Foodies, Farmers, and Friends! A Fulton Street Farmers Market Fundraiser

We are pleased to be a part of this fundraising event for the Fulton Street Farmers Market renovations.  We will have an information booth at the event.  If you'll be in attendance, stop by and say hello!

Tuesday, June 22
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Mason Jones in Gaslight Village

Click here for more information.

Volunteer Appreciation Party 2012

Our Volunteer Appreciation Party was a great success this year! We gathered at Bistro Bella Vita and enjoyed local food and drinks. Here are some pictures from the event:

Candidates: Board of Directors

West Michigan Co-op's Board of Director's annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Media Rare (1111 Godfrey SW). All members and producers are encouraged 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.

Charissa Huang

Dear Co-op Community:

I am so excited about the prospect of serving this community as a member of your Board. The Co-op is one of those rare venues in our community where people from very diverse walks of life come together for a good, common purpose. That’s the great thing about food – it brings people together.

By day, I am an attorney with Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge in Grand Rapids where I represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies in construction and land disputes, employment issues, and immigration matters. Formerly, I served as a mediator in the courts where I mediated conflicts among opposing parties in landlord/tenant, commercial, and auto accident disputes, helping people to achieve practical solutions through interest based negotiation.

On a personal note, I was raised in West Michigan. In 1979, my parents immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan, where my paternal grandfather, great grandfather, and great great grandfather, etc. were farmers. Of course, the produce they farmed was quite a bit different (e.g. mangos, guavas, papayas) from the produce grown here in West Michigan, but the goals and values were one in the same. I am a bona fide foodie. My favorite vegetables are pea shoots, and my favorite meal is sloppy joes. I have a fondness of strong cheeses.

As a member of the Board, I would utilize my skills in advocacy and conflict resolution to help the Co-op to achieve its goals for growth and development, while facilitating open and productive dialogue among board members, producers, and consumers. I believe in supporting and developing sustainable solutions that support local businesses and respect the environment. I believe in feeding people healthy and ethically produced food. Whether or not I am elected to the Board, I look forward to serving my community in a way that positively influences our local economy and environment.

Thank you very much for your consideration!

Janet Tlapek

My education and experience is in accounting. I am a sole- practitioner certified public accountant with accounting experience over different industries and an emphasis in activity- based- costing.

Although I still do accounting, in January of 2011 I opened Facility Kitchens, which is a commercial rental kitchen serving West Michigan local food producers, (located in Lowell, Michigan www.facilitykitchens.com ). It was Facility Kitchens that sparked by interest in local food. (Or was it my interest in local food that sparked me to open Facility Kitchens? I am not sure.)

Facility Kitchens is part of the circle that makes up the local food market. We serve people who prepare, produce, and package food for sell. Facility Kitchens has provided a volunteer each month on pick up nights. We do not sell food so we are free to help the co-op on pick up nights. We have enjoyed this great connection into the local food community. So many people at so many different levels come together to make local food available and volunteering helps us be part of it.

I researched the co-op and its committees. My first impulse is to work with the producer committee.
However, I am open. There must be nearly unlimited things needed to bring together the West Michigan Co-op and I would like to help this next year as part of the board of directors.

Thank you so much for your consideration.

Caryn Rasch

"I joined the West Michigan Co-Op about two years ago, and I have volunteered at most pick-up nights ever since. That has been so much fun that I decided to join the Membership Committee a few months ago. Now I send the shopping and pick-up reminder emails. I look forward to seeing what else I can do with the Co-op by serving on the board.  

My first job was at the 28^th Street Farmer’s Market selling produce. I’ve enjoyed going to farmer’s markets ever since and like knowing where my food comes from. Now, for almost six years, I have worked for Kent County in the Bureau of Equalization. I am an appraiser for commercial and industrial properties. Before that I was a residential appraiser for about ten years.

Thank you for considering me for the West Michigan Co-Op Board. "

 Caryn Rasch

Bureau of Equalization

Appraisal Division

Annual Meeting Announcement & Board Candidates

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

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

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

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)

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!).
  

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

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.

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

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)

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.

Local Food Event: A Midsummer Night Green

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.

Local First Street Party

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.

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

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.

Mud Lake Farm Tour

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

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)

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"

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

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

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.