34 Cypress Street, Keene, NH

Mon- Sat, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sun 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

(603) 355-8008

Co-op E-News: April 2015

Co-op Updates

A big thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated our Two Year Anniversary. I enjoyed serving cake to all of you who came by on April 3rd. In fact, so many of you came out on that day and throughout the week that you gave us an entirely new thing to celebrate -- a new weekly sales record: We broke $200,000 that week!

While serving cake, many Member-Owners shared their stories and involvement in our Co-op. It was inspiring to hear how important the Co-op has become to their day-to-day lives. As we embark together on our third year, I am grateful for all that you have done to contribute to our success. Thank you all again! We look forward to an even stronger third year -- both in financial success and community impacts.

Yours cooperatively,

Michael Faber

Monadnock Food Co-op General Manager

What's On Sale?

Platters For Every Party

Our Catering Menu is Now Online

Planning a graduation party, office luncheon, or summer fling? From a fresh garden salad and a platter of nitrate-free deli meats, to a delectable selection of New England-crafted cheeses, we have you covered! Find our catering menu on our website. Don't see exactly what you want? We take special orders and can work with you to create the perfect spread.

Board Update

A Bylaw Update for our Anniversary
By Erik Walker, Co-op Board of Directors

Many of you already know that the Co-op celebrated two full years in business this April 3rd. But before you light the candles, did you know that the Co-op is more than twice as old as that? Yup, April 19th will mark the 5-year anniversary of the Certificate of Organization filed with the state of NH by our founding mothers and fathers. In fact, there was a veritable flurry of activity in 2010 as these folks (many of you included!) worked to articulate our vision, draft that Certificate, and flesh-out a working set of Bylaws that would enable the Co-op to become what it is today.

Health & Wellness

What Does Organic Mean?

By Mary Veerkamp, Co-op Marketing & Membership

A friend recently told me about a conversation in which a man was lamenting the "fact" that the only organization currently watching for, verifying, and certifying foods to be free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is the Non-GMO Project. She was distraught by this because, while many of us are actively working toward securing the labeling of foods containing GMOs, the speaker in this conversation failed to recognize that the USDA Organic certification process also prohibits the use of GMOs in any food product or animal feed. It made me wonder if this was a generally held misconception. Do consumers actually know what the USDA Organic label does and does not mean?

Call to Action

Make Your Voice Heard Regarding the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, a.k.a. the "DARK" Act

Right now, Congress is debating a proposed law that would block the mandatory labeling of GMO foods at the national and state levels. Many experts anticipate that this bill could pass very quickly. First introduced by Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-KS), who named it The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act , the bill has also been dubbed the Denying Americans the Right-to-Know, or "DARK," Act because it would codify, or make official, the current system of voluntary GMO labeling.

Calling or emailing your lawmaker is the most effective way to influence his or her vote on the bill. In addition to being effective, contacting Congress is also easy! Learn more and find talking points here.

Upcoming Events

Wine & Chocolate Tasting featuring Vinilandia NH and Pure 7 Chocolate

April 24, 4pm - 6pm at the Co-op

Try Pure 7's delectable line of small-batch chocolates bade with raw honey and the finest quality organic ingredients, and pair with wines from this small, focused New Hampshire wine distributor. Learn more!

Cheese Tasting Series: What's That Smell?

May 6, 5:30 - 6:30pm at the Railroad Square Senior Housing Conference Room
(next door to the Co-op)

Explore cheeses that make you stand up and take notice. Some of our cheeses will be smoked goat cheese and cheddar, washed-rind cheeses like Oma and Reading and even a blue cheese or two.

A registration fee of $5 per person is required. Attendees will receive a $5 Gift Card to the Monadnock Food Co-op to use anytime. Handouts included. Registrants who can no longer attend and cancel up to 48 hours in advance of the event will receive a full refund. These classes fill quickly, so register now!

Browse more Co-op and Community Events

Community Corner

Monadnock Earth Day Festival

Saturday, April 25, Noon - 4:00pm

The Monadnock Earth Day Festival, presented by Antioch University New England, celebrates the region's commitment to a healthy community and healthy planet. Meet community organizations on the patio next to the Monadnock Food Co-op, join us for workshops and seminars in the Monadnock Makerspace, and contribute to community service projects in and around Keene, New Hampshire.

GIMME 5!

Recycle Your #5 Plastic Here & Enter Our Earth Month Preserve Raffle!

Did you know #5 plastics make up 25% of the plastic used in the U.S., but only 2% of the plastic recycled in the U.S.? Your waste hauler may pick up your yogurt cups and takeout boxes, but there are few buyers for this resource, so most of it is discarded or burned. Enter Preserve, a company in Waltham, MA that makes toothbrushes and razors out of the clean #5 plastics you deliver to Gimme 5 bins, found in locations like the Monadnock Food Co-op!

Bring 5 pieces of clean #5 plastic for our Gimme 5 bin in front of the registers, then ask your cashier for a raffle ticket for a chance to win a basket of beautifully designed Preserve products until April 30!

(In addition to any #5 plastic and Preserve products, Stonyfield, Burt's Bees, Brita and Plum packaging is encouraged - learn more.)

Go Co-op!

Communicating the Co-op Difference:

Neighboring Food Co-ops Celebrate 4th Annual Meeting

Jerry McGeorge, Vice President for Co-operative Affairs at Organic Valley, a co-op of organic farmers with over 300 members here in New England, was keynote speaker for the Neighboring Food Co-op Association gathering. "Co-operators are idealists and tend to be humble, which is good," said McGeorge, who also serves as chair of the board of directors of the National Co-operative Business Association. "However, we need to be better at telling our story, telling the people in our lives why co-ops are a superior business model. This is my challenge to you." Read More.