Co-op grand opening July 9
Friendly City Food Co-Op, Harrisonburg’s consumer-owned grocery, invites the community to come see its new destination for natural, organic and locally-produced products at the store’s grand opening 11 a.m.-5 p.m. July 9 at 150 East Wolfe Street.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. with Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Matt Lohr, Harrisonburg Mayor Richard Baugh and representatives from Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and Friendly City Food Co-op.
Free demos and food samples include:
● Shenandoah Growers— Free fresh local herbs
● Homestead Creamery— Free locally-made ice cream
● Golden Angels Apiary—Free local honey tasting and live bee hive (enclosed)
● PULP—Free smoothies
● Local Chop & Grill House—Food demo with Chef Ryan Zale
● Equal Exchange— Free fair trade coffee and chocolate
● Dave’s Taverna— Free homemade pizza
● Local massage therapists—Free massages
Children’s activities will include a “chalk-a-thon” and scavenger hunt hosted by Friendly City Food Co-op and CommonPlace Harrisonburg; tote bag tie-dying; fruit and veggie face painting; and photos with Freddie the Friendly Carrot.
Local favorites The Steel Wheels, Dish Dogs, and Olivarez Trio will provide live music.
In addition, raffle tickets win prizes including yoga classes, massages, local restaurant gift certificates, local foods gift baskets and a kids’ swimming pool full of groceries.
Friendly City’s 4,000-square-foot facility is a full-service grocery store where everyone can shop and anyone can join. Friendly City’s membership includes 1,400 households, far surpassing its 1,300 goal by opening, said General Manager Steve Cooke.
Friendly City recently became the newest member of the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA), a business services cooperative serving 120 consumer-owned food co-ops nationwide.
Local cooperatives host Beat the Blahs
Local cooperatives are offering to help you work your way out of those winter doldrums.
The event is called Beat The Blahs. Friendly City Food Co-op, Park View Credit Union and the Little Grill are all cooperatives working together for the community to help beat the winter “blahs” this month. Join the event at the Little Grill on Monday, Feb. 28, 5-7:30 p.m. Activities include free massages, Spring gardening lessons with New Community Project, Food and Mood talks with Dr. Kathleen Kelly, Healing with Homeopathy with Denise Jensen and then enjoy local food and beverage treats from Little Grill, Brown Butter Bakery and Lucas Roasting Co.
Also, there is the opportunity to learn about what membership to Friendly City means and how it helps the community. Representatives from Friendly City will be available to answer questions and sign up members. Currently, they have 1,120 members and hope for a goal of 1,300 by the opening of the store later in the Spring.
Friendly City Food Co-op is a cooperatively owned, democratically-run business that will open a full service natural food grocery store in downtown Harrisonburg. The store will promote the relationship between the food we eat, the health of the earth, and our own physical well being. Healthy, wholesome foods, organic produce, and environmentally sound, fairly traded products will be emphasized. Whenever possible, they plan to buy produce and items from local farmers, orchards, bakers, and members of the local community, thereby supporting local farmers.
For more information, visit www.FriendlyCityFoodCoop.com.
Food Co-op closes deals on loan, building contractor
The Friendly City Food Co-op announced today both the closing of a new $50,000 loan from the Staunton Creative Community Fund and the selection of its building contractor, Harman Construction Co.
“We couldn’t be more excited,” said Ben Sandel, president of the Friendly City Food Cooperative. “Launching the Friendly City Food Co-op has truly been a community-based effort, with our members, lenders, and volunteers all playing a vital role in the process.”
The Food Co-op’s latest loan proceeds come from the Staunton Creative Community Fund, a nonprofit community development lender that finances sustainable startups and business ventures generating positive community impact.
“The Friendly City Food Co-op epitomizes the type of projects we seek to support, generating downtown revitalization, forging community-based partnerships, and building infrastructure that supports local farmers and healthy eating choices. We are so proud to be helping the co-op reach its fundraising goals,” said Meghan Williamson, executive director of the Staunton Creative Community Fund.
The new loan was made possible through the creativity and flexibility of both the Friendly City Food Co-op and the Staunton Creative Community Fund. Lacking available collateral for a traditional business loan, 10 Food Co-op members stepped up to guarantee portions of the loan. Recognizing the local economic impact that will be generated by the Food Co-op, the Staunton Creative Community Fund was able to offer a below-average interest rate on the loan.
“Our focus is on building the local economy and helping farmers, entrepreneurs, and consumers keep their dollars local. That means building new systems that emphasize flexibility, as well as finding win-win solutions that reward investors, borrowers, and community members,” said Williamson. “We recognize that economic returns are more than just dollars, they are also jobs, vibrant communities, healthy eating choices, and sustainable development practices.”
The latest loan announcement arrives on the heels of the Friendly City Food Co-op’s summer member loan campaign, which raised more than $675,000 to support the renovation of the Co-op’s new store front and other startup costs.
“We are very fortunate to be operating in a community that understands the value of local investing and which creates its own development solutions,” said Sam Nickels, chair of the Member Loan Campaign. “We’re excited today, with the announcement of our new lender and building contractor, to begin the work of renovations, building construction, and the spring 2011 launch of the Friendly City Food Co-op store.”
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
Food Co-op receives $100K in new loans
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The Friendly City Food Co-op announced last week that is has made major progress in its member-loan campaign with the receipt of several loans totaling nearly $100,000. The loans propel its loan drive beyond the halfway mark. Continue reading “Food Co-op receives $100K in new loans” »
Friendly City Food Co-op reaches out
Staff Report
News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
On Tuesday, Jan. 26, the Friendly City Food Co-op is holding a membership drive.
A representative will be available throughout the day in three locations: A Bowl of Good Café, 7-10 a.m., The Hardesty Higgins House, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and The Artful Dodger. 5-7 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.
The Friendly City Food Co-op began selling shares of ownership in their co-operative grocery store start-up venture in 2007. During this month, the third year anniversary of the co-op’s initial launch, organizers are focused on reaching capital goals in order to begin renovations on their downtown site, slated for the corner of Mason Street and East Wolfe Street in Harrisonburg. Continue reading “Friendly City Food Co-op reaches out” »
Co-op makes headway with member loan effort
The statistics are in for the first two weeks of the Friendly City Food Co-op Member Loan Campaign. The Co-op has raised $176,000 towards the goal of $600,000. Of the FCFC members who were contacted by phone, 24 percent have made a loan or loan commitment. Continue reading “Co-op makes headway with member loan effort” »
Friendly City announces Member Loan Campaign
The Friendly City Food Coop is moving into a new phase of development that has the potential to lead to the start of store renovations. Member-Owners of the co-op are being asked to make interest-bearing loans in order to raise owner equity in the store. The goal for the loan campaign is to raise $600,000 to be repaid over 5-10 years. Progress towards the campaign goals can be watched on the website at www.friendlycityfoodcoop.com. Continue reading “Friendly City announces Member Loan Campaign” »
Co-op announces office location
Friendly City Food Co-op announces a new administrative office location. New memberships are now being accepted at their office on the third floor of the Bank of America Building in Harrisonburg on the corner of Main Street and Market Street in Suite 302. Office hours are Monday and Wednesday from 9AM until 4PM or appointments can be made by calling 540.746.6032. Continue reading “Co-op announces office location” »
