Category Archives: Food

Hidden Costs of Drought and Floods

    Gregory McIsaac Climate models indicate that Midwestern US will likely experience warmer and more volatile weather in the future, with more intense rainfall and more frequent and severe droughts. Trends in this direction are already evident. The severe … Continue reading

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Summer Classes at Common Ground’s Flatlander Classroom

Visit Urban Bees! Led by Maggie Wachter $10 owners/$15 non-owners Saturday, July 27th, 1-3pm Min 4/Max 12 Local beekeeper Maggie Wachter will take you on a thrilling journey in her teaching apiary located just a few blocks from the Common … Continue reading

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The Cheesemonger Spotlights Prairie Fruits Farm

by Billy LeGrand, Common Ground Food Co-op In a follow-up from the October issue of The Public i, this month, The Cheesemonger will focus on Champaign’s own award-winning Prairie Fruits Farm, just north of I-74 on N. Lincoln Ave. For … Continue reading

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To Eat or Not to Eat GE Foods: Let Me Decide!

I moved here last month as the Champaign-Urbana field organizer for Food & Water Watch, the national consumer advocacy organization working to protect our food and water resources. We are working to return the power of choice to consumers by … Continue reading

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The Cheesemonger: Common Ground Food Co-op Hires Cheese Expert

By Billy LeGrand “Who cut the cheese?”  “So you’re the cheese whiz?”  “You call that a job?!” As a cheesemonger, I’ve heard more than my fair share of “cheesy” puns – they are irresistibly delicious.  I’ve also heard plenty of … Continue reading

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The International Year of Cooperatives: The Change We Have Been Waiting For

It would seem that when a systemic crisis arises, the problem is identified as either the market (the Banks!) or the state (entitlement programs!). Yet, in a perversely twisted line of logic, the corrective solution for such crises is either … Continue reading

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Growing Community Through Local Capital

Jacqueline Hannah Jacqueline Hannah is a 15 year resident of C-U and the general manager of Common Ground Food Co-op in Urbana. She’s passionate about growing the cooperative movement and being a part of the health and vitality of her … Continue reading

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Common Ground Food Coop Raises Funds for Expansion!

On Monday, August 1st at exactly 1:51pm an e-mail went out to over 3,000 members of the Champaign-Urbana community that started off with the following in big, bold letters:  “You did it! As of this minute we have owner loan … Continue reading

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Champaign Farmers Market

Fresh produce, award winning barbecue, and a Prosperity Garden run by the Boys and Girls Club are amongst the attractions that residents can enjoy at the Champaign Farmers Market on Thursdays from 3PM to 7PM. Located on a city parking … Continue reading

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Jimmy Johns Under Fire for Health Risks

While some have expressed displeasure with the recent photos of Jimmy John Liautaud’s hunting of leopards and other exotic animals, another much more damaging story has fallen under the radar. In April, a Minneapolis-St. Paul Jimmy John’s franchise fired six … Continue reading

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Comfort Food

ITALIAN BEAN SOUP In about 3 quarts of water, cook about 1 cup of rice, or diallini or salad macs (I use whole wheat macaroni) and 1 medium diced potato (skin left on.) Add the sauce (the sauce refers to … Continue reading

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Flatlander Fund Created to Honor the Memory of Dan Schrieber

Dan Schreiber had big dreams, and the talent, enthusiasm, and vision to bring so many to fruition. He died in July at age 24. Known around town as “The Chocolate Man,” Dan was the genius behind Flatlander Chocolate, Illinois’ only … Continue reading

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More Local Food For More Local Folks

May marks the beginning of the 2010 farmer’s market season in CU with Urbana’s Market at the Square on Saturdays. Urbana’s market—and unofficial town square—is open 7 am to noon every Saturday until November 6th at the corner of Illinois … Continue reading

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Olympian Drive, Sustainability and Local Foods

Many of my fellow advocates for smart growth and sustainability have questioned Urbana’s plan to build the Olympian Drive extention. After studying the issue and its history, I believe that there is a need for the road, and that we … Continue reading

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Aramark™ Makes Horrible Lunches, and Kids Do Something About It

I go to Leal Elementary School in Urbana, and our school lunches suck. Most of the kids in my class think the school lunches are unhealthy, and should not be served at our school, or any other elementary school. For … Continue reading

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C-U Food Cooperative Encourages Eating Local

Food is at the heart of almost everything we do. It’s woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. Our decisions about what we eat for dinner impacts the political, environmental, health, and fiscal picture of our global and our … Continue reading

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Hunger Awareness Day 2007

For the past 6 years, the first Tuesday in June has marked the observance of Hunger Awareness Day—a nationwide initiative to inform the general public about hunger issues affecting far too many of our friends and neighbors. While we’re all … Continue reading

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Food Not Bombs Serve Up Local Justice

Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condi – tion of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can … Continue reading

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It’s Not Your Mother’s Co-op

The Common Ground Food Cooperative (CGFC) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. This little gem of the community is tucked in the Illinois Disciples Foundation building on Springfield Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets. The non-profit grocery store owned and operated … Continue reading

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Local Grocery Shopping

Grocery buying presents a real quandary for those wanting to “shop local.” In a time gone by the “homemaker” allowed much of her (or his) work to include time for food including growing our own, meal planning, shopping, and preparation. … Continue reading

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