CurrentsJuly 2020

the

local food keeps rollinginto yourco-op!Lance from R&R Cultivation brought us our first delivery of their locally-grown mushrooms today!

Lion's Mane, Oyster mushrooms and a fun mixed box sampler are all available in our produce department. Locally cultivated in Roseville, MN!

So far.....3896 Ownershave participated in our Rewards Program and have accumulated a total of

2,427,382 points and redeemed

1,172,000 points!

OUR ENDS STATEMENT:River Market Community Co-opcultivates a healthy communitythrough its:Equitable economic relationships;positive environmental impacts; andinclusive, socially responsible businesspractices.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSMay Bend – PresidentDavid Pappone – Vice PresidentTrista Boe - TreasurerDavid Mickelson - SecretaryKaren HulstrandJim Pennino

MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS:When: The Second Tuesday of each Month at6:30 pm, with an informal reception beginningat 6:00 pm.*Where: The Board of Directors will meet virtually via Zoom until further notice. If you would like to be a part of the Zoom meeting, please email the Board Admin, Marisa Hubin at marisa@rivermarket.coop, so she can add you to the meeting invite.

CONTACT:Interested in contacting someone on our Boardof Directors? Email board@rivermarket.coopand someone will get back to you soon.

GENERAL MANAGER:Sara Morrisongm@rivermarket.coop

Stay at home if you are sick. Have friends or family shop if you are at risk.

Shop alone, if possible.

Maintain social distance of 6’ apart.

We request that you wear a mask when you shop.

Use hand sanitizerbefore & after you shop.

Use our CURBSIDE SERVICE!

Wash your hands before & after you put your

groceries away.

Covid 19Grocery Shopping Tips

Sanitizing carts/baskets between every use

Regular sanitizing of registers/keypads

Regular sanitizing of bulk area

Complimentary gloves for guests

Protective barriers for check-out

Requiring sta� to stay home when sick

Encouraging frequent hand washing

What we are doing to:

6’ waiting areas at check-out

One-way aisles for shopping

Aisles being stocked are closed

keep our customers & sta� safe...

encouragesocial distancing...

As you may be aware, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), Local 1189, filed a petition in February to represent employees at River Market. After a delay due to public-health restriction related to COVID-19, employees in May were given an opportunity to participate in a mail-ballot election run by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to determine whether they wished to become unionized. A total of 37 employees were eligible to vote. Of the 19 employees who mailed in eligible ballots, 12 voted in favor of the UFCW union. Because the election is decided by the majority of the votes cast, all employees are now represented by the UFCW. The election has been certified by the NLRB, and we expect to begin the process of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the UFCW this summer.

Board Statement on Unionization

How do we encourage engagement in the Co-op? How do we help spread Co-op values by gaining new member/owners? These are the questions the Board asked in September when they restarted the growth and engagement committee and these are the questions the committee is brainstorming about.

Initially, when the committee started we participated in bagging groceries and getting feedback from members. We also did educational tabling regarding the intersection between the values of Land Stewardship Project (a nonprofit working on the ethical stewardship of farmland) and the Co-op. There was a planned blood pressure screening event in the works when the pandemic happened. In these times of social distancing, it feels even more important to stay engaged with both our values and our relationships. To that end the committee has been meeting by Zoom and thinking about engagement in the era of Covid 19.

One of the current ways members have engaged with the Co-op includes taking classes (currently by Zoom). There have been some great classes lately on cooking with different vegetables, gardening and spring cleaning. Another great avenue to staying connected is to follow River Market on Facebook. There is always great photography of what is going on at the store.

Currently there our seven members on the committee and we have a charter from the board to go up to 12 members. We would like a diverse group of member/owners that could bring different viewpoints to our group. We meet once a month usually the first Wed of the month from 4:00 -6:00 pm. Please e-mail the board@rivermarket.coop and direct it to the growth and engagement committee if you would be interested in joining us.

We want to hear from you. What are your ideas for engagement and growth of the Co-op? You don’t have to be on the board, or join a committee to send us your ideas and feedback. (Just e-mail us at the above address). You never know what ideas will transform into a great project. Let’s all brainstorm together and see what we can create.

Growth and Engagement Committee

know...know...Be in the know...

Fellow Member/Owners of River Market Community Co-op:

Our co-op community and our co-op grocery business are surviving the COVID 19 pandemic with gratefulness and optimism. The River Market staff, led by Sara Morrison, now our permanent general manager, continue good relationships with local vendors and innovate daily to provide healthful food to customers. Curbside delivery and carefully observed safety standards are working well for customer health. And behind the scenes, the community co-op’s volunteer Board of Directors is conscientiously guiding our enterprise to keep it a valuable asset in the Stillwater region.

River Market Community Co-op has clearly moved beyond the conflicts of last summer. The Board, composed of seven fairly new members, has been learning the ropes and working well together. The Growth and Engagement Committee appointed by the Board is encouraging member owners to be informed and involved to make our community larger and stronger.

Now the Board Development Committee is activated to prepare for the Board election this coming fall. We are seeking candidates to fill nine seats on the board plus two alternates (those ranking 10 and 11 for the most votes). All seven of the incumbent directors will be up for reelection.

Please consider running for election to the Co-op Board of Directors! As a member of the Board of Directors you would be an essential part of River Market Community Co-op. Board Directors learn about the cooperative philosophy and co-op management. Directors review reports concerning Co-op operations, seeing that the Co-op fulfills its goals to minimize environmental impact and adhere to standard business practices outlined in the co-op policies.

If you love River Market Community Co-op and want to keep it a strong community business into the future, the Board needs you! “There is no blueprint for a Board Member – your passion and enthusiasm for the River Market is a great start. A diverse background of skills and experiences certainly helps. Who would be a good Board Member? Look in the mirror!”

Please fill out an application to run for the River Market Community Co-op Board of Directors. The election will occur at the annual meeting in October. Voting will be on-line with paper ballots also available in the store.

Go to www.rivermarket.coop and select Board of Directors at the bottom of the page. Click on and review the Board Application Packet and then click on and fill out the Application Form.

Send the Application Form to board@rivermarket.coop with “Board of Directors Application” in the subject line.

Email me at jpennino@comcast.net if you have any questions about applying or serving on the Co-op board of directors.

Sincerely, Jim Pennino, Chair, Board Development CommitteeRiver Market Community Co-op

WE NEED you! you!

classesJuly/Aug classes

Become a Pest DetectiveMon, Jul 13 at 7:00-8:30 PMKnowing if you have a good bug and a bad bug, or a serious plant disease and a cosmetic one makes all the difference in a garden. This class will teach you how to be a detective in your backyard to prevent against, diagnose, and respond to problems affecting your plants using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) best practices.Instructor: Ramsey County Master GardenerCost: $5/free for co-op owners

Digital Garden Diagnostic ClinicThu, Jul 16 at 7:00-8:30 PMBring your yard and garden questions to this online event with Ramsey County Master Gar-deners. These U of M Extension volunteers can help you identify plants and insects, solve problems with pests or plant diseases, or provide garden advice using research-based best practices from the University of MN. Come prepared by reviewing the Problem ID Forms found on their website and taking pictures of the plant or problem in question.Instructor: Ramsey County Master GardenerCost: $5/free for co-op owners

The classes below will be offered via Zoom, a cloud based service which offers meetings and webinars so you won’t have to leave your house. A Zoom account is not required to attend a meeting. After registration, an email link to join this presentation through Zoom will be emailed to you as well as a handout that we will be using in the class.

Chef Maggie Presents – Healthy Summer SmoothiesSat, Jul 18 at 10:00-10:45 AMJoin River Market Co-op and Maggie Wescott, chef/recipe creator/writer at www.alternativedish.com for a virtual cooking class featuring healthy low sugar, nutrient rich smoothies. Smoothies that are high in fat, fiber, and low-carb fruits and vegetables can be convenient options for those trying to maintain a healthy weight and keeping energy high throughout the day. Adding healthy fats, like avocado, makes your smoothies extra rich and smooth. They can be enjoyed for breakfast or as snacks.Instructor: Maggie Wescott, chef/recipe creator/writer at www.alternativedish.comCost: $5/free for co-op owners

For more information or to register for these classes visit: www.rivermarket.coop/classes Please direct any questions to: education@rivermarket.coop

classes

Essential Oils Basics for SummerSat, Jul 25 at 11:00-11:30 AMThe summertime months are the perfect time to diffuse and blend with light, floral, and cooling essential oils. Oils from the mint, citrus and floral families are especially nice during summer. Join our Center Store Manager Hope Tipton as she demonstrates how to combine different oils to make Summertime Deodorant and After Sun Soothing Spray.Instructor: Hope Tipton, Center Store ManagerCost: $5/free for co-op owners

Perennial and Native Plant Foods in the LandscapeWed, Aug 5 at 7:00-8:30 PMThere is a world of perennial vegetables, herbs and fruits we in the US are just rediscovering. Places with similar climates such as Japan, China, and eastern Europe have a rich edible garden heritage that we can draw upon for our own edible and native landscapes. Join local landscape designer Pete Widin of Artisan Environments LLC for an exploration of these exciting plants and how to best use them in your own yard, garden and kitchen!Instructor: Pete Widin of Artisan Environments LLCCost: $5/free for co-op owners

July/Aug classes

Home CompostingThu, Jul 23 at 7:00-8:30 PMComposting not only reduces trash in landfills, but also improves your backyard at home. Learn the science behind and the benefits of home composting, including information on different composting methods, recommended compostable materials, and common uses of compost around the yard and garden.Instructor: Ramsey County Master GardenerCost: $5/free for co-op owners

How Are you doing? A Conversation for Self Care During Difficult TimesTue, Jul 21 at 7:00-8:00 PMThis Zoom class allows fellow Co-op Members to hear three 5 minute presentations about self care strategies around physical care, social care, and connection to nature. All are paths to boost immune systems and healthy coping during the Covid 19 Pandemic, and the social challenges of these times. As a Co-op community interested in healthy living, class members will then have time to share their own stories about what is keeping them healthy, and lifting their spirits, and what is challenging. Ironically self-care is best supported with other people In this class we will create space for listening and sharing your stories. Come join the Conversation exploring healthiness during these challenging times.Cost: FREEInstructor: Chris Brandt RN., MS., Forest Therapy Guide, Karen Hulstrand MD., &Ruth Alliband U of MN and Minnesota DNR Master Naturalist

For more information or to register for these classes visit: www.rivermarket.coop/classes Please direct any questions to: education@rivermarket.coop

July Board Meeting ChangeThe Board of Directors will meet next Tuesday, July 14th from 6:30-9:45pm via Zoom.

The Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, July 14th from 6:30-9:45pm via Zoom. If you would like to be a part of the Zoom meeting, please email the Board Admin, Marisa Hubin at marisa@rivermarket.coop, so she can add you to the meeting invite.

While we do our best to adjust to the new guidelines and suggestions from the CDC and WHO, we want to make sure we keep you updated as much as possible. In order to do this, we have launched a few new ways to bring you the things you depend on at your co-op!

Virtual Education Classes via Zoom.

Our classes will be offered via Zoom, a cloud based service which offers meetings and webinars so you won’t have to leave your house. A Zoom account is not required to attend a meeting. You can join the class using the Zoom mobile apps or desktop applications for Windows and Mac. After registration, an email link to join this presentation through Zoom will be emailed to you as well as a handout that we will be using in the class. First time Zoom attenders will have to download and install the Zoom app which is free, but takes a couple of minutes. Go to https://www.zoom.us or the app store on your phone.

Ask Us...Everything!We would love to hear your questions about River Market, food, gardens, cooperatives, cooking and anything else! We will tap into the minds of our knowledgeable staff to answer your questions in this space in the future. Email info@rivermarket.coop, and ask us everything!

In the meantime, we have a question for you!Our awnings outside the store need to be replaced! Do you as an owner have any advice? Suggestions? Resources or connections with awning expertise?Advise us!

Forward any information to Andre at info@rivermarket.coop.

Thank you!

Q: How long have you worked at River Market?A: 8 years

Q: What is your favorite product?A: Misty Fjord Salmon

Q: Favorite food?A: Blueberries

Q: Favorite thing to grow in the garden?A: Basil!

Q: Most recent book you read?A: Where the Crawdads Sing

Meet Your StaffIntroducing Barbara, the new manager of our Co-op To Go curbside service!

Serving YOU with a SMILE!YOU SMILE!

CO-OP to go to goNOW OFFERING

curbside service

Visit www.rivermarket.coop to place an order

Interested in our co-op to go? Connect with Barbara today at: Barbara@rivermarket.coop

Our July rounding up recipient is the Friends of the Stillwater Public Library. The Friends of the Stillwater Public Library is a 501(3)c non-profit organization formed by community members to value, support, and champion the public library.

Friends of the Stillwater Public Library was created by community members to support the Stillwater Public Library. Our mission is to value, support, and champion our library, encouraging lifelong learning. We treasure our public library as a source of ideas, commentary, inspiration, and amusement which is free and available to every resident.

Since it was formed in 1999, the Friends of the Stillwater Public Library, through their memberships and fundraising projects, have contributed over $80,000 toward library materials and programs.

Let’s Round up!for

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save!Days to save!

saveMake sure to check out our Ways to save in the store on your next visit!

fill it freshFriday

bulkbulkThursday

wellnesswellnessWednesday

fill it fresh

ownerownerappreciationday!

Save 10% on all Health & Beauty

every FIRST WEDNESDAY of the month.

Save 10% on all Bulk purchases every

THIRD THURSDAY of the month.

Save 10% on all FRESH Produce, Meat, Bakery &

Dairy every LAST FRIDAY of the month.

All Owners save 10% on one purchase during

Owner Appreciation Day.

The next quarterly event is happening in

SEPTEMBER, 2020.

inspiration