Fundraiser: Share The Harvest On Thursday, October 1st

Fundraiser: Buy Your Produce on Thursday, 10/1 – The Co-op Will Donate 30% of Produce Sales to Share the Harvest!

On Thursday, October 1st, 2020 your Co-op will donate 30% of all Produce Sales to Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont‘s Farm Share Program.  What’s this all about?  Read on!

Share the Harvest is a win-win scenario! Here’s how it works:

  1. Eat out or shop at generous participating businesses during the month of October
  2. Participating businesses donate $ to NOFA-VT’s Farm Share Program
  3. The $ goes to farmers to help subsidize limited income participation in their local CSA
  4. Folks (who might not otherwise be able to afford it) can join their local CSA at reduced cost and receive delicious, healthy food!

DONATIONS

Donations to the Farm Share Program are always welcomed and are accepted year-round. If you would like to contribute to the Farm Share Program, you can do so online or download this form (pdf) to make a donation by mail.  

NOFA Vermont’s Farm Share Program is a great way that limited-income Vermonters can afford to purchase CSA (community supported agriculture) shares of fresh produce from their local farmers. Donations to the Farm Share Program go into a fund that helps subsidize CSA shares to needy Vermonters. NOFA Vermont believes that all Vermonters should be able to eat local organic food, regardless of their income level, while also making sure farmers get a good wage for their hard work.

Demand for Farm Share Program support is significant. The Farm Share Program is funded by individual donations and by the annual Share the Harvest fundraiser.

If you know of a restaurant, brewery, co-op, or food store who would like to participate in Share the Harvest 2020 or partner with the Farm Share Program, please contact Becca Weiss at becca@nofavt.org or 802-434-7178 or Emmet Moseley at emmet@nofavt.org or 802-434-7162.

Eating for Immunity

A robust, properly responding immune system is so important for health and wellbeing— and that is especially highlighted in current days. The immune system is responsible for responding to microbes, toxins in the environment, and even particles in the air we breathe. Join Functional Nutritional Therapist & GAPS™ Practitioner Melanie Fielstra, FNTP and Integrative Physician Jeff Wulfman MD, ABFM, ABIHM in exploring foods and helpful tools for building and balancing a healthy, resilient immune system.

 

Classes are held at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center. Pre-registration is required for in-person participation. To register, please contact Denise Senesac at 382-1004 or email dsenesac@pahcc.org. Classes are capped at 10 participants to allow for social distancing. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. All classes are $30 or free for members of the Co-op’s Food For All program. Please register for classes at least one week in advance. Participants attending classes at the Career Center must adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Wellness screening upon arrival, including a temperature check as well as a list of questions regarding symptoms
  2. Wearing a face covering while in the building. No exceptions.
  3. Encouraging good hand hygiene using soap and water when practical and hand sanitizer when not
  4. Maintaining a minimum of six feet (6’) between individuals in the building whenever possible
  5. Signing in and providing contact information when gathering in classrooms and other spaces for contact tracing purposes

Participants who are unable to adhere to the above guidelines or who would simply prefer to avoid gathering in person may opt to participate via Zoom at no cost. Here are the Zoom details for this class:

 

Topic: Eating for Immunity
Time: Sep 30, 2020 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92149757943?pwd=QWxxeFg1NG1QaUdsd1RacmpjaVpTQT09

Meeting ID: 921 4975 7943
Passcode: 500618
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,92149757943#,,,,,,0#,,500618# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,92149757943#,,,,,,0#,,500618# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 921 4975 7943
Passcode: 500618
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acfMBtv93m

Take the September Eat Local Challenge at the Co-op!

Co-op Member-Owners – check your receipts!  All September, you can track how much you spend on LOCAL each time you shop at the Co-op.  Choosing local products is always a winning choice for the Vermont Economy, and this September, choosing local could make YOU a winner, too!  Read on to find out how:

 

JOIN THE EAT LOCAL CHALLENGE!

  • All September, check the bottom of your receipts to find out how much LOCAL you’ve purchased.
  • Receipts from LOCAL purchases of $25 or more are eligible to be entered into a drawing for one of six $25 Co-op Gift Cards.
  • Receipts from LOCAL purchases of $50 or more are eligible to be entered into a drawing for one of six $50 Co-op Gift Cards.
  • You may enter as many receipts as you like.

The more LOCAL you purchase, the greater your chances of winning.  Raffle Boxes will be located at the Customer Service Desk near the Registers.  Not sure if you’re buying LOCAL products?  Just look for these signs:

Homemade Probiotic Sodas

Want to learn to make a healthy soda that’s packed with probiotics? Join Tom McElhaney as he demonstrates how to create this naturally fermented probiotic drink at home! You’ll learn how to prepare a “ginger bug” (or ginger starter) from scratch, how to flavor your ginger beer, and he’ll share key tips for troubleshooting when the process goes awry. You’ll leave with a kit including all of the things you’ll need to make a batch at home!

 

Classes are held at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center. Pre-registration is required for in-person participation. To register, please contact Denise Senesac at 382-1004 or email dsenesac@pahcc.org. Classes are capped at 10 participants to allow for social distancing. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. All classes are $30 or free for members of the Co-op’s Food For All program. Please register for classes at least one week in advance. Participants attending classes at the Career Center must adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Wellness screening upon arrival, including a temperature check as well as a list of questions regarding symptoms
  2. Wearing a face covering while in the building. No exceptions.
  3. Encouraging good hand hygiene using soap and water when practical and hand sanitizer when not
  4. Maintaining a minimum of six feet (6’) between individuals in the building whenever possible
  5. Signing in and providing contact information when gathering in classrooms and other spaces for contact tracing purposes

Participants who are unable to adhere to the above guidelines or who would simply prefer to avoid gathering in person may opt to participate via Zoom at no cost. Pre-registration is required using the following link:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAuceGrrzIrHtT4srOcvcwl48FYCsx6jvGH

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Cooking Dried Beans

Dried beans are having their heyday, with sales in the U.S. rocketing up over 70% this spring and online retailers such as Rancho Gordo reporting waiting lists for over 20 different bean varieties. And it makes perfect sense, as they provide an affordable, versatile, healthy, and delicious source of protein. If you stocked up on a jarful of dried beans and you’re finding yourself unsure of what to do next, this class is for you! Emily Fleming will share handy tips about how and when to pre-soak your beans, how long to cook them, and some great ideas for transforming a single pot of beans into several days worth of meals. You’ll leave with a meal kit including everything you need to whip up a batch at home!  

 

Classes are held at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center. Pre-registration is required for in-person participation. To register, please contact Denise Senesac at 382-1004 or email dsenesac@pahcc.org. Classes are capped at 10 participants to allow for social distancing. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. All classes are $30 or free for members of the Co-op’s Food For All program. Please register for classes at least one week in advance. Participants attending classes at the Career Center must adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Wellness screening upon arrival, including a temperature check as well as a list of questions regarding symptoms
  2. Wearing a face covering while in the building. No exceptions.
  3. Encouraging good hand hygiene using soap and water when practical and hand sanitizer when not
  4. Maintaining a minimum of six feet (6’) between individuals in the building whenever possible
  5. Signing in and providing contact information when gathering in classrooms and other spaces for contact tracing purposes

Participants who are unable to adhere to the above guidelines or who would simply prefer to avoid gathering in person may opt to participate via Zoom at no cost. Pre-registration is required using the following link:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvfu-oqDgjHNxEFekcjoEGkWaxWQXTU9PT

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

Mindful Eating: A Practice to Transform the Way You Think About Food

Mindful eating is not a new concept, but it is gaining a whole lot of traction these days, and for good reason – mindful eating can have a profound and positive impact on the way we relate to food. It can transform the way we think about food and “healthy” eating and help us approach food in a more peaceful, balanced, enjoyable, and health-supportive way. Join Registered Dietician Dana Notte to discuss what mindful eating is and is not, what it looks like in practice, the benefits of building a mindful eating practice, and how it can help you transform the way you think about, relate to, and enjoy food.

  • This workshop will include an experiential component, wherein you will be guided through a mindful eating exercise. This will occur in the last 30 minutes of the workshop. You can participate in the exercise using any food items that you desire, but if you are looking for ideas, here is a list of foods items that work well: fruit, cheese, chocolate, baked goods, snack-type foods like chips

Dana is an experienced non-diet registered dietitian, nutrition educator, and mindful eating expert committed to helping people heal their relationship to food, body, and self. She is the owner of ThrivInspired Nutrition, a Burlington-based nutrition counseling practice that specializes in helping individuals who experience eating disorders, disordered eating, chronic dieting, and emotional eating heal and find peace with food. Mindful and intuitive eating principles form the foundation of much of the work Dana does with clients. In addition to her private practice, Dana also sits on the board of directors for The Center for Mindful Eating and teaches at the University of Vermont.

 

Classes are held at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center. Pre-registration is required for in-person participation. To register, please contact Denise Senesac at 382-1004 or email dsenesac@pahcc.org. Classes are capped at 10 participants to allow for social distancing. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. All classes are $30 or free for members of the Co-op’s Food For All program. Please register for classes at least one week in advance. Participants attending classes at the Career Center must adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Wellness screening upon arrival, including a temperature check as well as a list of questions regarding symptoms
  2. Wearing a face covering while in the building. No exceptions.
  3. Encouraging good hand hygiene using soap and water when practical and hand sanitizer when not
  4. Maintaining a minimum of six feet (6’) between individuals in the building whenever possible
  5. Signing in and providing contact information when gathering in classrooms and other spaces for contact tracing purposes

Participants who are unable to adhere to the above guidelines or who would simply prefer to avoid gathering in person may opt to participate via Zoom at no cost. Pre-registration is required using the following link:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIlce2vqz0iEtbTyWHIDM-KRGwQt-elUvDc

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

 

Homestead Planning for Climate Resilience

Jon Turner of Wild Roots Farm will provide current or soon-to-be homesteaders with methods and resources for developing existing woodlots and open fields into agroforestry systems that support food production, rotational grazing, and wildlife habitat. Wild Roots Farm Vermont is a 10-acre operation dedicated to farmstead education, biodiversity, and community engagement. By considering their relationship to the landscape, their intentions, and available natural resources, they continue to develop ecological food systems strongly influenced by agroforestry practices and climate resilience.

 

Classes are held at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center. Pre-registration is required for in-person participation. To register, please contact Denise Senesac at 382-1004 or email dsenesac@pahcc.org. Classes are capped at 10 participants to allow for social distancing. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. All classes are $30 or free for members of the Co-op’s Food For All program. Please register for classes at least one week in advance. Participants attending classes at the Career Center must adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Wellness screening upon arrival, including a temperature check as well as a list of questions regarding symptoms
  2. Wearing a face covering while in the building. No exceptions.
  3. Encouraging good hand hygiene using soap and water when practical and hand sanitizer when not
  4. Maintaining a minimum of six feet (6’) between individuals in the building whenever possible
  5. Signing in and providing contact information when gathering in classrooms and other spaces for contact tracing purposes

Participants who are unable to adhere to the above guidelines or who would simply prefer to avoid gathering in person may opt to participate via Zoom at no cost. Zoom details below: 

Topic: Homestead Planning for Climate Resilience
Time: Oct 7, 2020 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96486190387?pwd=cEtnb1IvRHFUY1M5YUNqZDlZN1ZtUT09

Meeting ID: 964 8619 0387
Passcode: 041012
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,96486190387#,,,,,,0#,,041012# US (New York)
+13017158592,,96486190387#,,,,,,0#,,041012# US (Germantown)

Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 964 8619 0387
Passcode: 041012
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adGW2j3b68

Edible Seed Sprouting

Unlock the inner nature of your food! Join Jeffrey Jackson of 4 Season Sprouts for a COVID-intimate evening exploring ancient and modern techniques to get the most out of our foods. This interactive workshop will cover sourcing high-quality seeds & grains, hygienic sprouting methods, transforming your sprouts into nutrient-dense dishes, and more. Participants attending in person will leave with everything needed to begin sprouting seeds at home!

 

Classes are held at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center. Pre-registration is required for in-person participation. To register, please contact Denise Senesac at 382-1004 or email dsenesac@pahcc.org. Classes are capped at 10 participants to allow for social distancing. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. All classes are $30 or free for members of the Co-op’s Food For All program. Please register for classes at least one week in advance. Participants attending classes at the Career Center must adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Wellness screening upon arrival, including a temperature check as well as a list of questions regarding symptoms
  2. Wearing a face covering while in the building. No exceptions.
  3. Encouraging good hand hygiene using soap and water when practical and hand sanitizer when not
  4. Maintaining a minimum of six feet (6’) between individuals in the building whenever possible
  5. Signing in and providing contact information when gathering in classrooms and other spaces for contact tracing purposes

Participants who are unable to adhere to the above guidelines or who would simply prefer to avoid gathering in person may opt to participate via Zoom at no cost. Zoom details are below:

Topic: Edible Seed Sprouting
Time: Sep 23, 2020 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97771619701?pwd=TmhHT0VXcW1hS09Ma2UyVnF1dkF5Zz09

Meeting ID: 977 7161 9701
Passcode: 242019
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,97771619701#,,,,,,0#,,242019# US (New York)
+13017158592,,97771619701#,,,,,,0#,,242019# US (Germantown)

Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 977 7161 9701
Passcode: 242019
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ab5RxtXCNB

Join Us for A Virtual Co-op Annual Meeting September 3rd

Like so many other traditionally in-person events, our Annual Meeting is going virtual this year.  While we will miss gathering in person, sharing a meal, and enjoying the warmth of face-to-face community, we hope that we can keep you informed on Co-op happenings and provide a space for your voices to be heard through a virtual meeting.  So much is going on at the Co-op this year, you won’t want to be left out of the conversation!  On Thursday, September 3rd, at 6:30 pm, join us for an evening of updates about your Co-op, featuring presentations from our Board and our General Manager, followed by an opportunity for questions and answers.  Here’s how to join the meeting:

To be an active participant (join the Question and Answer session, at the end of the presentations), please follow the Zoom link:

tinyurl.com/MNFC2020 

The passcode for this meeting is:  MNFC

To Livestream the meeting, or to view it later, please watch on YouTube:

 https://youtu.be/OG4AWuaz2hc

If you have challenging internet, you can also call in to join the meeting by phone:

Dial by your location:

1 312 626 6799 (Chicago)

1 646 558 8658 (New York)

Meeting ID:  828 1012 3772

Passcode:  392953

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcLUMw43P6

 

 

 

June Online Membership Drive to Support NOFA-VT

It’s YOUR Co-op…OWN IT…without ever leaving home! 

Join or Renew in June and the Co-op will donate $5 to help Vermont farmers!

 

Did you know that you can do your Co-op Membership “housekeeping” online?  That’s right, you can:

  • become a Co-op member-owner
  • renew your membership
  • join our Food For All program (or renew)
  • request a new member card, update your address, and so much more!

All June, In order to promote “stay safe/stay home” the Co-op will donate $5 to NOFA-VT (Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont) for every co-op share that is purchased online.

Just go to our Membership Page to get started.

 
The Co-op’s donation will be applied to the NOFA-VT COVID-19 Response Fund to support projects like:
  • Increasing their Farmer Emergency Fund to provide critical cash flow for farmers.
  • Providing additional subsidized CSAs through their Farm Share Program.
  • Hiring dairy milking relief workers in case a dairy farmer or farmworker falls sick.
  • Increasing their organizational capacity to support their COVID-19 response.

This fund will also help them develop longer-term solutions, like potent policy changes and awareness-raising, so we don’t just return to business as usual after this crisis.

Thank you for being part of the solution!