BETHLEHEM – October 12, 2015 – To help reach its first membership goal toward opening a locally owned grocery store in the city, the Bethlehem Food Co-op will host three fall events to encourage new members to join.
The Co-op is partnering with Apollo Grill, Seasons Olive Oil& Vinegar Taproom, and The Bayou to hold events in October, November and December. The events are free and open to the general public to attend.
- Apollo Grill – Thursday, October 22 – 5-7 p.m. The downtown Bethlehem restaurant will donate to the co-op $1 from each martini sold that night. A raffle will also be held to enter to win a chef’s table dinner for four people in the Apollo kitchen. All new members who join during the event will receive a sleeve of complimentary raffle tickets. Current co-op members will be able to purchase tickets for the raffle for $20/sleeve or $5/ticket.
- Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom – Sunday, November 1 – 1 –3 p.m. The store will offer a complimentary gift to the first 20 new members that join that day.
- The Bayou – Tuesday, December 8 – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Each new co-op member that joins during the event will receive a restaurant gift certificate.
Co-op membership is currently at 230 households, which brings it in sight of reaching its first goal of 300 member households. Once achieved the co-op can officially begin looking for a storefront location in the city.
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 need to divide up the equity payment. The faster the Co-op gains member-owners, the sooner the store can open to serve the community.
The Bethlehem Food Co-op also recently launched its first Member Benefits Program. Member-owners can present their membership cards at several local businesses to receive discounts and perks. Participating businesses include Jumbars, Apple Ridge Farm, Nuts About Ice Cream, Deja Brew, Warm Sugar Bakery and others. The co-op expects to add more businesses to the list by the end of the year. http://www.bethlehemfood.coop/member_benefits_program
At the co-op’s Annual Membership Meeting last week new board members Deb Fritz, national PTA volunteer trainer, and Emily Hoffert, co-owner of Jumbars, were elected to serve one-year terms each. The co-op board of directors also presented its first Splendid Sprout Award to Tracey Werner for her volunteer work co-chairing the Communications Committee.
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/.
Information Provided By:
Tracey Werner, Blabbermouth Communications
tracey@blabbermouthcommunications.com
