Thank you to everyone who attended the 2017 Annual Owner Meeting. This year’s meeting was held at the University of Minnesota in the Great Hall of the Coffman Memorial Union. Seward Co-op owners enjoyed live music by Kenn Wanaku and David Stenshoel, a performance by Appetite for Change, and an engaging conversation led by Diversity and Community Engagement Manager LaDonna Redmond Sanders and guest chef Tunde Wey regarding the true cost of food. We ended the night by welcoming two new directors—Vina Kay and Filiberto Nolasco Gomez and congratulating Lenny Nelson on re-election. Full election results are available here. Photos from the evening are available on our Facebook page.

As we reflect on fiscal year 2017, which ended June 30, Seward Co-op has a lot to celebrate as an organization and community of owners.

We invite everyone to become a co-op owner through multiple payment options and a needs-based discount:
• 18,253 total owners
• 1,850 new owners

We hire staff who reflect the neighborhoods in which we operate:
• 58% of staff reside within 1.5 miles of our locations
• 35% of staff identify as people of color
• 15% of staff are multilingual

We prioritize and promote giving back to the community:
• $297,913 raised in SEED donations
• $71,241 given in the form of grants, donations, and sponsorships
• 465 paid employee community service hours

We contribute to a more equitable economy by offering quality products through intentional sourcing:
• $20.8 million in P6 (small-scale, locally produced, and/or cooperative enterprise) sales, or 46% of sales.
• A total of $2.7 million fair trade products sold.

We source products that minimize negative environmental impacts:
• $17.6 million in organic product sales, or 39% of sales.
• $19 million in local product sales

We offer products that are accessible and affordable:
• $1.1 million in SNAP and WIC transactions
• $390,346 in needs-based discounts
• $2.1 million in Nourish products sold

We operate using 35% less energy compared to industry norms:
• 80% of all Seward Co-op waste is recycled.

This year’s heavy rains have significantly impacted many of the farms that supply natural foods cooperatives. Damage to crops is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and several farmers are facing the prospect of losing their farms. Impacted farms include such long-time Seward partners as Featherstone Farm, Heartbeet Farm, Hoch Orchard, Driftless Organics and more.

Co-ops around the Twin Cities and across the upper Midwest partnered to raise funds to assist these farms. Between Thursday, Nov. 17, and Wednesday, Nov. 23, Seward Co-op sold $452,249 in P6 sales, of which we committed to donate 1%, in the amount of $4,522. Additionally, generous owners and shoppers directly donated $268, bringing our combined total contribution to $4,790. Your help cultivates a stronger, healthier community; thanks to everyone who participated in this campaign to save our local farms!

Relief funds will be administered by the Cooperative Development Fund (CDS). CDS is a 501 (c) 3 charitable family of funds that advances economic development through cooperative enterprise. Their mission is to promote community, economic, and social development through cooperative enterprises.

If you wish to make a donation of your own, checks can be made out to:

Cooperative Development Fund of CDS
% Bob Olson
145 W. University Ave Suite 450
St. Paul MN 55103

Thanks to all who joined us at the Seward Co-op Creamery Café on Sunday, Oct. 9, for the ice cream social with Sonny’s Ice Cream. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with this family-owned business that continues to churn small batches of ice cream made with fresh, whole ingredients the way it has been made since 1945. Now that the Creamery is open again, let us reintroduce ourselves with new weekly specials beginning Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Date Night

Saturday Nights

$50 per couple

Choose the perfect beverage to sip — beer, wine, coffee, tea or a bottled beverage from our drink cooler. For starters, share a small plate or one of our appetizer-size side dishes. Your choice of two entrees from the following for the main course: salmon, soba noodles, burger and fries, or our beet Reuben and fries. Save room for dessert! You can choose one of our daily scratch-made bakery items to split. If you have a hard time deciding, please don’t hesitate to ask one of our knowledgeable staff for a recommendation.

Happy Hour

End the week with happy hour at the Seward Co-op Creamery Café!

Wednesday–Saturday, 3–5 p.m.
Enjoy $1 off:

• Side dishes
• Small Plates
• Pints of local craft beer
• Glasses of wine

Owner Appreciation Day

As a token of our appreciation for our engaged ownership, all Seward Co-op owners receive 15% off their order every Thursday.

Live Music

Please join us for live music from 6­–9 p.m. beginning Saturday, Oct. 22. Here is the upcoming schedule:

• Saturday Oct. 22 — Van Nixon, a talented vocalist and musician specializing in Reggae with years of experience performing solo and in multiple bands.
• Saturday, Oct. 29 — Nicolas Garcia, a solo acoustic guitarist specializing in original instrumental cinematic folk songs.
• Saturday, Nov. 5 — Will King is a Minneapolis-born classical and flamenco guitarist, composer and teacher with influences from Spain and Latin America.

NSpire Natural Foods Inc is voluntarily recalling its “Marantha” peanut and almond butters due to possible salmonella contamination. There have been no incidences of illness at this time.

All Marantha brand products have been pulled from Seward Co-op shelves. But affected product was potentially sold between May 19 and August 19, 2014 with the following barcode numbers (or “PLU’s”), weights, and “best by” (“BB”) or expiration dates, which you will find on the product packaging; prices are also included:

051651060325, Roasted Creamy Almond, 16oz, BB 24DEC14-17JUN15, $17.49
051651092173, Organic Raw Almond 16oz, BB14APR15-01JUL15, $25.99
051651092180, Raw Almond 16oz, BB05APR15-02JUL15, $17.49
051651092210, NoStir Crmy Pnut No Salt 16oz, BB06JAN15-20MAY15, $6.69
051651092326, Organic Creamy Peanut w/Salt 16oz, BB03JAN15-15JUN-15, $8.59
051651092333, Organic Crunch Peanut w/Salt 16oz, BB02JAN15-15MAY15, $8.59
051651092357, Organic NoStir Crmy PBw/Salt 16oz, BB04JAN15-27JUN15, $7.79
051651092364, Organic NoStir Cnchy PBw/Salt 16oz, BB05JAN15-28JUN15, $7.79

Recalled products will be fully refunded at the Seward Co-op Customer Service Desk for a full refund.

For more information, visit the FDA site on this recall.