March 2015 Newsletter

Spring is right around the corner and our second year of organizing has almost flown by! We are well on the way to opening our community-owned grocery store in McHenry County. Read on to learn what is going on...

Market Study Update

We are currently in the second phase of our Market Study. In this second phase, we have a consultant working on our financial pro-forma, 

which will provide details of the required capital that needs to be raised, based on current assumptions. Our first phase included a study of market demographics, survey of existing grocery stores, and evaluations of sites in Crystal Lake and Woodstock. This info was then compared to other comparable markets with co-ops or natural food stores. The first phase results were very positive and show we can be successful in our existing target area. We unfortunately cannot share any more details since it could compromise our bargaining power during our site selection process. Our most important factor is continuing to build ownership numbers, as we know we will need to have around 1,000 owners to open the doors.

Food Shed Crumbs
Get sunflower savvy on our blog! Read about why the sunflower captivated Caron with its "beauty, lore and usefulness"

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Call for New Owners
If you aren't an owner yet or, if you are an owner who knows someone else who should be, now is the time to sign up! New owners who join during the month of March will automatically be entered in the March New Owner Raffle for a chance to win all the fixins for an Irish meal - grass fed beef brisket from Q7 Ranch, organic cabbage and potatoes AND a gift certificate to A New Interiors Anew, upscale resale on the Woodstock Square. Join today!
Congratulations to the winner of our February New Owner Raffle, Jennifer Ludwigsen! 
When asked why she became an owner, Jennifer had this wonderful response
"I am passionate about fixing our food system. I want my children to know what responsible agriculture looks like. I believe we need to break away from corporate-sponsored mono-cropping and instead move together toward a community-centered, thriving ecosystem. Building and supporting the FoodShed Coop will allow us lean on each other and provide health, wellness, and shared knowledge for generations to come."
Upcoming Events
04/02, 8pm April Info and Updates Webinar 
04/04, 6-8pm First Fridays at Crystal Lake Brewing 
04/07, 1:30-4pm McHenry County Food Scrap Forum at MCC
04/07, 6-8pm FREE Screening of Food For Change at Woodstock North High School
04/11, 10am-noon Coffee and Conversation on Second Saturdays at Ethereal Confections
04/18, 10am-noon Shape Woodstock at Soulful Prairies
04/18, 11am-4pm Earth Day Celebration at Prairieview Education Center
04/22, 6-8pm Our Birthday on Earth Day at Crystal Lake Brewing

Where else should we be? 

Please let us know at [email protected] of any events that the Food Shed Co-op can participate in.

Keep on top of all of our events
check the main events page often. If you are a Google Calendar user, click the icon in the bottom right corner of our calendar and subscribe. When we add a new event, it will show up on your calendar so you will never miss a thing!

Food Community Events
If you are looking to fill up your March calendar, check out these upcoming events.
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03/19 - 03/21, Good Food Festival at the UIC Forum. Celebrate the good food movement, with speakers, workshops, demos, a trade show floor and much more!
03/25, 6th Annual Local Food Lobby Day hosted by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance. Local food advocates, farmers, and citizens from across the state will come together in Springfield to encourage their legislators to support local food and farms.

In Cooperation,
Your Food Shed Co-op Board of Directors

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