Spoonful - January/February 2023

Happy New Year to all our Customers, Owners, and Employees!

It has been a roller-coaster of a year; supply chain issues, labor shortages, and sky-rocketing inflation have been just a few of the challenges we have faced, and I am proud to say that the continued support from our employees, customers, and Owners has kept us going and helped us be where we are today.

Some of the accomplishments the Common Market had this past year were:

• We grew ownership to over 8,300 ownersincreasing our footprint in the community.

• We were voted Best Organic/Specialty Grocery store and Best Green Business by Frederick News Post readers.

• We opened our in-house bakery which helps us supply you with more fresh bread, desserts, and pastries.

• We grew our local suppliers to over 200, and our total sales from local products to 17.7%.

• We started a new product and pricing initiative that will help us be a more accessible grocery option to all.

• We reopened the café at both of our locations, and are working hard to expand our service hours.

• We implemented a new customer survey that

will give us more timely and detailed feedback which will help us improve the customer experience.

• We implemented a new online ordering system, Webcart – attached to Owner accounts - to allow customers to shop from home. In addition, The Common Market is now shoppable via Instacart.

• We brought in a line of non-alcoholic beer and wines and can now boast the best selection in the area.

We are excited for 2023 and will be focusing on growing the Co-op with more initiatives, partnerships, and events in the works. We will also be continuing to increase and diversify our local product offerings and as always, focusing on supporting our employees and finding ways to improve the working environment and remain one of Frederick’s best places to work!

We are also working with state and local officials on aquiring an Alcohol License to allow sales of local and organic beer and wine - expanding our support for the local economy. We hope you can write your representatives in support of this initiative - we sent an email to all Owners with the necessary information for your support, and it can also be found on the Board section of our website.

I’m excited for what 2023 will bring and hope you are too.

Thank you for your continued support,

Román Diaz, General Manager

Contact marketing@commonmarket.coop with contributions. Contact sschulman@commonmarket.coop for advertising rates.

Editor & Ad Sales - Susan Schulman | Design & Layout - Kayleigh Montgomery-Morris, Yumi Redifer

Classes & Education - Libby Nuss | Owner Services - Mac Kio | Contributors - Lara Ecker, Annie Gunnell, Amanda Harmon, Armando Martinez, welcometothetable.coop

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Megan Schneebaum President

Mary McKelvie

Vice President

Juan Ducos Treasurer

John Beutler

Joe Eastwood

Armando Martinez

Alecks Moss

Toby Schermerhorn Directors

Joe Asim Staff Liaison

Julie Richards Secretary FEB 24

Your Co-op Board and Staff have been working hard recently to advance a draft bill for the upcoming Maryland legislative session. The proposed bill would permit issuance of liquor licenses to food cooperatives in Frederick County, and permit sales of local and organic beer and wine (but not distilled spirits). The bill will face stiff resistance from the liquor lobby in Annapolis, but the immediate need is to convince our local legislators that they should support the bill in the first place. We sent out an email blast in early December to Maryland Co-op Owners with a list of email addresses for the county’s delegation (The state senators and delegates representing Frederick County). If you have received this, please take action and contact your representatives!

Román and I spoke to the delegation at a Liquor Board forum, and at a County CommissionDelegation meeting, with a CityDelegation meeting scheduled soon. We’re strategizing how to

persuade the Delegation that our bill poses no threat to existing liquor stores and would benefit the local economy. In coming weeks we will solicit further emails from owners to the county executive, council members, city aldermen and mayor. This is all happening before the delegation is seated in Annapolis and the session starts in January.

Maryland residents who are not Owners are welcome to join the campaign. Check the Common Market web page for more information, the text of the draft bill, and the many reasons why this would be a good thing for your Coop, local breweries and wineries, and the local agriculture that produces the grapes, barley, and hops. We also plan to enlist support from those breweries and wineries!

Cheers to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2023! We appreciate all who support the mission of the Common Market Co-op to bring a just food economy to Frederick.

Cooperatively Yours,

John Beutler, Board Director

The

Common

Market Board of Directors

In Our Community

November Register Roundups

From November 1 - 15th, our customers rounded up their purchase amounts to benefit two local nonprofits; The Baltimore American Indian Center and the Cranksgiving Food Drive sponsored by the Bicycle Escape (donations benefitted the Frederick Community Action Agency). You donated over $1,000, which was divided evenly between the two. Thank you to our generous community for donating to these two worthy causes!

December Register Roundup & Coat Drive

From December 1 - 15th, we collected donations to benefit the Frederick Rescue Mission. With the help of our community, we donated nearly $2,000 worth of fresh produce to help feed local families as part of the Christmas Alive program. During this time, we also held a Winter Clothing drive to benefit the Rescue Mission. Thanks to your donations, we dropped off 2 car loads of clothing! Thank you again to everyone who donated and helped brighten the holidays for local families in need.

Co-op Storytime

Our friends at Frederick County Public Libraries recently began hosting monthly storytime events at the Co-op. We welcome children aged 0-5 and their caregivers to our 7th Street Community Room to hear a story, sing fun songs, and try yummy treats! Check our event calendar for upcoming dates.

Asian American Center of Frederick Food Drive

Our customers donated more than a shopping cart full of canned and non-perishable food to the Asian American Center of Frederick during our November food drive! We visited them to drop off the food and to participate in their Senior Wellness Fair. It was a great chance for us to reach out to more members of our community!

Humane Society Pet Supply Donation

Recently, our marketing team won a $250 Visa gift card as a prize for a social media contest hosted by Fairtrade America. The post that won us the prize was masterminded by our Graphic Designer, Yumi, and she wanted to donate to a cause close to her heart. The funds allowed us to donate pet food, litter, and toys to the Humane Society of Frederick. Thanks to Fairtrade America for awarding us this gift, and to Yumi for putting that gift to good use!

Employee Artisan Fair

Our second Common Market Employee Artisan Fair was a great success! A few of our super-talented employees set up booths and sold their handmade goods at our Route 85 store. It was a pleasure to celebrate and explore the creative talents of Common Market team members, and to listen to live music by local musician Bianca Bentz!

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 8,000 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 payment plans are available.

7th Street

We're recognizing our whole Wellness team for running the department without a manager for the past month. Way to go, team!

What brought you to the Co-op? Focus on local, organic, healthy foods and items. Being part of a co-op feeling like it makes a difference.

What do you like best about your job? The people who work here. All the various aspects of my job. The great products we carry. (There are too many things I love.)

What is your favorite food to make? Chili - it's easy, healthy, and flavorful.

What is something always in your pantry/fridge? Kombucha

JOIN OUR TEAM!

The Common Market is hiring for various positions. Scan the code to apply today!

What do you like best about your job? I like who I work with. It's important to me to have shared values and I like being on the same page in that regard.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what would you be and why? I would be a pomegranate, simply because they're delicious.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Speak every language or play every instrument (ideally both, though).

Michelle Wellness Receiver

Jess Wellness Buyer

7th Street

We're recognizing our whole Wellness team for running the department without a manager for the past month. Way to go, team!

What brought you to the Co-op?

The vast selection of fresh, local food along with the friendly community atmosphere.

What do you like best about your job?

My role as a supplement buyer gives me the opportunity to learn interesting information about the items we carry. I enjoy the feedback from customers as to the usefulness of the products they use.

What is your favorite food to make?

Jambalaya - a joint effort to prepare with my husband.

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

I'd be a pawpaw because I am native to the eastern region of the United States.

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

Go on a nature walk with my dogs Cosmo and Sully.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Retired! Living near the beach, traveling and spending lots of time with my grandchildren.

What's your biggest splurge ingredient?

The Common Market's Smoked Salmon makes a great addition to a frittata.

What's something always in your pantry/fridge?

H.E.X. Glow Kraut.

What brought you to the Co-op?

I moved to MD from VT three years ago to live and work on my husband's family's organic and regenerative hemp and grain farm. We've spent the last three years growing a thriving business but my mental health started to decline without separation from our farm/business. Co-ops have always been my happy place so it just made sense to apply here!

What is your favorite food to make?

Hearty soups or stews and diverse-with-veggiesand-cheese kale salads.

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

Definitely a carrot - I get sweeter as the temps get cooler.

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

1. Play the fiddle

2. Learn more languages

3. Swing dance like a pro!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Wandering the earth with kiddos surrounded by love and nourishment.

What is something always in your pantry/fridge? High-quality grass-fed cream for tea/coffee/cocoa! Also Common Market curry chicken salad.

Tracey Wellness Buyer

Brynn Wellness Steward

Route 85

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 a few months, 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:

"Mimi has a fun, energetic disposition with creative personal engagement while being quick and efficient with my checkout!"

Amber Wellness Buyer

What brought you to the Co-op?

I was a Co-op Owner and shopped here frequently. I liked the Co-op mission and thought it would be a great place to work.

What do you like best about your job?

I enjoy helping customers with their wellness questions. I enjoy learning about our products and happy to be able to offer quality products to our customers.

What is your favorite meal to make?

Vegetarian chili

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

I go for a run.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would like to learn to sail.

What is something always in your pantry/fridge?

Fresh vegetables

"Joseph made sure I wasn't waiting, was efficient, mindful, and personable. I always see him helping around all throughout the store with other employees and customers!"

"I loved the positive attitude and politeness that Jaiden provides. Lovely person with a great attitude. Great to see a smiling face greeting you."

"Nicole is always ready to help with anything! She always has a great attitude and does a great job!"

"Andie was really helpful in my purchase in bagging items. Very friendly and patient during the checkout."

"Jena always makes me smile! So warm and welcoming."

"Tracey always takes the time to help others. She assisted me today in locating essential oils. Thanks Tracey for being there and sharing your knowledge."

"Aside from doing her job with competence, Zoe was extremely warm and welcoming. It's always a good experience at Common Market, regardless of staff member, but Zoe typifies the high standard."

"Connie and Lara are always exceptionally sweet and kind to me whenever I visit."

"Sondra is just incredibly friendly and efficient during the checkout process."

"Prachee always greets me in a very special way! She brings light and joy to every minute of my shopping experience! She deserves the highest accolades for her warm professional service. She makes my day!!"

What's New at the Market?

1. Balm of Gilead - Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Cream

Soothing with crisp, cooling effects from Australian tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils, this Balm of Gilead Cream is carefully crafted to nourish and relieve dry, itchy skin.

2. Bare & Co. - Organic Magnesium Spray

A pure and concentrated, non-greasy trans dermal magnesium chloride spray. it can help to ease muscles aches, boost energy and relieve headaches.

3. Thelma's - Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough

Ready-to-eat pre-portioned cookie dough. Delicious and safe to eat straight from the bag without baking. Yummy baked in the oven too.

4. Mama Vida - Roasted Pepper & Chipotle Salsa

Choice smoked jalapeno peppers, slow roasted green chilies and vegetables picked at the peak of freshness. Simply delicious and very versatile as a condiment or appetizer.

5. Blackbird - Plant-Based Pepperoni Pizza

Made with an overnight rising dough, Blackbird sausage, red onion, green bell pepper, Blackbird pizza sauce, and vegan plant-based cheese.

6. Masha's - Bagel Bites

Crispy little mouthfuls stuffed with delicious guilt-free fillings.

7. D'Artagnan

Saucisson - Wild Boar Dried Sausage

Keep this delectable, dry-cured saucisson on hand for an impromptu gathering, an artful charcuterie board, or bring it with you on your next picnic.

Self Love & Self Care

We believe it's always important to make time for yourself - especially when it comes to self love and self care. Having a regular skin care regime is treating yourself. There’s no doubt that discovering the best skin care routine for yourself can be a bit of trial and error. Even those with years of experience will share that the journey to clear and glowing skin takes time and effort before it becomes second nature.

Our Wellness Department is stocked with a wide array of skin care items so you can create the perfect routine that works best for your skin type. We asked our Wellness Manager from our Route 85 store, Annie, about skin care regimens from morning to night. After all, she’s an expert at helping others achieve their best skin yet.

Cleansers

Use a cream or milk cleanser if your skin is dry, and a gel or foaming cleanser if you tend towards oiliness. If your skin is extra congested or you wore a lot of makeup, double cleansing can also be useful as well.

"I have dry and blemish-prone skin, so the HLA helps keep me hydrated while the vitamin A gently exfoliates and reduces the appearance of dark spots. Always apply a bit of water or a toner or hydrosol to your face and neck prior to using hyaluronic acid, as HLA needs to be combined with moisture to work properly and plump and hydrate your skin"

-Annie Wellness Manager

Serums

An exfoliating serum, such as vitamin A, is better used in the evening (as it can make your skin photo-sensitive), while a brightening serum, like vitamin C, is a good choice for your morning routine. Any exfoliant makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays, so make sure to incorporate a good facial SPF into your daily routine.

Mad Hippie Cream Cleanser Sukin Foaming Facial Cleanser

Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum

Mychelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield

Pure HA Face Serum

Left: Thayers Toner

Right: Heritage Store Facial Mist

3

Moisturizers

Moisturization is an important step in your skin care routine, regardless of whether your skin is oily, dry, or a combination of both. When cleansing your face, you are removing the natural oils on your skin, and if you don’t add more moisture back onto the skin, it will overcompensate and produce MORE oil. If you have extra dry skin this season, you can combine a facial oil with your moisturizer for boosted hydration. Try a heavier moisturizer in the evening, and a lighter one in the morning for combination skin.

4 Celebrate

Now that you've basked in the glory of skin care knowledge, treat yourself to relaxation with Bucky's Heart Warmer Pillow. This pillow is a wonderful combination of heating and cooling. Put the Heart Warmer in the microwave for the soothing benefits of a heating pillow, or put it in the freezer for a refreshing, cooling pillow. Or add aromatherapy to your list with Sparoom

PureMist Oil Diffuser and Common Market

Essential Oils for a rejuvenated evening.

Designed to last for years of use, you’ll never have to use throwaway cotton rounds or makeup remover wipes again! Instead, swap to these super-soft, reusable hemp cotton rounds.

Pro Tip

GUA SHA

Among its other purported benefits, Gua Sha can help with the distribution and absorption of your serums and oils. Try it out with one of Badger’s facial oils or a single ingredient oil such as rosehip or argan.

ShiKai

Daily Mositurizing Lotion

ME Mother Earth Reusable Hemp Cotton Rounds

Badger Face Oil

Each Heart Warmer comes with an ultra-soft removable and machine-washable cover.

Self Love & Self Care

(Continued...)

Curbside Café

Show yourself some extra love this year with the gift of time! How is this possible? By using Common Market's Curbside service, you’ll experience more energy for your deserving self-care routine while our Curbside Specialists shop for you. Curbside Pick Up Orders are placed through WebCart, our e-commerce platform. WebCart allows a seamless connection to Owner accounts and discounts. All customers can save lists, view previous orders, and make notes to the shopping team. Curbside pickup is available 7 days per week from 12 –4 PM, including same-day pick up.

Have someone else cook YOUR dinner tonight instead! Our Café team creates a wide selection of Grab n Go meals for your convenience, so you don't have to worry about what's on the menu this evening. Order the best quality sandwiches, smoothies, coffee, and baked goods from our café, now open daily at both locations.

Café Standards

2 1

Organic grains, flours, olive oil, and beans.

Organic and/or local vegetables, and fruits.

3

No artificial coloring, flavors, or preservatives.

4

Large variety of local ingredients (as available).

5

Meat & Seafood follow the Meat & Seafood department guidelines, which include ecofriendly and humane treatment standards.

Valentine's Day Mocktails

Stir up something sweet and booze-free with one of these recipes from getgruvi.com!

Citrus Cardamom Rosé Spritz

Ingredients

1 oz. grapefruit juice

0.5 oz. of cardamom simple syrup dash of rose water (optional)

1 bottle Grüvi Bubbly Rosé

Instructions

1. To make the cardamom simple syrup, combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 1 tbsp cardamom pods and bring to a boil.

2. Remove from heat and let sit for one hour to infuse. Cool, strain and store in a jar in the fridge (lasts up to two weeks).

3. In a shaker glass or mason jar, combine grapefruit juice and simple syrup with ice (also add rose water, if using). Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.

4. Strain mixture into a glass filled with ice, then top with bubbly rosé.

5. Garnish with rose petals for an elegant treat!

Sparkling Blush Sour

Ingredients

2 tbsp. rose water (optional)

2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1-2 tbsp. honey or agave syrup

A few drops of blood orange juice or pomegranate juice, for color

1 bottle Grüvi Dry Secco

Fresh roses, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients except dry secco into a cocktail shaker or mason jar filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

2. Strain into a glass, then top with Dry Secco. Garnish with lemon slices and rose petals, if using. Cheers!

New Year Wellness Mixer

Saturday, January 7 | 12 - 4PM

@ Both Store Locations!

Practicing Dry January? The Common Market carries the area's largest selection of non-alcoholic beer, wine, and cocktails. Stop by this event to sample some!

Start 2023 off on the right foot! Join us for non-alcoholic drink tasting, healthy food samples, music and more. While you're here, meet some of our health and wellness-minded Community Partners!

CLASSES & EVENTS

COOKING

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

BACKYARD AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENT

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

HEALTH & WELLNESS KIDS

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

Board Meetings

Virtual Board Meeting and Food for Thought Presentation

Thursday, January 27

Food for Thought | 6 - 6:30PM, Speaker: TBA

Board Meeting | 6:30-8:30PM

Virtual Board Meeting and Food for Thought Presentation

Thursday, February 24

Food for Thought | 6 - 6:30PM, Speaker: TBA

Board Meeting | 6:30-8:30PM

Events

New Year Wellness Mixer

Saturday, January 7 | 12 - 4PM @ Both Store Locations!

Start 2023 off on the right foot! Join us for non-alcoholic drink tasting, healthy food samples, music and more. While you're here, meet some of our health and wellness-minded Community Partners!

Fun, interactive experiences for kids to learn about food and its source

Classes

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

EVENT

Exciting happenings at the co-op and around town.

Natural Immune Building with Jaimee Cutwright

Saturday, January 14 | 1 - 2:30PM

Saturday, February 11 | 1 - 2:30PM

@ 7th Street

$30, 50% off for Owners

We hope you can join us as Jaimee shows us how to support our immune systems during the colder months with food and supplements. We’ll learn the basics of the immune system function, nutrients that support the immune system, things that weaken the immune system and make us more susceptible to illness, and how to nourish our bodies to stay healthy. We will also get to sample some of Jaimee’s favorite immune boosting juice recipe!

Building Stronger Communities Through Community Solar [ONLINE] with Neighborhood Sun

Tuesday, January 24 | 6 - 7PM

FREE, RSVP

We hope you can join us for Neighborhood Sun’s workshop “Building stronger Communities through Community Solar” where we will discuss climate change science, impacts, solutions and empower participants to take action at home and in their communities. Participants will leave with ideas, resources, and contacts to take action and to further educate others.

Neighborhood Sun believes everyone deserves access to locally produced, clean energy. By enrolling in a community energy project, you will not only go green, but you will save money while supporting your local economy. There is no cost to join, no cost to cancel and it doesn’t go on your roof!

30-Minute Meals: Thai Steak Salad & Sticky Rice with Roma Campanaro

Wednesday, January 25 | 11AM - 12:15PM @ 7th Street

$45

Short on time doesn’t mean short on flavor! We hope you can join us as we learn some handy tips and tricks for fail-proof and satisfying “30-minute meals!” In this session, your instructor will demonstrate Thai Steak Salad with Sticky Rice from start to finish and there will be time to taste! This aromatic beef salad is an explosion of flavors that is sure to satisfy and impress. In this lesson you will learn how to create perhaps one of the most well known salads of Thailand, and despite its complex flavors it is actually one of the easiest meals to create. This lesson will also teach you the importance of balance of sweet, salty, tart and spicy all mingled in the Thai cuisine.

Herbalism 101

Tuesday, February 7 | 6:30 - 8:30PM

$40, 50% off for Owners

Interested in learning about herbs, but not sure where to start? Join us on the green path as we dive into the magical world of plant medicine. Together we’ll explore the background of herbalism, medicine making, and an herbalist’s top 15 easy herbs everyone should know and use in their herbal medicine cabinet. This 2 hour, jam-packed workshop will have you jump started on your own herbal path. Don’t forget to bring your notebook! This class will be lead by herbalist Amy Boldt!

Build Your Own Bouquet Workshop with Flowers by

Alexes

Thursday, February 16 | 6 - 7PM @ 7th Street

$50, 50% off for Owners

We hope you can join us as we create our own bouquets with the help of Alexes- THE Alexes of Flowers by Alexes! In this class you will learn some professional tricks of the trade and create a beautiful flower arrangement to take home.

This class would make a great gift for you, a special someone, or maybe a Galentines Day get together!

Charm City Run

Walking & Running Specialty Store

Weekly Gentle Yoga Classes for All! with Toby Schermerhorn

Every Wednesday | 9 - 10AM @ 7th Street Community Room FREE | RSVP

This class is the perfect intro for a new student or an experienced yogi that is wanting to fill their cup with an accessible and supportive yoga practice. There will be plenty of modifications offered to meet various fitness levels so that ALL can enjoy the benefits of yoga.

Common Market Owners:

Owners receive a one-time 10% off discount. Charm City Run Frederick is conveniently located next to the Common Market's 7th Street store.

Why we stand by Charm City Run:

More than a shoe store, they are committed to fitting every customer in the "right" shoe. Charm City Run also founded the Live. Give. Run. Foundation which gives primarily to organizations that benefit the environment, encourage physical fitness and enhance educational opportunities for the less fortunate. Over the last 19 years Charm City Run has donated over one million dollars to Maryland headquartered nonprofit organizations.

www.charmcityrun.com

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

Who Does It, Where It Goes, and How You Can Help!

At the Common Market, we are delighted to offer many recycling options for our community. From nitrile gloves to batteries, we accept lots of items that aren’t deemed recyclable in Frederick County and ship them to companies like TerraCycle and Techno Rescue. These companies take your items and break them down in their special warehouses, recycling their components and keeping them out of the landfill. How does this magic happen? Our incredible staff members take the initiative to sort through your recyclables before they’re shipped out – in addition to their daily Co-op tasks. While we are happy to be lending a hand in keeping these items out of the dreaded landfill, there’s no dancing around the fact that it’s a dirty job.

We asked our resident recyclers what they wanted you to know about the Common Market’s recycling program:

Q: What happens to our recyclables after they’re dropped off at the Common Market? What’s the sorting process like?

A: When recyclables are dropped off, our staff sorts through to make sure the items are put into the correct bins and are clean enough to send out to TerraCycle. We throw away any items that are too dirty or do not qualify for TerraCycle. Common culprits are baby food pouches with puree still inside, beauty product packaging with makeup residue, and toothpaste tubes still containing paste.

Q: What’s the weirdest or grossest thing you’ve come across in our recycling bins?

A: We've found items that are just plain weird — plastic fruit (the kind that people display on their

kitchen tables), as well as things that are hazardous — a used COVID test, a used pregnancy test, razor blades, and plastic bags that had been peed on by a cat. Most commonly, we come across items that are not cleaned our properly and contain mold. These items are unsafe for our staff members to handle, and certainly do not belong in our recycling center!

Q: How can we be more helpful to your team when considering bringing our items to the Common Market?

A: It would be helpful if people slowed down and paid attention to the signs surrounding the recycling bins. Lots of stuff gets put in the wrong place and either gets thrown away or is missed and potentially contaminates the entire bin. Also, cleaning things thoroughly is a must. Items that still contain food, makeup, or toothpaste cannot be recycled and end up in the landfill. Ultimately, we are all working toward the goal of recycling as much as we can as a community.

Q: What would you like our customers to know about our recycling program?

A: Firstly, we do not have an extensive team working on recycling. There is a very small team of people who go through the bins and only when they have the time outside of their customer service duties. The more personal responsibility the customers take, the easier it is for people sorting through and shipping out recycling. Our team REALLY appreciates customers who go the extra mile to make sure their items are clean (we can't stress this enough!). We would also like folks to know that this service isn't free for us. In fact, our recycling programs add up to nearly $50K per year!

how can you cut down on waste?

Speaking of personal responsibility, here are a few ways you can cut down on singleuse items in your everyday life:

Bring reusable bags with you everywhere and refuse the disposable kind. Invest in some reusable produce bags as well.

Seek out bulk departments and purchase exactly what you need in a reusable container. Common Market’s bulk options are abundant and include filtered water (free for Owners), body care items, cleaning products and more, in addition to food products.

Choose loose fruits and veggies that you can put in your reusable bags.

Purchase Zero Waste Products — some options at the Common Market include resuable sandwich bags, bamboo flatware and metal straws for eating on the go, cosmetics and personal care items packaged in cardboard and more.

Skip individual-size bottles of beverage. Resuable mugs, cups, and tumblers create less plastic waste and Common Market sells many options!

Say no to plastic straws.

Take your own food storage container to a restaurant for leftovers. (We love this one!!)

Visit TerraCycle.com to see the extensive list of recycling options that you can do yourself at home. Seriously! Lots of brands sponsor free recycling programs for their packaging, and Terracycle provides shipping labels so you can box up your recyclables and send them out!

what's changing in the coming year?

For the physical and mental safety of our employees who sort the recycling dropped off at the Common Market, and while we review our recycling process and the 5-digit budget item that is the Common Market recycling program, you'll see shifts in what you can & cannot drop off at the Common Market recycling center over the coming months. We will soon be suspending our beauty product packaging, baby food pouch, and plastic bag recycling programs. Please make sure that you are doing your part to drop off the right items in the right state and avoid “wish-cycling."

meet the team!

The job of recycling is shared by most of the members of the front end staff. Here are a few of the folks that go the extra mile when it comes to sorting, weighing, and shipping your materials:

Armando & Lara

amanda cierra

Pump up the Jam and Cheese

In search of an appetizer for easy entertaining? Pairing jam and cheese offers endless possibilities.

By Mandy Makinen

In the tradition of foods that hit that harmonious spot between sweet and salty comes an idea so easy, so elegant, yet based on two staples most Americans have on hand: cheese and jam. This may sound like an unlikely duet, but after you sample a few of these pairings you might just change your tune.

These combinations work for an elegant cheese plate, served with crackers or slices of baguette, but some pairings are also nice for a jazzed-up grilled cheese sandwich. While most jams and jellies are made with fruits, savory preserves like pepper jelly, tomato jam and red onion marmalade are also excellent natural pairs for a variety of cheeses. Look for these specialty items in the jams and jellies aisle, but be sure to check out the cheese department for unique spreads as well.

A strong combination

Generally speaking, strongly flavored cheeses pair well with assertively flavored jams, and the opposite is also true: Mild cheeses marry well with delicately flavored jams. If you neglect this rule, you run the risk of one flavor dominating, thus losing some of that magic that happens when good flavors complement each other. Try these assertive combinations:

Bold pairings

Blue cheese or Gouda with marmalade, black currant, peach, plum, or red onion jam

Aged cheddar with apple jelly, apple butter, huckleberry or tomato jam

Manchego cheese with blueberry jam or its traditional Spanish pairing, quince jelly (membrillo)

Easy, breezy brie

Similar to goat cheese, the mild flavor and luxurious mouthfeel of brie cheese pairs well with nearly any sweet or savory jam. When in doubt, go with red fruits:

Brie and red fruits

Brie and strawberry jam is a perennial favorite with or without a glass of Champagne

Brie and cherry preserves — try them baked together in puff pastry

Brie with red currant jelly is perfect on a fresh baguette

Go for the goat

Fresh goat cheese, or chevre, seems like it was made for jam — a spreadable, smooth cheese with just enough tang to keep it on the savory side. In a pinch, nearly all jams pair with goat cheese, here are a few favorites:

Goat cheese combos

Goat cheese and fig jam (add caramelized onions and you’ve got the makings of a sandwich)

Goat cheese with cranberry sauce or jelly is excellent on a turkey sandwich

Goat cheese and marmalade (orange, lemon or grapefruit)

Cheesy dessert ideas

Mascarpone, a rich and smooth fresh Italian cheese, is delicious with just about any jam. It’s less tangy and more spreadable than cream cheese and has a mild, creamy flavor. Here are some suggestions for pairing this delectable cheese:

Elegant desserts

Mascarpone with blueberry jam and fresh baguette or brioche buns

Mascarpone with strawberry jam and shortbread cookies

Mascarpone with lemon curd and oat crackers

You can experiment with new combinations using whatever cheeses and preserves you have on hand at home until you find the combo that hits all the right notes.

BIG GAME BIG BITES

Whether you're all about the Big Game or just show up for the snacks - we've got you covered. Our Café whips up a bunch of local, house-made salads, dips, and snacks for every occasion. Make sure any party you have scores with these dips and tricks made in-house at the Common Market!

All made from scratch at the Common Market!

Our Smoked Salmon Dip pairs perfectly with any type of crackers and it's a crowd pleaser on football day or any day.

Once you start, you won't be able to stop eating this housemade Falafel Hummus.

Our Café's Organic Guacamole LOVES the Big Game Day! Eat this guac up with some tortilla chips or by the spoonful - we won't tell.

This Common Market Curry Chicken Salad is one of our most popular items. If you grab it the next time you're in the store, you'll understand.

Mexican Street Corn Salad is such a great thing to snack on because who isn't obsessed with corn or cheese?

Our Common Market Salsa is a classic and it's made from scratch.

From the Archives

Take a look at this article printed in the February 1982 edition of the Common Market News (the Spoonful Newsletter of yore!). The announcement of the opening of our first storefront on Commerce Street in downtown Frederick highlights the importance of Co-op Ownership and doing your part!

927 W 7th Street

Frederick, MD 21701

(301) 663-3416

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Shopper Reviews

Great health food for great prices. Excellent bulk selection.

- Tommy L.

Common Market was one of the few places that carried Gluten Free foods back in the day when my son was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. They continue to be one of my favorite places to go for all things organic, gluten free and delicious!

- James M.