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Things are just so darn exciting around here! We are closer than ever to announcing our site and we have big plans in the making as the weather heats up!
First of all, don't miss the chance to tell your friends and family about Green Top TODAY! Folks who become owners by March 31 will be entered to win a $450 CSA share from PrairiErth Farm if we hit 30 owners this month.
We are again a sponsor of this year's
Illinois Sustainable Living & Wellness Expo on April 11. Please make plans to attend this event either as a
volunteer at the Green Top booth or as a participant. In addition, we are starting to recruit
volunteers to help at the Farmers Market. Green Top will have a booth at the market on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. More info on both events is included below!
Katie Novak
Outreach Manager
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Melanie Shellito, GTG President
Have you heard the news about Common Ground Food Co-op in Urbana? They just announced their new location for their second store! We're super happy for our C-U neighbors, and look forward to the day we make OUR announcement.
As you may know from our FB posts a couple weeks ago, a contingent of Green Top folks attended a conference for co-op startups, so we could hone our skills, learn more about next stages, and learn from folks who are already open or just a bit ahead of us. It is inspiring, and a total knowledge overload! But we all left with renewed energy and a realization that our project is moving along very strongly. In fact, our little endeavor here in Bloomington-Normal is being watched by many cooperative entities across the country, and they're really pleased with what they see. Ownership is growing steadily, we're well prepared for our next step: location announcement and Owner Loan Campaign. In fact, of the 130+ co-ops in start-up phase, Green Top Grocery is considered in the Top 20! This may well open extra doors for us with regards to financing and other assistance down the road as we prepare to open our doors. And, we hope it looks good on our 'resume' to help us lure an awesome General Manager when the time comes!
In the meantime, make your way over to Urbana and congratulate the fine folks at Common Ground! Someday soon it will be us...
In cooperation,
Melanie Shellito, GTG Board President
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Jerica Etheridge, GTG Vice President
It's Annual Meeting Time!!! Well...almost. Technically, it's time to mark your calendars for the Third Annual Meeting of Owners. The Annual Meeting is a great place to hear what we've been up to this past year and find out what's coming soon. You'll also get to meet other owners and...eat some fantastic food! When: Sunday, May 17th, 3pm Where: YMCA, 602 S Main Street, Bloomington What to bring: a dish to share, your ballot and your love of all things Green Top! The Annual Meeting is also when we elect new board members. Cooperatives around the world generally operate according to the same core principles. The second principle of cooperatives is democratic owner control. Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their owners who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. One way to exercise your voice in Green Top Grocery is to vote in board elections. The people you choose to be on the board will help drive Green Top through the coming year and into the future. Be on the look-out! Ballots and meeting invites will be arriving in your mailbox in the coming month.
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Check it Out! Get Involved!
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Get Involved.
Illinois Sustainable Living and Wellness Expo
Explore the many aspects of Living Well & Living Green at the upcoming Illinois Sustainable Living and Wellness Expo with up to 100 exhibitors and 20 presenters. This interactive event celebrates Creating Healthy Communities by blending ideas for green alternatives and embracing the many services that promote health and healing.
Volunteers are needed at the Green Top Grocery Booth in hour shifts on Saturday April 11.
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| by Green Top Grocery Owner Barb Maxwell Who knew there were so many 'food holidays' in April? Why we should eat more leafy greens and 20 ways to cook them. 10 non-dairy ways to get your calcium |
 Crossroads
Handcrafts of the World
is a Fair Trade store located at
provide low income artisans & farmers a market for the work of their hands assuring them a fair return for their labor.
The shop is run by volunteers & is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Volunteers commit to
2-shifts per month:
10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Interested in being part of the team?
Pick up an application to volunteer at the store, or contactPat Fitzgerald
[email protected]
Indoor Farmers Market
Coliseum
10am -12pm
Find great local produce (greens, potatoes, carrots), meats, cheese, baked goods and more!
For more information
click here.
Sign up to volunteer at the summer farmers market here!
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D
o you have questions you'd like to ask about Green Top? Want to pick up a brochure or an application? Want to see where all the "magic" happens? Then stop by Green Top's newly established office hours and meet our newest employee Jodi Stalsworth!
Standard Office Hours
Wed 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Thurs 10:30 - 1:00 p.m.
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