Long Beach Grocery Co-op is committed to supporting ALL of Long Beach by promoting local food sources through farmers and makers; and building a strong community through engagement, education, and collaboration.

It will always be our priority to strengthen connection by reiterating our mission statement to the whole community. We are dedicated to sharing our vision and we’re eager to make it happen!

HOLIDAY GREETINGS FROM LBGCo-op

The holiday season in Long Beach brings with it a spirit of generosity, community, and togetherness, values that resonate deeply with the mission of the Long Beach Grocery Co-op. This time of year, we are reminded to share meals, give thoughtfully, and care for one another. LBGCo-op will embody these ideals year-round by supporting sustainable farming, fair trade, and local producers. In a city as diverse and vibrant as Long Beach, the co-op becomes more than a place to shop. When we open our doors, it will be a hub where neighbors connect, traditions are honored, and collective choices nourish both families and the environment. The warmth of the season mirrors the cooperative’s commitment to equity, sustainability, and community, making every basket of food a reflection of shared values and holiday cheer. Help us realize this goal by becoming an owner today, or consider “Gifting” an owner share to a loved one.

PURCHASE AN OWNER SHARE & GIFT AN OWNER SHARE

Principle #4 - Autonomy & Independence

OWNER SPOTLIGHT:
Carol Bartels and Joseph Buchman

Carol Bartels and Joseph Buchman are a husband-an-wife team of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists based in Bixby Knolls, offering both in-person and telehealth sessions.

Joe specializes in couples counseling using Relational Life Therapy to help partners recognize their negative patterns, investigate the origins of these behaviors, and learn and practice new, healthy communication and coping skills to maintain positive change long after therapy ends. Joe also offers individual and family therapy.

Carol offers individual therapy grounded in Internal Family Systems and Ecotherapy. She’s passionate about helping those experiencing Climate Distress, believing we’re shaped not only by family and social systems, but also by ecosystems. When any system is out of balance, the individual suffers. Carol helps people find relief, even when the system itself can’t be immediately changed.

Learn more about Carol at carolbartelsmft.com and about Joe at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/joseph-buchman-long-beach-ca/1488177

MEET YOUR LBGC BOARD CANDIDATES

Board Election ballots are being prepared for release in January. Meet the candidates that will represent our owners and drive our mission forward. Each has submitted a package detailing their motivation to join the board with so much more information than what is described below. Their backgrounds, experience, and passion are welcome and appreciated. This is just a snippet to give you a feel for these incredible individuals.

UPDATES

Thank you to all the owners that completed the Owner Survey. Overwhelmingly, the biggest priority you want from your Long Beach Grocery Co-op is locally sourced and produced goods that uplifts our community and provide access to healthy food for everyone in every household budget. Here are the results to the remaining key questions:

After reviewing these results, the Board is taking action and advantage of the current state of available property in the city. We have already begun investigating options that are a viable pathway toward getting a first store open sooner while we wait for the construction to begin at 400 E. Anaheim, which would become our second store. Our conversation with city officials has been productive and encouraging. More to come on this progress once the new board is settled in and ready to get working.

NOVEMBER 29th & 30th we participated in the LB908 Holiday Fair with amazing success. Four new owners joined us and new volunteers did a fantastic job working the information table. Tabling activity is a great way to grow our base and reach the goal of opening our store faster. Based on our owner survey, we need a lot more involvement to continue making progress.

DECEMBER 7th a team of volunteers will be helping out at the Winter in Wilmore Holiday Market from 4PM to 8PM at the Bembridge House. While everyone enjoys Santa and holiday crafts, we can share our mission and strengthen our relationship with this supportive neighborhood.

VOLUNTEERS - 2nd Saturdays

Join us December 20th from Noon to 1PM at Long Beach Forward. All are welcome!

We have secured meeting space for our team to meet once a month so we can fill our calendar with amazing events and opportunities for LBGCo-op to build awareness and support our community.

Long Beach Forward is located at:
2217 E 6th St, Long Beach, CA 90814, USA
Parking is available at the corner of Dawson and 7th Street

Starting January, we will meet at Noon on the 2nd Saturday each month.

Let’s plan our activities and staffing for:

• Working the info table at farmers markets

• Neighborhood canvassing to inform the community about the Co-op

• Performing a presentation at Neighborhood Association meetings

• Identifying and coordinating participation in community events

• Grant writing

• Marketing, Social Media, Newsletter writing

• Data Entry, Record Keeping, Research, Organizing

December is known for an abundance of hearty root vegetables, sturdy winter squash, nutrient-dense leafy greens, and vibrant citrus fruits. These foods are popular for creating warm, comforting dishes and for traditional holiday feasts. It is also known for holiday-themed desserts like fruitcake, yule log cake (bûche de Noël), gingerbread, and panettone. Enjoy our recipe of the month as a fun activity to bake with your family and make it one of your holiday favorites.

RECIPE: Gingerbread Cookies
Dessert: Prep Time: 4 hours | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Servings: Yield: 24 four-inch cookies

Ingredients:
3 and 1/2 cups (440g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon ground ginger (yes, 1 full Tablespoon!)
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
10 Tablespoons (142g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
2/3 cup (160ml; about 200g) unsulphured or dark molasses (do not use blackstrap; I prefer Grandma’s brand)
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
optional: easy cookie icing, royal icing, or cookie buttercream

Directions:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Set aside.
In a large bowl using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy. Add the brown sugar and molasses and beat on medium high speed until combined and creamy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Next, beat in egg and vanilla on high speed for 2 full minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. The butter may separate; that’s ok.
Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, and beat on low speed until combined. The cookie dough will be quite thick and slightly sticky. Divide dough in half and place each onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Wrap each up tightly and pat down to create a disc shape. Chill discs for at least 3 hours and up to 3 days. Chilling is mandatory for this cookie dough. I always chill mine overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. (Always recommended for cookies.) Set aside.
Remove 1 disc of chilled cookie dough from the refrigerator. Generously flour a work surface, as well as your hands and the rolling pin. Roll out disc until 1/4-inch thick. Tips for rolling—the dough may crack and be crumbly as you roll. What’s helpful is picking it up and rotating it as you go. Additionally, you can use your fingers to help meld the cracking edges back together. The first few rolls are always the hardest since the dough is so stiff, but re-rolling the scraps is much easier. Cut into shapes. Place shapes 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Re-roll dough scraps until all the dough is shaped. Repeat with remaining disc of dough.
Bake cookies for about 9-10 minutes. If your cookie cutters are smaller than 4 inches, bake for about 8 minutes. If your cookie cutters are larger than 4 inches, bake for about 11 minutes. My oven has hot spots and yours may too—so be sure to rotate the pan once during bake time. Keep in mind that the longer the cookies bake, the harder and crunchier they’ll be. For soft gingerbread cookies, follow my suggested bake times.
Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet. Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely. Once completely cool, decorate as desired.
Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Notes:
Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Baked and decorated (or not decorated) cookies freeze well – up to three months. Unbaked cookie dough discs (just the dough prepared through step 3) freeze well up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then continue with step 4.

Gingerbread House: This cookie dough is not sturdy enough for gingerbread houses.

Source: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/best-gingerbread-cookies/