Spread the Word About Our New Home!

1475 Michigan NE

Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

As many of you know, the West Michigan CoOp has found a new home.  Our last pickup night in October was a huge success.  Many of our members expressed enthusiastic comments and suggestions, and we couldn't be more thrilled about the positive feedback!  It was important that we get moved in time for the Holiday pickups, so that we could get to work planning some fun events for members.

  The first of those will happen on Tuesday, November 26 (our Thanksgiving pickup night).  We would love to see all of you there, and are encouraging you to "bring a friend".  We appreciate your participation and support for our local agriculture and business system.  The next step to spread that type of responsible behavior is to get more people to join in.  If you have a friend or family member who you think might like to get involved, we would love it if you brought them along to this month's pickup to see what the CoOp is all about.  We will have refreshments and info for everyone.  Any member who brings in one friend new to the CoOp, who signs up for a membership, will receive a gift.  Any member who recruits 3 new members will receive a gift of free membership for a year; a $35 value!

   You should be proud of your commitment to healthy, sustainable, local goods.  That type of social responsibility is a great gift to spread during the holidays.  Each one of us knows at least one person who might like to find out more about strengthening our community~ So reach out to them and get them involved!  It's a win-win for everyone.

   Stay tuned for more info on upcoming events, via email, this blog, and Facebook.  See you soon!

NEW LOCATION!: WE ARE MOVING

                                                      WE’RE MOVING!!

We are proud to announce that West Michigan Cooperative will now be located at

1475 Michigan NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

All future pick-ups will be from our new location

Please note the following pick-up dates for the remainder of 2013:

Wednesday, October 23

Tuesday, November 26

Wednesday, December 18

Our new building is located on Michigan, east of Fuller. From I-196, take the Fuller exit and

proceed south on Fuller. Turn left (east) onto Michigan. 1475 Michigan is a one story brown

building situated behind the New Beginnings restaurant and is accessed through the New

Beginnings parking lot. Please note that we will use one drive for entry and the other for exit.

Please let us know if you have ANY questions about the new location. We will keep you

updated via e-mail, and we look forward to seeing you on October 23!

We are excited for the opportunity that we have to expand and improve the Cooperative.

A Message from Making Thyme Kitchens

Dear Co-Op Members,
As many of you know we are moving our operations to The Downtown Market. This is a undertaking that will take weeks to complete. The opening is August 26th, so we have our work cut out for us. Therefore, bear with us while we get settled and back up to steam.

Our Entrees, Sides and Salads will NOT be available for a couple of months.

Check out our Facebook page and or website OR e-mail us and we will give you the scoop! Till then, stay hungry my friends!

Karen & Ken Bryan
Making Thyme Kitchen
www.makingthymekitchen.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Making-Thyme-Kitchen/79318279529?ref=hl
info@makingtyhmekitchen.com
616-406-8511

Welcome Our New Board Members!

Last night we held our Annual Meeting where we caught everyone up on the latest happenings at the CoOp and elected new board members.  Thank you to all of you who attended!  It was a very nice chance to see one another and get caught up.

Returning board members Pierre Schierbeek and Danielle Cenci were both  re-elected to another 3 year term.  We also voted in two new members to the Board; Michele Giordano and Betsy Meerman.  Although they are both new to the Board of Directors, neither are strangers to the CoOp.  Betsy is part owner of Grassfields Cheese, who have been producers at the CoOp for years.  She will be a very valuable addition to the board as another Producer, whose insights and opinions are very helpful!  Michele Giordano has been a superstar volunteer who has generously donated her time at almost every pickup night since she joined over a year ago.  You have seen her at the checkout table many times, helping you to add your "extra" products.  We welcome them both and look forward to working with them this year!

Thanks again to everyone who came out on a stormy Tuesday night to show your support.  The CoOp relies on the participation of its members to grow and improve.  If you missed the meeting, and have any questions, or would like info on how to join one of our committees, email us at the help email and we will see that you get in touch with the right people.

Volunteer Party 2013~ A Success!

Last month, the Producers and dedicated volunteers of the West Michigan CoOp gathered for a delightful evening out together.  We had one of our best turnouts ever, and everyone had a wonderful time.  The event was hosted by Bistro BellaVita, who served up a feast of delicious food and drink for our invited members.  The chefs prepared some of our own producers' goods and paired them with a beautiful atmosphere in their lounge area where everyone mingled and enjoyed a nice night out, courtesy of the CoOp.  We extend a huge thanks to the staff at BBV, the Member Relations Committee for planning the event, as well as those of you who attended!  This event happens annually, and if you would like to be invited next year, all you have to do is get involved! 

  Members who have volunteered more than 3 times in the year, or who are  members of a Committee will not only receive an invitation to the annual party, but also get to vote at our Annual Meeting.  If you would like to get started, now is the time!  You can direct your volunteer questions to  volunteerwmcoop@gmail.com

This year, we would like to increase our events for volunteers and members, so keep an eye out for more ways to help, and more perks for dedicated volunteers!

Check Out This Article on the CoOp!

This week, the "Do Good" section on Rapid Growth Media's site posted a lovely article on the West Michigan CoOp.  If you have been trying to recruit any of your friends or family, this is a great article to send to them.  They can see how you have been "Doing Good" in your community by supporting this organization!

http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/dogood/032813_WMICoop.aspx?utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=West+Michigan+Co-Op+provides+fresh%2c+local+food+year-round&utm_content={Email_Address}&utm_campaign=The+Silver+Lining+Edition

A Message from Eileen's English Toffee

Good luck, Phil & Lisa!

The CoOp would like to say goodbye and good luck to Eileen's English Toffee.  They are moving out of state for a few months to expand their horizons.  We have enjoyed their delicious treats and will miss their smiling faces and generous samples on pickup night, but they will return in the spring!  

They would like to leave this message for their customers:

Our toffee products will not be available for ordering from January 2013 thru March 2013.  We are heading to the west coast to expand our business.

Thank you for your support.  Look for our return announcement this Spring when we will once again be offering our authentic English Toffee products!

Phil and Lisa Bauman
Eileen's English Toffee