The Miami River Foods Project Newsletter - May 10th, 2010

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Founding the cooperative

• The "Miami River model" of organizing
• Lessons from Bloomingfoods
• How to join the Organizing Team

Beta Test updates

• Now featuring Snowville milk & organic produce!
• Miami River Foods reusable bags for sale

WACO local music & food festival - May 22nd

• Teach your kids container gardening
• Calling all volunteers!

Mark your calendar

• May 19th - Beta Test 2.5 goes on sale
• May 22nd - WACO Family Festival
• May 25th - Walkable Communities Speaker
• June 12th - Farm Visit & Local Food Symposium

Greetings, local food lovers! After a flurry of recent cooperative organizing activity, there's simply too much news to cram into one newsletter! Hopefully you're checking in regularly on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter, where you can find the most up-to-the-minute news on our little local foods revolution.

We're now up to 445 supporters, thanks to you spreading the word about food that is healthy for our families, for our community, and part of a sustainable future. Thank you!

Cooperative organizing accolades

Remember when we said back in February that our group is doing something new here in Miami County, and that people are watching? Already, our model of organizing has won some attention from the nation's top local foods & cooperative experts!

In April, the Project was invited to present at the Local Food Systems Conference in Toledo this August. Academics and activists want to know how our partnership with the Troy Meat Shop and the Beta Box program power our cooperative organizing efforts. They'll join us in discovering how this "Miami River model" may be applied in other communities.

This week, our lead organizers were also awarded a scholarship to attend the annual Consumer Cooperative Managers Association conference in Bloomington, IN. The award was made possible by the Howard Bowers Fund through the generosity of food cooperatives throughout the U.S. It's a huge show of support!

These accolades represent a 'gold star' for our entire group, and we thank you for being a part of it. The Project wouldn't be here without you!

We love Bloomingfoods!

Our field trip to Bloomingfoods was an inspiring glimpse into the co-op way of life. From tours of the farmer's market, admin offices, and co-op locations to an eye-opening conversation with General Manager George Huntington, we got the inside scoop on how to run a successful co-op. Please click here for the full scoop!

Co-op Organizing Team is up and coming

On April 25th, over 40 Project supporters gathered to develop the plan for getting a cooperative grocery up and running in our community! Our conversation focused on the fundamentals of cooperative organizing, including:

• Brainstorming mission, vision, and values
• Identifying the people who will incorporate the cooperative grocery store
• Introducing our new Team Leaders, responsible for specific aspects of the organizing effort

Would you like to serve in a leadership role in starting a cooperative grocery? Team Leaders are currently recruiting Team Members to work on:

• Design
• Branding
• Education
• Outreach
• Grants
• Beta Test Program
• IT

If you're interested in joining one of these teams, please email laura@miamiriverfoods.org with an overview of your interests and skills.

Beta Test 2.5 is better than ever!

Our next Beta Test, opening May 19th, will be better than ever! We're excited about new partnerships with Snowville Creamery in Pomeroy, OH, the Happy Box CSA program at Fulton Farms, and a new gluten-free lineup developed by Beta Test families. To boot, BT 2.5 also features our beautiful new Miami River Foods Project reusable bags designed by Shauna Jackson and made of recycled jute.

The Beta Box program is hiring for the summer! 

Know an enterprising youth who would be interested in a fast-paced part-time job or internship?  Please have them email info@miamiriverfoods.org to get in touch for a position starting June 7th.  What a milestone for our group to reach!

Celebrate local food & music at WACO on May 22nd

The Miami River Foods Project and WACO have teamed up to host a Family Festival! We'll celebrate the best of local food & music our community has to offer, including kids' educational activities & organic food vendors!

WACO Family Festival
Saturday, May 22nd
10am to 4pm
at the WACO Museum (map)

Mary Haldeman, an organic grower from Woods Walk Orchard & Berries in Piqua, will kick off the day with a Container Gardening for Kids workshop at 10:30 am

Kids will learn about recycling and gardening by planting an organic lettuce start that will keep growing at home! Space is limited, so register today to reserve a spot for your family. Click here for details and our online registration form.

The Outreach Team is also seeking volunteers for the Miami River Foods Project booth. Would you like to spend 2 hours sharing our vision with the community? Please email jody@miamiriverfoods.org to sign up today!

Mark your calendar

May 19th - Orders open for Beta Test 2.5

Please email info@miamiriverfoods.org to order your Snowville milk, organic produce, and gluten-free goodies today!

May 22nd from 10:30 to 11:30 am - Container Gardening for Kids workshop

Please click here to register for this fun, family event with organic grower Mary Haldeman! The WACO Family Festival continues until 4pm.

May 25th at 7 pm - Troy Community Works! Summer Speaker

Please join us in learning more about walkable communities from the founder of Walkable Neighborhoods, Eric Fredericks. Please click here for details.

June 12th - Local Foods Day

Tipp City Farmer's Market opens! Grassland Farms hosts a family farm visit! Trinity Episcopal Church hosts a food & spirituality symposium! Mary Haldeman teaches canning! Please mark your calendar, and stay tuned for details.

Again, thanks for your support!

Laura and Jake, on behalf of the whole team
- Miami River Foods Project