Chicago Market Newsletter — May 2023
Sourcing the Groceries
for Your Store
Chicago Market has a special way of thinking about the farmers and food producers who will be on our shelves. They matter so much to us, we captured our commitment to them in our Relationships Value:
"...we regard our farmers, manufacturers, producers, and employees as valued members of our community."
In order to deliver on that promise, we've been introducing our GM, Dan Arnett, to some of the farmers and producers in our area and we're telling the story of those visits in short videos. Click each picture to watch the videos:
Local, Sustainable Tofu at
Phoenix Bean Tofu
Visit to Run-A-Way Buckers Ranch in Pembroke Township
Silver Tree Beer & Spirits Visit
Prairie Fruits Farm Visit
Straight Talk from Farmer Marty Travis - why Chicago Market matters
Row Dogs and Speckled
Butter Beans
Board Membership Updates: Welcome Sonia Lewis, Thank You Lee Herman
Sonia Lewis: On May 1st, the Chicago Market Board of Directors appointed Sonia Lewis to an open Board seat. Sonia has over 25 years experience in human resources in a variety of professional settings, including in HR for Central Co-op in Seattle, Washington, and says: “I have seen the wonders on how a Co-op can change communities, health, passion for good food, and resources for great job opportunities.” Welcome, Sonia!
Lee Herman: Sonia will serve out the remainder of Lee Herman’s 2020–2023 Board term. Lee was first elected to the Board in 2017 and served in numerous roles—many simultaneously—including Treasurer, Secretary, Webmaster, IT Director, Volunteer Coordinator, and more. Among his many contributions, Lee’s organizational thinking and wisdom flows throughout the Co-op from his years of participation in our Organizational Development team. Lee moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2022 for family reasons and has served on the Board remotely since then. Lee, thank you for your amazing contributions to Chicago Market, and we look forward to welcoming you back for shopping visits in YOUR store!
Here are the most recent progress steps:
- Bank loans and City TIF funding are still in process. We expect to close on them soon.
- ComEd is finalizing our electric service, which means our store design team will then put the finishing touches on our architectural and engineering drawings and move them to the permitting stage.
- Our used equipment bid has been accepted. As soon as our bank funding finalizes, we may choose to move that purchase forward.
Uptown Farmers Market Community Corner
Our farmers market celebrates organizations in our community by providing them a booth at our market. Be sure to visit them. Upcoming Community Corner participants are:May 10 — Alexis Zimmer State Farm
May 17 — Bowman Gardens, Chicago Pet Club, GameOn! Sports
May 24 — Uptown Branch, Chicago Public Library
May 31 — Apna Ghar Health Fair
June 7 — Cornerstone Community Outreach
- Uptown Wellness Walk — May 20, 11:00am - 4:00pm
- Uptown Art Fair — June 3, 4 (watch for more details soon)
- Board Meeting — June 5, 7:00-9:00pm
- Uptown Farmers Market — every Wednesday from 2:30 - 7:00pm
News from Our Business Owners
Get Involved
- Donate any amount here. (can be tax-deductible and recurring)
- Level Up your Ownership if you're not already a Cultivating Owner.
- Donate to our Ownership Grant Program.
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