All posts by Gary Huber

2014 Annual Meeting

lisasblog

Greetings IFC members!

Our annual meeting hosted by Eric and Julie Underberg of Agricultured was held on Nov 9 – due to early winter weather we had a small but lively crowd (45) – we enjoyed great food and even better camaraderie.

You can click on the links below to see our presentations in detail – a very brief over view is bulleted below

  • 44% growth in sales for 2014
  • 202 new members
  • 30 new producers (selling milk, cheese, dried beans, maple syrup, lots more produce to name a few of our new products)
  • new staff to help manage distribution and quality of products
  • 30% growth planned into 2015 budget
  • possibilities for future – expand wholesale market, onsite sales, community outreach, classes for members ……

We thank our out going board members Carrie Williams, Alexander Grgurich, Dan Beougher (7 Pines Farm) , and Eli Kalke (Fieldstone Farm) for their dedication to IFC, We welcome new board members Shelene Billups, Dale Morris , Tony Thompson (New Family Farm) and Jessica Krupicka (Heritage Hill Farm ) and we look forward to working with them and all of you as IFC moves forward.

(Click through the slides below to view the annual meeting presentation and a presentation from the general manager)

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Download a PDF of the annual presentation here.

Download a PDF of the manager’s report here.

See our 2014 Audit by clicking here.

On a personal note – I am now able to buy almost everything I need by shopping the coop. Shopping the coop brings me great joy because I know my dollars are going to good hard working people that really care about their products – and everything tastes so good . Many thanks to my IFC family – producers, consumers, volunteers – it takes us all!!!

Lisa Bean

 

 

 

 

Holiday Local: Gifts + More

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

1,076 Different Products Listed; Shop “Small” (and from the comfort of your home) this Saturday!

 

Two more shopping cycles before the holidays–shop unique gifts and gift collections from your favorite local farmers and artisans. Following Thanksgiving and ‘Black Friday’ is ‘Small Business Saturday‘, a campaign to increase business for local vendors. Skip the Friday crowds and shop from home this Saturday!

Note: the online shopping cart is open and will close Sunday, Nov. 30th at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., Dec. 4th at our Des Moines area and Osceola sites and Friday Dec. 5th in Ames. If you can’t make those times, our alternative pick up is Saturday Dec. 6th from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Avenue location.

To shop go to https://iowafood.coop and log in. If you need help with your username or password, send an email to info@iowafood.coop.

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New items to add to your shopping list:

Salama Greenhouse, Inc. (from Boone) added Large and XL Red Poinsettias (find them in the Live Plants Subcategory of the Non-Food Category). These classic holiday plants are large, bushy with plenty of blooms. Includes pot cover and bow.

Iowa Choice Harvest, LLC (from Ames) now carries frozen bags of locally harvested aronia berries–perfect for smoothies.

Good Shepherd Grass Farms (from Monroe) is pleased to offer their new beef Italian sausage–with just enough spice for Italian pasta dishes and sandwiches. 

WW Homestead Dairy (from Waukon) added three gift box options: the Cheese Curd Sampler Box (featuring their cheese curds); the Cheddar Cheese Sampler Box (featuring several types of their cheddar cheese); and the Taste of WW Homestead Gift Box (featuring their cheddar cheese curds, cheddar cheeses, and salted butter).

Kiowa House of Herbs (from Searsboro) is now serving a multitude of muffins–from Banana Walnut to Double Cherry to Parsnip (!)–using Iowa-milled flour from Early Morning Harvest. Also check out their new chocolate herbal teas.

Broadhorn Farm (from Truro) has some exciting new items: quick cooking beef cubes and 7-bone chuck steak. They are also having a sale on short ribs this cycle.

Grimm Family Farm (from Williamsburg) listed red storage beets and red cabbage in addition to several potato varieties.

Elements of Rejuvenation (from Leon) introduced a new soy wax candle called ‘Campfire’ and will be at our Franklin space on the next two distributions to sell their products. Perfect last-minute gift!

Zaza’s Pasta (from North Liberty) added a Herbed Linguine and Whole Wheat Linguine to their inventory. Handmade pasta makes a superb gift!

Heritage Hill Farm (from Ames) has a new soap – Lavender Goat’s Milk – that features dried lavender grown on their farm. It comes packaged to give as a gift. They’ve also listed winter squash (and welcome to Jessica from Heritage Hill as a new producer board member!).

From Country View Yogurt (from Hawkeye): “We are partnering with another IFC producer – Harvest Moon Farms – to create a unique healthy treat: Aronia Blackberry Custard Greek Yogurt. Our trial run last cycle went well, so we’ve made more 3 lb tubs available AND we’ll include one 6 oz cup in each Greek Variety pack. We also have cases of 12-6 oz cups available in limited quantity. Give it a try this cycle!”

Audubon County Family Farms (from Audubon) has restocked their pork spare ribs and are including their recipe for preparing them in the oven. Another good holiday option!

Yoke S. Ranch (from Russell) added Corriente beef summer sausage–a must have for holiday cheese plates.

Griffieon Family Farm (from Ankeny) has lowered the price of their beef loin tenderloin by $1 and their country-style pork ribs by 75 cents.

Purrfect Muttchies (from Truro) added Banana Mini Muffins with homemade dehydrated banana chips and updated their Clever Pooch Pineapple Coconut Kisses. Treat your pets!

From Lee of Lee’s Greens (from Nevada): “We have our nice selection of greens (lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, baby red kale, baby green kale) as well as potatoes, radishes, turnips, and potted herbs.”

 

IFC Distribution Today (Tomorrow in Ames)!

This is being sent via email to everyone who ordered this cycle and has products to be picked up. Today is distribution at our Des Moines area sites and Osceola, and tomorrow is distribution in Ames. We have an alternative pick up time on Saturday from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Plaza site. If you need to pick up on Saturday and haven’t told us already, please let us know with a call to 515-450-6812.

Pick-up is Thursday

We had 224 members order 2,720 items this cycle. Total purchases were just under $18,000. Nice cycle. Also, we passed $1 million in total purchases since we launched six years ago. Double nice.

If you are getting this message as an email, you’ve ordered something. Pick-up will be on Thursday at our Des Moines-area sites and Osceola, and Friday in Ames. Specific times and locations are to the left. If you need to use the 10:30 to noon Saturday alternative pick up time, send an email to distribution@iowafood.coop.

Note: please check to be sure your pick-up site is correct. You can access your invoice by logging in, going to the shopping tab, and click “view in-process invoice”.

Below are some additional instructions.

Give Thanks for Local Food: IFC Online Cart Open!

1,237 Different Products Listed; The Thanksgiving Pledge!

This is THE last cycle before Thanksgiving, meaning your last chance to buy the finest IFC foods for your family feast! We’ve even made a handy shopping list you can view by clicking here.

***WEST DES MOINES SHOPPERS, WELCOME BACK!***

Our pick-up at Valley Church has resumed! If you are a West Des Moines customer, please remember to switch your pick-up location back to WDM!

Note: the online shopping cart is open and will close Sunday, Nov. 16th at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., Nov. 20th at our Des Moines area and Osceola sites and Friday Nov. 21st in Ames. If you can’t make those times, our alternative pick up is Saturday November 22nd from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Avenue location.

To shop go to https://iowafood.coop and log in. If you need help with your username or password, send an email to info@iowafood.coop.

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New items to add to your shopping list:

Get your turkey from these IFC producers: Hickory Hills Farm (from Bloomfield), Griffieon Family Farm (from Ankeny), Yoder’s Natural Farm (from Bloomfield), or Wild Rose Pastures (from Reasnor).

Des Moines Bacon Company (from Des Moines) listed three ham products (got to have ham!): Nitrate/Nitrite Free Applewood Smoked Holiday Spiral Ham, Uncured Applewoood Boneless Pit Ham, and Uncured Black Forest Boneless Pit Ham.

New Family Farm (from Elkhart) listed potatoes, onions, and various winter squash – all great for Thanksgiving meals.

From Becky with Threshing Floor (from Dallas Center): “I would like to encourage folks to try our dinner rolls with their Thanksgiving dinners. They freeze well. Also, we offer the Iowa whole wheat dinner roll with wheat grown by IFC producer Early Morning Harvest.”

From Bob with Country View Dairy (from Hawkeye): “I’m working with IFC producer Harvest Moon Farms on a new yogurt that uses their Aronia Concentrate. It’s Greek Aronia Berry Blackberry Custard. We made a small batch (16 three lb tubs). If it goes quick, we can always do batch at end of week.”

From Lee with Lee’s Green’s (from Nevada): “We have a nice selection of greens – lettuce, spinach, arugula, baby red and green kale, and Swiss chard – plus winter squash, radishes, sweet baby white turnips, sweet potatoes, red and white potatoes, and potted herbs.” Check out their assortment here.

7 Pines Farm (from Maxwell) added certified organic Hakurei Salad Turnips (enjoy in fresh salads or thinly sliced and sautéed with other vegetables), certified organic Lettuce/Spinach/Arugula Mix (a beautiful tasty blend of 6 different lettuces, spinach and arugula), and free-range Cornish-Cross broilers. Check out their products here.

Wilted Leaf Farm (from Des Moines) added spinach and some new carrot varieties.

From Jocelyn with Pickle Creek Herbal (from Brighton): “We have new items for the holidays. We have some nice 2″ certified organic hard-necked garlic heads for sale, and we are listing certified organic shallots. Christmas Thyme soap and lip balm are back, plus our herb jellies (including the ever-popular Lavender Jelly). We also listed (for the first time) certified organic dried basil, plus some new gift items (cute little gift bags containing various oils, vingars, soaps, bath salts, and lip balms).” Check out their assortment here.

Yoke S. Ranch (from Russell) put their sirloin roast on sale. A good turkey alternative!

Chris’ Custom Bakery (from Ankeny) has Thanksgiving shapes for their cut-out sugar cookies. Don’t forget to add a loaf of pumpkin or cranberry bread too!

Special K Ranch (from Chariton) listed a few new Texas Longhorn roasts and fillets in time for special holiday dinners.

From Amber with Good Shepard Grass Farms (from Monroe): We are offering a new product sale on our grass-fed beef breakfast
sausage this cycle for $7.95 (that’s $1.00 off the regular price!).”

Wagner Enterprises (from Dallas Center) listed a new kind of gluten-free bread along with their usual array of Iowa baked goods (from angel food cake to fruit pies).

Great River Maple (from Garnavillo) has some special gift items (it’s not too early to start shopping) including a gift basket and maple syrup in decorative maple leaf bottles.

Purrfect Muttchies (from Truro) added a new pet treat: Tasty BFF Peanut Butter and Jelly Bones.

 

Annual Meeting–Come one, come all!

 

You won't want to miss our annual meeting, especially the food! Come meet local food and folk. Saturday, November 15th!

You won’t want to miss our annual meeting, especially the food! Come meet local food and folk. Saturday, November 15th!

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Members! Please mark your calendars–our meeting is next Saturday, and verrrrry worth going to…Of course,  the meeting is interesting, but THE FOOD! Probably the best potluck you’ll ever attend. Local food tastes so good!

Click here to RSVP (Optional) and view more details at our Facebook event page

Click here to view the Google Map of the location

IFC Distribution Today (Tomorrow in Ames)!

This is being sent via email to everyone who ordered this cycle and has products to be picked up. Today is distribution at our Des Moines area sites (except West Des Moines) and Osceola, and tomorrow is distribution in Ames. We have an alternative pick up time on Saturday from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Plaza site. If you need to pick up on Saturday and haven’t told us already, please let us know with a call to 515-450-6812.

Pick-up is Thursday

We had 204 members order 2,405 items this cycle. Total purchases were just over $16,000. We are continuing to exceed our goals, so thank you very much for your orders. You are an amazing bunch.

If you are getting this message as an email, you’ve ordered something. Pick-up will be on Thursday at our Des Moines-area sites and Osceola, and Friday in Ames. Specific times and locations are to the left (except there is no West Des Moines pick-up option this cycle). If you need to use the 10:30 to noon Saturday alternative pick up time, send an email to distribution@iowafood.coop.

Note: please check to be sure your pick-up site is correct. You can access your invoice by logging in, going to the shopping tab, and click “view in-process invoice”.

Below are some additional instructions.

The Local Thanksgiving Pledge

tgivelist

We are inviting new members to shop for free and use our handy Thanksgiving shopping list to plan a natural and local feast using items from Iowa farmers and producers.

To join the challenge and to exchange your cash for fresh, local food, new buyers may use the online shopping service without paying the usual $50 first-time membership fee. Fill out the simple membership form and choose ‘Trial’ as membership type. Log on from November 11-16th and add items to your shopping cart; delivery will occur November 20th and items may be picked up and paid for at one of five Central Iowa locations–Des Moines (Franklin Ave.), Downtown, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, or Osceola. Payment can be made online via Dwolla or Paypal, check, or cash. EBT and credit cards can be processed at the Franklin location.
Here’s to local food and families!

Fall + Holiday Dinners + Iowa Gift Shopping

1,281 Different Products Listed; Taste of Fall continues!

Many excellent choices for your food shopping needs this cycle, including holiday gifts, milk, meats, eggs, yogurt (check out the sale below), and the freshest greens available anywhere!

***WEST DES MOINES SHOPPERS, PLEASE NOTE:

Valley Church can’t accommodate us again this cycle. Members who usually pick up there need to choose another location. Sorry. We’ll be back in our space there for the distribution that happens the Thursday before Thanksgiving. If it helps, our alternative pick-up is 10:30 am to noon on Saturday Nov. 8th at our Franklin Plaza site. If you decide to order and pick up on Saturday, let us know with an email to info@iowafood.coop.***

Note: the online shopping cart is open and will close Sunday, Nov. 2nd at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., Nov. 6th at our Des Moines area and Osceola sites and Friday Nov. 7th in Ames.

To shop go to https://iowafood.coop and log in. If you need help with your username or password, send an email to info@iowafood.coop.

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New items to add to your shopping list:


Red Barn Produce (from Dexter) has gourmet radishes for you radish lovers, including daikon, red, and red meat; these pair well with their assortment of fresh greens, from arugula to kale.

The Kiowa House of Herbs (from Searsboro) added some new soups (think warm as it gets cold) to go along with their wide variety of jam/jellies, breads, pies, and teas.

From Amber with Good Shepard Grass Farms (from Monroe): “We added “Beef Breakfast Sausage” for the first time.  It is free of nitrates/nitrates and preservatives.  It’s $8.95/lb. From our 100% grass fed cattle.”

Griffieon Farm (from Ankeny) added two new holiday-table-worthy roasts – Boneless Beef Rib Roast and Beef Standing Rib Roast (which LaVon says are “tasty high-end roasts”).

From Bob of Country View Dairy (from Hawkeye):  MEMBER SPECIAL: ALL GREEK YOGURT ON SALE THROUGH NOVEMBER, TIME TO STOCK UP!

From Julie of Zaza’s Pasta (from IA City): “Just added Butternut Squash & Sage Fettuccine, which is my all-time favorite pasta. Pumpkin Fettuccine is still available for a short while yet, too.”

Heritage Hill Farm (from Ames) added bags of mixed gourds perfect for your Fall tablescapes or decorating.

Raccoon Forks Farm (from Redfield) added arugula and onions and New Pioneer Farm (from Carlisle) added Braeburn, Fuji, and Red Delicious apples by the half bushel.

Yoke S. Ranch (from Russell) has a sale on Corriente stew meat at $5/lb–perfect timing for soup and stew season is here.

Chris’ Custom Bakery (from Ankeny) has Thanksgiving shapes for their cut-out sugar cookies; don’t forget to add a loaf of pumpkin or cranberry bread too!

Special K Ranch (from Chariton) listed a few new Texas Longhorn roasts and fillets in time for special holiday dinners.

Wilted Leaf Farm (from Des Moines) added red butterhead lettuce, green buttercrunch lettuce, and mustard greens to go with their other assortment of veggies including bunched carrots.

Wagner Enterprises (from Dallas Center) listed a new kind of gluten-free bread along with their usual array of Iowa baked goods (from angel food cake to fruit pies).

Great River Maple (from Garnavillo) has some special gift items (it’s not too early to start shopping) including a gift basket and maple syrup in decorative maple leaf bottles.

Broadhorn Farm (from near Truro) is back! Julie says, ‘After a good farmer’s market season, we are back and have (NEW) Tri-tip steak, Flanken style ribs and Petite Shoulder Tenders. We’re looking forward to working with you all again.’

Lee’s Green’s (from Nevada): “We’ve listed leaf lettuce mix, spinach, arugula, Swiss chard, baby green and red kale, mixed red and white potatoes, sweet potatoes, radishes, sweet baby white turnips, acorn squash, butternut squash, giant pink banana squash…….(the list goes on) – Check out their assortment here.

7 Pines Farm (from Maxwell) listed a wide array of Certified Organic produce including lettuce mixes, mesclun salad mix, spinach, and radishes.

Purrfect Muttchies (from Truro) continues to amaze with their pet treats; new flavors include: Moochin’ Mutt Macaroon, Rompin’ Rascal Pumpkin Rounds, and Scentsurrific Ginger Smackin’ Snaps.