Fresh Deals, Sep 11-17
Everyone Saves!
September 2024 Word from the Board
September 2024 Word from the Board
Ron Eichmeier, Wheatsfield Board Vice President
HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY WHEATSFIELD COOP!
In case you haven’t heard, your Co-op turned 50 years young in August; and is stronger and more vibrant now than ever before. What started out in 1974 as a small cooperative with a handful of members is now one of the largest in Iowa with 7416 members. Today, your Co-op’s monthly sales exceed the annual sales of those early years, and past expansions (especially the move to the current store) have all contributed to the continued growth. Along the way there have been challenges brought on by competitors, COVID, and supply chain issues just to name a few; which means 50 years of continued success is something to celebrate. Occasionally I’m asked “How does Wheatsfield not only survive, but continue to thrive?” I have a very simple answer. “The membership made that happen. As they look at other shopping options, they feel comfortable with the wholesome, caring, welcoming, and safe environment provided by Wheatsfield.” There is no question that our management team and store workers have been extremely impactful in the Co-op’s success, however your continued support and commitment has been THE significant factor in Wheatsfield’s growth. Personally and on behalf of the Board, I want to thank you for your past, present and future support and involvement.
In other news, Wheatsfield will hold their Annual Meeting at Torrent Brewery on October 15th. There will be more details in the near future, however please consider attending this fun and informative event. There will be Board elections and we have an outstanding slate of candidates for the 3 open Board positions. Voting in the board elections will begin October 1st. I encourage you to take a few minutes to review their qualifications and then vote for the candidates of your choice either online, by mail, or in person at the Annual Meeting. Remember, this is your opportunity to select who will represent you on the Board.
Finally, earlier in the article I mentioned that 50 years of success is something to celebrate, and plans are in place for that celebration. The 50th Anniversary Groovy Golden Jubilee is scheduled for September 15th in the store and parking lot. There will be many vendors, activities, and opportunities to celebrate and have fun. See you at the party!
Fall Floral Trio
Come join us at Wheatsfield Cooperative for our Fall Floral Trio event! Get into the autumn spirit by creating beautiful floral arrangements with a seasonal twist. We will use repurposed items – a wooden shutter, a glass jug, and woven nest. You can style your pieces as a set or three separates. Each person’s design(s) will be distinctive to their personality. Children ten years and older are welcome with a grown-up. Please bring clippers, scissors, and an open mind. See you there!
Instructor
Sandy Gossman began taking floral design courses 32 years ago when she joined the Ames Garden Club. Attending educational programs sponsored by Federated Garden Clubs of Iowa and National Garden Clubs she continued to learn and became a Master Flower Show Judge and Gardening Consultant. Sandy has been leading floral design workshops for garden clubs, master gardeners, and the Iowa Arboretum. She currently teaches a monthly design program at Reiman Gardens.
Date and Time
Thursday September 26, 5:30-7pm
Special
DIY
Flower Arrangements
Member-Owner Extras, Sep 3-17
Extra deals just for member-owners!
Preorder sale cases by 12pm, Sep 12.
Co+op Deals, Sep 3-17
Everyone Saves!
Preorder sale cases by 12pm, Sep 12.
Sep Change For Community: Cultivating Hope Farms
Creating meaningful opportunities for inclusion and acceptance for those with autism and all disabilities.
OUR MISSION
Is to grow and support the health and well-being of persons with different abilities through care farming practices. We will cultivate growth through the planting of knowledge and skills that are transferrable to everyday life through the incorporation of animals, agriculture, and recreation. Our family-centered program provides a unique learning environment for participants to work on their individual goals and guide them towards a successful future.
OUR VISION
Planting seeds, growing skills, and cultivating lives.
Planting seeds of knowledge
Growing skills by learning and working with animals and agriculture
Cultivating participants by helping them attain their goals to guide them towards a successful future
OUR VALUES
Family Centered
Community
Learning for all
Supportive
Patient
Kind
Vegetarian Cooking with Global Flavors
Vegetarian Cooking with Global Flavors
In this class, you will learn how to cook healthy and delicious recipes with Rama Sridhar. Rama will discuss vegan and gluten free alternates to these recipes. The focus of the class will be on learning how to use seasonal vegetables in dishes that are high in flavor and nutrition and are good for one’s health and the environment. In partnership with Worldly Goods , Rama will bring out Global flavors while promoting Social Sustainability by using Fair Trade spices from Worldly Goods.
Prepared and sampled dishes:
Curried Butternut Squash Sauce with Pasta (Vegetarian)
Lentil Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Tandoori Vegetarian Tacos (Vegan, Gluten Free)
If you have specific dietary restrictions, please reach out to us in advance before signing up for the class at [email protected] or by calling the co-op at 515-232-4094 and speaking with Sheba Wright, Education Coordinator.
Limited substitutions can be made during the class.
Instructor
Rama Sridhar is an expert chef in vegetarian cooking and has dedicated more than 40 years to communicating the benefits of vegetarian nutrition. Rama’s cooking is based on two fundamental principles: (a) develop recipes that excel in both nutrition and taste and (b) draw and use ideas from all over the globe to develop creative fusion foods. She is a guest Chef at a local restaurant – Lockwood Café – where she offers Indian and International foods.
Rama has a close connection to Ames. She has lived here for 35 plus years and received a Dietetics degree from Iowa State University. She is a diehard Cyclones fan.
Date and Time
Tuesday September 17, 5:30-7pm
Special
Cooking demonstration
Vegetarian
2025 Board Candidate Statements
Deb Russell
Statement of Candidacy
Why do you want to serve on the Wheatsfield Board of Directors?
I love Wheatsfield for the wonderful food and for the atmosphere of friendly personal service. It
provides quality products without a large-scale space. Shopping there is a pleasant experience
from first entering the building to checking out. Everyone is pleasant and courteous. Serving on
the board has increased my trust in how products are sourced and how the organization is
managed. I believe my financial and communication skills as well as experience working with
other boards are of value. Since I’ve retired, I want to give back to the community.
Please describe any skills or experience (such as financial literacy, legal, strategic planning, communications, etc.) that you would bring to the Wheatsfield Board of Directors.
During my career as a Certified Public Accountant, I spent ten years in public accounting, gaining experience with many different types of businesses. After that I was Chief Financial Officer for three organizations: Opportunity Living, Friendship Haven and Northcrest Community. I was directly involved in strategic planning, building projects, financing, human resources, and working with boards. I’ve served in state and local organizations including being president of Daybreak Rotary in Fort Dodge, treasurer of LeadingAge Iowa, boards of Alzheimer’s Association, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, and Ames Noon Kiwanis. I prepare tax returns at the library through VITA.
What are your hopes for the future of Wheatsfield and its role in the community?
I hope to see Wheatsfield continue its unique and significant role in our community. It is more than a grocery store! I hope to see that it is able to maintain the financial strength necessary to provide quality products and excellent service to its customers. I hope it will continue to be a good employer where people know they are valued for the work they do. I hope it will become more well-known and attract more customers. I hope it will continue its educational offerings to
community members.
Please share anything about yourself including hobbies, passions, family members, etc.
I love to cook using organic products and trying out new recipes. Gardening and bicycling are my main hobbies. I grew up on a farm and love animals and being outdoors. We have two dogs and two cats, all rescued from local shelters. My husband retired as business manager for a pipe organ builder in Lake City. I have two sons and one grandson who live in Ames. I am a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association and help with The Memory Cafe here in Ames.
Sarah Huffman
Statement of Candidacy
Why do you want to serve on the Wheatsfield Board of Directors?
I see Wheatsfield as a valuable community resource, a grocery store, a friendly gathering space, and all-around welcoming environment for everyone in Ames. I have long had an interest in and passion for locally grown, sustainably sourced food, have spent years volunteering at and supporting local farms and environmental organizations, and even served as a volunteer on Wheatsfield’s Education and Outreach Committee. Wheatsfield is
a place to be celebrated, and I am proud to be a member. I frequent Wheatsfield with friends and
family so much that I want to give back in a meaningful and dedicated way.
Please describe any skills or experience (such as financial literacy, legal, strategic planning, communications, etc.) that you would bring to the Wheatsfield Board of Directors.
I will continue to bring strong organizational and administrative skills to the board. I direct operations and logistics in programming for ISU grad students and postdocs seeking communication development skills from the center I work for on campus. I am very much a people person and enjoy interacting with members of our community from all walks of life. I will also continue to bring strong communication skills to the board. I instruct research writing and science
communication courses to graduate students at ISU, so have much experience creating messaging for a range of audiences.
What are your hopes for the future of Wheatsfield and its role in the community?
I took over a board member’s position earlier in 2024 and am excited to continue to learn about the operations and outreach at Wheatsfield. I want to be a part of seeing that grow. When I speak about Wheatsfield to friends and co-workers, however, some are unfamiliar that it exists. I’d like to see more people in Ames know about Wheatsfield. It would also be great to better profile the ways in which Wheatsfield supports its local community artists, farmers, artisans, musicians, non-profits, and citizens. Wheatsfield gives so much, but sometimes that isn’t always visible to those who support the co-op.
Please share anything about yourself including hobbies, passions, family members, etc.
I came to Ames 16 years ago for graduate school and stayed post-graduation because of the strong sense of a community I felt and many positive friendships I had established. I strongly believe in giving back to my world in whatever way I can. I enjoy volunteering, have served on the board of the Volunteer Center of Story County, and have volunteered at Wheatsfield many times over the years. I am the mother of a young child, and my husband and I feel lucky to live within biking/walking distance to local gems like Wheatsfield, Roosevelt and Brookside Parks, and downtown.
Lindsay Simpson
Statement of Candidacy
Why do you want to serve on the Wheatsfield Board of Directors?
There are many places to buy food, but Wheatsfield is special because it’s a place where we all can gather, learn, and make informed decisions about our food culture. There is something for everyone at the Co-op: every kind of eater and person is welcome. I hope to serve as a board member by organizing more community events. Sharing colorful food, offering free or low-cost collaborative educational opportunities, meeting and deepening
relationships with neighbors, and expanding partnerships with local producers who work hard to feed us is some of what Wheatsfield does best.
Please describe any skills or experience (such as financial literacy, legal, strategic planning, communications, etc.) that you would bring to the Wheatsfield Board of Directors.
I am a skilled writer, communicator, strategic planner, and collaborator. I have served thousands of students since 2012 as a professor and department head of English and Literature at Des Moines Area Community College. I am flexible and work well with many kinds of personalities. I have a deep interest in cooking and growing food, and I currently volunteer at Root to Rise farm in Ames. My favorite part of that experience has been interacting with customers and curious cooks at the Saturday Farmers’ Market in Ames.
What are your hopes for the future of Wheatsfield and its role in the community?
I hope Wheatsfield can continue to support local partners while keeping cost to customers in mind. I have benefited from many events over the years (e.g. composting, Mustard Seed Farm’s garden start, etc.) and would like to see the Co-op continue those efforts. Bringing in more opportunities for young people in Ames (perhaps through service opportunities) would also be lovely.
Please share anything about yourself including hobbies, passions, family members, etc.
I am an avid cook and gardener, as well as an amateur potter. This summer I have been obsessed with my dahlias. My favorite part about living in Ames is the connections I’ve developed with people all over town. Intergenerational friendships are important to me, as are meeting and eating with people I love. I live a skip and a hop away from the Co-op with my two children (Lucia and Ansel), partner, and dog.
Barb Fleege
Statement of Candidacy
Why do you want to serve on the Wheatsfield Board of Directors?
My skills that I bring to the table are: I am a retired Occupational Therapist after 39 years in the profession. The type of work I did allowed me to learn the needs of individuals aged from infants to geriatric persons. I am currently serving on the board of Trustees at Collegiate Presbyterian Church. The position is a 3 year commitment and I am in my second year. Trustees are involved with the church building’s needs and operate with a budget.
What are your hopes for the future of Wheatsfield and its role in the community?
My hopes for the future of Wheatsfield are to increase socialization opportunities for senior citizens to share involvement with healthy food, nutrition, education. I would like to recommend a crosswalk between the store and crossing of the street to allow increased safety for getting to and from the bus stop. There is a blind spot for drivers traveling west of Main Street onto Northwestern.
Please share anything about yourself including hobbies, passions, family members, etc.
My hobbies are walking my dog, traveling, golf, hiking, bowling, being with family and friends. My 8 year old granddaughter came to Ames for a week long visit. We stopped at Wheatsfield for meals 3 times. She loved the split pea soup , broccoli cheddar soup and salad bar. We also enjoyed the functional cash register and store set up in the play area. I have two sons that are ISU graduates. I am a new widow after 40 years of marriage. This is my second time living in Ames. The first was from 2006 to 2013. Currently I have been living here since 2021.
August 2024 Board Meeting Highlights
Here are highlights from the August 2024 Wheatsfield Board of Directors meeting:
- The Wheatsfield Board of Directors approved a slate of four candidates put forward by the Board’s Nominations and Recruitment Committee for the upcoming board election for which voting will begin on Sunday, October 1 on-line, by mail or in the store and will culminate at Annual Meeting of the Members on Tuesday, October 15 at Torrent Brewing Company from 5:30-8pm.
- Wednesday, August 14th marked the 50th anniversary in business for Wheatsfield. The Ames Regional Economic Alliance, formerly the Ames Chamber of Commerce honored the achievement with a ribbon-cutting on Wheatsfield’s Patio Deck at 4:30pm that day and a reception following the ribbon- cutting in the Community Room.
- A new Education and Outreach Coordinator, Sheba Wright, has been hired and will be coordinating new classes and workshops in the coming weeks.
- The General Manager reported that July 2024 was the best July ever in terms of sales, with an increase of 0.46% from July 2023.
- Planning is progressing on the 50th Anniversary Groovy Golden Jubilee Celebration on Sunday, September 15 from 12-4pm in the store and the Wheatsfield parking lot. The Board looks forward to celebrating this milestone with members and hosting a Meet the Board Candidates session for members to meet the candidates for the board election from 2-4pm in the HQ tent by the front of the co-op.
August Produce Parable
The Vinery
By Adam Calder
On an oppressively hot and humid August morning, I went and visited The Vinery, one of the newest local farms to work with the Wheatsfield Cooperative produce department. This Iowa business grows an impressive array of flowers and decorative winter squash, and also offers a self-serve flower bouquet bar out on their farm. You can even bring your own vase to make the arrangement in!
I met the owners, Amy Cox, and her mother, Robin Collins, at their home and farm just outside of Nevada. Their farm is a family affair, Cox said, with several generations living together and pitching in. “Mom and Dad live out in the shop,” Cox said, “me and my two kids and husband live here so it’s like a family compound. My brother is a mile down the road, and my sister is like two miles the other way. They all help out in their own ways, but we are the only two that like this is our full-time job.”
Cox said she and her mom came up with the idea for the flower farm on a road trip in 2019, and Collins added her love of flowers began much earlier than that. “I’ve always been a gardener,” Collins said, “Since I was a child even, and flowers particularly so it’s something I always wanted to do and now I’m a retired farmer…my husband farmed corn and soybeans. I work just as hard, but I’m going to be doing something I enjoy because I didn’t enjoy farming soybeans and bookkeeping.”
The farm started slowly, taking into account the respective gardening experience of both business partners. “Amy was the one I couldn’t get into the garden for anything as a child,” Collins said, “so I said I’ll take it really slow and see how it goes. The lilies, that was my hope, that was the big experiment, forcing lilies I started in February.” “They were in the shop under lights,” Cox added. “You can grow them all the way and cut them. You never have to bring them outside.”
Cox elaborated on the success of their experiment, and the reason for the attempt. “We started this trying to grow flowers long term” Cox said, “We wanted to extend our season, the lilies were kind of a practice. We weren’t going to sell them, but they were fine. We succeeded!
The Vinery has always been on the same family farm, but the flower production has moved around within the farm looking for just the right spot. “We have a little vegetable garden, since I was a child, we always had it” Cox said. “My great-grandpa, same spot, that garden. We grew there for two years, then last year we moved production to an old sweet corn patch. Then we rented this section from the neighbors, because we can see it from our shop. It was a hayfield, they didn’t do anything with it, just mowed it. I would love to buy it from them. We want to put in perennials, we want to build a border between the soybeans and us. Hopefully, that becomes our permanent garden. But you never know.”
The Vinery delivers fresh bouquets weekly to Wheatsfield during the spring, summer and early autumn months. In early and late autumn, they provide us with a gorgeous array of unique winter squash and gourds that are perfect for decorating. Many of them are also edible! We look forward to doing business with The Vinery, this year and for many years to come. Stop in and pick up a fresh bouquet today, and fill your house with the sights and smells of a multi-generational Iowa flower garden.
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