Newsletter: September 2026

THE MUSHROOM MESSENGER KCG Monthly Newsletter: September 2026 Bringing you the monthly news of Kennett Community Grocer, your community-owned grocery store in the making, committed to local products, community, and culture. Hello Member-Owners and Friends! In this edition: Construction Update September Board Meeting What's Ahead for KCG Events Membership Update Member-Owner Loans CONSTRUCTION UPDATE As you may have noticed while driving by 629 E. Cypress Street, lots is happening at KCG! Our new signs are up on the marquee and building, giving everyone a first look at what's to come. Once the renovation is complete, additional signage will be added to the front door and windows. Inside, the Mobac crew is busy with electrical and plumbing work, and drywall has now been installed. It's exciting to see the space taking shape and to watch our plans become a reality. We're happy to report that work is progressing well, and we're still on track for a fall opening. We'll continue sharing updates and photos as construction moves along! JOIN THE BOARD MEETINGS The Board of Directors of Kennett Community Grocer met on August 10. With construction moving along and our fall opening getting closer, this is an exciting time for our member-owners and the Board. We encourage members of the co-op to get involved and attend Board meetings as we continue working toward opening the store. The KCG Board of Directors meets virtually on the second Monday of each month from 7:00–8:00 PM. The next Board meeting is Monday, September 14. JOIN THE NEXT BOARD MEETING UPCOMING EVENTS KCG FARM TOUR Join us for the KCG Farm Tour on Saturday, September 19, from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM at StellaLou Farm & Succession Fermentory in Cochranville! The afternoon will include a tour of the StellaLou apiary, along with an educational look at beekeeping, pollinators, the apiary, and honey production. Guests will also enjoy a tasting at Succession Fermentory, followed by a bagged lunch from Oso Sweet Cafe and time to relax and enjoy the farm and brewery. Saturday, September 19, 2026 11:00 AM–1:00 PM StellaLou Farm & Succession Fermentory 428 Leaman Road, Cochranville, PA KCG Members: $20 Non-members: $25 Children under 12: Free Space is limited to 30 guests, and children must still be registered so we can plan for lunch. When registering, guests will choose from the following lunch options: Turkey sandwich Caprese sandwich Veggie sandwich Kids lunch We'll also ask about any dietary restrictions during registration. REGISTER FOR FARM TOUR LOOKING AHEAD STAY TUNED! We've decided to take a break from the Chili Contest this year and instead put our energy into planning something even bigger: a Grand Opening celebration! Once the store is ready, we'll be throwing a special event to celebrate this exciting milestone with our member-owners, neighbors, producers, and the entire community. We'll also continue to offer Dine & Donate events with local businesses and look forward to hosting a variety of smaller events in the KCG café once we're open. Stay tuned—we'll be announcing details about our Grand Opening event soon! MEMBERSHIP continues to grow We currently have 536 member-owners who are helping make Kennett Community Grocer possible. Every new member strengthens our cooperative and brings us closer to opening a store that is owned by the community, for the community. If you're not yet a member-owner, now is a great time to join! Membership gives you a voice in the cooperative, including the ability to vote on issues related to co-op governance, access to member-benefit partners, and an ownership stake in KCG. As we get closer to opening, we'll also determine what financial benefits will be available to member-owners, which may include in-store discounts, profit-sharing, or both. BECOME A MEMBER MEMBER-owner loans provide sustainability We’re thrilled to be renovating our space, preparing to hire staff, and getting ready to stock the store for you. As we move closer to opening, our focus is also shifting toward making KCG a financially sustainable operation and fully funding our first year of operating expenses. One way member-owners can help is by investing in the store through a member-owner loan. This type of investment has helped food co-ops across the country open with a sustainable financial foundation. All loans carry risk, but we've been intentional about developing our member-loan program with experienced legal consultants at Dorsey + Whitney LLP, who have developed member-loan programs for a number of food co-op start-ups. Member-owner loans start at $1,000. Depending on the size of the loan, you may elect to receive interest at a rate between 0% and 4.5%. The loan term is 12 years, with interest payments beginning one year after the store opens. Simple interest is paid annually on the principal balance outstanding during each year of the loan term. As community members and member-owners, providing a loan is one way to help ensure the long-term sustainability of KCG and lay a strong foundation for success. Interested in learning more? Contact KCG Board Vice President Stu Mundth at info@kennettcommunitygrocer.coop, or click the button below to contact us through our online form. CONTACT US ABOUT MEMBER LOANS The Rachel Report Monthly updates from your Store Manager, Rachel Sanchez We're getting close to opening day, folks! I want to make sure you're staying connected with everything happening at KCG between newsletters. If you haven't already, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram! We're sharing construction updates, upcoming events, producer highlights, and other fun content about co-ops and why they matter! And I have one big favor to ask: SHARE, SHARE, SHARE! Tell your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers—everyone you know—about Kennett Community Grocer. Share our posts, tag your friends, and help spread the word about the store we're building together. The more people who know about KCG, the stronger our community becomes. I promise we're bringing the best of the best to KCG—amazing producers who are trusting us with their products so they can reach our community! GET INVOLVED Want to help bring Kennett Community Grocer to life? Attend an upcoming event Become a member-owner Volunteer with KCG Sponsor equipment for the store Make a donation Share KCG with your friends and neighbors There are many ways to support our community-owned grocery store, and every contribution makes a difference. VOLUNTEER WITH KCG JOIN THE COMMUNITY!