Date: February 8th 2010

Dear Cooperators,

It's been a little while since I wrote an update to you all, and a lot has happened to me personally, and also to the ever-growing co-op.

First the co-op -- since beginning to accept memberships back in September, we've already gathered over 70 new member-owners! This is so exciting for everyone who is involved in this effort, to see such a strong show of support this early on. The faster we gather members, the faster we will have a store in our community for you all to shop at, so please encourage your friends and family to join us as well. We have a goal that by October we want to have at least 200 members signed up, and will be hosting a number of membership events this year, where you can come in person and sign up on the spot. Our next one is at our Public Meeting on Feb. 28th (see details below), so please come out -- even if you already have your membership, so you can help us convince others who have yet to sign up! The theme of the meeting is "Why Join Now?" which is a question I know I get a lot. Although to some it makes sense to wait until our doors open to become a member, unless we get a big number of members early on, we simply won't be able to build a store at all. We need the community to support us now -- your faith in our efforts is what will get us to opening day. Are you willing to take this risk with us? If you are ready to join today, you can download an application to mail in at www.kitsapfoodcoop.org/Membership.html

We're also doing a lot of planning in our "off season." Our Board will be attending a retreat this spring so we can continue to revive our spirits and renew our commitment to each other and to building the co-op. This effort takes a lot of extra unpaid volunteer hours during the week away from our families and in between the hours of our other jobs. But I know I speak for everyone on the Board by saying that we all enjoy the work we do immensely -- there is probably no other work quite as fulfilling as building a co-op for our community. We are also going to be attending a series of Webinars which you can read about below, which are a great way to learn about the best practices in starting up a food co-op. Others have tread the road we are currently on, so we intend to learn the best we can from them and open a store that will be a robust community center and thriving business for decades to come.

Finally for me personally -- the journey I've been on of finding out what it is to be a mom is a pretty rewarding one as well. Little 11-week-old Alastair continually reminds me why I'm working so hard toward this endeavor -- to create a better future for him, and for our entire family. Like parenting, it is work that (if we are successful at it) will continue to pay off long after I'm gone. What could be more rewarding than that?

Cooperatively,

Laura Moynihan,
Board President
Kitsap Community Food Co-op
laura@kitsapfoodcoop.org
(360) 813-1301
www.kitsapfoodcoop.org


Co-op Fundraisers, Events & Announcements:

Public Meeting for Members & Non-members
Sunday, Feb. 28., Meeting Chambers at the Norm Dicks Government Center, Bremerton
Doors open at 1:30 pm, program from 2:30-3:30 pm

Are you a member and wondering what is in store for the future of the co-op? Not a member, but are thinking you might like to be? Then please join us for our 5th Semi-annual Public Meeting. This meeting is a great way to meet other cooperators, listen to our a presentation about the progress of the co-op and talk to our Board of Directors to ask your questions face-to-face. We will also have a Silent Auction full of goodies for you to bid on to help us raise money. The theme of this meeting is "Why Join Now?" so if you've been wondering this very same question, we welcome you to come join us in this conversation.

Locally made appetizers and beverages provided. Come out and be a part of your community, your co-op!


The EASIEST way to help the Kitsap Community Food Co-op: Make a donation for our upcoming Silent Auction
Entries due Feb. 21

One of our best fund raisers for the co-op is the Silent Auction. We need items to auction off. Items should be worth $25 or more and should be something that can be carried away by hand. Please also consider asking your employer to donate an item, service or gift certificate. This is a great way to promote your business or gain new customers, while helping the co-op at the same time! (We regret that donations made to the co-op are not tax deductible.)

If you have a donation, contact Lenore Burke at: LenoreOne@mac.com.


Anyone have large Coffee carafes to lend?

We are in need of some large coffee carafes (two preferably, one for hot water) for our upcoming Public Meeting on Feb. 28. We're looking for the type that plug in to keep liquids warm, and especially would love one that makes the coffee. We will pick up, clean, and deliver back to you. If you have a carafe you are willing to lend, please contact Cynthia Mora at cynthia@rlf1916.com.


Our next FUNdraiser Event: Cosmo's in Port Orchard! www.cosmosdeli.com
Saturday, March 6, 2010, 11 am - 5 pm

Well, it's been a number of months since our last restaurant FUNdraiser, which are always huge successes. So we are excited for our next FUNdraiser coming up next month -- this time down in South Kitsap, at the wonderful Cosmo's!

Here's the idea: You come out and enjoy a great local meal at a restaurant, and we get to keep a percentage of the proceeds. What a delicious way to support the co-op! We've eaten at Cosmo's, and we can attest to the wonderful food that comes out of their kitchen. They have a beautiful building located right off of Lund and Bethel, with an easy-to-access parking lot right in the back. So come out for a late breakfast, lunch, or earlybird dinner -- remember to get there before 5 pm, so you can help us out. We'll be there to answer any questions about the co-op in person. Hope to see you there!


FREE Internet Workshops Announced: Starting a Food Co-op
Tuesdays, Feb. 16 - April 27, 1 hour each

CDS Consulting Co-op and Food Co-op 500 invite you to participate in a new series of six internet based seminars (also known as "webinars"). There is no fee for attendance, but you must register for each workshop to attend. Anyone is invited to attend these workshops, from member-owners of a startup wanting to know more behind-the-scenes details, to groups wanting to get started, to existing startup boards wanting to hone their skills and knowledge base along the way. Some topics may also be of interest to people working in existing food co-ops that are considering an expansion, relocation, or additional store. For registration links and for more information, go to http://www.cdsconsulting.coop/startup-webinar.