Ready to Grow!
Bjorn Bergman, Board of Directors
Spring is my favorite time of the year for so many reasons – warmer weather, planting seeds and starts in the garden, eating the first fresh local food of the season, and Earth Week – to name a few!
The great thing about the Viroqua Food Co+op is that it supports me in my love of spring in so many ways. I absolutely adore VFC's great selection of garden and flower seeds. Each springtime trip to the co-op we look through the offerings from our local Driftless Seed Supply and Seed Savers Exchange Seeds to discover new plants to grow. And in late April, the VFC greenhouse begins to fill with locally grown vegetable and herb starts ready to plant right in the garden or pots.
Spring also brings our annual owner drive. If you are already a VFC owner – thank you! If not, now is a great time to join. All you need to do is make a one-time equity payment of $75 to join a group of over 5,000 owners that are part of this amazing, democratic, cooperative business. Becoming a VFC owner isn’t like forking over your hard-earned dollars for the latest subscription-based service. It supports something real, something tangible that builds community in our region. It is a place where you can get good local food and see your neighbors and friends. Our cooperative business is mission-driven with a keen focus on providing local and organic foods to our community.
Plus, there are other benefits of ownership! Owners can save money on groceries every time they shop with Owner Extras. With your owner investment, you enjoy the pride (and savings) of co-op ownership and receieve a FREE VFC canvas tote bag or baseball hat and a coupon for $10 off your first shop as an owner. Plus, during our April Owner Drive the first 24 new ownerships get their VFC canvas tote stuffed with FREE groceries.
We invite you to celebrate Earth Week, April 20-24, with in-store activities throughout the week designed to help you learn or celebrate the many ways VFC can help you live a more planet-focused life - things like buying local and bringing reusable shopping bags when you shop.
Also, check out our feature on local cider/wine makers Las Mujeres Farm and Winery based in Readstown, Wisconsin. Tony and Elise make excellent natural ciders and wines that are alchemy and art made with fruit from their farm and their neighbors orchards. Pick up a bottle or two knowing that you are supporting a local farm and family.
See you this Spring at the VFC - I'll most likely be at the seed racks.