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The Cooperative Chronicles
A Publication of the Carbondale Community Food Cooperative
- written
and edited by Jess Jacobson
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A Bounty of Local Food
Carbondale is a unique mountain town
where we have a mix of old school locals
and progressive think tanks that are able
to meet in the middle to work for what
our community values most; economic
and environmental sustainability, kindness
toward others and support of community.
 An amazing example of this is our local
food system. Long time ranchers are raising
free range grass fed cattle right in town
while literally dozens of folks keep chickens
in their back yards to ensure they have
fresh eggs every morning. There are also
several small farms near by that serve the
community with seasonal greens and vegetables.
Though most of our local farms are small
scale, they certainly contribute to the
desire of many locals to have fresh
sustainable food. Small gardens and
farms also ensure food security and
diversity while leaving a lighter environmental
footprint.
Of course it would be ideal if Carbondale
could support itself entirely with
our small farms, but it is just not possible
to meet the growing demand for
local sustainable agriculture with what is
available right in town. Keeping in
mind that “local” is defined as “within a
hundred mile radius,” we look to the
south, just 60 miles over McClure pass
is an abundance of sustainable agriculture,
from greens and apples to eggs
and raw milk, there really is a bounty
of local food.
The co-op has established relationships
with several local farms
to ensure availability of local,
organic sustainable food for our
members and the community.
Some of our suppliers include;
Crystal River Beef, Closer to
Heaven (eggs), TLC Farms,
Osage, North Fork Valley Fresh,
Rio Blanco partners, High Wire
Ranch, Borden Farms and Gates
of Heaven Honey. We will continue
to build relationships
throughout the valley to create a
strong distribution network for
our farmers and our community.
Crystal River Elementary Gets a Healthy Lunch
You might remember those hamburgers
from your schools hot lunch counter
or possibly that greasy pizza, but mostly I
remember it wasn’t any food I could really
recognize.
 Looking back it doesn’t seem like it
was the best option for kids to grow their
brains with, but who were we to question
the system.
Well, we may not have questioned that
greasy pizza, but there are some parents
here in Carbondale who are doing just
that. Amanda Brooke and David Teitler
are part of a group of parents working
hard to re-energize the schools hot lunch
program.
“We want to do something important to
promote health and nutrition in our
schools. By giving the kids a healthy option
we can lead by example”, says David
Teitler, one of the parent volunteers for
this project.
Taking their lead from schools in California,
they have pushed to have a salad
bar in the lunch room, three days a week.
When I went to CRES earlier this
year, I found four children crowding
the salad bar at once. There were
even a few teachers in line.
“They love it,” said one teacher,
her plate full of salad, “the only complaint
the kids have is that it is only
three days a week.”
There are challenges with the program,
like lack of government funding.
“There simply isn’t enough
money to implement a more comprehensive
program, but so far everyone
in the district and the school has been
very supportive.”
Currently, the salad bar consists of;
lettuce, spinach, carrots, cheese, broccoli,
pasta salad all the traditional fixings
of a simple salad bar.
It takes about six parent volunteers
to help with the salad bar during the
lunch hour. And though it is only
three days a week, it is a tremendous
accomplishment showing that kids
really do want a healthier option.
A farm to school program is already
in the works and the parent
volunteers are working hard to get
locally grown food into the salad
bar. The school has already discussed
gardens and fruit trees as a
way to help kids get involved, but
that is still a bit in the future.
Co-op on the Move?
There is much to be said for starting
small, the question is...do we want to
stay small?
As many of you know the Co-op has
been exploring the possibility of taking
up residence in the CES (old elementary
school) building, however, it is a
big task that requires thorough examination
from both the board and the
cooperative members.
Because this is a decision that does
need to be made in a timely manor,
let’s begin by considering the facts,
pros and cons of the move and what
the move would mean for our downtown
location.
Please consider these points carefully
as you the member will be asked to
vote on this issue as early as June, in
conjunction with board elections.
Main Street Location
1. Our current location is affordable
and is successfully sustaining itself.
2. Our current location lends itself to
community by the very nature of
its location and by the things that
surround it.
3. Our downtown location is amazing,
however we have no guarantee
of a long term lease.
4. Our current location is limited in
what we can carry and do for our
members.
CES Location
Pros
1. More space, 4000 square feet inclusive
of a commercial kitchen;
Which in addition to having a deli for
the co-op, could prepare meals for the
seniors (new senior center also exploring
CES space).
2. In building business and close to
schools
3. Greater space means greater volume
equals greater savings on
food costs.
4. Long term affordable lease.
Cons
1. Not downtown
2. Parking concerns and general ease
of accessibility from 133.
3. Cost, it would cost at least
$800,000 to “out fit” the new
space.
4. With such a young business it is
difficult to tell if the Co-op membership
could support a larger
store.
The CES project is really quite amazing.
Several partnerships are coming
together to create a non-profit center
where places like CCAH, KDNK and
the Senior Center may end up hanging
their hats.
The buildings rehab will include lots
of solar and comply to LEED standards.
Though it is at least two years in the
future, it is important that we explore
the best fit for the cooperative in the
long term and start planning for it
now. The CES space may or may not
be the right fit, but it is unlikely that
we can stay where we are long term.
Please consider this option for what it
is. If it is the right fit will be determined
on its own merits and on the
needs of the cooperative and the cooperative
community.
We will discuss this along with board
related issues at our next member
meeting at town Hall in June.
Meet your Board of Directors and Staff
A cooperative Board of Directors is an essential piece to a successful cooperative.
Directors have a hand in the overall wellness of a cooperative. A
cooperative community seeks directors that can exceed in several areas;
business, finance, community leadership and even law. The board is best
when it represents the diversity of our community.
Cooperative boards are elected by the members of the cooperative
they serve, however in the initial stages of a cooperative the board that
forms is usually out of necessity of who can commit to the long challenging
process of creating a cooperative. This first board is called the Formation
Board and usually serves until the cooperative has successfully organized
and recruited members.
Our board has determined the co-op would be best served by our
board remaining in place for 120 days beyond the opening date. At this
time, those directors who would like to stay may run for a directors position,
at the same time, other interested members will be encouraged to run.
We will begin nominations June 1st - 7th and hold a board election June
26th –31st at the store. For more information on how to run, nominate or
what it means to be a director, contact Jess at the store, 963-1375.
Meet your Formation Board
Board President, Jess Jacobson
Jess has been involved with the Carbondale
Food Cooperative for about a year when she joined Tessa Munson
and Wendy Anderson in helping to create the vision for the CCFC. Jessica
graduated with a degree in Classical Chinese Medicine from the Wellness
Institute with an emphasis in Nutritional and Emotional Healing. Through
her healing practice she has come to understand the importance of local,
sustainable agriculture and it’s benefits to our health and the health of our
planet.
When Jess is off duty, you will find her playing outside with her daughter
Emma Nepal, son Ben Nesta and husband papa bug.
Vice President, John Eisler
Mahatma Gandhi said it best, "You must be
the change you want to see in the world." These are the words John Eisler
strives to live by. John Eisler comes to us from Portland, Oregon. He
owns a small farm there where he is employing forest gardening & permaculture
techniques to create a long term food source for his Oregon
family. John's desire to help open the co-op came from the need to create
local and lasting food security for Carbondale. He has a start-up company
in Carbondale called Mountain Utility Electric Vehicles, or MUEV, which
aims to reduce the dependency on oil for transportation in the valley. John
has also accepted a summer position with the Canary Initiative where he
will be assisting residences, businesses & events receive the Z-Green certification
from the City of Aspen.
Board Secretary, JoAnna Eisler
JoAnna Eisler relocated to the Roaring
Fork Valley 15 months ago from Portland, Oregon when she accepted a
transfer with the company she had been employed with for the last five
years. Upon moving to Carbondale, the Eislers loved everything about our
community except for the access to local organic food they had become
accustomed to in Oregon. She and her husband John began searching for a
way to help bring quality local food to Carbondale when they met Wendy
& Tessa with the CCFC. JoAnna worked as a committed volunteer for the
co-op for three months before accepting a position on the board of directors. Prior to her time in Oregon, she worked in hospitality services at a number of
resort towns including Breckenridge, CO, Maui, HA and Park City, UT. JoAnna
studied liberal arts at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches after
growing up in South Texas. In February of this year JoAnna began work for the
Aspen Chamber Resort Association as the National Sales Manager for Aspen
Groups.
Chris Fabijanic
Chris is a Classical Five Element Acupuncturist at the Carbondale
Acupuncture Center and whenever possible he makes time or services available
to the many worthy valley non-profit organizations. As a long time resident of
the valley, Chris understands the need for a viable food solution for the area due to
the limited resources in the midvalley. He is equally excited about the opportunity
to build a stronger, tighter knit community through our community food cooperative.
As a Director of the CCFC board, he looks forward to deepening his connection
to this vibrant and aware community. His daughter, Jeze and wife, Laine
Weinstein are psyched to be a part of the CCFC family as well.
Officer
Trustee, Joanne Teeple
Joanne Teeple holds a degree from the University of
Colorado, in environmental Biology. She has attained Advanced Master Gardener
and Master Composter Status through the Colorado State University Extension
Office.
A valley resident since 1996, Joanne has been employed by Sopris Lighting since
1999. She stays out of trouble by taking the bus to work, recycling, maintaining a
community garden plot and serving on this board. Joanne quite enjoys real food.
Cooperative Start Up Staff
Kelly Tassinari, Co-Manager
Kelly is a long time local who came from Twin Oaks, an intentional community in
Virginia. She has a lot of experience cooperating with others and has done a wonderful
job helping us get our feet on the ground. Currently, Kelly focuses on
membership, working members, all produce and local vendors. You can find Kelly
at the store most evenings, except on Monday when you can find her at African
Dance.
Jess Jacobson, Co-Manager
Tessa Munson, Founder, part timer
Tessa is the reason the co-op is here, she is the idea and she has brought so many
people together on this project. She is a beautiful woman, mother of two and
community asset.
Summer Staff
Look for new faces in the co-op beginning in June. Both Jess and Kelly are getting
back to their roots. Kelly is heading home to Twin Oaks and Jess is getting back
to her healing practice. The board has brought Avtar in as the General Manger.
Avtar has run her own bakery in Glenwood Springs, a little place called the Wild
Rose and most recently managed at Vitamin Cottage. Currently Avtar is in India
attending a Buddhist retreat. Please welcome her as she adjusts to her new post.
Jose is our new Juice Master, a great asset to the co-op for both his bilingual skills
and his excellent juicing ability.
Please welcome the new staff and don’t forget to say goodbye to Kelly, she leaves
us May 23 for a two month adventure abroad before returning to Twin Oaks. |
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May/June Vol. 1, Issue V
In This Issue
News From the Coop
Greetings Cooperative members!
Wow, what a wonderful few months it
has been! Our new store is full of
excitement, fabulous food and friends.
It has been a wonderful experience to
witness all the reactions to the new
space. We have seen tears of joy, people
dancing and the most common
response, “wow!”
To this we can only respond with
great gratitude that you, cooperative
members have so much enthusiasm
and faith in the cooperative mission.
Perhaps one of my favorite experiences
in the coop
is when a member
comes in looking for something in
particular and they say, “do we
have…” sometimes we do and sometimes
we don’t, but it is the we that
feels so wonderful. Thanks to you all
who have shared your ideas with us,
we are continuing to grow and we are
excited to grow with all of you.
It is because of our member owners
that the coop
has flourished, but it is
also due to the hard work of a few
good folks, known to the majority of
you as the board. The board worked
tirelessly for months, week after week
researching everything from refrigeration
to member discounts. We sat in
many meetings discussing budgets,
inventory, memberships and beef. We
did all of this for the greater good of
the coop.
It has been so rewarding to
find that our every effort has translated
into this beautiful store front, now
with its own identity, where people
gather for food and conversation almost
always on accident.
To the board, thank you and to our
members, thank you, please share your
ideas and concerns so we can work
together to better the coop.
Not a member, but curious, stop by the
store at 559 Main Street for a brochure
and sign up sheet or talk with anyone
behind the counter about becoming a
member.
Our hours of Operation
97
MondayFriday
106
on Saturday.
Look for extend summer hours
starting in June.
Remember Member Appreciation
Day is every last Friday of the
month, Members get at register discounts!Call 9631375
Carbondale
Acupuncture Center
Acupuncturists
Dr. Dave Teitler and Chris Fabjianic
Massage Therapists
Pixie Byrne, Nancy Leas
Emotional Healing
Work with Jessica Jacobson
54 Weant Blvd. Carbondale
704-1310
Sopris Chiropractic
Dr. Scott Tesoro
20 North fourth St Carbondale
711 East Valley Road suite 202 A Basalt
970-927-9204
Many thanks to Mark Fisher and the staff at Restaurant Six89
who helped make our October Fundraiser a success!
If you see Mark, please thank him for his generous donation of all the food! All in all the Co-op took in
about $4,000! Thanks to all those who came out to support us, it was a lot of fun, great music, food and people.
If you missed it, don’t worry we will throw another great party next year!
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