(Oshkosh, Wis.) – The Oshkosh Food Co-op, a community-owned grocery store under construction in Oshkosh, plans a week of free, family-friendly activities for member-owners and neighborhood residents to mark its eighth birthday. Two neighborhood rides and a birthday bash are planned.

Neighborhood Ride #1: Saturday, June 5, - 1:00 p.m. | Led by Sean Lynch
Starts/ends at the Brio Building, 155 Jackson Street, Oshkosh
Middle Village, Historic Fourth Ward, Midtown, Menominee North and Menominee South (7 miles)

Neighborhood Ride #2: Thursday, June 10 – 6:00 p.m. | Led by Misty McPhee, Darren Van Dreel
Starts/ends at Brio Building, 155 Jackson Street, Oshkosh
River East, Stevens Park (3 miles)

Neighborhood Birthday Bash: Saturday, June 12 – 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Aurora Health Center – Jackson Street Clinic, 135 Jackson Street, Oshkosh

Neighborhood Rides will cruise at comfortable speeds through nearby neighborhoods. Riders on each ride will receive a a colorful Oshkosh Food Co-op t-shirt (while supplies last) and a map of their route, which can be viewed in advance at www.oshkoshfoodcoop.com/news. Helmets are strongly encouraged. These are casual rides. All streets will be open to regular motor traffic.  Participants ride at their own risk and must observe all traffic laws. A meet-and-greet with snacks will follow each ride.

The Birthday Bash will celebrate the Food Co-op’s past and its future; eight years of careful planning for a full-line grocery store in Oshkosh central city, opening late summer/early fall 2021.

“The theme for the week, and for the Oshkosh Food Co-op, is ‘Everyone’s welcome.’  This is really what the Co-op is all-about,” said Ryan Rasmussen, Oshkosh Food Co-op Adjunct Board Member. These are fun, family-oriented events meant to show the community that the Co-op is a great place to gather around food.”

An emphasis on “Buying local” is part of the Oshkosh Food Co-op vision to help strengthen the local economy and promote health in the food co-op neighborhood, which is designated as a low-income, low-access are by the US Department of Agriculture. The Neighborhood Birthday Bash will give member-owners and neighbors the opportunity to meet and buy from local Food Co-op suppliers Angelic Bake House, JSA Coffee, R. Cole Hemp, Olden Farms, Sweet Jules LLC and more. 

A Glacier Ridge Farms petting zoo, live music by The Stumble Brothers, and a farmers’ market-themed photo booth will add to the birthday party theme. Teacher Cheryl Rasmussen will provide children’s activities with a coloring station and “Build Your Own Garden” table.  Photographer Phil Weston will capture snapshots of the event, and two food trucks will offer up festive fare.  Co-op birthday cookies and ice cream will also be served. 

“This is a chance to get out in the fresh air and have some fun as we enjoy the neighborhood around our new Co-op,” said Jay Stoflet, Oshkosh Food Co-op Board Member. Riders will create a live rolling billboard announcing the birthday and inviting people to the store site for the Birthday Bash. ‘Everyone’s welcome” is our theme, and we mean it!”

About the Oshkosh Food Co-op

The Oshkosh Food Co-op is a community-led effort to open a full-line grocery store in the heart of Oshkosh, available to all shoppers. Modeled after member-owned grocery stores in Wisconsin and nationwide, Oshkosh Food Co-op organized in 2013. Individuals and organizations from throughout the region are invited to help the Co-op realize its vision — to strengthen local economies, promote health, and build communities — by purchasing ownership shares. An ownership share costs $180, payable all at once or in 18 $11 monthly installments. The Oshkosh Food Co-op is a member of National Co+op Grocers. To learn more, and to become a member-owner, visit www.oshkoshfoodcoop.com/join

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