Growing Our Food Co-op – June 2017 Newsletter
Dear Fellow Member-Owners and Friends,
Co-op Continues to Grow
The co-op grew to 429 wonderful member-owners by the end of
May. Eighteen (18) new members joined in May for a 4.4%
increase over the 411 members we had at the end of April.
ALL ARE WELCOME AND INVITED TO BECOME
MEMBERS OF OUR FOOD CO-OP.
Over the past year we have grown by 275 members -- from 154
members on May 31, 2016 to 429 today. What a great year it
has been! But with your help we hope to continue and even
accelerate this pace. If you are not already a member, we hope
you will join us. Already a member? Please consider inviting a
non-member to accompany you to one of our awesome events.
That’s a great and enjoyable way for folks to begin to connect
with our co-op and learn of our mission and goals.
Food Co-ops are the Real Thing.
Food co-ops have the best interests of their members at the core
of their mission. Food Co-ops put people before profits. They
are not owned by outside investors, but by their members. Food
co-ops support local farmers and they continually strive to
implement the most sustainable practices in all of their
operations.
We are excited as we get closer to the day when we will open a
community-owned natural foods grocery store, with a special
focus on healthy LOCAL products and sustainable practices.
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Bumper Stickers, Tee Shirts, Yard Signs
You may be starting to see some TOTALLY cool new items
appearing around town PROUDLY displaying the name of the
Fredericksburg Food Co-op. The question on everyone’s mind
is: How can I claim one of these? Catch us at one of our events
and we’ll get you fixed up. (Modest donation requested for tee
shirts and yard signs.) These items will beautify your car and
yard and you will NEVER look better to us than when you are
wearing a co-op tee shirt!
Volunteers Welcome!
Studies show that volunteering reduces stress, lowers the risk of
certain diseases, reduces depression and lessens chronic pain,
while also increasing one’s sense of purpose, social conection,
mental functionality and physical fitness. At our co-op, WE
ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS – from the board to the awesome
members who staff tables at our events to those who
demonstrate delicious healthy cooking. If you would like to
enjoy the many benefits of volunteering for our food co-op
please drop us a line at [email protected].
Board Elections:
On September 24, we will hold our Second Annual Meeting at
the Downtown Library at 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg,
VA 22401. At that meeting the members will elect three board
members to serve terms of three years October 1, 2017 –
September 30, 2020. As a startup co-op, ours is a “working
board”, not simply a “governing board”. All board members
serve as volunteers without compensation and they devote
significant time and attention to this worthy effort. If you are
interested in learning more about running for and serving on the
co-op board, please email us at [email protected].
Looking forward to seeing you at our June events.
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June Events –All
are Welcome
June 1, 5-7 pm, Co-op Happy Hour, Legume,
715 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Please join us
for a relaxing and enjoyable time as we savor delicious and
healthy treats at reduced prices and enjoy great
conversation.
June 2, 5-9 pm, First Friday Fun at Liberty
Town, 916 Liberty Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Join
us at this wonderful art gallery. Enjoy beautiful art,
delicious free food and really good conversation.
June 3, 11:00 am-8:00 pm, Rock the River.
Old Mill Park, 2201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
22401. Join us for the 3rd annual Rock the River Festival.
Enjoy live music and fun activities for folks of all ages.
June 3, 10, 17, and 24, Farmers Market,
Hurkamp Park, Corner of Prince Edward and William
Streets, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. We’re so happy to be at
our wonderful Farmers Market. The products are fresh and
delicious and the people are friendly and welcoming. And
while you are there, please stop by our food co-op table.
June 6, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Picnic in the Park,
Hurkamp Park, Corner of Prince Edward and William
Streets, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Bring a lunch or
purchase one in the park while enjoying music by
local performers, and fun activities for children!
Please stop by our co-op table.
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June 12, 7-8 pm, Nerd Night FXBG, Red Dragon
Brewery 1419 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
We’ll be one of three speakers at this fun and informative
evening. Of course, our focus will be on the value of the Co-op
Business Model and we’ll share “eternal truths and fun facts.”
June 15, 10:30 – 11:30 am, Everything Co-op
WOL 1450 AM or online streaming at www.woldcnews.com.
We’re excited to be invited to this live interview. Co-ops are
“America’s Best Kept Secret.” They are a powerful means of
transforming lives and building stronger communities. Tune in as
we discuss the important role of co-ops – past, present and future
– and why the Fredericksburg Food Co-op is so important.
June 15, 5-7 pm, Co-op Happy Hour, Red Dragon
Brewery 1419 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
Please join us for a relaxing and enjoyable time with good food
and drink. We think you’ll agree with Yeats that “There are no
strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.”
June 17, 12 Noon -6 pm, Juneteenth Celebration,
New City Fellowship, 200 Prince Edward Street, Fredericksburg,
VA 22401. Juneteenth, also called Emancipation Day, is a
celebration of the day in 1865 when the abolition of slavery was
announced in Texas. We are honored to be part of this important
celebration.
June 22, 4-6 pm, Tea in the Garden, Downtown
Greens, In the LOWER GARDENS behind 206 Charles St.,
Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Let us treat you and your friends
to a wonderful afternoon with tea and delicious treats. Enjoy
this special urban oasis.
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