Farmers Market Preview, October 23, 2011

Great week! But we're not there yet. So much to talk about... Fundraising As of this morning we have received member loan cash and pledges of over $197,000. Less than $53,000 left to reach our goal! Can we do it by the end of October? Lingering Doubts Do you have a friend or neighbor (or spouse, or you yourself) who is wondering why it has taken so long for the co-op to open? Though there may still be some lingering doubts about the project, there is no doubt about our community's desire to open this market and revitalize Elkins Park. Bring this friend (or spouse, or yourself) to an upcoming parlor meeting - it's time to look forward again. We hold parlor meetings for friends and neighbors to gather and learn about the member loan program and the co-op in general in a more intimate and open setting. Board members will be there to answer your questions and explain exactly what it's taken to get here, hopefully just weeks away from breaking ground! Upcoming Meetings Sunday, October 23, 1-3 pm at the home of Andrew Altman and Lee Chudzinski 443 Crescent Rd, Wyncote Thursday, October 27th, 7:30 pm at the home of Michael Silverman and Robin Rifkin 1112 Prospect Ave, Melrose Park Tuesday, November 1st, 7:30 pm hosted by Cheryl McLaren and Rennie Narine 511 Spring Avenue, Elkins Park Thursday, November 10th, 7 pm at the home of Karen Lecks & Murrey Cohen 8117 Heacock Lane, Wyncote Of course there are many other ways in which you can help! Township Commissioners Come Through! On Wednesday, Oct. 19 the Cheltenham Township Commissioners came through for this project in a big way! They voted to waive building permit and sewage unit purchase fees, saving our project $34,000 in start-up costs. Let it never be said that business and government can't work together to promote sustainability! If you get a chance, give your commissioner a call and thank him or her for what they've done. They gave us a break at a time when municipal budgets are tight and they should be recognized for it. More Parlor Meeting Heroes In an earlier e-mail, we neglected to mention two members who also hosted a member loan parlor meeting, Amy Steffen and Linda Stern. Much thanks to them and to all those who stepped forward to educate their neighbors and move this project forward.

November 3 Member Meeting Join us at Curtis Hall, 1250 Church Road in Wyncote where we will conduct a co-op business meeting, including discussion of and voting on possible bylaws changes and the progress of our member loan and member equity fundraising drives. The meeting starts at 7:30. Please bring your favorite baked goods. A board member or volunteer will provide the cider. Let's break bread together before this meeting and enjoy our progress before we get down to business. Call for Board Candidates As we move forward to achieve our dream of a member-owned grocery store in Elkins Park, the Creekside Co-op Board of Directors is seeking qualified candidates to fill six upcoming vacancies on the 13-member board. If you are dedicated to the success of this co-op and can devote your time and energies please send a headshot, bio and letter of interest to Board President Dan Reynolds at dreynolds67@comcast.net or Board Vice President Andy Schloss at aschloss1730@gmail.com by Nov. 12. Candidates would serve a two-year term on the board and would be expected to attend monthly board meetings as well as to participate in board committees. Areas of expertise that would serve the board well include marketing, communications, finance, nonprofit board experience and fundraising. Weather forecast for Sunday, Oct. 23. Partly cloudy with a high of 62 This week's list of farmers' market vendors Frecon Farms - apples, pears and cider Lone Wolf Farms - large varieties of local vegetables and herbs. Tall Pine Farms - herbs, vegetables and fruits from Neshaminy Creek. Anita's Guacamole - delicious guacamole made on location Mainly Mushrooms - A variety of foraged and cultivated mushrooms along with delicious and protein-rich free-range eggs. PhilaDing - gluten-free ethnic specials, falafel, salsas, assorted salads, fresh scones. Bucks County Preserves - Homemade jams & jellies, honey and apple cider. Philly Bill's Dills - Don't let your grilled lamb, beef or veggie burger go unadorned by one of these mouth-watering varieties of pickles. Green Street Roasters - a local coffee roaster serving up freshly roasted beans and coffee M&B Farview Farm - Grass-fed beef, pastured Heritage (milk-fed) pigs, pastured goats, lamb, chicken, eggs, ducks, guineas, goose, state-licensed raw Jersey cow and goat milk, raw cow and goat cheeses, yogurt. They also grill up food during the market for you to enjoy! Big Sky Bread Co. - tasty assortment of breads and rolls Krystyna's Kitchen - tasty pockets of potato, cheese and more Crafters Jewelry maker Janet Fallon Tile maker Bruce Weiner Simple Pleasures No need to drive yourself nuts chopping, mixing, reducing and blending to eat something great tasting. Alice Waters, of Chez Panisse fame and one of the icons of the local food movement, always says her favorite thing to eat is good bread, salt and olive oil. Next time you're at the farmers' market grab a round of Big Sky Bread Company's Italian rustic loaf and pick up some of that sharp goat cheddar from M&B Farview Farms. A little of that cheese on that bread with some olive oil, salt and pepper and some fresh herbs from your garden makes for a delicious snack with local ingredients. Farmers Market Preview Weather forecast for Sunday, Oct. 23. Partly cloudy with a high of 62 Frecon Farms - apples, pears and cider Lone Wolf Farms - large varieties of local vegetables and herbs. Tall Pine Farms - herbs, vegetables and fruits from Neshaminy Creek. Anita's Guacamole - delicious guacamole made on location Mainly Mushrooms - A variety of foraged and cultivated mushrooms along with delicious and protein-rich free-range eggs. PhilaDing - gluten-free ethnic specials, falafel, salsas, assorted salads, fresh scones. Bucks County Preserves - Homemade jams & jellies, honey and apple cider. Philly Bill's Dills - Don't let your grilled lamb, beef or veggie burger go unadorned by one of these mouth-watering varieties of pickles. Green Street Roasters - a local coffee roaster serving up freshly roasted beans and coffee M&B Farview Farm - Grass-fed beef, pastured Heritage (milk-fed) pigs, pastured goats, lamb, chicken, eggs, ducks, guineas, goose, state-licensed raw Jersey cow and goat milk, raw cow and goat cheeses, yogurt. They also grill up food during the market for you to enjoy! Big Sky Bread Co. - tasty assortment of breads and rolls Kristina's Pierogies - tasty pockets of potato, cheese and more The Creekside Co-op Mission Statement CreekSide Co-op is a cooperative member-owned food market in Cheltenham Township, providing products and services that are responsive to the values of its ownership and fostering connections among the people of its diverse community. CreekSide Co-op