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"

"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."