Sprouted Sunflower Seeds

Our friends at Kaia Foods have come up with a new way to feed your raw snack cravings: flavored organic sprouted sunflower seeds. Yummy flavors include Cocoa Molé, Sweet Curry, Garlic & Sea Salt. Kaia says "All we do to our sunflower seeds is sprout, season and dehydrate them at low temperatures instead of roasting them. The nutrients (and great taste) stay intact and aren't processed away." Pick up a cute reseal-able pouch in Aisle 7A.

Awesome Foods

New to the Coop this week are some raw and crispy snacks from a local company called Awesome Foods. Fans of the much-loved but hard-to-come-by Kale Chips will appreciate the variety which includes: Kale Tempuraw, Zuchinni Tempuraw, Vegetable Tempuraw, Root Veggie Crackers and Vegetable Almond Crackers. All dehydrated at less than 118 degrees, all vegan, and all gluten-free. Look for them in Aisle 7A, hanging across from the other small chips.

Krazy for Kale Chips?

There is a new raw food snack in the Coop, but it's so popular that it never seems to stay on the shelf for more than a few hours. So what's the story with these mysteriously appearing and disappearing Kale-in-a-Krunch Chips? Late last year, Alive & Radiant Foods (a small company in Berkeley California) introduced this unusual savory raw snack: organic curly kale, covered in spices, dehydrated to the texture of a chip. They became an instant hit here at the Coop. So why can't we keep them in stock? The answer is that Coop members aren't the only ones who have discovered Kale Chips, and Alive & Radiant Foods can't keep up with the skyrocketing demand. These chips have been blogged about extensively, generally hailed as the tastiest raw vegan snack ever, and even referred to as "kale krack". We increase the order amount every week but every week they sell out within a day or two of delivery. We spoke with Blessing (the founder of Alive & Radiant Foods) and she is moving as quickly as possible to increase supply. She recently purchased two new dehydrators and added a second production shift. She has also created three new flavors: Ranchier, Thai High, and Pleasing Pesto. We will try to stock these flavors as they become available. In the meantime, get them when you see them. They hang in Aisle 7 near the other small bags of chips. And when you can't find them, try making your own -- recipes for raw kale chips are all over the web.

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/

Veggie booty has moved!

Robert's snacks are now being sold above the ice cream freezer with the ever popular snack packs of Pirate Booty and Veggie Booty still being sold in stacks at the end of the ice cream case.

We had been getting wheat-free Chaos, but Roberts discontinued that product so now we are back to the regular Chaos. Actually how we sell Chaos is rather chaotic. We are still selling the small snack bags of Chaos at the back of Aisle 7A, while the larger bags are above the ice cream freezer. Tings and Super Veggie Tings are also there. Lack of selling space is always an issue at the Coop.