Beaver Creek Housing Cooperative

There are a handful of people at Beaver Creek that are really excited about LOFT: local organic fair trade. It is a local co-op that consists of farmers right in our own backyard. We are hoping to get enough interest in the local area to allow us to have a LOFT drop here at Beaver Creek. Just think, your order of fresh, organic, fair trade fruits and veggies delivered to Beaver Creek every week ready for you to pick up and enjoy. You can learn more at LOFTmarket.ca

Order options include:

• The Family Box ($37): Similar to last season’s box, this box will contain a variety of vegetables and fruits for a small family or two hungry adults.
• The Loft Bag ($25): This easy to handle bag will offer slightly smaller portions than the Family Box while still offering you an assortment of weekly fresh greens.
• The Heavy Box ($50): This box is heavy!! A new addition this season for those who love to cook with vegetables. If veggies are your staple then this box is for you.

If we have at least ten orders, LOFT will make Beaver Creek a drop depot. Please email me at Jonathan.Dietrichbeavercreek.coop if you are interested in placing an order for pickup at Beaver Creek.

On the morning of February 3, 2009 there was a devastating fire at Riverdale Housing Co-op in Toronto has resulted in one death, several injuries, damage to several Units.

There is a history of co-ops helping co-ops in times of crisis. The Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto has set up a fund to help the co-op and the families affected by the fire. You can help by donating to the Riverdale Co-op Fire Fund. Please make your cheques payable to the CHFT Charitable Fund.

York Region is going to court to try to force the sale of the assets of Thornhill Green Co-op to its housing company, Housing York, for little more than half the market value. The Co-op and CHF Canada are fighting the sale in court.

Plan to attend a rally in support of Thornhill Green Co-op.

• Where: Holy Trinity Church, 140 Brooke St., Thornhill
• When: Wednesday, December 3 at 7:00pm

Why Support Thornhill Green

• Thornhill Green Co-op has been a good neighbour for over 15 years.
• The co-op is fi nancially sound. It has more than $5.5 million in equity in its property and has received less subsidy than any co-op in the province.
• There is no reason to sell and lose the benefits of resident-controlled housing.
• Learn more at this special section of the CHF Canada website.

How You Can Help

• Show your support at the rally!
• Join the “Save Thornhill Green Co-op” Facebook group.
• Contact your local York Regional Councillor or Regional Council Chair Bill Fisch and let them know you support Thornhill Green Co-op.

The Grand House Student Co-operative, in Cambridge, ON, is nearing completion. It is one of the first university student housing co-ops to be developed in many years. Its large house will accommodate 12 students. The building itself is on the cutting-edge of environmental design including using straw bale construction. The co-op has launched a Buy-a-Bale campaign to raise funds to help it complete the project. For more on the co-op, its unique construction, or its campaign, go to www.grandhouse.wacsa.org.

Kelly found this great video made by some of the members of a housing cooperative in Lewiston, Maine. I don't know much about Lewiston, but according to the video, it gets a bad rap. These members tell the world that Lewiston is not all bad, and that their cooperative is helping to create a worth while community.

The winter holidays are a time to connect with friends and family and celebrate with each other. Some folks choose to exchange gifts, others hit the party circuit, and others host smaller intimate gatherings. No matter what the occasion, the co-op sector can help you meet your needs this season.

The Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) has put together a Co-op Holiday Guide to help you source all your holiday needs through the co-op sector.