Update: What has been happening?

Collaboration with Dorchester Bay EDC to build a new building for the food co-op on Bowdoin St.
Plans are underway to partner with the DBEDC: they will build a new building at the corner of Bowdoin and Topliff Sts, and the co-op will be the anchor tenant with a 5000 sq ft retail  market. We are planning to fill out the remaining first floor retail space with a cafe and a small bank or credit union branch. There will be office space on a second floor for community organizations that complement the co-op work, and we are planning for a demonstration green roof and greenhouse. This is an amazing opportunity to design a new urban co-op from scratch. The DBEDC is committed to building a green and sustainable building that meets the community needs and reflects the rich diversity of Dorchester. We will be involved in the design planning every step of the way. We need YOU to participate in the planning! Come to our member meeting on May 29 or send an email to silverman.jen@gmail.com

Fundraising
We exceeded our  Vision Fund goal and raised $26,500 from individuals and the Boston Impact Initiative between February and April! Together with a grant from the Kendall Foundation, we have a good start for funding our organizational development. The Vision Fund will be ongoing to support our programs, and we are hoping to raise enough to support another season of Fresh Fridays. If you have not yet made a donation, it is not too late! Click HERE to support the Coop Vision Fund. We are also beginning the capital campaign to raise  the $2 million we need to build out our space in the new building, buy equipment and inventory, and start staffing up to open the store. We will be putting together a combination of grants and loans. We will also be launching a member loan program as part of our financing big picture. More details on the member loan opportunity will come during the summer.

Membership
We have 251 member households of the Dorchester Community Food Co-op! We would like to add 49 more households to reach 300 members by July 1. Household equity shares can be purchased online and cost $100 (this can be paid in full or in installments!). The equity we raise through our members will provide some of the capital we need to open the store. Membership now is important to demonstrate our community’s engagement in this project—particularly as we reach out to large foundations to raise the $2 million we need! If you haven’t joined yet–this would be an excellent time to make a commitment to a new community and worker owned healthy food store in Dorchester. Click HERE for more information on how to join the Co-op

For the third year in a row, the Dorchester Community Food Co-op will march in the Dorchester Day Parade on June 2! This is a wonderful way to get the word out about the emerging food co-op to thousands of Dorchester residents. This year we will join with a contingent from the six summer Dorchester Farmers’ Markets. Come join us so that we can have a large group demonstrating that we want to expand the healthy food options in our community. We will have vegetable costumes for a lucky few! Bring signs, and march the whole route or just a portion! Great for kids and the young at heart. Information about start time and line up location will follow. For more information, contact Lynn Murray (klynnmurray@gmail.com).

Volunteers Needed
The Dorchester Community Food Coop needs volunteers for outreach, planning and preparing for events.  We are starting a door knocking initiative in the immediate vicinity of the planned co-op site.  Would you like to host a small house party to let your neighbors know about the new co-op?  To volunteer for any of this work, please contact volunteer coordinator Lynn Murray  klynnmurray@gmail.com

Board Elections
We will be holding Board elections in June. To nominate yourself or someone to serve on the leadership body of the co-op, please contact Jenny Silverman (silverman.jen@gmail.com) We are committed to having a board that represents the geographic, racial and ethnic diversity of Dorchester. To serve on the Board, you must be a co-op member in good standing.
 

Thanks to so many of you, we exceeded our goal of raising $12,500 by April 15—and we WILL receive our matching grant from the Boston Impact Initiative.  We really appreciate how many of our supporters dug deep to achieve this goal—thanks to all of you spread the word, forwarded our emails, shared our  Facebook posts, and retweeted our Twitter messages. This truly has been a grassroots effort. As of this morning, we have raised over $13,000.

If you have not yet had a chance to send in a donation, it is not too late!  We will continue to build the Vision Fund beyond this matching grant challenge to raise money for the co-op development.

             To contribute online through paypal, CLICK HERE
             To donate by check, make out check to the Dorchester Community Food Co-op and send  to the
DCFC, PO Box 240231, Dorchester, MA 02124.     

All donations of $100 and over are tax deductible. To get the tax deduction, please make checks out to the Co-op Fund of New England and send to the PO Box above.  Tax deductible donations cannot be made on line!

Thanks again–and we look forward to working with all of you as we  build our new co-op!

With gratitude for your partnership,

Jenny Silverman and the Board of the Dorchester Community Food Coop
Jhana Senxian, Bing Broderick, Davida Andelman, Rosanne Foley, Sharon Higgins, Jennie Msall, Lynn Murray, Samantha Tan, Joel Wool

We couldn’t have come this far without you! Thanks to all of you who have been a part of a vibrant grassroots effort to bring high quality, healthy food to Dorchester – at affordable prices! Some of you contributed to our Kickstarter campaign; others of you have become member owners of the co-op. But our goal for this co-op is far more than just a source of food. With your support, we will also work to create a hub for community gatherings and build a model green community owned business. We are tired of hearing that inner city visions are unrealistic. With your continued backing for the Dorchester Community Food Co-op, we will show that commitment and hard work can make this dream come true in a diverse urban setting!

Here is what your financial contribution and participation have already achieved:

• Support from a broad spectrum of the community: Our base represents co-op membership and leadership from our neighborhoods, as well as partnership from the City of Boston – with Mayor Menino attending our events and voicing his support for this project. Our new Outreach  Organizer is working hard to ensure that co-op membership continues to represent the diversity of our community.
• Design and plan for our Co-op building:  The Feasibility Study is done and we are launching a planning process for a 7500 square foot store. We are very excited at the vision of a whole new “market center” that will include the Co-op, as well as complementary business enterprises, such as a bakery and fish store!
• Two seasons of Winter Farmers’ Market in Codman Square: Despite unrelenting snowy days, more than 3000 shoppers attended the market! 
• “Fresh Fridays”! This past summer, a six-week Friday evening series brought folks together to eat healthy food, hear wonderful performance art, and get to know their neighbors from across Dorchester. This was so much fun (and educational!) that there have been calls to plan a second season of “Fresh Fridays” this summer. We’re on it!

We are reaching out to you today to ask you for your help. Because you share our vision, we hope you will join us by sending in a contribution today towards the match.

             To contribute online through paypal, CLICK HERE
             To donate by check, make out check to the Dorchester Community Food Co-op and send  to the
DCFC, PO Box 240231, Dorchester, MA 02124.     

All donations of $100 and over are tax deductible. To get the tax deduction, please make checks out to the Co-op Fund of New England and send to the PO Box above.  Tax deductible donations cannot be made on line!

Help us get to our  goal! We have raised $11,000 already–we know with your help we can raise the rest of the $1,500. We are very lucky to have this opportunity to double the value of your money!

With gratitude for your partnership!

The Board of the Dorchester Community Food Co-op
Jenny Silverman, Jhana Senxian, Davida Andelman, Bing Broderick, Rosanne Foley, Lynn Murray, Jennie Msall, Samantha Tan, Sharon Higgins, Joel Wool

Visit the Winter Farmers’ Market page for information about the Feb 24 market. Come out and support our vendors–restock your pantries with delicious vegetables, meat, fish and cheese for yummy winter soups and meals. Get your Oscar watching treats! Let us know your recipes made with Farmers’ Market items and we will post on our website!

Many thanks to our vendors and many neighbors who braved the snow and wind to come to the Winter Farmers’ Market today. It was cozy inside the Great Hall, and shoppers were able to buy produce, meat, fish, eggs and cheese.  We had to close a little early to help our vendors navigate their way back home.

Next week–full line up of vendors as we welcome Boston area cooperatives to the market!

We will “Celebrate the Fruits of our Ocean”  at the March 10 Market–our seafood festival with a line up of guest chef cooking demos!

Ski or snowshoe over to the Great Hall to support our vendors who have braved the weather and brought their produce, meat,  and fish to Dorchester.

The Seafood Festival has been postponed to March 10.

CELEBRATE THE FRUITS OF OUR OCEAN

¡Celebrar los frutos de nuestro mar!
Selebre Fwi ki nan lanmè nou an
Celebrar os frutos do nosso mar
Kỷ niệm Quả biển của chúng tôi

Discover the variety of fresh local seafood available at the farmers’ markets, see local chefs in action as they cook their favorite seafood recipes, sample delicious dishes prepared right before your eyes. Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry and Rep. Russell Holmes will MC the event. The Seafood Festival will feature Chef Karen Henry Garrett of Dot 2 Dot Café and Chef Ananda Pokhrel of Shanti Taste of India. Our guest chefs will prepare seafood dishes based on the local catch of the day and fresh ingredients from vendors of the market. Tastings will be available for pre-registered participants. (You can register right at the market) Filet demos by Red’s Best and children’s activities will also take place at the market.

This event is presented by Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness in partnership with Northeast Marine Atlantic Alliance (NAMA) and Health Care Without Harm. Project supported by Boston Children’s Hospital.

Click HERE to join us on Facebook! Share this event with your friends!

Also at the market on Feb 17:
The Food Trucks have returned!
Welcome Mei Mei Street Kitchen

This Boston-based food truck serves creative Chinese-American cuisine made from locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. They pride themselves on serving humanely raised meat, produce from small farms, and some of the most creatively delicious street food out there.

Click HERE to see more information about the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market

Due to the snow emergency, many of our vendors are still without power and will not be able to make it to the market tomorrow, so we will have to cancel!  We will reschedule Kickass Cupcakes and GaBrilla Ballard for later in the season.

Sundays 12-4 pm at the Codman Square Great Hall
@ the Market Sunday February 17

CELEBRATE THE FRUITS OF OUR OCEAN

¡Celebrar los frutos de nuestro mar!
Selebre Fwi ki nan lanmè nou an
Celebrar os frutos do nosso mar
Kỷ niệm Quả biển của chúng tôi

Discover the variety of fresh local seafood available at the farmers’ markets, see local chefs in action as they cook their favorite seafood recipes, sample delicious dishes prepared right before your eyes. The Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market will feature Chef Karen Henry Garrett of Dot 2 Dot Café and Chef Ananda Pokhrel of Shanti Taste of India. Our guest chefs will prepare seafood dishes based on the local catch of the day and fresh ingredients from vendors of the market. Tastings will be available for pre-registered participants. (You can register right at the market) Filet demos by Red’s Best and children’s activities will also take place at the market.

This event is presented by Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness in partnership with Northeast Marine Atlantic Alliance (NAMA) and Health Care Without Harm. Project supported by Boston Children’s Hospital.

Let us know if you plan to attend. Click HERE to join us on Facebook!

Also at the market on Feb 17:
The Food Trucks have returned!
Welcome Mei Mei Street Kitchen

This Boston-based food truck serves creative Chinese-American cuisine made from locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. They pride themselves on serving humanely raised meat, produce from small farms, and some of the most creatively delicious street food out there.

At the Winter Farmers Market Sunday February 3:
Superbowl Sunday and Member Appreciation Day! 

• Dorchester Community Food Co-op Member Appreciation Day: bring your Dorchester Community Food Co-op member card to the market and get a $2 coupon and a chance to win a gift certificate to one of Dorchester’s Best Restaurants! (limit one coupon per household) Not a member yet? Join at the market and receive your coupon and raffle ticket.
• Looking for treats for your Superbowl Party? Check out the grape leaves, hummus and other mid-east treats from Samira’s Homemade! Wow your guests with the pepper jelly cheese torte from Stir It Up Cuisine. Or get some sustainably raised sausages from Stillman’s or Lilac Hedge or delicious goat cheese from Hickory Nut Farm. All local, all delicious 
• Shopping lists and recipes to help you stretch your dollars
• New Dorchester Community Food Co-op T-SHIRTS! ($2 off for Co-op Members)
• Visit the Co-op table and find out more about the new Food Co-op. Join the Co-op at the Market!
• Raffle: win a basket of food from the market!
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SAVE THE DATE: February 17:  CELEBRATE THE FRUITS OF OUR OCEAN

Click HERE for more information on the Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market

We currently have 209 household member-owners, and are setting our next target of 300 members by the close of the Winter Farmers’ Market season on March 24.  We know we can do it! It is easier than ever to join–see the “Join Now” logo on each page of the website to join online. You can also come to the co-op table at the Winter Farmers’ Market and pay for your equity share by credit card, check or cash. Of course, you can always mail your payment in as well. See the Join Now page to download a membership brochure and find out more information.

The Dorchester Winter Farmers’ Market Kickoff was a huge success!

More than 550 attended the spectacular opening of the second season of the Winter Farmers’ Market at the Great Hall in Codman Square. We now have 11 food vendors—-a mix of returning and new vendors.  The Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band wowed market shoppers and passersby with their rousing renditions, and Sierra Rothberg used her considerable artistic talents to decorate the faces of children at the Ashmont Nursery School table. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped set up and staff the market, and to Christine Rose for providing complimentary massages! For information about our vendors and upcoming market events, Click Here.

Co-op Featured in Boston Globe Op Ed
Read the terrific Op Ed about the Dorchester Community Food Co-op in the Boston Globe. (Saturday, Dec 22). The print headline was: “Seeds for a Dorchester Co-op”

What’s Next?
By the end of February we will have completed our feasibility study. This will allow us to enter into a more advanced stage of planning for the new co-op. In the meantime, we are planning a new push to increase our membership. If you are interested in hosting a house party, or would like someone to come speak to your church group or other organization, please contact Outreach and Membership Organizer Lynn Murray: klynnmurray@gmail.com

Volunteers Needed
The Dorchester Community Food Coop needs volunteers for outreach, planning and preparing for events, and at the Winter Farmers’ Market. To volunteer for general co-op work, please contact Lynn Murray: klynnmurray@gmail.com

The development of the Dorchester Community Food Co-op is made possible by the generous support of the Boston Impact Initiative, Trefler Foundation, Food Coop Initiative, Cooperative Fund of New England, Green Dorchester, Boston Public Health Commission, Mayor Menino’s Office of Food Initiatives, and residents, businesses and organizations throughout Dorchester and beyond.