Ambler Food Co-op

Last Thursday night we held our 3rd Community Meeting (we’ve committed to holding community update meetings  every 6 months).  By a show of hands, we saw that we had many “first-timers” at our meeting.  Thank you everyone, for coming out and showing your support!

If you missed the meeting, there is a nice write-up in the Ambler Gazette that gives you an update on the “state of affairs”, that you can find at this link online.

After the meeting was a Question and Answer session, where community members asked questions.  In case you missed the meeting, we thought it would be a good idea to share items from the Q&A session here:

Q.  Have you started talking to any farms?
A.  Yes, some . . . but we are still very early in the process and are more focused on connecting with the community, getting members and raising capital.

Q.  Is the $400 “fee” for an individual or family?
A.  It is for one residence and we realize there will be exceptions.  Also, please note it is not a fee but an investment.

Q.  Are you going to open in Ambler?
A.  So far that is the plan because of the walk-ability, but we are not ready to start the location search.

Q.  Can you post notes from  meetings on the website?
A.  We will try to post more information to the website and to post when those meetings are happening on the calendar.  We are always looking for new committee members so if you see a meeting you can make, feel free to joins us.

Q.  What is Bob Noble’s email address?
A.  Bobnoble@philadelphia.coop

Q.  Will there be discounts at other food co-ops around the country?
A.  There are programs like that out there, and we would be willing to partner with other co-ops, but it is up to the members to make those types of decisions.

Q.  Do co-ops buy from personal/household gardens?
A.  Not typically, but it is an interesting concept.

Q.  Can you walk the 5K?
A.  Yes!  It is open to walkers and runners.

Q.  What are the sponsorship levels and benefits for sponsoring for the 5k?
A.  Whitpain Township will promote your business as much as possible. The level of exposure will be commensurate to your level of commitment. The sponsorship opportunities listed are suggested packages. We will customize a sponsor program to meet your needs! Please call Kurt Baker at (610) 277-2400 x381 if you would like assistance designing your own sponsor package.

All event requests are reviewed by the Parks & Recreation department prior to approval. You will be notified once the sponsor schedule is complete.

Please send your company’s logo and website URL to Courtney Fox.

Friend Level – $200,  Choose One:

• Harvest Festival General Sponsor
• Concert or Movie General Sponsor

Bronze Level – $500 – Choose One:

• Big Rig Round-Up
• Community Harvest Festival Activity Sponsor
• Earth Day Event – co-sponsor
• Hayrides at Prophecy Creek Park – one night
• Motorcycle Daze
• Send a Child to Stony Creek Day Camp – 1st-5th grade program
• Summer Movie – One Show

Silver Level – $1000 – Choose One:

• Earth Day Prime Sponsor
• Community Harvest Festival Sponsor
• Summer Concert Series – co-sponsor one show
• Hayrides at Prophecy Creek Park – both nights
• Send a Child to Stony Creek Day Camp – 6th-9th grade program
• Billboard Sponsor on Baseball Outfield Fence at Wentz Run Park – one year

Gold Level – $2500 – Choose One:

• Concert Series – one concert or co-sponsor of top performer
• Prime Sponsor of Community Harvest Festival
• Sole Sponsor of Summer Movie Series
• Billboard Sponsor on Baseball Outfield Fence at Wentz Run Park – two years

Platinum Level – $5000 – Choose One:

• Presenting Sponsor of Community Harvest Festival
• Summer Concert Series Top Performer Sponsor
• Billboard Sponsor on Baseball Outfield Fence at Wentz Run Park – five years
• Sponsor Benefits
• Recognition in next Township Newsletter
• Complimentary table at the Community Harvest Festival vendor area
• Recognition on Township’s Facebook and Twitter pages
• Logo and website link on WhitpainRec.com:
  Friend Level: 3 Months
  Bronze Level: 6 Months
  Silver Level: 9 Months
  Gold & Platinum Level: 1 Year
• Sponsor sign or banner at event area
• Recognition on Township access channel

Sign up a friend to pledge to Ambler Food Co-op and win an entry into our raffle!

Cabot Cooperative Cheese Company will be giving 2 gift boxes to a pledged Ambler Food Co-op member for signing up a new pledge.  The gift boxes are worth $75 and $25 and include not only an assortment of great cheeses, but knives, cutting boards and other items to help you enjoy great cheese.  For every pledge you get, you will receive an entry into the raffle.  Those who sign up more than 3 new pledges will be entered into the raffle for the $75 gift box.

The winners will be picked at our next community meeting in April 18, 2013 at 7:00 pm.  Just be sure to include your name on the signed pledge form or enter your name into the “who referred you” on the online form.  Help us grow!

Yes! You read that correctly . . .

We are so excited because Ambler’s own Forest & Main Brewing Company has created a special brew for the co-op!  Not only that, but one dollar of every beer sold will go to support the co-op!  The plan is to tap the beer on February 21st, so do us a favor and drink some beer!  This special beer has been named Toad Lane, after the location of the very first co-op founded by the Rochdale Pioneers in England.

And if you didn’t know, members of the steering committee will be at Forest & Main this Thursday, February 21 (the day the beer is tapped) from 5:00-7:00 pm for a Q&A session about the co-op and pledge drive.  Bring your friends and family!

If you can’t make it this Thursday, make sure you stop by Forest & Main and order a “Toad Lane” soon!  Here is some information about the beer, from Forest & Main’s Facebook page:

Just brewed a hoppy white ale. 40% Hard red winter wheat from Pete’s Produce in West Grove, PA. A metric boatload of Falconer’s Flight, N.Z. Wakatu, and Centennial hops. Should be fantastic.

We plan to tap this beer on Thursday Feb. 21 for an info session for the Ambler Food Co-Op. Steering committee members will be onsite to answer any questions and hopefully start accepting some pledges.

We can’t wait for the Co-op to get going and are proud to offer our support. A dollar for every glass of this beer sold will be donated to their start-up efforts.

Thank you, thank you, Forest & Main!  We couldn’t do this without support from people like you!