The Coop never closes..

With a flurry of activity, Coop staffers and early morning receivers cleared the driveway and sidewalk in front of the Coop this blustery morning. However, we only received two small deliveries. But the store is well-stocked because so many members went away for the weekend. Several tractor trailers were turned back within blocks of the Coop because the streets were blocked by all those Brooklynites who felt compelled to drive themselves into a snowbank and then left their vehicles blocking the streets.

We're ready for deliveries tomorrow. Don't miss your shift. Park in our cleared driveway at your peril!

Tasting notes for some delightful and unusual seasonal beers

Dieu de Ciel Solstice D’Hiver (Montreal, Quebec) An American style barleywine that is dark in color with a reddish tint. It has a sharp bitterness that is offset by notes of cherry, malt, and caramel. You can taste the high abv in this one. Try pairing with something nutty and sweet, like a fruity cookie.

Kerkon Bink Grand Cru (Belgium) This Belgium Strong Ale is strong by today’s standards, ranking at a 13% abv. It pours almost as dark as a stout thanks to its holiday assortment of winter-dried fruits. Think figs, raisins, and Ebenezer Scrooge on Xmas morn.

Oppigards Winter (Sweden) A very drinkable winter ale with that pours a warm copper color with a creamy head. Notes of hop, citrus, and black tea make for a full-bodied flavor, but without that I’m-too-full-to-eat-now feeling. Pair with funky cheeses, apricots, and your favorite dark, seedy bread.

Stella di Natale Troll (Italy) A dark, Belgium-style strong ale with a warm combination of cocoa, spice, and toasted malt to unwind with by your real (or imaginary) fireplace. Serve in a trappist glass and enjoy slowly so none of the subtle notes go unnoticed. Then, go to bed.

‘T Smisje Kerst (Belgium) This Dark Strong Christmas Ale definitely wins the award for cutest label, but what’s inside the package is just as good. A dark amber pour with a creamy head that delivers a yeasty, hard-candy taste. It finishes with a hint of smokiness.

Baird Jubilation (Japan) The first Christmas Ale to hit stateside from Baird. Pours an almost-transparent amber, has a nice fizz, and is chock full of honey, cinnamon and spice.

Baird Dark Sky (Japan) A very rich, dark imperial stout, chock full of a toasty hoppiness thanks to being brewed with a variety of 5 different hops and 8 types of malt. A chemistry experiment gone right! Pour into a round glass, lament over the darkness of the beer sky, and enjoy.

De Struise Tsjeese (Belgium) Fast drinkers be warned. This light, clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg Christmas ale, with it’s earthy-yet-crisp base, goes down as easy as that first glass of eggnog. But with its 10% abv, it demands to be savored!

Haandbryggeriet Nissefar, “Father Christmas” (Norway) This is a thick glass of Norwegian night, packed tightly into a bitter hops explosion. After adjusting to the hops, take the next sip to notice notes of pine. Low on carbonation, it is a bit like drinking a pint off the cask.

St. Feuillien/Green Flash Biere L’Amitie (California) A collaboration of impressive brewers, this Belgian style Pale Ale is seasonal for the southern states. Rich with citrus, coriander, and dry hops. A perfect medium-bodied pour.

Amaryllis

I just took a photo of my amaryllis purchased at the coop--it appears very robust in my west window. Hope any you may have purchased are also blooming.

"Garlic Schmarlic! It's all the same!"

Not true!
Contrary to some beliefs, all garlic is NOT equal.
Have you tried our local Organic Elephant Garlic from upstate? A relative of the leek, many people mistakenly believe to be a giant variety of regular garlic. The contrast in flavor is often likened to the difference between leeks and onions; sweeter and generally less intense. From raw to roasted, it can be enjoyed in nearly any savory dish.

Kettle Tia Chips in Ranch, Chili con Carne, Salsa Picante and Nacho flavors

The coop is now selling Kettle Tia chips, a delicious Dorito-esque chips. We will carry four flavors - Zesty Ranch, Chili con Carne, Salsa Picante, and Nacho Cheese. We also have a new sweet flavor of Stacy's Pita Chip - Cinnamon Sugar. Happy winter party and football season!

-Delia

!!! TAKE ME HOME !!!

Weighing in at OVER 40lbs! Hailing from the local land of Lancaster Pennsylvania!
The DELICIOUS Musque De Provence!

*Modeled by your beloved Coordinator Carlos*

Thanksgiving Produce By The Numbers

69 Deliveries 13,000 cases 115 Tons 230,000 lbs. 118 Local Items

200lbs of Kohlrabi
400lbs (768 cups) Organic Cranberry
800lbs of Shallots
1500lbs of Leeks

2,000 Bunches of Parsley
1750lbs (2,100 bags) of Non-Organic Cranberries
3,200 pounds of Mushrooms
3600lbs of Brussell Sprouts, 310 Brussell Stalks & 450lbs Baby Brussell Sprouts
4,400 Bunches of Kale
4,439 (bags and cups) of Herbs (1019 Organic , 3420 Non-Organic)
3/4 tons of Pumpkin
1 ton of Beets
3,300 stalks of Celery
1 1/2 tons of Cauliflower
4 tons of Winter Squash (1 3/4 tons of Butternut)
5 tons of Carrots
5 tons of Onions
5 tons of Clementines (1981 boxes = 64,000 clementines)
5.75 tons of Sweet Potato (287 cases)
6 tons of Potato (235 cases)
9+tons of Local Apples 481 cases


9 tons of Bananas (432 cases = 50,000 bananas)...may seem like a high number, BUT it's actually a seasonal low.

The Blog Post He Didn't Want to Make

We have fifty-some unsold Thanksgiving turkeys, now FROZEN HARD and DISCOUNTED (price is as marked). Take this opportunity to buy an American Bronze heritage turkey -- $2.95 lb. CHEAP -- for the winter holidays. Defrost in the refrigerator for at least four days before roasting.

We will not be bringing in any fresh turkeys until these sell out...in any case, we won't be getting any more fancy heritage birds, which were raised just for the Coop by McDonald Farm, in NY's Finger Lakes region. Consider these facts well, my friends.

There are also a few Countryboy Farm turkeys (also raised just for us, in Lancaster, Pa., by Amish guys) and Eberly Organics left. Also frozen and discounted. But they're mostly heritage. You've always wanted a heritage, haven't you?

A busy cook’s arsenal

The next time you reach into the meat/fish freezer in aisle 3 for that bin of Alaska gold salmon, take a look around for other piscivorous treats lurking within. Freezer Gal is always on the hunt for fish and seafood that are sustainable and safe to eat. Here are some of her recent amazing discoveries:

Cooked Salad Shrimp, wild-caught from Oregon, low contaminant levels. You'll be pleased to know that bycatch of sea turtles and other endangered species is rare in the cold waters of Oregon, and the shrimp population assessment and management involve limiting the number of fishing vessels to avoid overfishing. Just in time for holiday entertaining, these peeled, steamed tiny shrimp are perfectly cooked and just the right size for canapés and shrimp salad. They are succulent and briny-sweet. (They're great stand-ins for lobster in lobster roll "sliders!") If using in soups, fried rice, gumbo, etc., add the shrimp at the last minute so as not to overcook.

Clams on the Half-Shell from Ben Tre, Vietnam. Hand-harvested using rakes to minimize environmental damage and bycatch. The Ben Tre province clam fishery is operated and managed by a cooperative formed by local fisherpeople. It is the first small-scale, community-based fishery in Southeast Asia to get MSC certification. The frozen clams on the half-shell have been scrubbed, de-sanded and pre-cooked. Great for clams casino or paella. Or shuck for pasta, soups and chowders.

Alaska sole, trawled from the Pacific where sole population is healthy and has considerably less exposure to mercury and PCBs. It has a silky texture and buttery flavor, making it an excellent candidate for the simplest of preparations, like pan frying or broiling. Much like tilapia or trout, the fillets are thin and much leaner than salmon or tuna, so it's best to use them frozen to preserve moisture, or thawed just so you can cut them into portions. You don’t have to remember to defrost; just fire up the stove. And yes, Joe, they bake beautifully. Salt, pepper and brush with olive oil while still frozen, place fillets on well-seasoned pan (or a cookie sheet lined with Silpat), in a very hot oven, 15-20 minutes, add capers and lemon segments.

Enjoy!

1,200 turkeys. Don't mention it.

Yes. Well. People seem to want to eat turkeys at Thanksgiving, so I suppose we'd better lay in a few.

Today we have on hand 37 Wise Kosher Organic, ranging from 12-18 pounds, priced at $4.92 a pound. We also have 200 Plainvilles, same size range, at $2.79.

Tomorrow we get the Bell & Evans and Murray's turkeys. 8-24 lbs. $2.44.

Friday the excitement rises as we see the arrival of the Eberly Organic (perennial Coop fave, 8-24 lbs @ $4.31), and something new for us: 250 birds specially raised for us by the Amish poultrypersons at Countryboy Farm of Lancaster, Pa...part of the Lancaster Farm Fresh Coop ($2.72). No idea about the size range, since we bought their entire rafter.

We round things off on Monday, Nov. 22, with the extremely popular birds of Vermont's Stonewood Farm (12-20 lbs, $3.32), and -- for the third year -- the American Bronze heritage turkeys ($4.32) that Peter McDonald and his family grow for us up in the Finger Lakes, at McDonald Farm. Peter's solved the fox-in-the-henhouse problem this year, so we expect to receive the full 180 he started with last spring. Enough for all the heritage-fancying foodies in the Coop, we hope.

All these birds have been delivered FRESH, except for the kosher ones. And, needless to say, all are free-ranging, locally raised, hormone and antibiotic free.

Coombs maple syrup sale

This morning 240 quarts of Coombs maple syrup were delivered at a great price: right now we are selling Grade B quarts for $16.00!

Price limited to stock on hand--stock up now! Look for the maple syrup house in the produce aisle.

Long overdue cheese update.

Hi. Long time no talk. I know, I know . . . you don't have to tell me. Let's just cut straight to the chase and let me tell you about some of the exciting new local cheeses we're carrying.

Plymouth Artisan Cheese Co - we're carrying the Original Plymouth, which is sharp with notes of butter, fruit and nuts. And also the East Meadow with a mellower flavor and subtler texture. Look for these in the new cheese case.

5 Spoke Creamery - we're carrying all three of the kosher certified pre-wrapped cheeses that they have to offer: Herbal Jack, Redmond Cheddar and Welsh Cheddar. Also in the new cheese case.

Dancing Cow - check out Bouree, a washed-rind wonder and Lindy Hop, a light creamy blue.

Lazy Lady Farm - new in from Laini is Mixed Emotions. You can't miss this. Get it while you can. A natural rind mixed milk cheese reminiscent of Tomme de Savoie, only lovingly crafted by leftist-leaning Vermont homesteading goat farmers. Unbelievable.

Vermont Mystic apple pie

It is hard to miss the snappy Vermont Mystic apple pie box in the ice cream freezer. As the staff No. 1 Picky Eater (and a pretty good baker), I recommend this pie. The ingredients include Cabot butter, King Arthur flour and a flavorful mixture of Empire, Northern Spy and Cortland apples. Unlike most frozen pies, this pie is frozen immediately after it is assembled but it is not baked. When you pull this pie freshly baked out of your oven, you will not be disappointed and your kitchen will smell wonderful. The price makes this pie a steal for your holiday table. You could pass the pie off as your very own homemade, but then don't forget to hide the box.

Advent calendars , Gingerbread houses and Hannukah gelt

The holidays are coming, the holidays are coming





Divine Advent calendars are here. Each window yields a small piece of milk chocolate. The cover of the calendar illustrates the story of the harvest of chocolate in Ghana, leading to the Nativity scene. Window opening starts December 1st!

Dancing Deer gingerbread house kits have also arrived. A good deal of assembly is required--including baking the dough. But that gives you an edible house that is actually tasty. The kit has the template, the dough mix, ginger people cutters and royal icing mix. You provide the gumdrops and other decoration. A percentage of the price is donated to organizations that aid the homeless.

The coop is awash in gold coins--the milk chocolate kind. Hannukah begins December 2. Our gold coins are made of Fair Trade Chocolate by Divine.

Amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs are here

Now is the fleeting moment at the Coop when amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs are available. After next week, we will not receive anymore closer to Christmas because Van Engelen will not ship in colder weather.

Purchase now and plant or take the bulb out of the box and store the bulb in a cool place. Everything you need is in the gift box. Don't wait too long to plant the bulb--it is programmed to sprout soon and will start growing out of the box, even if left in the dark

Food waste in your home

Food waste--how much food do you throw out of your refrigerator each week? NYT covers an interesting book by Jonathan Bloom American Wasteland: How America Throws Away Nearly Half of Its Food." In addition to crops left in the field, spoilage during shipping and supermarket waste, one study found that up to 40% of food waste happens in the home. It appears we are less ambitious when it comes to cooking the food that we enthusiastically purchase. Increasingly people are concerned about food safety and are unwilling to eat less than pristine food. Food in the landfill creates methane, and that green stuff you are throwing away is actually money. Not to be a total scrouge, but we all might want to reevaluate just how festive the groaning holiday spread is.

Because of our picky food coop shoppers, our produce is frequently culled. We have at least one or two large soup kitchen pickups six days a week. And we compost tons and tons of spoiled produce each year in the local community gardens. No dumpster diving here!

October is Fair Trade month

But actually every month is Fair Trade month. New products: Natural Nectar's biscuits, slathered with Fair Trade chocolate. They did not stint with the chocolate, and this classic French "biscuit" is very good, indeed.

We sell lots of Fair Trade chocolate.

Equal Exchange chocolate comes in lots of flavors--the Panama dark is the Coop's favorite. But don't hesitate to try the new chocolate caramel crunch. Of course, we sell hundreds of pounds of Equal Exchange coffee purchased from farmer-owned cooperatives around the world. Soon they will be introducing a new line of teas.



Madecasse chocolate was developed by a former Peace Corps volunteer who worked in Madagascar. The chocolate beans are grown and made into chocolate in Madagascar. Almost all other chocolate is made from beans shipped to Europe. This provides jobs in the country of origin and allows them to reap the added value. Raw cocoa beans are relatively cheap--the finished chocolate is not. Madecasse has a salt and chocolate nibs bar.





Divine chocolate is very popular at the Coop. And now that we are approaching the holidays, their boxed mints, gelt coins and their Advent calendar with some bits of chocolate behind the windows are all available. They have some new holiday bars in sparkling packaging: dark chocolate with orange and ginger and milk chocolate with spiced cookies. Divine products are very tasty as well, and the chocolate is from a farmer-owned cooperative in Ghana.






We sell lots of Wholesome Foods Fair Trade sweeteners: light and dark brown sugar, raw sugar, agave, and honey. Please consider using these sugars for all of your holiday baking.

Flashy Troutsback Romaine
Lettuce

A dark green leaved romaine splashed with wine-red speckles. Imagine dipping a paintbrush in red paint and giving it a hard shake onto your romaine lettuce. You've got the picture. Your taste buds will like it too, for its rich buttery flavor.
These are organic and come from Lancaster Farm Fresh Coop in Pennsylvania.

Pumpkins are here! Small and medium pie pumpkins, and an assortment of large and even larger decorative pumpkins and gourds arrived today. They are organic from Hepworth farms in Milton NY. Larger jack-o-lanterns will be delivered on Friday.

Brooklyn Salsa company

New salsas, locally made, riffing off the five boroughs theme. Brooklyn of course is hot, Manhattan is mild and pure, Staten Island mild and green, Queens medium and tropical and the Bronx burnt and hot. Make of that what you will. Their interpretation of salsa is sauce--and Queen's tropical is a curry sauce, not the standard corn chip dipping salsa.

The Brooklyn Salsa Co guys told us they were sourcing their tomatoes from Amy Hepworth this summer. Their website has recipes on how to use up that jar of salsa quickly--ranging from Buffalo burgers to Manhattan Michelada (1/2 jar salsa, can of Pabst Blue Ribbon + lime). Save the better beer to drink with the Buffalo burgers.

The salsa is made at Glen Industries. Their website says they provide opportunities for individuals with varying abilities. Brooklyn Salsa is currently sold on the back endcap, across from the poultry case.

The great hummus switchero

Where has all the Sabra gone?

To Virginia. That's right folks, the Sabra manufacturing plant has been moved from Queens to Virginia. That's one of the reasons we decided to try out a new local brand called Sonny & Joe's.

Here's a little more history:
The original Sabra Blue & White Foods was started in Queens, NY in 1986. In 2005 the international food company, Strauss Group, bought a majority share share in Sabra Blue & White Foods. Then in March 2008 PepsiCo and Strauss Group formed a joint-venture partnership (PepsiCo has a 50% share) and renamed Sabra Blue & White Foods to Sabra Dipping Company. This year Sabra Dipping Company also built a new manufacturing facility in Richmond, Virginia and moved the production south (the headquarters remain in Queens.)

So what makes Sonny & Joe's worth trying? It's local for one--made in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in small batches so we get the freshest they have to offer. Try it, we think you'll like the fresh taste, creamy texture. You may even like it better than Sabra!

Lisa Hidem

Larger burritos and new flavors of Aldens

Red's 11 oz burritos are now in the freezer case. Red's burritos got a thumbs up from the hardworking (and hungry) staff. Nutritional info suggests each burrito is two servings--so go find a friend or eat the 600 calories by yourself. Sour cream is the killer ingredient. Four flavors: rice & bean, turkey mole, chicken and steak.

Root beer float and peaches n'cream are Alden's ice cream newest flavors. Their vanilla is our top selling ice cream. It's organic and the price is right. The nutritional profile suggests you go out and get twelve friends to share a 48 oz tub--then there are only 160 calories per half cup. The tag "All Natural" is coming under increasing scrutiny. Organic tapioca syrup is natural--but is it natural that it is in Alden's ice cream?

Ben & Jerry's went further down the slippery additives slope--the Center for Science in the Public Interest didn't think that it was fair that they call their ice cream "All Natural" while containing un-natural ingredients like maltodextrin. The company, which sold out to Unilever long ago, recently agreed to drop the "All Natural" from the front of their containers.

Ronnybrook Farms Butter in the house

New in the butter case today... Ronnybrook Farms Salted Butter! (unsalted is pictured here, but the salted looks pretty much the same.) It's local, it's a family farm, it's affordable, it's yummy.

Here's a sweet story about Ronnybrook, if you want to know more about them.

New small potato chips and large tortilla chips!

There have been some quality issues with the small kettle chips so I discontinued them for the time being. We are now carrying 4 flavors of Dirty Chips: Sea Salt, Jalepeño, Sour Cream & Onion and Salt & Pepper. We also have Boulder Chips in 3 flavors: Totally Natural, Malt Vinegar and BBQ. Also, we carry locally made North Fork potato chips in BBQ and Salt. All the small chips are aisle 7.

Also there are 2 new large-sized tortilla chips in the produce aisle. There are "Fiesta Sized" 22 oz Garden of Eatin' White Restaurant-Style Corn chips and 16oz RedHot Blues.

-Delia

Some like it hot

Ever feel disappointed that the fresh jalapenos lack bite? I'm not a fan of garlic, but instead use hot peppers as my most basic seasoning, regardless if I'm cooking Indian, Italian or Chinese. So rather than take a chance, I always buy habanero, or Scotch bonnet, peppers whenever they are available. They never disappoint. I sometimes find myself coughing when the pepper hits the hot oil and volatile fumes are released--but it is an easy way to clear the sinuses. It is a good idea to wear gloves when chopping hot peppers. The oils can stay on your hands for some time, and it is very painful if you happen to rub your eyes.

A Perk of Our Evolution: Pleasure in the Pain of Chilies is an amusing article in the New York Times. Apparently we humans are the only mammals foolish enough to seek out hot chilies to eat. Habanero peppers can be found in the mixed hot peppers sold at the Coop.

Plum tomato sale this week

Amy Hepworth says it is time to bring out the canning jars--she is discounting her plum tomatoes this week. We'll be selling them for $21.78 for a 25 lb case. Which is less than one dollar a pound--a great price for organic, local tomatoes.

We've got the Ball jars--sold above the potatoes in Aisle 1A.

The internet is full of canning How To's and lots of recipes--here's one site. Pasta sauce, salsa, tomato jam. If you are too timid to jump right in, you can get prepared for next year by attending the Brooklyn Skills Share home canning class being offered on October 9. (Along with ice cream making, bike repair, crochet, claw hammer banjo intro ....)

Genetically engineered salmon and pigs?!?

Whaaa--do we really need this? Wall Street Journal reports that Aqua Bounty Technology has developed a salmon that grows twice as quickly as normal and is likely to be approved by the FDA.

The article also describes the Enviropig (the proposed critter on the left), being developed by the University of Guelph in Canada. This little piggy is being engineered to be a dynamo phosphorous processor, requiring less phosphorous in its feed, and thereby decreasing the amount of phosphorous in its waste. And voila! that makes it environmentally friendly!

More detailed information on the FDA salmon hearings and genetically modified crops was also reported in the same issue.

In the news....

• Park Slope Food Coop in Fortune magazine this week.
• Joint pain supplements-glucosamine and chondroitin : Do they work? Maybe not according to a recent study reported in the British Journal of Medicine and summarized in the LA Times. Conclusion is that they may have a placebo effect and do not appear to be harmful. Except maybe to your wallet.
• BPA: Article in NYTimes indicates that despite "extensive" research, whether or not BPA is harmful has not been conclusively proven, and therefore no ban on its use. BPA has been implicated in various maladies, from cancer to childhood obesity. Let's hope it is not as dangerous as some claim, as we all have been extensively exposed to BPA.
• Less soap, better for your dishwasher and wash machine and the environment Appliance repairman states in NY Times that because newer appliances use much less water and are more efficient, we should significantly reduce the amount of soap we use. Excess soap leaves clothing stiff, clogs dishwashers and wastes your money.
  

Here's what looks like a giant brain tomato. I'm not sure what variety of heirloom tomato this is, but it's big and cool.

Heirloom tomato? Yes!

This is a garden peach heirloom tomato from Hepworth farm, less than a 2 hour drive away. It's fuzzy! beautiful! and delicious! Try garden peach or one of the many other varieties of organic heirloom tomatoes at the coop now.

Woah! check out the new...

frozen gluten free bread by Udi's. As requested, Udi's is now stocked next to the Food for Life frozen gluten free bread.


AND...

Clams! These half-shelled clams are approved by the Marine Stewardship Council and come from Northern Chef.

New Buffalo Mozzarella

Mozzarella Di Bufala D.O.C from the ABC Cooperative in Piedmont, Italy.


We did a taste comparison of all the Buffalo milk Mozzarella that we were carrying and this one was above and beyond anything else we tried.

Enjoy while the tomatoes are still cheap and plentiful.

Anglophiles Rejoyce!

Every time I order an English product, the only response I hear is not, "Oh thank you, love!" or "Good on you, lad!". . .it's "What about Heinz Beans?" Here you are my lovelies. . .

As a bonus, LP Steak and Chop sauce.

Watch Out! Some new players in the freezer and ice cream case!

Where to begin...






How about Organic Bistro Wild Alaskan Salmon?? With cranberry pilaf and broccoli. yumm....
TV Dinners have never gotten so healthy!





Everyone has been going (lady) gaga over Annie Chuns seaweed snacks, well now you can get your WON-TON fill with Annie Chuns Cilantro and Chicken Wontons, right next to the Ling Lings.





Pizza Pizza! No, it's not Little Caesars... it's Tofurky Cheese Pizza, made with Daiya Cheese!! Sayonara Amy's Rice Crust Pizza (sorry you Amy-Lovers... dont worry, there's still the single serving version).


Whew!

On a sweeter note,



Get this summer treat (year around really) before Haagen Daz decides to pull it! My favorite of the season, Haagen Daz 5 Lemon has little lemon zest with a delectable creamy taste. Give it a whirl!

Lastly,

Daphne's Baking Company- Chocolate Rasberry and Lemon Tarts




These little delicatessens pack a punch, let me tell you. they come two in a box and can be found in the middle shelf in the ice cream case. They're a perfect little dessert for the new season.

Anton's Bavarian Red

Anton's Bavarian Red - a luscious creamy washed rind cheese from the Bavarian Alps in Germany. Enjoy with a heady red beer.

Thanks to Lauren Lewis for modeling this fine cheese.

Larchmont Charcuterie returns, bearing frankfurters

Daniel, master sausagemaker of Westchester county, ranks #3 in the "charcuterie" section of the 50 Best Website. His beef and pork saucisson chubs disappeared from our meat case after he made a decision to cut production, leading our members to fear the wurst. But, ever the culinary experimenter, Daniel turned his talent from terrines and pates to the humble tube steak. Now his magie de saucisses returns to the Coop's shelves in the form of one of the best hot dogs we've ever tried. Break out the moutarde et cornichons.

-- Bill the Butcher

Hepworth Farms damaged by hail

Allen reports: Most of you know that Amy Hepworth is our most important farmer. Yesterday afternoon severe weather (some hail and 70 mile an hour winds) ripped through her fields. She estimates a potential loss of about $200,000. on tomatoes alone. I'm only reporting this so that you all know a little more about what a local family farm may have to struggle with to survive. I haven't learned about neighboring farms yet, some of whom we deal with as well.

New Fair Trade chcolate: Caramels & salt chocolate--

Equal Exchange introduced two new chocolate bars this week at the Coop: Organic Dark Ecuador 65% and Organic Chocolate Caramel Crunch with Salt 55% cacoa. Initial reviews are very favorable.

Coop chocolate lovers are sophisticated--the best sellers are the very dark chocolates and chocolate with salt is second.

The bearded Mast Brothers in Williamsburg used to have a corner on the chocolate w/salt market--pricey at $5.57 per 2.5 oz. Chocolove recently introduced a very popular chocolate (55%) with almonds & salt= $1.89 per 3.2 oz. Lindt's Excellence dark chocolate/touch of sea salt = $2.12 for 3.5 oz. Equal Exchange rings up at $2.84 for 3.5 oz. and is the only fairly traded chocolate in this group. (These are current August prices.)