No More Silk Soymilk

The Coop will no longer be selling the half-gallon cartons of Silk Organic Soymilk. We will continue to sell Organic Valley Soymilk in the same four flavors that shoppers are used to seeing from Silk: original (plain), vanilla, unsweetened, and chocolate. This decision was prompted by recent actions taken by the Silk company (described below), and their integrity as a producer of organic soy products continues to be called into question. The major factors influencing our decision not to sell Silk are as follows:

1. In January 2009, Silk – whose soy products were formerly 100% organic -- reformulated their product line by converting almost all their products to conventional soybeans. They did this quietly, without telling retailers or changing the UPC code numbers on the products. Many retailers, including the Coop, didn’t find out about the change until consumers noticed and complained. The non-organic soymilks are labeled “Natural.” When we questioned Silk representatives about the change, we were told “there is a shortage of organic soybeans in North America.” However, it has been argued that Dean Foods (which owns Silk) “helped create these shortages by opting for cheaper organic imports instead of supporting domestic farmers with sustainable prices.1” (For the full report, please read the Cornucopia Institute's Soy Report & Scorecard)

2. Silk does not guarantee that all of their soybeans are free from GMO contamination. Organic Valley’s organic soybeans are 'Identity Preserved' - meaning each batch is tested to ensure there is no GMO contamination.

3. Silk is unwilling to share their sourcing information with consumers. Dean Foods “refused to transparently participate in the [Cornucopia Institute’s] study—depriving their customers of an independently verified review of their practices.” This stands in contrast to many other prominent soy food brands around the country that are fully transparent In their sourcing and production practices.

4. Silk brand is owned by Dean Foods - an agribusiness giant that owns over 50 milk labels around the country including Horizon Organic, a brand that heavily depends on factory farms each milking thousands of cows. Organic Valley is owned by CROPP Cooperative, a cooperative of organic family farmers. The Coop supports other cooperatives, wherever possible, and we try also to avoid companies that source from factory farms.

We will also replace the Silk soy creamers (made from non-organic soybeans) with Wildwood soymilk creamers (made from U.S. organic soybeans).

The Coop will continue to sell the quarts of Silk soymilk because this size is currently unavailable from any other company. Shoppers should beware, however, that these quarts are not organic. The quart sizes of Silk soymilk in plain, vanilla and chocolate flavors are all made from non-organic soybeans. Silk no longer sells their organic soymilk in a quart size carton.

1. Cornucopia Institute. (2009). Behind the Bean: The Heroes and Charlatans of the Natural and Organic Soy Foods Industry (1st ed.) [Report]. Cornucopia, WI: Charlotte Vallaeys.

Bela Sardines Are BACK!

And I ordered 50 cases of each flavor, so don't panic purchase

Hot Sauce, Lemon Sauce, Olive Oil, Tomato and the Boneless & Skinless varieties. They're all in the store and on the shelf. Come and get 'em,

Weekend snacking

Zapp's Cajun Dill Tater Chips & New Zealand's Favorite Licorice

Speaking as an snacker, not a grocery buyer this time, there are two salty, sweet treats dangling above our heads.

SALTY
Kevin is starting a flirtation with the Zapp's Kettle Chip people in Louisiana. First in, the Cajun Dill flavor, which packs a little picante along with the pickley goodness. We found them above the meat freezer, although they may move. From their site:
"Back in the age before computers ruled the world, great potato chips were cooked in kettles, a batch at a time. Zapp's is unique, continuing in this traditional method of slow cooking our thick cut potato slices in a cholesterol free peanut oil blend for maximum crunchiness and flavor. Then we season them with our great spices that make your mouth say 'It's Mardi Gras Time!'"

SWEET

RJ's Natural Licorice, seen here in Raspberry. The package says it's New Zealand's Favourite Licorice, and we have no information to the contrary. The shape is peculiar, but the flavor is great if you love licorice ropes. (I love licorice ropes.) Intriguingly colored by elederberry and black carrot juice, and flavored with actual raspberry juice, it's vegan, preservative-free, and family run. Located hanging at the end of Aisle Seven.

http://www.zapps.com/
http://rjslicorice.co.nz/

Brooklyn Black Ops at the Coop!

It feels strange to announce something so covert and shrouded in mystery but, there you have it. I was afraid that all of the mystery and scarcity of this beer was feeding into it's global hype, creating a beer of mythical and unreal proportions. I was bracing myself to be not entirely impressed.

Having now tasted the Black Ops, I have to say that I'm a fan. It's wonderfully complex and balanced. Having been aged in bourbon barrels it certainly has a bourbony flavor from start to finish but, it also has moments of vanilla, wood, chocolate, coffee, maybe a hint of licorice in there, and a steady alcohol warmth. I guess those are all the things you would expect of an imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels but, it all works to a really nice effect and has a very satisfying chocolate malt finishing flavor. This beer is black with a ruby hue and has been fermented in the bottle with champagne yeast, whatever they did, it worked.

There are only a couple cases to be had so get it now and enjoy it later.

Cheers, Anngel

Three weirdo beers that I’m loving for their lightness and brightness for the holidays.

Leelanau and Penn Brewing
Firstly, let’s talk about the Leelanau Brewing Company of Michigan. The Gold Harbor Golden and Whaleback White are amazingly delicious, complex, and in a way, easy. I guess it’s easy when you taste that good. They are handcrafted by Ron Jeffries, one of the best craft brewers on the planet. Just try them, they're expansive and subtle. Think champagne course.

My other favorite is the Penn Kaiser Pils, 2008 GABF gold medal winner. This beer is clean, crisp, and has a nice bitter closure. That sounds like a trite explanation of a pilsner but this triple-decocted bit of loveliness is really gooooood. Try it! It’s easy with food.
cheers, Anngel