From its days as the Whole Wheat News to its longstanding tenure as Sprout!, the Seward Co-op newsletter has always aimed to keep shoppers updated on in-store happenings, highlight staff stories, and inform on topics relating to the local food system. We’re excited to announce that after decades of appearing in print, Sprout! newsletter will be transitioning to an all-digital format beginning with the Fall 2024 issue. In light of this shift, we’re taking a look back at the history of the printed newsletter and looking ahead to the new opportunities that will come with an all-digital version of Sprout!
The name Sprout! was introduced between 1999-2000, and it’s been with us ever since. Previously called the Member News, and before that, the Whole Wheat News, the Seward Co-op newsletter has been printed in a variety of formats, including newspaper-style foldouts, booklets, and magazine-type prints. In 2006, Sprout! changed from printing in black and white with a single accent color to a full-color design. Redesigned in 2009 to a more compact format, Sprout! was introduced in its current print size in 2016. Over the years, environmental considerations led to the decision to begin using FSC-certified paper, made with at least 30% postconsumer content, and water-based, non-toxic dyes.
The forthcoming digital edition of Sprout! will drastically save not only financially, but also on paper usage, though we will accommodate requests to print copies in-store. It will also allow for easy connection to blogs, recipes, resources, and further information that may not have fit in the printed edition of the newsletter. We look forward to the creative possibilities a digital format will offer, including the use of new types of media that were not amenable to a paper version.
To sign up to receive the digital edition of Sprout! beginning with the Fall 2024 issue, click on the sign-up banner on the top or bottom of this page. We’re excited to usher in a new era of newsletter history, and we invite you to be a part of it!