Who: Children ages 2-5 and their caregiver

Where: Clear Creek Food Cooperative 710 East Main Street, Richmond, IN

When: Second Wednesdays March-October 10am-11am

• March 14: Spring Sprouts
• April 11: Down on the Dairy Farm
• May 9: Buzzing Bees
• June 13: Solstice Tea & Strawberries
• July 11: Lovely Lavender
• August 8: Summer Snacks & Sun Bread
• September 12: Oh, Nuts!
• October 10: Abundance of Apples

Children Live what they Learn & Learn what they Experience. Nurture Your Child’s Love of Nature & Create Interest in Healthy Eating Habits that will last a Lifetime!

Space is Limited! Pre-Registration Required Call (765) 939-4390 Email: coop@ClearCreekCoop.org

Per class: $4/members $5/Non-members Please register by the Friday before class meets.

View Event PDF Flyer

Dear owner-members,

Owners of the Clear Creek Food Co-op affirmed their gratitude for the unique and wholesome products, generous educational culture, and niche of specialized services provided by their Co-op at an owner-member meeting on June 16. Twenty-three members and one guest speaker gathered for two hours at the Co-op to discuss the Co-op’s future, financial reality, and the challenges of limited resources.

After dire predictions that the Co-op would be out of business by July due to rising food and transportation costs, as well as slow summer sales, Co-op board and staff members reached out to all owners for a realistic assessment of owners’ priorities and commitment. In 2009 the Co-op’s owners voted to move to the heart of Richmond in 2009, and with only $19,000 in start-up capital, the Co-op has been reaching out to new customers, owners and community partners for 18 successful, exciting months.

There is a plan to get through lean summer months, the Co-op needs to raise $8000. To reincorporate as a non-profit (thereby increasing access to funding, especially grants for the Co-op’s extensive educational efforts), the Co-op needs to raise approximately $4000. To replace the large fridge that has been breaking down regularly (and has now completely died), the Co-op needs to raise $5000.

Owner-members enthusiastically discussed the plan and agreed to support the Co-op through their own finances and member recruitment. The board will assess fundraising and member recruiting efforts throughout the next few weeks, and communicate with owner-members about the feasibility of the Co-op. If sufficient funds are not raised through member loans, donations and recruitment, the board may pursue selling the Co-op to a commercial entity.

Despite the enormity of the task ahead, owner-members were optimistic about the Co-op’s future. Considering that regional food co-ops have raised as much as $750,000 through member loans, Clear Creek Co-op’s owner-members intend to raise $17,000 in the next few weeks.

Michael Boring of Boring + Boring law firm spoke to owner-members about the possibilities and benefits of reincorporating as a non-profit as well as member loans, drawing on his experience as an attorney for co-ops, and a board member of an Indianapolis food co-op. Owner-members also heard about innovative educational and outreach efforts of the Co-op, and unanimously approved new board members Sara Coulter, Stacie Shepherd and Lisa Marshall. (We did not have a quorum present for an official vote, so please return the enclosed ballot ASAP – even if you were at the meeting!)

Next steps:

The board will reassess fundraising and owner-member recruitment advances on July 22. If these efforts have been successful, the board will pursue legal reincorporation for the Co-op and continue to strengthen the Co-op’s products and services. If sufficient fundraising and recruitment have not occurred, the board will call an owner-member meeting to discuss selling the Co-op.

• Can you invest in your Co-op financially? We’ve already raised $1350 through donations to the Co-op. Perhaps you would like to contribute toward the new fridge? Or toward legal fees for reincorporating as a non-profit?
• If you’re not in a position to make a donation, can you make a loan to the Co-op? Member loans are at the heart of many food co-ops’ growth and success. Contact a board member today if you’re ready to talk about a loan! Contact the Co-op if you need a board member’s phone number or email address.
• If you’re not in a position to make a loan, please participate in the Co-op’s Crunch Cash program! Buy yourself a gift certificate that you will use before August 21 on packaged grocery, bulk, health and beauty, household, items as well as special orders. The Co-op gets the capital it needs in this summer shopping slump, and you get all the products you’d buy anyway!
• We all need to be recruiting members, left and right. Challenge yourself to recruit 2 friends to the Co-op this summer! If you recruit 3 new owner-members, you’ll receive a $20 gift certificate! (Make sure recruits list you as their recruiter.) You may not know which of your green-living friends are already members of the Co-op, so contact a board member or stop by the store to check.* The Co-op is now filled with owner-only sales for you and the 2 (or 3!) new owner-members you’ll recruit this summer! When you bring them in, enjoy the new signage throughout the store, and inviting artwork on the storefront!
• The board and staff are working around the clock to grow a sustainable, thriving Co-op! As we delve into the details of a new business plan, legal reincorporation, member loans and cost-cutting, can you jump into the joys of local food, education, marketing, membership and fundraising? A board member is on each of these committees, eager to put your skills and passion to good use! Contact the Co-op today to get involved. (Remember, owner-members who volunteer at least 2 hours each week get a 15% discount at the store!)

Thank you for growing your Co-op!

Anna Lisa Gross, President
Jen Ferrell, Secretary
Lisa Marshall, Treasurer
Tory Medinger
Stacie Shepherd
Natalie Richert-Sumner
Sara Coulter

* Note regarding the membership list: At the June 16 member meeting we discussed whether all owner-members have access to the full membership list. Our current by-laws indicate that the list is available only in preparation for member meetings (any member can call a member meeting with a petition signed by at least 20 members). Otherwise, the membership list is not published for members. We hope you’ll come to the next owner-member meeting and vote to open up this regulation!

Welcome to what feels like summer!

We are now open from 11 am – 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. Summer is a slower season for us, and these hours will help us best balance convenient access and fiscal prudence. We’ll look forward to seeing you then!

If the thought of summer has your family demanding fresh, certified-organic produce, the co-op should be your first stop. We have organic fuji and cameo apples, green peppers, onions, sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, and garlic. Add a few cans of organic beans and tomatoes for a perfect summertime chili… or enjoy some apple pie for Memorial Day.

Looking for summer activities for the kids? The co-op will be hosting local children’s author Shelley Davis on June 4th from 1 – 4 pm. Ms. Davis will come dressed as a farmer for storytelling and booksigning, so mark your calendars now. You can find out about these and other events at www.facebook.com/ClearCreekCoop. “Liking” our page will also give you access to recipe ideas, book suggestions, and timely co-op updates.

Thanks for your support.

This month’s rains have turned everything a lush green - including our fridges, which are full of the freshest local produce.  David Reed just delivered delicious bok choy, mixed greens, carrots, radishes, and stir fry mix.  We have kale from Christopher Farms as well as red and green “living lettuce” from Lush Leaf Farms.

Our selection of organic produce is growing as well.  We’re currently offering organic cameo apples, yellow onions, sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, cucumbers and garlic.

Need some ideas for all this bounty?  We recommend this recipe for vegetarian kale pie, courtesy of Mark Bittman — http://chowtimes.com/2010/04/11/kale-pie/.  It’s a perfect make-ahead dinner, and a great chance to highlight local kale, eggs, and yogurt.

We’ll see you soon!

• Upcoming Coop and community events
• A list of common and harmful additives to avoid
• Recipe of the month: Easy Black Bean Soup
• A review of the Gluten Free Cooking class and a related book review

If you have any questions, just let us know!

The following includes events and opportunities happening in the next few weeks.  Pull out your calendars and save some dates!

This coming Saturday, March 26, is an exciting day for friends of the Co-op:

In the morning from 9am to noon, the Winter Farmer’s Market will be taking place at the Innovation Center (814 East Main St. a few blocks up from the Co-op).  There will be a delicious Jen Ferrel created breakfast, FREE fresh cups of coffee, and live music.  If you have any questions, contact Tory Medinger, the Market Master, at tmed32@gmail.com.

After the farmer’s market, come by the the Co-op where local artist Carvin Rinehart will continue his on site painting of seasonal labyrinths.  He began in February with the beautiful, Spring-inspired heart labyrinth you can see in our window.

In the afternoon from 3pm to 5pm,  Kelly McCreery will be teaching a Green Cleaning Workshop.  You will learn how to make your own household cleaners from simple non-toxic ingredients.  She recommends attenders to bring: 1 spray bottle with a nozzle and 1 glass jar with a tightly sealing lid. This workshop costs $5 for members and $7 for non-members.

The following week on Wednesday, March 29, we will be receiving our first produce order from Tree of Life.  Working with this new-to-us supplier has already provided us access to great deals and flexible case sizes; thanks to their product selection, we are thrilled to soon be able to stock a variety of produce year round.  Please contact us with any questions or recommendations your may have.

Saturday, April 2nd, we will be taking quarterly inventory.  Any members interested in a one time use additional discount on bulk ordering or a 15% in store discount are invited to come volunteer for two or more hours to help this inventory go smoothly.  If you just want to give us a hand but are not concerned about getting a discount, come on by for less than two hours.  Any amount of time you have to donate is greatly appreciated.

Also on Saturday, April 2nd, the Townsend Community Center will be holding a Garden Planting Party and Lunch from 10am to 1pm.  We are pleased to support our friends at the Townsend Center with their impressive vision; you will find the flier with more information about the event attached to this email.

All the best,

Co-op Staff

For more gluten free, come by the co-op Tuesday, the 15th from 6pm-7pm for Jen Ferrell’s gluten free baking class!  Cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members and the result is sure to be pleasing to the taste buds. This class has been rescheduled to Tuesday March 22nd due to instructor illness.

We have a great selection of local greens in store now, including lettuce, spinach, mixed greens, watercress and also carrots.  What better excuse do you need to make a scrumptious (and local!) salad?

Other new products include Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies, frozen mixed berries, Lundberg’s Rice Chips with Sea Salt, Santa Cruz’s Organic Lemon Ginger Echinacea juice and more.  Stop in to see all our new products!

The Clear Creek Food Co-op is hosting a Green Cleaning Workshop on Saturday, March 26th from 3-5pm.

You will learn how to make household cleaners from simple, non-toxic ingredients and essential oils.

To register, stop by the Clear Creek Cooperative at 710 East Main in Richmond or call 765-939-4390.

View the workshop flier for more details.

We’d like to update you on March events and happenings.  Please check out our attached March newsletter (thanks to volunteer initiative!) that will tell you about the Richmond Winter Farmers Market, upcoming events and other co-op related tid-bits.

At the co-op, our $2 Nature’s Farm milk coupons are back, as are Midel’s Gluten Free Ginger Snaps.  We have a new Lemon Ginger Kombucha and Goji Berry Kombucha for our Kombucha lovers to try.  Our local greens are stocked in great supply, so stop by to get your fresh greens this week!

Thank you and hope to see you soon!