November invites us to look beyond ourselves and support our neighbors, local vendors and the organizations caring for people on the front lines.

At Outpost, giving back is part of who we are all year long; Good food brings us together to do good things 365 days a year by rounding up at the register or donating to the Buy a Bag program. This year, your $20 donation provides $30 worth of wholesome food to the Hunger Task Force. Together, these small acts create a powerful ripple of nourishment throughout our community.

You can also join us in person! On Saturday, November 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., all Outpost locations will host the Buy a Slice Fundraiser for the Hunger Task Force. Then on Friday, November 20, come to the Hunger Task Force's Annual Drive-Thru Food for Families Food Drive, held in partnership with the Brewers Community Foundation, CBS 58 and our Outpost family.

As we open our hearts to feed our community this month, let's remember an equally important truth: we deserve to give back to ourselves, too. We are wired to support one another, and it is easy to forget our own inner gardens. Self-care can be small. It might begin with a quiet moment before sunrise: a deep breath in, a slow breath out, and gratitude for life's simplest gifts, breath and movement.

Giving back to ourselves begins with noticing the blessings already around us. Our knees might ache, but how wonderful it is that we can still walk through these grocery aisles. We are each navigating our own health journey, and we have breath in our lungs and the ability to move, sway and choose wellness.

True self-advocacy means honoring your personal journey. For me, walking through Outpost, especially down the vibrant produce aisle, is a sacred ritual. When I choose fresh, whole produce, I feel confident about the source of the food I put into my body. Spending my money on clean, vibrant foods is one meaningful way I care for myself.

The beauty of the cooperative model is that we can care for ourselves and our community at the same time. As you choose foods that nourish your body, your dollars support local farmers, local vendors and vital community food programs. It is a seamless circle of mutual care.

On my last trip through the store, I filled my basket with sweet, juicy oranges and probiotic coconut yogurt. I stopped by the bulk aisle for flaxseed to add to my morning routine, then picked up a bunch of crisp, sweet carrots from one of our local farm vendors. Choosing trusted, whole foods is an investment in my health, and it keeps my dollars right here in our local food system.

Let's cultivate kindness this November. Let's plant seeds of generosity in our neighborhoods and nurture deep gratitude in our own minds and bodies.

Before we rush into the holiday hustle, let's pause. With gratitude, we acknowledge that our Outpost stores stand on sacred, historic Native American land. Let's honor the ground beneath our feet, the journeys that brought us here, and the ancestors who cultivated this earth before us.

Today showed up, and so did we. How will you cultivate your blessings and give back to your own spirit today?

Chef Caroline Carter

Outpost Board Director