In this month's newsletter:
- A word from the General Manager
- A word from the Board of Directors
- December Owner Appreciation Days
- Mistletoe Market & Little Red Hut
- Produce Spotlight
- New Products
- Round Up For Good
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Hello Cooperators!
I hope everyone is doing well as we enter the middle of the holiday season! The Co-op is doing as well as can be expected considering all of the factors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The biggest challenges that we are facing now are product procurement and the associated rapid cost inflation on many of the products we love. We got into an explanation of the supply chain disruption issues that drive inflation last month. We will do our best to procure replacement items for ones that we know will be out of stock for long periods of time. We ask for everyone's understanding and flexibility as we wait for these products to become available again.
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2021 Board of Directors Retreat
Written by board member
Andrew Muller
This month, the Board of Directors gathered for our Annual Board Retreat, where new and returning Board members were able to meet one another in an informal setting, discussing plans for the next year, and gaining momentum toward meeting our ENDS.
The Retreat had a strong sense of energy and purpose, determined to hit the ground running and embrace the opportunities of the coming year. The Board introduced our new members to the wonderful culture that the Common Ground Co-op has nurtured over the years, and provided a wonderful forum to discuss the Board’s goals and commitment to growing that culture.
On a personal note, as a new Board member I attended the Retreat without having met other Board members outside of our official meetings. I was introduced to a welcoming and energetic group. Everyone on the Board had a wonderful sense of optimism, always looking for ways to improve and refine our operations. I am excited to be a part of this and look forward to the days ahead.
The Retreat ended with a sense of determination and excitement to continue our mission.
To all owners, the Board wishes you Happy Holiday’s and an Exciting New Year ahead!
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Calling All Local Businesses! |
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We are creating a local loyalty shoppers card!
With local businesses being hit hard by COVID, we are looking for ways to incentivize folks to shop local and collaborate with other neighboring business owners. You can offer a special promotion that we would advertise on our website database and in the program brochure.
Participation is completely free!
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It's time for December OADs!
Come shop and get 10% off your entire purchase, a coupon book with amazing deals, enter to win one of our 4 raffle giveaways, shop exclusive owner sales, and keep your eyes peeled for free Golden Ticket Items!
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Sriracha Chorizo Frittata
During Owner Days, we will have all the ingredients you need to make a delicious breakfast on sale!
Local Triple S Farm Frozen Uncured Chorizo - 25% off
Local Feather Lane Eggs - $3 per dozen
Local Marcoot Jersey Creamery Sriracha Cheese Curds - 35% off
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Holiday Brunch
Cooking Class & Meal Kit
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Stay in and celebrate the season with a special holiday brunch in the next cooking class featuring an array of local ingredients. Liz, Co-op staff member and class instructor, will share her brunch recipes including lemon ricotta pancakes with a homemade blackberry and browned butter syrup, cheesy grits, and sweet potato hash. You can also add the makings for holiday mimosas! This meal kit will highlight ingredients sourced from local farms and producers including Janie's Mill, PrairiErth Farm, Hazzard Free Farm, Moore Family Farm, Kilgus Farmstead, Ropp Jersey Creamery, and Blue Moon Farm. This $40 Meal Kit is portioned for four and includes all the ingredients needed to cook these dishes. Add on ingredients to make Holiday Mimosas or some breakfast juice. |
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Common Ground at The Little Red Hut |
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Created by Norden at Home, the Little Red Hut is a pop up shopping experience you won't want to miss. Featuring local artists with products ranging from food, to household goods, to jewelry. Little Red Hut is located inside of CoLab in downtown Urbana. Common Ground will be selling unique food items meant for gifting. Stop by and check out our products!
Spicy BBQ Popcorn Mix - $8
Rosemary Focaccia Bread Mix - $10
Spiced Lentil & Vegetable Soup Mix - $10
Ginger Spice Molasses Cookie Mix - $10
Hot Mulled Wine Spice Mix - $5
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Join us for the 5th annual
Mistletoe Market!
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Hosted by Norden at Home and MEW, join us in the Common Ground mall hallway to shop with local artisans, makers, growers and creators who will have their best locally made goods on offer. |
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Knife Sharpening is back in the classroom! |
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Saturday, December 4th 9-11 am
Saturday, December 11th 9-11 am
Saturday, December 18th 9-11 am
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Holiday Feature: Crafting the Perfect Charcuterie Board |
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Common Ground History Corner |
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As you know, Common Ground has been around for almost 50 years! Our local Co-op has decades of history, and we dug up some artifacts that showcase our story. Here's another wonderful gem from Common Ground's past. |
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Do you have old pictures, newsletters, or ads from Common Ground? Send them in to marketing@commonground.coop to have them featured in our next newsletter!
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We're all about the winter root vegetables for this month! The Co-op is stocked with plenty of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, celeriac, sweet potatoes, beets, radishes and much more! Check out this recipe for Homemade potato gnocchi with roasted root vegetables in a creamy brown butter sauce. This is the perfect dish to cozy up to as the weather keeps getting colder. |
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Aldens French Vanilla Ice Cream &
NuNaturals Chocolate Syrup
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We've got 2 new products that seem to be made for each other. Load up a bowl with organic, creamy custard ice cream made French-style with real egg yolks, and top it off with Fair Trade certified, sugar free chocolate syrup!
Alden's Ice Cream: $8.99 each
NuNaturals Syrup: $6.59 each
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Jack & Annie's Vegan Wings & Nuggets |
Jack & Annie's uses Jackfruit to make an insanely wide variety of products! These plant-based nuggets and wings are 100% vegan, and are just as delicious as the real thing. Plus, 100 farming families earn between 10-40% of their income by selling their Jackfruit to Jack & Annie's directly!
These pair perfectly with local Dancing Dog's vegan ketchup, and Follow Your Heart vegan ranch!
$5.99 each
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Local eggnog is back! It truly doesn't get better than Kilgus. Produced on their farm in Fairbury Illinois, Kilgus eggnog is the perfect holiday treat. Serve cold with a little nutmeg or cloves on top.
$4.99 each
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Organic Prairie Ground Beef |
Organic Prairie meat is pure and simple. Try out this perfectly seasoned Fiesta Blend ground beef for your next taco night.
$12.25 each
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These frozen wild caught scallops are ideal for when you want the decadent taste of seafood without all the hassle. Pair with a nice white wine like a Reisling or Pinot Grigio for the perfect meal.
$32.99 each
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Mitica Wooly Woolly
Sheep's Milk Cheese
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Wooly Woolly is a soft and spreadable sheep's milk cheese log from Jumilla, Spain. Its rich, sweet, and mildly sheepy flavor is wonderful on its own, but also works well crumbled over salads, stuffed into pasta, mixed into eggs, or simply spread on toast or a bagel.
$4.99 each
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Meredeith Dairy Sheep & Goat Cheese |
Soft, spreadable cheese marinated in blended Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, garlic and herbs. This luxurious cheese is incredibly addictive and very versatile.
$10.25 each
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Take your dinner rolls to the next level with Our Own pumpkin rolls! Soft and flaky with a subtle pumpkin taste, these rolls are the perfect compliment to a holiday meal.
$4.99 per 6-pack
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Goodlight Holiday Candle Set |
Stock up on holiday candles with this Goodlight gift pack! All their candles are free of phthalates, synthetic or artificial fragrances, chemicals, lead, or paraffin (petroleum). The wax is 100% clean-burning palm wax, and wicks are pure cotton.
$19.99 each
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Essential 84
Himalayan Pink Salt CBD Bath Tonic
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Tonics are used to make you feel better and invigorate systems in the body. This CBD bath tonic was formed from mineral rich Himalayan Pink Bath Salt, high quality Full Spectrum Hemp Extract and mindfully sources essential oils. Take your bath to the next level with this tonic of fizzy fun and salty goodness!
$19.99 each
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Bees Wrap Reusable Food Storage |
Seven wraps, four sizes, countless kitchen uses. These variety packs feature 2 small wraps, 2 medium wraps, 2 large wraps, and 1 bread wrap. This pack will help you take one step closer to ditching disposables for good.
$34.99 each
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Soul Spring CBD Bath Soak |
This stress-free bath soak is made with the perfect balance of peaceful botanicals Sage, Palo Santo and Hemp CBD. Combined with a mineral rich-blend of Hawaiian Black Lava Sea Salts, Dead Sea Salts, Epsom Salts and Kelp to nourish your skin.
$17.99 each
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Holiday Beer & Wine Features |
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Two Brothers Peppermint Bark Porter |
This holiday porter brings drinks and dessert together into one can. Rich and roasty, it finishes with just the right amount of cooling peppermint. Creamy, silky and smooth, this is the perfect dessert beer for the season.
$2.99 each
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Maplewood Brewery
Silver Morn Winter Lager
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A malty and robust Doppelbock Lager brewed with rich malts and noble hops. Expect warming notes of dark fruit and hoppy spice, and a finish with hints of toasted bread and toffee. This is a great beer to pair with a hearty winter meal.
$11.99 per 4-pack
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We've got just the bubbly beverage for all your holiday needs! This organic Brut sparkling wine was aged for 40 months in the cellar. It features elegant floral notes wrapped in stone fruit - peach, apricot, golden apple, lemon peel, and pineapple. Perfect as an appetizer that can be extended to the rest of the meal.
$22.99 each
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Last month we raised over $5,400 for Rape Advocacy, Counseling, & Education Services (R.A.C.E.S)! This local organization provides compassionate comprehensive support to those affected by sexual trauma. They care for our communities through prevention education programs that promote consent.
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December Round Up For Good: Crisis Nursery |
Mission: Crisis Nursery creates an "Island of Safety" dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect by providing 24-hour emergency care for children and support to strengthen families in crisis. Crisis Nursery is the only free emergency-based child care facility in Champaign County open 24/7, 365, for the entire community to access.
Project Proposal: "A grant from Common Ground in 2021 would go towards our Safe Children program, allowing us to say YES to more children and families who are experiencing a crisis.
Our Safe Children program costs Crisis Nursery $14.50/hour to care for a child in crisis. This figure covers the provision of safe shelter, warm meals, and clothing for the child, as well as the caring and specialized attention of our staff to help that family get back on their feet. Last year, the $4,997 grant from Common Ground supported nearly 345 hours of crisis care. Since an average stay at Crisis Nursery is 8 hours, these funds are equivalent to nearly 45 different visits - visits that helped to stabilize a family and save a child’s life."
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