Thursday, September 02, 2010

Best of Austin and so much more!

Hello Wheatsville friends and fans!

We're delighted to once again be voted Best Neighborhood Grocery in the Austin Chronicle Best of Austin awards! Thank YOU for your strong support that helped get us recognized again! (We've won this award every year since 2007!) Yay!

It's Labor Day weekend and even though summer goes on and on here in Texas, many people still think of this as the unofficial end of summer. So get out there and have fun grilling! We're open all day long normal hours on Labor Day, so come on in!

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Hello Co+op Deals!

Meet your Board Candidates

Wine and Beer Tasting FRIDAY and buy 6 wines get 10% off!

Sliced Cheese on Cheese Island AND IMPORTANT Morningland Cheese RECALL information.

New Bulk-ness

Local Kombucha goodness

Deli specials and Labor Day yumminess

Gulf Shrimp is back!

Sunburst Pizza recipe


Goodbye Co-op Advantage Program….Hello Co+op deals!

Our sales program has a fresh new look and name: the Co-op Advantage Program is now Co+op Deals! Beginning now, you'll discover a vibrant and enticing flyer filled with appetizingly delicious food, rich content and great prices on Co+op Deals for you and your family.

We're also streamlining our signage of sale items in the store, making it easier and more efficient to quickly know what's on sale and how much you're saving. Even better, all of this information is available at the top of our home page on our web site at www.wheatsville.coop! Just click on the Co+op Deals icon and you'll know instantly what's on sale!

Co+op Deals will be changing every other Wednesday (as opposed to the former system of once a month) to offer you more variety and exciting changes! The first period of sales is September 1-September 14, then September 15-September 28. Also, look for more frequent sampling of Co+op Deals foods in the store. We love these products and we want you to know just how tasty they are!

p.s. We'll continue to offer Owner Specials for Wheatsville owners only but they will also be changing every other Wednesday and are now called Owner Deals!

Board Candidates of the Week

 

The nominations committee has worked diligently to bring you seven candidates for four open seats on the co-op's nine-member board of directors. We'll be featuring one or two of them every week until voting starts on October 1.

 

Born and raised in Harlingen, in South Texas, Adrian Cortez attended Yale University. He then spent time in Shanghai, working on investment projects and business development on projects that took him on extended stays in England, Bosnia and Serbia, Korea, India and Hong Kong. Adrian has also spent time on charity projects in China and North Korea. He currently resides in Austin with his wife and two dogs.

 

Steven Tomlinson currently serves as Treasurer of the Wheatsville Board of Directors. He teaches entrepreneurship at the Acton School of Business and consults with Fortune 500 companies on communication skills and strategies. In addition he is an accomplished theatre artist whose one-man shows explore spiritual questions about business and technology.

 

To find out more about all the candidates, visit http://wheatsville.coop/election/questionnaire.html

 

Wine and Beer tasting this Friday.! Come get an early start on Labor day by tasting some great wine and beer this Friday at the Co-op. Wheastville will be Hosting a tasting of some fabulous wines from Ruffino Winery this Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 and beers from the New Belgium Brewing Company also from 5:00 to 8:00 on Friday. Come by and try some on us!

I am happy to announce that Wheatsville Co-op has a new wine deal we are unveiling. Buy six or more bottles of wine and get 10% off. Any wine! Any price! Mix and match! We are also offering a great way to transport your wines with our spiffy new Wheatsville six bottle carrier. These are very cool bags that hold six bottles of your favorite beverages and they are only $1.99 each! Best of all they have the Whatsville logo on the side so you can bring it to a party with co-op pride!

Cheese Island

We have a few things on sales this month. Organic Valley 6 pk Stringles are on sale for $3.99 each, regularly $4.99. Also we have our New York Sharp Cheddar on sale for $6.39/lb, regularly $9.99/lb.

This weekend is Labor Day weekend and we have sliced cheese for those burgers and shredded cheeses for those hot dogs and fajita tacos. We also have other cheese that you can shred yourself and make those burgers tacos, and hot dogs even better. We have Applewood smoked cheddar, pepper jack, gouda and more. Why not try topping your hot dog or taco with any of the Pure Luck Chevres ? Or stuff that pork tender loin with Pure Lucks June's Joy or Hoplessly Blue.

Morningland Cheese Voluntary Recall Notice

Yesterday we received word that Morningland Dairy was voluntarily recalling 69,000 lbs of their cheese after their Hot pepper Colby and Garlic Colby tested positive for lysteria bacteria by the California Department Of Health. Though it was only two flavors of the cheeses Morningland has volunteered to re-call all of their cheeses, and is having their cheeses tested by the Missouri Department of Health as well. Here is the link to the FDA sight and a link to Morningland Dairy's Blog for more info.

 

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm224494.htm

http://morninglanddairy.webs.com/apps/blog/

 

If you have purchased any of the Morningland cheeses please return it for a full refund.

Howdy from Bulk!

This is Riley Luce, the new bulk buyer, with some exciting new product info for the bulk department.  The dried fruits have been moved to their new home next to the nut butters which has freed up some space for new items.  Just recently we have added the often requested Fava and Cannellini beans, as well as a delicious "Olde world" Pilaf mix.  We have more great products coming soon so keep your eyes peeled, and please feel free to offer any suggestions you might have!

Local Kombucha Deliciousness!

Honey Dew is a new featured flavor by our own local Kombucha maker's Buddha's Brew. Not only is this beverage sweet and refreshing but it is boasted by many for its healthy benefits.

http://www.buddhasbrew.com/about.html

the Honeydew and other Kombucha flavors can be found in the beverage cooler right next to the produce department in front of bulk. We sell the Buddha's Brew at $3.19 a bottle, one of the best prices in town!

Early September Specials, New Dishes and Labor Day Weekend!

Don't forget, this weekend is Labor Day Weekend, and we'll have plenty of ready-made dishes to help make your celebration a success! Whether you're chillin' on the couch or camping along the river with your posse, we'll have lots of spreads, salsas and sides on hand to make your personal partyin' a breeze! If you're feeling the need for abundance, take a look at our Catering Menu, featuring a mouth-watering assortment of Meat & Cheese Trays, Crudités & Dip Trays, Middle Eastern Trays, and Fruit & Cheese Trays! Platters and salads, like our Thai Pasta, Popcorn Tofu Platter and Ginger Tempeh Pasta are perfect for every occasion, and for any size gathering! Check out our website at http://wheatsville.coop/catering.html or call us at the Deli to place your order: 512-478-1164! Have a ball this weekend, and leave the work to us!

New in the Deli grab'n'go case this week are delicious and filling meals to go from our local vendors Tom's Tabooley and Kala's Kuisine! Tom'sMediterranean Platter has generous portions of hummus, falafel, tabouli, and pita with a stuffed grape leaf for just $7.49. Kala's Nepali Platter features chole garbanzo beans, saag spinach, chapati bread, potato samosa, spinach pakora and two sauces for just $6.49! Both of these plates are ideal for a quick, easy and tasty lunch or dinner, or a picnic-perfect shareable snack for two!

September is here and we have delicious new dishes for you to try! Our featured Fresh in the Deli recipes are so tasty! From the fine folks at Community Mercantile in Lawrence, Kansas, we have Curried Cauliflower with Carrots! This interesting dish pickles cauliflower and carrots in a curry vinegar and tosses those flavorful veggies with cooked potatoes, green onions and olive oil!

And from the Oryana Food Cooperative in Traverse City, Michigan comes Ramen Cabbage Crunch! This Asian-inspired coleslaw tosses shredded cabbage with toasted ramen noodles, green onions and sliced almonds in a tasty dressing of rice vinegar, tamari and sesame oil.

 

Beat the heat with our Acai Superfood Smoothie for just $6.29 each! This month's smoothie special blends acai with strawberries, bananas, apple juice and soymilk for a frozen drink that's good for your body and tastebuds, too! September's salsa of the month, Salsa de Otono, combines smoky ancho and sweet red bell peppers with organic apple juice for a taste that beckons autumn, $4.99/lb.

 

Looking for a deal? September brings a double shot of Owner Specials to your Co-op for the first time! Though the 15th, the Deli is running a sale on our most popular sandwich, the vegan classic Popcorn Tofu Po'Boy, $5.99 each, reg. $6.49! Get all the veggies and a drizzle of our Cashew-Tamari Dressing and your belly will smile with delight! Also on sale for the next two weeks is our newest beverage, the staff favorite Gingerade, just $1.19 each, reg. $1.69! This incredibly refreshing drink is made with fresh ginger, spices and a blend of three fruit juices! To round out this first session of Deli specials, our Green Chile Hummus adds some spice to the menu, $4.99/lb, reg. $5.49. This hot little number is much-loved by our fans of spicy foods and makes a great dippin' companion to a raw veggie plate or bag of pita chips!

Also on sale at the Deli Counter are tasty cold cuts: Boar's Head Honey-Maple Ham at $8.49/lb, reg. $8.99 and Muenster Cheese, $4.99/lb, reg. $5.99!

Look for new items in the Bakery Case, and some tasty treats that are making an appearance for the first time in a while – delicious Hansel & Gretel's Ginger Bars, I'm lookin' at you!

Come on in to your Deli and try something new!

 

New stuff in meat and seafood and the return of gulf shrimp

Hey folks check out a new item in the freezer.  Henry & Lisa's Battered Salmon filet, at an introductory price of $5.99.  It's made from wild Alaskan salmon, and is gluten-free too.  Look for it on the top shelf of the freezer next to the Henry & Lisa salmon burgers.  While you're perusing the freezer look for the $1 off Organic Prairie coupon good for any of the Organic Prairie products.

Hey folks we have wild caught Texas gulf shrimp again!  We're selling the Jumbo 16-20 ct. for $14.99 lb.  The seasoned just started and the shrimp look great.  So don't be shy, help support our gulf coast fisherman.

Ok folks I'm going to let you guys in on a secret.  Niman ranch sausages are freaking awesome. Many of you may be able to second that.  Whether it's the sweet Italianthe bratwurst, or the habit forming Apple Gouda, all the Niman sausages taste great.   Well we got a new one…shhh.  It's out of sight, and is selling out as fast as I can stock them.  It's the Niman Ranch Apple cinnamon breakfast sausages $6.39 12oz. Stuffed into lamb casing,a traditional breakfast link, with lots of snap when you bite into it.

Look for great special on Buddy's leg quarters $1.49 /lb, regular $2.99/lb.

Also check out another new item in the QTF case. Fresh-made shrimp cakes. Made in a crab cake style, these cakes have lots of flavor. Made with chopped shrimp fresh herbs and fresh lemon, there easily pan fried or baked.  Pick them up for only $10.49 /lb for an introductory price, regular $10.99/lb.

Don't forget Labor Day is coming up soon. We'll have all your favorite cuts. Like Niman Ranch beef Ribeye & Top Sirloin steaks. Family packs ofbuddy's chicken leg quarters at $1.49/lb, on special for Labor Day. Also lots of fresh made sausages like hot and sweet Italianchicken cilantro lime, and savory breakfast sausage; that are fantastic for grilling. Don't forget we the best price on Niman ranch ground beef 80/20 for $4.99/lb or $4.79/lb for a 3lb family pack. It "Dr. Grandin" animal welfare approved.

But wait Mr. Meat man, what's Dr. Grandin 21 point animal welfare approved?  Dr. Temple Grandin has been working with ranchers to improve animal conditions since the mid-seventies.  Some of you might know her from her equally profound work in treatment and diagnosis of autism.  Dr. Grandin began to create at welfare certification consisting of 21 points to assure livestock physical and mental well-being. It was first adopted by Niman Ranch, and has become an ambitions benchmark for rancher and farmers to follow industry wide. The check list is long, but to those of you who are interested I'd be happy to print you a copy. Here are a couple of examples.

  1. There must always be a dry area where all animals can lay down at the same time without becoming soiled on the belly
 

20. Certified farmers and ranchers must raise animals in a manner that protects or enhances the quality of the environment, animal health and public health.   This includes, but is not limited to manure management practices, stocking densities, and methods for disposal of mortalities, which must meet all county, state and federal standards

 

If you'd like to learn more call or email me at meatdept@wheatsville.coop or check out this video profile of Wheatsville and Nimanhttp://wheatsville.coop/AustinWheatsville/index.html

Check out this article in this month's Edible Austin, on Windy Bar Ranch Beef. We sell cuts from this great local producer, come by and try it. Oh and hey Edible Austin how about a shout out for Wheatsville? We love you guys.

Sunburst Squash Pizza recipe from our new Produce Manager Adam King

We're delighted to welcome our new produce manage Adam King to Austin. Previously, he was tending the produce department at La Montanita co-op in Albuquerque. So, say hi to Adam when you see him and enjoy this easy recipe that he was talking up this week!

Sunburst Squash Pizza

Take a local sunburst squash and cut a small amount off the bottom to create a flat spot to set the squash down on.

Cut the top of and scoop out the seeds.

Put a dollop of your favorite pizza or tomato sauce into the scooped out part.

 

Add some mozzarella.

Put it on a lightly oiled baking sheet and Bake at 400 until the cheese is nice and melty!

Enjoy!

 

Have a great week!


Dan Gillotte

Wheatsville GM and e-mal guy