An Exciting Year in Review!

We've had an exciting year here at the Food Shed, from Goat Yoga sessions to successful fundraisers, winning contests, fabulous outreach events, fun-filled co-op community nights and parties, the addition of more than three dozen new owners to our community, the start of a great relationship with McHenry County College, and an amazing year-end holiday celebration!

Thank You

The Food Shed community is made up of many socially-conscious owners, local businesses, supporters and volunteers who've generously given their time and donations throughout the past year. Here are a few highlights of our community's generosity in 2018:

• More than 500 pounds of food donated to food pantries all over McHenry County, thanks to holiday party attendees’ donations and local farms who donated to the Empty Bowls fundraiser at MCC!
• Our $200 Founding Owner holiday party winner donated her prize back to the Food Shed Co-op!
• Dozens of Food Shed owners and supporters volunteered their time at more than 35 outreach events, including helping nonprofit organizations like McHenry County PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter), committee meetings, board meetings, and administrative work (thank you Pam for your newsletter proofreading and copyediting!)
• More than 400 Food Shed community owners and supporters took the time to complete our important Store Vision Survey!
• More than 50 Food Shed owners & local business supporters donated local food, products, and services multiple times and made our special events even more special!

All of you made this past year memorable, while paving the way for new developments in 2019!

Let's keep the momentum going in this new year by continuing to tell our friends and neighbors about the Food Shed Co-op. Let them know the benefits of building our community-owned grocery store -  a store that's sure to be full of great local food, smiling faces, and many years of meaningful experiences!

Future Events!

February 16th: WPCC's "Teaming with Nature" at McHenry County College

Our friends at the Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee are encouraging all nature lovers in our community to register for their 27th Annual Native Landscaping Seminar at MCC. The seminar will feature presentations on natural landscaping: how to use native plants in the garden, their benefits, their aesthetics, strategies for use, and how they support wildlife.

Registration for early bird tickets are $35 if purchased by Feb. 2nd, $40 after Feb. 2nd, and $45 at the door.

Saturday, March 9th | 1pm: "Sustainable" Documentary Screening Event in Cary

Sustainable: The Future of our Food System Determines the Future of Mankind

Join us for the screening of "Sustainable," a compelling documentary about America’s food system and the sustainable food movement (featuring local food heroes from right here in Illinois)! Delicious refreshments will be provided while you view the film at the Cary Area Public Library. Stay tuned for more information on a fun, interactive event following the screening!

This screening is generously sponsored by Cary Alehouse & Brewing Company in Cary, Illinois, and All Grass Farms in Dundee, Illinois.

RSVP as space is limited!

Sunday, March 24th | 2pm: "Sustainable" Documentary Screening Event in Algonquin

Sustainable: The Future of our Food System Determines the Future of Mankind

Join us for the screening of "Sustainable," a compelling documentary about America’s food system and the sustainable food movement (featuring local food heroes from right here in Illinois)! Delicious refreshments will be provided while you view the film at the newly renovated, Algonquin Area Public Library's Main Branch on Harnish. Stay tuned for more information on a fun, interactive event following the screening!

This screening is generously sponsored by The Black Bear Bistro in downtown Algonquin, Illinois.

RSVP, as space is limited!

Volunteer Opportunities

January 19th | February 16th | March 16th: Woodstock Winter Farmers Market

Come on out to the award-winning Woodstock Farmers Market at the McHenry County Fairgrounds inside Building "D." You'll enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of more than 30 vendors offering quality winter produce, local artisanal foods and gifts, and live music!

The Food Shed Co-op has an outreach table at the market, where Food Shed newcomers can receive information and answers to their questions about our local food cooperative.

We're looking for a few volunteers to represent the Food Shed at this festive winter market as soon as January 19th, and also in February and March. If you can help out, please signup/RSVP for any of the two-hour shifts for January, February or March.

Cooperatively,

Your Food Shed Co-op Team