Market are located 1 1/2 miles west of Murphysboro on Highway 149 and we drive 206 miles to reach Urbana.


We primarily grow peaches, nectarines and apples but we also grow apricots, plums and pluots.  We are known for our dedication to provide unusual varieties of stone fruits and our extensive growing season.  We begin mid June and finish harvesting around late September/early October.  We offer yellow peaches, white peaches, yellow and white nectarines and 6 varieties of "donut" peaches ranging from the traditional white fleshed to yellow, orange & green.


keep reading here


Camp Time!
Maya Bauer, Education Coordinator

Summer is in full swing--the Co-op will be cooking with kids for a whole week starting July 6th! The camp, a collaboration with Douglass Park Community Center (Champaign Park District), is called Girls Explore Culinary Creations. For 5 days we'll explore food from around the world, tasting flavors from different places and talking about what foods grow around the world. What would you be eating if you lived in Mali? What about Ecuador? We'll be making art, making food and having a great time!


 

Know Your Water
Introducing the Sustainability Committee!
The Sustainability Committee's mission is to provide awareness of both renewable and nonrenewable resource usage. We strive to form a conscientious culture that approaches day-to-day resource usage with both frugality and practicality. We believe that sustainable practices can and should be incorporated into our daily CGFC operations. We strive to transpose our acquired knowledge into a comprehensive and trainable model.

We are heavily into the planning phase of our first event on  July 18th from 12-2pm: Know Your Water. The first 10 attendees will receive a goodie bag, there will be a water taste test, a kids water facts activity, and a rain barrel raffle. There will be literature on water issues and we'll celebrate the 'sole source' designation of the Mahomet Aquifer. The event will be on the north side of the Co-op porch.

July Classes
In This Issue
Sales



Know Your Board
July Meeting

Join your Board of Directors from 6:15-8:15 pm on Monday, July 13th, in the Lincoln Square Conference Center
Join Us!
Come Out, Dig In!

Want to talk about Common Ground coming to Champaign? Join us at Prosperity Gardens on Monday, July 13th from 4-7 pm. Enjoy a cold glass of tea or lemonade and hear all about second store!

July Round UP

The mission of the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen is to feed the hungry of our community regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. 
June Round Up For
Good Total
Giving Back
During the month of May we 
cooperatively raised over $2300.00
for The Eastern Illinois Foodbank. Thanks to everyone who donated!
Deli Dinner
Beating the Heat

When it's too hot to cook, come on in for all we have to offer at the Deli. Bring home a collection of deli salads and dips for a no-cook, tapas-style dinner!

Want a little more, our entrees are a great choice and only require a short spin the microwave. Finally, as the summer fruits come into season, we will have some delicious peach tea and a caprese sandwich available for order. 

Fresh and Local
Local Produce

Tomato season is here! Sweet, tart, juicy,and warm from the field, organic tomatoes from Blue Moon Farm in Urbana are here now. Pair them with basil from Green Pantry Nursery in Tuscola for a local flavor explosion!

Also new this month are Mileur Orchard's incomparable (and budget-friendly) peaches, Washington cherries, and local greens galore. Our produce selection is changing every week with the arrival of new local items, so stop by frequently.

Grocery Notes
Zesty Veggie Dip

July heat brings sweet peas, juicy bell peppers, crunchy cucumbers and crisp radishes! Greek yogurt is the perfect pal for all those fresh local veggies just begging for a cool dip. 


1 container (17 oz) Fage Greek Yogurt

1 package Simply Organic dip mix 


Mix contents of packet directly into entire container of yogurt and enjoy.

Summer Wellness
Buggy Summer

Summer is here and so are the bugs. In addition to your natural insect repellent, try these tips for avoiding the bites and stings. Don't forget to eliminate any standing water remaining after a storm and frequently change bird bath water; it's a breeding ground for mosquito larvae. Try spraying your favorite natural insect repellent on fabric strips to hang over doorways and windows. And always encourage predator dragonflies, bats and birds to visit your yard!

Celebrating 40 Years of Community
Copyright �2015 Common Ground Food Co-op. All rights reserved.
{OWNERS ONLY}
                          Take $1 OFF 
                                                                     Woodstock frozen fruit

This coupon is valid for the month of July only. It can be printed or presented on smart device at time of purchase. This coupon is valid for Woodstock frozen fruit onlyLimit one coupon per customer. Common Ground Food Co-op 300 S. Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801
PLU: 960