Minn. Co-op Gives ‘Light Fare’ New Meaning

Cookbook by East Central Energy will help bring electricity to a Haitian village.

By Todd Cunningham

Using good food to promote good works, a Minnesota co-op is selling a cookbook, “Watt’s Cookin’,” to support construction of a co-op and electric infrastructure to serve more than 30,000 people in Haiti. Braham-based East Central Energy Co-op is looking to raise $24,000 for the project.

Minnesota co-ops, led by Minnesota Valley Electric, Jordan, have partnered with the NRECA International Foundation and the village of Pignon, Haiti, on the undertaking.

“Watt’s Cookin’” features more than 500 recipes, covering everything from appetizers, soups and salads through main and side dishes to desserts, cookies and candy. Many were contributed by East Central Energy’s consumer-members, directors and employees, while others have appeared over the years in the co-op’s newsletter. Pignon resident Nehemie Ossius contributed a recipe for rice and beans, “a typical meal” in the village.

A final section of the cookbook, “This & That,” includes a special feature— Minnesota Valley’s menu for a fundraiser dinner for 100, along with how-to instructions that co-ops or other groups can use in their own fundraising efforts.

“Maybe co-ops will consider doing a fundraiser for their favorite charity or NRECA International Foundation project,” said Pat Moulton, East Central Energy executive assistant and a leader of the cookbook effort.

East Central Energy has printed 2,000 of the books, Moulton said, and is “very positive we’ll move all of them.”

Copies of “Watt’s Cookin’” are available from East Central Energy, P.O. Box 39, Braham, MN 55006, telephone 800-254-7944. The price is $12.00, plus $3.00 for shipping and handling. The co-op will pay sales tax.