“Some side with the leaves. Some side with the seeds” - Jeff Tweedy
I side with the seeds. How about you? Well, actually I side with leaves and the seeds but when it comes to “Moving Beyond the Fork” and public policy this spring I am siding with the seeds.
Co-ops at their core are a community of people. We come together to own and jointly support a vision for change through the vehicle of a business. Our CGFC community is made up of almost 6,000 people who own a share in CGFC and regularly support the business.
Most of us rely on our city water utility to provide us with clean water for drinking, washing, bathing… And there are some of us who rely on our wells. No matter how we get our water, we know that it has been tested and meets certain governmental standards for cleanliness. We receive an annual report from our provider that lists results from testing.
We celebrate a diverse beer selection here at Common Ground, and with so many varieties it can be difficult to choose. For those (like myself) who enjoy beer but may not have a grasp on what food goes with each style, we stumbled across this helpful chart about pairing beer with food. We have put together a list of beers and complementary recipes for each meal of the day! Yes, that includes breakfast.
The Vegetarian Muffuletta is our new featured sandwich that will have you licking your fingers with satisfaction!
Chocolate has long been associated with delicious decadence. Recent research has shown that far from being a junk food, consuming dark chocolate in moderation may have certain health benefits, due to a high content of healthy fats, antioxidants and micronutrients. Chocolate is derived from the seeds of the cacao tree, an evergreen native to Central and South America. Cacao beans have been prized and consumed by humans for nearly 3000 years. Spanish conquistadors first encountered chocolate served by the Aztecs- as a bitter drink spiced with chilies.
By now you have likely heard the news that Common Ground's General Manager, Jacqueline Hannah, will be leaving to join the Food Cooperative Initiative in May as a consultant. I have conflicted feelings as I consider her departure. As a board member and owner I will sorely miss her passion, vision, leadership, and commitment to our organization. As a friend and colleague, however, I am extremely excited for her to share those same attributes with food co-op start-ups across the country; she is uniquely qualified to foster their success.
Q & A with Farm Manager, Lorien Carsey
What does your farm name mean to you? How did you choose this name?
February is usually a dynamic and busy time when it comes to politics, policy and legislation here in Springfield at the Capitol. 2015 will be no different and with a new Republican Governor taking the reins of state government riding a promise to "shake up Springfield" while Democrats still hold super-majorities in both the House and the Senate it might be even more of a dynamic year than usual.
Fellow Common Ground Owners,
We have some important news to share with you. Common Ground’s General Manager, Jacqueline Hannah, has accepted a position as a Co-op Development Specialist with the Food Co-op Initiative (http://www.foodcoopinitiative.coop/), a national organization that advises start-ups in the industry. She will remain at Common Ground until May, so we will have plenty of time to say proper goodbyes and celebrate her incredible contribution to our organization, as well as to plan for the transition in leadership.
