Friday, March 11, 2011

Wheatsville's SXSW survival list!

Wheatsville Hospitality Clerk, Beth Beutel rocked out this list to help folks make it through the madness of March in Austin...

Thunderbird Energetica Bars:
Locally Made, Raw Vegan Energy to go; complete with compostable wrappers. In the event that you drop it and it blows away you won't make the Natives cry.

Party Smart:
Don't think of it as an excuse to party harder, so much as the thing that's going to make work a little bearable tomorrow.

Buddha's Brew:
On sale for $2.50 each (2 for 5) all month! It'll repopulate your gut after Uncle Tito kills all your digestive bacteria, so you can go right back to eating trailer food.

Kleen Kanteen:
On sale for Wheatsville's Birthday! Take one with you to save yourself some $$$ on bottled water by refilling. You'll have to chug all your water and prove it's empty before you enter anywhere, but, hey, you'll stay hydrated!

Pineapple and Cut veggies from the produce department:
Snack healthy, because believe it or not there is more to the food pyramid than tacos, pizza, and beer.

Urban Detox:
Designed by doctors to support your liver or your lungs… Great after a long day/night/week.

Guru:
Peps you up without any artificial stuff or taurine. Nasty crash: avoided.

Tanka Bars:
Bison meat jerky sticks!?! Leaner protein with all the red meat deliciousness plus as many omega-3 fatty acids per serving as salmon. It'll keep your brain pumping so you can remember some of those awesome shows.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011


Hello Wheatsville friends and fans!

Welcome to March, one of our favorites months of the year! We love it for lots of reasons, but most of all because it’s our birthday month! We’re celebrating in various ways all month long, but we are doing some extra special stuff next week that you may want to get in on!

It’s Owner Appreciation Days starting this Saturday and ending on Sunday March 20th. All owners can get 10% off of one full shopping trip of your choice! AND, new owners get it, too. So if you know someone who is procrastinating on joining, this is the week to do it!

And, we’ve got loads of cool stuff happening On Wed. March 16th, our actual Birthday!
Wear any Wheatsville Shirt to the store on Wednesday the 16th and receive a free heart shape chocolate because we love when you show Wheatsville the love!
Organic Fair Trade coffee (the kind from our air pots), all sizes a mind blowing 35 cents!
Organic Fair Trade espresso drinks, all sizes a heart-stopping $1.35!
How about Birthday Cake?!? OK, come in at the top of the hour from 12-6 for a taste of Wheatsville birthday cake!

Check out some Birthday greetings from just a few of our local vendor friends here: http://wheatsville.blogspot.com/2011/03/normal.html#comments

Come out and get your Marching Band on!
Please also make plans to visit the Honk! TX festival this weekend, especially the part on March 12th that’s in OUR neighborhood! Thanks to Wheatsville’s sponsorship, Honk! TX chose our neighborhood and the Adams/ Hemphill Park to be the location for a ton of fun activity on Saturday March 12 Join us at the median on Hemphill park as the Lexington, KY March Madness Marching Band leads a mini parade around Hemphill park and stay for more fun from Noon-7! Check out the complete schedule here: http://honktx.org/schedule/

Scroll on down for tons more including:
Earth produces special Wheatsville 35th anniversary t-shirt!
It’s My Awesome Park Day!
Birthday Deli and St. Patrick’s Day
Real Ale and Red Wine, too!
Co+op Deals and Owner Deals
Lotsa seafood for lent AND make some corned beef for St. Patrick’s Day
Don’t be blue, Cheese!
Green Grocer Goodness
Bulk camping
WHEATSVILLE’S ONE BIG THING

Every week, Wheatsville staff pick the product we’re most excited about right now! This week is extra special because your beloved co-op has a birthday coming up and we’re celebrating in style with WHEATSVILLE 35TH BIRTHDAY T-SHIRTS!

What do we like about WHEATSVILLE 35TH BIRTHDAY T-SHIRTS?

1)   Wearing it is free advertising for the co-op! It’s a great way to get friends and family asking about Wheatsville.

2)   At just $10 per shirt and because the supply is limited these are sure to go quick! So, it’s best to buy one (or more) today!

3)   Sizes range from adult S-XL and colors include purple, black, blue, forest green and maroon.

You’ll see WV staff sporting blue WHEATSVILLE 35TH BIRTHDAY T-SHIRTS all  month—pick one up and join the celebration!

It's My Park Day Wows Austin

Despite a rainy start, the impact is obvious

Early reports include 210 trees planted, truck loads of mulch spread, and dumpsters full of trash removed.
Kids and adults met their neighbors, had fun, and got a lot of work done at 74 different projects all over town. See pictures and stories from our volunteers here!

Wheatsville Birthday and Holiday Specials from your Deli!

March has always been one of the Deli’s favorite times of year because it gives us a chance to celebrate Wheatsville’s Birthday all month long with Deli deals! To ring in our Big 3-5 this year, if you come in on Wednesday March 16th, we will be celebrating with some Deli specials for all shoppers! For one day only, the Deli will be selling all sizes of our organic, fair-trade drip coffee for just 35¢ a cup, and all of our made-to-order espresso drinks for just $1.35 each! The Deli will also be giving away tasty morsels of delicious, fresh-baked birthday cake on the hour from noon to 6pm to help our owners and shoppers celebrate our big day with a sweet treat! We’ll have more special goodies on hand around the store to help us mark this big year, so come on in March 16th and celebrate with us!
Speaking of coffee and sweets, be sure to try our brand new Featured Coffee, the Irish Cream Latte! Organic, fair-trade espresso is subtly flavored with a shot of alcohol-free Irish Cream syrup and blended with your choice of organic milk – cow, soy or rice! Come on in and get yer Irish on in time for St. Patrick’s Day with our new coffee drink!
On the sweet side, do not miss out on our amazing, buttery and uber-chocolaty Oatmeal Fudge Bars! This brand new bakery bar has proven itself an instant staff and owner favorite thanks to a thick, truffley chocolaty filling sandwiched between two layers of brown sugar oat streusel! Come on in and try one today, if you can get your hands on one before they sell out!
Of course, our bakery case is always filled with an assortment of sweet treats like our scones, muffins and cakes – plus Cashew Butter Cookies are on sale for owners at just 99¢ each, reg. $1.25, so come stock up! Don’t forget we’re now keeping a rotating selection of whole cakes in our grab’n’go cooler, so bring yer sweet tooth on in and get one to share for any last minute occasion!
To get into the proper Irish spirit this month, we will once again be running our popular St. Patrick’s Day hot bar on Thursday March 17th and Friday March 18th, featuring our Emerald Isle Corned Beef, Danny Boy’s Green Cabbage Wedges, Vegan Colcannon, Irish Soda Bread Rolls and more! We’ll also have some special items in our Bakery for St. Pat’s, including our Dark & Spicy Guinness Gingerbread Cake and green-frosted Chocolate Mint Cake!
Also in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, our Featured Smoothie is the unique “Soylent Green Is Leprechauns”! Mangoes and bananas are blended with organic apple juice and a spoonful of spirulina, making an icy, sweet drink that’s good for you and lucky green, too!
Speaking of green, our Poblano Salsa is spicy, tangy and delicious! This is a real favorite with great flavor and is fabulous with just a bowlful of El Milagro corn chips for dippin’. Try some of this emerald delight on your taco or order of $1.99 Brown Rice and Black Beans today!
As the weather warms up, remember that we have tons of cold drinks in the Deli too, from our fruity, spicy Gingerade to our organic Black Iced Tea, and of course our infamously eye-opening Iced Coffee Toddy, which is on sale now for owners, a 16oz cup for just $1.49, reg. $1.99!
Breakfast Taco or Breakfast Sandwich? Whichever side of the border you wake up on, we’ve got tasty vittles to start it right! Choose from fillings like eggs, cheese, potatoes, bacon, vegan breakfast sausage, black beans and rice during our regular breakfast service – from 7:30am to 11am Monday through Friday, and all the way til noon on weekends!
Also on sale for owners is our vegan comfort classic Southern Fried Tofu Sandwich – a marinated and breaded tofu patty is deep-fried til crunchy and served up to you on organic whole wheat bread with lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, carrots and sprouts, for just $3.99 each, reg. $4.99! What a deal! Dress it up with Vegenaise or our famous Cashew Tamari Dressing!
Tried our GTP, Ginger Tempeh Pasta Salad? It’s time. Tamari-marinated, crunchy cubes of tempeh are tossed with pasta & carrots in a creamy gingery-peanut dressing to create our most popular pasta salad, available in our grab’n’go cooler and on sale now for owners, $7.99/lb, reg. $8.49!
Also on sale at the Deli Counter are classic cold cuts: Boar’s Head Oven-Roasted Turkey at $9.49/lb, reg. $9.99 and Provolone Cheese, $4.99/lb, reg. $5.99! Lunchbox time!

Real Ale, one of our favorite local beers!
Real Ale Fireman’s #4 six packs just $6.99 regularly $8.99. This refreshing blonde ale strikes a perfect balance between the smoothness of the malt, the subtle fruitiness of our house ale yeast, and zesty citrus notes from Crystal hops. Fireman’s #4 is a great way to beat the heat - enjoy it on a Texas summer day, or pair it with spicy foods to help put out the fire.

A great red wine!
Jean Luc Colombo 2009 Cotes Du Rhone $9.99 regularly $12.99! Hailed as the winemaking wizard of the Rhone, Jean-Luc Colombo has achieved a high-profile international reputation for making innovative wines that are original, memorable and bursting with personality. This wine is a masterful blend of traditional southern Rhone red grapes from 25year old vines grown in ancient terraced vineyards. Featuring Aromas of ripe black fruits, licorice and spices; this is an elegant wine that is well-structured with harmonious tannins and a generous finish.

Take advantage now of our current Co+op Deals and Owner Deals @ Wheatsville – sale good through next Tuesday! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant

Here’s a snapshot of our current Deals! Peace Cereal now $3.49 reg. $4.69, Organic Valley Half & Half now $2.99 reg. $3.49, Santa Cruz Organic Juice now $2.79 reg. $4.59, Equal Exchange Organic Breakfast Blend Coffee now $8.49 reg. $9.99, Blue Diamond Almond Breeze now $1.99 reg. $2.79, Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt now $1.59 reg. $1.99 and LaraBars now $0.99 reg. $1.59.

Have you tried our fabulous new frozen meals from Kashi yet? They are quickly becoming a new customer favorite! Kashi Frozen Entrée now $2.99 reg. $4.89, Natural Sea Fish Sicks now $4.29 reg. $6.59, Annie’s Homegrown Pasta & Cheese Dinner now 3/$4.00 reg. $2.49, Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted Tomatoes now $1.49 reg. $2.19, Westbrae Organic Beans now 4/$5.00 reg. $1.79 each, Kettle Krinkle Cut Potato Chips now $3.49 reg. $4.99 and Natural Sea Yellowfin Tuna now 2/$3.00 reg. $2.49.

And for the sweet lover in all of us, we’ve put Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss on Deal – now $3.99 reg. $5.49, Newman’s Own Chocolate Cups now $0.99 reg. $1.59, Q-Bel Chocolate Candy now $0.89 reg. $1.29 and Mi-Del Cookies now 2/$5.00 reg. $3.49.

Owner Deals!
Our Bulk Department is full of Owner favorites!  Sunridge Farms Wild Ginger Harvest Mix now $5.29/lb reg. $7.69/lb, Organic Dry Roasted Unsalted Peanuts now $2.79/lb reg. $3.59/lb, Sunridge Farms Chocolate Nut Crunch Mix now $4.49/lb reg. $6.69/lb, Organic Yellow Popcorn now $0.99/lb reg. $1.39/lb, Sunridge Farms Chocolate Covered Ginger now $7.29/lb reg. $10.59/lb, Organic Pinto Beans now $1.29/lb reg. $1.59/lb and Sunridge Farms Peanut Butter Pretzels now $5.29/lb reg. $7.59/lb.

We’ve put two Owner cheese favorites on Deal this week – Organic Valley Mild Raw Cheddar Cheese now $4.59 now $5.79 and Organic Valley Sharp Raw Cheddar Cheese now $4.59 now $5.29.

Gluten Free foods are packed full of flavor here at Wheatsville! Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Baking & Pancake Mix in a generous 4lb resealable bag - now $11.99 reg. $15.69, Glutino Gluten Free Pretzels now $3.49 reg. $4.39, Organicville Gluten Free Salad Dressings now $2.89 reg. $3.69, Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Cookies now $2.79 reg. $3.69, Enjoy Life Gluten Free On-the-Go Bars now $2.99 reg. $3.99 and Glutino Gluten Free Crackers now $3.29 reg. $4.39.

And with the temperature rising outside, be sure to pick up an Iced Coffee Toddy at the Wheatsville Deli – now $1.49 reg. $1.99.
Our Deals are easy to reference! Go to http://www.wheatsville.coop and click on the Co+op Deals link.

From the world of meat
Spring is upon us, and a lot of folks participate in Lent to celebrate this time of rebirth.  Starting on Ash Wednesday(March 9th) the meat department will be running sales on some of our sustainable seafood .                                                       
First we will have Yellowfin Tuna, on sale, $8.59/lb. reg 10.99/lb., starting Ash Wednesday and running all the way thruogh April 22.
Every Friday until Easter we will have Fish Fridays.  We will have Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon on sale for $16.99/lb. reg $ 17.99/lb. For something a little more versatile in the kitchen, try some Arctic Cod on sale for $12.99/lb reg. $14.99/lb. While you’re there, check out some of our other sustainable seafood, like Trollerpoint Coho Salmon Steaks and fillets, or Halibut.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy entrée, we have some great options in the quick to fix case. Cajun Catfish and the Almond Crusted Ruby Trout come from our neighbors Quality Seafood. And we have own Salmon Burger that’s made right here.
New to the self serve case is the Niman Ranch Hanger Steak or Hanging Tender. This steak is also known as the Butchers cut because there is only one per animal and this tasty piece was what the butcher brought home to his family. This also makes these steaks rarely seen in a grocery store. These steaks are full of flavor, yet low in fat. It’s a little bit like Skirt Steak, but more so: they have a great texture that backs up that bold beefy flavor.
Also, new to the self serve case we have Tanka Buffalo Hot Dogs. These dogs are gluten, nitrate, MSG, antibiotic and hormone free. This is a great alternative for beef and poultry franks.
Next week, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, we will have Boars Head Corned Beef @$6.99 lb.,.
Also, during this same week we will be putting  our Wheatsville,s Own Sweet and Hot Italian Sausage on sale to celebrate Wheatsville’s 35th Birthday. So Happy Birthday Wheatsville.                                                                                                       

Cheese Island

We have Nancy’s  Organic Low Fat Cottage Cheese 16oz. on sale for $3.59, regularly $4.99 each. Organic Valley’s Mild Cheddar 8 oz. is on sale for $4.59, regularly $5.79. Organic Valley’s Raw Sharp Cheddar Cheese 8 oz. is on sale for $4.59, regularly $5.29
We have our Aged Gouda on sale for $17.59/lb, regularly $18.99/lb. Also Our Applewood Smoked Cheddar is on sale for $11.29/lb, regularly $14.99. If you have not tried either of the cheeses they are amazing! The Gouda is aged for two years and has a very caramel flavor and a smooth texture. It will pair well with apples. I would go with a tarter apple, such as a Pink Lady. The Applewood Smoked Cheddar is from England and it is cold smoked with Applewood. It makes an amazing grilled cheese. I usually make mine with bacon and tomatoes.
We have put our Fetas and Port Salut on sale. Port Salut will be on sale for $13.99/lb, regularly $17.99/lb. Domestic Cow’s Milk Feta will be on sale $4.99/lb, regularly $6.29/lb. Romanian Sheep’s Milk Feta will be on sale for $5.99/lb, regularly $7.99/lb. And Bulgarian Sheep’s Milk Feta will be on sale for $6.29/lb, regularly $7.29/lb.
Just a heads up, Pure Luck will  be on our shelves again. They will be delivering on Tuesday March 15th !!!!!!!!
For the month of March we will be carrying some wonderful seasonal Irish Cheeses. These cheeses include a wonderful molded rind cheddar, a beautiful cow’s milk blue and a sheeps milk blue. They will be out in the case on Tuesday. Unfortunately, our  distributor is out of stock on the Daru. We will be getting in the two blues. Keep reading for more information.
Just a reminder that Owner Appreciation Days will start March 12th and run through the 20th and in the middle of that week is Wheatsville’s Birthday celebration!!
Crozier Blue


This Farmhouse Cheese is produced from the milk of a flock of sheep recently established on the limestone pasturelands near Cashel, Co. Tipperary. The cheese is made from pasteurized milk, vegetarian rennet and is available seasonally. Even though only recently launched, it is proving popular in specialty outlets and up-market supermarkets in Ireland, England and Scotland due to its mild flavor and softer texture.

Cashel Blue

Cashel Blue was developed in 1984, it is Ireland’s original artisinal blue
Cashel Blue is the creation of Jane and Louis Grubb, a husband and wife team.
Cashel Blue is a unique product made by a single family on a single farm in Tipperary, Ireland. Cashel Blue is made entirely by hand from whole un-homogenised cows milk

Instant Bulk Goodness
It’s getting to be wonderful camping weather around here and I thought it would be the perfect time to remind you about the great instant soup and bean mixes we have available in the bulk department.  They come in several tasty varieties such as Veggie Chili, Split Pea Soup, and Black Bean.   These mixes are perfect for camping because they are super easy to make, just add hot water!  They are also quite tasty and very filling.  So the next time you’re looking to fuel your outdoor adventures be sure to stop by the bulk department first!

From Your Green Grocer
Although we’re still a couple weeks away, it sure feels like spring!  Lots of great things are happening at your co-op, as well as Austin and central Texas.  We’re definitely in growth mode:  physically, metaphorically, and spiritually. 
Last weekend, I had the great opportunity to meet with the board during their annual retreat to discuss the growth of Wheatsville.  I’m really excited at the possibility of a new store in the future, and the idea of bringing the Wheatsville experience to more people in Austin. 
This Thursday March 10, I’ll be a panel member of a discussion about local food distribution put on by the Austin Permaculture Guild.  The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Habitat Suites Hotel on highland blvd from 7 – 9pm.  There will be five members on the panel and we’ll all discuss our passion for local food and how we want to get more and more of it into people’s homes.  I encourage you to attend.  There are a lot of really gifted, passionate people involved in agriculture in the area.  Their excitement is contagious!
Now is the time to get your garden started!  We JUST received our first delivery of organic starter plants from Gabriel Valley Farms in Georgetown.  We’ve begun with basil, oregano, sage, thyme, lavender, rosemary, tomatoes, and asparagus(!), with more varieties in the future.  They’re all reasonably priced, from $1.19 to $1.79 for 4” pots to $4.99 for 1 gallon sizes
Speaking of gardens, this Friday I’ll be visiting Johnson’s Backyard Garden in east Austin.  We love their sweet, crunchy carrots, but new things are on their way!  Check the Wheatsville Produce Department Facebook page for photos; I’ll post them up as soon as I get home.
Have a great week!
Adam

I hope that you have a most amazing week enjoying spring in Central Texas and would love to see you at Honk! TX or in the store next week!

Dan Gillotte

Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy!

 
Our Vendors Wish Us a Very Happy 35th Birthday! compiled by Adrienne Beall, Grocery Buyer and Chris Moore, Refrigerated buyer


Here at Wheatsville we support the community and one of the ways that we participate is by supplying our patrons with as many locally made products as possible. We love our local vendors and they love us! We've compiled some local Birthday wishes from some of our local folks!
Thanks for another year of staying true to Austin and supporting local vendors. May you continue leading the way in healthy, conscious eating for the next 35 years! Happy Birthday!
Stacey Thompson, Straight From The Vine
Abraham Lincoln said, “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Wheatsville is full of life. Happy Birthday Wheatsville. Stay young!
Ruth Wilmore, Texas Daily Harvest
Congratulations from Karen Lee of Texas Olive Ranch, Carrizo Springs
We started selling to Wheatsville in 2009 and our favorite thing about Wheatsville is that it’s SO Austin!
Wheatsville now carries:
• Texas Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil,
• Texas Olive Ranch Flavor Infused Olive Oils: Roasted Garlic, Sweet Basil, Mesquite, Orange, Lemon, and Rattlesnake Cracked Pepper & Chipotle
• Texas Olive Ranch Flavor Infused Balsamic Vinegars: Orange Infused White Balsamic, Blackberry Infused White Balsamic, Figalicious Fig Infused Balsamic, Pomegranate Infused Balsamic

Birthday Greetings from Awad Abdelgadir & Linda Boxberger of Nile Valley Herbs
We’ve been selling bulk organic hibiscus mint tea, pure hibiscus 24 teabag boxes, hibiscus mint 24 teabag boxes, family size hibiscus mint boxes to Wheatsviile since 1994—17 years. We love the locally grown produce, locally raised animal products, sustainably harvested fish at Wheatsville. We trust that the staff researches the products carried. The deli’s cranberry sauce is the best ever. And we always have a shout-out for SOuth Austin People soap! (also sold at Wheatsville)
A reminder – hibiscus or hibiscus mint tea, sweetened or unsweetened, is great with a little fresh ginger juice mixed in. The latest Conscious Living Guide newsletter suggested putting hibiscus in bath water.

Happy Birthday from Chef Alana of Nacho Mom’s Vegan Queso
In August 2010, Wheatsville was the first store to put Nacho Mom’s Ultimate Vegan Queso on the shelf. Four months later we were in nationwide stores but that boost of confidence from Wheatsville opening the door of opportunity put the fire under me that led to our success. Had they said no, I may have given up the dream early. Since August we’ve gotten kudos and rave reviews in places from TV to the Statesman to national magazines and we are about to launch our third product! Now I am told we are one of the fastest growing food businesses in the nation. Wheatsville helps local vendors open doors to dreams.
My favorite thing about Wheatsville is that it is one-of-a-kind. Wheatsville brings in products you might not find elsewhere and everyone who works there is well-informed about the products, how they taste, and they are friendly enough to want to share their knowledge with you. It is pure Austin “good energy” whenever I am there.
Wheatsville does have its own vegan queso in the deli as well with whom we are happy to share center stage. It was actually the first vegan queso. We may be fat-free, shelf-stable, have different spices, & hang out in the chip aisle by the salsas, but we aren’t the original & even this vegan queso company gives Wheatsville’s fresh queso in the deli two thumbs up! (Thanks for the deli queso shout out! We love yours, too! Dan and Wheatsville)
Hi from Munchees Lunchbox Spelt Bakery!
Thanks for including us! Happy Birthday, Wheatsville!
We have been with Wheatsville two years in March! It is very exciting. It is also Zach’s (owner, baker) birthday on March 16th! We love Wheatsville’s support of small, local businesses. We also love everything we have ever tried from the bakery. Of course, we rarely pass up the hot bar, always consistently awesome!
Zach makes spelt brownies (which come in 3 flavors-Plain, Mexican and Espresso), banana bread, pumpkin bread (both with chocolate chips) and many flavors of scones.
One of Zach’s favorite ways to use his brownies is to make a brownie sundae. We love to use the Luna and Larry’s Coconut Bliss coconut milk ice cream (available in several decadent flavors) and top it with hot fudge. (You could make a Brownie sundae next week in honor or Wheatsville's birthday!)
Zach making Brownies!

Best Wishes from David & Carol Carter of Carter Select Salsa
Our favorite thing about Wheatsville is you are some of the coolest people and know the importance of buying quality local products. Congratulations Wheatsville!!! The world is starting to realize what you have known all along.
We’ve been selling Carters Original, Spicy, Fireside, Hatch Salsa, and our Texas Style Chimichurri at Wheatsville for two years.

Shout Out from Taylor of Thunderbird Energetica Bars
Thunderbird Energetica Bars have been at Wheatsville 1 month. We love the close proximity to our kitchen (located 1.5 miles away). On several occasions we have run out of ingredients while hand blasting bars. This problem is easily solved by a quick bike ride to Wheatsville where we have purchased amazing organic deglet noor dates, locally sourced sweet potatoes and beautiful carrots. We have high expectations for the quality of our bar ingredients and Wheatsville has consistently exceeded our most wild dreams.