From locally grown, organic food to pasture-raised meats and dairy, many of the products on co-op shelves are getting new attention thanks to research that indicates these food production methods are helping to slow global warming. This makes your local food co-op a tremendous community resource for anyone interested in building a more sustainable food
From getting rid of plastic produce bags to online shopping, as the seasons change, so are some things around the Co-op. Here are a few of the exciting projects we are working on around these parts. Look for more details in the store and The Grapevine!
A few customers have brought up concerns about the plastic clam shells used to package some bulk options, such as raisins. We had tried putting them in bulk bins, but sales suffered considerably. In a search for a happy medium, we are investigating the possibility of introducing bulk bins for some products and possibly packaging some in glass jars.
Join us for an affordable meal on the last Wednesday of every month from 5-7 p.m. Over the next year, we plan on looking at implementing a way for customers to “pay it forward” by purchasing a meal for another person.
Community Mural Project – The big white wall is going to be a whole lot more colorful by the end of summer! Artists Rose Spieler and Mae Stoutenburg met with the Mural Committee (made up of Co-op staff and several community members) to finish up the design. With a final draft in hand, we are now ready to start creating mosaics and work on fundraising for the project. Want to help? Check out the Events page and watch for more details in the coming months.
We are currently investigating our options for installing a dishwasher and bringing in reusable dishes for the Deli. Due to the original configuration of the space, we’ve run into a few snags. However, we are hopeful that an affordable solution can be found in the near future.
Our online store opened in January. While sales have been slow, we expect this service to catch on. It is extremely convenient if you just need to pick up a few items, if you find it tricky to shop with little kids, or if you have trouble moving around. With more use, we hope to expand our pickup hours and possibly add a delivery option.
Plastic bags in Produce will be discontinued as of April 22. (That’s right, Earth Day!) We will have a new crop of reusable bags available for purchase, but we also encourage you to use the containers and bags you already own. This will be an experiment, so we will be evaluating sales to see if they experience a slump because of the change.
Spring is (finally) here and with it often comes the desire to ditch the heavier meals of winter. If you’re looking for lighter fare to add to your menu, try out one of these special spring recipes. Asparagus Gremolata with Orzo Lemon, parsley, mint and garlic join asparagus in a celebration of fresh spring
Ready for a taste of the Emerald Isle? Explore the flavors of Ireland in these hearty Irish meals, perfect for a late winter day. Irish Bangers & Mash – A traditional Irish dish. And the translation? Sausage and mashed potatoes (this recipe features cabbage in the mash!). Irish Soda Bread – Start your day off with
Chequamegon Food Co-op is committed to providing our community an enhanced quality of life. That is our mission and we meet it through a number of Ends (our organizational purpose). We do this by ensuring that people have access to healthy, organic, and locally produced goods which in turn assists in providing our community with a thriving local economy. To support these goals, we provide information to help our community be more knowledgeable about choices that impact the economy, personal wellness, and the environment.
How does a mural fit into all of this and why are we asking for your assistance in this project? This mural project would be a visible interpretation of our Ends and allow us to bring awareness to our mission. By promoting community involvement in the process from start to finish, we hope to increase awareness of how the Co-op can be a force of change FOR our community with strong support FROM our community.
This past fall, we launched the Co-op’s Community Mural Project. Artists Rose Spieler and Mae Stoutenburg (the same artists who have done mosaic and mural projects across Ashland) jumped on board to develop a design for the Big White Wall on the west side of our building. Through a series of community meetings and other public input, Rose and Mae have gathered enough information to develop the final design for the mural (see above).
Beginning in March, you will have the opportunity to create small mosaic pieces that will be added to the mural. these mosaic workshops will continue through May, when we will hopefully move the show outside and beginning applying the mural to the wall. See the updated workshop schedule on the Events page or on the Co-op’s Facebook page.
On the surface, a mural is just a pretty picture. But this project will go much deeper than that. We want the community to be involved in designing, creating, and celebrating a masterpiece that focuses on our shared love (and need) of good food.
Because this is a community project, we are asking for your help with funding. With a contribution from you, we can make this vision a reality. We hope that you believe so as well. If you would like to contribute to the mural, please visit the Co-op Community Mural Project GoFundMe page. Thank you in advance for your support!
This is a partnership project with the Alliance for Sustainability . The Co-op Community Mural Project is partially funded by a grant from the Chequamegon Bay Arts Council .
Interested in learning more about how your choices affect not only your health, but also the environment?Explore these resources to learn more about food production, food choices, and the connections between food, health, and the planet. Websites Carbon Underground Center for Food Safety Civil Eats Eat Wild Fair Trade Federation Fair Trade USA Food Policy
Gardening has so many benefits, but getting started can be a little overwhelming. Considering that a 600-square-foot garden that costs $70 to plant will yield an annual average of $600 worth of fruits and vegetables, it can definitely be worth the effort. But what if you’ve never gardened before? Read on for resources to help
Show your love this Valentine’s Day by cooking up a romantic meal for your sweetie. Single? Go the self-love route and make a fabulous feast all for yourself. Here are 20 romantic recipes for the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner! 1. Lemon Ricotta Pasta This simple, spectacular lemony pasta takes just 20 minutes to prepare.
They say the way to a person’s heart is through food, and we certainly won’t argue that showing your love with a home-cooked meal is special. Food also happens to be a great way to insure a healthy heart too. By choosing heart smart foods, you can help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, including decreasing
Share a meal with friends, family, and neighbors…at the Co-op! On the last Wednesday of every month from 5-7 p.m., you can enjoy a made-from-scratch meal from our Deli for only $5. Dinner will include an entrée with possibly a side dish (depending on the main dish). Add your own drink and dessert and dig in!
Got errands to run and want to skip grocery shopping? Spend a few minutes picking you products and we’ll take care of the rest! Online ordering is now available at Chequamegon Food Co-op. Orders will be available for pickup Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Simply head over to shop.chequamegonfoodcoop.com to get started. SPECIAL OFFER:
If your menu seems to always have the same rotating list of meal options, maybe it’s time to expand your palate. But how? Here are some more unusual foods that maybe haven’t made it to your grocery list yet and some suggestions on how to prepare them. Quinoa – Quinoa is a seed although it is