Troy Couple Donates Member/Investor Scholarships

A philanthropic-minded Troy couple has donated 10 scholarships for use by the Troy Community Food Co-op in widening the diversity of participants in the ownership of the Pioneer Market (TCFC). Letters seeking families who will actively participate in committees, vote on membership issues, and run for the board are being sent to Troy’s human service agencies for recommendations. Co-ops are unique in that they are a reflection of their communities and this is a generous recognition of that. Many thanks for this wonderful contribution!

Troy Food Co-op Receives Troy Redevelopment Foundation Grant

The Foundation’s five member organizations—Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, The Sage Colleges, Emma Willard School, Northeast Health, and Seton Health—comprise the largest non-profit organizations in Troy, employing thousands of area residents and blending the resources and expertise of community leaders in business, technology, academia, the arts, and medicine. The Foundation annually pledges a voluntary grant of $400,000, half of which is restricted specifically to the city’s general fund. The unrestricted half is used to support projects that encourage home ownership, business enterprise, community planning, technological advancement, capital improvements and marketing/development initiatives. TCFC was awarded a grant of $30,000 in recognition of its effort to develop a business that will spur economic growth in the City of Troy and provide a needed service. The grant will be used to partially offset expenses in lighting upgrades and marketing the co-op. On behalf of the member/investors, we extend our grateful thanks for the Troy Redevelopment Foundation’s support both in dollars and contributing to the quality of life in our area.

Community Foundation for the Capital Region Gives Day to Troy Food Co-op

The staff of CFCR chose the Troy Food Co-op as the recipient of a work day in November. They took on the task of sweeping and mopping floors and wiping down shelves to prepare for the Co-op’s first-ever participation in the Victorian Stroll. They have been gathering, growing and granting charitable funds to improve the quality of life in the Capital Region since 1968, and have granted over $24 million to benefit the community. The Co-op expresses its thanks for their cheerful contribution to advancing the Co-op and its mission to provide wholesome foods and affordable groceries in a cooperatively owned food market in the City of Troy.

December Report from the Board

TROY COMMUNITY FOOD CO-OP
Report from the Board
December 12, 2007


Present: Hohenberg, Metsch, Brand, Hueber, Muller, Stoyle, Grimm, Higbee, Kashgarian
Absent: none
Minutes: Accepted unanimously

Treasurer: Treasurer Antoinette Hueber reported that tote bags and web design were the big expenses in November. The treasurer’s report was accepted unanimously.

President: Wayne Metsch recommended that because this is an especially busy period for the co-op organization that the Executive Committee meet every Friday two weeks after board meetings. Elections for the board are coming up in early 2008. Wayne Metsch and Stephannie Stoyle will finish their first terms and both will run again, their next terms will be for three years. The next round will be for three years for all candidates. There are three vacancies, 3 year terms each. Every effort should be made to recruit coop members to run: expertise in accounting, legal, retail food experience, marketing, and development are needed. Secretary Mary Muller will reconvene the Governance Committee.

Membership: Mary Brand and Mary Muller reported that membership, as of Dec.12, stands at 450 members. The Membership Committee will propose charging $150 for a membership after the 500 charter investors have been recruited if it is approved at the general membership meeting at the end of January. We are seeking a date at the 5th Ave. Presbyterian Church in late January. The TCFC will donate $100 to cover heat. The Committee is discussing a policy on corporate memberships. It was moved and seconded that TCFC pursue corporate membership as an area of growth in 2008 and that a second committee be formed to address corporate underwriting. A member/investor family in the community has donated 10 memberships. The Membership Committee has identified 10 human services organizations to approach with these scholarships in order to make investors more fully reflective of the community the co-op will serve. Members should be encouraged to give memberships as gifts. It was recommended that the new Pioneer tote bags be available at $10 each to members and $15 to non-members.

Outreach Committee: Stephannie Stoyle offered congratulations on a very successful Stroll presence—members of the committee decorated a Mexican-themed tree for the Stroll. The Pioneer tote bags were introduced and 58 were sold! Five new member/investors were welcomed. Sonny and Perley played bossa nova for the more than 100 who came. Nine salsas were entered--congrats to Michael Kashgarian for winning the salsa contest. We must have cameras at events to document. Future parking concerns were expressed by those stopping by, and some have expressed disappointment that we didn’t open in the fall. TCFC will be at the Troy Farmers Market on December 29.

Human resources: Mary Brand reported that there have been no applicants for GM so far. The committee will renew the ad in three national publications and place on the Troy Food Coop website. New ads will be placed in local papers as well as Bennington and Brattleboro if there is no response. The committee will explore hiring a consultant on a temporary basis to help get the interior together.

Finance: Barbara Higbee reported that TCFC has a major commitment from Pioneer Bank. The balance of the funding will come from the Community Loan Fund and a consortium of 5-7 banks. In addition a Member Loan program will be introduced in January and grants from public and private agencies are being pursued. The Troy Redevelopment Foundation, composed of RPI, Sage Colleges, Seton Health Care and Northeast Health has granted $30,000 for use in electrical upgrades and marketing. An appraisal of the Pioneer Market is being prepared prior to turning over the building to the Co-op by Alane Hohenberg and will be used as collateral.

Building: The interior design plan has been received from PlanB, the consultant hired by the TCFC. Members of the Building Committee have already reviewed them, and the Board of Directors added their comments. They will be returned for very minor revisions. Otherwise, all were enthusiastic about the plan, which will emphasis produce and a take-out food operation against the back wall.

Next board meeting: Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Pioneer Market.

Salsa Competition Winners

The Victorian Stroll Salsa Tasting Competition results are in. Eight entries were submitted by coop members and local restaurants. Over 100 people voted, and the overwhelming winner was Michael Koshgarian with his orange and poblano chilies recipe. As promised, here is the recipe so you can try it at home:

28 oz can of Muir Glen (Organic) chopped tomatoes
2 roasted poblano peppers (chopped)
zest of 1 orange
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 garlic clove chopped fine (minced)
2 small cans chopped green chilies (usually 1 oz cans)
chopped fresh cilantro (usually 5 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons corn syrup
salt and pepper to taste

Prepare at least 4 hours ahead of time to let the flavors come together!

*serve with tortilla chips, with chopped avocado as a salad, or baked chicken.

Second place was Jessica Reichard with her orange and pomegranate salsa. Many people who sampled this unique salsa also wanted this recipe, so it is listed below:

1 large Pomegranate
2 large oranges, peeled and chopped (I also have used tangerines and Clementine)
1 Jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 large Tomato, peeled, seeded, diced
2 tablespoons Scallion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon Lime juice
1 teaspoon Fresh cilantro, minced
½ teaspoon, Ground cumin

Break the pomegranate apart to release the seeds. Discard membranes and skin. Drain seeds and pat dry on paper towels. Place in a medium bowl. Add the oranges, jalapeño, tomato, scallions, lime juice, coriander and cumin. Stir well. Cover and chill at least two hours.

Thanks to everyone who donated salsas to the contest, and everyone who voted!

Victorian Stroll Boosts Troy Food Co-op Memberships!

Over 100 people attended the Co-op’s first Victorian Stroll. Sonny and Perley, with Jason Ennis on guitar, played bossa nova during the afternoon and their rendition of Silent Night in Portuguese was unforgettable. Area chefs and gourmet cooks contributed salsas for tasting in unusual combinations including, apple and black bean, chiles poblanos with oranges, and pomegranate with orange. The activity table featured tissue paper flower making like the ones that trim the Co-op’s Mexican-themed tree. Hot chocolate with cinnamon and vanilla warmed cold hands. And, the Co-op premiered it’s new shopping bag. It was a hot seller and features the new Pioneer Market logo. The bag is made of recycled plastic bottles in an inky black.

The good news is that the Co-op welcomed five new member/investors to the fold. We are getting very close to the 500 in charter members—the Pioneers who believe in the cooperative business model and the value of community owned businesses to provide needed services.

Many thanks to the Community Outreach Committee and Membership Committee who worked to make the event so, well, eventful!