Terre Foods finds new home; open house today

Apr. 17—Terre Foods Cooperative Market will stage its first event today (Saturday, April 17) with an open house at its new location at 2128 N. 13th St.

Nearly a dozen produce and craft vendors will be on site from noon to 4 p.m.

The cooperative closed on the purchase of its 10,000-square-foot building this week, which has parking space for 30 vehicles. However, the building will need renovations before a daily food market is in operation.

The cooperative has just over 800 members and is seeking to reach 1,000 members, each who make a one-time payment of $200.

"We are likely to start out small but hope to reach our final dream with everything that you expect from a cooperative market that focuses on providing local producers and artisans a place to sell their wares," Jim Speer, vice president of the food cooperative, told the Tribune-Star this month.

"As we bring in income and raise money through a capital campaign that we are planning this year, we will be able to complete the renovations that this space needs," Speer said, such as a new roof and constructing a commercial kitchen.

Produce and craft vendors slated for the opening event are:

—The Pickery (produce and herbs)

—Quirky Cactus (succulents and succulent planters made from repurposed items)

—White Violet Center (produce, herbs, flowers, fibre arts)

—Ananda Wellness (wellness balms, oils, candles and herbal tea mixes)

—Harvest Bakery Lasagna Fundraiser (preorder)

—Cigar Box Guitars (instruments made out of repurposed items)

—Beezer's BBQ Sauce (locally made BBQ sauce)

—Ferm Fresh

—Studio 12

—Simply Sons Seasoning

—Good Aura Homestead

The food cooperative market event is free to the public.

Reporter Howard Greninger can be reached 812-231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com. Follow on Twitter@TribStarHoward.