Our March Board of Directors Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 25th at 6pm at Hole In The Wall Bagels. Good Tern Member-Owners are welcome to attend board of directors meetings, and we have a member-owner comment period at the beginning of each meeting.

View past Board Meeting minutes at: https://www.goodtern.com/board-of-directors

Join Valerie Robinson, a local Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, at Hole In The Wall Bagels on Sunday, March 23rd from 2:30-4:00pm for a gathering focused on building a positive, joyful relationship with whole, nourishing foods.

This workshop isn’t about rules or restrictions found commonly in diet culture — it’s about discovering what truly nourishes you by aligning your food choices with your intentions, listening to your body’s wisdom, and embracing the beauty of seasonal ingredients. Together, we’ll explore how to cultivate a more intuitive, easeful approach to nourishment — one that truly supports your well-being.

Topics will include ultra-processed foods and how to recognize them; tips for quickly reading and assessing nutrition information and ingredients on food labels; and ways to shop the bulk foods aisle at the Good Tern.

Whether you're a seasoned foodie or are looking to learn about healthy eating, we welcome folks to come with questions!

Date & Time: Sunday, March 23rd from 2:30-4:00pm

Location: Hole In The Wall Bagels, 754 Main Street, Rockland

Cost: FREE!

About the Instructor: Valerie Robinson is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, natural skin care formulator and homeschooling mother of two. 

Born and raised in Maine, she graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in Communication. Prior to becoming a mom, she worked at a variety of restaurants and wine bars, and performed various marketing roles for natural food stores. She spent time WWOOFing (world wide opportunities on organic farms) in farms throughout France, where she learned about biodynamic wine making, organic agriculture, beekeeping and creating propolis infused skincare products. She was also the lead field trip guide for Sweetwater Organic Farm in Tampa, Florida, demonstrating various aspects of organic farming to school age children. 

After her first child was born in 2016, she enrolled at the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy and obtained her coaching certification in 2018. She has been involved in her local co-op for the past nine years, performing various roles such as social media marketing, editing the quarterly newsletter, email marketing, and hosting gluten free sourdough classes. 

Valerie spends her days tending to her small homestead with goats and chickens, preparing home cooked meals for her family, coming up with new skincare recipes, making homemade kefir, and spending as much time barefoot in nature with her children as possible. Learn more about Valerie at wildhopebotanicals.com/about 

Join us on Saturday, March 15th for our Annual Co-op Members Meeting!

Time: 10:30am-1pm

In-Person: Rockland Congregational Church, 180 Limerock Street, Rockland

Online via Zoom: Register here

Member-Owners of Good Tern Co-op are invited and encouraged to join us for our Annual Meeting of Co-op Owners, scheduled for Saturday, March 15th! This meeting will be located at the Rockland Congregational Church, 180 Limerock Street, Rockland. Virtual attendance is available via Zoom.

The doors will open at 10:30am, with the meeting running from 11am - 12pm and a potluck lunch to follow.

Meeting attendees are welcome, but not required, to bring a dish to this community potluck. If you bring a dish, please also bring serving utensils and a list of ingredients so folks are aware of potential allergens. Please, no peanuts or tree nuts in potluck foods due to the risk of severe allergic reactions..

Join us to:
- Socialize with other co-op member-owners
- Hear updates from the Board of Directors and General Manager
- Share your feedback about the co-op
- Vote for the Good Tern Co-op Board of Directors
- Enjoy a community potluck lunch

Member-owners have a voice in how the co-op is run by serving on the Board of Directors, attending board meetings, joining committees, participating in and voting on matters at the annual meeting, and sharing feedback with the GM.

We have one open board director seat, which we will be looking to fill at this meeting. If you're interested in serving on the Good Tern Co-op Board of Directors, please reach out to boardofdirectors@goodtern.coop for more information.

Share your feedback, complete our member-owner survey!

Folks who complete surveys by March 8th will be entered to win a $25 gift card, and the winner will be announced at our Annual Meeting.

One Night Only: A Local Feast at North Beacon Oyster

Join us on Tuesday, March 11th at North Beacon Oyster in Rockland, Maine for a special one-night tasting menu crafted in collaboration with NBO's Chef Alex and Good Tern Co-op!

Savor the flavors of the Midcoast with an exclusive dinner tasting menu featuring local produce from multiple farms thoughtfully prepared to celebrate our vibrant food community.

Date & Time: Tuesday, March 11th 5:00 - 9:00 pm

Location: North Beacon Oyster, 421 Main Street, Rockland

Cost: $65 per person

Good Tern Special: 10% discount on food for co-op employees, directors, and member-owners! Show your Good Tern membership card, or mention that you’re a Good Tern member, as verification to receive the discount. Stop by the co-op if you need a membership card.

Not a co-op member? Join today!

Reservations strongly encouraged! Secure your spot today!

We’re partnering with North Beacon Oyster Restaurant to offer co-op employees and member-owners a 10% discount on food when dining in at their Main Street location in Rockland.

North Beacon Oyster recently transitioned to new ownership, and the new owners are committed to supporting the local food economy by purchasing fresh, local produce from the co-op whenever possible.  

Offer Details:

• Valid February 19, 2025 – June 1, 2025

• 10% discount on food for co-op employees, directors, and member-owners

• Dine-in only (not valid for takeout or delivery)

• Cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions

• Show your Good Tern membership card, or mention that you’re a Good Tern member, as verification to receive the discount. Stop by the co-op if you need a membership card. Not a co-op member? Join today!

Enjoy a meal at a fantastic local restaurant while supporting a business that shares our values!

Featured Tasting Menu 3/11/25

Our February Board of Directors Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 25th at 6pm at Hole In The Wall Bagels. Good Tern Member-Owners are welcome to attend board of directors meetings, and we have a member-owner comment period at the beginning of each meeting.

Join us for the second event in our winter Recipe Swap Series! Our second meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 23rd, at Hole In The Wall Bagel Shop.

This recipe swap series will focus on exchanging recipes about one specific (abundant) ingredient each time. Participants are expected to bring copies of their recipe to share. Our second event will focus on using different varieties of kale as an ingredient in healthy and hearty home cooked meals. Light snacks will be provided during the event.

All are invited to attend, free of charge. Registration is required so we can email participants to tell them how many copies of their recipe to bring. Stop by or call the co-op to register, or sign up online:

UPDATE 2/12/25: Due to the snowstorm expected on Sunday, this class has been moved to Saturday, February 15th from 2:30-4pm.

Join us at Hole In The Wall Bagels on Sunday, February 16th from 2:30-4:00pm for a Gluten Free Sourdough Workshop!

Learn how to make traditional sourdough bread using naturally gluten free grains such as quinoa, buckwheat, oats, brown rice and teff.

Instructor Valerie Robinson will demonstrate the simple and satisfying process of grinding whole grains and using them to make a gluten free loaf of bread that slices beautifully for toast, sandwiches and more. Save money and avoid filler ingredients found in many gluten free breads by making a wholesome, hearty loaf at home!

Participants will take home a gluten free sourdough starter, a recipe, and tips for making your gluten free sourdough journey a success!

UPDATE 2/7/25: Registration is full for the Gluten Free Sourdough Workshop scheduled for February 16th. Thank you for your interest!

Join the wait list or let us know you're interested in more Gluten Free Sourdough events!

Cost: $10 per person, or pay-what-you-can for materials upon registration.

Space is limited! Register online using the link above. Alternatively, participants can sign up in person at the co-op, or by calling 207-594-8822 .

About the Instructor: Valerie Robinson is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, natural skin care formulator and homeschooling mother of two. 

Born and raised in Maine, she graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in Communication. Prior to becoming a mom, she worked at a variety of restaurants and wine bars, and performed various marketing roles for natural food stores. She spent time WWOOFing (world wide opportunities on organic farms) in farms throughout France, where she learned about biodynamic wine making, organic agriculture, beekeeping and creating propolis infused skincare products. She was also the lead field trip guide for Sweetwater Organic Farm in Tampa, Florida, demonstrating various aspects of organic farming to school age children. 

After her first child was born in 2016, she enrolled at the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy and obtained her coaching certification in 2018. She has been involved in her local co-op for the past nine years, performing various roles such as social media marketing, editing the quarterly newsletter, email marketing, and hosting gluten free sourdough classes. 

Valerie spends her days tending to her small homestead with goats and chickens, preparing home cooked meals for her family, coming up with new skincare recipes, making homemade kefir, and spending as much time barefoot in nature with her children as possible. Learn more about Valerie at wildhopebotanicals.com/about 

Start Your Backyard Chicken Flock: Free Class and Community Talk

February 8th, 2025, at 2:30 PM at Hole In The Wall Bagels

Good Tern Co-op is thrilled to host the second annual backyard chicken class in partnership with Fern Hill Farm! This free event is perfect for anyone interested in starting a small flock of chickens—whether for fresh eggs, sustainable living, natural tick control, or simply for the joy of it. Clement Hill, owner of Fern Hill Farm, and Fern Axelson, animal caretaker, began their backyard flock with six chickens in Rockland three years ago through their own journey with health and sustainable living. Since then, they’ve expanded their operation to Thomaston, adding ducks, goats, rabbits and gardens. While not experts, Clement and Fern are proud of their hands-on experience in maintaining a healthy flock and are passionate about helping others feel prepared and confident to start their own. Attendees will gain practical insights, hear firsthand experiences, connect with other local chicken keepers, and have the opportunity to ask questions about keeping backyard chickens. 

Class Highlights:

• The Basics of Backyard Chickens: Why and how to start your own flock

• Cost and Care Expectations: Housing, feeding, and daily maintenance

•  Starting Decisions: Tips for breed selection, coop designs, and understanding local codes

• Seasonal Challenges/Health: Guidance on raising chickens year-round in Maine and common chicken first aid issues to prepare for. 

Cost: Free and open to the public with registration

UPDATE 2/5/25: Registration is full for the Backyard Chickens Workshop scheduled for February 8th. Thank you for your interest!

Join the wait list or let us know you're interested in more Backyard Chicken Keeping events! We are considering holding regular meetup events for backyard chicken keepers and gardeners. If interested, please fill out the form below.

Snow Date: February 9th, 2:30-4 PM

Location: Hole in the Wall Bagels, 754 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841

Update: this event has been postponed to Sunday, February 2nd at 2:30pm

Join us at Hole In The Wall Bagels on Sunday, February 2nd from 2:30-4:00pm for a cozy and creative winter skincare workshop! Together, we’ll explore how to nourish your skin during the colder months by crafting your own herbal-infused oils and face serums.

During this hands-on class, you’ll learn:

• The benefits of herbal infusions for skin health.

• Step-by-step guidance on creating your own infused oil.

• Tips for using these oils in your daily winter skincare routine.

Each participant will go home with:

• A beautifully prepared infused oil to finish steeping at home.

• A recipe card to craft your own luxurious face serum once your infusion is ready.

This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to create simple, sustainable self-care practices that honor your skin and the season. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today! Stop by or call the co-op (207-594-8822) to sign up.

Cost: $15 per person (sliding scale)

About the Instructor: Valerie Robinson is a natural skincare formulator, holistic health coach, and homeschooling mom based in Hope, Maine. She has a passion for creating gentle, non-toxic, handmade products using pure, earth-sourced ingredients and loves teaching others how to reconnect with nature through simple, nourishing self-care practices. Learn more about Valerie at wildhopebotanicals.com/about 

Our January Board of Directors Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 28th at 6pm at Hole In The Wall Bagels. Good Tern Member-Owners are welcome to attend board of directors meetings, and we have a member-owner comment period at the beginning of each meeting.

Come one, come all to the first event in our winter Recipe Swap Series! Our first meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, at Hole In The Wall Bagel Shop.

This recipe swap series will focus on exchanging recipes about one specific (abundant) ingredient each time. Participants are expected to bring copies of their recipe to share. Our first event will focus on using different varieties of winter squash as an ingredient in healthy and hearty home cooked meals. Light snacks will be provided during the event.

All are invited to attend, free of charge. Registration is required so we can email people and tell them how many copies of their recipe to bring. Stop by or call the co-op to register, or sign up online:

Our second meeting will focus on kale, to be held on Sunday, February 23 also at 2:30pm at Hole In The Wall Bagels. Join us for one or both of these events!

At Hole in The Wall Bagels. Members welcome!