Moonflower Community Cooperative is celebrating Earth Day on Saturday, April 20, with live music, free samples from its deli, demonstrations from various local and regional vendors and an “owner drive” to encourage new members to join the cooperatively-owned natural foods store.
Moonflower’s board of directors will be present that day to explain to potential new owners what’s involved in joining a co-op, the benefits of becoming an owner and will answer any questions.
Currently there are 1,400 Moonflower owners who pay a one-time lifetime membership fee of $100 (which can be paid in installments of $20 per year for five years) in exchange for various benefits. Anyone who signs up to be an owner during the Earth Day event will receive 15% off purchases that day.
While the store will be open during its regular hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., most of the special Earth Day activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Moonflower vendors such as Sundial Medicinals, Pain Balm and Sister Root Medicinals will be in the store to demonstrate products. The Youth Garden Project will be selling plants outside the store.
“The idea is for our local vendors to connect with the owners and potential owners to create direct relationships with people they’re supporting,” Moonflower Community Cooperative Manager Derek Whitworth said.
Moonflower’s deli will offer samples of baked goods, as well as dips and fresh local vegetables for people to try.
Additionally, Parker Marlow will perform acoustic guitar music from noon to 1:30 p.m. outside.
Moonflower often hosts free community classes. The class on April 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., is with Eric Scott Bresselsmith, the owner of House of Aromatics in Boulder, Utah.
Bresselsmith is teaching a class about essential oils. He will also demonstrate his distilled oils at the store throughout the day.
During the class, Bresselsmith will talk about traditional uses of essential oils and their present-day uses. He said he distills essential oils from regional plants such as juniper, sage, pinyon pine, fir, spruce and rabbit brush, which are often used for ceremonial purposes, like meditation or rites of passage, he said.
“Secondly, essential oils are supportive of respiratory health, or to relieve allergies or cold symptoms through inhalation or applying to the chest area,” Bresselsmith said.
Essential oils are also used in first aid situations, such as for spider bites or to prevent bruising after an injury, Bresselsmith said.
Out of his repertoire of 25 distillations, Bresselsmith said five of his essential oils are sold at Moonflower, as well as at Peace Tree Café in Monticello. His products will also be available at the class.
Owner members of Moonflower Community Cooperative can vote for the board of directors as well as on store policies. Owners receive a quarterly 10% discount on purchases. Additionally, Moonflower members are given access to monthly owner sales.
“Roughly 200 products are on sale every month,” Whitworth said.
Other benefits include reduced markups on special orders and patronage dividends.
Product demos, free samples, live music, ownership drive
Where: Moonflower Community Cooperative, 39 E. 100 North
When: Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a free class about essential oils from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Info: Call 435-259-5712 or visit moonflower.coop
“Essential oils are supportive of respiratory health, or to relieve allergies or cold symptoms through inhalation or applying to the chest area.”
