Food For Thought - June 2019

We have some news! As our community outreach and marketing goals continue to grow, so do we. Two new staff members have joined us in helping to make our vision a reality.

Join us in welcoming our new team members who together have years of experience in outreach and volunteer coordination as well as marketing communications and graphic design to make this happen.

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Natalie Ziemba
Community Relations Manager
Natalie Ziemba is our new Community Relations Manager; her role will primarily involve events coordination and outreach. Natalie moved to the area recently, taking up residence in Woodstock.

She holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Teaching and taught high school English for 10 years in Chicago. She currently works in product and marketing management for a global company.

Natalie is enthusiastic about her new role and brings years of experience volunteering with several organizations throughout Chicagoland. We're excited to have her on board.

Say "hi" to [email protected]

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Lisa Moeller
Marketing Communications Manager
Lisa's background in marketing and graphic design spans over 20 years. She is a self starter with a knack for communicating both visually and verbally. Originally from Iowa City, Iowa, Lisa has a B.A. in Economics from The University of Iowa.

"I consider myself a right brain/left brain creative. I have a business degree, but I've always worked in a creative field, whether corporate or freelance. I’m passionate about grass roots projects and seeing an idea become reality."

In her free time Lisa hikes, shares her golden retriever as a therapy dog with Alliance for Therapy Dogs International and likes spontaneous day trips to quaint small towns that surround her.

Say "hi" to [email protected]

BIG DREAM! BIG GOALS! MORE OWNERS! This can only be accomplished by you! We've got three weeks to GROW to 800 OWNERS by July 8th! Spread the word to your friends, neighbors and community! Be a part of something that is good for your family and community.

FUN FACT: IF JUST HALF OF OUR CURRENT OWNERS FOUND ONE MORE OWNER - WE'D BE OVER 1000 OWNERS! IF ALL OF OUR OWNERS FOUND ONE MORE OWNER WE'D BE READY TO BREAK GROUND!

To get to our next stage of growth, we need to reach 800 owners; become an owner and get involved! There are many options for joining the Food Shed Co-op, including our monthly payment plan of $21/month for 10 months. For those who need a little extra help, you can apply for our Financial Assistance Fund.

If you're not a member, what are you waiting for? JOIN TODAY!

So MANY reasons to join: Owner Discounts, Voting Rights, Patronage Dividends and more!
Plus supporting local farmers and food artisans promotes more nutritious food choices and improves our local economy by giving back to our community! It's a win-win!

We love our volunteers and all their hard work! Below are great opportunities to spread the word about Food Shed Co-op to our community. Shifts are two-hour commitments and super fun! Join us on our journey to support our local growers and healthy living at these farmer's markets.

Pearl Street Market | Pearl Street, McHenry | Fourth Thursdays

The Pearl Street Market (formerly The McHenry Farmers Market), is where you'll find a variety of homemade and homegrown fare including produce, honey, soaps, pies, sweets, crafts and other goods!

Help us to reach our ownership goals!

We'll need a few volunteers to represent the Food Shed at our outreach table once a month at this fun market - if you can help out - RSVP/sign-up for a shift.

Woodstock Farmers Market | Woodstock Square | Third Saturdays

Come on out to the award-winning Woodstock Farmers Market in downtown Woodstock and enjoy live music and vendors offering quality produce, plants, local artisan foods, gifts and more!

We will be there with an outreach table this summer and fall, offering information and answering questions about our local food cooperative.

We'll need a few volunteers to represent the Food Shed at our outreach table every third Saturday - if you can help out - RSVP/sign-up for a shift.

Are Your Passionate About Food Shed Co-op? Have Great Ideas? Become a Board Member!

If you are interested in being on the Board of Directors, review the board role description to make sure you qualify to be a board director and to be sure you can commit the time and effort required. Then if you are ready to commit, fill out the application and submit.

If you have any other questions about joining the board contact our board President at [email protected]. Click HERE to access the board role description and application. Please have all applications in by 7/11/2019.

Beets: Nutritional and Good for You...What's Not to Love?

A Good Mood Food Beets contain betaine, a substance that has been found to help treat depression. Betaine works with SAMe, a compound often given as an antidepressant, to increase its efficiency and lower depressive symptoms.

Heart Health Beets are rich in potassium, antioxidants and phytochemicals, which help protect against heart disease. Potassium helps muscles to contract, regulate the heartbeat, and prevent a build-up of plaque on the arteries.

Exercise & Stamina Naturally occurring nitrates in beets are converted to nitric oxide in the body, which helps to relax blood vessels, increase blood flow and reduce the amount of oxygen needed by muscles in exercise. This allows the muscles to work more efficiently, improving overall exercise tolerance and performance.

Prenatal Care Folate, or folic acid, is a B vitamin crucial to the development of a baby’s spinal cord. Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive can get nearly 70% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance of folate from three baby beets. Cooked beets have lower levels of folate than raw beets, but are still a good source of the nutrients!

Hungry? Here's a Great Summer Recipe Using Fresh Vegetables From Your Garden

Citrus Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients

2 seedless oranges
2 lemons
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds asparagus spears
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons tarragon leaves
Sea salt and coarsely ground pepper

Directions

- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. From one orange and one lemon, cut 1/8 x 2-inch strips, avoiding the bitter white pith; set aside. From same orange and lemon squeeze a total of 2 tablespoons juice; set aside.

- Thinly slice remaining orange and lemon; drizzle slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper; set aside.

- Wash asparagus; break off woody bases. Place spears in baking pan. Sprinkle with garlic, tarragon, and citrus strips. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil; toss to coat spears. Spread in single layer. Season with salt/pepper.

- Roast asparagus and citrus slices 12 to 15 minutes, turning once or twice until asparagus is tender and citrus begins to brown. Transfer to serving platter.

- Meanwhile, for vinaigrette, whisk together reserved juices and remaining 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt/pepper. Drizzle over roasted asparagus, citrus and garlic. Sprinkle with roasted citrus slices. Serve warm. Makes 8 servings.