In this month's newsletter:

• A Word from the General Manager
• A Word from the Board of Directors
• March Owner Appreciation Days
• Cafe Space Update
• Artist Pop-up Sale with Selma Prado
• A Taste of Russia In-person Class
• Simple Meals In-person Class
• Springtime Soup & Spanakopita Virtual Class
• Sparkling Wine & The Aperol Spritz Cocktail Class
• Edible Book Festival
• Round Up For Good
• Recipe Features
• New Products

Hello Cooperators,

We have a lot going on in March! 

We have begun our remodeling project in the old Cafe corner. The extra space will allow us to greatly expand on our refrigerated options and increase our space for items that tend to sell out quickly. We are extremely excited about the possibilities that are opening up for us, and for you, with this update. We do have to stop making self-serve coffee while this project is ongoing but it will return soon. We appreciate your patience as we finish construction. 

This year as we enter the 50^th year of Common Ground Food Co-op, the Board looks back on the founding of our amazing store, and we would like to highlight one of the individuals who were instrumental in starting it.

Jim Holiman was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1935, and was a long-serving campus minister and executive director of the Illinois Disciples Foundation (IDF). He is remembered as one of the main ‘movers and shakers’ who helped get Common Ground Food Co-op (CGFC) off the Ground!

Owner Appreciation Days are our special sales celebration where all of our Co-op owners can get great store-wide deals!

All owners who shop during Owner Appreciation Days and use their 10% discount will receive a special coupon book with exclusive deals from March-May (including an additional 10% storewide discount). 

There will also be exclusive owner deals, free Golden Ticket items, and the chance to enter one of four amazing raffle giveaways!

Artist Pop-up Sale

with Selma Prado

Saturday, March 2nd 12:00 - 2:00 pm

Browse artwork for sale, enjoy light beverages, and meet the artist, Selma Prado!

The Art Pop-up Sale will take place in the Common Ground Flatlander Classroom and Art Gallery.

Taste of Russia

In-person Cooking Class

Winter Festival Feast

Tuesday, March 5th 6:00 - 8:30pm

Do a deep dive into Russian culture with instructor Paul Young as we sample a wide range of seasonal delights from a country with a fascinating history and even more fascinating cuisine.

Maslenitsa (a.k.a. Russian Mardi Gras) is a pre-Lent festival with pagan roots that celebrate the end of winter while ushering the spring. In Russia, this means sleigh rides, organized fistfights, dancing bears, and of course feasting. Sometimes called "pancake week," blinis (Russian crêpes) are the main item on the menu. At this dinner event, we'll be preparing a smorgasbord of traditional Russian festival foods paired with vodka shots and wine pairings. Here's what to expect on this festive night:

• Borscht (Beet Soup)
• Kholodets (Jellied Fish)
• Golubtsy (Cabbage Rolls)
• Blinis (Stuffed Crêpes)

Simple Meals

In-person Cooking Class

Buffalo-Style Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Veggies, & Fruit Crisp

Thursday, March 14th 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Join us for an in-person cooking class taught by Co-op instructor, Adam Wisnewski of Breakfast, Life, and Dinner! In our Simple Meals series, we'll be doing quick and easy dinners that help you keep your weeknights moving. This cooking class will cover how to make delicious and quick Buffalo-Style Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Veggies & Fruit Crisp. Pork Tenderloin is one of the best cuts in the meat department for its ease of preparation, flavor, and tenderness. Roasting it along with a sheet pan of vegetables makes for a quick and easy supper! And, of course, we need an easy, delicious dessert to finish this Simple Meal.

Springtime Soup & Spanakopita

Virtual Cooking Class & Meal Kit

Saturday, March 23rd 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Learn how to make comforting springtime recipes with Co-op instructor, Carl Reisman! This class will cover how to make Spanakopita, White Bean & Kale soup, and an Apple Tart! Tune in for the Zoom live class and cook along in your kitchen using the pre-portioned meal kit and enjoy a delicious dinner and dessert by the end of class. Carl will be sharing tips and tricks that he's learned over the years as a professional cook, plus memories from our old

Co-op days.

The menu includes:

• Spanakopita - a traditional spinach and feta savory pie layered with flaky phyllo dough
• White Bean & Kale Soup - a healthy and hearty vegetable soup with carrots, onions, potatoes, white beans, kale, celery and tomatoes in a flavorful broth
• Apple Tart - with apricot glaze and homemade pastry crust

Sparkling Wine & The Aperol Spritz

In-person Cocktail Class

Friday, April 5th 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Our next cocktail class with Katie Carrillo is all about Sparkling Wine & The Aperol Spritz! Aperol is an Italian aperitif with zesty orange and complex herbal notes, complemented by a touch of vanilla. The classic Aperol Spritz cocktail is made with sparkling wine, Aperol, club soda, bitters, and orange.

This class will consist of a charcuterie plate, lessons on the history and making of different sparkling wines and Aperol, a tasting of sparkling wines and Aperol, and a demonstration on how to make the classic cocktail. Students will then make their own Aperol Spritz using a unique combination of ingredients from the Co-op including herbs, citrus, strawberries, mint, baking spices, agave nectar, and a variety of bitters.

Edible Book Festival

Saturday, April 6th, 2024

Calling all bibliophiles, book artists, and food lovers to celebrate the book arts and the (literal!) ingestion of culture: we invite you to register for the 18th annual Edible Book Festival!

Create your own edible representation of a book and enter it into the festival or be a spectator!

Schedule of events:

9:00am: Participants may begin dropping off their entries

11:00am: Judging begins

11:30am: Public viewing begins

12:00pm: Judge’s commentary and awards

12:15pm: Let’s eat!

Quick & Easy Chocolate Mousse

You will not believe how easy this chocolate mousse is! With only 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of active cooking time, you can whip up this dessert with ease. Plus, it's seriously delicious. This recipe features local heavy cream from Kilgus Creamery, fair trade cocoa powder from Equal Exchange, and powdered sugar from one of our most popular brands, Field Day.

Gnocchi Bolognese

with Tofu or Ground Beef

We've got an absolutely delicious recipe for March Owner Appreciation Days! Fluffy homemade potato gnocchi paired with the famous Rao's pasta sauce and either tofu or local Triple S Farms ground beef for a bolognese sauce. Shop OAD sales to save over $10 on this recipe! If you aren't an owner or are coming at this outside of Owner Days, you can substitute any brand or variety to adjust the recipe to your liking.

Sometimes you just need the essentials. That's why we're proud to offer our Co+op Basics line of products. From pantry staples to household necessities, our Co+op Basics are high-quality items that you can always count on, at an everyday low price. Come in today and see how our Co+op Basics can help you save on your grocery budget without sacrificing quality!