By Paula-Noel Macfie, PhD and member-owner

I recently purchased my first home for my family. I chose a foreclosure home that gave me a low mortgage payment, and a lot of remodeling and yard work. After digging out all of the shrubs, unwanted plants and bushes – I was left with several stumps around the yard and great deal of dirt. One root in particular, gave me a real workout.

We're hosting a seed exchange to welcome spring! Our hope is to bring together neighbors from the surrounding neighborhoods of Mt Tabor to share seeds, stories, plant starts, tools, books, etc. Trading isn't required, we will have seeds to give away to everyone! We'd love to meet you and hear your stories about urban farming & food.

Also, check us out in the 82nd Avenue Parade of Roses the same morning. It starts at Eastport Plaza at 10am and ends at 82nd and Yamhill. We'll be the nuts wearing fruit, veggie and farm animal costumes.

Montavilla's own Oregon Bike Shop is pedaling full speed ahead into 2013's racing season. Formed in 2010, the team consists of a diverse group of women and men, competing in a multitude of events in the Portland-Metro area and around the state.

One of the most important ways you can help open the co-op is to volunteer. We've been continuing to build the organization by developing roles that fulfill the needs of our growing co-op start-up. Please consider stepping up to fill one of the following roles:

Grant Writers - 2 people needed

Events Coordinators - 2 people needed

Feasibility & Marketing Study Coordinators - 3 people needed

Fundraising Coordinators - We're putting together a team of 3-6 people who's sole focus is to raise money through various means, including event fundraisers,

It has been a tremendous year of growth for the co-op. Our membership has reached nearly 160 but our aim is to have between 800 - 1000 members before opening the store. This is where you come in. The Co-op is looking for current & new members to help nurture the development of a full service grocery cooperative for the membership and community. Let's grow our membership base and build community amongst neighbors! A great way to participate is to host a neighborhood potluck or house party. Invite your friends and immediate neighbors and we will come tell them about co-op.

Catherine is all about helping to bring good food to East Portland.
Catherine is also all about bringing good health to the neighborhood. In her quest to do that...

This past Sunday, February 17th, the Montavilla Food Co-op hosted its first annual meeting. The meeting space was graciously provided by PDX Metro Arts (www.pdxmetroarts.org) located at 9003 SE Stark St. This meeting marked the beginning of our Board Elections and played host to a Q & A panel that featured all Board nominees. The four nominees began the panel by discussing their unique backgrounds and passions for a successful Montavilla Food Co-op.

As the Montavilla Food Coop continues to gain steam, what are other ways to help increase the livability of our neighborhoods? One way is to support and volunteer with Friends of Trees (www.friendsoftrees.org). Friends of Trees is a great organization dedicated to planting more and more trees in the Portland-Vancouver and Eugene-Springfield metro areas. Since 1989, more than...

By Matthew Darcy, member-owner

Wholesome food. Value. A future that is sustainable. A Food Co-op can help provide all of these things to a community. It can also help boost local economies and create bonds between community and farmer: between you and your food.

Are you interested in food, co-ops and fun?

Could you see yourself creating catchy Twitter posts on a daily basis for a startup?

Do you enjoy posting interesting, thought-provoking Facebook messages that elicit comments from readers?

Do you like doing research? particularly on food +/or Co-ops +/or East Portland?

Then maybe you will join our volunteer social media team to help promote the Montavilla Food Co-op.