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LOVE FOR OUR STAFF
February is a month all about love. Though there are a lot of things I love about the Co-op, one of the things I love most is the staff. I see our staff make dreams come true every day for our owners, customers, and community. They do this through the passion they bring to their work which is visible in every aspect of our store: the products we carry, who we source from, the organizations we partner with, the donations we make, and the can-do, team-oriented attitude of the staff. Outside of the daily work, the CGFC staff are also working behind the scenes to make our next giant dream -- the Champaign store -- come true a little more each day.
With all the work they do and all the dreams they make realities, it goes without saying that our staff are incredibly important people. This is why we are also working hard right now to make our staff even more empowered to act on their passions and to help us better the business we do. We're doing great stuff but we know we can do better.
To start this process, I began by hosting department meetings during the month of January to ask staff some key questions that enabled me to gather input on how we can be the best business possible, how they can do their work better, what else we need to do to be prepared for running two stores, what would help them to have more fun or be more inspired in their work, and how we can best utilize their input in the future. It's been great to start the new year getting to know where each of our staff currently stand on their dreams for the business and I'm looking forward to boiling down their input into long-term and short-term goals.
-Satina Braswell, General Manager
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BUILDING COMMUNITY TRADITIONS
My favorite thing about the holiday season is my family's annual Friendsmas celebration. The tradition started eight years ago, after a blizzard in the northwest foiled a trip to visit my husband's family. Unexpectedly home for Christmas, my husband and I saw it as an opportunity to spend time with our friends and neighbors. Every year, we now host a large community dinner and treasure just being together.
The tradition of Friendmas is a way of showing appreciation for those around us.
Building community is important to us and that's one reason why we love the Co-op. The Co-op strives to be the center of a Vibrant, Inclusive Community. From their education programming to their support for local and ethically sourced products, the Co-op is working hard to build a strong community. And it's always looking for opportunities to invite more people in.
The Champaign store hopes to do just that: invite more people in, grow a strong community, and serve as a resource to you. With our combined efforts, we can make it possible. Another chance to make an owner loan will be coming in 2016. Again, this isn't just about a store. It's about creating community. It's about providing more jobs, access to healthy food, and education. We are growing the co-operative movement. We're part of an organization that is building community traditions.
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WE'RE CELEBRATING LOCAL ALL MONTH!
For us local is defined as being within 100 miles of the co-op.
Common Ground has been growing it's list of locally sourced products rapidly over the years. We're so thankful for the farmers and vendors who work hard year round to provide our community with healthy, fresh food that's produced in sustainable and environmentally friendly ways.
For the month of February we want to show our appreciation to our Local Farmers, Vendors, and Producers!
Every Saturday (10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm) you can meet these wonderful people, sample their products, and pick up coupons for great savings on their speciality items that day!
Stay Awhile!
We will also be having live music from local musicians in the classroom on Saturdays, for times check our Facebook page!
Have Kids? There is a "Design a Valentine" station located in the classroom for you and your kids - address a valentine to your farmer/vendor and we'll send it for you!
So why is shopping Local so great?
The more we can support local businesses, the better our community can thrive. By keeping the money local, our farms and businesses can grow, providing more resources for you! This strengthens the local economy, helps our environment (less transportation) and empowers individuals in our community to do what they love!
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ART GALLERY AT THE CO-OP
In mid-January a panel of awesome artists and art professionals met to evaluate nearly 40 fantastic art applications submitted for the Common Ground Gallery. The panel had a very difficult job ahead of them and the quality (and quantity!) of art this year was staggering!
They managed to select our 6 artists to be featured in the 2016-2017 gallery season. We would like to extend a sincere thank you too all the applicants AND to the great panel for their investment in the success of local art. It is my honor to announce the 6 selected shows for the season:
Kelly Hieronymus
- Feb 8th - Mar 25th show
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Jess Beyler
- Mar 27 - May 27th show
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Kamila Glowacki
- May 29 - Jul 22nd show
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Parkland College Metalworking and Jewelry Students
- Jul 24 - Sept 23rd show
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Lara and Arlin Orr
- Sept 25 - Nov 18th, 2016 show
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Charles and Sarah Wisseman
- Nov 20 - Jan 27th, 2017 show
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Alternate: Derek Clem
If you have further questions about the Art Gallery please contact our new Outreach Coordinator, Sarah Buckmann, who will be taking over responsibilities for the Gallery from here on out!
Thanks for years of great art!
-Maya Bauer, Education Coordinator
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INFORMATION ABOUT
CLASSES
HERE
We've updated for 2016!
We want it to be easier for you to register for multiple classes at a time as well as share the classes you're excited about with friends and family. It will be easier for us to keep you in the loop, give you event and class updates quickly, and connect you with our awesome community teachers.
So how does it work?
Sign Up for Class is now a drop down tab on our website, look under "Get the Scoop." That link will take you to our Common Ground home page on Eventbrite, listing all of our classes for January-April. Plan ahead and find the classes that you want, registering is simple!
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February 2016
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Monday, Feb 8th, 6-8pm
Tuesday, Feb 9th, 6-7:30pm
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Owners, treat yourself and a friend to a bar of chocolate this February
!
T
his coupon is valid for the month of February only. It can be printed or presented on smart device at time of purchase. Limit one coupon per customer. Applies to all brands.
Common Ground Food Co-op
300 S. Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801
PLU: 961
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Know Your Board
Join your Board of Directors from
6:15-8:15 pm on Monday February 8th in the Lincoln Square Conference Center
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Saturday's in February!
Meet your local farmers, producers and vendors!
Samples available from 10am-1pm and from 2-5pm throughout the store!
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Feeding Our Kids
The mission of the Feeding Our Kids is to provide nourishing food to food insecure school children in Champaign County on weekends and school holidays throughout the school year.
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Giving Back
Your participation in our Round Up for Good program allows your food Co-op the opportunity to positively impact the immediate community. During the month of December we raised over
$4200.00
for
DAILY BREAD SOUP KITCHEN! Many t
hanks to everyone who donated.
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Healthy Food
Fast
Short on time?
We have NEW Grab N' Go items to help you fill up with meals made from healthy, fresh ingredients. Our staff favorites are the new Harvest Muffin (easy breakfast anyone?) and the delicious Smoky Beef & Black Bean Chili Mac!
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Deli Offerings
There are so many different celebrations this February--from the Super Bowl to Mardi Gras to Valentine's Day. The deli at Common Ground can help you celebrate them all. Our salsas, hummus and dips make a great addition to any game day party. Also, look for Vegetarian Gumbo and a new Chicken and Andouille Gumbo the week of Mardi Gras, and last but not least, we will have desserts packaged for two for Valentine's Day (a perfect treat made from scratch in our Bakery for you and your sweetie)!
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Plant Based Protein
We've recently added several exciting meat alternatives in our refrigerated section. Tempt Hemp Tofu is 100% soy and allergy free. It contains 30 grams of plant protein per package and all 10 essential amino acids. Upton's Naturals Jackfruit Shreds in Bar-B-Que and Chili Lime Carnitas are free of gluten, soy, and oil and are perfect for a quick sandwich, tacos, or over rice and salads. Lightlife's Tofu Pups are a wonderful vegetarian hot dog option. They're vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and taste great!
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| Don't Have a Valentine? Pamper Yourself! |
Here are 10 ways to love yourself on Valentine Sunday:
1.
Spa Day: who doesn't love a soak, a manicure or a massage?
2.
Wear your favorite clothes
3.
Laugh! Play with a puppy or watch a funny movie
4.
Get moving: Go for a walk, attend an exercise class, or dance in your living room
5.
Refresh with a smoothie or fruit salad
6.
Read a good book
7.
Indulge! Take a mid-afternoon nap or eat a rich chocolate bar
8.
Call or write someone special
9.
Take yourself out for a nice dinner and order whatever you want!
10. Go to bed early
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