CURBSIDE PICKUP HAS LAUNCHED FOR BOTH GREEN FIELDS AND MCCUSKER’S. PLEASE CLICK THIS LINK TO BE TAKEN TO THE INFORMATION PAGE.

March 13^th, 2020

Dear Co-op Community,

We understand and are deeply appreciative of the concerns that many have regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), and want to assure you that we are committed to maintaining and monitoring our in-house procedures rigorously as more information becomes available.  Our departments have taken care to increase the frequency of our sanitizing procedures in high impact-high-touch areas of the store, in addition to providing additional measures for customers most likely to be impacted.  We’ve discontinued all sampling and demo programs, and, public events at this time as well in our community spaces.  We will also be discontinuing working member bagging shifts at this time at both stores.  Please make sure to properly clean your reusable bags, containers, and  your produce.  We will continue to develop swift and appropriate responses as information becomes available, and are closely monitoring the releases from the CDC and the state house.  Our staff is committed to the health and safety of our co-op community, and, as an organization, we are also committed to the health and safety of our staff.  Our co-op has a generous sick and vacation policy, and we are working with employees on a case-by-case basis to ensure they have the support they need.

We will continue to do our best to work with our suppliers to ensure that high-demand items remain in stock, and appreciate your patience in the face of growing supply challenges nationwide.  We understand that we are a valuable community resource and remain committed to meeting your needs as best we are able!  We may need to impose purchase limits on key goods as this situation evolves—we will do our best to keep you informed as these needs arise in a timely fashion.

We encourage you to review the handwashing procedures and guidelines linked to below, and, our Wellness department has provided a simple at-home recipe for creating hand sanitizer as well.  Take care,  and check in with one another, particularly those who might need additional aid in accessing resources.  Care for community is part of our cooperative mission, and, more important now than ever!

If you are planning on stocking up on food and water, let us know and we can order cases for you. Most items will arrive within a few days. There is a 10% discount on cases. You can special order a case in-person by asking a staff member, calling the store (413) 325-0027, or online at http://www.franklincommunity.coop/co-ownership/member-preorders/.

Sincerely,

John Williams, General Manager

Franklin Community Co-op

CDC Information:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/index.html

Hand Sanitizer Recipe:

http://www.franklincommunity.coop/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/recipe-cardWellness-Hsanitizer.pdf

McCUSKER’S/GREEN FIELDS UPDATE 3/13/20 PM:

Dear McCusker’s Community:

Regretfully, for the safety of our community members and staff, we have made the difficult decision to close our dining area at this time, in keeping with the measures recommended by the CDC and other health experts. We love gathering with you around food, but, we value your health and safety even more, and hope that we can all support the continuation of both for everyone in our community during this time.

Additionally, we are currently not allowing/providing for the refilling of personal reusable water bottles at either of our locations, for this same reason. Safety is our priority as we navigate this together, and, we know that our community appreciates the challenges of responding to a scenario of this magnitude. We will reevaluate as needed as information and recommendations are updated, and appreciate your cooperation!

Sincerely,
John Williams, General Manager
Franklin Community Co-op

GREEN FIELDS UPDATE 3/14:

As of tomorrow morning, our hot bar, salad bar, self serve coffee, and soup stations will be closed until further notice in response to current health concerns.  Our Green Fields Market seating areas will remain open for now, and we will still have packaged grab-n-go options available from both the deli and the bakery.  We appreciate your flexibility, patience, and your cooperative spirit as we evolve with this situation, and as always, your support!  We are community owned, and, it shows in the ways in which we care for one another, and, support one another through challenges.  This time is no different, and, we appreciate the resourcefulness of our cooperative.

Update for 3/15 effective immediately:

All co-op seating areas at both stores are now closed, effective immediately.  We appreciate your ongoing patience and support at this time, as we respond to the latest advisories and information, while continuing to do our best to remain as open as we can!  Our community support has been tremendous in the face of this challenge, and we are proud of how our cooperation is coming forward to meet this situation daily.  Please stay tuned for volunteer opportunities–so many of you have reached out to ask how you might be of service!  We’re thankful to be in community with all of you, even as we are mindful of our physical proximity.  

For Green Fields Market 3/18:

Effective Wednesday, 3/18 Green Fields Market will be taking the following steps to provide additional shopping security for at-risk elders in our community:


9-10 AM will be 60+ ONLY at Green Fields Market.  Shoppers may enter through the front door only (but may exit out the back door) at that time.

Our regular hours will be 10AM-7 PM for all other shoppers.

We will be closed on Sundays, as well, from 3/18 onwards, until otherwise noted.

McCusker’s will retain its current hours for all shoppers at this time, until otherwise noted.

We continue to evolve our hours and plans of action in response to the concerns of our community, and the latest information and guidelines available.  Our goal is to be able to remain open as a safe, accessible community resource for as many people as possible at this time!

McCusker’s Hours Update starting Friday 3/20

Effective Friday, 3/20, McCusker’s hours will be:

11 AM – 6 PM Monday-Sunday.

As always, we appreciate your support and encouragement and your community spirit as we work to remain flexible, safe, and of service to our co-op communities.

Update to Green Fields Market Senior Hours 3/18/20:

New Hours Effective 3/18/20:

9AM-10AM: 60+, immuno-compromised/health conditions that might put you at risk/possible pregnancy/pregnant ONLY shopping hour, Mon-Sat.

10AM-7PM All other shoppers, Mon-Sat.

CLOSED Sundays

Green Fields Market Update 3/19:

Effective immediately, Green Fields Market will be closed from 2PM to 2:30 PM daily for cleaning. Thank you for your continued support, and, all of the ways that you’re reaching out to care for one another at this time!  Our hard-working staff appreciates the words of kindness that you’ve sent their way, as they rise to meet this challenge.  We’re in this together!

McCusker’s Market Update 3/19:

Effective immediately, McCusker’s Market will be closed from 2PM to 2:30 PM daily for cleaning. Thank you for your continued support, and, all of the ways that you’re reaching out to care for one another at this time!  Our hard-working staff appreciates the words of kindness that you’ve sent their way, as they rise to meet this challenge.  We’re in this together!

BOTTLE RETURN UPDATE 3/23:

We are no longer accepting bottle/can returns at either store location at this time until further notice.

McCusker’s Open Hours Changed 3/23

New Open Store hours are 1-6pm every day of the week, closed 11-1 for pickup/delivery processing.

Milk Bottle Return Update:

Starting next Wednesday, 4/1/20 at Green Fields Market, we will be offering new curbside milk bottle return hours for customers.  Our local farms are running low on bottles, and, we want to work with them to make sure they are well supplied, even as we maintain safety precautions!

Bottle return location is BACK DOOR DROP-OFF ONLY at this time!  thank you!  When you arrive, please call the curbside pickup line to let us know you are here to return bottles: 413-325-8810 

You will be met by a staff person who will collect bottles, and give you a ticket in exchange with the number of bottles returned that you can redeem at the register.  (If you do not feel comfortable entering the store, please save your ticket for redemption when you come to pick up your curbside order).

Senior/at-risk bottle return hours: 9-10 AM
All other returns: 10-11 AM

Reusable Bags Temporarily Banned by State Health Dept.

https://www.westernmassnews.com/news/state-reusable-shopping-bags-temporarily-prohibited/article_e4c8f61c-6ed5-11ea-80db-17fe53ba1ab0.html

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In the season with the least daylight, the glow of community shines the brightest!  We’re ready to gather around fires and cups of cocoa with our friends, family, and co-op community to share our hopes for the coming year, our recipes for our favorite local vegetables, and the bounty of Franklin County.  We’ve got festive free wine sampling events all season long, a holiday pop-up shop for Jinglefest at our 170 Main Street Space, and so much more!  We’ll see you at the co-op!

We welcome opportunities to support our local farmers and suppliers in any season–and are particularly thankful for the opportunities that fall during the shortest days of the year.  Whatever your reason for gathering—we hope you’ll visit us at the Co-op for everything to make your next meal together full of the flavors of Franklin County!  Thank you for being part of our community, and for letting us feed you.  We’re thankful for you, each and every day.

Feeling overwhelmed while planning a family or friendsgiving?  Pick up one of our handy shopping checklists to make sure you’ve got all of the essentials, and, be on the lookout for our staff member recipes throughout the store, with some of our holiday favorites!

The evenings are getting crisp, there’s a new New Beet out on the shelves, and a new Members’ Almanac celebrating all of our favorite tastes of fall–whether they’re on the tree, in a pie, or in a pint glass, we’re all about the apples at this time of year!  Be sure to stop by our Produce department as it fills up with unique heirloom varieties, and taste a little history made new again too.  Curious to learn more?  We’re having an Heirloom Apple talk at 170 Main Street this month!  We’ll see you at the Co-op!

Organic watermelons are in, we’ve got every safe sun and bug spray on deck to help you enjoy the outdoors all season long, and, great grilling options throughout the store, from local veggies to sustainably-raised local steaks!

Curious about keeping up with summer at the Co-op?  Be sure to visit our Members’ Almanac for great monthly member-only deals, our Events Calendar for all of the latest and greatest in community events at both of our stores, and the Co-op Deals flyers for great seasonal savings on all of your summertime favorites!

We’ve got starts from Shoestring Farm for your garden, organic potting mix and soils, organic local seeds, and the first fruits of spring have popped up in Produce–we’re definitely into the swing of spring here at the Co-op!

Check out our Events calendar for art gatherings, committee meetings, samplings and more as the season picks up steam, and be sure to visit both stores for blossoms, Memorial Day supplies, and more–there’s so much to love about the month of May, from moms to more sunshine to new members making a difference in our communities!

A new month means a new Members’ Almanac too, so, don’t forget to pick yours up, or, find it right here online!

We’ve got a rainbow of carrots in Produce, pussywillows and tulips decorating the store, and a good feeling about everything green this season as we look forward to:

Earth Week! (April 15-19th—stay tuned for a great Green Giveaway on Facebook and special Earth Week door prizes)

An incredible Tie-Dyed Reusable Bag Making Workshop on April 20th at 170 Main Street, FREE and open to all, from 10-12 to celebrate Greenfield banning plastic bags!

Raw Milk Cheese Day! (Saturday, April 20th, but we’ll be celebrating with samples all weekend long)

And every form of celebratory chocolate, cupcake, radish, and other thing that makes spring SPRING today at the co-op!