After years of planning, we’re finally getting ready for some of the most dramatic steps in the Co-op’s development, namely site selection, the investment campaign, and designing the store. It’s a very exciting time indeed!
This is not to say that writing bylaws and conducting a market study weren’t exciting in their own right, but the final stage is most exciting because this is where the vision turns into reality.
From farming in Southern Appalachians, Chicago world fair, and some of the finest restaurants in New York, where will our next adventure take us?
As you can see CFFC book club is off to a successful start. What a superb way of meeting like-minded people and share a common interest. The club meets on the 4th Monday of every month at 4:45. At our April 23 meeting the club will be talking about the book The Girl With Seven Names, author: Hyeonseo Lee. Join in the discussion in person or check out the Facebook Group.
Wendy Johnson and her husband, Johnny Rafkin, own and operate Jóia Food Farm, located in Northeast Iowa. Together, they have a 5-year old daughter, Vivienne, who is currently planning her own garden for this coming spring. Wendy is originally from Iowa but moved to California after college to pursue her then love of fashion and marketing. In 2010, Wendy returned to Iowa with Johnny to live and work on the family farm. Wendy felt a strong connection to her family heritage and wanted to respect what her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents worked so hard to create. When she returned to Iowa, she didn’t know much about agronomy, so she enrolled in a few classes at Iowa State University, took master gardener classes and found mentorship, peers, and resources through Practical Farmers of Iowa.
Jóia Food Farm raises pigs, sheep and lamb, chicken for eggs and meat, turkeys, and ducks. They also grow organic grains and pastures. The animals are grazed within the organic rotation, adding to the nutrients that the soils need to grow healthy plants. Jóia Food Farm believes in the principles of agro-ecology, with a focus on biodiversity, the sharing of animals and plants working together to create healthy soils, healthy animals, healthy plants, a healthy environment and most importantly, healthy food.
Dear Member-Owners,
We’re calling for Owner Investment Campaign Volunteers!
The Cedar Falls Food Co-Op is growing and site selection for our grocery store is happening! As a site becomes available, we will kick off our Owner Investor Campaign and need your help in doing so. The Owner Investor Campaign Committee is seeking Builders and Communicators—two critical volunteer roles to assist with the Owner Investment Campaign. The Owner Investment Campaign will help the Co-op raise the money needed to open our store, and Builders and Communicators will play key roles in the campaign. A description of both volunteer opportunities is provided below:Continue reading
Co-op Connections
Thursday, April 12 from 5 – 6:45 p.m. at The Brass Tap (Cedar Falls)
This casual event is a great way to meet others. Join the Co-op outreach coordinator and others to hear about Co-op updates, get your questions answered, and just enjoy the community vibe. The Brass Tap offers a discount to co-op member-owners, so bring your card. Questions? Contact outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop.
Co-op Potluck
Monday, April 16, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Second State Brewing (Cedar Falls)
Want to sample a variety of dishes while engaging in good conversation? All are welcome! Bring a dish to share and if possible, your own table ware. Our potlucks are family-friendly, and we encourage you to bring guests as well. Second State is a business partner, so don’t forget your card if you are a member-owner to get a discount on beer draws. Questions? Contact info@cedarfallsfood.coop.
Co-op Book Club
Monday April 23, 4:45 p.m. Cedar Falls Library
We are excited to continue our book club this month with The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee. Check it out and come join our lively discussion! Questions? Contact info@cedarfallsfood.coop.
Spring represents new beginnings, and it’s appropriate that your Co-op is working toward its final stage of development. With 750 member-owners, we are now looking toward 800 and you can help us get there. Keep spreading the word and if you have not become a member-owner, we hope you will join this month. Together, we can get our store here sooner!
April brings Earth Day, and we are honoring our planet in a variety of ways this month. Keep an eye out for Rooty the Co-op Carrot who is emerging from a long winter nap and is excited to celebrate mother nature with you. Thanks to the Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, we’ll have a membership to give away, so stay tuned. We are also highlighting some reusable, recyclable items this month that some lucky member-owners will receive. Be sure to keep tabs on all of these activities via our Facebook page where you can find the most updated details.
Happy Earth Day! Happy Spring! Happy Co-op Supporting!
The weather is forever changing in Iowa. But this last snow storm was a pretty big one. Leaving us cold and wet with shovels in hand. These colder days can have us seeking a warm pot of goodness at the end of the day. Grab a big pot, add some chicken or vegetable stock, lots of fresh vegetables, a protein of your choice, seasonings, and enjoy! Continue reading
March ended with a bang. Not only did we hit our month’s goal with 750 member-owners, but we also hosted a fabulous trivia event on March 28 at Lark Brewing in Waterloo.
