News

Non-GMO Project - This initiative for third party verification and clear labeling of non-GMO products is making major progress. Retailers founded the Project in 2006 with a goal of providing consumers with an informed choice about GMOs; with over 3,000 products now enrolled by over 50 brands (http://www.nongmoproject.org/retailers/search-participating-products/) , consumers will soon be seeing “Non-GMO Project Verified” seals on products throughout the store. The Project invites NCGA members to participate in its “Supporting Retailer Program.” More information is at http://www.nongmoproject.org/retailers/supporting-retailer-program/

Events

Harvest Festival

– To Be Announced, 2010

There will be music, lots of free local food and opportunities to meet local farmers and producers.

Eat Local Challenge

– September 1st to 30th, 2010

The challenge will take place during the month of September, and beyond for those wanting to take it a step further. The Eat Local Challenge is an event where participants pledge to challenge themselves to eat more locally grown and produced foods than they ordinarily would. Participants can create their own challenge or choose from the suggested options below. Why do this? Because it feels good, tastes good, it is good for our environment, our communities and our bodies.

What would challenge you? Choose from one of our examples or create your own.

Eat mostly locally grown and produced foods for a day, a week or a month.
Eat local food for one meal a week.
Spend $20 a week on local produce.
Shop at the farmer’s market for the month of September.
Eat local meat for the month.
Learn to can, preserve and freeze to put food by.
Organize an ‘eat local’ dinner party once a month or once a week for the month.
Create a plot for next year’s garden.
Extend your pledge for an additional week, month or year.
Make the bulk of your diet (about 80%) from locally grown sources. This is what many eat local challenges around the country are suggesting.

This sounds great but… I NEED MY COFFEE (or tea or rice or olive oil…). Don’t worry; the point of the challenge is to celebrate local food, nut to suffer! We are fortunate to live in a rich farming area, where you can purchase local bread, dairy products, fruit, vegetables and meat -- even beer and wine-- at the Co-op and other stores, farmers' markets and from local farmers.

You can take the pledge at the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op and the Middlebury and Bristol Farmers’ markets during the month of August and at our Harvest Festival on the Green in Middlebury on September 6th. You can also pledge on line by visiting our site www.acornvt.org
. Where you can also subscribe to the Addison county Localvore e-mail list to receive and share information about events, local foods, resources, and more.

Co-op Community Celebration & 35th Annual Meeting

— To Be Announced

How is the Co-op doing? How have sales been affected by the recession? What should be our focus in the coming year? How can we effectively promote Healthy Foods, a Vibrant Local Economy, Sustainable and Energy Effective Practices, and Cooperative Democratic Ownership? As a Co-op member you have a stake in the health of the Co-op and its future. Come to our Annual Meeting to show your support, learn about the issues and ask questions. Our Annual Meeting will also be a lot of fun! Hope for a sunny day! In case of rain the event will take place inside the church. For more details about this fabulous party, look inside this Newsletter’s insert. And remember… now is the time to vote for your Board of Directors. Look inside this newsletter for information on candidates and voting procedures.

Empty Bowl

— To Be Announced, 2010

The 18th Annual Empty Bowl Dinner will be held at the Methodist Church on Route 7 in Middlebury. Empty Bowl is a nationwide effort to fight hunger at the local level. Since 1992, the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op has sponsored its own Empty Bowl Dinner. The event is designed to raise money and awareness for local food shelves. Area potters donate beautiful bowls, and local bakeries, farms, and orchards provide food. Co-op members volunteer their time and make desserts. We serve a delicious and healthful vegetarian meal in potters’ bowls that guests may take home afterwards. Tickets are on sale at the registers early in November. Donations beyond the ticket price are happily accepted. 100 percent of ticket sales will be donated to the local food shelves.

Tickets $25 each. On sale at the Co-op after Oct 21st.

Truckload Sale

– To Be Announced, 2010

Our annual Truckload Sale allows customers to purchase case amounts of quality foods at greatly reduced prices. All offers are on a first-come, first-served basis and we are unable to reserve products, so plan to come early to increase your chances of getting what you want. You can pick up an order form at the store prior to the sale date.

Contact: info@middleburycoop.com


	News Non-GMO Project - This initiative for third party verification and clear labeling of non-GMO products is making major progress. Retailers founded the Project in 2006 with a goal of providing consumers with an informed choice about GMOs; with over 3,000 products now enrolled by over 50 brands (http://www.nongmoproject.org/retailers/search-participating-products/) , consumers will soon be seeing “Non-GMO Project Verified” seals on products throughout the store. The Project invites NCGA members to participate in its “Supporting Retailer Program.” More information is at http://www.nongmoproject.org/retailers/supporting-retailer-program/ Harvest Festival – To Be Announced, 2010 There will be music, lots of free local food and opportunities to meet local farmers and producers. Eat Local Challenge – September 1st to 30th, 2010 The challenge will take place during the month of September, and beyond for those wanting to take it a step further. The Eat Local Challenge is an event where participants pledge to challenge themselves to eat more locally grown and produced foods than they ordinarily would. Participants can create their own challenge or choose from the suggested options below. Why do this? Because it feels good, tastes good, it is good for our environment, our communities and our bodies. What would challenge you? Choose from one of our examples or create your own. Eat mostly locally grown and produced foods for a day, a week or a month. Eat local food for one meal a week. Spend $20 a week on local produce. Shop at the farmer’s market for the month of September. Eat local meat for the month. Learn to can, preserve and freeze to put food by. Organize an ‘eat local’ dinner party once a month or once a week for the month. Create a plot for next year’s garden. Extend your pledge for an additional week, month or year. Make the bulk of your diet (about 80%) from locally grown sources. This is what many eat local challenges around the country are suggesting. This sounds great but… I NEED MY COFFEE (or tea or rice or olive oil…). Don’t worry; the point of the challenge is to celebrate local food, nut to suffer! We are fortunate to live in a rich farming area, where you can purchase local bread, dairy products, fruit, vegetables and meat -- even beer and wine-- at the Co-op and other stores, farmers' markets and from local farmers. You can take the pledge at the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op and the Middlebury and Bristol Farmers’ markets during the month of August and at our Harvest Festival on the Green in Middlebury on September 6th. You can also pledge on line by visiting our site www.acornvt.org . Where you can also subscribe to the Addison county Localvore e-mail list to receive and share information about events, local foods, resources, and more. Co-op Community Celebration & 35th Annual Meeting — To Be Announced How is the Co-op doing? How have sales been affected by the recession? What should be our focus in the coming year? How can we effectively promote Healthy Foods, a Vibrant Local Economy, Sustainable and Energy Effective Practices, and Cooperative Democratic Ownership? As a Co-op member you have a stake in the health of the Co-op and its future. Come to our Annual Meeting to show your support, learn about the issues and ask questions. Our Annual Meeting will also be a lot of fun! Hope for a sunny day! In case of rain the event will take place inside the church. For more details about this fabulous party, look inside this Newsletter’s insert. And remember… now is the time to vote for your Board of Directors. Look inside this newsletter for information on candidates and voting procedures. Empty Bowl — To Be Announced, 2010 The 18th Annual Empty Bowl Dinner will be held at the Methodist Church on Route 7 in Middlebury. Empty Bowl is a nationwide effort to fight hunger at the local level. Since 1992, the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op has sponsored its own Empty Bowl Dinner. The event is designed to raise money and awareness for local food shelves. Area potters donate beautiful bowls, and local bakeries, farms, and orchards provide food. Co-op members volunteer their time and make desserts. We serve a delicious and healthful vegetarian meal in potters’ bowls that guests may take home afterwards. Tickets are on sale at the registers early in November. Donations beyond the ticket price are happily accepted. 100 percent of ticket sales will be donated to the local food shelves. Tickets $25 each. On sale at the Co-op after Oct 21st. Truckload Sale – To Be Announced, 2010 Our annual Truckload Sale allows customers to purchase case amounts of quality foods at greatly reduced prices. All offers are on a first-come, first-served basis and we are unable to reserve products, so plan to come early to increase your chances of getting what you want. You can pick up an order form at the store prior to the sale date. Contact: info@middleburycoop.com