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From The Ground Up
Common Ground's Monthly E-Newsletter
August 1, 2015 
KNOW YOUR STAFF

Common Ground has a knack for growing:

  • In 2008 we doubled our store footprint with a storefront at Lincoln Square.

  • In 2012 we tripled our store footprint in our existing space.

  • In 2016 we have the opportunity to build a second store and double our presence in Champaign Urbana.

During these critical points of growth, we have reorganized our staff structure, gave old faces new titles, and merged departments. In an effort to keep our growing owner and customer base informed, I'd like to introduce our new Store Manager!


-Lara Orr, Owner Services coordinator
SECOND STORE PLANNING GALORE

It's been a busy month here at Common Ground while many of us have been settling into new positions. As our team has come together, it's been exciting to re-engage with the nitty-gritty details of the second store project so we can begin a quick progression again.


I'm very happy to say that we are able to now clear one of the contingencies of the project thanks to the City of Champaign approving a $710,000 tax abatement which will allow for roof and parking lot repairs to the building. This means the cost of the second store project now comes in at our budgeted amount and we can focus on clearing our remaining contingencies. On that contingency list are:

  • Successfully completing our owner drive for 900 new owners
  • Collecting enough owner loans during our loan campaign to fund the budgeted portion of the project. 

These steps rely directly on the support of our owners. With your help completing these, our staff will be working behind-the-scenes to get the other necessary details in order. Currently we are working on finalizing our financial plans for the project to give our project proposal to potential lenders. After we secure a lender we will move onto hiring an architect for official store drawings. As the architect starts their work, we will be nose-deep in putting together owner loan packet information and planning for a neighborhood input session to be held near the location of the new store.


As second store momentum builds we will continue to provide opportunities for owners to engage in this project. We look forward to the opportunity to work together!


-Satina Braswell, General Manager
RUN FOR THE BOARD

Want to be more involved with Common Ground and help shape our Ends?  Now is the time to consider joining the Board! We are looking for three owners who are interested in active, engaged Board service to help build our cooperative future.  If you are interested in helping contribute to the success of Common Ground consider running for one of three seats up for election this fall, or encourage a friend who you think would be a great addition to our leadership team.


Common Ground encompasses the diverse interests, issues, passions and concerns of the ownership in our communities. Some projects for the upcoming year include reviewing our Ends and supporting the second store expansion.


What you need to do to be considered:

  1. Be an active owner in good standing and meet the criteria listed in the Election Packet.

  2. Submit a completed application by 10pm on Monday, August 17, 2015.

  3. Attend our optional candidate information session from 5:15 to 5:45pm on Monday, August 10, 2015. (We encourage all candidates to attend the board meeting immediately following the information session as well.)

  4. Join us for an optional Board Tabling session to meet owner-voters on Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 10am to 12pm, and attend the MOO, Sunday, September 27, 2015 from 4 to 7pm.

We are always appreciative of those who dedicate their time, energy and talents to the Board. We would especially like to thank Lisa Hinchliffe, who is stepping down from the Board to focus on a PhD program at the University of Illinois. We will greatly miss her ability to gracefully lead difficult conversations and her general enthusiasm for the people and values at Common Ground.


 

-Magdalena Casper-Shipp, Board Member

KAYA TATE FROM HOPSCOTCH CAKES

Where are you from?
Southern CA originally but mostly the PNW & Boise Idaho

How do you find yourself in the C-U area?
My husband, Travis, Champaign born and raised, returned for a job at the University.

What inspired you to teach?
A friend, Colleen, and previous Co-op employee suggested it would be a great way to meet people and show them some tips and techniques. I love the opportunity to help people with some of the "mystique" of desserts.

What do you enjoy the most about teaching at the Co-op?
I love being able to meet new people in the community who I share similar sugary interests with!

What do you find the most challenging about teaching?
The public speaking factor! EEK!

What is your perspective on education as part of our food community?
I would have loved the opportunity to be able to learn about different culinary techniques before I decided to go to culinary school. I think it's amazing we have a opportunity to have a hands on experience with locals who are experts in their field. In order to have a sustainable community, it takes people who care about the the community of food to make the local economy work well for it's patrons.

Is there anything else you'd like Common Ground's customers to know about you or your classes?
I am always taking suggestions for anything someone would love to learn from the pastry & baking spectrum!
DON'T YUCK MY YUM!

Ever hear a kid say "ewwww, that's gross!" when it comes to food? As the school year begins it's a crucial time to remind kids to be kind and accepting in the lunchroom and beyond. One of our Grow On lessons is built to help kids develop kindness and acceptance and to be more adventurous with food. The lesson features Don't Yuck My Yum, a book by Amy Pleimling. In the book we follow along as kids interact with new foods and learn to not "yuck" someone else's "yum" as well as the value of trying new things, a valuable lesson for kids and adults alike. If you are interested in having Co-op staff come and teach your classes/groups/schools this or other free Grow On lessons request a lesson HERE or email the Educational Outreach Coordinator HERE.


In July we had a successful and fun Girls Explore-Culinary Creations Camp where we got our hands on the food:  cutting, baking, and cooking food from all over the world! We also held special Grow On lessons and other kids programming for more than 16 hours of high quality food education in July alone!


 

-Maya Bauer, Education Coordinator

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

Farming is a risky business. Unpredictable and uncooperative weather is a major risk farmers face every day and every year. No other business or profession is as dependent on factors completely outside their control as farming. And as the saying goes "mother nature bats last." Many farmers throughout Illinois are experiencing this hard truth right now.


According to the Illinois State Climatologist, this past June was the wettest on record following a very wet May and what is shaping up to be a record July. Its starting to take its toll on farmers and their crops.


In July, I had the pleasure of attending part of a Chef Camp at Spence Farm in Fairbury Illinois put on by the Spence Farm Foundation. While I was there I got to talking to Marty Travis, owner and operator of Spence Farm, about the rain, and what he said surprised me at first. He told me it was worse than the drought that slammed the midwest in 2012. He explained to me that in a drought their healthy soils and high organic matter helped to mitigate the problem and they could also heavily mulch their crops and haul in water from other places, but there is nothing they can do about too much water. He further explained that it was so wet that his usually healthy soil filled with aerobic beneficial microbes was going anaerobic and it was killing the crops, "it's like pouring round-up on your crops, the plants just can't survive in these conditions."


 

KEEP READING HERE
 

-Wes King, Illinois Stewardship Alliance


INFORMATION ABOUT CLASSES HERE

Registration is easy! You can register on line with the links provided here, or come into the store, we'd be happy to help!


 

Pressure Canning 101

Saturday, August 8th,2-4:30pm

Sunday, August 9th, 4-6pm

Tuesday, August 11th, 6-7:30pm

Thursday, August 13th, 6-7:30pm

Sunday, August 16th, 2-4:30pm

Tuesday, August 18th, 10:30-11am

Saturday, August 22nd, 2-4pm

Thursday, August 27th, 6-7:30pm

Flower Power!

Saturday, August 29nd, 2-3pm

Sunday, August 30th, 2-3:30pm







CALLING ALL OWNERS...

Please make sure your owner information is current. Click HERE to make any updates, 
then use this coupon to get $2 off your next purchase!

This coupon is valid for the month of August only. It can be printed or presented on smart device at time of purchase. Limit one coupon per customer. Common Ground Food Co-op 300 S. Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801
PLU: 961
In This Issue
SALES


BOARD MEETING
Know Your Board
Join your Board of Directors from 
6:15-8:15 pm on Monday, August 10th, in the Lincoln Square Conference Center
DIG IN
Prosperity Gardens

Join us on Monday, August 3rd from 4-7pm:  Prosperity Gardens will fire up the grill for garden treats and local Moore Farm meat. While helping in the garden, we'll have plenty of time to talk about the growing Co-op community. This is the perfect summer event for all ages.

AUGUST
ROUND UP
Moore Family Farm
With the generosity of the Bike Project of UC, the first week of Round Up in August will be for the Moore Family Farm. The Moore Farm has been a producer for Common Ground since the beginning and provides the Co-op with eggs, meat, and veggies. They have experienced epic flooding resulting in the destruction of their fields. It will take the generosity of the community to help bring back their farm back to production.

The Bike Project of
Urbana Champaign

The Bike Project is a non-profit, charitable organization of bicycle users whose mission is to educate and empower the community by providing a welcoming space to learn about bicycle repair, engage in maintenance practices, and promote safe operation through outreach and advocacy activities.
JULY ROUND 
UP TOTAL
Giving Back

Your participation in our Round Up for Good program allows your food Co-op the opportunity to positively impact the immediate community. During the month of July we raised $2000.00
for the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen. Thanks to everyone who donated!
THE BLT
Three letters, Big Flavor

The B.L.T. is back! Stop by the Common Ground Deli in August and order up a Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich featuring Blue Moon tomatoes and Moore Family Farm bacon. It's a classic combo made even better with delicious, local ingredients!

SAVE THE DATE
THE MOO

Join us on Sunday September 27 from 4-7pm at the Urbana Civic Center.
FRESH LUNCH
Pack a Punch

Summer is flying by and it's nearly time to start thinking of healthy school lunch options. Check out our produce department for easy-to-pack seasonal fruits and vegetables that kids will love. Pair sliced cucumbers from Blue Moon Farm or a PrairiErth Farm carrot with one of our house-made dips from the deli for a fun, protein-packed lunch. Pack some grapes, blueberries or local cherry tomatoes for a sweet treat. While you're shopping produce, check out our NEW low price on local tomatoes!

PICNIC PERK
Cheers to Cielo

Hailing from the northeastern region of Venezia, Italy, Cielo brings tasty wines at lovely prices. We have their refreshing prosecco, easy drinking pinot grigio and fragrant Moscato.  All are equipped with a twist cap to make picnics a breeze.  

MAKE IT EASY
Pack that Lunch

We all know it's healthier and cheaper to bring your lunch to work, here are some ideas to make that commitment easier.

Prepare an extra portion of dinner and pack it for lunch the next day. Buy large-sized packages of dry snacks and divide into separate lunch containers. Invest in a good thermos for hot winter soups and stews. Do you pack, then forget, your lunch? Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to bring your lunch!

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