Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Grilling & Chilling Grand Finale 2014

by Jaimie Jusczyk, Marketing Specialist

As summer starts to wind down and the kids get ready to go back to school, the Co-op hosted the last Grilling & Chilling in the parking lot for the season on Friday, August 22. Chef Stephen was out grilling four different worldly themed kabobs, the Mideast Feast, the Old World, the New World and Caribbean Cruise from 11:30am - 6 pm. This time he also served corn on the cob with two different compound butters to choose from and deep fried pineapple with ice cream, which proved popular.
Grilling and Chilling

At 3 pm we turned up the tunes and Megafood joined us for free samples of smoothies featuring their latest nutrient booster powders.
Fender Blender from Megafood

Christina brought in her Fender Blender and customers and kids could peddle their own fresh smoothie. The first recipe was fresh cut pineapple, spinach, OJ and featured Daily C Booster powder. The second recipe was local peaches, vanilla coconut milk, banana and the Daily C Booster from Megafood. Both recipes seemed to be a hit for adults and kids.
Smoothie Team

Charlene from Megafood, Deb from Garden of Life and Connie from Amazing Grass were also creating yummy smoothies to showcase the Nutrient Booster Powders with their own awesome products. The Megafood Nutrient Booster Powders are so easy to add to your daily routine, you don't need to take anything away, just add them to your fave smoothies, shakes, juices or even into some yogurt with granola. So easy and convenient.
Sandrine and Deb

So while we were all having fun outside, adults could make their way inside to enjoy free beer and wine samples. Josh from Horizon was pouring a selection of reds and whites that would be perfect to serve during your Labor Day long weekend party.
Shane and Josh

Jim from NH Distributors was serving up some Pumpkin Porter from Redhook that was surprisingly refreshing. Find 6-packs in the Co-op beer fridge.
Sebago was present with free samples of their Bonfire Rye. You will definitely need a 6-pack of this for your Labor Day party if you plan on sitting around a fire.
Sebago Brewing

And Stark Mill Brewing treated us to samples of the Milly's Oatmeal Stout that will satisfy any stout fan. Look for their 1 Pint sized bottles in the Co-op's beer fridge.
So now that summer is almost over, stop into the Co-op to see what fall beers are coming in and get your immune system ready for the cold season with Megafood Daily Booster Powders.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Should We Start a Co-op Farm?

Where do you see the Concord Food Co-op in the future?

The Co-op staff have been thinking out of the box! With the recent acquisition of Cafe Indigo on Hall Street in Concord - now called The Co-op Bakehouse - the Co-op staff see that the Co-op has limitless possibilities with the enthusiasm of our General Manager, Paula Harris, guiding us. Some of us have been here long enough to have witness multiple Concord store expansions, purchasing our Concord building, and the start of our New London store. We're constantly chatting with our fellow member-owners and customers and listen to their requests. This inspires us to keep thinking outside the box for the Co-op's future. And, in this case, that means thinking outside the building!

Watch this video to see what some of our Co-op staff envision...



So, could the Co-op's very own farm be in our future? A place to cater gorgeous weddings with our very own catered meals? State-of-the-art classrooms to support classes large and small, including hands-on cooking workshops? Teaching gardens, kids day camps, and a place to grow our very own organic veggies, raise chickens for eggs, bees for honey, goats for milk and cheese? A smokehouse and brick bread oven? CSA shares? 

We want to know what you think? Do you agree that a farm is the ideal next step for the Co-op? Or do you see something entirely different? What matters most to you?

Have your say in this survey!

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