You may have heard last week we launched the “601 by 6/1” campaign.  That is, we our setting a goal to have 601 members by June 1st! Why?  We must have 600 member-owners to take the next step towards opening – securing a physical location for the store.  We are already seeing success with a current total of 480 member-owners – 15 new owners since kick off!

We know you want to see New Leaf Market get to our next step as much as we do, so here is our challenge:

• If you are a not a member-owner, join TODAY! If you have been sitting back and waiting – wait no more, NOW is the time to join this community effort.
• If you are a member-owner we need you to find a friend, family member, coworker or acquaintance that shares your love of local, healthy, yummy food and invite them to become an owner TODAY.

Why should you, or your friend become a member-owner?

• As an owner you are part of a community committed to healthy living
• You OWN the co-op!  You have a say.
• It’s easy!  Just fill out the brochure, or apply online and make your one-time $180 investment (no annual fees)
• You will be part of opening the grocery store in downtown Green Bay
• New Leaf will support local growers, bring the community access to healthy, fair-priced foods and provide education
• As an owner you receive special benefits and discounts immediately and more when the store opens
• Why are you waiting?  Become an owner now!  (see the online FAQ for even more info)

How can you or your friend join?

• Click here and sign up online
• Sign up at our booth at local community events like the Eco Block Party on May 5^th
• Pick up a brochure at various community locations like The Attic Books & Coffee, Kavarna or Daily Buzz to name a few

Finally, please take a quick second on Facebook (if you are a user of course!) and join the event “601 by 6/1” and invite your friends – click here for a shortcut to the page.  It will help raise awareness and reach people we haven’t yet.  If you are already a New Leaf Market member-owner you can use the Facebook badge that says “I’m an owner” as you’d like, to show your friends you are a visionary and support this effort!

Thank you for your support and let’s all do our part to make 601 by 6/1 happen!

Are you interested in helping to make New Leaf Market Cooperative a reality?  We are looking for volunteers to help with the winter markets.  Sign up on this Google form. Thank you for your help!

Steve Keune would like once again offer to New Leaf Members a 10% discount on 2012 CSA shares. Regular prices are as follows...full share price is $800.00 and the half share is $525.00. The potential is that 2 families can split a full share and end up only paying $360.00 each. His CSA runs 20 weeks-mid June until mid October. This offer is only good until Sunday, April 29. His contact information is (920) 833-2938. Website: www.homedeliverycsa.com

Maggie Schuld, Massage Therapist at The Spa Loft in De Pere, is now offering 15% off to New Leaf Market members.  This discount will apply to all of Maggie's massage and wellness treatments.  

For a list of all businesses offering discounts to co-op members, please check out this link.  

It was a study in bounty and respect! As I unloaded beautiful oranges, bananas, apples, grapes, an array of lettuce, rich red tomatoes, yellow beets, and deep green beans, the colors and the shapes were a delight and stamped with confidence. Because they were purchased at an organic grocery, I knew they were grown pesticide-free, from the closest locations by trusted farmers. I also knew they would taste as good as they looked.

Since I was in Milwaukee, I took advantage of one of their organic stores with all this abundance. As I returned home, I felt deeply cheated because we don’t have this available . . . yet. Looking forward to the bloom of New Leaf Market Cooperative, I can’t wait for this kind of bounty to be ours in Green Bay! I can’t wait to not have to be concerned about what the chicken was fed or to be concerned about the additives injected into meats. As someone who loves to cook, I know that my artistic ventures will be so much better with untreated foods that are in a natural, not altered state.

New Leaf Market Co-op will evolve into a reality when there are enough members to launch the project. It is easy to put off joining since it is only now germinating, but now is the time to put our money where our mouth is. "I’ll send them a check when they’re closer to opening," is a natural reaction. However, the sooner you invest in a membership, the sooner we will all eat better, healthier and safer. So, please make it happen soon, please invest now!

Bon Appétit!

Susan Frost

Founding Member