Member Spotlight: Carol Lilly

Carol Lilly is our spotlight member-owner this month, and her family of four moved to Cedar Falls in 2008.  Her husband Chris grew up in CF and after working in the mid-west for several years, they settled here to raise their two boys, Jake and Josh.  Chris is the warehouse supervisor for Cedar Falls Utilities and Carol is the director of Community Main Street.  Jake is now 20 and is in the Marine Corps. Josh is 18 and will be leaving for San Diego State University this fall.

 

Now that their children will be gone much of the year, their free time is about to change!  They enjoy spending time outdoors and supporting local events and activities, many times through volunteering.  Chris is one of Community Main Street’s most active volunteers, according to Carol. Their most consistent volunteer activity is watering the downtown plants on Sunday mornings during the summer.  Chris is a member of Rotary and Carol is on numerous boards, including Sartori Foundation, Cedar Falls Community Foundation and Cedar Falls Community Theatre.  She also sits on the Park & Rec Commission and acts as a liaison to the Cedar Falls Tourism Bureau and Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber Affiliate group.

 

Carol’s parents are her greatest role models.  They both endured great hardships growing up, yet were able to find a way to go to college, choosing careers in education.  They taught her that a person’s station in life doesn’t matter and to treat everyone fairly and with respect. “Everyone has something to contribute and tapping into each person’s strengths helps them grow individually and helps the greater community,” Carol said.  They also taught her the importance of family and always making it her top priority.

 

The vibrancy of downtown is one of the primary reasons they decided to move back to CF, so Carol was really excited when she got the opportunity to work for Community Main Street. “I may be bias because of my work, but I truly love the downtown district!  A locally owned shop or restaurant has a different vibe than big box.  To me, the cluster of local businesses downtown and on the Hill helps give Cedar Falls its personality,” she said.

 

Carol is looking forward to having a food co-op in town, due to the sense of community the co-op offers:  “It brings people who may not have crossed paths in everyday life together and turns acquaintances into friends.”

 

Although they moved around quite a bit when they were first married, Carol said, “No matter where we have lived, we found ways to connect and embrace the community in which we lived.  ‘Living local’ has been our lifestyle long before it became mainstream.”

 

Moroccan Spiced Salmon with Yogurt Sauce

Heat up that barbeque, grab a cold one, and watch some salmon sizzle on the grill. One of the best summer meals is some grilled salmon with some vegetables, rice, or another side dish. These yummy Moroccan spices add flavor and character that will make your taste buds tingle. Top it off with the creamy yogurt sauce to dazzle your senses. This is one tasty recipe. Add fresh salmon to your shopping list this week and make for your family or just for yourself. Happy cooking!

Recipe found here:http://strongertogether.coop/recipes/moroccan-spiced-salmon-with-yogurt-sauce

Continue reading

Board Happenings: July 2018

– We are now seeking candidates for this year’s board elections! If you’re interested in running, check out our board candidate application packet at https://rootedcarrot.coop/become-a-board-member/.
– This fall is our 5th annual Fall Food Fest! Join us on September 25th at the Cedar Falls Community Center to celebrate 5 years of community building!
– The Food Cooperative Initiative has invited the Cedar Falls Food Co-op to join them for monthly peer calls. This allows us the opportunity to work with other co-ops who are in the same stage of development so we can learn from each other.
– More of our base business work, such as the financial pro forma and business plan, are well under way. We’ve made a lot of progress with these the past few months and are excited to get them buttoned up so we can move on with the next steps.
– You can get all of your board information directly from the horse’s mouth! Each month our meetings are open to our members. Join us for August’s meeting on August 15th, at 7pm at Millrace.

Upcoming Events: August 2018

Co-op Connections

Wednesday, August 15 from 5 – 6:45 p.m. at Chad’s Pizza (Cedar Falls)

Join the Co-op outreach coordinator and others to hear about Co-op updates, get your questions answered, as well as connect with others in your community. Chad’s Pizza offers a yummy deal to co-op member-owners, so bring your card.

 

Co-op Celebration at Octopus (a Plus One Event)

Sunday, August 26, from 5 – 8 p.m. at Octopus (Cedar Falls)

Octopus and the Cedar Falls Food Co-op are joining together to celebrate the Co-op’s success and hear about what lies ahead. The Co-op is already present in the community, people are involved – and we are getting closer to opening our doors to a cooperative grocery store in Cedar Falls. This summer, we passed the 850 member-owner mark and are well on our way toward 900! Keep spreading the word so we can celebrate that milestone at this event. As an added incentive, those who join that night will receive a $20 gift card to another College Hill establishment, Greenhouse Kitchen.

Join us for good food, drinks and conversation. Member-owners, bring a friend who would benefit from learning more about the Co-op.  And don’t forget our August incentive: become a new member-owner that night (or be listed as a referral for a new member) and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a gift basket from Frontier Spices. See you there!

Questions? Contact outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop.

 

Co-op Book Club

Monday August 27, 4:45 p.m. Overman Park

Our book club continues to be a great success. Don’t miss our lively discussion of the Great Alone by Jocelyn Hannah.
Questions? Contact info@cedarfallsfood.coop.

 

 

 

The Cedar Falls Food Co-op Book Club: One Way Community Is Thriving with Your Co-op!

For the past year, various member-owners have been gathering monthly to discuss the latest CFFC Book Club read. The book choices are not necessarily food related, but are titles suggested and voted on by the group. For the past few months, the group has been meeting at Overman Park to enjoy the outdoors while connecting over the latest read. One of their first outdoor gatherings ended in this unique story as related to us from Sharon Silva, one of the book club attendees:


“The weather was perfect for a meeting outdoors at Overman Park. The Necklace by Cheryl Jarvis relates the true story of 13 women who went in together to buy a diamond necklace, how they decided how they would share it, and the ways it affected each one’s life. Prior to the entertaining discussion and keeping with the theme, the book club group of 11 women each brought the special story of a necklace which she wore. They shared many nods and smiles over each unique piece and remembrance. It turned out that one woman had not looked for her special necklace until the last moment, so she never found it. While she was looking, though, she found a long-forgotten tiny jeweled drawstring purse and brought it instead. When she hung it around her neck the group promptly accepted it as a creative, acceptable substitute. However, when she discovered three hundred-dollar bills tucked inside, also long-forgotten, cheers erupted. Who says procrastination doesn’t pay?!”

Spreading the Great News about the Co-op!

“There’s going to be a cooperative grocery store in or near downtown Cedar Falls? Sign me up!”

This was what was most often expressed several weeks ago at a Co-op gathering in the lobby of the 250 State Street building located in the heart of downtown Cedar Falls.

Hosted by Co-op member-owners Jim and LeAnne Sprau, who are residents of 250 State, attendees sampled delicious food and beverages the Spraus purchased from Second State Brewing and spoke with other member-owners along with Outreach Coordinator, Melanie Drake to learn more about this grassroots effort to bring a full-service locally-focused grocery store to the downtown area. While anyone can shop at the Co-op when it opens, there are many advantages to purchasing a member share and consequently becoming a member-owner, including having a vote and say in how this store will be run. Party attendees certainly realized these advantages, and we hit a record that night, signing up the most member-owners we have to date at a house party.

Are you ready to help your Co-op spread the word in this important way? Whether you want to host a small or large gathering, we are here to help. We will provide a co-op representative to present or just talk individually to attendees, such as we did at 250 State Street. Your gathering can be as informal as you wish; we just ask that at some point, we get a chance to provide information about this growing business and be able to take memberships from interested individuals.

And, if you are not into party-hosting, we can come to any regularly planned event you have whether a book club or other discussion group, present to an organization of which you are a part, or come to your work and do a lunch and learn. We have many ideas, so contact our outreach coordinator (Melanie Drake: outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop) and she can help you put your idea into action. Thanks to the many individuals who have already hosted house parties, and we look forward to many more successful events!

From the Coordinator: August 2018

Quick Quiz: Can You Name the Seven Cooperative Principles? Why are they so important?

The seven cooperative principles are what sets a cooperative business apart from other businesses. Many of us ensconced in the day-to-day work it takes to get our community-owned grocery store here live these principles, but we need to ensure that all of you, our readership, have a solid grasp of this unique foundation that creates one of the best business models available.

 

So, why are these principles so important? Co-ops must abide by them ultimately creating businesses that are honest, just, transparent, behave with integrity, and remain accountable in every way to one another and the community they serve.Continue reading

From the Board President: More Myths About the Co-op

Before I jump into this month’s article, I want to take a moment to give a shout out to our peer food co-op Prairie Roots Food Co-op, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary. Congrats to another successful start-up food cooperative – one that’s provided a lot of support for our effort here in the Cedar Valley. (We love Cooperation among Co-ops!)

Speaking of starting a food co-op, did you know that the Cedar Falls Food Co-op is getting close to announcing a site location? If all goes well, we should have an announcement by the end of the month. Keep watching our Facebook page for details!

In the meantime, it’s time to revisit an article I wrote a few years ago, The Top 6 Myths About the Food Co-op. I think it’s time to expand that list. So, without further ado, here are 6 additional myths about food co-ops and the Cedar Falls Food Co-op:

 

Myth #7: The Cedar Falls Food Co-op is like the NewBo City Market

FACT: The NewBo City Market, located near the downtown in Cedar Rapids, is a space filled with separate businesses, operating much like a business incubator. In contrast, the Cedar Falls Food Co-op is one business—a grocery store, which will purchase goods from local growers and producers, and sell those on their behalf. A better picture of what the Co-op will look like is in this video.

Myth #8: Because of its name, the Cedar Falls Food Co-op will only be for Cedar Falls residents

FACT: Anyone can shop the Coo-op! In fact, my wife and I shop at food co-op across the country, often going out of our way to visit food co-ops for lunch or to grab some food for the journey. Not only will the Co-op serve the entire Cedar Valley, it will generate tourism dollars from other folks who stop by on their way through town. Also, don’t forget that unlike businesses like Costco, you don’t have to be a member (or really, owner) to shop the Co-op.

Myth #9: The Co-op will be bad for the farmers markets

FACT: On the contrary, the Co-op will be a boost for the farmers markets. Between promoting/advocating the value of purchasing locally and providing the farmers with yet another outlet to sell their wares, food co-ops across the country work in collaboration with their local farmers markets. One of my favorite examples is the Neighborhood Co-op (Carbondale, IL), which hosts their community’s farmers market in its parking lot. Talk about synergy!

Myth #10: The Co-op will benefit from numerous grants

FACT: While it’s true that cooperatives are sometimes eligible for grants, and that the Cedar Falls Food Co-op was the beneficiary of one such grant ($300 for to help cover expenses to attend the annual food co-op conference), the reality is that grant opportunities are few and far between, especially for us here in Iowa, which doesn’t have as robust a cooperative infrastructure as many other states. Don’t forget that cooperatives are not nonprofits (see previous article).

Myth #11: It will be expensive to shop at the Co-op

FACT: Prices at food co-ops are competitive with conventional grocery stores. Sure, it’s true that the Cedar Falls Food Co-op will pay workers more than conventional stores, and will give back more to the community (as a percentage of its profits). (And it’s true that our prices might be a bit higher during our first few years after opening.) But the Co-op also benefits from being a member of a national organization and supplier, which will help make some prices even lower than the competition. But even if the prices were a bit higher, wouldn’t that be worth it if you factor in how much money is kept locally, how much co-ops nurture community, and how much co-ops benefit the environment? I thought so.

Myth #12: Opening the doors of the Cedar Falls Food Co-op is inevitable

FACT: The Cedar Falls Food Co-op is close to announcing a location, but that doesn’t mean there’s not much work left to do. In fact, the final stage of opening a $2.5 million business requires a lot of hard work. Many thanks to all the volunteers who’ve helped with this process so far. However, there’s much left to be done – if you are interested in rolling up your sleeves to help with governance, marketing, finance, or events, please drop me a line at tomwick@sbcglobal.net.

 

Thanks so much for reading this month’s column. Please let me know if you have other ideas for future articles.

In cooperation,

Tom Wickersham

 

Do YOU Have What it Takes?


We are building a community-owned business. This is not something that happens every day. This is big news, and something to shout about.

And when we talk about a community-owned business, we’re not talking about a business that is run by a select group of shareholders. We’re talking about a business in which every owner has an equal vote. This is democracy at its finest (and one of the guiding principles of cooperatives).

Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. And the members do this primarily by electing representatives to serve on the board of directors. Are you board material?

If elected to serve on the board, you will be part of the leadership of the Cedar Falls Food Co-op as it journeys through the single most important event in its history: The grand opening!

Take another step as an owner of the Cedar Food Co-op and submit an application for a position on our Board of Directors. This year three of nine seats are up for election. Ideal candidates share a passion for helping the Co-op achieve success. They have a clear understanding of what it means to participate as a member of a board. They bring skill sets from a variety of industries and other board or life experiences, combined with a strong desire to help the Co-op succeed.

So, will YOU become a candidate for the Board of Directors? Learn more about the role and responsibilities of board members here. And if you think you’re up for the challenge, submit a completed application by email by September 8. Be sure to brace yourself for an incredibly rich and rewarding experience!