Dear Friend,

This time of year, our world is full of stories. The stories of the holidays, of course. Macy's windows. Even Star Wars is back! It's got me thinking about the power of stories, and also: the difference between following a story and choosing to be part of it.

In the summer of 2014, I heard a story about people who wanted to start Chicago Market - a food co-operative in Chicago. Nothing less than the most beautiful, sustainable, friendly and socially conscious full-service grocery store on our city’s north side. A co-op with a vision for an honest food community.

Looking for the perfect gift for a food-loving friend?

Consider the gift of Chicago Market ownership. 

Chicago Market volunteer Terri Reardon is passionate about the issue of GMOs. We invited her to write this timely editorial to encourage conversation about this controversial topic. Chicago Market has not yet taken a stance on GMOs. We favor transparency above all else, once we start stocking our shelves. But we welcome Owners and others passionate about issues surrounding local food to weigh in on what matters most to them. Want to write an editorial for our blog? Contact Board member Heather Lalley at [email protected]. 

Chicago Market is bursting with excitement to tell you some big news:

We've hired a wonderful person to help secure the funding necessary to turn your dream grocery store into a reality. And, best of all, it's a name you likely recognize:

A couple folks from the Chicago Market Grocery Logistics, Retail and Procurement (GLRP) team visited Tempel Farms Organics in Old Mill Creek, IL this week. Farmers Chris and Tania Cubberly are proud Chicago Market Owners and are growing some terrific organic food and flowers.

Really want to stay in the loop about Chicago Market's progress? You'll want to read these summaries of our monthly Board meetings. 

Grant praised the group for bringing new volunteers to the community. And he reminded us to keep them engaged and keep building our communities. Grant also reminded the group to use Basecamp for virtually all of our communication, with email only in limited situations.

Mike introduced Lance Rantala by reiterating what is in our proposed bylaws regarding appointment of new Board members. If a vacancy arises six months or less before our Owners' meeting, a new Board member will be appointed to serve until the Owners' meeting after the upcoming one. Otherwise, the person would be up for election at the upcoming Owners' meeting. 

This update is from Board member Karen Jacobs, who leads our Organizational Development Team. 

How does an all-volunteer organization “do” the traditional work of a Human Resources team? Meet Chicago Market’s Organizational Development team (or as we call it, Org Dev). Our team helps other Chicago Market teams to define their goals and strategies, and break them down into projects, tasks and timing for volunteers. Then we get to work on the really fun part of our job, which is talking to Owners and supporters of the co-op about how they can be part of our team.

The Chicago Market Board of Directors is delighted to welcome Lance Rantala to the Board.

Rantala, an experienced co-op manager, is filling the Board position recently vacated by the wonderful Nisha Kapadia Bhesania. Nisha brought much wisdom and enthusiasm to the Board during her tenure, but had to step down because she moved to the Bay Area with her husband. 

Vicki Westerhoff, one of Chicago Market's most-supportive farmers (scroll down, that's Farmer Vicki on our homepage), has had a rough summer. 

Heavy rains early this season washed away many of her crops. 

But 10 of Chicago's best chefs are coming together on Aug. 30 for a benefit to raise money for Genesis. Your ticket not only gets you some outstanding food and drink, but you'll be helping an outstanding farm.

Really want to stay in the loop about Chicago Market's progress? You'll want to read these summaries of our monthly Board meetings. They'll be posted here by the end of each month. (Yes ... we know this one's a bit late ...)