As a member of Seward Civic & Commerce Association, Seward Co-op stands in solidarity with Seward business owners and the East African community that has been targeted.

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 9/19/19) – CAIR-MN, Main Street Alliance of Minnesota, Bethany Lutheran Church, Seward Civic & Commerce Association, Redesign Inc., and the Seward Neighborhood Group today rally in support of businesses in Seward that were targeted and vandalized.

We are coming together to show that while hate can break windows, we won’t let hate break our community. We stand in solidarity with Seward business owners and the East African community that has been targeted more broadly and believe it is important that we all stand up in unison and say that hate has no business here.

Community groups are asking Minnesotans to join them in helping rebuild and show solidarity with these businesses.

Here are ways Minnesotans Can Help:

1. Contribute to the Go Fund Me page: Proceeds will be used to make repairs to damaged storefronts when they aren’t covered by insurance. They will then be used to help provide security cameras, lighting, and other improvements that can deter crime. Any funds beyond that will be used to help with loss of business and other needs.

Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hate-has-no-business-in-seward

2. Make a point of shopping at one of these businesses. Stop by the Capitol Cafe, Lakes Pharmacy, Seward Market and Halal Meat, Barber and Braiding, $5 Pizza and Tobacco Plus and enjoy their many products and services. Show them that our neighborhood is welcoming and supportive by actually supporting them.

3. Business owners can show support by putting up a Hate Has No Business Here, All Are Welcome Here signs in their windows. Get one at: https://www.mainstreetalliance.org/hate_has_no_business_here

4. Attend events in the Seward community this weekend at which affected neighbors and businesses will be gathering to process and show support:

• The King’s Fair, happening at Matthews Park from 12pm to 5pm, will offer a space for neighbors to come together, listen to live music, and make signs to show solidarity.
  More details on King’s Fair can be found here

• The Milwaukee Ave Peace Celebration takes place from 4pm-5pm to celebrate the International Day of Peace. We would like community members to patronize immigrant businesses on that day.
  More details on Milwaukee Ave Peace Celebration can be found here

The vandalism has caused ripples of fear and financial stress for the businesses that are on the hook for repairing the damage and who have seen a decrease in customers. These businesses are a valuable part of our community and they need our love and support. Please stop in and let them know how much you value their contributions to our community.

Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the Annual Co-op Owners Meeting as we recognize and understand the vital role of Hmong American farmers and Hmong culture in our local food system. Share a meal full of Hmong flavors designed by Chef Yia Vang and learn how Hmong American farmers are organizing to access land, markets, capital, research and training so that they can build intergenerational and community wealth. Our featured speaker is Pakou Hang. (See bio below.)

We will also share the results of the board of directors election, and announce SEED recipients for 2020, including the results of our second Community Choice SEED vote!

Continuing our Exploration of Equity in the Food System

The 2019 Annual Owner Meeting is the third installment in an intentional, co-op-wide exploration of equity in the food system. At the 2017 Annual Meeting, Seward Co-op hosted Tunde Wey, a Nigerian chef who led staff in the preparation of a Nigerian meal and a discussion about Blackness, immigration and labor in America. In 2018, Sean Sherman and The Sioux Chef designed the menu and offered teachings on indigenous food sovereignty and the impact of white supremacy on Indigenous people. This year, we connect the dots to immigrant and refugee communities through powerful stories about the challenges and successes of Hmong American farmers organizing to access land and markets in our local food system.

Featured Speaker: Pakou Hang

Pakou Hang is a co-founder and the executive director of the Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA), a membership based nonprofit organization that was created in 2011 to lift up Hmong American farmers and their families. The organization’s mission is to advance the economic prosperity of Hmong farmers through advocacy, capacity building, and cooperative enterprises. More specifically, HAFA uses an organizing approach to work with its members and their family members to access land, markets, capital, research and training so that they can build intergenerational and community wealth. Pakou has also worked for over 15 years as a community organizer first as the campaign manager for State Senator Mee Moua’s inaugural special election, then as deputy political director for U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone’s last senate campaign. Pakou has also served as the Minnesota field director for America Votes and deputy vice president for the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington D.C.

Guest Chef: Yia Vang

Yia Vang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and his father and mother moved their family to the US in 1988. He is co-founder of Union Hmong Kitchen, a Twin Cities-based Hmong restaurant with a residency at Sociable Cider Werks. He is passionate about making the food he grew up with more accessible to non-Hmongs, while also passing traditions down to the next generation of Hmong Americans.

While working in some of the foremost kitchens of Minneapolis, he began to find his own voice in showcasing Hmong food. His belief is that Hmong food isn’t a type of food but it’s a philosophy of food. Hmong food is not defined by its product. It’s defined by its process. He believes that the melding of many cultures plays a role in the cultural DNA of the Hmong people. “Our history is intrinsically woven into the food we eat,” he says. “Every dish has a narrative, and if you follow that narrative closely enough, you understand the people.” Yia also brings flavor, fire, and a passion for storytelling through food.

RSVP to the Annual Owner Meeting today!

Until the end of September enjoy Flash Deals on various items at both Seward Co-op stores. Beginning on Owners Appreciation Day Sept 19 with the Bulk Sale enjoy 10% off Bulk Department items.

Upcoming Flash Deals

Monday, September 23

• Valley View Milk Gallons $1 OFF
• Wymans Frozen Fruit 32 oz. and 48 oz. bags 30% OFF
• Hoch Orchard Apple Cider $6.99 each (Reg. 7.99 each)
• Seward-made cookies $.50 OFF

Tuesday, September 24

• Forage Kombucha 2 for $4
• St. Paul Bagelry Bagels $3.99 (Reg. $5.49)
• St. Paul Bagelry Cream Cheese $3.99 (Reg. $5.19)
• Wales Red Dragon Cheese $12.99/ lb. (Reg. $14.99/ lb.)
• Switzerland Gruyere $15.99/ lb. (Reg. $18.99/ lb.)

Previous Flash Deals

Thursday, September 19

• Bulk Sale 10 % OFF Bulk Department

Friday, September 20

• Hass small avocados, 2 for $3 (Reg. $2.49 each)
• USA organic green leaf lettuce, $1.79 each (Reg. $2.49 each)
• Beelers, Petersons Pork & Plants, TC Farms Bacon $1 off/lb.

Saturday, September 21

• Hass small avocados, 2 for $3 (Reg. $2.49 each)
• USA organic green leaf lettuce, $1.79 each (Reg. $2.49 each)
• Beelers, Petersons Pork & Plants, TC Farms Bacon $1 off/lb.
• Whole Grain Milling Tortilla Chips 2 for $7 (Reg. 4.29)

Sunday, September 22

• Hass small avocados, 2 for $3 (Reg. $2.49 each)
• USA organic green leaf lettuce, $1.79 each (Reg. $2.49 each)
• Beelers, Petersons Pork & Plants, TC Farms Bacon $1 off/lb.
• Alden’s Ice Cream 48 oz., $4.99 (Reg. $7.99)

Stay informed for future 12 Days of Deals details by following Seward Co-op on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!