Spoonful Autumn 2026

AUTUMN 2026 NEWSLETTER Cover Photo by Georgia Kalantzis Photography

Hello Spoonful Readers!

As we move into fall and toward the holiday season, there is so much to celebrate at The Common Market.

It is one of my favorite times of the year, and our entire team is dedicated to providing the best grocery shopping experience in Frederick.

September marks the beginning of our busy season.

Back-to-school is here, and we have plenty of convenient, healthy, and delicious options for lunches, snacks, and busy family schedules.

September is also an important month for our Coop community because Board elections take place September 1–30. As a community-owned business, our Board plays an important role in representing our Owners and helping guide the future of The Common Market. On September 16 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at our 7th Street store, you will have an opportunity to meet Board members and candidates, ask questions, and learn more about the election.

And don't forget to take advantage of one of our biggest Buy One, Get One Free (BOGO) sales of the year!

October Is National Co-op Month

October gives us an opportunity to celebrate what makes cooperatives different.

If you are not already an Owner, it is a great time to join The Common Market, enjoy the benefits of ownership, and become part of a business that belongs to the community.

We are not a Wall Street business model—we are a community-owned business. We are owned by the community, operated for the community, and strengthened by the community.

In my experience, co-ops are among the organizations at the forefront of building stronger local communities.

When you shop at The Common Market, you are supporting something bigger than a grocery store— you are supporting local farmers and producers, our employees, our local economy, and a business whose success stays connected to Frederick.

On October 17, we will host our Ownerfest at our Route 85 store. There will be food, music, activities, and a presentation from our Board. We invite all our Owners

to come celebrate with us, connect with your Co-op community, and experience what makes The Common Market different.

The Holidays Are Coming

As we move into November and December, our teams will be ready to help make your holiday celebrations special.

You can look forward to a wonderful selection of natural and organic turkeys, outstanding seafood, local and grass-fed meats, beautiful produce with great local selections, and delicious pies made in-house.

Our Grocery team will have everything you need for your holiday table, including a great selection of cooperative, local, and specialty products. Our Wellness team will be ready to help you take care of yourself during the busy season, while our Café will offer freshly prepared, in-house holiday sides and other favorites to make entertaining easier.

Our knowledgeable Front End team will help make your shopping experience efficient and welcoming. Most importantly, our amazing staff throughout both stores will be ready to help make your holidays a little easier and a lot more special.

Come experience the difference of a community-owned grocery store. Come experience The Common Market.

Finally, thank you to all our Owners, customers, Board members, and employees for your continued support.

Each of you helps us live up to the promise and positive expectations of a community-owned business that believes in Frederick and in the people we serve.

I look forward to seeing you in our stores this fall and throughout the holiday season.

With Gratitude For All Your Support,

Román Diaz, General Manager

Editor & Ad Sales - Susan Schulman | Design & Layout - Kayleigh Montgomery-Morris, Jenni Jones Classes & Education - Devin Marcello | Contributors - welcometothetable.coop Contact marketing@commonmarket.coop with contributions. Contact sschulman@commonmarket.coop for advertising rates.

The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Board, management, staff, or consumer-Owners of the Common Market. Nutrition and health information are given for informational purposes only and are not meant as a substitute for a consultation with a licensed health or dietary practitioner.

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS Alison Wexler President

Kimberly Bloch Rincan Vice President

Nina Carr Treasurer

Phil Westcott Secretary

Kai Hagen Armando Martinez Jaime McKay Alecks Moss Toby Schermerhorn Directors

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6- 9 PM

Fall is here, and change is all around! The leaves crisp, the days shorten, and at our Co-op, you have the opportunity to participate in change and make an impact! And there are so many ways to do it:

and by sharing your perspective with leadership all year round. We are a democratically-controlled business, and your voice matters.

You can shop here and support local! Just by shopping at our two stores, you put your dollars back into the community. Across departments and upon the shelves, you will find goods from over 150 local businesses, vendors, and farmers. Choosing to shop with us is an investment in our local economy, to keep it thriving and truly homegrown.

You can become a part of the Co-op! We operate by the core principle of voluntary and open membership, and all are welcome.

Here, membership isn’t simply a loyalty program, although the perks are well worth it. Membership means Ownership. As an Owner, you can shape the Co-op by voting in board elections each September

And last, but not least–you can get involved! Our Board of Directors is comprised of nine dedicated Owners from all walks of life, including staff, who care deeply about the well-being and continuity of the Common Market.

We support its success by overseeing management and ensuring that the Co-op’s mission is fulfilled. Owners are welcome to join in our monthly meetings, attend Ownerfest (Oct. 17!), and contribute to discussions about where we stand, where we’re going, and how we get there as a valuesdriven business. Whether you show up to meetings or choose to run for the Board, you have a seat at the table.

However it looks for you, I hope you choose to participate this fall, and continue to support your locally-owned grocery cooperative, the Common Market.

6 - 9 PM Hybrid meeting! Join us online or in-person at 7th Street.

In Cooperation,

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6 - 9 PM The Common Market Board of Directors meets monthly via Zoom. All are welcome to attend.

To join a meeting, please click on the ZOOM link provided on the Board of Directors page of the Common Market website.

Nina Carr, Board Treasurer The Common Market Board of Directors

What brought you to the Co-op?

The people working here. Such great customer service

Quinn Cook

What do you like best about your job?

Laughing with my coworkers!

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what would you be and why?

Kristine

Café Service Associate What do you like best about your job?

I like greeting customers & Owners with a smile and making them their favorite drink or food item.

A pumpkin. They're versatile; decorations part of the year, food during the rest of the year and they come in all colors, shapes, and sizes.

What is your favorite meal to make?

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

When you have 30 min of free time, what do you do?

I'd learn ASL!

When you have 30 minutes of free time, what do you do?

I usually practice my pen & ink drawing or call a loved one.

What's your favorite meal to make?

I love making stir fry. Veg prep plus high speed cooking is the way for me.

What's the best meal you've ever eaten?

All-you-can-eat sushi. My friend and I literally ate the whole menu.

What is something always in your pantry/fridge?

Canned tuna. The protein per price is unbeatable.

Chicken or shrimp alfredo. My kids and I love the alfredo sauce that I make from scratch.

Relax and listen to some music or maybe squeeze in an episode of my favorite anime show.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Maybe a buyer or someone in the upper tier in the Co-op.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

Learn to deep dive and/or SCUBA dive. I have an inherent fear of large bodies of water, but learning that may help me get over my fear of it.

What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten?

I was recently at Hootch & Banter in Downtown Frederick. I had their pistachio encrusted red snapper with saffron risotto and sauteed broccolini with tomato sauce. It was superb!

What is your favorite clean-out-the-fridge meal?

Kimchi with cold Somen noodles and whatever veggies chopped up in it from the fridge.

What’s your food philosophy in 20 words or less?

Eating clean is preventative medicine and better for the earth.

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Survey Says. . .

If you're a regular shopper at the Co-op, there's a good chance you've received a Customer Survey at checkout. We've been collecting this information for over a year, and it's been helping us discover what you love about the Co-op, and what we need to work on.

We'd like to thank you, our Customers, for filling out these surveys honestly, and especially for recognizing our staff members and their stellar customer service skills! Here are a few of your responses:

Angel

Café Service Associate What do you like best about your job?

Getting to know my coworkers and making the wraps!

What is your favorite meal to make?

A really simple breakfast sandwich. Just a hashbrown, fried egg, whatever meat I have, and a tomato slice on a bagel.

When you have 30 min of free time, what do you do?

Stretch! Or listen to some music. Preferrably outside.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what would you be and why?

A mango. Orange is my favorite color and if I had a pit I think it would be furry.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

Fly a plane.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

With a huge garden and a community of family and friends who look out for each other.

What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten?

A food cart in the Dominican Republic that made fresh pastelitos.

What is your favorite clean-out-the-fridge meal?

My girlfriend's fried rice.

What’s your food philosophy in 20 words or less?

Easy, efficient and resourceful

"I've been shopping at the coop for almost 20 years now and it's my go to grocery store. I love being able to bring my containers for bulk and produce to cut down on plastic waste and the quality of all products. The staff is always helpful and friendly in my experience. I especially love the assortment of fresh mushrooms and the wide variety of cheeses. And of course, the community commitment is important to me."

"Draven is friendly and professional. They are always working efficiently taking orders and doing other tasks while also maintaining a positive attitude. They also seem to be nice to their coworkers. Super great job!!"

"They had everything I was shopping for and more. Checkout was quick and friendly. I was just shopping for a couple of items prior to a short road trip, but got more, as usual!"

"Briar is always upbeat. Always makes an excellent juice or smoothie. Always nods or says hello even when busy. Very knowledgeable and makes great recommendations. He is the employee that makes me feel welcome."

"Alex is a super guy at the cashier station.

Calm, polite, always has a nice word to offer.

DJ greeted me in the store and made me feel super welcome, almost part of the family. Love shopping here thanks to your amazing staff."

"Andie was so kind and friendly. She had so many good things to say about the store and coworkers. It was just a really positive experience."

"The store was clean and products were easy to find. Katie our cashier was friendly and welcoming.

Overall the store had a warm and welcoming vibe."

Autumn 2026

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In Our Community

Frederick Pride

Thousands of festival goers strolled through Carroll Creek Linear Park on Saturday, June 27th decked out in rainbow colors for The Frederick Center's 14th Pride Festival. This year saw the city's largest Pride yet with over 200 vendors! The Co-op was happy to be a small part of the event celebrating our vibrant LGBTQ+ community, spreading the word about our healthy food selections, the cooperative business model, and our 'everyone welcome' philosophy!

Fox Haven Farm Tour

In July, some of our team members had the pleasure of visiting Fox Haven Farm in Jefferson Maryland. In addition to hosting nature-based workshops and cultivating and protecting valued farmland, the hardworking farmers have been busy growing food for our community including herbs, fruits, and vegetables. We look forward to working with Fox Haven Farm on future educational and community events!

CanStruction 2026

CanStruction was a one-of-a-kind community art exhibit that brought together creativity and compassion to support local families facing food

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insecurity. In July, several teams transformed canned food items (some of which were from the Co-op) into large-scale sculptures for display at Warehouse Cinemas Frederick. Our building team won the "Best Meal" and "Structural Integrity" awards for their design! After the exhibit concluded, every can was donated to the Frederick Rescue Mission Food Distribution Center.

Stuff the Bus

The Co-op was excited to be a designated drop-off location for United Way's annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive again this year. Thanks to the generous donations from our community members, we helped fill hundreds of backpacks with supplies for FCPS students! The Common Market loves donating breakfast to the volunteers who rely on a cup of local coffee and organic fruit and pastries to fuel up before collecting and sorting all those donations!

Staff BBQs

Our staff is an important part of our community, too! In August, store management treated our staff to some free burgers and hot dogs to show our appreciation for the hard work they do every day at the Co-op.

OFF A SHOPPING TRIP OF YOUR CHOICE ON ANY DAY IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

Everyone can shop, anyone can join!

You don’t need to be an Owner to shop at the Common Market, but we hope after reading this you’ll want to join our community of over 10,000 like-minded individuals who are part of an organization that focuses on keeping resources in our community, supports local farms and home-grown businesses, and encourages fair, ethical, sustainable, and just business practices. The Common Market measures its success through a three-tiered bottom line: people, planet, profit, which correlates to social, environmental, and economic development.

In addition to the personal benefits of a variety of discounts within the stores, Ownership allows the opportunity to have a voice in the operation of the organization. From voting for Board Members and other strategic initiatives, to selecting where our donations are directed and attending free or discounted events and classes, Ownership offers the chance to shop with a conscience and feel invested in your community.

Become an Owner today by simply completing an equity share form and making a payment.

An equity share is a one-time cost of $200 and can be paid in installments of $25.

Thanksgiving Planner

Tasty Traditions

How Much Food Do I Need?

Host a holiday feast with Thanksgiving favorites from our Café!

Use this chart to help choose the right amount of food for your Thanksgiving celebration.

Stuffing

item

per person

groups of 10

Mushroom Gravy

Entrées

½ to ¾ pound

5-7 pounds

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash

1

⁄3 to ½ pound

4 pounds

Traditional Gravy

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Green beans, Brussels sprouts, carrots ¼ to 1⁄3 pound

2½ pounds

Stuffing

1

⁄3 to ½ pound

4 pounds

Gravies and sauces

¼ cup

2-3 pounds

Pumpkin Pie

Turkey (whole)

1 to 1½ pounds

10-15 pounds

Apple Pie

Cranberries

2 ounces or 1⁄8 cup

1½ pounds or 2 cups

Snacks/appetizers

2-4 ounces

2-3 pounds

Pie

1 slice

2 9-inch pans

Ice cream

½ cup

½ gallon

Butternut Squash Pasta Green Bean Casserole Mac & Cheese Cranberry Sauce

Pecan Pie Pumpkin Cheesecake Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

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Garden Party Magic

Our whimsical styled shoots at Dahlia Den & Gardens What happens when five local businesses come together with a shared love of beautiful gatherings, good food, flowers, and community?

A pretty special day at Dahlia Den & Gardens!

Common Market Co-op teamed up with Dahlia Den & Gardens, Jubilee Party Co., Frederick Flower Farm, and Georgia Kalantzis Photography to create a beautiful outdoor picnic setup surrounded by flowers and gardens.

Each business brought something different to the table: Dahlia Den provided the setting and flowers, Jubilee Party Co. created the luxury picnic and tablescape, Frederick Flower Farm added floral design and décor, Georgia captured everything behind the camera, and Common Market brought the food and drinks.

We also owe a huge thank-you to the wonderful models who volunteered their time for the shoot, including Kendall from @thekarlssonfam, who joined us for the Ladies Night photoshoot, and Harlem, Paige's daughter from @paigegalloway, who helped bring our Fairy Garden photoshoot to

life. We're so grateful to everyone who showed up, had fun, and helped us bring these ideas to life!

The shoot also gave us the chance to create something exciting for our community: a collaborative giveaway featuring all five businesses. One lucky winner received a luxury picnic experience for up to eight guests at Dahlia Den & Gardens, a floral experience from Frederick Flower Farm, a one-hour mini photography session with Georgia Kalantzis Photography, a luxury picnic setup from Jubilee Party Co., and a gourmet picnic box from Common Market Co-op. The whole package is valued at approximately $1,000!

We're so thankful to everyone who helped make this shoot happen, especially the businesses and volunteers who generously shared their time and talents. It's always exciting to see what can come together when local businesses share their creativity, and we're happy to share a little bit of that fun with our community, too!

Photographs by Georgia Kalantzis Photography

What's New at the Market?

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1. Date Better Nut Butter Dates Coated in Chocolate Chewy Medjool dates stuffed with a variety of Nut Butters, then dipped in organic, fair-trade 85% dark chocolate free of soy and emulsifiers.

2. The Lucky Ox Sparling Drinks The Lucky Ox reimagines classic Asian recipes as drinks made for everyday moments. Every drink starts with a meaningful recipe: the richness of roasted pineapple cake, the tang of preserved lemons, or the floral sweetness of alphonso mangoes.

3. Keya's Bold & Unique Potato Chips Delicously bold potato chips free of trans fats, gluten, MSG, GMOs, and additives. Available in Golden Ranch, Black Salt, and Bombay Spice.

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4. Field Day Organic Salad Dressings Organic, budget-friendly dressings perfect for drizzling on your salad, tossing with fresh vegetables for a pasta primavera, and all your cooking and baking needs.

5. Non-Alchoholic Beer Singles Select single cans of non-alcoholic beer are now available at both Co-op locations, perfect for pairing with lunch, taking on a picnic, or trying out new flavors.

6. Mother Earth Organic Dried Mushrooms 100% certified organic mushrooms, dried immediately after harvesting to lock in their fresh taste and aroma. Easily rehydrated by soaking in water or broth for 15 minutes, these mushrooms can be added to any recipe.

A Few Fresh Finds at the Co-op!

Only Available @ Route 85

7. Freshwater Farm Natural Body Care Freshwater Farm’s range of body care products includes SLS-free (sodium lauryl sulfate) hand washes and natural bar soaps made in Australia, using native botanicals and ethically sourced ingredients.

8. Before Natural Toothpaste Toothpaste formulated with safe, natural ingredients, including choices of sodium fluoride and nanohydroxyapatite (n-HA), to effectively remineralize and protect your teeth. No compromises, no shortcuts—just a product you can trust to keep your smile bright and healthy.

9. Ancient Nutrition Active Peptides Cortisol This safe, clinically backed formula uses modern peptide technology and ancient botanicals to help balance cortisol, calm the mind, curb stress-related cravings & improve sleep – without the use of stimulants or injectables.

10. Mountain Rose Organic Mushroom Extract Powders Mountain Rose mushroom extract powders offer a more bio-available form of mushroom products than the simple powdered mushrooms, which need to be cooked or processed more in order to release the beneficial properties.

11. Mary Ruth's Advanced Liquid Skin Restore & Renew Support your beauty from the inside out. Featuring Sepitone™, a fermented wild bilberry extract that supports healthy aging and promotes a youthful skin appearance by improving skin texture and skin elasticity in women.

12. Bluebonnet Hydration Electrolyte Drink Mix Specially formulated with an optimal blend of electrolytes along with L-Theanine (Suntheanine®) to support hydration, endurance, recovery, and focus. Available in Lemon Lime & Glacier Pop.

We're always on the lookout for new items! If you have suggestion for us, visit www.commonmarket.coop/connect/new-item-suggestion/ and fill out the form.

CLASSES & EVENTS Visit www.commonmarket.coop/classes-events for the most up-to-date list and full descriptions.

COOKING Learn more about cooking techniques and experiment with fresh, new ingredients.

ENVIRONMENT Cultivate awareness and engage in the topics of local and global preservation.

BACKYARD AGRICULTURE For the first-time gardener or avid green thumb to explore the potential in one's own backyard.

HEALTH & WELLNESS Obtain the knowledge that can help restore balance to your body & mind.

ARTS & CRAFTS Get creative, express yourself and learn new skills.

EVENT Exciting happenings at the co-op and around town.

Sample Saturday: Labor Day

Saturday, September 5 | 12 - 3PM @ Both Store Locations Join us Saturday, September 5th for our endof-summer in-store tasting event! Visit both store locations from 12 – 3PM to try delicious samples from every department, including Labor Day treats, grilling essentials, and more.

Meet the Board Candidates & Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, September 16 | 5:30 - 7PM @ 7th Street Store FREE Stop by and meet the Co-op Owners running for the Common Market’s Board of Directors!

Current Board and staff will join candidates and customers in mingling and conversation at this mid-point during our Board Election.

This is a casual opportunity to say hello, hear what inspired them to run, ask questions, and learn more about their ideas for the future of our Co-op.

The candidates will be set up in an open area of the 7th Street Store, so feel free to stop and chat while you shop.

Fall in Love with Transit!

Thursday, September 17 | 2:30 - 3:30PM @ 7th Street Store FREE

From Surplus to Support: How Magic Cycle Feeds Frederick

Tuesday, October 6 | 2:30 - 3:30PM @ 7th Street Store FREE What happens to perfectly good food when a store can no longer sell it? Join Magic Cycle founder Martina Gallagher for a behindthe-scenes look at local food rescue—how surplus food from grocery stores, farms, and other businesses is recovered and quickly redistributed to families in need and community organizations throughout Frederick and beyond. Learn what can be rescued, what those confusing date labels truly mean, and simple ways we can all help to keep good food feeding people instead of landfills.

Bonus: Test your food-rescue instincts with our interactive “Would You Rescue It?” challenge and win a box of rescued food!

Ownerfest!

Saturday, October 17 | 12 - 3PM @ Route 85 Parking Lot FREE Join us for an autumn afternoon of lunch, live music, local vendors with plenty of samples, and a chance to hear from your newly elected Board of Directors about the Co-op’s past and current fiscal year!

Join the friendly Frederick Transit team to learn about all the free transportation options available in Frederick while enjoying complimentary treats and drinks from the Common Market bakery and cafe!

Textile Recycling Event

Then, as a group, ride the #60 bus to the Transit Center and transfer to the #61 for a ride back to the Co-op!

Bring your textiles including clothing, towels, bedding, rugs, etc. to either store location!

Recycling in partnership with Helpsy and The Frederick County Department of Solid Waste.

Friday, November 13 | 3 - 6PM @ Both Store Locations FREE

Sample Saturday: Co-op Month Saturday, October 3 | 12 - 3PM @ Both Store Locations

Join us Saturday, October 3 for our National Co-op Month Sample Saturday event! Visit both store locations from 12 – 3PM to try delicious samples from every department!

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Don't miss out! Be sure to check our online calendar for the most up-to-date class list.

COMMUNITY PARTNER Spotlight!

Holiday Food Tastings

Saturday, November 7 @ Route 85 | 12 - 3PM Saturday, November 14 @ 7th Street | 12 - 3PM FREE You're invited to sample our house-prepared sides and desserts available for holiday preorder!

Stop by and enjoy free samples from 12 - 3PM.

Nymeo Credit Union Cooperatively-Owned Federal Credit Union www.nymeo.org

RECURRING CO-OP EVENTS Gentle Yoga for All with Toby Schermerhorn Every Wednesday 8:30 - 9:30AM | 7th Street Community Room Donation Based Board of Directors Meeting - Everyone Welcome!

Every 4th Thursday of the Month 6 - 9PM | Online, visit website for Zoom meeting link Frederick Ukulele Jam! Every First Saturday of the Month (September Jam is 9/12) 12 - 2PM | 7th Street Community Room FREE Song Circle Every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the Month 3 - 5PM | Route 85 Community Room FREE

Owner Benefit: Owners receive $100 deposit when opening any Checking Account, enrolling in eStatements, and setting up a recurring direct deposit of at least $500 per month. Use Owners-only code H8W64Q4 at sign up.

Board Meetings S EP

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6-9PM

OCT

22

6 - 9 PM

NOV

12

6-9PM

Hybrid meeting! Join us online or in-person at 7th Street.

The Common Market Board of Directors meets monthly via Zoom.

All are welcome to attend. To join a meeting, please click on the ZOOM link provided on the Board of Directors page of the Common Market website.

Scan the code for more info.

Why we stand by Nymeo Federal Credit Union: Nymeo Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution that is truly member-focused.

When you join Nymeo, you become an equal owner in a secure, well-managed financial co-operative!

They offer the same products and services as a bank, but since they have no shareholders, they invest back to their members by offering better rates and lower fees. Financial well-being of its members is Nymeo’s top priority.

Our Community Partners Program continues to grow, offering our owners many options to save and support local business!

Visit our website to learn about all of our Community Partners.

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A Cut Above the Rest Local and Grass-Fed Beef at the Co-op

At the Common Market, we take great pride in our Meat & Seafood Department, carefully sourcing beef, pork, chicken, seafood and more in the hopes of providing our shoppers with premium options at an affordable price.

When it comes to our fresh beef, the Co-op relies on 2 main sources: Roseda Black Angus Farm and Grass Run Farms. We wanted to provide you a little bit of background on these 2 farms and why we choose to source our fresh-cut selections from each: Roseda Black Angus Farm Located in Monkton, Maryland, Roseda Farm specializes in dry-aged Angus beef, raised about 60 miles from the Co-op. Every piece of Roseda Farm's beef is dry-aged for 14-21 days, a process which allows for some of the moisture to evaporate, and for enzymes to break down some of the more fibrous tissue, leaving behind more tender meat with a rich, beefy flavor.

Along with raising cattle, the farmers at Roseda are focused on sustainability in regards to feeding, implementing rotational grazing

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cycles to reduce the impact of erosion, soil conservation, watering through a gratvitybased water system that prevents runoff into local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay, and energy conservation, proudly running their entire farm with solar energy.

Grass Run Farms Based in Colorado, Grass Run Farms is a much larger operation consisting of a network of American ranchers dedicated to raising cattle naturally, responsibly, and respectfully. All Grass Run Farms beef is 100% grass-fed, antibiotic and hormonefree, and born and raised in the USA. Grass Run Farms participating farmers utilize rotational grazing techniques, improving soil structure, preventing overgrazing which can lead to soil erosion, and increasing pasture drought resilience.

What to Expect at the Co-op Meat Counter Did you know that the Co-op Meat Department team cuts and grinds our fresh beef in-house daily? Cutting in-house allows Common Market to pass savings on to the customer while ensuring freshness and quality of the product. Some of our cuts are packed in foam trays, while others are vacuum sealed in our Cryovac machine. At our 7th Street store, you also have the option of purchasing cuts from our service case to be packed in butcher paper.

Cryovac packaging gives more shelf life to the product, reducing waste for both the customer and the store. It is also more convenient, as these cuts can go directly in your home freezer for future cooking adventures - no need to remove from the packaging and vac seal it at home! You may notice a slight color difference in Cryovac options due to lack of exposure to oxygen. Simply remove the packaging 10-15 minutes prior to cooking and the normal color will return.

At both 7th St. and Rt. 85 Roseda Farm and Grass Run Farms selections are Prime Grade, domestically raised meats and are also ground daily for the Common Market packaged ground beef – this is a top quality ground meat from the perspective of taste, health & nutrition.

Shoppers may be curious about the recent changes at our Route 85 store in regards to the fresh meat counter. While the look of the Meat Department at this store may have changed, the team continues to pride themselves on great customer service, a well-stocked Meat and Seafood Department, and offering the best selection both in-store and for special order.

Don’t see what you are looking for on the shelf? We can special order a variety of items, just ask a team member to help you!

Photos: Top Right: Well aware that the cost of beef has increased, Meat & Seafood Manager, Wayne, carefully trims fat so customers are only paying for what they'll be eating.

Middle Right: Wayne packages hand-cut steaks.

Bottom Right: Fresh Cryovac packaged steaks ready to be labeled and sold.

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It’s a Co-op World Cooperation is more than just a good idea — it’s a way to transform the way business is done.

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hen you walk into a food co-op, you’re entering something that’s beyond a grocery store. You’re in a cooperatively owned space, created to meet the needs of the people who shop there. Simply put, a food co-op is a grocery store owned by the people in the community. They are independent stores, built on the idea that everyone can benefit from cooperative ownership.

Food Co-ops: Open to Everyone Anyone can shop (and eat and gather) at a food co-op. And everyone is welcome to become an owner. Co-op owners can get financial rewards, as well as a vote to choose the board of directors and influence the co-op’s future direction.

Food co-ops bring benefits to the entire community — owners, shoppers, workers, vendors, farmers, suppliers and beyond. They keep more money in the local economy, increase the market and access for locally produced food, and prioritize business practices that are good for people and the planet.

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Co-ops Are Everywhere

Choose Co-ops

The co-op model works for much more than grocery stores.

Co-ops provide the framework that allows people to achieve their goals, whether it’s access to housing or bigger markets for small farmers, in a way that better meets their needs.

In the United States, there are more than 29,000 co-ops, including — but not limited to — food co-ops. Beyond your neighborhood food co-op, cooperatives exist for brew pubs, coffee suppliers, olive oil producers, credit unions, electric utilities, hardware stores, artists and chocolate makers, to name a few.

You can support co-ops by seeking out their products at your food co-op. You’ll find Co-op Trade signs on the shelves directing you to goods grown, made or distributed by co-ops.

Here are a few common types of co-ops:

Agricultural Co-ops Agricultural co-ops bring independent farms together to achieve long-term success. You’ll find products from agricultural co-ops in your local food co-op.

Financial Services Co-ops Financial services co-ops such as credit unions help to strengthen the economy by granting account members ownership.

Housing Co-ops Housing co-ops are apartment complexes, single-family homes, mobile home parks or student housing that empower people with homeownership and responsibility.

Equal Exchange is a worker-owned co-op providing fairly traded coffee, tea, chocolate, bananas, olive oil and nuts grown by small farmer organizations around the world.

Frontier Co-op, more than 50,000 memberowners strong, is dedicated to sourcing the highest-quality spices, herbs and botanical products through the Frontier Co-op, Simply Organic® and Aura Cacia® brands.

Organic Valley is the largest farmer-owned organic cooperative in the U.S. and one of the world's largest organic consumer brands.

Look for Co-op Trade signs on the shelves directing you to goods grown, made or distributed by co-ops.

Reprinted by permission from grocery.coop.

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A Note from the Co-op: Co-op Owners and customers alike, when you choose to shop local at the Common Market, you do more than just make a purchase. You invest in the people, small businesses, and family farmers who make our 2 stores in Frederick unique. For every dollar spent at the Co-op, an average of 41¢ stays in the county, creating a stronger, more resilient and independent local economy.

Now, more than ever, it is important to know where your food and items for your home come from, who has grown or produced them, what farming methods or materials were used. From how far away were the items transported? What does fresh, natural, healthy look like to you? When you attend a Common Market event like Loco for Local or Ownerfest, you have the opportunity to actually meet and talk to some of the local vendors and farmers who have made the food and products that are in your pantries and on your tables.

The dollars you spend have power. When those dollars circulate close to home, local opportunities are created, family farms are preserved, a stronger community is established.

We appreciate the role you play in the Common Market’s past, present and future.

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Shopper Reviews My favorite store ever, great products! Delicious meats!

Great people working there!!

- Jen R. I love shopping at The Common Market. Great produce, extensive bulk items, helpful staff, great prepared food. Especially fond of their salad with tofu and Thai peanut dressing.

- Elaine S.