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March 2019

It's go time.
The Co-op gained 24 new member-owners in February, bringing us to 973 members to end the month. We want to reach the 1,000-member mark in March! Tell your friends, family and others in your network to help us maintain momentum while we start to take some very concrete steps toward opening a locally owned, sustainable grocery store

A great way to learn about what we've been up to, and what lies ahead, is to make plans to attend our March 10 event, "Past, Present & Exciting Future," from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 1201 Caroline St., in Downtown Fredericksburg. Bring a friend and learn how you can help us move forward!

Our plan is in action!

On the "Grow, Fund, Build" path that has a proven track record for successful co-ops, we've done a great job on the "Grow" phase, and we fully intend to keep that momentum going as we move into the "Fund" phase. 

We aim to keep growing at about a member a day while we make careful business decisions and execute on: 

  1. Finding the best location
  2. Raising funds through member loans and other sources
  3. Hiring a General Manager.

We will launch our member-loan campaign in April of 2019. Co-op members only will have an opportunity to earn interest up to 6% while investing in their own community! We will be seeking member loans for about half of the $3.6 million in capital we’ll need to raise before we open our store. Read our blog post for some background on why we seek member loans, and why experts call them a "win-win" for both co-ops and their members. 

**We have formed a member loan committee. The committee meets every other Saturday. We welcome additional members who might want to participate. If you are interested in checking out this volunteer opportunity, let us know. E-mail us to learn more.

Read the blog post

Member Spotlight: Faye Krause

"This is your opportunity to be a part of something that will positively impact this community for many years to come. If you care about the origin, quality, and sustainability of the foods you and your family eat, this is your chance to let your voice be heard."

Read this month's Member Spotlight to learn more about Faye Krause, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who volunteers for the Fredericksburg Food Cooperative.  Click below to get to know her better! 

Faye is organizing one of our exciting March events, celebrating National Nutrition Month March 12 with a chance to learn how area dietitians use food as medicine. Check it out in our events calendar below.

Read the member spotlight

Register now for our 5k race! 

Our "Go Far, Go Together" 5k run/walk will take place on April 20, 2019, on the beautiful Rappahannock River Heritage Trail in Downtown Fredericksburg. Click below to register. With your registration, you'll get a beautiful shirt designed by local artist Pete Morelewicz. Look good and feel good! See you on the trail!

**Early-bird registration has been extended to March 8! Register now!**
Register for the 5k
Sponsorship opportunities

We are seeking sponsors for our 5k walk/run. We have multiple sponsorship levels, all of which will receive recognition on our race T-shirt. 

Mark your calendars.

All are welcome at Fredericksburg Food Co-op events!

First Friday - Fri., March 1, 6-8:30 p.m. - Artful Dimensions, 922 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA, 22401 -  Celebrate great three-dimensional art on First Friday at this unique and beautiful gallery. Visit our co-op table with free tasty treats and good conversation.

Dr. Yum Project Casino Night - Fri., March 1, 7 - 11 p.m. - Old Silk Mill, 1707 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg, 22401 - We’re proud to be a sponsor of this important fundraiser for the Dr. Yum Project, which does so much to enhance “an understanding of the connection between food and overall health” and provides “tools to live a healthy life.”  

Co-op Happy Hour - Wed., March 6, 6-8 p.m. - Adventure Brewing, 33 Perchwood Drive #101, Fredericksburg, VA, 22405. Bring a Friend. Relax with us. Enjoy some Cooperative Happiness. Get recognized for your special homemade salsa or just enjoy the salsa made by co-op members and others.
 
Co-op Board Meeting - Sat., March 9 & 23, 3-5 p.m. -  All are welcome to attend our board meetings. These are a good opportunity for you to learn about our process and to have input. If you plan to stop by please email us at fxbgfoodcoop@gmail.com.

Our Co-op's Past, Present & Exciting Future - Sun., March 10, 2-3:30 p.m. - Central Rappahannock Regional Library Fredericksburg Branch, 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 - 2019 is an EXCITING year for our co-op. Join us for this lively reflection of past and present and learn how YOU can help create our future.

Food as Medicine: Celebrating National Nutrition Month - Tue., March 12, 7-8:30 p.m. - Stafford Hospital, 101 Hospital Blvd., Stafford, VA, 22554 - Fabulous Fay Krause, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, will introduce us to amazingly talented local Registered Dietitians.  Learn how dietitians use food as medicine. What better way to enjoy National Nutrition month!

Wild and Scenic Film Festival- Sat., March 23, 6-9 p.m.Chandler Auditorium, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401 - We are delighted to have a co-op table at this inspiring film event that is a benefit for the very special organization, Friends of the Rappahannock. Tickets at riverfriends.org/events.
 
Plant-Based Cooking: Fast, Fresh, Low-Fat Meals - Wed., March 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m.St. George’s Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401. Wonderful Co-op Member Clarice Barker shares her secrets of incorporating fresh vegetables into delicious daily diets without the use of oil! Vegan potluck follows cooking class. Bring a vegan dish or consider making a donation to The Table, St. George’s Food Pantry. 

The Dr. Yum Project: Creating a Culture of Wellness through Cooking - Sun. March 31, 2-3:30 p.m.- Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Fredericksburg Branch, 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401. Local pediatrician and Dr. Yum Project founder Nimali Fernando MD, MPH will lead an interactive discussion on making cooking fun with taste-tested recipes, free e-tools, and hands-on classes. Learn to make tastier, easier, budget-friendly food with the Dr. Yum Project. 
 
Represent the Fredericksburg Food Co-op wherever you go! We've got apparel for sale, great for yourself or as a gift. Click the photo above to order!
It's getting colder out there, so we've added a cozy zippered hoodie to our apparel lineup. Click here to place your order. It's another great gift idea for the foodies in your life!
Join today!
Copyright © 2019 Fredericksburg Food Co-op, All rights reserved.


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