Membership GoalCurrent Members: 1,192 Next Goal: 1,200
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Thank You!
Since the co-op is a community initiative, we want to take the time to thank community members for contributing their time, skills and passions to the Monadnock Food Co-op.
Thank you to the crew who helped stain our floor in February: Maggie Cahoon, Tiffany, Michael & Dana Day, Lisl Gersfield, Kathy Harrington, John Kondos, David M Martineau, Adam Sidelinger, Peg Smeltz, Hanspeter Weber, Marcia Winters and Ellen Wishart. |
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Dear Friends,
March is upon us -- the last month for staff and volunteers to prepare the store for our community! While our Opening Day is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3 (Woo-hoo!), please note that this date may shift due to construction schedule changes. When we open, it will be a Soft Opening -- please be patient as we work out the kinks of opening a new store.
In June, we'll have a week-long Grand Opening Celebration -- please stay tuned for a full schedule of all the fun. Why not have a Grand Opening on our first day? Our friends from other cooperatives shared their opening experiences with us and recommend a "Soft Opening" on April 3rd. It's a quieter way of opening, promoting more to all of you, our Member-Owners and fans, and less to the public at large. That way the staff will have the chance to adjust systems and learn how to work as a team.
We can't wait to see you on or close to April 3!
Member-Owners: Look for your Member-Owner cards in the mail the last week of March!
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Many hands make light work. Thanks to our volunteer floor staining crew and Elm City Bagels & Orchard Hill Breadworks for providing treats.
Photo By: David Martineau
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 Building Update Our register lanes arrived and Customer Service Manager Kerry Kelley can't wait for the front end to be up and running, ready to make your checkout a breeze. We ordered posters featuring photographs from Kimberly Peck Photography that will hang above the register area (see the poster featuring the Caserta family of Walpole Valley Farms below. So when you're in line next month, look up and admire these posters.  The Co-op Team plans to move into the new building on Monday, March 25 after a weekend of building shelves and setting up the store aisles.  Co-op Team Updates
A flurry of co-op hiring continues! We've hired close to 35 staff members. This week Marianne Brum started as our Finance Manager and the rest of the staff is scheduled to begin the week of March 25.
Member-Owner Kudos
"So glad to be part of an organization dedicated not only to feeding the community but awakening all to what it takes to create good nourishing food and community." Yours Cooperatively,
Michael Faber
Monadnock Food Co-op General Manager
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Each month we'll raffle off items - some to new member-owners and others to current member-owners - prizes that help the winners eat more local food and/or connect with our local food system.
This Month's Discover Local Give-Away:
Farmers, Producers & Gardeners
- $30 Gift Certificate to Phoenix Farm
- $25 Gift Certificate to Tracie's Community Farm
- $50 Gift Certificate to Walpole Valley Farms
- $5 Token to Farmers' Market of Keene
- Local Flavor Cookbook
- 6 Beginner Beekeeping Classes from Imagine That HONEY!
- Beekeeping: Getting Started in My Backyard DVD from Imagine That HONEY!
Learn More About This Month's Topics:
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 Community
Outreach ForumPathways for Keene
Tuesday, March 26, 7:00 p.m.
Keene Public Library, Keene
Learn the history and accomplishments of Pathways for Keene, as well as a Q & A session to focus on strengthening this organization.
Pathways for Keene is a non-profit (501c 3), group of volunteers who promote a public bicycle, pedestrian multi-use trail system in the City of Keene, who solicit funding, and/or make other types of contributions to accomplish this goal. Currently, they seek volunteers to fill open positions within PFK, or join in other initiatives which may be of interest to you. To learn more: pfk@tlaorg.org or 603-357-7567.
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The Economy:
Under New Ownership
Originally Published in Yes! Magazine, By Marjorie Kelly Pushing my grocery cart down the aisle, I spot on the fruit counter a dozen plastic bags of bananas labeled "Organic, Equal Exchange." My heart leaps a little. I'd been thrilled, months earlier, when I found my local grocer carrying bananas -- a new product from Equal Exchange -- because this employee-owned cooperative outside Boston is one of my favorite companies. Its main business remains the fair trade coffee and chocolate the company started with in 1986. Since then, the company has flourished, and its mission remains supporting small farmer co-ops in developing countries and giving power to employees through ownership. It's as close to an ideal company as I've found. 
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 Eggs
By Liza Drew, RD
Flavorful Fact:
Humans aren't the only creatures that are strongly affected by the absence of sunlight in winter. If hens don't get 12 hours of sunlight a day, their egg production declines. At least 14 hours of light is beneficial for egg development, which is why hens are most productive in spring and summer months.
Try this Recipe:
- Spring Spinach Squares
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Opening Day Specials
From Glenn Sibley, Our Prepared Food Manager
Here is what's on the menu for April 3rd:
- BBQ Seitan
- Asian BBQ Chicken Bake
- Asian Green Beans
- Stir Fry/Udon Noodle
- Steamed Kale & Brown Rice
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National Ag Appreciation Day
NH Celebration at the Statehouse Plaza, Concord
 March 19, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless other across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture. View the poster for NH's Ag Day. There's more at agday.org.
Water Jam: World Water Day
Art for Water
Friday, March 22, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.Next to the Colonial Theatre, Keene World Water Day, a United Nations program, is held annually on March 22nd as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. View more about Water Jam and Art for Water. Maple Weekend
NH Maple Producers
Saturday & Sunday, March 23 & 24, Hours Vary
Throughout the State
Over 110 sugar houses statewide are expected to participate in the 18th Annual NH Maple Weekend. Join the fun and learn why we are celebrating the sweetest season of the year!! View this year's schedule. 14th Annual Sap Gathering Contest
Stonewall Farm
Saturday, March 23, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Stonewall Farm, Keene
Join your friends at Stonewall Farm for the annual Sap Gathering Contest. This event has become a signature Stonewall Farm event. Come see teamsters race on our course as they collect "sap" as quickly as possible. The tradition of boiling sap into maple syrup has been a New England tradition for generations. There will be food for sale, maple syrup sundaes, hayrides, and lots more!  March Family Farm Day Inn at East Hill Farm
Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
East Hill Farm, Troy
Enjoy a fun day at the farm hay jumping, pony grooming and more. Fee: $25/adult; $15/child; prices include the day of activities, meal, tax & tip. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations required: 603-242-6495. See the full day's schedule at www.east-hill-farm.com. SAVE THE DATE!
NH Sap Run
90% Mental
Saturday, April 27
Stonewall Farm, KeeneTake a scenic trip through fields and forest of historic Stonewall Farm. All of the run is on trails on Stonewall Farm property and Cheshire Rail Trail. The course is a variety of rolling hills and flat terrain. Pancake Breakfast with pure maple syrup and yogurt made on the farm is included for participants and volunteers. Bring along the family for a refreshing day at the farm. Proceeds from race will help support Stonewall Farm Youth Scholarship program. View more information.
DON'T MISS THEM:
Winter Farmers Markets
Throughout the Monadnock Region & NH See list for more details Visit markets in Keene, Peterborough, Rindge and Walpole this winter. Traveling through New Hampshire? View the entire list at www.agriculture.nh.gov.
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