FOOD SHED CO-OP PARTNERS WITH GALLANT BUILDING SOLUTIONS

FOOD SHED CO-OP PARTNERS WITH GALLANT BUILDING SOLUTIONS

Co-op signs building contract with local contractor

Woodstock, IL, June 12, 2023 — The Board of Directors for McHenry County Food Cooperative, DBA Food Shed Co-op, unanimously agreed to the terms proposed by Gallant Building Solutions to build the first grocery store cooperative in the county. This is a great day for McHenry County residents,” says General Manager, Peter Waldmann. The co-op formalized their working relationship with Gallant Building Solutions of Crystal Lake last week with the signing of their building contract. The builder now has the official go ahead to begin preliminary work on their Woodstock property. The Food Shed Co-op appreciates all of their supporters who have long awaited this news. Official groundbreaking will be announced soon.

Since its inception in 2014, the Food Shed Co-op has been committed to working with local businesses as they designed and planned the buildout of their community owned grocery store at the corner of Lakeshore Dr. and US Hwy 14 between Crystal Lake and Woodstock. They considered it a win to find a local builder, but also one with such an outstanding reputation. Gallant Building Solutions’ passion is building relationships and helping people achieve their vision. They clearly demonstrated a desire to share in the co-op’s mission of building a local food cooperative. “Gallant has been accommodating and supportive of the co-op every step along the way,” says Waldmann. “Gallant has been willing to make cost saving suggestions and changes while maintaining the integrity of our project. They have also shown great flexibility as our timelines have fluctuated.” 

Gallant Building Solutions has been in business in McHenry County for over 40 years. They are a professional services organization focused on construction, enhancement, and maintenance of commercial buildings and properties. The Food Shed Co-op looks forward to benefiting from Gallant’s experience and positive construction environment with all teams working toward the same end goal, to open a community-owned grocery cooperative focused on local food and strengthening our local economy. 

Food Shed Co-op is also very special to Gallant President, Jim Stahl and his wife Kristi, whose family lives in the community. With multiple food and chemical sensitivities running in their family, they personally understand the struggle to find good, local and organic food options. Stahl told Waldmann that he and his team have a lot to be proud of, stating, “When you believe strongly enough, it is only a matter of time before it will happen. Patience, faith and perseverance.”

Food Shed Co-op is a community-owned and controlled grocery store open to the public. They prioritize local suppliers whenever possible. It will be a place for community members to gather, shop and nourish their families. The co-op is committed to offer shoppers access to affordable quality foods and teach people about the foods they eat. The store will have a full breadth of departments with Produce being their signature category. Their mission is to offer only the best quality, sustainable, local and organic produce available in the marketplace. When open, the store will be 9,000 square feet and offer approximately 5,000 different items. 

You can support the Food Shed Co-op by signing up now to become a Founding Owner at https://www.foodshed.coop/become-an-owner!

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