The Cooperative Development Fund of CDS (CDS) is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization with offices in Madison, Wisconsin and St. Paul, Minnesota. The mission of CDS is to support, build and strengthen organizations that contribute to cooperative and sustainable development.
You can now make charitable donations (tax-free!) to the Sierra Vista Natural Foods Cooperative through CDS. Click here for a donation form. While the form says "cooperatives in southern Arizona" as a donation option, please note that as your Sierra Vista Natural Foods Cooperative is the only cooperative in the area in the "pre-development" stage, any donations at this time would be solely for our benefit.
Since its founding in 1985, CDS has worked with many types of cooperative businesses including retail food stores, agriculture, senior housing, renewable energy, forestry and community development. As a tax exempt organization, charitable contributions to CDS are deductable to the fullest extent of the law. Donors may claim the donation on their federal and/or state income tax filings and may be eligible for a charitable deduction based on their income status and other factors.
For more information about CDS, visit http://www.cdsus.coop.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Market Project Nets $5000
By Laura Ory
Herald/Review
SIERRA VISTA — The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op has received $5,000 toward the opening of a new local market.
After receiving the most online votes for the Sun Crystals Natural Sweetener Food Co-op Endowment Program, the food co-op beat out four other finalists, cooperative markets in Oregon, North Carolina, Minnesota and Washington, for an additional $2,500. The Sierra Vista Market was one of two start-up co-op markets in the competition.
“It’s great. We’re excited to have won the grand prize,” said Lyle Ford, project manager.
Ford credited the co-op members and the community for the votes the Sierra Vista Market received.
The co-op has two plans for the endowment funds.
“One will be to hire a food cooperative business planning expert to help make sure were on track with the business plan we have,” Ford said.
They also plan to launch a new community health and wellness newsletter.
Herald/Review
SIERRA VISTA — The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op has received $5,000 toward the opening of a new local market.
After receiving the most online votes for the Sun Crystals Natural Sweetener Food Co-op Endowment Program, the food co-op beat out four other finalists, cooperative markets in Oregon, North Carolina, Minnesota and Washington, for an additional $2,500. The Sierra Vista Market was one of two start-up co-op markets in the competition.
“It’s great. We’re excited to have won the grand prize,” said Lyle Ford, project manager.
Ford credited the co-op members and the community for the votes the Sierra Vista Market received.
The co-op has two plans for the endowment funds.
“One will be to hire a food cooperative business planning expert to help make sure were on track with the business plan we have,” Ford said.
They also plan to launch a new community health and wellness newsletter.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-Op Named Grand Prize Winner In The SUN CRYSTALS™ Natural Sweetener Endowment Program
FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. (December 10, 2007) - Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op has one more reason to celebrate this holiday season. The co-op was just named the grand prize winner in the SUN CRYSTALS™ Natural Sweetener Food Co-op Endowment Program. As part of its mission to harness the power of the sun to sustain local communities, the SUN CRYSTALS™ Natural Sweetener Brand launched an endowment program earlier this year to benefit local food co-operatives (food co-ops). Co-ops had the opportunity to apply for endowments to improve their establishments, which serve as sources of quality natural and locally grown foods. From the applications received, the SUN CRYSTALS™ Brand selected five food co-ops as finalists and people across the country voted for the winner. Now, the votes have been tallied and the Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op has been selected the winner of the $5,000 grand prize.
"We are thrilled to have won the $5,000," said Donna Boe, membership chair of the Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op. "It's one more step toward our goal of opening a store, and we are thrilled that the SUN CRYSTALS™ Brand provided us this opportunity."
The co-op will utilize the funds to create a community newsletter on nutrition and wellness, as well as hire a co-op consultant to help update their budget.
Four other finalists will each receive endowments of $2,500. They are :
Brookings Natural Foods Co-op, Brookings, Ore. - for purchase of new refrigeration and freezer equipment that will help consolidate their resources and enhance the look of their store
Chatham Marketplace, Pittsboro, N.C. - to expand their café, which will help them continue to connect patrons with the foods local farmers produce and their kitchen prepares
Kandi Cupboard Food Co-op, Willmar, Minn. - for updating of computer equipment that will help the co-op run more smoothly and allow for the creation of a Web site and online ordering system
Vancouver Food Co-op, Vancouver, Wash. - to conduct a study to determine a suitable space for opening their storefront
Finalists were selected based on the following criteria: persuasiveness of statement of purpose, originality and creativity of proposed programming and value of project to the organization and its community.
"We are thrilled to have won the $5,000," said Donna Boe, membership chair of the Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op. "It's one more step toward our goal of opening a store, and we are thrilled that the SUN CRYSTALS™ Brand provided us this opportunity."
The co-op will utilize the funds to create a community newsletter on nutrition and wellness, as well as hire a co-op consultant to help update their budget.
Four other finalists will each receive endowments of $2,500. They are :
Brookings Natural Foods Co-op, Brookings, Ore. - for purchase of new refrigeration and freezer equipment that will help consolidate their resources and enhance the look of their store
Chatham Marketplace, Pittsboro, N.C. - to expand their café, which will help them continue to connect patrons with the foods local farmers produce and their kitchen prepares
Kandi Cupboard Food Co-op, Willmar, Minn. - for updating of computer equipment that will help the co-op run more smoothly and allow for the creation of a Web site and online ordering system
Vancouver Food Co-op, Vancouver, Wash. - to conduct a study to determine a suitable space for opening their storefront
Finalists were selected based on the following criteria: persuasiveness of statement of purpose, originality and creativity of proposed programming and value of project to the organization and its community.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Co-op Booth At SV Farmers Market On Thursday
Come on down to the farmers market in Sierra Vista on Thursday, December 6th, from noon to 4 PM and stop by our Sierra Vista Market booth.
We have friendly volunteers who staff the booth at the farmers market every first Thursday of the month during the winter.
Learn more about the natural food co-op store we will be opening soon and how you can help bring healthy natural and organic foods to Sierra Vista.
We are all about reducing our impact on the environment, supporting local producers, and helping the community work together to improve everyone's health!
See you at the farmers market in Sierra Vista on Thursday!
For more info about the co-op, visit http://www.sierravistamarket.com/.
We have friendly volunteers who staff the booth at the farmers market every first Thursday of the month during the winter.
Learn more about the natural food co-op store we will be opening soon and how you can help bring healthy natural and organic foods to Sierra Vista.
We are all about reducing our impact on the environment, supporting local producers, and helping the community work together to improve everyone's health!
See you at the farmers market in Sierra Vista on Thursday!
For more info about the co-op, visit http://www.sierravistamarket.com/.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
SV market effort seeking help to win grant
SV market effort seeking help to win grant
By Laura OryHerald/Review
SIERRA VISTA — The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op has the chance to win some sweet cash from a new sweetener producer, with the help of local community members.
The market is competing with four other food cooperatives across the nation for the most online votes for a $2,500 prize from Nature’s Family Sun Crystals, a new low-calorie sweetener, said spokeswoman Amanda Hirschhorn.
“Being a natural product producer, we recognize the importance of food co-ops in providing quality, natural, organic products,” Hirschhorn said.
The Sun Crystals Food Co-op Endowment program was created since many food co-ops have good ideas for promoting natural foods, but they don’t always have the resources to get their ideas off the ground, she said.
The Sierra Vista Market has proposed to create a community newsletter on health, wellness, and nutrition and hire a co-op consultant with the funds, said project manager Lyle Ford.
As one of the endowment finalists, the Sierra Vista market will receive $2,500 with the chance to win an additional $2,500 if it receives the most votes on the Sun Crystals Web site — www.suncrystals.com.
“We were pretty excited to get it, and anything we can get to help us open the store is very beneficial,” said Donna Boe, membership chair. “The $2,500 would help and $5,000 would help more.”
The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op is raising funds, seeking members and hoping to open a natural foods market in Sierra Vista by 2009, Boe said.
The food co-op has about 289 members and 360 member-shares sold and is aiming for 500 members and 700 member-shares to open the market. Members are joining from Tombstone, Whetstone and other surrounding areas, Boe said.
“People keep telling me they come to Sierra Vista to shop, and they are interested in a market like this,” Boe said.
In additional to a focus on healthy foods, the group also hopes to offer locally produced products.
The endowment finalists and their plans are:
• Vancouver Food Co-op for a market feasibility study.
• Chatham Marketplace for a cafe expansion.
• The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op for a business plan consultant and community newsletter.
• Brookings Natural Foods Co-op for new refrigeration equipment.
• Kandi Cupboard Food Co-op for computer equipment and online ordering system.
HERALD/REVIEW reporter Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683.
Where to vote
Votes can be cast by Friday at www.suncrystals.com by following the link to the Food Co-op Endowment Program. Votes are limited to one per day.
By Laura OryHerald/Review
SIERRA VISTA — The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op has the chance to win some sweet cash from a new sweetener producer, with the help of local community members.
The market is competing with four other food cooperatives across the nation for the most online votes for a $2,500 prize from Nature’s Family Sun Crystals, a new low-calorie sweetener, said spokeswoman Amanda Hirschhorn.
“Being a natural product producer, we recognize the importance of food co-ops in providing quality, natural, organic products,” Hirschhorn said.
The Sun Crystals Food Co-op Endowment program was created since many food co-ops have good ideas for promoting natural foods, but they don’t always have the resources to get their ideas off the ground, she said.
The Sierra Vista Market has proposed to create a community newsletter on health, wellness, and nutrition and hire a co-op consultant with the funds, said project manager Lyle Ford.
As one of the endowment finalists, the Sierra Vista market will receive $2,500 with the chance to win an additional $2,500 if it receives the most votes on the Sun Crystals Web site — www.suncrystals.com.
“We were pretty excited to get it, and anything we can get to help us open the store is very beneficial,” said Donna Boe, membership chair. “The $2,500 would help and $5,000 would help more.”
The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op is raising funds, seeking members and hoping to open a natural foods market in Sierra Vista by 2009, Boe said.
The food co-op has about 289 members and 360 member-shares sold and is aiming for 500 members and 700 member-shares to open the market. Members are joining from Tombstone, Whetstone and other surrounding areas, Boe said.
“People keep telling me they come to Sierra Vista to shop, and they are interested in a market like this,” Boe said.
In additional to a focus on healthy foods, the group also hopes to offer locally produced products.
The endowment finalists and their plans are:
• Vancouver Food Co-op for a market feasibility study.
• Chatham Marketplace for a cafe expansion.
• The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op for a business plan consultant and community newsletter.
• Brookings Natural Foods Co-op for new refrigeration equipment.
• Kandi Cupboard Food Co-op for computer equipment and online ordering system.
HERALD/REVIEW reporter Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683.
Where to vote
Votes can be cast by Friday at www.suncrystals.com by following the link to the Food Co-op Endowment Program. Votes are limited to one per day.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Food Co-op Board Training Success
From left to right: Patricia and Kevin Peterson, Helen Patterson, Marshall Kovitz, Steve Fletcher, Donna Boe. Photo by Lyle Ford
by Lyle Ford
Marshall Kovitz came to Sierra Vista from Albuquerque, New Mexico for the weekend. The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Cooperative invited Marshall to conduct board training all day on Saturday in Sierra Vista. Marshall is a long-time board member of the La Montanita Food Co-op in New Mexico and a professional mediator who works as a consultant for food co-ops through Cooperative Development Services.
Friday evening the board members treated Marshall to dinner at The Outside Inn.
Saturday's training topics included policy governance, efficient board meetings, and hiring a general manager. The board members and project manager, Lyle Ford, attended the training. At lunchtime we walked to Vinny's for vegetarian pizza.
Sunday morning, several of the board members and the project manager met Marshall for an energizing hike in The Nature Conservancy's Ramsey Canyon Preserve. The fall foliage was in full color. After the hike, we held an informal meeting at the preserve visitor center and ate a variety of vegetarian fare.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Please Vote For Our Co-op! :)
Please Vote For Our Co-op!
Halfway through November and we are so encouraged by your support of the Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op!
The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op is a finalist in the Sun Crystals Natural Sweetener food co-op endowment program.
The grand prize winner will be determined by online voting and will win an additional $2500.
Please go to www.sierravistamarket.com and cast your vote for our co-op.
There is $2500 on the line that we could sure use to help us open our store and bring the first natural/organic food store to Sierra Vista.
Remember, you can vote once per day until the end of November, so please do so....if you vote every day this month, there is a great chance we will win.
Please forward this message on to your friends and family so they can help support this worthy cause.
We appreciate your support!
Thank you,
Lyle Ford
Project Manager
Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op
www.sierravistamarket.com
GO CO-OP!
Halfway through November and we are so encouraged by your support of the Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op!
The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op is a finalist in the Sun Crystals Natural Sweetener food co-op endowment program.
The grand prize winner will be determined by online voting and will win an additional $2500.
Please go to www.sierravistamarket.com and cast your vote for our co-op.
There is $2500 on the line that we could sure use to help us open our store and bring the first natural/organic food store to Sierra Vista.
Remember, you can vote once per day until the end of November, so please do so....if you vote every day this month, there is a great chance we will win.
Please forward this message on to your friends and family so they can help support this worthy cause.
We appreciate your support!
Thank you,
Lyle Ford
Project Manager
Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op
www.sierravistamarket.com
GO CO-OP!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Dropping (Fatty) Acid
Organic food healthier than non-organic, research finds Who woulda thunk: Organic food is healthier than pesticide-ridden food, according to preliminary results of a four-year study funded by the European Union. Researchers found that organic nosh contained more antioxidants (yum!) and fewer fatty acids (ew!) than non-organic. Organic milk was found to have up to 80 percent more antioxidants than conventional cow juice, as well as higher amounts of vitamin E. Organic wheat, tomatoes, cabbage, onions, and lettuce had up to 40 percent more antioxidants than their conventional counterparts, and potatoes, kiwi fruit, and carrots were found to have higher levels of vitamin C. The study -- the largest of its kind to date -- is ongoing, and final results are expected to be published over the next year; the research has yet to be peer-reviewed. Advocates hope the research will sway Britain's Food Standards Agency to change its current advisory that "the balance of current scientific evidence does not support" the contention that organic food is more nutritious than conventional.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Please Vote For Our Co-op!
Greetings and salutations!
The food co-op for which I'm the project manager, Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op, is a finalist in the Sun Crystals Natural Sweetener food co-op endowment program.
The grand prize winner will be determined by online voting and will win an additional $2500.
Please vote for Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op by clicking here and following the directions.
There is $2500 on the line that we could sure use to help us open our store and bring the first natural/organic food store to Sierra Vista.
Remember, you can vote once per day until the end of November, so please do so....if you vote every day this month, there is a great chance we will win.
Please forward this message on to anyone else who you know would like to support this worthy cause.
We appreciate your support!
Thank you,
Lyle Ford
Project Manager
Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op
www.sierravistamarket.com
GO CO-OP!
The food co-op for which I'm the project manager, Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op, is a finalist in the Sun Crystals Natural Sweetener food co-op endowment program.
The grand prize winner will be determined by online voting and will win an additional $2500.
Please vote for Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op by clicking here and following the directions.
There is $2500 on the line that we could sure use to help us open our store and bring the first natural/organic food store to Sierra Vista.
Remember, you can vote once per day until the end of November, so please do so....if you vote every day this month, there is a great chance we will win.
Please forward this message on to anyone else who you know would like to support this worthy cause.
We appreciate your support!
Thank you,
Lyle Ford
Project Manager
Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op
www.sierravistamarket.com
GO CO-OP!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Cheers To Our Gourmet Wine Dinner Fundraiser Sponsors!
Cars fill the Adobe parking lot at the Sierra Vista Natural Foods Cooperative gourmet wine dinner fundraiser. Photo by Lyle Ford.
The Sierra Vista Natural Foods Co-op board of directors would like to thank the Adobe Southwestern Cuisine and chef, Donnie Libasci, for the wonderful fundraising wine dinner held on October 29th.
We also want to thank the co-sponsors of the dinner:
Apple ($250 or more): Sulphur Springs Valley Elective Cooperative, Dr. William Elliot, and David & Helen Patterson.
Pear ($100 or more): Dr. Jody Jenkins, Jim Landwehr—Gateway Studio Suites, and Summit Fitness.
Pumpkin ($50 or more): S&S Tours, Sierra Vista Area Gardeners Club, and We Frame It.
The donors for the very special raffle held at the dinner were Adobe Southwestern Cuisine ($100 gift certificate), Roberts Chiropractic ($100 certificate), Patricia Peterson, The Art of Massage Healing Therapy (chair massage), Elizabeth Balke (spa basket), Lynda Young, Alternative Health & Hypnosis (hypnotherapy certificate), We Frame It (framed Chili poster), and Betty Eldon (wine and cheese picnic basket).
Thanks to Amanda Baillie for organizing the dinner and publicity.
Thanks to the local growers and suppliers that provided ingredients for the dinner, and whose products can be found at the Sierra Vista Farmers’ Market every Thursday: Beatty’s Orchard, Miller Canyon, Sierra Vista, Gray’s Garden of Eat’n, Palominas, and San Ysidro Farm/Josh’s Pastured Whole Chicken.
Thanks to Coronado Vineyards, in Willcox, and Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery, Sonoita, for providing the wine for the dinner.
Thanks to Valerie McCaffrey and the vendors at the Sierra Vista and Bisbee Farmers Market for their support and donations for the baskets of items which were raffled at the end of October, National Co-op Month.
Thanks to Randy Bourn, Arizona Imaging Solutions, for copying membership forms and flyers for us.
We really appreciate the community support for opening a natural foods co-op in Sierra Vista.
We also want to thank the co-sponsors of the dinner:
Apple ($250 or more): Sulphur Springs Valley Elective Cooperative, Dr. William Elliot, and David & Helen Patterson.
Pear ($100 or more): Dr. Jody Jenkins, Jim Landwehr—Gateway Studio Suites, and Summit Fitness.
Pumpkin ($50 or more): S&S Tours, Sierra Vista Area Gardeners Club, and We Frame It.
The donors for the very special raffle held at the dinner were Adobe Southwestern Cuisine ($100 gift certificate), Roberts Chiropractic ($100 certificate), Patricia Peterson, The Art of Massage Healing Therapy (chair massage), Elizabeth Balke (spa basket), Lynda Young, Alternative Health & Hypnosis (hypnotherapy certificate), We Frame It (framed Chili poster), and Betty Eldon (wine and cheese picnic basket).
Thanks to Amanda Baillie for organizing the dinner and publicity.
Thanks to the local growers and suppliers that provided ingredients for the dinner, and whose products can be found at the Sierra Vista Farmers’ Market every Thursday: Beatty’s Orchard, Miller Canyon, Sierra Vista, Gray’s Garden of Eat’n, Palominas, and San Ysidro Farm/Josh’s Pastured Whole Chicken.
Thanks to Coronado Vineyards, in Willcox, and Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery, Sonoita, for providing the wine for the dinner.
Thanks to Valerie McCaffrey and the vendors at the Sierra Vista and Bisbee Farmers Market for their support and donations for the baskets of items which were raffled at the end of October, National Co-op Month.
Thanks to Randy Bourn, Arizona Imaging Solutions, for copying membership forms and flyers for us.
We really appreciate the community support for opening a natural foods co-op in Sierra Vista.
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