Sugar Beet Co-op to Celebrate its First Year in Oak Park

Local food and good work will be highlighted as The Sugar Beet Cooperative throws its first anniversary party from 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 12 at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St. in Oak Park.

The fest will feature a Winter's Eve Market filled with vendors of local foods and goods for purchase. Wine and craft beers, a crepe station, seasonal foods also will be available. The Oak Park River Forest High School Jazz Band will perform and Sugar Beet home movies will provide a cozy backdrop to the event.

Memberships to the co-op will be made available for the first time at this community gathering.

Just a year ago, a group of neighbors from northeast Oak Park came together and decided that the Oak Park, Austin, and surrounding communities needed something new: a full-service, cooperative grocery store that would provide a neighborhood source for local, sustainable, healthy foods and a way of connecting farmers and producers to their customers.

Throughout 2012, The Sugar Beet team has participated in community events, connected with farmers and supporters of the Oak Park Farmers' Market, forged relationships with local individuals, organizations, and businesses, and organized events and workshops with the goal of bringing our community together around good food. 

Tickets are $20 which includes 3 drink tickets and are available at www.sugarbeetcoop.com.  To volunteer at the event, please contact Cheryl Muñoz at junemoon15@gmail.co