November 2013 Newsletter

THE GREENE HILL FOOD COOP - NOVEMBER 2013 NEWSLETTER

In this issue Some huge news this month: refrigeration upgrades are coming! Learn all about that, who’s running for office, and more at our next General Meeting in December. In this month’s newsletter, you can also find out how to order mass quantities of your favorite goods. Get a yoga discount just for being a member, too. We’ve got lots of special treats in for the holidays, including some to please your vegan and gluten-free pals (or self). Plus: An interview with one of our local members, a sweet recipe for Brussels sprouts, and, of course, more great ways to work your shift.

Greene Hill News Huge News: Greene Grape Provisions donates refrigerators to the Co-op We’re bowled over, thrilled, and filled with thanksgiving—the Co-op is getting some amazing “new” used refrigerators, all because of the incredible generosity of our neighbors at Greene Grape Provisions. The Provisions staff (back row, second from right is Sabrina Meinhardt, store manager) and Co-op members teamed up to get a two-door freezer and a five-door refrigerator, plus a 12-foot produce refrigerator into the Co-op. Not pictured here is Amy Bennett, owner of Greene Grape, whose idea this was in the first place! The nonprofit New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH) will officially be receiving the tax-deductible donation on behalf of Greene Grape and the Co-op since the Co-op is not a 501C3 charitable organization. Details on installation and other info will be forthcoming in a separate email to members, as well as at our next GM (see below). Next General Meeting: Thursday, December 5 One of the best ways to get to know how your Co-op works, and have a say in it, is to attend a General Meeting—the next one will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the South Oxford Space, 138 S. Oxford Street, between Hanson Pl. and Atlantic Ave. (The following GM will be Tuesday, January 21st, 2014.) There, you’ll learn what improving the fridges will mean to the produce and other fresh food at the Co-op. And join the conversation: Why is it important to offer affordable, quality food to all people? What does food justice at the Co-op look like? We’ll also be electing the officers of our Board: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Come meet the candidates and cast your vote. (There won’t be an online ballot; those are used only for the main Board elections, so this will be your only chance.) Get more details by checking out the agenda, here. There will also be a report from Project "UpShift", which aims to increase member engagement in working their shifts, reliably. Jonathan Landau, the UpShift lead, will discuss the project's status. Want to be a future facilitator, secretary, timekeeper or to propose items for next meeting’s agenda? Please email info@greenehillfood.coop. Join the Co-op for only $30 At the October General Meeting, the Greene Hill Food Co-op’s membership voted to reduce the cost of joining under the Apple Membership program, which allows people on public assistance, including those receiving unemployment insurance, to join for an investment of only $25, along with a $5 administrative fee. Learn more about our levels of membership here. Need more for the holidays? Did you know that you can special order larger quantities of food? This is a great thing, whether you are putting together holiday gift baskets for your neighbors or just have a serious Kind Bar addiction. For details, email specialorders@greenehillfood.coop. Eat Well and Do Yoga: Member Discount at Dou Yoga Dou Yoga, on Greene Ave. near Grand, understands the importance of a healthy, well-spirited community. So it is offering discounted classes to Greene Hill Food Co-op members: $12 for a drop-in class, $55 for a 5-class pack, or $99 for a 10-class pack. Just mention the Co-op and and show your key fob when you arrive. As a bonus, it is also offering a free class to the first five Greene Hill Food Co-op members who sign up as students (email the studio with the subject line "Dou Yoga and Greene Hill”).

Events Second Mural Painting Day a Success Greene Hill’s second day spent painting our back mural, on October 26, was a success, thanks to the help of all community members! The mural is all finished and it looks great. Many thanks to everyone who helped make it possible!

On the Shelf On the Shelf: Treats (almost) anyone can eat Has the rollercoaster of winter holidays got your head spinning? Chanukah comes with Thanksgiving this year, Winter Solstice is next, and Christmas isn’t far behind. Looking for something to bring to the holiday party that won’t have you or your gluten-free or vegan friends feeling left out? Try some sweet treats from Emmy's Organic. Founded by two twentysomethings in Ithaca, NY, Emmy's creates raw, vegan, gluten-free products. Samantha and Ian started the business in Ian's mother's kitchen, and have expanded to a commercial space to keep up with demand. Their macaroons are small and intensely flavored, and make a great gift. The Co-op is stocking three flavors: coconut vanilla, dark cacao, and chai spice, as well as Emmy's delicious chocolate sauce. They're available only during the holiday season, so be sure to snap them up (and they’re a hit with kids, too!) Get them while they last! Emmy’s Organic Macaroons are now available at the Co-op for only $2.27 a package.

Try This at Home for around $7.00 Sweet and Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Apples & Pears Recipe from Chef Neil O’Malley of Rose Water Restaurant by way of CENYC Greenmarket; Serves 4-5 Ingredients Brussels Sprouts trimmed and halved (about 1 handful per person) Apples and Pears, roughly cut up about the size of the Brussels sprouts halves (about 1 handful each person) A few tablespoons apple cider Apple cider vinegar (optional) A sprig of rosemary or sage, chopped fine Salt and pepper to taste Olive Oil (2-3 tablespoons) Garlic (2-3 cloves) Directions Preheat the oven to 375. Toss the Brussels sprouts with salt, pepper and oil and spread on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Roast 7-10 minutes. (The Brussels sprouts will be cooked a second time so don’t finish them all the way). Heat some olive oil on low heat and saute the garlic. Add a handful each of apples, pears and roasted Brussels sprouts, and finish with a splash of apple cider to coat. A dash of cider vinegar is also great. Sprinkle with chopped herbs. Sauteing should take about five minutes. Enjoy!

The Co-op Q&AThis month we interview Delois Evans, who has lived in Fort Greene/ Clinton Hill for many years, and enjoys being a part of The Co-op community and the nearby Agard Harewood Neighborhood Senior Center. Find her acting in "Southern Gals" the 17th and 21st of December, in the recently restored Paul Robeson Theater. Q: Where are you from, and where do you find yourself today? A: I was born in Tennessee, but I've lived in NY, as a Brooklynite, since I was 11. I'm now in my second year of retirement. I enjoy reaching out and participating in things I haven't done before, like drumming, taking culinary classes, and acting. I still live in the neighborhood, about 5 blocks from the Co-op. I come here about once a week and try to get the other seniors interested. Q: How did you hear about The Co-op and why did you join? A: Some Co-op members came to the Grace Agard Harewood Senior Center and then gave us a tour. And that was it! I saw the advantages that we have here, price-wise and health-wise. I don't think that there's anything that can better improve your "health wealth." One of the reasons I joined was to enjoy natural foods, without chemicals. So I don't mind if i have to pay a couple of dollars extra because I know that i'm getting something that's good for me and my body! It was also out of curiosity—I wanted to see what it was like. Q: What do you think the best advantage is about being a Co-op member? First of all, for the food—it's pure. Second, I like the people. I try to participate in most everything we have, like the fair—I loved it! I helped with setting up things and with the barbecue. Q: What is your favorite thing about the Fort Greene/ Clinton Hill neighborhood? That it's multicultural, like a mosaic. It's a great thing! Q: Where do you see The Co-op in 5 years? I am hoping that we will be able to expand, and that we will introduce ourselves to other people and have more members. I'll do my part at the center to get seniors interested. That way we can reach some of the people who might not know what we have here, and invite them to be a part of it—that's what's really good.

Help Wanted: Work & Shift Opportunities Join the Membership Relief Council The Membership Relief Council needs new folks, in particular a Co-ordinator! Are fairness and equity important to you? Are you responsive to emails? By joining Membership Relief, you could help the Co-op make important policy decisions (without a big time commitment). Contact us at membershipreliefcouncil@greenehillfood.coop. Join the Membership Committee The Membership Committee needs at least five new members in order to fully staff the membership office shifts in-store, and to accommodate time-sensitive projects. These projects include: Finalizing an in-house orientation for new members to be held once a month at the Store, starting in January. Incorporating updates to our existing Members Handbook, an important tool for all members. Updating the membership portion of the website, and Above all, finding 1-2 new co-chairs to join our existing co-chair. Contact us at membership@greenehillfood.coop. Office Work Available Interested in doing some office work at the store? One of our members is a professional bookkeeper who's stepped up to coordinate accounting at the Co-op. She's organized bookkeeping tasks at the store into easy, well-structured steps: handling invoices, entering data into our accounting software, and so on. You'd get all the training and guidance you need, while working at a dedicated Finance desk and computer. And you'd be helping the Greene Hill produce financial statements on a regular basis. You can set your own hours!! Please email finance@greenehillfood.coop if you'd like to join us. Interested in Building Our Financial Infrastructure? The Finance Committee needs more members with financial experience, and with interest in helping build our business, that is, members interested in working more than the minimum 2 hours every 4 weeks. Our start-up business still requires a lot of work, as we build up our accounting, budgeting, financial control and forecasting systems. If you'd like to help us build Greene Hill's "financial infrastructure," please email finance@greenehillfood.coop.

Et cetera Photo credits: Provisions/Co-op members photo by Debbie Grossman; Sprouts by Dale Calder. The Greene Hill Food Co-op Newsletter is edited by (in alphabetical order) Carola Burroughs, Debbie Grossman, Matthew Hayes, and Alexandra Miller. Contact us with any feedback, suggestions, or requests at newsletter@greenehillfood.coop. Join Us! Interested in joining the Greene Hill Food Co-op? Check out our website to learn about membership, like us on Facebook, or stop by our store at 18 Putnam Ave. (off Grand Ave.) with any questions!