It’s hard to escape all the pundits and opinion writers putting together their predictions for 2019. Cars, politics, science, tech – all fair game for prognosticating. (Here is an assortment of food predictions, in case you’re interested.) So, despite repeated reminders that predictions are mostly exercises in futility, I’m going to tell you what’s going to happen with your Cedar Falls Food Co-op in 2019.
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Thanks to many generous local businesses, your Co-op ended 2018 with a fabulous group of new member-owners! Our 12 Days of Co-op Ownership occurred throughout December with a different business each day offering a gift valued around $50 to the first new co-op member-owner or person giving the gift of a membership that day.
Gift offers included $50 gift cards, a Chiroflow pillow, coffee, a travel mug, acupuncture, a gift basket of Rifle Paper products, a one-hour massage, a local farm basket of goodies, and a yoga class pass. New member-owners joined or had gift memberships purchased for them almost every day of the 12 Days campaign, receiving many of these items. We are now 926 member-owners strong!
Food co-ops are local businesses that keep money in the local economy. As we focus on opening our store doors, we are grateful to the numerous local businesses already supporting our efforts. Special thanks and a shout-out to the following for supporting this latest member-raising effort through the 12 Days of Co-op Campaign:
Agape Therapy
Cup of Joe
Eagle Peak Healing Arts
Miss Wonderful Vintage
Mulligan’s Brick Oven
New Dawn Yoga
The Runner’s Flat
Sidecar Coffee Roasters
Single Speed Brewing Urban Pie
Wayson Family Chiropractic
Urban Pie
Wayson Family Chiropractic
Yellow Table Farm
Freezer Meal Club or Freezer Club is a small group of friends (anywhere from 2-8 people) who commit to cooking freezer-friendly meals (Casseroles, certain soups, marinated meat, etc.) for one another each month. Three of my friends and I formed a Freezer Meal Club in August this year and let me tell you: We are LOVING it! I should point out that two of the friends had been in different Freezer Meal Clubs for years before they moved to CF a few years ago.Continue reading
A recent encounter I had with a community member about the Cedar Falls Food Co-op reminded me that no matter how many conversations you have, how many social media posts are created, and how many presentations are made in front of civic groups, the idea of what the Co-op will be is still not clearly understood by many. So even though “Joe” knew about the Co-op, including what the cost of a membership is and that we were searching for a location, I could tell he was still uncertain about many of the details. When you get to the core of his questioning, it was basically this: How is the Co-op different than any other business that might operate in Cedar Falls? Continue reading
If you love soup, you’ll want to join us for this delicious event!
Swap some soup to keep the soup on throughout the month of December! Join other creative home cooks to stock your freezer and gather some new soup recipes.Continue reading
Before we get into this month’s column, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Fall Food Fest a smashing success! From the farmers, producers, and restaurateurs to the musicians, to the face painters, to all the volunteers who helped move tables and chairs, hung posters around town, and more. This is what it means to build community. This is what happens when people work together for a cause. It’s amazing to see. I can’t wait to see all the good things that happen after we open a store!
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We are thrilled to partner this October with FOUR! local producers who not only provided free samples and information at our fifth annual Fall Food Fest last month, but also have each generously offered approximately $20-worth of their fall bounty to help us grow more member-owners in October. If you are not yet a member-owner, this is a great month to become one. Join by the end of the day on Sunday, and you’ll be entered into the drawing for that week’s incentive. Already a member-owner? Encourage a friend to join and, if they write your name in regarding how they heard about the Co-op, you’ll also be entered into the drawing.
Well, friends, fall has graced us with its presence. Nice! The colors, smells, tastes, and feel of this time of year make me happy to discover new recipes that are simple and tasty. This recipe happens to be colorful too which makes it taste that much better. It has quickly been added to my “Make that again” list. It was so good! We get to use some scrumptious in-season veggies, fresh herbs, and warming spices. You may have already noticed the jar of Frontier Co-op cumin in my photo. Definitely one of my favorites! The recipe called for yellow pepper, but I had red on hand. It also calls for shredded mozzarella but I used fresh. The flavors were so tasty, and the leftovers didn’t last long! This one gets two thumbs up! Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato SkilletServes 4
Ingredients:
3 small or 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
1 pound ground turkey
1 yellow bell pepper
1 cup onion, diced
½ cup mozzarella, shredded
½ cup water
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepperInstructions:
In a large cast iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute and then add ground turkey.
Use a wooden spoon to break apart meat and continue cooking approximately 8 minutes until browned.
Add cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir well to incorporate.
Add onion and bell pepper, and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add diced sweet potato and water.
Stir and cover with a lid for approximately 6-8 minutes until the sweet potatoes soften.
Add additional water during this process if needed to keep the meat from drying out.
Remove lid and add additional salt and pepper if needed.
Top with shredded mozzarella and allow it to melt.
Remove skillet from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
This month’s member spotlight is volunteer extraordinaire and outgoing board member Brenna Griffin! Brenna has been involved with the Co-op almost since the very beginning. In her six years of service she has served on the Membership Committee, later becoming co-chair, and has spent the past three years serving on the Board of Directors.
