West Michigan Co-op Blog

Shop Local this Holiday Season

2011-12-06T19:38:00.008-05:00

Shopping locally during the holiday season is one of my favorite way to get unique gifts for friends and family. This year I added the Co-Op to my list of stops for holiday shopping. There are tons of food and non-food items that would be great gifts on their own or paired together in a gift basket. Here are a few of my favorites:

Pancake mix, maple syrup and coffee
Body butter, hand soaps and lotions
Monthly meat box, spices and herbs
Lip balm, mineral eyeshadow and face cream
Bath salts, candles and tea
Snacks! Trail mix, chocolates, toffee and granola
Scarves and wool socks
Dog treats and doggie shampoo (don't forget about your pet!)

These are just some suggestions, but if you browse through all the Co-Op's available products you'll find even more possibilities. And don't forget to shop between now and Friday so you can pick-up your gifts during pickup night on December 21st. Happy Holidays!

Co-Op Welcomes New Producer, Terra Stella

2011-12-05T20:37:00.006-05:00

The West Michigan Co-Op is happy to welcome a brand new producer, Terra Stella.

Terra Stella specializes in Artisan Teas, Salts and Spice Blends. Their products are made from mostly organic, ethically harvested or hand-mined products. Many of their items are available during this month's shopping cycle.

Don't forget to visit Terra Stella's table at pick-up night to learn more about their products and welcome them to the Co-Op!

What to Expect at West Michigan Co-Op, A New Member's Point of View

2011-11-30T21:22:00.006-05:00

This month the West Michigan Co-Op welcomed a number of new members. One of these members authors the popular blog, Eat Local, West Michigan, and she shared all the details of her first Co-Op experience in a recent blog post. Check it out here and see the West Michigan Co-Op from a new member's point of view.

West Michigan Co-Op in the News

2011-11-28T21:13:00.004-05:00

A recent article from the Grand Rapids Press features the West Michigan Co-Op and provides some great information to readers about what the Co-Op has to offer. If you haven't had a chance to read this article you can check it out here at MLive.com.

Two New Producers Join the West Michigan Co-Op

2011-11-05T12:08:00.006-04:00

Just in time for the November shopping cycle Shady Side Farm and Salt of the Earth have joined the Co-Op as our two newest producers.

Shady Side Farm has been farming full time for 15 years now and their crops are certified organic through the Global Organic Alliance. This month they have a variety of beans available for sale as well as jams and wool socks, which would make awesome gifts for the holidays.

Salt of the Earth is a rustic American eatery and bakery in Fennville, Michigan and they produce a full line of non-GMO breads. When baking their bread he dough is turned and shaped by hand, then set in our wood fired oven and baked to a rich brown, to impart more complexity in the final flavor and a rustic texture & appearance. This month at the co-op try their Cinnamon Raisin Breakfast Bread, Bacon Bread or Seedy Salt Bread.

And don't forget, Thanksgiving is right around the corner and this is your last chance to stock up on delicious, local products for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Anniversary Celebration

2011-10-20T12:43:00.000-04:00

Next month, West Michigan Co-op will celebrate its fifth anniversary. One way that we are recognizing this milestone is by doing a membership drive. Every new member who signs up and shops between November 1 and December 21 (December pick-up night) will receive a thank you gift. In addition, each current member who refers a new member will also receive a thank you gift.

The thank you gift will be a product from one of our wonderful producers. There will be a variety of gifts including: lettuce, lamb burgers, soup, a bar of soap, all purpose cleaner, and more!

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more details & updates about the Anniversary Celebration

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Welcome Our Two Newest Producers

2011-10-06T12:42:00.003-04:00

The Co-Op is happy to welcome two new producers, Woods Farms and Videtich Apiaries!

Woods Farms is located between Torch Lake, Elk Lake and Grand Traverse Bay and they produce pure maple syrup. Their syrup is available during this month's shopping cycle and I can't wait to try it! Click here to view all their available products.

Videtich Apiaries provides pollination services to numerous local farmers by bringing hives to their fields. Once the bees have pollinated the crops in these fields the hives are moved to forests and grasslands and the bees make honey- pure, raw honey that you can now get at the Co-Op! Click here to view all their available products.

Tomorrow is the last day for shopping during this month's cycle, so get your order in soon and don't forget to add some honey and syrup to your cart! And make sure you stop by the tables for Woods Farms and Videtich Apiaries on pick-up night to welcome these two new producers.

2011 Local First Fork Fest

2011-10-02T10:50:00.003-04:00

Local First Fork Fest is coming up and West Michigan Co-Op will be there! This event gives you the chance to sample food and beverages from over 25 local restaurants, farms, grocers, bakers, breweries and more. It's another great opportunity to get to know a few of your local producers and the businesses that support them. There will also be live music by the Fauxgrass Quartet.

Here are all the details:

When:
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
5:00-9:00 P.M.

Where:
Romence Gardens

Click Here for Tickets

Hope to see you there!

Support Your Local Farmers and the Fair Farm Bill

2011-09-25T18:05:00.009-04:00

The 2008 Federal Farm Bill, an important piece of legislation for small, mid-size and local farmers, is up for re-authorization by Congress in 2012. The organization Food and Water Watch is advocating for updates to this bill which would have a positive effect on farmers, the environment and consumers.

The proposed changes would create a level playing field and fair markets for all farmers by breaking up the monopolies that currently exist in the agricultural industry and creating pricing and contract policies that ensure a fair return on sales. These changes would also support environmental conservation efforts and sustainable farming practices. For the consumer, this would mean increased access to healthy food, more diverse choices and stable prices.

If you want to support a Fair Farm Bills, and all of our local farmers at the Co-Op, you can visit the Food and Water Watch website here to sign a petition to Congress that encourages the following actions:

Level the playing field for farmers

Make markets fair for farmers and consumers

Ensure food security by restoring the grain reserve

Make healthy food accessible for all people

Rebuild local infrastructure for regional food systems

Make smart government food purchases

Support new sustainable farming programs

Promote environmental stewardship

Require full safety reviews and labeling of GE foods

Stop subsidizing factory farms and dangerous technologies

Want to get more involved? On Tuesday, September 27th, Food and Water Watch is hosting a call-in day at Fulton Street Farmer's Market from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m, everyone is welcome! Individuals will be asked to contact Senator Stabenow and leave her a message requesting that she implement the Fair Farm Rules.

Annual Meeting Announcement & Board Candidates

2011-03-06T18:47:00.009-05:00

West Michigan Co-op's Board of Director's annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 8, at 6:30 at Media Rare (1111 Godfrey SW). Everyone is welcome to attend.

At the meeting, a vote will be held to fill several open positions on the board. The candidates running for these positions were asked to submit a statement about themselves so that the voters can get to know them a little better. Below are those candidate statements.

Ginger Graham

My name is Ginger Graham, and I own Daisy Doodles, a Montague-based small business named after my son’s sweet yellow lab and dedicated to providing a terrific treat made with a light pawprint. Maybe you’ve seen Daisy’s stand-in and me on pickup nights. Anyway, while my business is young and my co-op membership younger, my connection to the earth goes way back to my childhood (you don’t really need to know how far back that was).

Why do I offer my services as a potential Co-Op board member? I do it because I believe in what the Co-Op stands for, and what it is building. I’m willing to give of my time and talents because I’m convinced that cooperative community is what will allow us to thrive even if the future takes some drastic turns for which we may or may not be prepared. I believe that it is our sacred obligation to live respectfully by treating the earth with kindness and helping to provide healthful products and nutritious foods for people (and pets). I’d like to learn much and contribute in kind. I enjoy associating with interesting and forward-thinking people.

Raised by a mother who graced our yard with the most beautiful perennial flowerbeds in the neighborhood, I came by gardening naturally. After venturing out into the brave new world of big cities and distant states, I have returned to my roots, both literally and figuratively. Several years ago I rediscovered my gardening passion, on a plot (expanded to three the next year) in a local farmer’s organic community garden. Since then I’ve moved my Garden Tir na nOg to my front yard (we really DO eat the view!), acquired a small mixed flock of laying hens who help with pest control and fertilization, and started a business which is committed to supporting the local food system and economy by sourcing our ingredients as locally as possible. I also participated as a grower/producer for CUSP, a project of the Greater Grand Rapids Local Food Systems Council, supplying community-grown organic produce to restaurants in Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Whitehall.

Just a bit more on the personal front: I’m a mother, a teacher, an entrepreneur, an activist, a musician, an artist, a gardener, an environmentalist, an animal lover, a peace monger, a champion for the underdog, a homesteader wannabe, and a Pisces. I can find my way around a computer with some competence, my writing skills are pretty decent, and I work very diligently on projects I value. I don’t know if it matters here or not, but I have a BA in Applied Liberal Studies from WMU and an M ED from Aquinas College. So now you know.

Andrea Jacobson

I joined West Michigan Co-Op in 2007. The first month that I joined the Co-Op I began volunteering and have been here almost every month since then. I love being able to interact with the other members while helping the Co-Op run.

While my primary job is in the legal field, I have also worked as a managing cashier in a retail setting and as a volunteer cashier at a school auction. I think that both of these areas benefit me with working with the Co-Op.

The law firm I work with is very much into technology (we’re basically paperless!), and I have a lot of experience with how an organization can use technology to improve efficiency and lower costs, all while making it a fun place to work. My husband is also a software engineer. Both my co-workers, friends, and husband offer me many connections and lots of insight for helping develop the technology side of the Co-Op.

In my “past life” as a cashier, I was routinely involved in balancing the cash drawers and supervising the overall use of the systems. I have experience in how a business can monitor its transactions and increase customer service and transaction speed.

If you’ve met me on pick-up night, I think it’s no secret that I am a people person. I love working with the Co-Op, interacting with the other members, and I look forward to serving on the Board so that I can help the Co-Op continue to grow and best serve its members.

Amy Neis

I am Amy Neis and I am currently a board member. I was elected as the board alternate in 2010 and have throughly enjoyed my learning year.

My start with the co-op began back in the beginning when you actually had to wait to be invited to join! I felt so lucky when I ﬁnally got that email telling me I could become an ofﬁcial member. Yippee, we were ﬁnally in!

After joining, I felt drawn to volunteering. Local food, local products, getting to know who was growing what and how it was being grown were all things I felt very strongly about. I started to realize I wanted to be more than just a member, I wanted to get involved. So, my family and I started volunteering for pick-up nights. Soon word came that committees were forming and needed members to volunteer. It was at that point I also became a membership committee member. After a couple of years as a committee member, I became the head of the membership committee and board liaison, which I continue to do currently.

My past history, if you want to go that far, includes being co-owner of a family design business. I feel it has helped me in my understanding of not only how the co-op works, but also in regard to the producers themselves and how we need to understand their needs as small businesses inside the larger umbrella of the co-op.

So, with my history in front of you, I just want to say that I would love the opportunity to continue to serve on the board.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Van Doorne

I believe I am well suited for a board position with the West Michigan Cooperative for numerous reasons, but the most relevant include my current employment along with my past course work and research interests in both my undergrad and graduate programs of study.

In August 2010 I started work with the West Regional Planning Commission as the primary planner and GIS technician (cartographer). Regional cohesion in urban planning is crucial to not only man made schemes such as large scale transit, but also because our natural resources don’t necessarily adhere to political boundaries such as city borders or highways. It is of utmost importance to work together as a region for effective and comprehensive planning for farmland preservation, economic development, and many other initiatives that will affect the quality of life in West Michigan.

My undergraduate degree in Anthropology included a summer field school that focused on local food systems and their relationship to the farmers market in Grand Rapids. This set the stage for a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Geography at Western Michigan University, where my research focuses on farmland preservation in fringe communities. I am currently in the last stage of my MA, which is a thesis on comparative analysis of various urban planning techniques used to balance community growth and development without losing a rural character along with precious farmland in townships adjacent to Grand Rapids.

Aside from what I already described, I want to join the board because I believe in creating positive change. Complacency in our society is fast becoming the norm, and it is up to the people of West Michigan to practice responsibility in our actions and plans. After all, if we all enjoy living here so much, we certainly should work to preserve the character and environment for the future.

New producer: Ginger Clean

2011-02-09T22:03:00.000-05:00

You may have seen them at pick-up last month, but new producer Ginger Clean has their products on our Web site for the first time this month. Here's more about them:

In a world where “natural” can be overused, even misleading it’s comforting to know that three women, Ginger, Carol and Tammy, bring to your family a TRULY all natural environmentally friendly line of household cleaners and laundry soap that actually works! Ginger Clean’s philosophy is to protect you and your family by using only truly natural ingredients. Our entire line of products brings peace of mind to your family, home, and the environment’s future. We truly believe in our cleaning products and trust you will too.

Ginger Clean is currently selling all-purpose spray, outdoor cleaner, powdered cleanser, soft scrub, window cleaner, and laundry detergent. Click here to read more.

New producer: Cowslip Creamery

2011-02-08T11:25:00.000-05:00

We have a new cheese producer this month! Here's a bit about Cowslip Creamery:

Cowslip Creamery is nestled in a lovely outbuilding on picturesque Lubbers Family Farm along the Grand River in West Michigan. Our creamery makes cheese the old fashioned way, by hand, using fresh milk from the herd of cows grazing on this farm and other small farms. Lubbers Family Farm embraces the fertility of the earth it is rooted in and honors the abundance it provides.

Cowslip Creamery is selling phocas cheese this month. Click here to check it out.

New Producer: Saskatoon Project Midwest

2011-02-07T12:30:00.000-05:00

Never heard of a saskatoon berry? Well, here's some information about them from our new producer, Saskatoon Project Midwest:

Saskatoon berries are a native plant to North America. They are a relative of the apple and resemble a blueberry in size and shape. Their flavor has been compared to a number of different fruits but in our opinion they taste like a cross between an apple and a blackberry with slight almond finish (from the seeds). These berries are extremely high in antioxidants and have been compared to a pomegranate because of this. They are also higher in potassium, fiber, and protein than other berry fruits and have high levels of vitamin A and iron as well.

Saskatoons are very versatile and can be used in many different ways. They are a great pie fruit because they retain their shape when they are cooked. They are also very good in sauces for meats, jams & jellies, cocktails, smoothies, muffins, etc.

For more information about Saskatoon Project Midwest and this developing crop in Michigan, click here.

New products and updates (Feb. 2011)

2011-02-06T13:20:00.003-05:00

The February shopping cycle is currently open and runs through February 11!

We have a lot of great new products this month including:

Dark chocolate and coffee granola
Phocas cheese
Saskatoon berries
Dried apples and cherries
New coffee flavors including French vanilla and hazelnut
New tea flavors including Moroccan mint green tea and white peony
New frozen yogurt flavors including lemon pepper and strawberry basil
New beef products including farmhouse meatloaf, kabob meat, and corned beef.
New ready-to-cook entrees including stuffed pork chops with cherry orange sauce and black bean & vegetable polenta pie
Hand-crafted scarfs
All natural cleaning products
Economy size laundry detergent

To view all of our new products, click here.

We also have a few more announcements:

Randy's Granola has changed their name to Simply Suzanne.
Daisy Doodle is now offering gift certificates.
We have three new producers this month: Cowslip Creamery, Ginger Clean, and Saskatoon Project Midwest (more about each of them soon!).

Upcoming Gardening Workshops (Feb. 17, Mar. 17, Apr. 14)

2011-01-25T12:55:00.002-05:00

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Barry County is hosting a series of upcoming gardening workshops.

The first workshop will be held on February 17 on the topic of sustainable gardening. This introductory workshop will cover soil properties, soil communities, site selection, organic soil preparation, cover crops, and crop rotation to support soil fertility.

Additional workshops include:

Backyard vegetable gardening -- March 17
Backyard fruit gardening -- April 14

For more information, click here.

Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market EXPO (12/8/10)

2010-12-03T12:50:00.003-05:00

Our very own Jerry Adams will be speaking at the Farm Marketing III: Business Management session of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market EXPO. Jerry will be speaking on the topic, "Developing a Regional Online Farmers Market".

The event will be held on December 8 at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids.

Fall on the Farm with Local First at Grassfields (10/16/10)

2010-10-09T11:39:00.005-04:00

Enjoy a full afternoon of family-friendly fun and activities during "Fall on the Farm" with Local First at Grassfields Farm. The event will be held on Saturday, October 16, from 11:00-3:00.

Bring the whole family and enjoy:

Delicious, fall-inspired food and treats from local farmers.
Pumpkin painting.
Wagon rides
Family activities.
Guided tours of the farm and creamery.

Space is limited, so please RSVP. Ticket price is $12 for adults and $6 for young children.

Visit www.grassfieldscheese.com or call (616)997-1306 for questions.

West Michigan Co-op in the news -- WZZM (8/24/10)

2010-08-27T14:58:00.004-04:00

WZZM News recently did a story on their evening newscast about West Michigan Co-op. In case you missed it, click here to check it out.

West Michigan Co-op in the news -- Grand Rapids Press (8/18/10)

2010-08-19T19:07:00.004-04:00

The Grand Rapids Press ran a story yesterday which included information about West Michigan Co-op and our role utilizing evolving technologies, as well as community involvement.

Click here to read the story.

Grassfields Farm Tour -- August 7

2010-07-21T09:35:00.001-04:00

PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE: The correct date for this tour is August 7.

Grassfields will be holding a farm tour on Saturday, August 7, at 10:00 a.m.

Location: Grassfields Farm -- 14238 60th Ave., Coopersville, MI 49404.

Charge: $3.50/person, kids under 2 are free.

RSVP: Click here to email your RSVP. Please include how many people will be attending.

Perks: The tour will include a wagon ride tour of the farm land, seeing the cows, calves and pigs, watch cheese making, taste organic raw milk cheese samples and see the cheese shop where they sell grass-fed meats.

Details: Grassfields is a West Michigan Co-op producer. This family-owned and operated farm has been in the family since the late 1800s. In 1992 they switched from confinement dairying to intensive rotational grazing. They enjoy watching their happy animals munching on the grass all summer long, and enjoying the outdoors, even in snow! (They have shelter if they need it, but they prefer to be outside!) In 2002, they decided to start making raw-milk cheese (Grassfields is the first place in Michigan licensed to make and sell raw milk cheese), and now offer seven different varieties of cheese, along with pastured poultry, eggs, beef, and pork. The meats are available at their on-farm store in Coopersville. In the spring of 2007, Grassfields was certified organic! Their cheeses are all certified organic, and better yet, made from raw milk from grass-fed cows! The meats and eggs are steroid, hormone, and antibiotic-free.

Farm to Table Dinner - A Slow Food Potawatomi/Tilling to Table Event

2010-07-20T18:06:00.000-04:00

Come and share a seasonal meal in the setting of beautiful Lubbers Family Farm. The bounty from our local farmers will be used to create tantalizing dishes for you to enjoy. Meet the farmers whose hard work helps to put food on our tables.

August 1st at 6:00

Lubbers Family Farm - O-862 Luce Street SW, Grand Rapids.

The working menu is as follows:

Amuse bouche
Celery and mushroom phyllo pouch with a blueberry balsamic reduction

Soup
Melon and cucumber gazpacho topped with a basil mint creme fraiche

Salad
Arugula and mustard greens with beets, red onion, cilantro and goat cheese tossed in a apple cider-honey vinaigrette

Appetizer
Grilled trout over a polenta cake with a tomato ragu

Entree
Herb crusted pork tenderloin a top a red pepper cassoulet

Intermezzo
Sparkling raspberry sorbet

Dessert
Peach cobbler with ginger ice cream

Please bring your choice of beer or wine.

This event requires a reservation. Cost is $50 per person. Click here too reserve your spot.

Slow Food Book Club

2010-07-15T20:10:00.006-04:00

The next meeting of the Slow Food Book Club will be held on Monday, July 26, at 6:30.

The book to read is any book by Marcella Hazan -- Amarcord - Marcella Remembers and Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant are recommended, along with any of her cookbooks. Kent District Library has many copies of these books available.

The food theme for the meeting will be Italian.

To RSVP, or if you have any questions, please contact Viola.

Happy Reading!

Learn About Cheese from a Master Cheesemaker at Dancing Goat Creamery

2010-07-15T19:54:00.007-04:00

Dancing Goat Creamery presents a series of Wednesday nights where they will sample and discuss some great cheeses. Questions regarding cheese will be answered....interesting and fun discussions facilitated by Master Cheesemaker Barbara Jenness. Come and relax and talk cheese. Starting time is 6:00 p.m. at Dogwood Farm - 10385 Wilson Ave. SW, Byron Center.

Schedule:
July 21 - The Best of the Best (American Cheese Society Best of Show winners)
Aug. 4th - What's Gouda for you, is Gouda for me (goudas)
Aug. 18 - TBA
Sept. 1 - TBA
Sept. 15 - TBA
Sept. 29 - TBA
Oct. 13 - TBA

Other topics for remaining dates to be announced.

Tickets must be purchased for this event. Click here to purchase tickets.

Any questions, please contact Veronica or Barb.

Local Food Event: A Midsummer Night Green

2010-06-30T19:33:00.003-04:00

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings is holding a fundraising event on Saturday, July 17, which will highlight local food and drinks, including products from several of our Co-op producers.

Details from the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute's web site:

Take part in this fundraising event and enjoy a magical evening of delicious food, entertainment, camaraderie, and gain a better understanding of the local food movement. You will leave with tips on how to shop local, grow your own food, and other ways to eat healthier, not only for you, but also for Mother Nature.

Roam the Visitor Center for a strolling dinner, and treat yourself to savory and delectable delights at food stations throughout the building. Menu items, prepared by Chef Richard Centala, will feature the freshest fare provided by local farms and vendors.

Guests can sample handcrafted beer from local micro-breweries and wines from Cascade Winery in Grand Rapids. There will also be a silent auction benefiting Pierce Cedar Creek Institute with fun and unique items. Summer Dress Casual attire.

Participating Co-op producers include Crane Dance Farm, Creswick Farm, Dancing Goat Creamery, and Mooville Ice Cream.

Date: Saturday, July 17
Time: 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: 701 West Cloverdale Road, Hastings, MI 49058
Cost: Institute members - $50; future members - $65 (future member price includes a discounted individual membership). Cost includes two tickets to sample beer or wine.

For more information and to register for the event, visit the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute web site.

Article Round-up (allergies, manna, diets, raw milk, grilling, salt, Petoskey, pet food, and more!)

2010-06-17T12:53:00.006-04:00

Links and commentary, brought to you by Jerry Adams, Director, of West Michigan Co-op:

***

This article caught my eye. We see so much more allergies, etc. and the first thing people talk about is food. I've always wondered about the physical spaces that we inhabit. That might be why I prefer old places, they have leaked their bad stuff out generations ago.

Just to complete the thought loop... I thought I should maybe find something about foodborne allergies and came up with this. Well, whaddya know? Another interesting read.

This is a great article detailing the struggles with the FDA and the seriousness of their job with regard to protecting the food supply. Not that our producers are immune to this stuff potentially happening, too, but it reinforces that desire to buy from people you know.

Here's one that gives purpose beyond the "looking pretty stage" for flowers in your garden.

Here's one the Bible Thumpers will appreciate. I always thought manna was from heaven (right?). Well, I guess everything is in the end, but here is an article about some earth-made manna (I guess this is what they were really talking about the whole time) that chefs are using more and more as a spice. After I looked at the picture, not so sure I am interested, but it might be nice to add to a dish at a potluck or an appetizer at an exorcism, maybe. If you try it, tell me how it tastes.

I don't know about you, but I love the commercials for those diet systems where they send you the food and that's all you have to do to get that slim, trim physique (like mine) that others are obviously envious of. Here is a little blip about how they really work (or don't). Now, if we could just get them to stop those Cenegenics commercials where the 87-year old doctor stands there posing like a bloated Arnold Schwarzenegger slightly past his prime, I'll be a happy man. Do you really want to look like that when you are that age? I am looking forward to shriveling up slightly, but I digress....

Here is an article sent in by board member Keri Amlotte a little while back that I thought was most intriguing. Out here in the sticks, we wonder sometimes how things work (do they?) in Washington, DC. This one proves how anarchic we truly are being with our little startup... fluffing feathers at the highest levels of government, I guess.

Here is something of interest to many of us: raw milk. We can't sell it at the Co-Op, but there is a movement afoot with the Cheeseheads next door and I found it interesting, especially the line about the uprising led by the "teat party."

By education and vocation, I am into history. I found this article to be very interesting about a foodstuff that has shown itself to be highly useful and flexible (and tasty).

Here is an article about a big city writer sampling some of the goods from our great state (cherry pie!). It's specifically about Petoskey, but I like it when big city folks come to the realization that we might be onto something in our more off-the-beaten-track places (yeah, I like the big city once in awhile, too). The coolest part about the article for me, though, is the reference to the Spear-O-Wigwam Ranch in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming. My wife Amy's grandparents owned this dude ranch for about thirty years (maybe it's genetic... seeking out the purer things in hard-to-get-to places).

Some of you are aware of my love of grilling (my company's called Media Rare, after all). I saw this article recently and it gave me an olfactory kick.

Salt is something that has been in the news lately. I was raised a low salter, but being married to a chef I have come to appreciate the pop it can add to foods. I know it isn't good for you in excess (I'm not putting cup fulls on), but it sure is tasty. Here's an article about some of the controversy.

Some of you have met Candy, the best dog ever (she is a "human in a dog suit"), at pickups when I can't get her home before we go live. If you have had the good fortune to meet her, then you can completely understand why people can love their pets so much. Here is an article about food for cats and dogs. If you love your pet, look for some treats on the website.

Local First Street Party

2010-06-10T08:44:00.002-04:00

Last year, 10,000 people attended the Local First Street Party in downtown Grand Rapids.

Don't miss this year's party! It's free, open to the public, and will be held on Saturday, June 12, from 4:00 to midnight in front of Bistro Bella Vita (44 Grandville Ave., Grand Rapids, 49503). There will be local food, beer, wine, and music (featuring The Verve Pipe).

West Michigan Co-op will be there handing out water with Local First. If you're planning to stop by the party, please considering volunteering for shift to help out the Co-op. We need volunteers to cover three shifts from 4:00-6:00, 6:00-8:00, and 10:00-midnight. Please email Lisa if you can volunteer.

"Washington Food Fight"

2010-05-26T13:00:00.003-04:00

According to the organization's Web site, the mission of the USDA's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" program is "to create new economic opportunities by better connecting consumers with local producers. It is also the start of a national conversation about the importance of understanding where your food comes from and how it gets to your plate. Today, there is too much distance between the average American and their farmer and we are marshalling resources from across USDA to help create the link between local production and local consumption."

However, the program is garnering some controversy as three U.S. Senators recently complained about it in a letter to the Agriculture Secretary.

To read about the controversy -- deemed a "food fight" by the media -- check out this article: Washington Food Fight Pits Big Producers Against Local Farms.

Important Notice to All Co-Op Members Regarding Pick-up Procedures

2010-05-18T16:22:00.004-04:00

Effective immediately, orders not picked up by 8:00 p.m. on pick-up night will be sent back with producers unless alternative pick-up arrangements were made ahead of time.

Here is more detail and the reasoning behind this policy change:

1 - If you do not pre-arrange for a late pickup (contact Jerry at jerry@wmcoop.com or call the office at 248-2936) and you don't show, your month's order will be returned to the producers.

2 - The producers, because they are taking something back that had already been "sold," lose the sale (this is much more harmful for a producer with a short shelf life than say frozen meat, but potentially significant regardless of product).

3 - This will allow the Co-Op to close its books much more quickly and efficiently (and greatly simplifies the coordination of the back-end... that sounded a lot more interesting than was intended).

Remember, if you can't make it, call us before 7:00pm on pickup night (that's right, 616-248-2936) and we will have a volunteer collect your goods and schedule a time to get your on Thursday or Friday. Sorry, but this really cleans up the workings and the board appreciates your cooperation.

***

As you are all aware, it has been our practice to hold those orders not picked up (that we were NOT notified about ahead of time) and we would track you down and hope you would honor your commitment in reserving the goods. We always wanted to err on the side of the user (and assure the sale for the producers), but the Co-Op was usually stuck with 2-5 orders per month. We ate the cost because we wanted the cash to go to the producer on the hope that we would get the money down the road. We have now reached a point where we are victims of our own success. Now that we are doing higher numbers, the leftovers that need chasing down have also grown proportionally (last month almost 20, of which all but two were picked up, but at great time/effort). The aftermath of pickup creates more time and effort (that again!) that the actual purchasing cycle and pickup itself.

Thanks for your understanding.

Community Food Forum

2010-05-07T14:50:00.002-04:00

The Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council is organizing an upcoming Community Food Forum. Here's what you need to know --

When: May 15 8:45am - Noon.

Where: Heart of West Michigan United Way -- 118 Commerce Ave. SW, downtown Grand Rapids.

Who: Open to anyone who comes.

What: This forum is for people to learn, share and discuss strategies and actions for a better food system.

Details: Key topic areas include healthy food, food accessibility for all, land use and agriculture, local food and economic development, and urban agriculture. More info at http://www.foodshed.net/communityfoodforum.html.

RSVP: Email ggrfsc@gmail.com or call Cynthia Price (231-670-6059) or Tom Cary at (616) 916-9823.

Mud Lake Farm Tour

2010-04-19T11:04:00.002-04:00

When: Saturday, April 24, 2009
Time: 9:30 am
Where: On the farm
Attire: Wear waterproof shoes or boots!
Charge: None.
Click here to RSVP by 4/22 with the number of people who will attend.

Details: Mud Lake Farm is situated on 36 acres in southern Ottawa county. We are firm believers in sustainable agriculture, and enjoy exploring new ideas to make our farm more sustainable. We do not use chemical pesticides, herbicides, or growth hormones on our farm.

Our "salad shares" offer families a connection to our farm and supply them with fresh, nutritious salads all year long. Variety is the spice of life: we grow over 40 different varieties of salad greens, including red and green Romaine, Leaf, Batavia, and Bibb lettuces. We also grow microgreens — baby vegetable plants packed with flavor and nutrition. Microgreens add extra spice to salads or sandwiches, and beauty to your plate

A variety of herbs are available in season.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

3411 Ottogan Street
Hudsonville, MI 49426
Work Phone: 616-890-7867
Email
Online At: http://www.mudlakefarm.com/

Volunteers Needed: April 21

2010-04-18T19:56:00.002-04:00

On Wednesday, April 21, Samara Woods (a Clark Community) is holding its 2nd Annual Vital Living Celebration.

The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Cultural Center at St. Nicholas (2250 East Paris Ave., Grand Rapids).

West Michigan Co-Op will have a booth at this event. We are in need of volunteers to staff the booth during the following shifts: 11:00-1:00 and 1:00-3:00. If you are available to volunteer, please email Lisa.

Farmers' & Artisans' Market - this Saturday (April 17)

2010-04-15T13:01:00.003-04:00

Grand Rapids Public Library is kicking off their Earth Week events this Saturday with a "Farmers' & Artisans' Market" from 10:00-3:00 at the West Leonard Branch of the library.

The Co-Op will have a booth at the market, so swing by the library to check out the goodies at the market and don't forget to stop at our booth and say hi!

Also, we need a couple of volunteers to staff our booth during the market. If you are able to volunteer from either 10:00-12:30 or 12:30-3:00, please click here to email Lisa.

For more information about the Farmers' & Artisans' Market, as well as the many more events that the library has to offer during Earth Week, please click here.

"Fresh"

2010-04-07T15:28:00.000-04:00

Aquinas College is airing a showing of "Fresh" at Wege Ballroom (on campus) tonight -- April 7 -- at 7 pm. This is the followup to "Food, Inc." and will be accompanied by the requisite round table discussion.

Everyone is invited. A $2 donation is suggested.

The Co-Op is co-sponsoring the event so come out and hang out with some fellow foodies.

Pierre Schierbeek (S&S Lamb, LLC.) -- Board Nominee

2010-03-08T13:02:00.001-05:00

As a Producer of West Michigan Coop, I have decided to allow my name to be put up for nomination to the Board. As a farmer/business man I hope to bring a good representation of producers along with helping to oversee the management of the Coop. I really want the Coop to succeed and grow and if there is any help I can offer as serving as a board member, I am willing to do so.

Keri Amlotte -- Board Nominee

2010-03-08T13:01:00.000-05:00

Keri Amlotte joined West Michigan Co-Op in 2008. Since that time, in addition to being a devoted Co-op shopper, Keri has volunteered for the Co-op as a member of the website committee and coordinated the Co-Op's web presence in the form of a blog, Facebook, and Google calendar. In addition, she volunteers at pick-up nights, primarily in the role as adjuster supervisor.

Keri's background is in marketing and public relations. She holds a Bachelors degree in Advertising and Public Relations, with an emphasis in public relations, from Grand Valley State University. For the past five years, Keri has worked as the Marketing Coordinator at a local law firm. In this role she coordinates the firm's communications and relationships with external audiences using such avenues as newsletters, the Internet, seminars and special events, and media relations.

A devoted Co-op shopper and volunteer, Keri is asking for your vote to become a member of the Co-op Board of Directors. As a member of the Board, Keri would utilize her skills in marketing and public relations to help the Co-op meet their growth and development goals, promote the Co-Op in the community, attract new members, and communicate with current members. She strongly believes that West Michigan Co-Op serves a vital role in the west Michigan community and wishes to do everything possible to see it flourish and serve as a strong and important connection between west Michigan consumers and the farmers and small business owners who call west Michigan home.

Wellness Expo (Volunteers Needed!)

2010-02-08T13:11:00.004-05:00

A wellness expo will be held at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids during the evening of Tuesday, February 9.

West Michigan Co-Op will have a table at the expo and is seeking two volunteers to help hand out brochures and talk to guests about the Co-Op. Each volunteer will receive a free ticket to Dr. Sherwin Nuland's keynote presentation.

Dr. Nuland's presentation is titled "The Human Body/The Human Spirit & the Future of Health Care". For more information, please click here.

If you are able to volunteer for this event, please contact Lisa at lisam_nelson@yahoo.com.

West Michigan Co-Op Article in the Grand Rapids Press

2010-01-09T14:43:00.003-05:00

Click here to read the recent article in the Grand Rapids Press about the Co-Op, titled "West Michigan Cooks Get Food Directly From Producers Through Co-Op."

West Michigan Co-Op in the News

2009-12-18T12:56:00.003-05:00

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

2009-12-08T13:53:00.002-05:00

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

2009-12-07T20:31:00.003-05:00

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?"

2009-12-07T20:24:00.003-05:00

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

2009-11-30T12:55:00.002-05:00

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

2009-11-14T15:57:00.002-05:00

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

2009-11-03T09:20:00.004-05:00

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

November Book Club

2009-10-20T18:49:00.001-04:00

The next book to read is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Kent District Library has several copies available.

Meeting date is Monday, November 16, 6:30 p.m.

We are looking for a volunteer to host. Please e-mail Veronica at veronicap@tds.net if you are interested and/or if you plan to attend.

We thought it would also be fun to do a cookie exchange! Bring a dozen or two of your favorite cookies to exchange (as well as some extra for the sampling table), along with the recipe, and you take the same amount of assorted cookies home with you. If you have a special beverage that goes well with cookies that you would like to share, please bring it as well.

Hope to see you then!

Reminder: October book club meeting

2009-10-10T14:59:00.001-04:00

The October book club meeting is on October 12 at 6:30.

Click here for more information.

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

Open House: Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters and Awesome Chocolates

2009-10-05T18:16:00.003-04:00

Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters
1111 Godfrey Avenue SW
Suite S530 - Fifth Floor
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Work Phone: 616-802-0071
Email: mikehite2@yahoo.com
Click here to visit the Web site.

Awesome Chocolates
128 South Main Street
Wayland, MI 49348
Work Phone: 616-581-9690
Click here to visit the Web site.

When: Saturday, October 10, 2009
Time: 9 am - 3 pm
Where: 1111 Godfrey Ave SW, Suite S530- Fifth Floor

Perks: We will provide coffee & espresso samples along with Awesome Chocolate samples. In addition we will have available for sale coffee in pre-packaged 12oz bags and our normal Saturday Special of 2 lbs custom roasted coffee for $16.95. Henry will have chocolates for sale as well as caramel apples. Since we are open to the public on Saturdays, there will be no charge for the tour or samples.

Details:
Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters:We are your neighborhood coffee roaster. We roast only the top 10% of premium specialty beans found from the premier growing regions around the world. The beans are handpicked at the peak of ripeness and are meticulously graded by bean size and density. We roast them in small batches with a drum style convection roaster to ensure an even roast throughout the bean. Our roaster is manually operated by only the owners of Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters to ensure a consistent roast. Upon roast completion, we hand pack the coffee in premium packaging and deliver it to our customers. Free delivery on orders of 5 lbs. Call in your order today, and we will deliver it tomorrow. We Use -100% Arabica Coffee - Fair Trade Certified - Organically Grown.

Awesome Chocolates: My name is Henry Klok and I make candy. Not just any candy, but delicious chocolates that are the melt in your mouth kind and I make them all by hand, one at a time. How do I do it? First I arrange fresh roasted nuts (pecans, cashews & peanuts) on a parchment lined tray, and then I give them each a generous heaping dollop of my famous soft & gooey caramel. The caramel is my own secret recipe - so soft, so goooooey. Then I freeze them because I have to - so soft, so gooey - then I dip each piece in my rich chocolate coatings by hand. The chocolate is also my secret recipe. Once you try one of my delicious hand crafted treats you will want more, but that’s a good thing!

Co-Op User Fee Increase

2009-09-29T20:38:00.000-04:00

Dear West Michigan Co-Op Vendors and Buyers:

This is to inform you that during the August meeting, the West Michigan Co-Op board voted to increase the user fee from 2% to 5% for vendors and buyers alike, effective beginning the October 2009 cycle. This decision did not come easily but was mandated to ensure Co-Op sustainability and future growth.

Both vendor and buyer comments were taken into consideration, as were the financial statements and forecasted outlook. While the board realizes that this current economic period is difficult for everyone, it feels strongly that the Co-Op must brace itself to ensure viability for all. We hope that everyone will be supportive of this change as we are all striving for the same thing: healthy, local, sustainable food and “green” supplies from healthy, local, sustainable vendors.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Jerry Adams, Executive Director, at the West Michigan Co-Op. He will be happy to help you.

Sincerely,

Nathan Creswick,
Board President

Jerry Adams,
Co-Op Director

Volunteers Needed for Harvest Celebration!

2009-09-19T15:13:00.000-04:00

The Horizen Hydroponics Grand Harvest Festival is taking place next weekend, Saturday September 26th 11am-4pm.

What a great way to spend a fall afternoon celebrating the harvest season and talking with people about the West Michigan Co-op! And the best part is that our season doesn't end, it goes straight on through the winter! But how many people don't know that?!

Would you like to help hand out brochures and tell others about the West Michigan Co-op?

Two volunteers are needed for each of the following shifts:

10:30am-noon
noon-2:00pm
2:00-4:00pm

The festival location is 1614 Leonard St. NW.

Please email tara@westmichigancoop.com or post a comment on our Volunteering Forum if you are available to help out!

Thanks!!

October Book Club Meeting

2009-09-15T08:44:00.000-04:00

Our next book club meeting will be on October 12th at 6:30pm. A volunteer is needed to host, so please contact Veronica at veronicap@tds.net if you are interested!

The book we will be reading is Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India by Madhur Jaffrey. The book is available at Kent District Library - or you can order on-line - or borrow from a friend.

Since we always have food at our meeting we suggest that those attending make one of the recipes in the book - or any Indian dish that they love.

Please respond to Veronica at veronicap@tds.net if you plan on attending.

Happy Reading!!

Local First - Eat Local Challenge Dinner - September 17

2009-09-14T08:54:00.001-04:00

What: Come follow your food from farm to plate, experience live cooking demonstrations, meet some of the best chefs in town and the farmers they work with, enjoy local, seasonal food and celebrate Michigan beer and wine. Many of your favorite Grand Rapids venues will be present: Bar Divani, Bistro Bella Vita, Patricia's Chocolates, and more!

When: Thursday, September 17 from 5:30 -9:30 PM

Where: San Chez Bistro (38 Fulton SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503)

Tickets: $25. Click here for tickets.

"Getting Real About the High Price of Cheap Food"

2009-09-02T19:45:00.004-04:00

Time magazine recently ran a great story about the state of the agriculture industry in America. The article describes conventional farming methods and the resulting high costs to the environment, the economy, and the health of both humans and animals.

As an alternative to these destructive conventional farming methods, this article describes the importance of sustainable agriculture and the consciousness of food buyers who take the important step to learn where their food comes from and what farming practices are used by that producer.

To read the article, click here.

Book Club Meeting

2009-08-11T13:32:00.001-04:00

The next book we will be reading is Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter by Phoebe Damrosch.

Schuler's has many available for $13.95, Kent District Library's website shows 3, and it is also available used on Amazon. Sharing is always an option, too.

Meeting date will be Monday, August 31, 6:30 at Viola Bogard's house - 5861 Ethelwin Ave, Belmont 49306. Click here for a map.

Please respond to Veronica at veronicap@tds.net if you plan on attending.

Tour: Grassfield Farm

2009-08-11T13:30:00.002-04:00

When: Saturday, August 29, 2009
Time: 10 am
Where: On the farm.
Perks: The tour will include a wagon ride tour of the farm land, seeing the cows, calves and pigs, watch cheese making, taste Organic raw milk cheese samples and see the cheese shop where we sell our grass-fed meats.
Charge: $3.50/person.

About Grassfield Farm:
Grassfields is a WMCoop producer. This family owned and operated farm has been in the family since the early 1920s. In 1992 we switched from confinement dairying to intensive rotational grazing. We enjoy watching our happy animals munching on the grass all summer long, and enjoying the outdoors, even in snow! (They have shelter if they need it, but they prefer to be outside!)

In 2002, we decided to start making raw-milk cheese (we’re the first place in Michigan licensed to make and sell raw milk cheese), and now offer seven different varieties of cheese, along with pastured poultry, eggs, beef, pork, and lamb. The meats are available in our on-farm store in Coopersville, Michigan.

In the spring of 2007, Grassfields was certified Organic! Our cheeses are all certified organic, and better yet, made from raw milk from grass-fed cows! The meats and eggs are steroid, hormone, and antibiotic-free.

Summer Potluck!

2009-07-24T12:40:00.000-04:00

Join us on Thursday, August 6th from 6-9pm for local beer, food, and fun!!!

Location: Field at the corner of Hall and Godfrey (across the street from Media Rare's front door entrance).

Bring a favorite summer dish to share and chairs or blankets for your dining comfort.

We will supply the place settings, beer, entertainment, games and a perfect opportunity to hang out with fellow co-op members and friends!

** Music by Badenya!
** Founders Beer!
** Games!
** Great Food!
** Good Times!!!

PLEASE RSVP BY NEXT FRIDAY JULY 31ST to benice119@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!!!

Highlight on the Green Food Blue Grass Festival

2009-07-16T08:38:00.004-04:00

The Green Food Blue Grass festival is this Sunday, July 19th, from 1pm - 9pm, at the Felt Mansion in Laketown Township (near Saugatuck).
The Holland Sentinel published an article highlighting the event. There's a couple things that it doesn't mention:

Proceeds of the tickets go toward the Friends of Felt project, which will be establishing a sustainable farming and sustainability learning center on the grounds of the Mansion.
10% of the Food Booth proceeds will go to the Mansion to cover the cost of the Festival.
The remaining 90% go to the food booth operators.
The West Michigan Co-op in conjunction with Slow Food will be serving food from Co-op farmers.
All food vendors at the event were encouraged to use Co-op farmers for their food. We've distributed our farmers' contact information to all the groups involved to get their buy-in.
Tickets are $25 per person, or a per-car $80 - if you can get more than three people in your car, that's quite a deal. Carpool!

The article also calls me (Paul DeLeeuw) out as one of the organizers of the event. I'd like to take a moment to highlight all the folks in the Co-op who've been involved in making this happen:

Jerry, our Director, who had the original idea for a music festival featuring local food, and has been organizing the food booth in conjunction with Amy Sherman.
Tara, our Volunteer Coordinator, who (as always) has been doing a wonderful job rounding up volunteers and assisting in planning the event details.
Our wonderful farmers, providing food for our booth.
Our core volunteers: (in no particular order) Diane Graves, Scott Steiner, Lisa Nelson (who is at everything!), Andrea Veldman, and Amy Neis and the Neis Family (boy, that sounds like a traveling family band!).

Thank you all so much - the Co-op couldn't do things like this without you.
I hope to see you all out there! And, if you're not familiar with the Mansion Park and Grounds - it's only a half-mile walk to the beach of Lake Michigan. If you want to take a break from the Festival, you're free to walk the trails and relax on the beach!
For more information, and to buy tickets online, see feltmansion.org/festival.

Our First Farm Tour of the Season!

2009-07-14T15:43:00.001-04:00

Bluegrass not your thing? If you are not planning on attending the Green Food Bluegrass Festival this Sunday, here is another great option - our first farm tour of the season!

Funny Farm Organic Produce - Tour
13181 Centerline
Grant, Mi 49327
Work Phone: 231 834-8643
Email: funyfarm@riverview.net
Online At: http://www.funnyfarmorganicproduce.com

When: Sunday, July 19, 2009
Time: 4pm

Where: Go north on M 37-Alpine Ave past Sparta, Kent City and Casnovia. M 37 curves back to the north just past Casnovia. Stay on M 37 N and go 5 miles to 136th Street.Turn right on 136th St and go 1/2 mile to Centerline Ave. Turn left (only) and go 1/2 mile to farm on left. 13181 Centerline.

Details: Funny Farm is a WMCoop producer. They are second generation farmers farming the 100 acre farm. They tend aprox. 7 acres of USDA Certified Organic mixed vegetables and herbs as well as producing in a 2800 sq. ft. greenhouse built for fall & winter production as a 3 year research project for Michigan State University.

Perks: Drinks and Munchies!!!
Charge: None

Forums!

2009-07-01T11:57:00.003-04:00

Hello! Paul the Tech Guy here, blogging once again.

Today, we're launching forums on the West Michigan Co-op. You can find them at http://wmcoop.com/forums. There's a few forums available to post in, and there will likely be more to come.

We've looked at a lot of software packages to solve the issue of forums, but none of the best options offered integration with our existing log-ins. We didn't want to make you, as a contributor to our community, have to open yet another account and password just to talk to other Co-op'ers. That's a mistake that we made with the Wiki, and I'm certain it's slowed down our use of the wiki as a community tool. And yes, I'm working on bringing the Co-op log-in to the Wiki so everybody who has an account with us can get in and help us document this process together.

We've also got that great short domain name that you see above: wmcoop.com - that's a new shortcut name - it'll take you to the same westmichigancoop.com that you've known the past 3 years, but it's shorter and easier to share with friends.

As always, thanks for your support, and if you have any suggestions, feel free to comment below, in the Forums, or email me at paul@wmcoop.com!

"Eating Locally Getting Easier, More Delicious"

2009-06-26T19:37:00.003-04:00

The Kalamazoo Gazette recently ran an editorial about the local food movement. It begins as follows:

"Whether you're interested in healthy eating, the health of the region's economy or the health of farm animals, it seems the "local food" movement is a good prescription."

The article discusses the ways in which buying locally grown food is beneficial for health, economic, and environmental reasons.

Click here to read the complete article.

Then head on over to the West Michigan Co-Op for some "window shopping" of local food options here in West Michigan. Get your shopping list ready, because the Co-Op's next shopping cycle begins on July 4 and runs through July 10.

The West Michigan Co-Op Needs YOU!

2009-06-09T12:16:00.003-04:00

Would you be able to volunteer on behalf of the West Michigan Co-Op at an upcoming event?

The Co-Op will have an informational table at each of the events listed below and we need your help to staff these tables! Both events are this Saturday, June 13.

If you are able to volunteer for a shift, please contact Tara at tara@westmichigancoop.com.

Event: Local First Street Party
Date: Saturday, June 13.
Time: Begins at 4:00.
Location: In front of Bistro Bella Vita in downtown Grand Rapids.

Event: First Annual Master Grilling Cook-Off
Date: Saturday, June 13.
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Modern Hardware - 1500 Kalamazoo Ave. - Grand Rapids

A Book Club, brought to you by the West Michigan Slow Foods

2009-06-02T21:09:00.003-04:00

The West Michigan Co-op is joining up with Slow Foods for a joint Book Club!! Below is information on the upcoming book to read and meeting details.

Please RSVP to Veronica if you plan to attend: veronicap@tds.net.

Monday, June 29, 6:30 pm

Location: TBD

Book: Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

Those attending are encouraged to bring a dish from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. If a NY broad can do it, so can you!

Both books are available at Kent District Library in a variety of media.

Green Food Blue Grass Festival - Volunteers?

2009-05-31T10:56:00.002-04:00

There is a tremendous opportunity to help out and get involved with this great event taking place at the Felt Mansion in Holland on Sunday July 19th!!

And with many benefits! All volunteers for a four hour shift will receive a free t-shirt, free admission into the concert, and an option to be paid minimum wage or waive payment to receive a ticket to a future Felt Mansion event (culinary event or Christmas tour)!

Of course if you feel that any of these benefits are enough payment for your time, please feel free to decline any or all of them and help contribute to the restoration of the Felt Estate and Shore Acres Farm even more! See http://www.feltmansion.org/festival/about.htm for more information.

All volunteers must attend one of the following training sessions (time does not count towards the required 4 hour shift):

- Tuesday July 14th 7:30-8:30pm
- Saturday July 18th 10-11am
- Sunday July 19th 10-11am

All ticket sales volunteers and those serving alcohol will also need to be TIPS certified. TIPS training is at the Felt Mansion on Tuesday July 14th 5:30-7:30pm.

Event Volunteers are needed for the following tasks:

Set-up - including putting up signs and small tents, setting up tables, etc.
Saturday July 18th 11am-3pm
Sunday July 19th 11am-1pm

Parking Attendants - help direct traffic
Sunday July 19th - 1-5pm, 2-6pm, 3-7pm OR 4-8pm

Ticket Sales - sell tickets, check ID's, issue wrist bands
Sunday July 19th - 1-5pm, 2-6pm, 3-7pm OR 4-8pm

General Staff - on the look out for underage drinking, people wandering into the event without a wristband, etc.
Sunday July 19th - 1-5pm, 2-6pm, 3-7pm OR 4-8pm

Beer Tent - New Holland Brewing Company - serve beer!
Sunday July 19th - 1-5pm, 2-6pm, 3-7pm OR 4-8pm

Beer Tent - Miller Lite - serve beer!
Sunday July 19th - 1-5pm, 2-6pm, 3-7pm OR 4-8pm

Wine Tent - Fenn Valley - serve wine!
Sunday July 19th - 1-5pm, 2-6pm, 3-7pm OR 4-8pm

Wine Tent - Corkscrews - serve wine!
Sunday July 19th - 1-5pm, 2-6pm, 3-7pm OR 4-8pm

Please let me know if you are interested in helping out and for which task and shift. Also please indicate which training session you plan to attend.

If interested in volunteering, email tara@westmichigancoop.com.

For more information see http://www.feltmansion.org!

Thanks!

Grand Rapids Water Festival

2009-05-29T12:41:00.003-04:00

The Water Festival will take place on Saturday, June 20, at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids.

This festival celebrates the water that surrounds us here in Michigan and includes live music, speakers, workshops, and more. Come check it out!

For more information about the Grand Rapids Water Festival, please click here.

Local First Street Party

2009-05-29T12:35:00.004-04:00

Local First's 6th Annual Street Party will take place on Saturday, June 13, beginning at 4:00 p.m. in front of Bistro Bella Vita in Grand Rapids.

Over 12,000 people are expected to attend this celebration of local food, local beer, and local music. Don't miss it!

For more information about the Street Party, and to view the band line-up, please click here.

"Food for Thought" - Local Food in West Michigan

2009-05-07T11:29:00.004-04:00

Rapid Growth recently published an article titled, "Food for Thought," about Grand Rapids area restaurants and businesses that buy local food.

The article describes the benefits -- to the restaurants/businesses, local farmers, and the local economy in general -- of purchasing local food. It also notes how buying local food is a movement that is gaining momentum.

Click here to read the article.

Saugatuck Green Food Bluegrass Tickets Go On Sale

2009-05-01T10:00:00.003-04:00

The following is a Press Release regarding the Green Food Bluegrass festival. The West Michigan Co-op is a sponsor of this event - many (if not most) of the foods served at the festival will be grown by our WMCo-op farmers.

Friends of the Felt Estate invite you, your friends, and your family to a bluegrass festival at the Felt Mansion on Sunday, July 19. Enjoy locally grown picnic fare as you listen to some of Michigan’s finest bluegrass bands.

The music begins at one o’clock with Full Cord and continues all afternoon with a new group taking the stage at the top of each hour: Who Hit John? at 2:00, Nobody’s Darlin’ at 3:00, Ruth and Max Bloomquist Band at 4:00, and Detour at 5:00. We invite you to stay for the main event at 6:00: the long awaited, much anticipated reunion of bluegrass legends Cabbage Crik. The band members may look a bit different these days, but a performance 30 years in the making is not to be missed! Judging from the sounds of their most recent rehearsal, they have only gotten better with time.

With all this good music and fresh air, you’re sure to have an appetite. Local vendors will be on hand to serve you food proudly grown by the farmers of the West Michigan Co-op. With everything from grilled chicken, bratwurst, pulled pork sandwich, or veggie pita, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

What about your thirst on a hot summer afternoon? New Holland Brewing Company, Saugatuck Brewing Company, Miller and Miller Lite, Fenn Valley Winery, and Corkscrews Winery are there to help you out. The Hudsonville High School Water Polo Team will also be sponsoring a tent stocked with non-alcoholic beverages.

Tickets for the first annual Saugatuck Green Food Bluegrass Festival go on sale Friday, May 1^st. You can buy tickets online (http://www.feltmansion.org/) or by visiting the Saugatuck-Douglas CVB, or the Holland Area CVB. Remember: buying tickets in advance saves you money as does packing your vehicle with four or more people!

All proceeds from the Green Food Bluegrass festival benefit the restoration and the LEED certification process for the Felt Estate. For more details about the event, and to purchase tickets, visit: www.feltmansion.org and click on the Green Food Bluegrass box. See you on Sunday, July 19!

Earth Day Celebration at Aquinas College

2009-04-19T19:23:00.001-04:00

The Earth Day Celebration at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids will be held on Wednesday, April 22^nd. The public is welcome to attend. Events will include a Farmer’s Market and a concert by Breathe Owl Breathe.

Earth Day Farmer’s Market

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: In front of the Wege Center at Aquinas College

Breathe Owl Breathe Concert

Time: 8:00 PM

Location: The Moose Café (located on the first floor of the cook Carriage House) at Aquinas College.

Cost: $5

First Annual Master Grilling Cook-Off!

2009-04-17T10:37:00.003-04:00

The first annual Master Grilling Cook-Off will take place at Modern Hardware in Grand Rapids on Saturday, June 13. Click here to read more about the event.

Interested in becoming involved in the event? They're currently in need of the following:

4-person grill teams
Live music and entertainment
Local artists
Restaurants/food vendors
Sponsors
Judges

For more information, please contact Rod Glupker at (616) 241-2655 or (616) 291-9558 or by email.

Urban Farming in Ypsilanti

2009-04-15T16:28:00.003-04:00

The article, “Collective Efforts,” published in the Detroit Metro Times today describes one family’s quest toward producing sustainable agriculture by way of urban farming.

The article tells the story of Peter Thomason, who lives in downtown Ypsilanti. In his backyard, Thomason grows crops in a new greenhouse which was constructed using recycled materials. In addition, he has a small barn in his backyard which houses chickens, rabbits, and goats.

Click here to read the article.

Extended Shopping Window

2009-04-04T20:47:00.002-04:00

Due to the ordering period coinciding with Spring Break we have extended the shopping window for this month until Tuesday April 14th at midnight.

Pick up is on Earth Day, Wed. April 22nd, 5:45-8pm.

Happy Shopping!

Volunteers Needed!

2009-04-01T09:40:00.006-04:00

Help Promote the West Michigan Co-Op by Volunteering for an Event.

The word is getting out about the West Michigan Co-op and we've been invited to participate in a number of events over the next few months! These are great opportunities to inform people about the co-op and benefits of eating locally and supporting our local farmers and economy.

But we need your help!! Would you be willing to volunteer at one or more of these events? They each involve the WM Co-op having a table/booth to hand out pamphlets, talk about the co-op, and sell co-op T-shirts and bags. Two people will be scheduled for each shift.

The shift times vary, and feel free to offer to work a double (the shifts aren't very long)! :) I can provide you with further specifics on the event(s) that you are available to help with and any necessary information/training.

Many of these events need a commitment from us within the next couple weeks, so please let us know ASAP if you are willing to help out! Please respond to tara@westmichigancoop.com.

When: Saturday April 18th
What: Grand Rapids Public Library Indoor Farmers Market
Where: Downtown Library
Shifts: 10:00am - noon
noon - 3:00pm

When: Saturday April 18th
What: Kent District Library Green Living Fair
Where: EGR Library
Shifts: 10:00am - noon
noon - 2:00pm

When: Sunday April 19th
What: WMEAC Earth Week Expo - Richie Hovens concert
Where: Fountain St. Church
Shifts: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
9:00pm - 10:00pm

When: Wednesday April 22nd
What: Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber's Staff Earth Day Celebration
Where: 1515 Arboretum Dr. SE
Shift: 11:30am - 1:30pm

When: Wednesday April 29th
What: Clark Retirement Village event
Where: 2250 East Paris SE at their Cultural Center
Shifts: 11:00am - 1:00pm
1:00pm - 3:30pm

When: Thursday April 30th
What: Lakeside Elementary Earth Week Local Business Expo
Where: Lakeside Elementary School - 2325 Hall SE
Shift: 8:30am - 9:30am

When: Wednesday May 20th
What: State Farm Insurance Health & Fitness Day
Where: TBA
Shifts: 10:00am - noon
noon - 2:30pm
2:30pm - 5:00pm

When: Saturday June 20th
What: Water Festival
Where: Riverside Park
Shifts: 10:30am - 12:30pm
12:30pm - 2:30pm
2:30pm - 4:30pm
4:30pm - 6:30pm

Please respond to tara@westmichigancoop.com if you're interested in volunteering.

Write your Congress Critters

2009-03-18T19:02:00.004-04:00

Typically, the Co-op Blog doesn't comment on political issues; we generally don't want to present any kind of bias viewpoint. Local and Sustainable Food isn't a party issue - so bias wouldn't be necessary.

In this case, there's an unusual situation. The House currently has a bill sitting in the House Committee on Agriculture (HR 875) which regulates food safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009. Undoubtedly, this title was chosen so that we can all feel safer about our peanut butter.

The bill, however, dictates significant new powers to the Federal Government to regulate our food system. While this is probably good in some cases - like the aforementioned peanut butter - it can have a detrimental effect on our small-scale, local growers.

I would highly recommend that you read the text of the bill, over at OpenCongress.org.

The bill regulates food processing facilities (like slaughterhouses, packaging plants, and warehouses), and many of these regulations may be acceptable.

However, the bill also regulates food production facilities - which it defines as "any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation" - Section 3, Paragraph 14.

Section 206 of the bill is the specific regulation on Food Production Facilities, where it defines the powers of the Federal Government to regulate the use of fertilizers, nutrients, packaging, etc.

It does not, however, give details of the kinds of fertilizers that would be regulated, or possibly required, for food production. It also doesn't specify exemptions for small-scale farms. It puts several new regulations on safety practice documentation.

The letter of this law concerns me. Its intent is noble, I'm sure - we all want our food to be safe. But, you shouldn't need to employ a lawyer and a science team to be allowed to grow and sell carrots. I urge you to take a look at the bill. You can coment on it at OpenCongress.org, or better yet - write Rep. Mark Schauer from Michigan, our representative on the House Committee of Agriculture.

At a minimum, I think there are some serious questions about this bill. Read it and let us know what you think!

10 Ways to Become More Involved

2009-03-16T12:32:00.004-04:00

Interested in taking part in the inter-workings of the West Michigan Co-op? There is a lot that takes place behind the scenes on a monthly basis to make it possible to acquire great delicious local food & products year round! And we can use your help! Here are 10 ways to become more involved:

1.) Join the Vision Committee! They are meeting tonight at 6pm at the Co-op location - 1111 Godfrey SW. Come and check it out or contact Tom Cary if you are interested.

*Future Growth
*Research options for expansion, including logistics, costs, rate of
growth, etc.

2.) Join the Membership Committee! This committee will be meeting on Monday March 23rd, 6pm at the Co-op - 1111 Godfrey SW. Come and join us or contact Tara Simmons if you are interested in more information.

*Volunteer & pick-up coordination
*Address issues that arise concerning members and volunteers
*Determine guidelines & policies that pertain to membership
*Increase volunteer base
*Volunteer on pick-up nights & help supervise
*Come up with ideas on how the pick-up can be more efficient
*Create & update the Membership Handbook

3.) Join the PR Committee! Contact Lisa Nelson for meeting dates and further information.

*Outreach/Education
*Work to increase co-op membership
*Attend events, hand out brochures, talk about the co-op
*Plan co-op events, advertisements, flyers, etc.
*Blog relevant information concerning events & education
*Plan and coordinate farm tours

4.) Join the Product Committee! Contact Paul DeLeeuw for meeting dates and further information.

*Use programming skills to update and make changes to our website
*Review site to make sure all of the information is current and
relevant
*Maintain entries on the blog
*Add information and keep the Wiki up to date

6.) Volunteer on Pick-up nights! The March pick-up is Wed. March 25th. Contact Tara Simmons if you are interested in helping out!

7.) Volunteer for Co-op events! There are numerous events coming up that we will have a presence at. If you are interested in helping to promote the WM Co-op at these events please contact Tara Simmons.

8.) Attend board meetings and/or review meeting minutes online! Board meeting dates for 2009 can be found on our calendar and minutes are posted regularly.

9.) Regularly check the Co-op Calendar! Here you will find all the
important dates, including ordering periods, pick-up dates, meetings
and events.

10.) Help spread the word! Tell family and friends and everyone you
meet about the West Michigan Co-op! Send them to
www.westmichigancoop.com!

WM Co-op on WYCE

2009-03-05T13:34:00.003-05:00

Community Radio junkies take note!

Jerry Adams and Paul DeLeeuw - your Co-op Director and Tech Guy - are going to be on WYCE's Catalyst Radio tomorrow (March 6, 2009). We'll be on at 12:00 noon, talking about what we love: our co-op, how it works, and how we're growing it.

If you're going to miss it, you can catch the interview online as well at the Catalyst Radio Webpage.

Rock & Roll!

Meet your new board!

2009-03-04T09:34:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to Kris Van Haitsma and Lisa Nelson, who became the newest members of the Board last night. Georgia Monroe was reelected to remain on the Board. In addition to the two new members, Christina Radisauskas became the Alternate Board member, meaning she will be attending the meetings and ready to step in should a Board member leave for any reason.

You can always see what your Board is up to on the Co-op's wiki and contact them there.

Thank you to everyone who was in attendance at last night's Annual Meeting.

The next meeting is next Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 pm. We always encourage our members to participate in our meetings and look forward to seeing you there.

Board Meetings

2009-03-03T12:02:00.003-05:00

We invite all our members to come to our board meetings. We've got one tonight at 6:30, which is our annual meeting and another one next week on March 10 at 6:30 pm.

You can keep up with what your board is up to on the Co-op wiki where we post all the Board Meeting Minutes, along with the next month's meeting agendas. Be sure to check them out if you can't make the meetings.

Keep up!

2009-02-27T11:59:00.006-05:00

Want to know what your hardworking Board members are up to? We publish all our minutes online and list our meeting dates.

Check it out at http://wiki.westmichigancoop.com/BoardMeetings

Annual Board Meeting

2009-02-27T09:13:00.002-05:00

This is just a reminder that the West Michigan Co-op Annual Board Meeting is next week Tuesday March 3rd, 6:30pm at Media Rare, 1111 Godfrey SW.

Everyone is invited to attend. Voting members will be voting in 3 new board members as well as one alternate. All Board nominee profiles can be viewed below! Check them out!

Hope to see you on Tuesday!

Amy Neis -- Board Nominee

2009-02-25T18:44:00.002-05:00

So, who would have thought writing a biography for the co-op would turn into such an exercise?

My first attempt came across sounding more like my college resume and although interesting in it’s own right, didn’t seem to pinpoint the information you might be looking for to let you know my qualifications for the board.

My second try was very up-lifting, I used words like “yes we can” and “a change we can believe in”, but it seemed like I had heard it before and worried you might feel that way too.

So, on my third attempt I decided the best thing would just be to tell you why..… why I feel strongly about the co-op and why that in turn would make me interested for a seat on the board.

My experience with the co-op goes back to the initial sign-up date at the Wealthy Theatre. As a family, the summer farmer’s market was already a big part of our life, so the thought of getting our food local and year round was very exciting.

After a couple of order cycles, I knew the co-op was not only something I believed in, but something I wanted to become more involved in. I wanted to help make it grow and make it better. So, as a family, we started volunteering on producer drop-off and membership pick-up times.

Soon committees formed, and again, I was interested to see where I could contribute. I signed onto the membership committee, which was/is a great experience, as it has opened up new ways to take part and contribute to the whole operation.

As I bring this to a close, I realize I have no ending for my co-op biography, because either on the board or off the board, I plan to keep adding to it. The next paragraph will be up to the voting members. I’ll look forward to seeing what I get to write next.

Amy Neis

Lisa Nelson -- Board Nominee

2009-02-25T18:32:00.009-05:00

Hello, West Michigan Co-Op Members:

My name is Lisa Nelson and I am asking for your vote to represent you on the West Michigan Co-Op Board on March 3, 2009. Currently I am a volunteer at most Co-Op Pick-up nights and attend Board meetings regularly. I am a committee member on the following 4 Co-Op committees: Vision, Producer, Web and Public Relations Committees. I also maintain the Co-Op License Book and have attended several Farm Tours and Co-Op Events. I have been a member since the original Wealthy Theater kick-off of the West Michigan Co-Op.

I am very passionate about the West Michigan Co-Op! As the granddaughter of a Michigan Farmer, I know how important it is to have a close relationship with the land and how important it is for us to live in a society valuing, protecting and respecting our farmland, ecosystem and the green organic value of our environment. I also believe in the Co-Op benefit of promoting a natural, healthy food distribution while supporting the sustainability of our local communities. This includes partnering with other efforts like Local First, Farms without Harm and Slow Food.

Your membership in the Co-Op is important to you. As a board member, I promise to listen to all your input and ideas and represent you with integrity. I am particularly interested in opportunities to promote education, expand our online community dialogs and grow our Co-Op to support the underserved members of our community. More opportunities for producers to promote their products and more product availability on our ever-evolving website would help to grow our Co-Op and benefit our current and new members.

If elected, I promise to work hard to represent you. I believe the strength of the Co-Op is its members. Whether you are a member, producer or volunteer; I ask for your vote on March 3, 2009 at the annual board meeting. Together we can make the West Michigan Co-Op continue its Amazing growth in 2009!

Sincerely,
Lisa M. Nelson, ACS, CL

Affiliations:
Aquinas College, BA Business, Art Major
GRCC, Associates Degree Data Processing
Blue Heron Academy Massage Therapy Graduate
Blue Heron Academy Herbalist Certificate
Former Chicago DAMA Information Exchange Coordinator
Former West Mich. PMI VP Membership
2009 District 62 Winners Circle Editor
2009 West Michigan Advanced Club VP PR/Webmaster
2009 Foremost Club 7311, President

Kris Van Haitsma - Board Nominee

2009-02-17T20:33:00.004-05:00

Kris Van Haitsma
Hydroponic Lettuce Grower
Mud Lake Farm, LLC

Kris grew up in Tampa, FL and attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, graduating with a BS in Biology. She worked for about 18 years as an Organic Chemist for a local environmental testing laboratory. After attempting to balance both farming and working part-time for about a year and a half, she left the lab to pursue her interests in farming full-time. She is married to Steve, and they have three children, ages 13 to 17.

Kris is the owner of Mud Lake Farm, a small hydroponic farm that focuses on growing a variety of lettuces, herbs, and greens hydroponically, as well as other vegetables and herbs grown "organically". While the farm is not certified organic, the Van Haitsmas do endeavor to follow organic principles. No pesticides or herbicides are used, but they utilize beneficial insects and scouting to manage pests. They also attempt to grow products that are relatively uncommon, and those that can be grown using more permanent plantings (i.e., arctic kiwis, hazelnuts, elderberries, & paw paws). While all of these plantings are still in their infancy, hopefully they will yield some tasty, unique products in the future. The Van Haitsmas raise various animals, and seek ways to integrate all aspects of their farm to minimize inputs, purchasing as many inputs as possible from local sources.

Kris has been involved in the West Michigan Co-op since it's inception, and has participated in almost every order cycle so far, as both producer and customer. She looks forward to becoming even more involved in the vision and operation of the Co-op by serving on the board.

Christina Radisauskas - Board Nominee

2009-02-17T20:31:00.001-05:00

Christina Radisauskas is a librarian at Aquinas College, where she is also the chair of the faculty Sustainability Committee.

Since she heard about it in the summer of 2007, she's volunteered her time at the Co-Op in several capacities: Chair and member of the public relations and membership committees, volunteer supervisor on pick-up and drop-off nights, and Co-Op brochure/information pusher at many community events.

She likes to make pies when fruit is in season, has a cat named Obo, and has a super sweet bicycle that you might see her riding around town as soon as the snow is gone.

Upcoming Board Meetings.

2009-02-09T19:48:00.002-05:00

The West Michigan Co-op board will be meeting Tuesday, February 10th, at 6:30pm to prepare for our annual meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 6:30pm.

Both meetings will be held at Media Rare, 1111 Godfrey SW, and everyone is encouraged to attend.

Hope to see you there!

Why I Love the Co-Op

2009-02-08T13:33:00.005-05:00

Yesterday (Saturday) morning, I went grocery shopping. Did I battle the throngs of people at the local grocery store who also do their weekly grocery shopping on Saturday mornings? No, I did not.

Rather, I sat at home, in front of the computer, wearing my pajamas, and eating a bowl of cereal while grocery shopping.

A year ago, my husband and I joined West Michigan Co-op. Through this organization, local farmers post their products on the Co-op's web site, and then consumers/members of the Co-op purchase food from the farmers through the web site. You order the food online (which is what I was doing yesterday), and then go pick it up at the designated pick-up date and location.

Besides being able to do a portion of my monthly grocery shopping in my pajamas while eating breakfast, here are some other reasons why I love the Co-op:

Support local farmers.
Get fresher food (its not shipped from South America like a lot of the food in grocery stores).
Much more environmentally friendly.
You can read about each of the farms and their farming practices before ordering their products.
You can select foods that are certified organic, free-range, grass fed, pesticide free, etc.
You can minimize dealing with the shopping cart traffic jams and long check-out lines that occur in traditional grocery stores.

Yes, you might pay slightly more for buying through the Co-op compared to a traditional grocery store. However, the Co-op farmers often put their products on sale too.

And while you're writing your check, think about the good that you're doing. It's win-win for everyone: the Earth, West Michigan farmers, and you.

Updates!

2009-02-07T07:58:00.005-05:00

Hello, everybody! It's Paul, your friendly Co-op Tech Guy.

You may have noticed a slightly different look on the home page today. This refreshed look was wrapped into our version 1.2 software update.

We've done a lot of work on the back-end of the software (the database things you don't - and don't want to - see). Hopefully, this in addition to some changes to the look and organization of the site will help you get shopping faster.

This also puts a stronger foundation in place for us to add new features, and further organize the current ones. Our software has been in a constant state of change with our continuing growth - we appreciate your patience as there have certainly been growing pains at times!

If you notice any errors today, go ahead and email questions@westmichigancoop.com. I've added myself on to that list for this cycle so that I can get a handle on any bugs that crop up with the new software - and there's sure to be some!

Finally, it might be interesting to note that we have also open-sourced our software. Information is available at http://code.google.com/p/online-co-op/. What this means is that other people can now start the work of opening their own online co-op in their area - and they have a head-start by downloading and using our software.

Thanks everybody - shop early, shop often!

The Light Bulb guy

2009-02-02T15:15:00.005-05:00

I hear alot of people refer to Michael Hedrick as the light bulb guy! That's because his booth is usually lit up with his line of energy-efficient, full-spectrum light bulbs.

The actual company name is Healthy Living Technology, and he sells WAY more than just light bulbs. Last month I finally purchased the Living Water All-In-One Showerhead w/ filter. The showerhead has a replaceable filter that takes out chlorine, sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen sulfide. I became concerned about the chemicals and toxins you absorb and inhale during showers, and Healthy Living Technology had the solution. I chose the handheld model since I also have a big dog I routinely bath (can't wait to try it!)

You can also get whole house air and water purification systems, as well as a slew of other feel good products.

So next time you're picking up your order, be sure to swing by the Light Bulb guy and take a peak at what else is for sale!

Volunteer Appreciation Party

2009-01-25T13:14:00.005-05:00

Here are some photos from West Michigan Co-Op's volunteer appreciation party which was held on December 4. The party included a full meal prepared with food grown and produced locally, local beer and a raffle.

Thank you to all of the Co-Op's volunteers!

Photos of December's Pick-Up

2009-01-06T12:16:00.007-05:00

Steven Depolo, who did some interviews for an article he's writing for the February edition of Revue, took some wonderful photos at our last pick up. Be sure to check them out!.

Wondering Where all the eggs went?

2008-12-08T12:32:00.003-05:00

You may have noticed that some producers are only selling eggs by special order, while others have a very limited supply of eggs. That's because chickens like to take a well-deserved break in the winter! The truth is that as the days get shorter, chickens react to the decrease in day light. This change in day length causes hens to molt and cease egg production, a process that may take several months.

Molting is a natural process that allows the hen to replace old, worn feathers and rejuvenates her oviduct, the organ that “makes” eggs. With the molt, the hen puts the bulk of her energy into feather growth, leaving little for egg production. This is the way nature intended it to be. Factory farms, who cram the chickens into giant warehouses, among other atrocities, use chemicals, unnatural feed, and fake sun light to trick chickens into creating eggs all year round. It is just not right!

So while you may be a little bothered that you can't get the eggs you've been happily buying for months, be happy to know that the chickens are resting their bodies so that they can give you their eggs in the Springtime.

Doesn't that make the eggs you get from the Co-op even more precious?

Facebook Us!

2008-11-24T12:42:00.002-05:00

If you're on Facebook, you can stay even more connected with the Co-op.

To find us, just sign in to your Facebook account and visit our page!

Benefits of Volunteering With the West Michigan Co-op

2008-11-24T11:55:00.005-05:00

The West Michigan Co-Op will be holding our annual meeting on March 3, 2009.

For those of you who have volunteered at least five times during the 2008 calendar year, you will be eligible to vote at this meeting. Furthermore, as a voting member you will be eligible to run for a vacant position on the board of directors.

There are two ways to become a voting member:

Users of the West Michigan Cooperative may pay $100 to the Co-op to become a lifetime Voting Member of the Co-op. This is in addition to the $35 annual user fee, which must be maintained to remain a lifetime Voting Member.
Users who volunteer five or more times in a calendar year, ending December 31st, will become a Voting Member for the following calendar year. You must volunteer five times every year to maintain a Voting Member status. The volunteer numbers will reset to zero every January 1st.

Volunteers are currently needed to help during pick-up nights as well as on the committees. Currently the Membership Committee and the PR/Marketing Committee are in need to more volunteers. For information on committees, as well as contact information, please visit our Web site.

If you have any further questions or if you would like to find out how many times you have volunteered this year, please contact Tara at tara@westmichigancoop.com.

Buy Local Mint Essential Oil & Help Save a Farm

2008-11-10T18:51:00.005-05:00

Crosby Mint Farm in St. Johns, Michigan, is under foreclosure. Because of the farm's historic significance and the desire to continue producing peppermint essential oil, your help is needed to save the farm.

In addition to having what appears to be the oldest surviving still in the country, the Crosby Farms operation also appears to be the oldest mint farm in continuous operation in the United States. The key word here is 'continuous' - that it has cultivated and processed mint since J.E. Crosby purchased the property before World War I.

How You Can Help

For $5, you can get a gram of pure mint oil. This essential oil lasts a long time and is very hard to find.

Currently, there is enough essential oil inventory to pay the farm's debt, but 77,000 dram bottles must be sold!

Visit http://www.getmint.com/ for more information and to place your order.

Some of Mint's Many Uses

Headaches:

Peppermint may ease headaches and migraines. Apply a rub to temple area in circular motion and across the forehead. For migraines, wet hair and put 4-5 drops into your hand and massage into the scalp.

Sinus Problems

Peppermint is very useful in reducing sinus congestion when added to a bowl of steaming or boiling water. A rub may be applied to chest, back of neck area, and behind ears. A few drops of oil in a vaporizer at night will help ease congestion as well.

Digestive System

Peppermint oil can help relax the muscles of the digestive tract to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. One drop of peppermint oil on a sugar cube or used in tea may help relieve intestinal cramps.

Body Muscles & Arthritis

Peppermint oil is soothing to sore muscles when added to a hot bath or massage oil. Use this to soothe arthritis pain. Mix 4-5 drops of oil into 1 ounce of lotion and/or massage carrier oil.

Feet

Applied full strength, or mixed with a carrier oil, peppermint oil may relieve swollen feet and may reduce and assist in healing blisters, cuts, or athlete's foot by killing bacteria.

Women Only

To relieve menstrual or abdominal cramps, add 1-2 drops of peppermint oil on a sugar cube or into an 8 ounce glass of water and drink. A toothpick dipped in oil works great for tea or water. Mint also helps to relieve hot flashes!

Flu Season

For a sore throat, sparingly dip a cotton swab into mint oil and carefully apply to the back of the tongue area.

Relieve congestion by rubbing a few drops of peppermint oil on chest and covering with warm compress.

Add a few drops of mint oil to the water of a humidifier or vaporizer to keep it smelling fresh and kill germs.

Peppermint Oil is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal!

Pick-up Schedule

2008-10-30T11:41:00.002-04:00

Please be aware that we will NOT be switching to Saturday pick-ups for this winter.

The pick-up will remain on Wednesday evenings year round.

For exact dates please see our calendar on the website at http://www.westmichigancoop.com/pages/calendar.

Volunteer Party!!

2008-10-28T21:25:00.001-04:00

For those of you who have volunteered at least once throughout this past year (whether on drop-off/pick-up nights, with committees, at events, etc.), we would like to thank you for your support in helping the West Michigan Co-op grow and succeed by inviting you to a Volunteer Appreciation Party!

Come and hang out with co-op producers and others who have helped make the WM Co-op possible!

When: Thursday Dec. 4th 6:30pm

Where: WM Co-op headquarters - Media Rare - 1111 Godfrey SW

What: - Full meal prepared with food grown and produced locally, mainly by our very own WM Co-op producers
- Local beer
- Raffle featuring co-op items

Who: Due to our overwhelming list of volunteer support, this party is for volunteers only, sorry, no spouses, family, or friends.

** RSVP: Please respond by Friday Nov. 7th to volunteer@westmichigancoop.com. (Food for the party will be ordered via the co-op on this date, based on the number of responses.)

Thanks again to all of you who have helped out over this past year!! The co-op is entirely volunteer run and wouldn't exist without you!! Hope you can make it to the party!

WM Co-op Board Meeting

2008-10-22T14:45:00.001-04:00

The West Michigan Co-op will be holding a board meeting on Tuesday October 28th at 6:30pm at Media Rare, 1111 Godfrey SW. Please feel free to join us!

Co-op Potluck This Weekend!!

2008-10-08T18:24:00.002-04:00

Just a reminder that the first West Michigan Co-op Membership Potluck is this Saturday!

Come feast with old friends and meet new friends!

WHEN: Saturday, October 11, 2008
TIME: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (or later...)
WHERE: Riverside Park - Island Shelter - South

Please bring your own place settings, beverages and a dish to share.

Grills are available, but charcoal and matches are not. So if you plan on grilling, bring your fire starters too.

Looks like the weather will be beautiful! :)

Hope everyone can make it!!

Co-op Potluck in the Park!!

2008-09-26T14:43:00.001-04:00

Come feast with old friends and meet new friends
at the first West Michigan Co-op Membership Potluck!

WHEN: Saturday, October 11, 2008
TIME: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (or later...)
WHERE: Riverside Park - Island Shelter - South

Please bring your own place settings, beverages and a dish to share.

Grills are available, but charcoal and matches are not. So if you plan on grilling, bring your fire starters too.

Party’s on rain or shine!

Hope to see you there!!

Wells Orchard Farm Tour - this Saturday!!

2008-09-26T12:22:00.001-04:00

Just a reminder that the Wells Orchard Farm Tour is this Saturday September 27th 9am-10am. There are still spots available. If you are interested in signing up please send an email to membership@westmichigancoop.com.

Wells Orchard
Saturday September 27th 9:00-10:00am
O-8993 Kenowa SW
Grand Rapids MI, 49534
http://www.wellsorchards.com/

Wells Orchards is a working family farm located along the Grand River west of Grand Rapids. The family has been raising tree fruit commercially for over 125 years, 88 of those years on this farm. They grow many varieties of tree fruits, including apples, peaches, pears, sweet cherries, and plums along with other crops. Their goal is to provide the highest quality fruit to the public, at reasonable prices, and in a friendly atmosphere.

Things to know:

The tour of the orchard is free, there is an optional corn maze for $2

The store will be open and among other things there will be single serving cider portions for $1

Family friendly!

Wear closed shoes that can get dirty

No apple picking allowed

WM Co-op Membership fees

2008-09-19T10:21:00.002-04:00

Just a reminder that the $35 annual membership fee is due this month for many members.

Information on whether or not your membership fee is due can be found in your basket at the very bottom, above Frequently Asked Questions. If your fees are due please be prepared to pay them when you come to pick up your order.

Thanks for shopping the WM Co-op!!

Mud Lake Farm Tour this Saturday!!

2008-09-16T20:26:00.001-04:00

Just a reminder that the Mud Lake Farm Tour is this Saturday September 20th at 9am and 10:30am. There are still spots available for the 10:30 tour. If you are interested in signing up please send an email to membership@westmichigancoop.com.

Mud Lake Farm
Saturday September 20th 9:00am & 10:30am
3411 Ottogan Street
Hudsonville MI, 49426
http://www.mudlakefarm.com/

Mud Lake Farm is situated on 40 acres in southern Ottawa county. We are firm believers in sustainable agriculture, and enjoy exploring new ideas to make our farm more sustainable. We do not use chemical pesticides, herbicides, or growth hormones on our farm. A variety of herbs, greens, and other vegetables are available in season.

Things to know:

Carpool if possible - we have very limited parking along the right side of the road past our driveway only (please don't park in our neighbor's yard on the left side of the road!!)

We have a very friendly border collie (she will want everyone to throw her frisbee...), but sometime kids are afraid if they aren't used to dogs

Wear closed shoes that can get dirty (not a good idea to wear heels, sandals, your best shoes...), especially if you'd like to walk around after the tour. Most of our property is low land, and if there's been much rain it will be wet.

There is also space still available for the Wells Orchard tour on Saturday September 27^th 9am-10am. Please email membership@westmichigancoop.com to reserve a spot!