Almost Happy New Year! 
Photo Credit: leasanders.wordpress.com
Our Co-op is fast approaching the start of a new year... a new fiscal year that is! (Our fiscal year runs July 1st - June 30th)

Over the past couple months, we have been deep in our annual planning process, imagining what great things we want to accomplish next year, and farther down the road. 

It's been an exciting process, and all staff helped shape our plans. Each department developed a dream sheet, highlighting their department's goals, while staying focused on our Ends (our version of a Mission). 

I recently met with our Co-op neighbors in Vermont -- the General Manager of Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, along with managers from City Market in Burlington, Hunger Mountain in Montpelier and Brattleboro Food Co-op in Brattleboro. We reviewed our business plans for next year and gave each other feedback -- an excellent example of the 6th Cooperative Principle "Cooperation among Cooperatives" in practice.

While our Co-op's plans are still in draft stage, I wanted to share some highlights:
  • Hire a part time Sustainability Coordinator to help coordinate a rooftop solar array project on our roof and connect with a commercial composting facility to transform more of our waste into compost.
  • Expand our relationships with local farmers and increase the local selection in our meat and produce department by 20% next year.  
  • While we have reduced hundreds of prices since we opened, we plan to further reduce center store/grocery department prices during the upcoming year.
  • Roll out a "Gain Share" program to share a portion of profits with staff when we exceed our financial goals.
We are excited about what we have planned so far but we would love to hear from you. What would you like to see us accomplish this coming year?

Yours cooperatively,

Michael Faber

Monadnock Food Co-op General Manager 

 

Help Us Reach 2,400 
Member-Owner Referral Incentive
Monadnock Food Co-op Member-Owners: We'd love your help reaching 2,400 Member-Owners by July 1, 2015. Please help us spread the word to your family and friends who haven't yet joined our Co-op.
 
To thank you for your help, you'll receive a coupon for 10% off one entire purchase when one of your referrals joins the Co-op before
July 1.  (So be sure that your referral adds your name to their application.)  The new member will also receive a coupon for 10% off one entire purchase.  Thank you so much for your help!
Board Update
Gearing Up for October's Annual Meeting
By Kathleen Burke, President, Co-op Board of Directors
The board has created a draft of the proposed By-Law changes and encourages Member-Owner feedback.  Look for an email and web presence within the next few weeks explaining the rationale for the changes and a schedule of Member-Owner meetings.  This is an important document and your feedback is crucial, so please participate!

Mark your calendars for October 24th for a fun and informative annual meeting to be held at Heberton Hall in Keene.  We are working out the details and would welcome volunteers to help with this endeavor.  Learn more
Let the Wine Flow   
By Mary Veerkamp, Marketing Department

Spring is turning toward summer, even as I write. The sun is high in the sky and the temperatures are warming up, encouraging outdoor gathering and good cheer after a long, long, long (I think you get my point) winter. I find myself, once again, getting reacquainted with my grill and (occasionally) reaching for an adult beverage. So, let's talk about wine.

What's On Sale?

   

Take Action! Tell the FDA 
Do You Use or Value the Option to Choose Homeopathic Remedies?
NOW through June 22, 2015, the public comment period is open to help the FDA understand:  
  • Consumer attitudes about homeopathy Arnicare Value Pack
  • Whether or not consumers have enough information to make informed decisions about purchasing homeopathic products over the counter (OTC)
  • And whether there is confusion at store shelves with placement of homeopathic medicines next to non-homeopathic medicines

Learn more and give succinct examples of your personal experience choosing homeopathic remedies for everyday ailments here.  



Upcoming Events

Ice Cream Social Fundraiser

June 19, 6 - 8:30pm at the Co-op 

Come enjoy Walpole Creamery ice cream and delicious toppings while supporting a great community local food initiative: SCS Head Start's Early Sprouts Program.  Cost: $5 for adults and $3 for kids. 

 

Tastings During Our Ice Cream Social
June 19, 5 - 7pm at the Co-op
- Mayfair Farm will be on hand grilling up some delicious pasture-raised meat samples.
- Henniker Brewing will offer samples of its four flagship brews: Amber Apparition, Working Man's Porter, Hop Slinger IPA, and Whipple's Wheat.

 

Farm Tour: Mayfair Farm

June 20, 11am - 12:30pm at Mayfair Farm, Harrisville

Meet the farmers and learn more about Mayfair Farm's growing practices.  Enjoy delicious samples, too.  Please register so we can send you directions and other updates.   

 

 

Community Corner

Take the Indie Challenge 

Monadnock Region citizens are invited to take the Indie Challenge from July 1-7, 2015 as part of Independents Week.  Individuals who sign onto the challenge will try fulfilling all of their needs at locally owned, independent businesses for one week.  Spread the word via Facebook too! 
Go Co-op! 

International Day of Cooperatives is July 4th     

Originally Posted at Green Star Natural Food Co-op
This year, the International Day of Cooperatives fortuitously falls on July 4, American Independence Day. The chosen theme for the 2015 celebration is Equality, with the slogan "Choose co-operative, choose equality."  This slogan highlights the fact that inequality around the world is on the rise, and that co-ops offer a viable solution to reverse this trend.

Membership

Current Members: 2,358

 

Learn more about  

Member-Ownership  

OR

Join online today

Board Meetings

3rd Monday of each month at 4:45pm in SCS Railroad Square Senior Housing Conference Room  

49 Community Way, Keene  

  If you are interested in attending, please  

contact the board. 

Hours
Monday - Saturday
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday
9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.


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