The new Marquette Food Co-op boasts a wide range of features, but many don’t know about an exciting aspect of the store’s basement- a community classroom! Since the 70s, the Co-op has been spreading the word about how to prepare good food, and now they finally have a space of their own for their classes.
“Marquette Community Schools, through their community education program, has helped us provide cooking classes to the public, and we are so appreciative,” says Sarah Monte, Education Coordinator for the Marquette Food Co-op. “but the new store provided us with an opportunity to also expand our class offerings. We will be able to offer more cooking classes with a wider range of times and topics.” Now, rather than haul boxes of food and equipment to Marquette Senior High School multiple times a month, classes will be right on site at the store. The cooking class schedule changes each year, with topics ranging from Thai and Indian foods to vegan Thanksgiving to cheese making.
The classes run September through May, with a summer session of classes that emphasizes gardening topics at the NMU Hoop House the Co-op manages. In addition to the cooking and gardening classes, the classroom will enable the Co-op to host more speakers, workshops, and movies. The next session of classes is still in the planning stages, but will be ready in August.
In the meantime, the Co-op is still collecting donations of kitchen supplies to be used in the classroom. There have been many wonderful donations from the public, but the classroom has three cooking stations, each of which has to be outfitted with tools and equipment. “It’s rummage sale season!” says Monte, “and for those who love hitting up garage sales, we would certainly appreciate it if they kept the Co-op classroom in mind.”
In the end, the Co-op will buy equipment as it is needed, but would much rather use second-hand items. Doing so not only saves money and is environmentally friendly; it further ties the space into the community. For those interested in donating, you can find a complete list of what is needed at the Co-op’s website, www.marquettefood.coop. Store tours that include the community classroom will begin in August, those interested can call Chris at 906-225-0671 ext. 724.
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