Serving the Humboldt Park, Logan Square and Ukranian Village areas of Chicago, IL

MESSAGE BOARD | LINKS | CONTACT | MEETING NOTES | MEMBERSHIP

MISSION STATEMENT:
The Dill Pickle Food Coop offers healthy food choices
and the benefits of cooperative practice to build a
vibrant local community and more sustainable world. We
meet community needs and strengthen area diversity
through products, services, and education.


WHAT IS A COOPERATIVE GROCERY STORE?

A coop is owned, operated, and financed by its members.
The startup costs and operating expenses will be generated
from our membership base and matching grants from
groups such the Food Coop 500 Program. Our goal is to
open a neighborhood grocery store that will serve member
needs and be responsive to community concerns.


WHY DO WE NEED A COOP WHEN MAJOR GROCERY
STORE CHAINS CARRY ORGANIC PRODUCTS?

Nationwide chains carry organic products because they find
them to be profitable, not because the stores have a
commitment to the benefits behind organic products. If
organic and natural foods products are not profitable, these
stores will cease to carry them. The Dill Pickle Coop will
carry organic foods because its members are committed to
offering them to our community. In addition, being a locally
owned and managed store allows us to stock products
made/grown by Chicago and Illinois entrepreneurs! We will
be a site for produce from suppliers like Angelic Organics,
Timber Creek, King’s Hill, M’s Organic, and Sandhill
Organics. No major chain can offer CSA produce.


WHERE WILL THE STORE BE LOCATED? WHEN
WILL IT OPEN?

The location of the store will reflect the needs of its
members. If most of our founding members are in Logan
Square, then the store will be located there. We hope to
raise $10,000 by finding 200 members by September 2006.
This will enable us to receive a matching grant and bring our
total to $20,000. We will present various, well-researched
options to our membership base at our Fall Meeting and vote
on how to proceed.


WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THE STORE GET
STARTED?

In addition to becoming a member, if you would like
to help out we need volunteers to help us write grant
applications, plan fund-raisers, research suitable
locations, and recruit other members in the community.

Please help spread the word about the Dill Pickle.
Download this document and email it to your friends!


Want to get involved? >>>>>>>>HERE


DONATIONS
We are also accepting donations through paypal as well!


HISTORY OF NAME:
The co-op's name was inspired by the original Dill
Pickle Club which existed in Chicago from 1916-1932.
As summarized by the Newberry Library, "Operating as a
coffeehouse, art gallery, and speakeasy, 'The Pickle'
welcomed hoboes, prostitutes,professors, and every
variety of nonconformist passing through Chicago. In
its early years, the Pickle was a meeting place for
some of Chicago's most famous authors, intellectuals,
and radicals." More information and images at the
Newberry Library



 

 


CALENDAR OF EVENTS

7.19 Meeting re: the 2nd Annual Pickle Dance and a report on the recent coop training
Alliance Bakery 1736 W Division @ 7pm
(directions)

7.22 The 2nd Annual Dill Pickle Dance (flyer1, flyer2) will be at The Hideout (directions) 2-4 pm. There will be kid-friendly live music from Kiddiehuff (aka local act Bullyhuff myspace.com/bullyhuff) and more acts t.b.a., crafts, dancing, giveaways and fun! Also, if you are interested in joining, we will have memberships available!

7.26 Meeting: recap the training and to make our short term schedule, revisit our initial September deadline and to see how we want to proceed.
Alliance Bakery 1736 W Division @ 7pm
(directions)

 

PRESS

Dill Pickle article in AREA Chicago

Dill Pickle article in Saucy

 

PAST EVENTS:

5.20 Brunch at El Cid

4.23 Co-op Way presentation by Laura
Weathered

3.25 Jin Shin Jyutsu energy workshop

2.26 Potluck Meeting at Mercury Cafe

1.28 Community Dinner Meeting at Church of
the Advent

10.15 Art Auction Fundraiser at the Spare Room

10.1 Veggie Chili Dinner Potluck (photos)

9.24 Rummage Sale

9.17 Film Screening

7.30 Rummage Sale

6.26 Dill Pickle Dance and logo contest (photos)

 

DOWNLOADS

1st Anniversary Newsletter (Word doc 228 KB)

Membership Form (Word doc 52 KB)

What is a Coop? (Word doc 224 KB)