THREE BETHLEHEM FOOD CO-OP JANUARY EVENTS

TO INCLUDE PUBLIC MEETING, MEMBER MIXER

AT SOCIAL STILL, & NEW EDUCATIONAL SERIES ON FOOD

 

BETHLEHEM – January 7, 2016 – The Bethlehem Food Co-op has announced three January events for members and the public as it continues to build awareness and support for the community-owned grocery store it is planning to start in the Christmas City.

Bethlehem Food Co-op Public Meeting

Monday, January 11 – 7 – 9 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bethlehem

Attendees will hear presentations from a local coffee roaster, a local farmer, and a local buying club operator about how they would like to team up with the co-op for its grocery store. The first 10 households that join that night will receive a free Co-Op t-shirt. This event is free and open to the public to attend.

Light refreshments will be served and have been donated by Warm Sugar Bakery, Black Forest Deli, Jumbars, Lil Miss Organic, Sugar Babe Cupcakes, Back Door Bakeshop and Apple Ridge Farm. http://www.bethlehemfood.coop/public_gathering

---

 

As part of its mission to “offer unique educational opportunities to the entire community,” the Co-op is starting its first Educational Series called “Understanding Food Choice,” which kicks off this month with the first course in the monthly six-course series.

Understanding Food Choice

Saturday, January 16 – 10:30 am – 12:30 p.m.

Bethlehem Area Public Library

This series of six courses has been developed to give members and the community a place to talk about our food culture and to help them make educated food decisions. Attendees will learn to see through the noise of food fads, navigate their way through the politics of food science, and to make sense of the often-conflicting messages associated with how we feed ourselves.

While each class will be focused on group discussions, time will also be spent observing and critiquing various elements that impact our food lives like local and national food media, the local food system, and local food culture.

Co-op Board Member and Coordinator of the NCC East 40 Community Garden Kelly Allen, and Co-op Member and retired public health administrator Anne Walker will lead the first course. Co-op Members – $9 per person. Non-members – $10 per person. Attendees who register for the entire six-session series in advance will receive a discounted rate. http://www.bethlehemfood.coop/understanding_food_choice

---

 

Co-op Member Mixer

Thursday, January 21 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Social Still, Southside Bethlehem

A raffle for a South Side Bethlehem gift basket will be held with raffle tickets sold for $5 each or a sleeve for $20. The first five new co-op members to join that night will receive a $25 Social Still gift certificate and a sleeve of raffle tickets. Social Still owner Adam Flatt will give guided tours of the distillery at 6 pm. This event is free and open to co-op members and non-members alike.

http://www.bethlehemfood.coop/membership_event_the_social_still

---

 

The Bethlehem Food Co-Op is owned by the community members it serves, and will support local producers and sustainable, humane, and natural food systems. Member-owners make a one-time $300 equity payment and will receive many perks, such as an equal voice in Co-op operations, opportunities for hands-on involvement, discount days, and access to unique educational opportunities. Monthly payment plans are available to accommodate those who would like to divide up the equity payment. The Co-op currently has 256 member-owners. The faster the Co-op gains member-owners, the sooner the store can open to serve the community.

The Bethlehem Food Co-Op is a diverse community encouraging physical, social, and economic health by providing healthful, affordable food; emphasizing local, sustainable, humane, and natural food systems; and offering unique educational opportunities to the entire community. More information can be found at http://www.bethlehemfood.coop.