Homegrown: Iowa Valley Food Co-op's grand opening

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Iowa Valley Food Co-op announced its first board of directors during a grand opening Wednesday, Sept. 21.

The event featured samples from many of the producer members of the new co-op, an online system that allows members to order fresh produce, meats, cheese and other items from local sources.

Cheryl Guritz, of Frog Hollow Farm in Walker; Mark Armstrong of Acoustic Farms in Springville and Dora Bopp of HACAP in Cedar Rapids will serve on the board, along with members Doug Darrow of Rapid Creek Ranch of Oxford; Scott Koepke of New Pioneer Co-op in Iowa City and Jesse Otter of Cedar Rapids.

Members of the co-op pick up their monthly orders from First Presbyterian Church, 310 Fifth St. SE. where the grand opening was held.

One option that won't be available will be the award-winning cheese from Acoustic Farms.

Armstrong and his wife, Barbara Grant, have decided to leave the time-consuming dairy business and sell their registered Jersey cows.

Grant said the couple will sell cheese at the next two Saturday farmers markets in Iowa City.

Cheese curds are also available from Hy-Vee and other local stores, but once it's gone, it's gone.

Armstrong said the dairy operation gave little time for the couple's garden, chickens and other endeavors on their farm.

Acoustic Farms was one of just four "micro dairy" or farmstead operations in Iowa that use milk for cheese solely from their own cows.

Cheese is available from Iowa Valley Food Co-op from other sources, including goat cheese from Brenneman Farmstead Cheese near Parnell.

FYI:

Members can still join the Iowa Valley Food Co-op at www.iowavalleyfood.com