Company Shops Market Blog

Hello Co-op Owners,

This is such an excellent and timely interview and article from food guru and respected author, Michael Pollan.  He was recently interviewed on NPR’s Fresh Air.  He talks about his open letter in the NY Times to the next President on what should be done about food/farm policy in the U.S.  The link below takes you to the 40 min. interview and his letter.   Thank goodness you’re already supporting a shift back to smart agriculture by being a Company Shops Market owner! 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95896389

Best, Melissa

Thanks to the 150 people, a good mix of co-op owners and potential owners, who attended our community potluck at the beautiful Benjamin Vineyard on Sunday, September 28.   It was a gorgeous day, the live music from Mebanesville was a hit and the food was wonderful—post your recipes at www.companyshopsmarket.coop/blog   Thanks to Elon University for sending out 15+ members of their Service Community.  It’s great to spread the co-op and local/organic vision amongst younger folks.  Please visit our blog for more details about progress on location and other work being accomplished by the Co-op board of directors. 

Click here for photos from the event

Thanks!  Melissa

The last several weeks has shown us a couple of things. First, the financial  markets are truly global, as our weak management of our own banking systems have impacted economies throughout the world. Second, if we are going to invest our money and take control of our lives over the long term, we need to focus on creating a sustainable local community.

This means investing and supporting local food, energy, and transportation systems. We need a viable bus system, bike lanes, a local coop food store, and more companies like TS Designs who have invested in sustainable solar energy.

I grew up in Alamance county and used to listen to stories my grandfather would tell about running a grocery store in downtown Graham during the early and mid 1900’s. He would tell me about buy cows from this farm, milk from this local dairy, country hams from this farmer, etc. He had relationships with many local producers and together they got through the Great Depression. My Dad said what he remembered about the Great Depression was the number of people that came through the area looking for any kind of work and food. Locally, because we were still agriculturally grounded, most local families came through without starving because our community was grounded to food production.

Many of you know that I have a small farm outside of Gibsonville, in Alamance County. I tried to sell onions and garlic to our local Harris Teeter this season and was rejected because I did not have $2 million dollars of insurance on my products. If I was lucky, my whole garlic and onion crop would only be worth a few thousand dollars, so this was crazy.

If peak oil raises the prices of transportation, locally produced food will be the most available and fairly priced as the ‘real’ costs of food production are reintroduced into the market. Having the food COOP is a key to encouraging new small farmers, is the key to having local food available every day, and is a keystone to building a new vibrant local economy.

Join us today. Invest in community development notes. We will announce location soon and we can begin to rebuild our local food economy, support our local transportation initiatives, and build our community. Let’s keep our important investments local.

Sam Moore

Company Shops Market Community Potluck
Sunday, September 28, 4-7ish, Rain or Shine
Hosted by Benjamin Vineyards and featuring the live music of Mebanesville

All are welcome at this informational gathering for Alamance County’s Co-op Grocery!  Bring your favorite dish to share, a lawn chair and your friends and come enjoy a late afternoon at Benjamin Vineyards at 6516 Whitney Rd.  in Saxapahaw.  For directions please visit www.benjaminvineyards.com .  In addition to the latest Co-op update and great food and wine, we’ll enjoy the local sounds of Mebanesville’s fiddle, piano, accordion, pennywhistle, recorder, banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, voice and hand percussion.   For more info, please visit www.mebanesville.com .  Questions?  Contact Melissa Frey at melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop or 336-314-1972.  See you there! 

Melissa Frey

Greetings Owners! 

Location Update

Our main focus, in addition to fundraising, continues to be finalizing the details of our location in Burlington.  It’s a complex process that always seems to take a bit longer than originally expected!  We are still on target for a fall of 2009 opening and will keep you posted as solid news becomes available.  In the meantime, we strengthen the project by selling as many shares as we can now—we’ve already sold more than 500! Thank you all for being so good at spreading the word among your friends and colleagues! 

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Scholarship Program

Thanks to the generosity of current owners, Company Shops Market is now able to offer $50 ownership share scholarships to those individuals or families who want to participate in the Co-op but find the full share price a financial burden.   Please spread the word about this opportunity.  Interested parties should contact Melissa at melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop or 336-314-1972 regarding the application process and/or if you would like to donate more funds to the program.  It’s a great thing to do with part of your economic stimulus check! 

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Investment Challenge

Local realtor, Jason Cox, of East Coast REO, is challenging Co-op owners to take their Co-op commitment to the next level!  Jason has pledged $10,000 in our Community Investment Note Program if it can be matched by another $10,000 of investment by June 30, 2008.   The Community Investment Program has already raised $110,000 and will be launched in earnest after we sign a lease on our location.  Having a solid investment base prior to that time will allow the nearly 1 million dollar fundraising campaign to be most successful.  More details are available at http://www.companyshopsmarket.coop/become_an_investor.html   and a complete investment package including Business Plan, Prospectus and Subscription Agreement are available by request by emailing Melissa Frey at melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop 

“I believe a store like Company Shops Market will be a huge asset to Alamance County, bringing healthy, environmentally and socially sound food products within easy reach,” explains Jason.  “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to help bring this kind of resource to my community.  Please join me as a founding investor!” 

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Thank you, Sarah!

Many heartfelt thanks to our webmaster extraordinaire, Sarah Cook, of Think Web Solutions, www.thinkwebsolutions.com .  Sarah has donated hours and hours of her time designing and now maintaining the Co-op’s lovely website, www.companyshopsmarket.coop.   This is a huge and very important gift to the Co-op, so visit often, it’s always being updated! 

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Local Co-ops featured on front page of Burlington Times News, check it out! 

http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/chatham_13832___article.html/market_local.html

For the Co-op,
Melissa

It was a beautiful spring day on the farm and all 160 attendees and volunteers enjoyed amazing local food, drink and music.  We are very thankful for the wealth of local products and services in our area and especially want to recognize the local businesses that supplied this event with everything from the bouquets on the table down to the goat cheese truffle!

A Better Bean - Burlington
Blessed Earth Farm - Graham
Braeburn Farm - Snow Camp
Cane Creek Farm - Snow Camp
Carolina Brewery - Pittsboro
Cottle’s Tip Top Farm - Rose Hill
Digital Graphics and More - Mebane
Eastern Carolina Organics - Pittsboro
Goat Lady Dairy - Climax
Irongate Winery - Mebane
Iseley Farm - Burlington
Maple View Creamery - Hillsborough
Perry-Winkle Farm - Chapel Hill
Weaver Street Market - Carrboro
Wild Hare Farm - Cedar Grove

The hors d’oeuvres and four course meal were prepared by Adam Rose, Executive Chef, Il Palio Restaurant, Siena Hotel, Chapel Hill and assisted by Chuck Keg, Chef d’Cuisine, Guglhupf, Durham and Chef Andrew Forster.

Many thanks to all the individuals that purchased tickets to this event and these sponsors who purchased 5 or more seats:

Alamance Eye Clinic
Alamance Regional Medical Center
Charlie Sydnor
Kernodle Clinic
Mid-Carolina Bank
NAA Life
Sam Moore
Sharon Dent
Trust Company of the South
TSDesigns
Wayne White

And also a big thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this event such a great success:

Rebecca Meacham, Shara and Kimball Partin, Charlotte Straney, Martha McKinney, Marianne Janssen, Jan Henry, Lara Katz, Darrell Coble, Martiez Taylor, Brian O’Shea, Cecelia Vassar, Bill Grizzle, Anne and Jim Chanas.

Co-op Potluck and Community Meeting at Iron Gate Winery in Mebane
This Sunday, April 6, 4PM
Come get the latest about the Co-op, buy your ownership share, meet other like-minded people in the community, enjoy amazing food and live music! Whether you call it bluegrass or jazzgrass, the 5 member, Burlington band, Trailmix, will liven up our afternoon! Preview them at www.trailmixbluegrass.com. Bring your favorite dish to share and a lawn chair. We’ll provide eating ware and drinks. For directions, please visit http://www.irongatevineyards.com/directions.html . Questions? Contact Melissa Frey at melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop or 336-314-1972.

Gourmet Local Dinner to Benefit Company Shops Market at Braeburn Farm
6707 Bass Mountain Road, Snow Camp
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 4PM until…..
Here’s a fun idea, find 9 friends or 4 other couples, claim a whole table for yourselves and enjoy a wonderful evening filled with:
Hayrides/Farm Tour
Hors deouvres and 4 sit-down courses prepared by Adam Rose, Executive Chef, Ilpalio Restaurant, Sienna Hotel, Chapel Hill and assisted by Chuck Keg, Chef d Quisine, Guglhupf, Durham
Live Music by guitarist, Ryan Layton and Bluegrass specialists, Kickin’ Grass
Featured Speaker, Roland McReynolds, Executive Director of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association 

Reserve your space by May 3rd by contacting Melissa Frey at 336-314-1972 or melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop. $100 per adult, $25 for 3-10-years-old, 2 and under freeCash, check or MC/V accepted for payment.

Don’t miss this celebration of local food and drink and support the formation of Alamance County’s Co-op Grocery at the same time! All post-expense monies go directly to getting the Co-op up and running.

Corporate Sponsorships are available starting at as little as $1000! Contact Melissa Frey at at 336-314-1972 or melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop.

Volunteers Still Needed for Local Dinner
Please contact Melissa if you can volunteer for 3 or more hours on Saturday, May 17 and get a gourmet meal in the bargain! melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop
Co-op Receives Grant
Company Shops Market is one of a handful of co-ops around the country that received a $1000 grant from the Cooperative Development Foundation for training needs of start-up co-ops. These funds will be used to provide professional training to our board of directors in co-op governance. It is very exciting to have our project recognized by a national cooperative organization!

For the Co-op,
Melissa.

Co-op Potluck and Community Meeting at Iron Gate Winery in Mebane
Sunday, April 6, 4PM
Come get the latest about the Co-op, buy your ownership share, meet other like-minded people in the community, enjoy amazing food and live music! Whether you call it bluegrass or jazzgrass, the 5 member, Burlington band, Trailmix, will liven up our afternoon! Preview them at www.trailmixbluegrass.com. Bring your favorite dish to share and a lawn chair. We’ll provide eating ware and drinks. For directions, please visit http://www.irongatevineyards.com/directions.html. Questions? Contact Melissa Frey at melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop or 336-314-1972.
Gourmet Local Dinner to Benefit Company Shops Market at Braeburn Farm in Snow Camp
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 4PM until…..
Hayrides/Farm Tour
Hors deouvres/4 Chef-prepared courses
Live Music by guitarist, Ryan Layton and Bluegrass specialists, Kickin’ Grass
Featured Speaker, Roland McReynolds, Executive Director of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association 

$100 per adult, $25 for 3-10-years-old, 2 and under free

Reserve your space by May 3rd by contacting Melissa Frey at 336-314-1972 or melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop. Cash, check or MC/V accepted for payment.

Don’t miss this celebration of local food and drink and support the formation of Alamance County’s Co-op Grocery at the same time!
Volunteers Needed for Local Dinner
We anticipate more than 200 people at this event and we need volunteers to help with:
Set-up/clean-up—including table placement and setting, light food prep, etc.
Parking
Staffing Welcome table—name tags, tickets
Food service—especially suited to anyone that has done waiter or waitressing and is experienced in customer service and food presentation.
Technology—we’ll have two live performances, multiple speakers, and will want to project a couple of short videos with sound. Someone gifted in coordinating all the technology for that would be a huge help!
Staffing the Co-op information table
Don’t assume someone else is going to do it, we need you!! The $100 dinner fee will be waived for all volunteers donating 3 or more hours of their time! Please contact Melissa Frey at 336-314-1972 or melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop.

For the Co-op,
Melissa.

Co-op Potluck and Community Meeting at Iron Gate Winery in Mebane
Sunday, April 6, 4PM
Come get the latest about the Co-op, buy your ownership share, meet other like-minded people in the community, enjoy amazing food and live music! Whether you call it bluegrass or jazzgrass, the 5 member, Burlington band, Trailmix, will liven up our afternoon! Preview them at www.trailmixbluegrass.com. Bring your favorite dish to share and a lawn chair. We’ll provide eating ware and drinks. For directions, please visit http://www.irongatevineyards.com/directions.html. Questions? Contact Melissa Frey at melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop or 336-314-1972.

Gourmet Local Dinner to Benefit Company Shops Market at Braeburn Farm in Snow Camp
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 4PM until…..
Hayrides/Farm Tour
Hors deouvres/4 Chef-prepared courses
Live Music by guitarist, Ryan Layton and Bluegrass specialists, Kickin’ Grass
Featured Speaker, Roland McReynolds, Executive Director of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association 

$100 per adult, $25 for 3-10-years-old, 2 and under free

Reserve your space by May 3rd by contacting Melissa Frey at 336-314-1972 or melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop. Cash, check or MC/V accepted for payment.

Don’t miss this celebration of local food and drink and support the formation of Alamance County’s Co-op Grocery at the same time!

More details and directions on the event page or at www.braeburnfarms.com

For the Co-op,
Melissa.

The Co-op is kicking back into high gear in 2008. Many thanks to all of you for plugging Company Shops Market and purchasing your shares recently. We had a surge of shares sold, 43, in just the last couple of weeks which has brought us to a total of 256 shares sold. This is a little short of our goal for the end of ’07, but it is very respectable nonetheless! And onward we go—the new ownership goal is to sell a total of 750 shares by May 30, 2008. This is a significant goal but if all current owners get just one friend to purchase a share, we’ll be more than halfway there!

The focus of my work is to be out in the community as much as possible spreading the vision, selling shares and honing in on a location. I am in the process of gathering very specific information about a few sites and it will be possible to make a decision soon but it would not be prudent for us to make a final commitment to a location until more shares are sold. This is where you can really help. If you belong to professional or social organizations, big or small, that would be receptive to me or a board member coming to speak to them about Company Shops Market, please let me know. This kind of face to face contact is very effective in garnering support for the project. Email me at melissa@companyshopsmarket.coop or call 336-314-1972. Thanks!

Stay tuned for details about our spring events!

For the Co-op,
Melissa.