Friday, July 10, 2009

Coffee with the board, parking, party and lots of cool product news you can use!

Hello Wheatsville friends and fans!

I hope that you all are having a great start to July!

We're excited because progress keeps being made on our project. We are just weeks away from final completion! Within a week or two, our parking lot will be complete and we'll gain back many many parking spots and have the most we have had here in over a year! Around July 21st-23rd we will be relocating the bulk department into its new location and we'll be opening up our new deli food bar, too! The food bar is a combination salad, hot foods and olive and marinated goodies bar. I just know that we're going to love it! Also at that time, our new Cheese island will be installed and the meat department will expand in its case, too!

It's still best to come as early or as late as you can to avoid  parking issues. The lot is pretty manageable up until about 10 am and after 8pm. We are adding flaggers on the next two sundays to help with traffic flow.

Party like construction is over
Please save the date, Saturday August 15th from 12-4 for our end of construction party! We'll have a REALLY big grand opening party later, like un October, but we also wanted to officially acknowledge the end of the project with something fun and as a HUGE thank you for all of your incredible patience and support!

Show us your love and Help us win Best Neighborhood Grocery
We would love to win Best Neighborhood Grocery in the Chronicle's Best of Austin poll again this year and YOU can help! http://www.austinchronicle.com/feedback/bestof/09/ VOTING ENDS
Tuesday, July 21, 2009.

Coffee with the board
This Saturday from 10am-noon under our new awning on our new patio furniture! Enjoy our delicious iced coffee and other snacks while chatting with the board about our co-op, the future, the weather, and/ or the transformation of society toward cooperation! When was the last time you had the chance to have coffee with the board of Whole Foods or HEB?

BREAKING MALLOW NEWS
Wheatsville has found the Holy Grail of vegan/ vegetarian delicacies: Handmade, Air-Puffed, Vegan Marshmallows!
 
Straight outta Chicago, these marshmallows are made in a dedicated vegan facility using guaranteed vegan sugar and no gelatin.
 
Use them in desserts (especially S'mores), as a topping or eat them straight from the bag. They have a superb vanilla flavor and give you the sense that 'this is what marshmallows are supposed to taste like!'
 
Let us know how you like them and please share your recipes with us if you come up with something tasty!

From the Board of Directors Nominations Committee:

Did you know that the nominations process for the upcoming Fall Election of the Board of Directors is in full swing here at Wheatsville?  We're looking for candidates who love Wheatsville, care about its future, work well with others, and can devote a few hours a month to being active board members.  You can get involved in our community and develop empowering ideas about how we can each help transform society.

If you'd like more information, stop by Wheatsville's hospitality desk to pick up a candidate application packet or download it here:

Here's a list of some important dates coming up in the next few days and weeks. We look forward to seeing you at these events:

July 13th, 6:00 pm -- Orientation for Prospective Board Candidates (at 3105 Guadalupe, the building just North of Wheatsville).
July 25th, 1:00 pm -- Orientation for Prospective Board Candidates (at 3105 Guadalupe).
July 28th, 6:00pm -- Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors (at 3105 Guadalupe).

Contact the board's Nominations Committee to learn more!
nominations@wheatsville.coop

Ingrid Devilliers, Mike Crissey, Bob Kinney, Rose Marie Klee

In The Grocery Aisle
Eldorado Artesian Spring Water: We're very excited to now have a water option that is much more affordable than we've had in the past. Wheatsville now offers Eldorado Artesian Spring Water for ninety-nine cents a gallon. This isn't even a sale price. At a time of year when water is an especially important commodity, it's nice to see that a company like Eldorado can provide an affordable, high-quality product to fit the need. To read about Eldorado Springs, and how this water travels from the atmosphere to the bottle, go to http://www.eldoradosprings.com/?action=water
Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer

NEW in Body Care
Hugo Naturals
Vegan Bar Soap, Lotion and Shower Gels
Natural Shampoo, Conditioner and Deodorants
Lotion, Shower Gel, Shampoo and Conditioners available in travel sizes
 
NEW in Supplements
Natren
Megadophilus, Bifido Factor, Digesta-Lac and Gy-Na-Tren
 
Boiron Homeopathics
We now have the Top 42 Sellers of the 30c single Blue Tubes
12 Care Kits: Allergy, Sinus, Cold, Coldsore, Kids First Aid, Summers First Aid, Jet Lag, Leg Cramps, Stress,
Hot Flash, Quit Smoking and Quit Snoring
Also Gasalia, Acidil, Avenoc tablets, ointment and suppositories, Sedalia, Quietude and Optique 1
 
Prince of Peace
Ginkgo + Endurance Formula, Green Tea + Panax Ginseng and Red Ginseng +Royal Jelly
All come in boxes of 30 .34oz bottles
 
NEW and on SALE!
New Chapter
Probiotic Berry Green  180grams for $38.99
E & Selenium Food Complex 30 caps for $9.99
Ginger Wonder Syrup 4oz for $11.99
Nancy and the Health Team

Beat the heat with a perfect summer aperitif
Looking for a refreshing wine to beat the Texas heat? Then look no further because Gazela Vihno Verde from Quinta de Azevedo located in northwest Portugal is the perfect summer aperitif. An irresistible bright fruity white wine. The bouquet is a lively mix of citrus and floral aromas. Soft flavors of apricot and grapefruit are perked up by the sparkling bubbles and balanced by delightful crisp acidity and strong minerality. At only $5.99 a bottle this wine is  the perfect  picnic wine.

The "gold standard" of alcoholic beers are here!
By popular demand, we are pleased to introduce Clausthaler Premium non-alcoholic malt beverage, imported from Germany.
$1.49 each in the singles area!
Shane

Summertime and the living is Produce!
Tomatoes
If you have been to a farmer's market in the last few weeks, you've probably  seen a myriad of tomatoes, squash, eggplant and okra hanging around. We've been fortunate to get some great local tomatoes this year from a few different local producers: Tecolote, Johnson's Backyard Garden, and Green Gate Farms. Currently we are carrying some really nice tomatoes from Tecolote. We also have excellent assorted heirloom tomato varieties that aren't locally sourced. Try the pints of sun gold tomatoes for a savory and sweet treat. Truly amazing. Eating tomatoes in season is the best way to judge true tomato flavor. Caution: eating seasonal tomatoes may ruin your tomato palette for the rest of the year.
 
Local Stuff and Things
Right now we have some great local produce for you. Local organic okra from Guinea Hills Farm, tomatoes from Tecolote, Texas Naturals organic summer squash and zucchini, local Asian eggplant from Indian Mills Farm and organic green bell peppers, watermelons and basil from Buena Tierra. Texas peaches continue to be delicious and have been a customer and staff favorite so far this summer.
 
White Nectarines
We will be running a special for the next few days on white nectarines at $2.29 a pound. White nectarines are my personal favorite stone fruit. The flavor is more floral than that of a regular nectarine and the juiciness factor is about an 8 out of 10. Get'em while they last!
 
Red Bananas
If you read the Breeze regularly, then you may have read the piece I wrote in the December issue titled Yes, We Have No Bananas: Our Impending Reality? In this article I interviewed the author of a book about losing our current banana to a future blight. One of the suggestions that the author, Dan Koeppel , made regarding saving the Cavendish variety(our yellow ubiquitous friend) was to diversify the banana selections available. This will create more demand for Big Banana  to grow a diversified crop that will survive the blight rather than a mono-crop that is easier to kill. In an effort to do our part, we have started to carry organic red bananas in addition to our organic and conventional Cavendish selection. Red bananas taste very different than the Cavendish; they have a much creamier, firmer texture, and have a flavor notes of pear and soft fruit. They take a while to ripen and are about twice the cost of the Cavendish but are completely worth it. As we expand our department in the coming months we will continue to look for more varieties of bananas to further diversify our selection.
 
Social Media and Fruits and Veggies
The produce department is on both Twitter and facebook. Follow or friend us if your are into those types of things. Updates are mostly about products and specials.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/wheatsvilleduce
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Austin-TX/Wheatsville-Food-Co-op-Produce-Department/171671855654?ref=ts
Johnny
 
From the Deli
BIG MUFFINS ARE BACK!!! That's right, due to popular demand, we have brought back the GIANT WHEATSVILLE MUFFINS of bakery days past! Many vegan and several gluten-free muffins, all baked with mostly organic ingredients, are yours for the choosing, and cost only $2.49 each!! Now that's a handful of breakfast for a pocketful of change!
And if muffins aren't your breakfast bag, don't forget we're now making from scratch our own buttery, flaky buttermilk scones for just $1.99 each! Come on in and try one of our many flavors, both sweet and savory, like Double-Ginger, Glazed Cinnamon-Raisin, or Lemon!

Lots of favorites abound in the Deli case this week, like cool and creamy Red Curry Tofu, balsamic-marinated Grilled Portabellas, Indian-spiced Ambur Chicken Biryani, naturally-sweet Lively Beets & Carrots, golden and sweet Curry Lime Chicken Salad, tasty and dense Paprika-Rubbed Grilled Yellowfin Tuna, basil-flecked Insalata Caprese, and crispy Risotto Cakes! Of course, you'll find all the standards here too, like Popcorn Tofu, Eggless Egg Salad, Tempeh Chili, Tuna Salad, Southern Fried Tofu, Thai Pasta Salad, Chicken Salad… the choices are endless!!

Don't forget a grab and go salad to tide you over until the salad bar gets here!

You still have plenty of time left this month to enjoy our very popular Fresh in the Deli co-op share recipe: Greek Roasted Potato Salad from St. Paul, MN's Mississippi Market! It's a tasty and cool dish of oven-roasted Yukon gold potatoes tossed with Mediterranean ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, fresh spinach, basil, and feta cheese in a red wine vinaigrette! Both light and filling, it's perfect for a hot day!

On sale in your Wheatsville Deli this month is a new favorite lunchtime treat – our WVBLT! This toasty sandwich is stuffed with six slices of tasty Boar's Head bacon, fresh Greenleaf lettuce, sliced vine-ripened tomatoes, and a smear of mayonnaise on Rudi's organic sourdough! An instant staff favorite, this fabulous sandwich is on sale for only $3.99! That's 50 cents off the normal price of $4.49!
Also on sale in the Deli this month are grab'n'go items found in our self-serve case: The large, 16 ounce bottles of our beloved Cashew-Tamari Dressing are only $3.99 this month, lowering them from $4.49, and our Deluxe Green Salads topped with tender slices of our Buddy's All-Natural, Grilled Lemon-Pepper Chicken, usually $4.99, are available this month for only $4.49! So come on in to fill your belly and take advantage of your savings!
Dana and Merilee

From greg in the land of Cheese
 
I had a few inquiries into grass-fed cheeses.  We do carry a cheese made from the milk of grass fed cows, Kerrygold's Irish Dubliner. All of Kerrygold's cheeses are made from the milk of grass fed cows.  The Irish have a long tradition of raising their free ranging cows to graze on the emerald grasses.
"Complex. Worldly. Somewhat sweet, somewhat nutty. All of these words just as easily describe our Dubliner cheese as they do the city of Dublin itself. So it isn't hard to see where we drew our inspiration.
Dubliner is a robust, aged cow's milk cheese with a bit of a hard texture similar to a Cheddar. In one bite you can taste the diversity of flavors - from nutty to sharp to sweet. What might seem ambiguous is actually a well-balanced mix of cheese cultures and naturally occurring amino acids. This diversity pays off in its ability to be served alongside a full-bodied Cabernet, a freshly pulled pint of Guinness, or simply melted between a few slices of crusty brown bread."  -From the Kerrygold site.
The cheese department, for the month of July, have some items on sale. Organic Valley Cottage Cheese  is on sale for $4.29, regularly $4.99. Organic Valley Cream Cheese tubs are on sale for $2.49, regularly $2.99. Organic Valley Shredded Parmesan is on sale $3.69, regularly $4.69. Also Morningland Organic Raw Colby is on sale for $7.99, regularly $8.99  and  Pureluck Feta is on sale for $9.99, regularly $16.49. The Morningland and Pureluck Feta are on a "while supplies last basis".
Greg

From Bryan, the Butcher
We're getting close to the end folks. Just a little bit more. We're rolling out some of the best price offerings to ever in the meat market at Wheatsville. Right now we are passing on a great manufacturer price from the folks at Niman. We're offering Niman ranch USDA choice boneless beef Ribeyes for $14.99lb that's 4 dollars off regular price of $18.99lb, and $6 dollars off the price since the first of the year, wow. Don't miss this deal. These Ribeyes are unbelievably tender, juicy, and consistently restaurant quality beef. Very soon, look for great new (permanent) lower price on Niman 85/15 ground chuck.
 
We have more specials in the meat freezer. Look for Organic Prairie product specials; organic grass-fed ground beef $7.49 lb (regular $7.99lb), organic ground pork $5.99lb (regular $6.69lb), & organic beef patties $6.29lb (regular $6.99lb). Whew, that's a lot of great prices on Organic Prairie products. It would be a good time to fill your freezer, on the cheap! But we're still not done with the low prices. There are still World catch coconut shrimp and scampi shrimp in the freezer, there on a buy one get one free special. (sorry not mix-matching on these) Also Henry & Lisa's wild Alaskan salmon burgers are on special for $6.29 (regular price $6.99lb). I had some of these for the 4th and they were great, and quick & easy to cook.
 Stay cool people! See you soon. Bryan
 
 I hope that you have a great week!

Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy

Thursday, July 02, 2009

4th of july and lots of deals all over the store!

Hi Wheatsville friends!
Happy Independence Day! 
Maybe you can celebrate local businesses and local food this 4th? (Y'know celebrate your Independents?!)

We'll be closing early for July 4th at 9pm! So, get in early to get you through the night! 

Early bird!
Don't forget, we open early these days at 7:30am! (Shopping early is kind of cool. No traffic to get here and no parking issues!)

Speaking of parking... Don't be too freaked out, but our normal entrance is closed right now. Use the drive closest to the store and park wherever you can find a spot. Traffic will flow ONE around the building as it was during the last phase. Thank you for your patience. We are just a few weeks away from having our entirely new parking lot complete!

Can you serve on the Wheatsville Board of Directors?
Yes, You Can!

Nominations Now Open For Fall Election
Email nominations@wheatsville.coop for more information
or pick up a Board Candidate Application Packet at the hospitality desk!

Mmmmm, beer for the weekend!
We have some great beers for this weekend's Fourth of July celebration here at the co-op. One new edition is in the singles cooler and it comes from the good folks at New Belgium Brewing located in Fort Collins, Colorado. Biere De Mars is a bottle-conditioned ale that reflects the hearty character of the southern Belgian and northern French countrysides. Listen to what Melissa Newell, Owner of Terroir Restaurant has to say about the subject. "Golden amber in hue, this beer has delicately balanced hops with toasty aromas. Definite tropical notes of musty pineapple, dried apricot, and sweet papaya immediately indicate that this beer was made to pair with warm weather foods. For starters, I would pair this beer with crab cakes, poblano pepper, sundried tomato, and curry with a mango coulis to finish the dish. Or try a salad of mixed greens with avocado tossed in a mimosa vinaigrette of pineapple juice, citrus segments, and cayenne pepper. For any warm weather party, this beer is optimal and "ripe" for pairing". Wow, now that sounds like a Fourth of July feast!

Cool deals in the Chill Department!
In addition to some of the great Co-op Advantage Program sales this month, we have some more deals especially for our owners.
Check out these Owner Specials, which will ring up automatically at the registers.
In the freezers, owners who buy Amy's Kitchen organic pocket sandwiches will get to keep some more change in their pockets. All of the Amy's Kitchen pockets we carry will be on sale for owners for $1.99 – 80 cents off our regular prices.
All of the pocket sandwiches are organic, certified Kosher and don't contain tree nuts. The Tofu Scramble and the Vegetable Pie in a pocket are both dairy- and lactose-free and have no cholesterol.

Younger owners and their folks will be able to save $1 on Amy's Kitchen new line of kids meals, which include an entrée, side and dessert all for $3.99 and less than 400 calories a serving. Pasta seems to always be a winner with children and the Baked Ziti Kids' Meal is not only organic but also dairy- and gluten-free.
Did you know that chicken has had a place on dinner plates for more than 4,000 years from Eqypt to Rome to Asia? Cedarlane Natural Foods has tapped into chicken's culinary history with a new line of chicken entrees, ranging from lasagna to burritos to chicken in orange sauce. Owners will be able to tap into a $1 off all month on these frozen meals.
Just in time for the Fourth of July and the height of grilling season, owners can save $1.20 on Food For Life Baking Co.'s organic Sprouted Whole Grain Hotdog Buns (reg. $4.19). These buns are made from wheat, millet, barley, lentils, soybeans and spelt which have been sprouted to release the nutrients stored in the grains, which gives the buns a nutty taste. Meanwhile, wheat- and gluten-free Food For Life Brown Rice Tortillas will be on Owner Special for $2.29 (reg. $2.99) and English muffins will be $1 off for owners (reg. $3.99 or $4.59).
In the refrigerated section, owners will be able to save from 20 cents to 70 cents on WestSoy products.  Organic water-packed and vacuum-packed tofu will be $1.99 for 14oz, 20 cents off normal price; while the Teriyaki-flavored and Thai-flavored baked tofus will be 30 cents off for owners (reg. $3.29). Owners will be able to buy WestSoy seitan for $2.99 – 70 cents off the regular $3.69 price – and tempeh for $2.39 – also 70 cents off.
 
From the Delli
We have lots of new goodies in your Wheatsville Deli this month including our own buttery, flaky buttermilk scones! Come on in and try one of our many flavors, both sweet and savory, like Blueberry, Cranberry-Orange, Glazed Cinnamon-Raisin, or Jalapeno Cheddar! Yum!

Also this month, we bring you Greek Roasted Potato Salad from St. Paul, MN's Mississippi Market! It's a wonderful dish of oven-roasted Yukon gold potatoes tossed with Mediterranean ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, fresh spinach and basil, and feta cheese in a red wine vinaigrette! Both light and filling, it's perfect for a hot day!

Our "A-maize-ing" Salsa this month is a wonderful dip made from sweet corn, organic black beans, ripe tomatoes, red onion, jalapenos, green onions and cilantro in a garlic-lime dressing! Although it's hearty, I guarantee you'll be chip-dipping until the last bean is devoured!  Great addition to your 4th of July BBQ.

July's smoothie of the month is Orange Dream, a creamsicle-like concoction of orange juice and vanilla, blended only with frozen bananas and soymilk, and never with ice! This thick and creamy dream of a smoothie will satisfy your sweet tooth as well as soothe your hot and sweaty self!

This month, the Deli is promoting our brand new Boar's Head Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich! This ultimate BLT is made with SIX SLICES of tasty bacon, fresh Greenleaf lettuce, sliced vine-ripened tomatoes, and a smear of mayonnaise on lightly toasted Rudi's organic sourdough! A new staff favorite, this tasty sandwich is on sale for only $3.99! That's 50 cents off the normal price of $4.49!

Also on sale in the Deli this month are grab'n'go items found in our self-serve case: The large, 16 ounce bottles of our beloved Cashew-Tamari Dressing are only $3.99 this month, lowering them from $4.49, and our Deluxe Green Salads topped with tender slices of our All-Natural, Grilled Lemon-Pepper Chicken, usually $4.99, are available this month for only $4.49! So come on in and take advantage of your savings!

And don't forget to stock up on all your Fourth of July favorites from the Deli this week, like potato salads, pasta salads and coleslaws! And get ready for the return of our very popular Red Curry Tofu – it's baaaack!
 
 
From Greg in the Land of Cheese
 
For the month of July the cheese department has great items on sale.
Organic Valley Cottage Cheese  on sale for $4.29, regularly $4.99.  Organic Valley Cream Cheese tubs on sale for $2.49, regularly $2.99. Organic Valley Shredded Parmesan is on sale for  $3.69, regularly $4.69.
 Also Morningland Organic Raw Colby is on sale for $7.99, regularly $8.99 and  Pureluck Feta is on sale for $9.99, regularly $16.49. These are some great deals so take advantage of them while supplies last.
 
From Bryan the Butcher
 
Hey folks it's time for the best grilling holiday of the year, the granddaddy of them all the 4th of July. Let's do it for less $$ this year too. We're offering superb deal all month long on grilling supplies. The fine folks at Niman are extending us some great offers that we're passing on to you all month. So don't miss the low prices.
All Niman Ranch products are naturally raised, Animal Welfare Approved, and chemically clean. Definitely a product you'll have no guilt over while feeding your friends and family. We have a new product in stock for the grilling season.
 
Fourth of July sales!!!! This weekend through Tuesday!  Niman all beef hotdog franks at the great price of $4.59 each, regular price of $5.49 each. Another great grilling choice is the Niman sweet Italian and Niman bratwurst.  These are also on sale for $5.29 ea.  That's .70 off per pack. These are all great deals that you should take advantage of.
 
 We also have the best price all year on USDA Choice Beef boneless Ribeyes $14.99 lb that's $4 off the regular price of $18.99lb. This is the LOWEST price we have ever offered Beef Ribeyes, so take advantage of this price on restaurant quality steaks.  Step it up this year and support products that promote environmental awareness and proper animal treatment, plus do it for less! GO CO-OP!
 
Be sure to swing by the freezer for more great deals.
Organic Prairie has some great deals this month!  We have 3 items on sale all month long.  Organic Prairie beef patties on sale for $6.29, regularly $6.99; ground pork on sale for $ 5.95, regularly $6.69; grassfed organic beef on sale for$ 7.49, regularly $7.99.
All 1 pound ground product from Organic Prairie have $1 off coupons from the manufacture.  These coupons are limited in supply so pick some up before this deal is over. There is no limit to how many you can buy. So it's a good time to fill the freezer with your favorite organic products like ground turkey, ground pork, ground beef, pork breakfast style sausage, and others. 
We're still offering buy one get one free on the new World Catch shrimp Scampi & coconut shrimp.
Henry & Lisa's wild Alaskan Salmon Burger are on sale for $6.29, regularly $6.99.  DON'T miss these super cheap deals. 
 
Rush Hour Recipes
Every month we'll feature a new entree recipe (featuring a mix of vegetarian, non-vegetarian and vegan options) at the Deli Counter and on our website. We will keep an archive of recipe cards at the member center as well, so that you can pick one up and use it for your dinner shopping. You can even use these recipes to build your own recipe book. These recipes come from various co-ops all over the States, which is pretty cool. Plus they have been kitchen tested so you trust them to turn out right. Increase your kitchen repertoire with these quick, easy, fresh, entree recipes.  Follow this link to see the Rush Hour Recipes:  http://wheatsville.coop/recipeindex.html .
 
 In The Grocery Aisle
 
Alter Eco Organic Quinoa:
 
If you're looking for a change as far as grains go, I would recommend Alter Eco Organic Quinoa. Quinoa contains more proteins than any other cereal and is easy to digest as it is lighter than most grains. This is an ancient grain that has been cultivated in South America for more than 5,000 years. Alter Eco is a world-conscious company devoted to spreading the Fair Trade values in an effort to bring  balance to the world economy. Wheatsville now has three varieties of Alter Eco Quinoa on sale. We have Red, Black and White quinoa for just $4.99 a box. Read more about this company, their quality products, and their mission at http://www.altereco-usa.com
Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer

I hope that you have a great weekend!

Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-maiul guy

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Hot time at the co-op!

Hello Wheatsville friends!

I hope that you are managing to keep from melting in this heat!
This week, scroll down for:
Parking talk
Wine action
Deli, cheese and meat deliciousness
Produce and grocery news and products

We lowered our prices on dozens of grocery items last week. Look for the signs that say, "New Lower Prices" to find some items to save on!
Parking lot, Schmarking lot! We still need you to shop!
I know that the parking is no fun right now, but I hope that you're still able to bear with us for a while longer and still shop even during this tough parking time. I kow that it's not possible for everyone to adjust when you shop, but if you can, you'll find that some days and times are better than others.

Come early OR late on any day- we're opening at 7:30am now. The parking lot is pretty easy breezy up until 10 or 10:30am. Or, come after 8pm that seems to be a lot easier as well and Supercuts is closed, so their customers aren't using any spaces then either.
Shop on Thursdays- for some reason, Thursday is our slowest sales day by far. It still gets somewhat busy during the rushes of 11-2 or 5-8, but it's better than any other day.
We are nearing completion on the first major parking phase- they will pour concrete tomorrow. It needs to cure for 7 days and then we'll begin the next phase. We're hoping to get a few more spaces opened up in this next phase, so while it won't be tons more parking, we hope that the worst is nearly behind us.
Thank you so much for your patience during this difficult part of the project! We so appreciate your support!

Wine and dine
Stop by the wine isle and you may notice some new great new  wines on the shelf. The wine isle recently expanded and we were able to bring is some cool new wines, most of them organic! One line you should check out is Fairhills Fare Trade Certified Wines. Fairhills is the world's most well-known Fairtrade brand being sourced from three Fairtrade wine countries of origin, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa.  The Fairhills initiative benefits over 1300 beneficiaries in the three different countries and focuses on improving the living and social conditions of these producers. We have 5 wines from the winery. Fairhills Cabernet Sauvignon offers aromas of dark fruit, coffee and black tea that lead into fresh strawberry fruit.  Well balanced with good acidity and layers of smoke on the finish round out this wine. Fairhills Chardonnay offers bright citrus tones on the nose and sophisticated hints of vanilla and subtle oak.  Perfectly balanced, offering crisp acidity and lively stone fruit characters. Fairhills Merlot is medium-bodied with flavors and aromas of bright red fruit layered with blueberry and silky tannins on the finish. Fairhills Malbec offers jammy, plum aromas that lead into rich, dense fruit with a touch of cherry and cranberry. Try all of these fantastic wines and help farmers from around the world at the same time! What could be easier?

Plus, look for new chilled wines in the deli self serve case for your convenience!

From the Delil
There's just one week left to wrap your tastebuds around our June specials! Our salsa for June is Blackened Pepper Salsa, blending roasted jalapenos with salsa standards like ripe tomatoes, onions, garlic and lime to create a gorgeous and smoky orange salsa speckled with bits of green cilantro.

If you prefer sweet to spicy, June's Smoothie of the Month is Strawberry Pineapple, made with apple juice and frozen fruit, and never watered down with ice! If you haven't already, now is the season to get your smoothie card started – buy nine and get your tenth smoothie free! Just have your cashier punch it on your way out!

Too hot to cook? Come in and grab a delicious, local and all-natural Rosemary-Garlic Whole Roasted Chicken from our self-serve case as well. Shred some for salads or soups, tasty enchiladas or chicken salad, or just cut it up to snack on! They're tender, flavorful, juicy, and ready to go!

Wheatsville has begun opening our doors at 7:30am for all you early birds out there, so stop in early for breakfast, a smoothie, or an organic, fair-trade coffee to start your day the co-op way!

Don't forget all espresso drinks are 25 cents off in June, so make your way to Wheatsville's new Coffee Bar this week and try something fancy! The Nutella is a popular choice, a delicious latte boosted with chocolate and hazelnut syrups! Make your own combination and save this month! And remember all the espresso drinks can also be served cold, but if you're looking for something a bit stronger, be sure to try our renowned Iced Coffee Toddy, a cold-pressed coffee that takes over 24 hours to create! It tastes great over ice, finished with milk and a shot of agave, if you order it like Merille our kitchen manager does! It is divine and guaranteed to wake you up, so come in and cool down! (Dan's wife, Rosie frequently raves about the iced coffee, too calling it "the best coffee drink in town!")
 
From Greg, In the Land of Cheese
 
The Cheese Department is running some awesome sales this week.  Morningland Raw Organic Colby is going from $8.99/lb to $7.99/lb. Pureluck Farms' Goat Feta is dropping from $16.29/lb to $9.99/lb. Both are on a "while supplies last" basis. Enjoy.
 
From the Meat Department:
Swing by and check out the freezer doors for some great sales.  We still have ahi tuna, salmon, shrimp scampi, & coconut shrimp on sale! Buy One Get One while supplies last.  Organic Prairie chubs are on sale:  beef, chicken, turkey and pork breakfast sausage.  We also have a great deal on salmon – everyday priced at $3.99!
Keep in mind that we are making fresh sausage in house these days.  We just introduced another great flavor – Cilantro & Lime Chicken Sausage. Our signature sausages have been getting a lot of positive feedback, so check them out!

It's a Produce Miracle!
Last week in this e-mail, I sent out the sad story about Buena Tierra's melon crop going the way of the dodo due to a hail storm. By some stroke of luck and good fortune, they were able to harvest the melons without them getting sun damaged. This means that you can buy their delicious melons here at the co-op. We are carrying their Israeli, Tuscan cantaloupes and Galia melons. They are certified organic and unbelievably amazing. To me this is a big deal because a few of us were as devastated as they were in losing this crop. These are seriously some of the best melons around. Enjoy!
 
What's in Season
If the oppressive heat hasn't been an indicator, it is officially summer in Austin. So, what's in season? Currently our seasonal fruits and vegetables are: stone-fruits: nectarines (white and regular) peaches (Texas, yellow, white), cherries, apricots, plums, pluots (plum-apricots), grapes (red, black, green),  melons: Tuscan cantaloupe, galia, Israeli, honeydew, tomatoes, squash (yellow, zucchini), green beans, okra, eggplant (black beauty, Asian), berries (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry) and figs. Yum. Eating in season is great. Eating local produce in season is even better.
 
Follow Us!
The Wheatsville Produce Department is on both Twitter and facebook. If you are into those kind of things, follow us!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Austin-TX/Wheatsville-Food-Co-op-Produce-Department/171671855654?ref=ts
https://twitter.com/wheatsvilleduce
 
In The Grocery Aisle
 
Blue Sky Café Energy:
It's getting too hot to enjoy my afternoon cup of coffee. That's why it was exciting to get the new Blue Sky Café Energy drinks in the cooler at Wheatsville. This is a coffee drink that tastes like coffee, but has got a kick to it. Aside from the caffeine already found in coffee, there are other natural ingredients that you'd expect from an energy drink. It's more than an afternoon pick-me-up. It's a whole new way to enjoy a natural energy drink. We have both Mocha Mountain and Vanilla Sky flavors cold and ready to drink now. Justin Merrifield, grocery buyer
 
 BY the way, as we continue to try and get you the best possible value for your dollar, we are interested in seeing your receipts from other stores (like Natural Grocers, Whole Foods, and Newflower Market) if you happen to shop elsewhere sometimes. Just leave them at the hospitality desk!

Thanks and have a great weekend!

Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville
GM and e-mail guy

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Lower prices, Father's day beer and bacon, and more more more!

Hi Wheatsville friends,

Scroll on down for:
Parking reminder
Mornin'
Run! For the board.
Lower prices?!? Yep.
Bacon and other product news.
Eat locally in produce.
Read this easier.

Have you visited us in the morning?
We're open earlier these days at 7:30 am. We'd love to become your morning coffee and breakfast taco stop. So come on in!

Run for the board
If you are interested in running for the board, the nominations committee will hold its first candidate orientation session on Monday, June 22nd at 6pm in the Wheatsville conference room in our admin building at 3105 Guadalupe!

Woo-Hoo! New Lower Prices!
Hot news! We were able to lower over 50 prices on items in the Grocery Department with more to come in the future! Look for the signs that say "New Lower Price" and then do a little dance!
 
Father's Day beer
This father's day why not give your dad what he really wants, a really BIG BEER! If he has a since of humor you might want to give him an Arrogant Bastards Ale from Stone Brewing Company, a great California brewery. This beer is big bold and hoppy and at just $3.99 a bottle it is a steal! As it says on the bottle, this beer is not for wimps. Another great big brew that pops will be sure to love is the Yeti Imperial Stout from Great Divide Brewing Co. located in Colorado. This big hairy beast of a beer is a very strong  stout. Rich, Complex and chocolaty, this beer is bound to please any father who likes great beer. Finally we come to something new in our beer case that would make dad a very happy man. Deschutes Red Char I.P.A.  is a bright copper beauty with a plush body and satiny caramel flavor derived from seven varieties of malt and at $5.49 it is a bargain. Why not make Fathers Day special with one of these great beers?

From the Deli:
Happy Father's Day from the Wheatsville Deli! Come on in and grab your Dad some sides to go along with all that grillin' he's sure to be doing! Potato salads, pasta salads, coleslaws, and tons of fresh veggies will be in our cases to keep you out of the kitchen and chillin' by the grill with Pops! Throw in a case of local brews, a bag of ice, and your Father's Day dining obligation is met with style, ease and that warm, happy feeling you get from putting your money back into your very own local co-op!

Bacon! Bacon! BACON!!! That's right carnivores, Boar's Head bacon is now available in the Deli! We'll add it to any breakfast taco or sandwich, plus full-blown BLT's on lightly toasted sourdough are now on the menu as well! The candy of meats, bacon has already won over much of the Wheatsville staff and it's only been available a few days! Come on in and try some salty goodness for yourself!
Also this week, Wheatsville has begun opening our doors at 7:30am for all you early birds out there, so remember to stop in early for breakfast or a smoothie to start your day the co-op way! Through June 22nd, one small organic drip coffee is yours free with any purchase, so come in extra early to take advantage of a complimentary caffeine boost as well as easy parking!
 
From Greg in the Land of Cheese
There are so many good things a brewin' in Wheatsville's good 'ol cheese department. I want to tell you it all right now…unfortunately I cannot. You will have to wait and see. I can tell you this though, Organic Valley Farms Raw Cheddar, on sale for $4.49, regularly $5.29. Organic Valley Farms Pepper Jack, Meunster and Feta, on sale now for $4.29, regularly 5.29. Organic Valley Farms Stringles 6 pack, on sale for $ 4.49, regularly $5.29.
 
From Bryan the Butcher
Hey folks have you been by the new meat freezer yet? We have lots of new things and some old favorites. There is a lot on sale right now, swing by and take a look.  Organic Prairie Frozen chubs are on sale, ranging from 50 cents off to 70 cents off per item.
 
All of our local products like Bastrop Cattle, Loncito's, Thunderheart Bison, and Richardson's farms are in there and some increased selections of those. We also have lots of new prepared seafood items like; Marinated tuna and salmon filets, shrimp scampi & coconut shrimp. These are on a promotional buy 1 get 1 free special so hurry and fill your freezer now at a great price. You can also find fresh salmon filets, peeled and de-veined medium shrimp, Troller Point halibut filets, and small pink pre-cooked salad shrimp (old favorite) these products are flash frozen so the quality is still there.
 
We also have a small area dedicated to raw food products for your dogs and cats. These include Buddy's chicken neck, Buddy's livers, beef bones, lamb bones, beef liver and ground beef heart. We have sold these products in bulk in past, and we still do, but now we also offer them in smaller quantities for your convenience.
 
We also have some new products worth mentioning in our new seafood case. We have awesome Sea Scallops; sweet, juicy, and very easy to prepare in a hurry. Lots of folks have been asking if we still carry smoked salmon and we do. The Fish Brothers wild hot smoked king salmon in garlic and pepper and found in the fish case. Also the great cold smoked sliced lox made from wild caught sockeye salmon.  Just ask and we show you the selection we have or we'll just package up what you want.
 
Don't miss this month's great member deals on Ribeyes and strip steaks. Ribeyes are - $.49 off per pound and strip steaks - $.35 off per pound. These specials are great deals on a premier steak cut and priced to please you summer grilling appetite.
 
Here's a great summer shrimp recipe you can try with some of our new products and seasonal strawberries.
Peppered Shrimp with Balsamic Strawberries
Created by Chef Michael H. Flores
1 cup long-grain Texas rice
1 pound Texas shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 pound Texas strawberries, hulled and cut in half
Fresh tarragon for garnish
Cook the rice according to the directions on the package. In the meantime, place the shrimp, extra-virgin olive oil, pepper and salt in a bowl, and toss until the shrimp is coated well; set aside. Heat a large sauté pan over high heat. Pour in the balsamic vinegar and cook for two minutes. Add the strawberries, coat with the vinegar, and continue cooking for another minute. Add the shrimp and stir well to combine. Cook for about two minutes.

Eat Locally From Your Produce Department
The national Eat Local challenge is going on from June 15th  to July 15th. This purpose of this challenge is to see if you can consume 80% of your diet from locally sourced and locally produced goods. Right now in produce we have locally grown tomatoes from Green Gate Farms and Johnson's Backyard Garden, locally grown organic beets, yellow squash, zucchini, golden zucchini, and cucumbers from Buena Tierra, local sprouts and sprout salads from New World Produce, local organic corn from Lund Produce, local bibb lettuce from Amador Farms, conventional and organic Texas blueberries, local organic herbs from Pure Luck and delicious Texas peaches. Come on in and shop for local produce.
 
Grillin'
Grilled vegetables are easy and delicious. If you plan on doing any grilling anytime soon and want some vegetable, grill them too! Complement your Niman Ranch ribeye with some locally grown golden and green zucchini. To grill them, slice them in half lengthwise, rub some olive oil on them with a little salt and pepper and grill until fork tender. They don't take that long and if you walk away to long to get that beer you might burn them, so place them on near but not on the most intense heat. You can do eggplant this way as well, only you should slice the eggplant into ¼ inch slices. Jalepenos are great on the grill and so are onions cut in half, or kept whole in foil directly on the coals. Yum. Grill it up!
 
Buena Tierra
I received a phone call from Carey out at Buena Tierra Farms on Sunday informing me that they had had a season ending hail storm out in Fredonia. If you were looking forward to their melon crop this year, I regret to inform you that they will not be able to harvest any melons. This is most unfortunate and our hearts go out to them for the damage they sustained.
 
Rush Hour Recipes
Every month we'll feature a new entree recipe (featuring a mix of vegetarian, non-vegetarian and vegan options) at the Deli Counter and on our website. We will keep an archive of recipe cards at the member center as well, so that you can pick one up and use it for your dinner shopping. You can even use these recipes to build your own recipe book. These recipes come from various co-ops all over the States, which is pretty cool. Plus they have been kitchen tested so you trust them to turn out right. Increase your kitchen repertoire with these quick, easy, fresh, entree recipes.  Follow this link to see the Rush Hour Recipes:  http://wheatsville.coop/recipeindex.html .
New for your eyes!
We now have ICU Reading Glasses and Accessories!
They are located at the Health Team Desk. There's travel and regular readers ranging from 1.25 - 2.50 for only $13.99!   Cases are $1.99 and the leashes and pendants for holding your glasses are $12.99.
Come by and check them out and say hello to the Health Team.

I hope that you have a super deluxe week!

Dan Gillotte
GM and e-mail guy

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Last week's e-mail today!

I was away at a co-op conference in Pittsburgh last week and wasn't able to produce this e-mail, but there was some good stuff in it that I wanted you to see. Please forgive me, later this week when you get a rare second e-mail.

Now open earlier for your convenience!

Yep, we're open from 7:30am to 11pm 7 days a week. THose of you that have somewhere to be by 8 or 9 am can still get to Wheatsville for coffee, breakfast tacos or to grab lunch for the day!

Come in this week between 7:30 and 8am for a free small drip coffee or before 9am to enter a raffle for a $100 gift card!

Parking and you!

Car parking is a lot trickier these days as we prepare the parking lot for new paving. Please follow the instructions of flaggers during the day to be safe. All traffic will flow one way around the building. You can see a graphic representation of this on our web-site www,wheatsville.coop scroll down for the plan.

Stone-Fruits

Yes! The day has arrived! The day I long for all season long: the day the white nectarine arrives. These are my personal favorite stone-fruits. They are better than a nectarine, YES! better than a nectarine! Our Texas peaches have been delectable this season. Also, if you haven't been seduced by the scent of white peaches, you may need to see a doctor!

Grillin'

If you're like most of us around the Co-op then you have been utilizing your outside cooking stations and not heating up your house with that meddlesome stove. Fortunately, vegetables like to be grilled too. Buena Tierra, our amazing local summertime producers, are really cranking out the grill-ables right now. Organic eggplant, golden zucchini, zucchini, yellow squash, green cabbage, and fennel all make for amazing sides or mains when slathered with some olive oil and lovingly graced with salt and pepper. Fire it up. Eat Local.

From the Deli

Our flame-grilled Greek Turkey Burgers and Middle Eastern Peace In The East Salad are two great dishes that go great together, plus they're our Fresh in the Deli recipe shares from other co-ops that will be in stock all week! Have the Deli Counter make you a delicious sandwich, Mediterranean-style using both: pile up a pita with a warmed up, sliced turkey burger full of tasty bites of feta, kalamata olives and fresh mint, topped with a big scoop of cucumber and tomato-laden, soy yogurt-dressed Peace in the East Salad, and all the extra veggies you like! One more squirt of taratoor on top, wrap it up, and you have an instant meal!

Have you tried our new, local, hand-rolled Rockstar Bagels? These true, New York-style bagels have the hearty chew and crustiness beloved by those lucky enough to have eaten "real" bagels back East! With delicious flavors including Poppyseed, Sesame, Garlic, Salt & Rosemary, Onion, Plain and the wildly popular Everything, Rockstar Bagels can be found in our bakery case at just 89 cents each – or buy 5 and get the 6th one free for a tasty and economical family breakfast! Organic Valley cream cheese singles, a slicer and toaster are all available for your use at the coffee bar, or bring your bagel to the Deli Counter and have it turned into a veggie-filled Garden Bagel or other sandwich!

We've started opening our doors at 7:30am for all you early birds out there, so remember to stop in early for a breakfast taco or smoothie to get your energy building before you start your day! From June 15th through June 22nd, one small organic drip coffee is yours free with any purchase, so come in extra early to take advantage of a complimentary caffeine boost as well as easy parking!

From, Greg in the Land of Cheese

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day. I shared my grilled peaches and brie idea, with him. He in turn shared a simple recipe with me. Take a fresh pineapple skin and core it. Cut it into rings and throw on the grill. As soon as the pineapple rings  start to soften top it with thin slices of Manchego. Remove when the manchego starts to melt. It can be served as an appetizer or desert. Enjoy!! 

Take advantage of our Owner Specials for the month of June. Organic Valley Farms Raw Cheddar, which is regularly $5.29, is on sale for $4.49. Organic Valley Farms Pepper Jack, Meunster and Feta, which are regularly $5.29, is now $4.29. Organic Valley Farms Stringles 6 pack are also on sale.

 

 

From Bryan Butler, the Butcher

It's eat local June 15th thru July 15th at Coop's nationwide and of course at Wheatsville it's always time to eat local. Check out our super local product selection in the meat freezer next to the beer case. We have several great choices for you.  You'll see: Bastrop Cattle company 100% Grass-fed beef, Loncito's grass fed lamb; Richardson's pasture raised natural pork, and Thunderheart Bison. These are great local operations that we believe in. Do your part and eat local!

                ATTENTION! Super special buy right now on great new frozen fish choices. As an introductory price we have BUY ONE GET ONE FREE on marinade wild salmon filet, wild Ahi tuna, and wild caught shrimp two ways scampi & coconut. These deals won't last long and it's a good time to fill your freezer on the cheap. Speaking of cheap don't miss the sweet deals on your favorite grilling steaks. Niman brand is renown for top-shelf, premier restaurant beef. These 100% black angus cattle are raised in certified humane conditions by a cooperative of farms that have been doing it right since the 70's. This month we have USDA choice Strip steaks for $18.99 lb members get -.35 off per pound.

In Supplements:

New  &  On Sale
Udo's Oils
3.6.9 Blend 17oz: $21.99
DHA 3.6.9 17oz: $27.99
 
New Body Wash & Shower Gels from Nature's Gate & Shikai!
 
New Alaffia Everyday Shea Moisturizing Lotion:
Unscented, Lavender and Vanilla 32oz for only $11.89!
 
I hope you have a great week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy