the
C o m P o st
is a p ubl ic atio n o f
J ust F o o d C o - o p
The ComPost F e rt i l i ze r
f o r t h e mind
Summer 2018
We're Expanding The Store . . . . . . 3 The Board Wants You!. . . . . . . . . . . 4 Ready, Set, Invest! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Community Discount Program . . . 8 Ready, Set, Invest! Cont.. . . . . . . . 10 Customers Are The Heart. . . . . . . 12 Sensational Smoothies . . . . . . . . . 16 Summer Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Your Stories Tell Our Story
About the ComPost Fertilizer for the Mind Editor: Victoria Scott The ComPost is a bimonthly publication of Just Food Co-op and is published for the benefit of our membership and the community.The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Just Food Co-op or its members. For information about submissions, contact Victoria Scott at 507.650.0106 or social@justfood.coop. Letters to the editor are welcome and may be sent to the same email or 516 Water St. S., Northfield, MN 55057. Just Food Co-op is a proud member of the Twin Cities chapter of the National Cooperative Grocers (NCG).
Board of Directors board@justfood.coop
Penny Hillemann - President Joni Karl - Vice President Clark Ohnesorge - Secretary Lee Runzheimer - Treasurer Dirk Peterson Karen Fossum Nancy Malecha Nola Moen
Management Team Sherri Meyers General Manager
Stephanie Aman Marketing and Community Relations Manager
Lindsay Byhre Human Resources Manager
Valdon Critser Retail Manager
Membership Benefits
Artwork By: Jessica Hutton
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Summer 2018
• Supporting a locally-owned, sustainable and socially responsible business. • Email subscription to The ComPost. • Profits returned to members as patronage rebates, at the discretion of the Board. • Member-only prices on Co-op classes. • Check writing for up to $20 over the amount of purchase. • Member-only specials on selected items throughout the store. • 10% case discounts, some exclusions apply.
We're Expanding The Store! By: Clark Ohnesorge,
Board Director, Expansion Committee Chair Great things are happening at the Co-op. Since we opened in 2004, our sales and community impact have grown steadily. Our name implies that our focus is not simply on profit or sales; rather we strive for our Co-op to address issues of social and economic justice at multiple levels. We do this in a variety of ways: Clark Ohnesorge • Just Food employs more than 50 members of the local community. • Last year employees earned over $1.7 million in salary and benefits. • Our employee hourly wage matches or surpasses the living wage standard for Rice County Just Food is working diligently and successfully on behalf of the employees and owners that make our endeavor possible. On the producer front, Just Food Co-op sold close to $1.6 million worth of local food in 2017, providing a venue for more than 150 local businesses to market their wares. Between our Round Up program and direct donations, Just Food donated nearly eighteen thousand dollars to local nonprofits in fiscal year 2017. All of this positive impact is dependent on the support of our Co-op owners and community. To continue to grow and improve our service to our owners and the community, we are planning an extensive reconfiguration and expansion of our store. This project will allow us to: You can contact the Capital • Dramatically increase the availability of prepared foods in the Deli Campaign Committee at • Provide a safer and more comfortable environment for staff expansion@justfood.coop • Support a broader selection of produce, and • Replace our aging coolers and other infrastructure with more energy-efficient and reliable equipment Our expansion is clearly focused on putting us in the position to do more good for our owners, community, staff, and suppliers. As an owner of Just Food, each time you shop, your dollars contribute to our success. We couldn’t have opened, or gotten this far, without you. We are excited to let you know about our plans for continued growth and to let you know that we will soon be rolling out an owner-investment program in which we hope you will participate. Getting to this point has not been easy, but our success should be something we can all enjoy and benefit from. We appreciate your support and hope you will help us move forward into the next phase of our Coop. Thank you! Summer 2018
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The Board Wants You!
By: Dirk Peterson, Board Director
Will you become the next owner to run for the Board of Directors? Dirk Peterson
After nearly 14 years of offering the best food in Northfield, Just Food Co-op reminds me every time I shop about why I joined and became an owner-member: • I’m assured every day that I’m buying food that is clean, nutritious, and healthy • My grocery dollars are supporting local producers who I’ve met and visited their farms • I’m greeted every time by the most knowledgeable and friendly staff anywhere Just Food is part of a community of people who value accessible, good food for all, living wages for workers, and fair prices for farmers, and support a connected network of wellness providers. As a cooperative enterprise, Just Food’s business model is designed to share its success with all of its owners – like me! Just Food relies on its committed memberowners, valued farmers, and Co-op employees to ensure its continued success as the place for great food in the next 14 years. It also requires that a group of motivated, caring, and thoughtful members take that extra step and run for the Board of Directors. Are you that person?
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Who are the Board of Directors? The board is a group of nine owners elected by the owners of the Co-op to govern the organization on behalf of all owners. Under a system known as Policy Governance, the broad responsibilities are to: • Set strategic direction for the Co-op. We do this by developing policies that guide the Co-op in the direction of healthy food, fairness in all our relationships, sustainability in our community, and serving as a resource for education and information. • Evaluate the performance of our one employee – the General Manager. We monitor the GM’s performance through a series of policies that grant the GM flexibility to be creative while ensuring the Board will receive necessary information to identify any problems. • Perform a variety of tasks to ensure the assets of the Co-op are protected. We perform a variety of tasks/functions to provide context by which important decisions evaluated and acted upon. Some activities may include updating the Co-op’s by-laws, approving contracts not delegated to the GM, and conducting an annual meeting for all owners/investors.
Summer 2018
What are the commitments of a annual meeting, and educational opportunities. And we start each Director? Each director is elected for a three-year term, and typically three seats are up for election each year. This staggered approach allows for continuity on the Board as some leave complete their terms and new members start. We have monthly meetings that last about three hours. The overall time commitment is about 10 hours per month with meeting preparation, meeting attendance, and possibly an hour or two per month committed to other activities. These may include owner outreach events, the
meeting with an awesome Just Food meal!
How do I sign up? You can find application materials and more information here, or pick up an application packet at the Customer Service desk. Applications are due July 15. The election is held in October, and while the new board term officially begins in January, newly elected members are asked to attend the November and December board meetings to become familiar with the issues the board is working on.
Summer 2018
We strongly encourage potential applicants to attend at least one board meeting. If you haven’t been to a meeting before, the June 20 meeting would be an ideal opportunity. Please email gm@ justfood.coop at least a week in advance to let us know you’ll be there for dinner and the meeting.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Penny Hillemann (507-5816036 or pdhillemann@ gmail.com). We’ll be glad to chat with you and set up a meeting to go over things in more detail.
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Ready, Set, Invest! By: Sherri Meyers, General Manager
W
hat an exciting time
to be an Owner of Just Food Co-op! As we begin our capital campaign, many of you may be wondering what the expansion project entails and what your investments will be paying for. While there are some very costly, behind the scenes items we will need to improve (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc.), there are also very tangible ways your investment will improve the shopping experience for all Co-op customers. We will be adding 2000 square feet to our sales floor! Currently, we have a little over 4000 square feet of retail space and post expansion, the retail floor space will be over 6000 square feet. This additional space enables us to have wider aisles, a larger selection of products, and…by popular request…
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The ComPost | Just Food Co-op
a larger deli and deli seating area! There are many other features of this plan that are fresh, exciting and provide a better shopping atmosphere. I could go on and on for hours (and I have!) about how efficient the layout will be for staff to work in and how open the space will be. With more natural light on the floor, additional restrooms available, and an easier entrance and exit, customers are sure to find it brightens their day even more to come to the Co-op. We wanted some things that didn’t make it into the final plans. Apparently that song is correct, you can’t always get what you want. But with this plan, we do in fact get what we need. I am excited for the future of Just Food with this new store design. The Summer 2018
goal of the project is to make the shopping experience fun and inviting while being able to bring in more local and organic products. We want to be welcoming to seasoned and new shoppers alike because ALL are welcome at Just Food. In order to make this plan a reality, we do need your help. If you are able, please consider making a purchase of C share stock via the capital campaign. The wonderful part of being a cooperative is that we are not beholden to any large investor who holds the purse strings. That does mean that when it is time to make necessary improvements for the future health of your Co-op, we need all owners to invest. If you have any questions about the campaign or about how you can get involved by purchasing C shares, please email me at gm@justfood.coop
or call the co-op at 507-650-0106 and I would be happy to speak with you about the project. If you are unable to make a purchase of stock – that’s ok! You can still get involved! Shop the Co-op as much as possible. Buy one extra item each shopping trip. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. If you have been postponing becoming a member, this is a great time to invest. If you regularly use a credit or debit card, consider choosing the “debit” option which carries lower fees, or pay by cash or check. This will help us lower the fees we pay to the credit card companies. Every penny saved adds up. We are stronger together.
I look forward to the future of our Coop with a grateful heart. We are lucky to have such tremendous community support. It is this support that will enable us to stay relevant in these changing times for grocery retailers. We are committed to supporting our local farmers and producers. We are committed to providing a better, more efficient work environment for our staff. And we are committed to offering our customers the best service in town. In order to live up to these commitments into the future, we need your help. Thank you for considering joining our capital campaign.
$ 1,500,000 $ 1,400,000
$ 1,300,000
$ 1,200,000
$ 1,100,000
$ 1,000,000
$ 900,000
$ 800,000
$ 700,000
$ 600,000
$ 500,000
$ 400,000
$ 300,000
$ 200,000
$ 100,000
$ 25,000
Continue Reading on page 10.
Sherri Meyers
Summer 2018
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Community Discount Program - Update
A
By: Stephanie Aman, Marketing & Community Relations Manager
t Just Food, we aspire to work and live out the cooperative principles and serve our community with every purchase from our farmers, every interaction with customers, every employee we hire, every new product brought to our shelves and every sale transaction we complete.
Principle 7 – Concern for Community. One of the goals of Just Food is to continue to grow and serve our community in impactful and tangible ways, specifically relating to food. In February of this year, Just Food launched a pilot program, the Community Discount Program. As far as
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Summer 2018
Stephanie Aman
we know, this is one of the first of its kind in the cooperative food world, in which our customers round up at the registers to help fellow community members that are experiencing food insecurity. Currently, the Community Discount Program serves over 50 families regularly. It’s successful fundraising at the registers, over $4100, shows us that our community also supports this program and appreciates the meaningful and direct way that their – YOUR – dollars are being spent in and on our community. Everyone that has donated to the program is directly contributing to another family and helping them buy more good food. While we don’t want families to ever experience food insecurity, we also know that there always will be a need to serve in this way and Just Food is grateful that our community has embraced the ability to fill the gap! At the end of this fiscal year, we will donate excess funding to community partners to be specifically used to combat hunger and food insecurity in our community. And then we will start over in July, the beginning of our new fiscal year, to replenish the funds. If you qualify for need based programs through the city, county or state or are experiencing financial hardship, please check in with our Customer Service Representatives or our cashiers and they will help you fill out an application so that your family can receive 10% off your groceries, every day. You may also email me at outreach@justfood.coop and I will be glad to answer any questions you might have. Your discount card will be valid for a calendar year. The current Community Discount cards will expire in at the end of 2018 and reapplication to participate in the program will start in December of 2018 for the 2019 year. Thank you to our community for helping fund this innovative program that is allowing more good food into homes in our community!
Summer 2018
... there always will be a need to serve in this way and Just Food is grateful that our community has embraced the ability to fill the gap!
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Ready, Set, InvestContinued
Our produce department will have their own dedicated space to prep the produce for the sales floor, ensuring our customers get the freshest, best produce as soon as we get it in our doors!
The bulk department will be relocated to follow the produce department. This will allow bulk shoppers more room to collect and weigh their items.
Not Pictured: New HVAC System New Plumbing New Electrical
Questions for The Board: board@justfood.coop
Questions for the Capital Campaign Committee: expansion@justfood. coop
Questions for Sherri: P: 507-650-0106 E: gm@justfood.coop
Staff will finally have a dedicated staff break area with ample seating, kitchen facilities, and storage for their personal items.
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Summer 2018
Additional gender neutral restrooms open to the public! This hallway will also have a gallery wall for local artists to display their work.
Project Cost: $2,500,000
Flex space that serves as additional deli seating during peak times and a community room/ gathering space during non-peak hours. We are committed to providing our Owners with a place to meet, while being good stewards of the limited space we have. This solution allows us to meet the needs of our Owners in a really creative way! Look for a bulletin board with community announcements here, as well as a board with the answers to the comment cards you write us! A functional commercial kitchen for our amazing, talented deli staff to really show off what they can do! Do you love our food? You haven’t seen half of what Adrianna and her team can do! With more space and additional equipment, I know they
will wow you with what they cook up. In order to stay competitive in the marketplace, this is a must have expenditure. Grab and go, meal solutions, and take home hot bar are the wave of the future. We need to follow trends and not be left behind. Summer 2018
Owners: Ask about C Shares, today! Let's make this dream a reality. Together we can grow & flourish.
Principle 3: Owners’ Economic Participation. The ComPost | Just Food Co-op
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Customers are the Heart of the Co-op
C
o-ops operate under certain democratic principles known as the cooperative principles. Those principles are featured prominently around every store, in every discussion within our community,
and in all of the discussions regarding how best to run this business. We’re pretty proud of them, and they guide all of the decisions we make as a cooperative business. Do the cooperative principles make a co-op? No. These principles were set forth by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in 1844 and have a long history of guiding cooperatives of all shapes and sizes, including cooperative grocery stores. But, Roachdale wasn’t the first cooperative business, or even a food cooperative was formed. Cooperatives have been forming throughout human history, but organizations calling themselves cooperatives began popping up as early as 1498 with the Shore Porters Society in Aberdeen,
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Summer 2018
Original Toad Lane Store in historic Rochdale, UK
Scotland. The Fenwick Weavers Society was formed
We owe a lot to the farmers, the distributors, and
1643 in East Ayrshire, Scotland, then came Rochdale.
the artisans who populate the shelves of our store
It wasn’t until 1934 that organized cooperatives
with goods that are local, fair trade, and sustainably
started to form in the United States - lead by the
produced. We owe a lot to the Rochdale Pioneers
International Cooperative Alliance, or the ICA.
who wrote down their amazing ideas for others to adopt, adapt, and assimilate. But, a special
This long and rich history of cooperation definitely
commendation goes out to all of the people who
strengthens currently functioning co-ops as well as
decided that working together was the best way to
fortifies the concept of a cooperative business model.
nurture a community. If it weren’t for the founders
However, it’s not the principles, it’s not the history,
working tirelessly, 14 years ago, there would be no
it’s not even the spirit of cooperation that makes
Northfield Community Just Food Co-op. If it weren’t
co-ops different. It’s the people–from first steps in
for staff, choosing to work for a company that has
forming a co-op, to the people who choose to work
a different buisness model, the shelves wouldn’t
in a cooperative, to the people who favor cooperative
stay stocked. Most importantly, if it weren’t for the
businesses to frequent–people are what make
customers who believe in a democratically controlled
cooperatives function, but, more importantly, they
business, that stands for more than just good food, but
keep them thriving and vital.
stands for good ethics, we would not exist.
In a 2012 article from National Cooperative Grocers (NCG) – created by The Food Network – featuring Kevin Gillespie, NCG stated "Minneapolis is a mecca for cooperation." In the video series that was released that same year, Kevin visited several co-ops around Minnesota, talking to farmers and getting to understand the cooperative movement. Time and time again, people, not buisnesses were the
Your Northfield Community Co-op Thanks You.
In Cooperation,
J ust Food Co-op
center of the retrospectives. Maybe we’re primed for cooperation because it’s nice. Cooperation has continued to spread aross Minnesota & across the country since 2012. Over 145 food co-ops in the United States invest in NCG to provide operational support that allows us to grow the cooperative movement. Investment in NCG comes from 37 states with 200 stores, including 28 stores from Minnesota. From signage to buying power to expansion efforts, NCG is a cooperative supporting Just Food Co-op.
Summer 2018
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Rochdale Pioneer Cookies
Pioneer Ingredients
I
Makes 3 ½ dozen cookies Time: 45 mins.
¾ pound unsalted butter 1 ¼ c dark brown sugar 1 ¼ c raw sugar 3 large eggs
n 1844 the Rochdale Society of
½ tbsp vanilla extract
Equitable Pioneers started with a
½ tbsp sea salt
vision of cooperation and equitable
½ tbsp baking soda
distribution of goods. Among their first
4 ½ c rolled oats
goods were Oatmeal, Flour, Sugar, and Butter. They sold shares for £1 each in order to purchase provisions and clothing to sell and secure a building in which they could operate. With the money leftover after they bought initial stock, they also bought some candles to provide light for their operations. Try this pioneer cookie
1.
Cream butter and sugars together until fluffy.
2. Blend the eggs and vanilla into sugar and butter mixture. Sift flour, baking soda and salt together. 3. Stir flour mixture into the butter and eggs until combined.
recipe, adapted from a Wheatsville Co-op
4. Add the oats and stir oats until well blended.
recipe, made with ingredients that the
5. Shape into 1 inch balls, and place on greased
Rochdale Pioneers first began selling in
or parchment lined cookie sheet. Flatten
1844.
slightly before baking at 350°F for 8-12 minutes until golden brown.
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Summer 2018
Sensational Berry Smoothies Blending is believing! These splendid smoothies are bursting with berry goodness.
T
he smoothie — a drinkable breakfast, snack, or workout drink — is one of the easiest culinary creations to make at home.
A variation on the kinds of fruity drinks made in tropical countries for years, it was christened “smoothie” in the 1960s. As it grew to include healthy add-ins, boosting it from a snack to a meal, the smoothie began to inch into the healthy mainstream. Suddenly, smoothies were everywhere! Check out these sensational berry smoothies as a starting point. Each one is simple and completely delicious. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find these and other recipes, plus information about your food and where it comes from at www.strongertogether.coop.
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Hidden-Spinach Berry Smoothie Serves: 2. Prep time: 10 minutes.
2 cups frozen or fresh raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, or a mix 3 cups spinach (packed) 1 cup yogurt, kefir, or a non-dairy alternative like almond milk 1 large banana, fresh or frozen Put the berries and spinach in the blender first, and add the yogurt and banana. Process, scraping down as needed. Blend until smooth and serve.
You’ll enjoy a salad's worth of healthy spinach in this luscious smoothie, and hardly notice it's there! Summer 2018
Strawberry-Pomegranate Smoothie
Mixed Berry and Oat Smoothie with Granola
Serves: 2. Prep time: 5 minutes.
Serves: 2. Prep time: 5 minutes.
2 cups frozen strawberries 1 large frozen banana, cut in chunks 1 cup kefir, yogurt, or a non-dairy alternative like almond milk 1 cup pomegranate juice 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
2 cups frozen mixed berries 4 ounces firm silken tofu 1 ⁄4 cup rolled oats 1 1⁄2 cups vanilla soymilk or other milk 1 ⁄2 cup granola
In a blender, pile in the strawberries and frozen banana, then add kefir and pomegranate juice. Process to puree; serve garnished with pomegranate seeds. If the smoothie is too thick to blend, add milk or a non-dairy alternative as needed.
In a blender, place the mixed berries, then tofu, oats and soymilk. Process until smooth. Serve in two glasses, with 1⁄4 cup of granola on top of each.
Berries disguise the secret ingredient (tofu!) and a sprinkle of granola adds a tasty crunch.
Pomegranate juice is an antioxidant superstar, and its wonderfully tart flavor is balanced by banana and creamy kefir.
Summer 2018
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Co-op Summer June 21, 2018
July 11, 2018
July 14, 2018
A a day of fun, community, and
Every second Wednesday is Fill
Join your local farmers for a day
Dairy Days
Fill It Fresh
Co-op Farm Tour
special events at the Co-op.
it Fresh. Take 10% off a cooler
of fun, food, and friends. Pick
Games, Giveaways, and extra
bag of all of your favorite fresh
up farm tour brochures at your
special deals all day long!
items. Check our website for
local co-op.
Price: Free!
more details
Where: Just Food Co-op
Cost: Free! ($2.99/cooler bag)
When: 4:00pm-7:30pm
Where: Just Food Co-op When: 7:00am-9:00pm
July 14, 2018
July Sample Saturday
Every month we ask vendors to come in and sample thier products for an event that puts you in contact your food and where it comes from.
June 21, 2018
Taste Tour Food Crawl
It's Crazy Days in Northfield
Where: Just Food Co-op
which means it'll be crazy here
When: 10:00am-1:00pm
at the Co-op!
participating in Taste of Northfield. Come get a treat for just 1 ticket. Cost: Free / 1 ticket Where: Just Food Co-op / Northfield When: 5:00pm-7:30pm
The ComPost | Just Food Co-op
Northfield Crazy Days!
Cost: Free!
Just Food Co-op will be
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July 26, 2018
Summer 2018
Keep In Mind Dates To Remember for
Be on The Lookout For
July 3, 2018
TwoAd Tuesday
Did You Know
We are dedicated to bringing in
Just Food Co-op is Expanding?
July 17, 2018
seasonal produce. Strawberries
Members may buy C Shares to
July 31, 2018
for spring - but what's for
contrubute to the expansion
Take advantage of sales from both
summer?
project. See Sherri's article pgs.
monthly Co+op Deals Flyers.
Blueberries - July
6-7, 10-11.
Peaches - August
Not a Member?: It's a one-time
Apples - September
investment of $125
& so much more!
Unable to Contribute Large Amounts?:
July 11, 2018
A benefit of membership is 10% off
Don't worry! As the project heats up we
August 8, 2018
case discounts. This includes produce,
will be doing Round Up at the Register
September 12, 2018
excpet where noted.
for specific items - you may contribute
Dates To Remember for
Fill It Fresh
Seasonal Fruit Sales!
Take 10% off your cooler bag of fresh items. Learn more on our blog.
Dates To Remember For
Wellness Third Thursday
any amount at the register.
Applications Due July 15, 2018
Board of Directors Election.
How About a Job?: Watch our website for job postings.
Read Dirk's article on pages 4-5 if you are interested in running.
July 19, 2018
Board Elections take place in
August 16, 2018
September coinciding with our
September 20, 2018
annual meeting.
Take 5% all Wellness items including
Must be a member to run, must be at
clearance itmes.
least 18 years old. Must be a member to vote in the election.
$ 1,500,000 $ 1,400,000
$ 1,300,000
$ 1,200,000
$ 1,100,000
$ 1,000,000
$ 900,000
$ 800,000
$ 700,000
$ 600,000
$ 500,000
$ 400,000
$ 300,000
$ 200,000
$ 100,000
$ 25,000
Summer 2018
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516 Water Street S Northfield, MN 55057 507-650-0106 justfood.coop Open Daily 7am - 9pm
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