Fundraisers Announced for North Quabbin Community Co-op
Donations Will Support Expansion into Downtown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Representative Denise Andrews (513) 780-0538
December 10, 2013
Fundraisers Announced for North Quabbin Co-op
Donations Will Support Expansion into Downtown
(ORANGE) – State Representative Denise Andrews has announced she will host two fundraising receptions to boost support for the North Quabbin Community Co-op’s efforts to expand operations to downtown Orange in the coming year. The two fundraisers, one in December and a second in January, promise wonderful food and music to supporters in return for their financial support.
The North Quabbin Community Co-op is a member driven, neighborhood market that aims to provide healthy food at an affordable price. Its mission is to build community and support local agriculture that respects the natural environment. Currently located within the Orange Innovation Center, the organization’s board and membership have been working over the past year to secure a location in the downtown that provides great parking, visibility, and adequate floor space to expand its inventory and product offerings.
The first reception features a musical performance by Olde Lysergic Duo, Richard Meunier & Topo Hakkinen and refreshments at Bohemian Kitchen from 7:00-9:00 PM on Friday, December 20th. Their music is a mixture of original songwriting and selected covers.
The second fundraising event takes place on Sunday, January 5th from 5:30-7:30PM at Millers River Café. Patrons will be able to enjoy refreshments and the soothing sounds of harpist Joyce Wilson from Orange. Joyce is a Certified Music Practitioner and does on occasion play “healing harp” for the sick. Both events are BYOB.
“I am so happy to be a part of this effort to support the Community Co-op,” shared Representative Denise Andrews. “I am proud to be a member of the Co-op and to share in the vision of a community marketplace within walking distance for many in the downtown. Supporting local food supply and regional farms is critical for the health of this region. The Co-op is a great organization that serves all of the nine towns of the North Quabbin and beyond. I invite everyone to come out, enjoy some great food and music, and make a generous donation in support of this wonderful community institution.”
Underpinning the goal of opening a viable downtown marketplace, the membership of the Co-op is in the process of raising nearly $78,000 through membership capital, loans, and donations from the community. To date, the group has raised more than $33,000 toward this goal.
The Community Co-op sources many of its fresh seasonal products from dozens of local farms the North Quabbin region, including Blue Ox Farm, Moore’s Maple Grove Farm, Seeds of Solidarity Farm, Windyfields Farm all of Orange; Farm & Field Landworks of Petersham; New Salem Preserves; Red Apple Farm of Phillipston. Many non-produce items are also locally sourced from local producers including yogurt from Sidehill Farm in Ashfield, Mother’s Laundering Soap from Erving, Bart’s and Snow’s Ice Cream of Greenfield, and Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee of Orange. Since opening operations in 2009, The Co-op has spent more than $100,000 to purchase products from local farms and suppliers.
More information about the North Quabbin Community Co-op can be found by visiting www.nqeats.org.