West Michigan Co-Op in the News

Rapid Growth, a Grand Rapids weekly online magazine, recently posted an article titled, "Shop for Your Crops" about Grand Rapids residents shopping for fresh, local produce. West Michigan Co-Op was featured in the article, as well as some local CSA farms.

Click here to read the story.

A Message from Healthy Living Technology

What follows is a message from Michael Hedrick of Healthy Living Technology:

Hi!

You may have seen or purchased one of the bath ball filters I recently had listed on the Co-op web site. They were selling for $59.95 each. Well this last month when my supplier for shower filters discontinued my favorite/best-selling shower filter from their inventory I decided to contact the manufacturer directly.

Now, not only do I have my favorites available again, but since I cut out the middleman the prices have come down on many products. The $59.95 bath ball is now $29.99!!! To celebrate I have created a special price list for you that is good only until December 12th. Don't wait for these items to sell out. They are hot gifts for the upcoming holidays and some may not be available for long (until after the holidays). There is even a special shower for babies!

These filters use the exclusive, patented Chloragon™ filtration media which removes more chlorine over a wider temperature range than any other. I have attached information about the most popular filtration shower heads that I sell. (If you have a showerhead already that you really like, ask me about filters that can be used with your shower head - they are available for both hand-held and regular shower heads.)

I have also attached information on the Bath Ball filters, which use the same Chloragon filtration media, and the dechlorinating bath salts which use Chloragon™ crystals.

Prices are as follows:

Pure-Spray® 5 Shower Handle (brushed nickel) MSRP $83.99 Your cost $79.99
Pure-Spray® 5 Shower Head (brushed nickel) $59.99 Your cost $45.99
Prestige® 3 Shower Head (white w/ chrome trim) $39.99 Your cost $35.99
Bath Ball filter (chrome) $39.99 Your cost $35.99
Bath Ball filter (transparent blue) $34.99 Your cost $30.99
Bath Ball filter (white) $32.99 Your cost $29.99
Mediterranean Bath Salts (dechlorinating) 40 oz. $19.99 Your cost $16.99
Baby Shower (for kitchen faucet or shower attachment) $59.99 Your cost $45.99

These special prices are only valid until December 12 at midnight. After that prices will be the MSRP listed above. Get your order in soon as some of these will sell out with the holidays coming up. Prices will still be honored for orders placed prior to the deadline, but some of the more popular items may be backordered and not arrive until after the holidays.

These items make great holiday presents for your loved ones. Protect them from the negative effects of chlorine on their health!

Additional discounts may be available for orders over $100. Free delivery in West Michigan for all orders.

Thank you for your business!

"Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Announces Partnership With Fair Food Network

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced that USDA has signed a cooperative agreement with the Fair Food Network, a Michigan-based organization working toward improving consumers' access to healthy foods. The agreement lays the foundation for creating a regional food system with a strong urban-rural link by conducting research and matching small and mid-size farms in rural Southeast Michigan to emerging urban markets, particularly Detroit, where there is need and unmet demand for locally-produced fresh foods.

To read more about the USDA's partnership with this Michigan-based organization, click here.

"How Safe Is That Chicken?"

Consumer Reports recently published an article titled "How Safe Is That Chicken?". The article states that most tested broilers were contaminated with salmonella and/or campylobacter. To read the article, click here.

This article is a good reminder of the importance of knowing your farmer and their farming practices. By purchasing your poultry from a West Michigan Co-Op producer, you are able to meet the farmer and learn about their farming practices.

December's Slow Food Book Club Meeting Announcement

December's Slow Food book club meeting will be held on Monday, December 14, from 6:30 to 9:00. For directions, and to RSVP, please email Veronica at veronicap@tds.net.

December's book is your choice. Bring a book you recently read or one of your all time favorites to discuss and lend to another member to enjoy.

January's book will be available for you at this meeting as we are participating in KDL's "book club in a bag" program - come see what it is all about!

Reminder: November Slow Food Book Club Meeting

The November Slow Food book club meeting is on Monday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m.

Click here for more information.

For directions and to RSVP, please email Veronica at veronicap@tds.net.

Volunteers Needed for Co-Op Committees and November Pick-Up

The end of the year is closing in and if you haven't been volunteering for the West Michigan Co-op, here are some good reasons to do so:

• The end of the year Volunteer Appreciation Party will be held in late January. All 2009 volunteers will be invited to enjoy a fabulous meal of local food and beer! :)
• If you've volunteered 5 times or more in 2009 you will become a Voting Member in 2010.

Volunteer hours include the pick-up nights as well as participation on Committees and with Co-op events. Information on joining a Committee can be found here.

Programming/website development experience is also needed! If you have these skills and are willing to help, please let us know!

November Pick-Up

The Pick-up for this month is going to be on the Tuesday evening before Thanksgiving - November 24th - 5:45-8pm. This is typically a big month for us. If you are available to help out please email Tara@westmichigancoop.com or visit our forums page .

Volunteer details are as follows:

Tuesday November 24th ~ 5:15pm-8pm (Please note, this time is the time frame for the volunteers to allow time to train and prepare for the pick-up. The actual pick-up time for members is between 5:45-8pm.)

When you email Tara, please let her know which of these options you'd most like to do:

• Help set up - Must be available to arrive at 4:30pm
• Adjusters (Adjust members’ invoices on-line) - Must be able to arrive by 5:15 and please plan to stay until around 8:30.
• Cashiers - Collect and log payments
• Greeters - Greet members and hand out invoices
• Floaters - Assist members in collecting their orders
• Help Direct Check-out - Assist in making sure the check-out process runs smoothly
• Help Assist Producers - Distribute product and update invoices