We think bees are pretty much the best here at the Co-op–and not just their knees, either!  As passionate supporters of local agriculture, we know that the bounty of the Pioneer River Valley wouldn’t be possible without our two-winged tiny friends–which is why we’re sharing ways to show your local pollinators some love as we head into summer.  From the new Franklin Fresh Flier that comes out this Friday the 19th, to a brand new display of bee-friendly items by our back register, ‘bee’ sure to stop by the Co-op to ask us for tips and tricks about pollinator preservation!

We’re kicking off a weekend of Mother’s Day celebrations with a great pancake demo today (Thursday May 11th from noon to 1, with a fantastic coupon for celebratory brunch essentials–E-News subscribers, check your inbox, too!) that rolls into a full schedule of Second Saturday fun at McCusker’s Market.  Live music, local art, Morris dancers, and the Shad Ladder Radio Hour are all here to add a little spring sparkle to your Mother’s Day weekend–we hope to see you there!

A presentation and film on “The Roots of the Community Land Trust” will take place in the Co-op’s upstairs meeting room at Green Fields Market on Wednesday evening, May 10, from6:30 to 8:30 pm. The speaker will be John Davis, a nationally-respected expert on the origins and functioning of “community land trusts (CLT’s)” with 30 years’ experience providing technical assistance to CLT’s and other non-profit community development organizations.

As part of his presentation, John will show a remarkable 22-minute documentary film, “Arc of Justice,” about an early CLT, “New Communities, Inc.,” founded in 1969 in southwest Georgia by leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, including Charles and Shirley Sherrod and Congressman John Lewis. It’s a moving story of racial justice, community organizing, and perseverance in the face of enormous obstacles.

Sponsored by the Valley Community Land Trust together with the Franklin Community Coop, this event is free and open to the public. Contributions to help defray costs will be gratefully accepted. For further information, please call Randy Kehler: 413-624-8858.

Starting on Monday, April 17th, it’s Earth Week at the Co-op!  (Though we celebrate sustainability all year ’round).  Please visit our Events Calendar and our Facebook page for details about the fun activities we have planned all week long (and a great Green Basics Giveaway that starts on the 18th) as we share all of the ways to care for the planet that are a part of going Co-op.  Here’s one you can start with:  help us reduce paper waste by signing up for our E-News!

Special highlights include these two great events with our April featured artist, Leonore Alaniz, at Green Fields Market:

Thursday, April 20th: Artist Reception for Leonore Alaniz, botanical printmaker

Saturday, April 22nd: Kid-friendly botanical printmaking activity and artist talk with Leonore Alaniz

http://www.franklincommunity.coop/earth-week/

We’re celebrating the tastes of the season in the latest Franklin Fresh flier, with great deals on Patrick’s Day favorites, and wonderful local maple syrup (check out the savings in our bulk department, where maple syrup is a Co-op Basic every day!) . From great Irish farmstead cheeses to organic cabbage, we’re ready to help you feel lucky, no matter the weather–and to make everything a little sweeter, as we support our local maple syrup producers.

It’s Massachusetts Maple Weekend, and we have a full roster of syrup-themed sweetness for you at the Co-op!  This Friday from 3-6 PM, stop by Green Fields Market for syrup sampling and comparisons, and pick up a brand new maple-themed Franklin Fresh Deals flier, full of great deals on local products.  Then, on Saturday, we invite you to attend the Shad Ladder Radio Hour Show at Buckland Town Hall–an hour of rollicking live-recorded radio entertainment, featuring Franklin County’s finest writing, acting, and musical talent!  The Frost Heaves and the Hales will be the honored musical guest as the Plaid Shad Players celebrate all things syrup and mud season.  (March 11th, 7:30 PM, Tickets: $12 at the door–please visit our Events Calendar for details!)

Did you catch the snazzy new tote bags, t-shirts, and hoodies we rolled out this past year at the Co-op? They featured the artwork of local illustration and animation duo Opertura, and this year, they could feature YOUR art!  Every year, we want to feature a new local artist’s original work on our FCC merchandise, and are calling for submissions!  The work must be:

able to be screenprinted in a 3 color or less format

feature the name ‘Franklin Community Co-op’

be thematically appropriate for the Co-op

but, the rest is up to you!  Please see the poster below for additional details.

(We recommend checking out last year’s designs, on display at both stores, for an idea of the format of the final product. )