Food Shed Co-op in Woodstock plans grand opening celebration

Posted June 03, 2024 5:32 pm

By Sue Jensen, Food Shed Co-op

The opening day of the Food Shed Co-op in Woodstock drew crowds of people. Courtesy of Food Shed Co-op

Food Shed Co-op recently opened the doors to their community owned grocery store in Woodstock. The opening day ribbon-cutting event, with music and brief words from co-op and community leaders, was well attended.

Once the ribbon was cut on May 15, shoppers were invited in for their first look inside and to begin shopping. One shopper commented, “What a great store! The produce is beautiful. We had sandwiches from the deli that were wonderful! We will be going there often.”

General manager Peter Waldmann reported that there has been steady business every day since opening and sales are above what was projected for the store. This is a great reason to celebrate with an official grand opening event.

June 15 will mark a solid month of operating for Food Shed Co-op and they will be ready to welcome shoppers and supporters to the store for a long weekend of celebration. The focus of the planned events will center around bringing the community together because the co-op’s mission is more than just selling groceries.

Among the planned activities, the public is invited to participate in a two-day blood drive, to bring food donations for the Woodstock Food Pantry, and enjoy music by local musicians and Star 105.5’s rolling radio. The county’s local radio station will be on site and radio hosts will be broadcasting from the store and giving out prizes.

Food Shed Co-op will be hosting Vitalant's Bloodmobile for their first on-site mobile blood drive to support the community with life-saving blood donations on both Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The exterior of the Food Shed Co-op in Woodstock. Courtesy of Food Shed Co-op

This nonprofit blood donor organization supplies blood for hospitals all over the Chicago areas. Walk-ins are welcome, but visitors can schedule appointments ahead of time by visiting the Food Shed Co-op’s website events page at foodshed.coop, as well.

Weekend events will include:

• Friday, June 14: Music and eats will be provided Friday evening. Representatives from Kishwaukee Brewing Co. will be offering beer tastings on the co-op’s patio, food samples will be available for snacking and the Grab & Go kitchen will be making specialty tacos and a vegan burrito for purchase if visitors want to stay for dinner. Live music will also be performed by local musicians, from 4 to 7 p.m. making for a great relaxed atmosphere.

• Saturday, June 15: A blood drive will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Star 105.5's Rolling Radio will be on site from 10 a.m. to noon and Two Buck Burger meals will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the Woodstock Food Pantry.

• Sunday, June 16: A second day of the blood drive will take place again from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then visitors can take part in “Sampling Sunday.” Local vendor tables will be set up around the property from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., educating visitors about the products that are available in the store. Samples will be available inside and outside. Extreme Edge Sharpening will also participate on Sunday with a wide range of blade sharpening services.

Food Shed Co-op is encouraging people to come spend time with friends in a relaxed setting with live music to kick off the grand opening celebration weekend.

The interior of the Food Shed Co-op store in Woodstock. Courtesy of Food Shed Co-op

The public can take advantage of the special event to give back to the community, or to check out the store if they have yet to visit.

Food Shed Co-op is a community-owned and controlled grocery store open to the public. They prioritize local suppliers whenever possible. It is a place for community members to gather, shop and nourish their families.

The co-op is committed to offering shoppers access to affordable quality foods and to educating people about the foods they eat. The store will have a full breadth of departments with produce being their signature category.

The produce department is one of the highlights of the Food Shed Co-op in Woodstock. Courtesy of Food Shed Co-op

Its mission is to offer the best quality, conventional, local and organic produce and grocery items available in the marketplace. When open, the store will offer approximately 5,000 different items.

You can support the Food Shed Co-op by signing up now to become an owner at www.foodshed.coop/become-an-owner.

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