Foodmakers buying from Frankferd Farms

[Aliza Ess]

This just popped up on the Foodmakers list, so I thought I would bring it up to you all. I haven't replied yet about The Beet since I"m not quite sure what our ordering status is at this point, and I doubt these folks would want to pay a membership fee when they are already doing it on their own. In any case the drop site is somehwat far away (Kingsville is north of Perry Hall and Gunpowder). But thought I would bring it up!

::::::::::

Hi all,
I was going to put in an order with Frankferd Farms
(www.frankferd.com). Anyone in the area (north of the city)already
have a drop site going already that we could tack onto? Alternatively,
the minimum for a delivery for a drop site is $375...we probably would
do $100-$150, so anyone want to join us and we could host a drop
site(Kingsville area)? I'm up for other ideas/companies for sourcing
bulk natural foods, too, but have done FF before and like their
selection of flour, grains, etc. Their catalog is a PDF online.
-sarah
www.flyingplowfarm.com

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[Dan Zink]

I wasn't able to make it to the meeting last week, what's our status for
this month? Are we doing an order? I hope so, but haven't heard
anything...

<3 DFZ

[Alicia Puglionesi]

At the last meeting we discussed taking the month off so we can have another meeting that's slightly better-attended and discuss whether to continue with buying club or focus on a co-op.  The consensus at the time was to work on the co-op, but there were only three people there so others should have a say.

Also, I submitted the fusion partnerships application, and they said they'll get back to us next week.  We should probably hold an organizational meeting - if we do get the fusion thing, they will need three people to serve on an advisory board, and some kind of structure/clearly-delineated responsibilities might help clarify what we're doing and get things back on track.  I'll send their response out to the list and we can work on scheduling at that point, unless anyone feels strongly about doing another buying club order and wants to coordinate that.

AP

[Dan Zink]

Cool thanks for the update Alicia!

When can everyone meet? Weds? Thurs?

[Kendall Hoff]

Any time later in the evening as long as I have some advanced warning. I think Mondays work best for Tara.

[Dan Zink]

OK how about Monday everyone? I'm just worried about it being short
notice.

[Jasmine Sarp]

if we finish before 9 on monday that's fine with me

J

[Dan Zink]

Oh wait actually I can't do Monday...

[Tara Megos]

Can everyone do Tuesday or Wednesday?  I thought maybe we are still doing tonight, but not sure.  My place is available to meet at either day.

[Jasmine Sarp]

how about wednesday?

[Aliza Ess]

I won't be able to make anything this week, but don't want to hold up any meetings...

aliza

[Dan Zink]

Sad news everyone, our Operation Storefront application was not
accepted.

This certainly doesn't mean we shouldn't try for other grants, though -
they e-mailed me three times to remind me how much more competitive than
anticipated this one was, and we're all pretty awesome and I think we've
got a good idea for something worth doing.

<3 DFZ

[Jeff Budd]

Thanks for the update, Dan.

Any chance they could give us a little "post-mortem" on some things to do better next time or some other general tips? This could be useful for future applications for funding.

[Aliza Ess]

Is there a consensus opinion on the Montessori School as the new temporary location?

Personally, I think it's a good location as long as we can store the goods there, there is already a community at the school that may want to purchase bulk goods, they could probably use bulk goods in their food education classes for the kids, the CopyCat is nearby and might provide a good customer base, and the area is also a relatively low-income area so that would be a nice neighborhood for increasing cheap and healthy food options.

Just my two cents. Patty is looking into the option as a possibility, but I'd like to know what the group thinks of this as a plan for moving forward, since otherwise I'm not sure what our options are.

hope everyone has a safe and super-fun snow time if the flakes fall!
a.

[noah]

I like the idea of doing at the Montessori School. So many good things could come of that, even if it's a temporary thing.

[Jasmine Sarp]

agreed.

[Dan Zink]

Cool, what kind of set-up do they have? I've never been there.

Has it been offered or is it an idea?

Thanks for setting this up Aliza!

[Aliza Ess]

A woman named Patty Lazos brought up the idea of having the Beet buying club at the Montessori School to Cheryl...

Patty is following up with Montessori about if its a possibility and how they would want that to work. I figured if they o.k. it (and we are able to store our food in there!) then the next step would be for us to check out the space and talk about it as a group.

[Tara Megos]

i think it's a wonderful idea as well!

[Jeff Budd]

Yeah, definitely worth finding out more. I wonder what kind of hours they keep and what kind of access we would have? Thanks, Aliza!

[Jasmine Sarp]

News alert: when picking up some veggies at Mill Valley today I found out about their coming food coop: http://baltimorefoodcoop.com/

thoughts?

[noah]

That's awesome! Baltimore will rule with two community-oriented, sustainable food coops. We're on the road to ridding the city of corporate supermarkets.

[Jeff Budd]

@noah -- hahaha! YES!