Blog

by Sam Ihm, Marketing

On industrial agriculture, farmer suicides, being a "consumer", eating consciously, and working toward a local food system that meets our material needs.

What's Your Relationship to the Food You Buy?

What is the ultimate decision we face when choosing what food to buy at the store? Is it what we’re going to eat for dinner, or how much money we’ll have left to spend elsewhere? Or, can it be bigger than just what happens to us today?

Almost exactly four years ago, I applied to run for Common Ground’s board. At the time, I worked for a nonprofit that focused on local food and farming, and my motivation for joining CGFC’s board was mostly because I care about the importance of locally grown food and having a connection to the people who produced it. The co-op, then, was a logical place for me to find a sense of community. The Ends (conveniently painted on the walls above the registers) are things I believe in, and I am proud to be a part of them.

by Anne Bargar, Produce Assistant Manager PrairiErth Farm sits a few miles outside of Atlanta, IL, about 20 miles southeast of Bloomington-Normal. It’s 350 acres of diversified farm including vegetable crops, grains, pasture, cover crops, and restored prairie. The terrain there is rolling and the whole farm is quite beautiful. Add in the dramatic clouds we had during our visit, and it was quite the visual feast.

by Gary Taylor, June 2018

Hello Co-opers,

June 2018

by Mia Hanneken, Education Coordinator

I have been living my bulk aisle dreams this past month! An enormous “thank you” to everyone who has donated their jars to the co-op. Little by little, we are bringing awareness to single use plastic and offering sustainable options. I encourage everyone to continue donating their empty jars and skipping the unnecessary bags when shopping in bulk (and produce, for that matter).

June 2018

by Andi Marietta, FOH Manager

New to bulk buying and want to know what it’s all about? Awesome! Buying from the bins might seem complicated at first glance, but it’s really very easy once you know what to do. We’ll show you how with these step by step instructions.

June 2018

by Andi Marietta, FOH Manager

We all know by now that the best thing for the environment and sustainable living is reusing what we already have. Many years ago, folks here at the Co-op began a leave a bag/take a bag system which has been hugely popular. So popular in fact, it got some of us to thinking: how can we help folks reuse more items? Well, our very smart, one and only Mia in the Marketing team came up with a great idea.

Introducing...The Jar Donation Station!

Here's how it works:

June 2018

by Julie Zilles, Board President

Hello fellow Co-operators!

First, I want to thank all of the owners who came to the Financial Meeting of Owners. Your dedication and concern about the Co-op is heartening and very welcome! I look forward to seeing all of you at our next meeting! In this month's newsletter I am going to re-cap the goals and highlights that I talked about for all of those who could not attend. This is not a complete list but should give everyone a good idea of the exciting things we have in store for you!

Food For All: Fundraising Festivities by Mia Hanneken, Education Coordinator