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May 17, 2024

An inside look of the Food Shed Co-op that officially opened on May 15
Photo provided.
An inside look of the Food Shed Co-op that officially opened on May 15

Features • May 17, 2024

McHenry County embraces sustainability: Food Shed Co-op officially opens access to fresh, sustainable produce

By

WOODSTOCK — In a celebration of community, sustainability, and healthy living, McHenry County’s newest addition, Food Shed Co-op, officially opened its doors on May 15. Nestled in southwest Woodstock near McHenry County College and a few minutes north of Crystal Lake, Food Shed Co-op promises to revolutionize the way residents shop for groceries while championing local farmers and producers.

The grand opening ceremony drew crowds of eager shoppers, local officials, and sustainability advocates, all eager to witness the fruition of 11 years of planning and hard work.

“All I have is some gratitude because without a lot of these people we talk about, this wouldn’t be a possibility,” Food Shed Co-op President Rusty Foszcz told those in attendance for the opening ceremony.

Once the ribbon-cutting was completed, a few patrons at a time were allowed to explore the 780 local items available for purchase.

“I think this is a monumental milestone in the history of McHenry County standing, in my opinion, as one of the more significant endeavors,” said Food Shed Co-op General Manager Peter Waldmann, who has had over 30 years of professional experience in the natural foods industry.

Founded on principles of sustainability, community, and equitable access to fresh, wholesome food, the Food Shed Co-op aims to provide an alternative to traditional grocery stores.

“We have a movement going on here ladies and gentlemen. We have six co-ops just in the Chicagoland area on the verge of opening. Now that we built the store, now that we have food in it, now the real work begins. Keep this store going. Keep the other six co-ops in the Chicagoland area going and we got to do this thing called ‘transforming agriculture,’” said Food Shed Co-op Vice President and owner number one, Scott Brix.

One of the standout features of the co-op is its emphasis on local sourcing. From seasonal fruits and vegetables to artisanal cheeses and ethically raised meats, the shelves are stocked with products sourced directly from farmers and producers from Crystal Lake, Harvard, and Rochelle to name a few areas.

While individuals do not have to be owners to shop at the co-op, member-owners do receive extra benefits including getting to vote on matters of the co-op, getting additional savings with monthly “Owner-only Deals,” and eligibility to receive patronage dividends during the co-op’s profitable years, to name a few of the perks.

As concerns about food security, climate change, and environmental degradation continue to grow, initiatives like the Food Shed Co-op serve as beacons of hope, demonstrating that positive change is possible through community action and collaboration.

The Food Shed Co-op is located at 2390 Lake Shore Drive in Woodstock and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information on the co-op, individuals can visit its website at foodshed.coop.