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!

Scroll down for:

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


Thursday, August 26, 2010

Welcome and welcome back and so much more!

Hello Wheatsville friends and fans!

 

I hope the end of August is treating you well! Yep, we've almost made it through the hottest part of the year! Yay us!

 

We want to give a welcome and a welcome back to students new and returning as well as all of our friends that work in our schools! We're so glad to see you back!

 

Scroll down for:

We love our eggmen and women!

Co+Deals are coming

Deli welcomes students!

Meat for lunch PLUS we can't stop talking about BLTs!

Bulk Change

Shampoo, Lunchboxes, Ginger tea and more!

Beer Tasting THIS week!

Last of the Texas Peaches

 

We at Wheatsville understand the importance of having healthy food and would like to inform you that during this scare of egg contamination we carry an abundance of local and certified organic eggs that will not have the salmonella risks that are being produced from the Iowa based plants even our Cal-Maine eggs are produced and packaged here in Texas.

The two local egg producers that we have are H&J ranch and Alexander Family Farms both are stocked up in the dairy cooler. We also carry Vital Farm eggs which are local and certified organic. So there is no need to worry about our egg supply they are all safe and delicious.

 

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! This program now offers our owners and customers more deals more often on the products we love. Beginning this September, we're turning up the volume to enhance our sales flyer. You'll discover a vibrant and enticing flyer filled with appetizingly delicious food, rich content and better 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!

 

We have also spiced up our monthly Owner Specials. Owners will enjoy fresh new specials twice a month. This is a great way to get to know more about the fabulous products we carry and how they can make every meal more interesting. In addition to providing so many creative ways to save, we're enhancing our Co+op Deals Coupon books. These coupons will be good for three months, which gives us all more time to stock up on the products we love most.

 

We're making these tools and improvements available to you through our partnership with the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA). As a member of NCGA, our partnership gives us an important competitive edge because we're able to leverage our purchasing power to get the lowest possible prices, which impacts everyone's bottom line. NCGA provides Wheatsville with these resources as a benefit of membership, allowing us to increase savings to our customers and to focus our energy on making Wheatsville the best grocery resource in Austin.

 

Are you interested in learning more about how Co+op Deals are nourishing communities? Join the conversation around our table and learn more at www.strongertogether.coop.

 

Welcome Back Students and Teachers!

 

To welcome back all of you who have been away for the summer, the Wheatsville Deli has so many new items to whet your palate! We are super-excited about our brand new vegan Greenburgers! We use great ingredients like fresh zucchini, chickpeas, fresh herbs and spices, and fry 'em up to get a crispy, crunchy outside and tender middle! We are delighted to present our Greenburgers as an incredibly tasty and affordable new item! Greenburgers are available in the Deli full service case for $2.49 each as a patty, or $4.99 as a sandwich option!

 

Another new dish we've quickly come to love is Quinoa Polenta Corn Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce! Combining quinoa, polenta, roasted corn and red peppers, these gluten-free little cakes are chockfull of goodness and go for just $1.99 each with a bonus side of smoky red pepper sauce! We are selling tons of these tasty little treasures!

 

Beat the heat with our Strawberry Daiquiri Smoothie, for just $3.99 each, as this month's special blends strawberries and lime juice for a creamy, cold treat! Or, if you're in need of a caffeinated wake-up call, Wheatsville's home-brewed Iced Coffee Toddywill fit the bill nicely, $1.99 each. August's salsa of the month, the brown sugar and ginger-spiked Roasted Pineapple Salsa,$7.99/lb, not only tastes great over a black bean taco, but works as a delicious chutney for fish and pork entrees – luau anyone?! Speaking of ginger, have you tried our brand new super fantastic staff favorite Gingerade?! This incredibly refreshing drink is made with fresh ginger and a blend of three juices, just $1.69 each.

 

Looking for a deal? August Owner Specials are also ready for you in the Deli! Blueberry or Raspberry Smoothies are on sale, $4.49, reg $4.99! Also, you can get an Applegate Farms Roasted Chicken sandwich for just $5.99, reg. $6.99! And our best-selling Ginger Tempeh Pasta Salad is also on sale for $7.99/lb, reg. $8.49/lb! Come on in and get a deal!

 

And don't forget, Labor Day Weekend is just around the corner! Come by to pick up all your picnic and grilling supplies – we'll have more fresh and tasty deli sides than you can shake a stick at!

 

Welcome Back!

Are you interested in gluten-free products?  Wheatsville's meat department has several choices for those with concerns about gluten in their diet.  The Niman Ranch brand of meat is a great place to start.  All of their pre-packaged products are gluten free.  This includes salamis, bacon, sausages, and BBQ products like the pulled pork and St Louis style ribs.  Also all the lunchmeats we sell are also gluten-free.  We sell Applegate farms & Organic Prairie lunchmeats; Natural and Organic.  Our Summer sausage and snack sticks from Uncured Natural meats is also no gluten.  We also have several other choices in the freezer like; Applegate farms & Ian's brand chicken nuggets, and all the Shelton's turkey products.  So no matter what your hungry for you can shop the meat department with confidence.  If you're unsure just ask we love to help!

Speaking of lunchmeat… What a great way to get back into the groove with a simple & convenient sandwich.  It's an inexpensive and healthy way to get the nutrition and energy you need for a long day of work or school. We excited about our new selection ofOrganic Prairie sliced lunchmeats.  Being certified organic and certified humane treatment is a great way to start off the new school year, & guilt free, too!  We have smoked chicken breast $6.99 6oz, roast beef $7.69 6oz, roasted turkey $7.59 6oz,smoked turkey $6.99 6oz, and smoked ham $6.99 6oz.  Organic Prairie is great line of products that also use 50% less packaging material than most zip seal packages.  Organic Prairie products are a cooperative group of farmers with a belief in sustainability and humane treatment.  Also look for $1 off coupons for Organic Prairie products!  And don't forget to swing by the cheese case for a great selection Organic Prairie sliced cheeses.

 

Need a quick easy snack? Enter the humble B.L.T. One of the easiest & tastiest snacks anyone could ever want. It's simple to make and affordable too. Let's break it down. The B: Bacon or "pork candy" to some. Wheatsville has plenty to choose from. Niman uncured smoked bacon $7.99/lb has a nice thicker cut than others. It cooks great with no shrink. Applegate provides us the best variety. We have Organic Uncured Bacon $7.99/lb, Uncured Bacon $5.39/lb, and Turkey Bacon $5.39/lb. Applegate Farms bacons are thinner sliced and are best if you love crispy bacon. And our most popular is also most affordable. Boar's Head Baconin 1/2 lb package $2.99. Great when you only need a little. We even sell vegetarian and meatless options. No matter what you choose it's going to be great. Why? Cause it's bacon!!

 

The lettuce choices range from green leaf, romaine lettuce, butter leaf, red butter leaf (my personal favorite) to iceberg. If you want something different try spinach, arugula greens or any other micro-green for a more elegant BLT. Tomato season is winding down so our local choices are a bit limited. But be sure to pick up some great Fredericksburg local tomatoes. Bread is important too. Really, it makes the sandwich. Sliced bread works great and we have many choices; everything from gluten-free to organic and everything in between. We have Rudy's Organic sliced breads on sale this month as an added perk! But I personally love a great piece of artisan bread, like the great fresh-baked La Brea breads in the deli. Pain Rustique is a favorite of mine, as is the Roasted Garlic. Sliced thick, buttered and grilled. Boy, now that's the makings of an earth shattering BLT.

Specials for the month!

Natural sea cod filets and sticks $4.69 8oz, regular $6.59
Niman Ranch all natural pork tenderloins $13.99/lb in 2 piece cryovac, regular price $14.49/lb

Buddy's natural chicken bone-in split breast $5.29/lb, regular $5.49/lb (customer requested!).

Cheese Island

This month we have a few sales at Cheese Island. Our fresh Mozzarella is on sale for $7.49/ lb. regularly $9.99/lb.  We have introduced a product that we have carried, but in new packaging. Saint Andre Triple Cream Brie now comes in a 6 oz. size and anintroductory price of $4.99 ea. It will retail for $6.99. Also, Smoked Goat Gouda is on sale for $8.39/lb, regularly $9.99/lb.

Welcome back students from your friends on Cheese Island!  We know how busy you are, and sometimes there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done.  But you need sustenance and we have great snacks that will keep you nourished without bogging you down.  We have wee cheeses that would go great with a nice apple, pear or a handful of grapes. We also have a great selection of spreadable cheeses that would go great on crakers or a crusty bread.

 

One more week and it is the first game of 2010 Longhorn Football season. Keep a look out for tailgating recipes, gameday recipes and cheese and beer pairings. While you are waiting take look at this website  The Cheese and Burger Society. For some awesome burger and cheese pairings to take your tailgating to the next level! You're in college now after all!

 

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes…..

Slowly but surely over the weeks the bulk department has been getting a face lift.  We would like to thank-you for bearing with us and helping to make it a success.  Our coffee section is brand new and has expanded to include two new local roasters, Third Coastand Fara Coffee.  The bulk herbs and spices have moved to a more visible and convenient location.  The dried fruit will soon have its own section near the nut butters and the oats will move into extra-large, easy-to-use gravity bins where the dried fruit bins used to be.  We have also done away with twist ties and stickers in favor of writing directly on bags and containers with sharpie markers or tape, in order to cut back on trash and expense. Thank you again for helping us do our part to clean-up our store!

Another change for Bulk is the hiring of a new buyer.  Janelle Buttery will be heading back to Michigan to pursue her own business and Riley Luce will continue on with making Wheatsville's bulk department a wonderful place to shop!!

 

News from the Health Team

New in Bodycare:

Three new shower gels from Griffin Remedy.  This super-clean line of bath and body products contains no parabens, no sodium laurel sulfates, and no petro-chemical derived ingredients.  We offer their moisturizing shower gel in 3 fragrances: refreshing Orange Blossom, soothing Bulgarian Lavender, and invigorating Peppermint Tea Tree, and all are made with real essential oils!  Visitwww.griffinremedy.com to learn more about this company's commitment to quality.

 

New in our Bulk Herbs and Teas Department:

All-Purpose Seasoning, $14.39/LB  $ .90/oz.  This is a savory blend of dried onion, parsley, basil, lemon peel, thyme, garlic, celery, red bell pepper, and lemon powder, no salt added!  Perfect in pasta salad, soups, or mixed in plain yogurt to make a tasty veggie dip.

Organic Lemon Ginger Tea, $19.39/LB  $1.21/oz.  A staff favorite, this is a delightful tea featuring roasted chicory root, ginger root, orange peel, lemongrass, lemon essential oil, hibiscus flowers, coriander seed, and cinnamon chips.  It makes a soothing hot drink and an incredibly refreshing cold beverage.  We like to make a large pitcher and keep it in the fridge for post yard-work bliss.

 

Featured in the Housewares Department:

Stainless Steel Tiffins from T-Go Warehttp://www.to-goware.com. We have the Classic, 2-tier, and 3-tier designs, as well as 2-tier and 3-tier "action packs" with recycled cotton carrying bag.  Tired of using disposable utensils?  Check out their nifty bamboo cutlery sets, including a knife, fork, spoon, and chopsticks in a sleek carrying case made from recycled plastics.  Never used a tiffin set before?  Here's a neat video of these stackable containers in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tc1Ue0UaHs

 

Packing your lunch in reusable containers isn't just good for our environment, it's a smart and economical choice you can feel good about! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6316063129229678651#

 

Beer is good!

Magic Hat Sale and Tasting! Please join us this Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 for a tasting from Vermont's Magic Hat Brewery.  Magic Hat Night of the Living Dead Variety 12 Packs now$12.99 regularly  $14.99, Magic Hat Hex Ourtoberfest 6 packs now$7.49 regularly $8.49 , and Magic hat #9 Not So Pale Ale 6 packs now $7.49 regularly $8.49, so now is the perfect time for a little magic!

 

Produce news!

 

Johnny Livesay, long-time Wheatsville staff person and most recent Produce Manager has moved on to his dream job of creating the delicious food of our soon to open sister co-op, Black Star Co-op Brew pub at the mid-town commons on Lamar. We're sorry to see Johnny go, but wish him well. (Check out the new issue of the Wheatsville Breeze for more on this…)

We are excited, though to welcome our new produce manager Adam King. Adam hails from La Montanita co-op in Albuquerque New Mexico and comes with years of experience. He'll be joining the team next week and we're delighted to have him. Give him a great big Wheatsville welcome when you see him!

 

Eat your Texas  peaches while ye may!

 

The produce department is sad to say that the epically good Texas Peach season is ending THIS week. We have the LAST of the peaches we expect to have for the year in now. So, pause and reflect on the wonderfully juicy and delicious season we had, thank the farmers and the trees for their bounty and STOCK up! You may even want to "put some up" via canning or freezing to get some of that good Texas peach taste after the season's gone.

Here's a link to a great blog that can help you get started:

http://www.pickyourown.org/peachvarieties.htm

and a video with a pretty simple canning demonstration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVugd8o_q6Q&feature=related

 

We're also excited that our organic grapes continue to be sweet and delicious. We've got Green, Red and Black right now, so remember to enjoy these sweet treats, too!

 

Have a great week!

 

Dan Gillotte

Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy


Thursday, August 12, 2010

Back to school sampling bash, cheese parties, savings and more!

Hello Wheatsville friends and fans!

I hope you are managing through the dog days of August. It's hot, but it's cool at Wheatsville!

We are excited to welcome students, staff and faculty back to the area and we're showing our enthusiasm with a Welcome Back Sampling Bash this weekend and next!

On Saturdays and Sundays 8/14 and 8/15 and 8/21 and 8/22, join us from 2-6 for store-wide sampling in all areas! And, sign up at the Hospitality Desk for an amazing prize giveaway drawing! Laptop Lunchboxes, Wheatsville T-shirts, local products from great local companies like Lamar Soap Company, Texas Medicinals, Ann Webb, Austin Natural Soap, Lafe's Natural Bodycare, South Austin People, and much more!

 

Scroll down for:

Introducing a line of lower cost, high value items at Wheatsville!

Deli is delish!

Charitable Beer

Organic Texas Milk!

Save money with bulk herbs!

Bacon time!

Host a cheese party and stock it up with items from Cheese island!

 
 

Introducing:  Field Day® , amazing foods at amazing prices

by Niki Nash, Wheatsville Merchandising Manager

I'm happy to present a new brand of foods and paper products at Wheatsville called Field Day® . Field Day® foods and paper goods are always natural, often organic and never use artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The brand is committed to avoiding GMOs and many of the foods are gluten-free, kosher or both. Spanning the aisles with staples such as Mediterranean Sea Salt and fresh jars of Salsa, Organic Canned Beans and Vegetables, Organic Salad Dressings and Pasta Sauce and an amazingly delicious Organic Apple Juice, Field Day® foods can fill your pantry with great-tasting essentials for you and your family. Additionally, Field Day® paper products are 100% recycled, including Paper Towels, Bath Tissue, Facial Tissue and Napkins.

All of these attributes are noteworthy but the absolute best feature of Field Day® products are the prices. Co-ops , like Wheatsville, across the country are enthusiastically embracing the opportunity to offer co-op shoppers nicely priced natural and organic items in these times when money can be tight. You don't have to be wealthy to eat healthy, so stock up on these amazing new products and enjoy the savings!

For additional information on Field Day® and their products visit http://www.fielddayproducts.com

Pesto, Greenburgers and Corn Cakes, oh my!

 

Pesto is in the house! That's right, our local suppliers, P/2 Pesto, have shut their doors for retirement and passed along their beloved recipes to us! We are now making their Basil Pesto and Vegan Basil Pesto and they are available in the Deli's self service case (no longer on Cheese Island)! Spread some on toasted slices of Roasted Garlic bread for a summery appetizer, or toss with freshly cooked, hot pasta for an instant dinner! One container of pesto is enough to dress a pound of pasta and it only costs $6.99.

Liked our Zucchini Falafel? Then you'll love our brand new vegan Greenburgers! We use the same great ingredients like fresh zucchini, chickpeas, fresh herbs and spices, and fry it up to get the same crispy, crunchy outside and tender middle, but now it's in a more sandwich-friendly format! We've been looking for a solid vegan burger recipe for a long time now, and are delighted to present our Greenburgers as an incredibly tasty and affordable new item! Greenburgers are available in the Deli full service case for $2.49 each as a patty, or $4.99 as a sandwich!

One of our most popular new Deli recipes is our featured August Fresh in the Deli recipe from Briar Patch Community Market in beautiful Grass Valley, California: Quinoa Polenta Corn Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce! Combining quinoa, polenta, roasted corn and red peppers, these little cakes are chockfull of goodness, gluten-free, and go for just $1.99 each with a side of smoky red sauce! We are selling tons of these tasty little treasures!

Our other Fresh in the Deli recipe is from the Wild Oats Cooperative in Williamstown, Massachusetts: the colorful Balsamic Summer Potato Salad at $5.99/lb! This picnic-perfect side tosses sliced Yukon Gold potatoes with balsamic vinegar, caramelized onions, sundried tomatoes and fresh basil! It's vegan-friendly and the lack of mayo is great for toting some along on a hot day with no fear!

 

Beat the heat with our Strawberry Daiquiri Smoothie, for just $3.99 each, as this month's special blends strawberries and lime juice for a creamy, cold treat! Or, if you're in need of a caffeinated wake-up call, Wheatsville's home-brewed Iced Coffee Toddy will fit the bill nicely, $1.99 each. August's salsa of the month, the brown sugar and ginger-spiked Roasted Pineapple Salsa, $7.99/lb, not only tastes great over a black bean taco, but works as a delicious chutney for fish and pork entrees – luau anyone?!

 

Speaking of ginger, have you tried our brand new super fantastic staff favorite Gingerade?! Nicknamed "Sunshine in a Glass" by our Counter Manager Mariah, this refreshing drink is made with fresh ginger and a blend of three juices, just $1.69 each.

And Sunday Brunch hot bar has been a blast, so look for that again this Sunday!

Looking for a deal? August Owner Specials are also ready for you in the Deli! Blueberry or Raspberry Smoothies are on sale, $4.49, reg $4.99! Also, you can get an Applegate Farms Roasted Chicken sandwich for just $5.99, reg. $6.99! And our best-selling Ginger Tempeh Pasta Salad is also on sale for $7.99/lb, reg. $8.49/lb!

Also on sale at the Deli Counter are tasty cold cuts: Boar's Head Oven Roasted Chicken at $8.99/lb, reg. $9.49 and Provolone Cheese, $4.99/lb, reg. $5.99!

Come on in and find something you love!

Help the clean-up with beer!

Abita SOS A Charitable Pilsner ! Working with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board (LSPMB), Abita Beer announced that it has established 'SOS – A Charitable Fund' that will assist with the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill.
The centerpiece of the fundraising effort is a new charitable beer created by Abita. The brew, called SOS – A Charitable Pilsner, will generate 75¢ for every bottle sold. This Abita Beer is a message in a bottle...a distress signal for the troubled waters of our Gulf Coast. For every bottle sold Abita will donate 75¢ to the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill. This unfiltered Weizen Pils is made with Pilsner and Wheat malts. It is hopped and dry hopped with Sterling and German Perle hops. It has a brilliant gold color, a sweet malt flavor, and a pleasant bitterness and aroma.

NEW Organic Texas Milk!

New to the dairy case is milk from Texas Daily Harvest. It's pasteurized (by law), but it's not homogenized, so the cream floats to the top and you have to shake the container each time before you pour it. The dairy in Yantis is also certified organic.

The milk has such a rich, vivid, nutty taste - and a finish! A surprisingly long finish. I mean, we're talking milk, here. It's not quite like raw, but it is like Technicolor next to black-and-white compared to what is usually offered at other grocery stores.

Farming Practices: [?]

Certified Organic,  naturally grown,  grass fed/pastured,  integrated pest management

 

Bulk Herbs = Good Economics!

Bulk herbs are a great way to buy exactly what you need for cooking.  It is often more economical to buy cooking spices, exotic teas, and anything else you want to try without making a commitment to an entire bottle.  Most bottled spices cost from $3-6 dollars each and can lose their potency before youcan use them up, if you're anything like me.

 

Buying in bulk allows me to buy exactly the amount I need for what I'm cooking in the kitchen this week.  Wheatsville has a great assortment of spices and teas to meet all your needs, and we have recently moved our bulk herbs to a more convenient location in our lovely Bulk department.  We are always happy to answer questions about the bulk spices and teas we have, and place special orders for anything we don't. Stop by the Health Team desk, and let us help with any questions you have.

Simple storage- you can recycle your spice jars, or buy some of our small glass bottles to keep your spices in.  Spices do best if they are stored in a cool, dark drawer, or cupboard.

Here are just a few of the options we carry:

Baking Powder $ 3.89 lb, .24 cents an ounce

Baking Soda $ 3.49 lb, .22 cents an ounce

Sweet Basil $ 19.29 lb, 1.21 an ounce

Cocoa Powder $ 11.59 lb, .72 cents an ounce

Curry Powder $ 14.59 lb, .91 cents an ounce

Dill Weed $ 24.99 lb, 1.56 an ounce

Onion Powder $ 11.89 lb, .74 an ounce

Paprika $ 14.29 lb, .89 an ounce

Parsley $ 20.89 lb, 1.31 an ounce

Coarse Black Pepper $ 15.89 lb, .99 an ounce

Bacon!!

 

Need a quick easy snack? Enter the humble B.L.T. One of the easiest & tastiest snacks anyone could ever want. Simple to make and affordable to boot! Let's break it down:

The B: Bacon or "pork candy" to some. Wheatsville has plenty to choose from. Niman uncured smoked bacon $7.99/lb has a nice thicker cut than others. It cooks great with no shrink. Applegate provides us the best variety. We have Organic Uncured Bacon $7.99/lb, Uncured Bacon $5.39/lb, and Turkey Bacon $5.39/lb. Applegate Farms bacons are thinner sliced and are best if you love crispy bacon. And our most popular is also most affordable. Boar's Head Bacon in 1/2 lb package $2.99. Great when you only need a little. We even sell vegetarian and meatless options. No matter what you choose it's going to be great. Why? Cause it's bacon!!

The L and the T are vital too:

Many choices for your lettuce from green leaf to butter leaf (my personal favorite). Tomato choices are still abundant, though it is the last part of the season. Best bet is to choose local ingredients all the way.

 

Bread is important too. Really, it makes the sandwich. Sliced bread works great, and we have many choices. Everything from gluten-free to organic, and everything in between. But I personally love a great piece of artisan bread, like the great fresh-baked La Brea breads in the deli. Pain Rustique is a favorite of mine, as is the Roasted Garlic. Sliced thick, buttered and grilled. Boy, now that's the makings of an earth shattering BLT.

 

Check out the Rudi's Organic 100% Whole Wheat as well. It's on sale and it's delicious and hearty!

 

We have a new selection of Organic Prairie sliced lunchmeats. Being certified organic and certified humane treatment is a great way to start off the new school year, & guilt free, too! We have smoked chicken breast $6.99 6oz, roast beef $7.69 6oz, roasted turkey $7.59 6oz, smoked turkey $6.99 6oz, and smoked ham $6.99 6oz. Organic Prairie is great line of products that also use 50% less packaging material than most zip seal packages. Organic Prairie products are a cooperative group of farmers with a belief in sustainability and humane treatment. Also look for $1 off coupons for Organic Prairie products!

 

Specials for the month!

Natural sea cod filets and sticks $4.69 8oz, regular $6.59; Niman Ranch all natural pork tenderloins $13.99/lb in 2 piece cryovac, regular price $14.49/lb; Buddy's natural chicken bone-in split breast $5.29/lb, regular $5.49/lb (customer requested!).

 

Have a party on Cheese Island!

This month we have a few sales at Cheese Island. Our fresh Mozzarella is on sale for $7.49/ lb. regularly $9.99/lb.  We have introduced a product that we have carried, but in new packaging. Saint Andre Triple Cream Brie now comes in a 6 oz. size and an introductory price of $4.99 ea. It will retail for $6.99. Starting Friday the Smoked Goat Gouda will be put on sale for $8.39/lb, regularly $9.99/lb.

We will be having all store sampling days this weekend from 2 pm-6 pm.  Come see what we have to offer for back to school. Slice cheeses and slice meats, fruits, lunch boxes, water bottles and more.

I think we all deserve to have a party. Yes this weekend, let's see how many cheese parties we can all have. How about a local cheese themed party? Pure Luck's Ste Maure,  Veldhuizens  Red Neck Cheddar, Brazos Valley Brie, Served with Walnuts, figs, grapes and Goodflow Honey. Accompanied by A Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Real Ale's Oktoberfest.

 

Here is a link to a wonderful Monty Python skit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3KBuQHHKx0&feature=youtube_gdata

 

I I hope you beat the heat and have a great week!

Dan Gillotte

Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy

Friday, August 06, 2010

August is special!

Hi Wheatsville friends and fans,

I hope you're having a good first week of August! We've all been enjoying the stone fruits (nectarines, peaches, cherries, oh my!) and hope you have too. We have some great specials for you this month, come by and check 'em out!

 

Scroll down for:

The Co-op Advantage!

Cheese Island

Abita SOS, A Charitable Pilsner

Frozen Delights

Help reduce trash and cost in bulk buying!

New Dishes and Specials from your Wheatsville Deli!

Summer Sales Are Super!

Meaty news

 

The Co-op Advantage!

All month long we've got great deals on items you love, including delicious Back to Nature Crackers: 2 for $5, reg. $2.99! These crispy crackers will remind you of classic favorites but with more natural ingredients. Two new styles are Saltines and Crispy Cheddar (which may or may not look just like Cheez-Its), and they are very tasty. Wheatsville long-time favorites include Crispy Wheats,Organic Sto neground Wheat, Poppy Thyme Snack Crackers, Sesame Tarragon Snack Crackers and Harvest Whole Wheats. Try some today, they're on sale through the end of August!

 

Cheese Island

We have a few sales going on for this Month. We have our fresh Mozzarella on sale for $7.59/lb and our Manchego is on sale for $13.69/lb.

Our New products include Joan Of Arc Camembert , a traditional style Ricotta made with whole milk, and next week we will be introducing Saint Andre Triple Cream Brie in 6oz rounds!!

Now that P/2 Pesto is retired, the deli is making pesto using P/2's recipe. They are located in the deli self serve case and would go great with some fresh mozzarella.

 

Abita SOS, A Charitable Pilsner !

Working with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board (LSPMB), Abita Beer announced that it has established 'SOS – A Charitable Fund' that will assist with the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill.


The centerpiece of the fundraising effort is a new charitable beer created by Abita. The brew, called SOS – A Charitable Pilsner, will generate 75¢ for every bottle sold. This unfiltered Weizen Pils is made with Pilsner and Wheat malts. It is hopped and dry hopped with Sterling and German Perle hops. It has a brilliant gold color, a sweet malt flavor, and a pleasant bitterness and aroma.


Frozen Delights

New 6 Pack Blue Bell Strawberry Fruit Bars are appealing to health conscious consumers. Each fruit bar is loaded with these benefits: 100% all natural ingredients, 45% real strawberries, 50% of your daily recommended allowance of Vitamin C, 0% fat, and only 70 calories per bar. They are only $2.99 a box and located in the frozen section next to all the other desserts.

 

Help reduce trash and cost in bulk buying!

Please help us here at Wheatsville to reduce waste and make bulk buying more convenient by rolling with our new zip-lock and Sharpie marker system!  We are providing you with more durable self closing bags to promote the reusing them for your bulk items.  We believe it makes bulk buying a little more simple….just scoop, zip and write the PLU for each selection! No more hassle of twist ties and stickers. As always, we encourage you to use your own containers, and tape is available for labeling your tare weights and PLUs.  Thanks for doing your part to make the world a little greener!!


New Dishes and Specials from your Wheatsville Deli!

August is here and we have delicious new dishes for you to try! Our featured Fresh in the Deli recipes are so tasty! From the wonderful folks at Briar Patch Community Market in beautiful Grass Valley, California, we have Quinoa Polenta Corn Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce! Combining quinoa, polenta, roasted corn and red peppers, these little cakes are chockfull of goodness, are gluten-free, and go for just $1.99 each with a side of smoky red sauce! You need to try these!

From the Wild Oats Cooperative in Williamstown, Massachusetts comes the colorful Balsamic Summer Potato Salad at $5.99/lb! This picnic-perfect side tosses sliced Yukon Gold potatoes with balsamic vinegar, caramelized onions, sundried tomatoes and fresh basil! It's vegan-friendly and the lack of mayo is great for toting some along on a hot day with no fear!

Beat the heat with our Strawberry Daiquiri Smoothie, for just $3.99 each, as this month's special blends strawberries and lime juice for a creamy, cold treat! Or, if you're in need of a caffeinated wake-up call, Wheatsville's home-brewed Iced Coffee Toddy will fit the bill nicely, $1.99 each. August's salsa of the month, the brown sugar and ginger-spiked Roasted Pineapple Salsa, $7.99/lb, not only tastes great over a black bean taco, but works as a delicious chutney for fish and pork entrees – think Hawaiian! Speaking of ginger, have you tried our brand new super-fantastic Gingerade?! Made with fresh ginger and a blend of three juices, this spicy cold beverage will bring you back for more, just $1.69 each.

And Sunday Brunch hot bar has been a blast, so look for that again this Sunday!

Looking for a deal? August Owner Specials are also ready for you in the Deli! Blueberry or Raspberry Smoothies are on sale, $4.49, reg $4.99! Also, you can get an Applegate Farms Roasted Chicken sandwich for just $5.99, reg. $6.99! And our best-selling Ginger Tempeh Pasta Salad is also on sale for $7.99/lb, reg. $8.49/lb!

Also on sale at the Deli Counter are tasty cold cuts: Boar's Head Oven Roasted Chicken at $8.99/lb, reg. $9.49 and Provolone Cheese, $4.99/lb, reg. $5.99!

Come on in and find something you love!

 

SUMMER SALES ARE SUPER!

We have rockin' sales on some favorite products through the end of August, so come by the Health Team desk, say hello, and save some dough, while taking good care of yourself this summer.

We have some new housewares items, and wallets made from recycled materials to keep http://kurbantrash.com/ you looking cool this semester.

 

Wheatsville Calcium Magnesium Citrates- Regularly $8.99-$18.39, Sale price- 100 count $ 7.19, 250 count $14.69. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. Of the two to three pounds of calcium contained in the average body, 99% is located in the bones and teeth. Calcium is needed to form bones and teeth and is also required for blood clotting, transmission of signals in nerve cells, and muscle contraction.

Wheatsville Orange Chewable C-500 mg- Regularly $ 7.19-12.99, Sale price- 90 count $ 7.19, 180 count $ 12.99- is an essential nutrient for humans that helps protect the body against oxidative stress.

Solgar B-12 Liquid- Regularly $10.99, Sale price- $ 8.79- Easy to use formula for people who don't like pills, or tablets.  Use for maintenance of a healthy nervous system.

Peace of Cake Molds- Regularly $ 18.99, Sale price $ 14.99-

http://www.worldwidefred.com/peaceofcake.htm

Early Bird Alarm Clock- $ 19.99- wakes you with a gentle chirp and a woodsy glow.  Snooze button included!-

http://www.worldwidefred.com/earlybird.htm

 

We have new selection of organic prairie sliced lunchmeats. Being certified Organic and Certified humane treatment is a great way to start of the new school year, & guilt free too! We have smoked chicken breast $6.99 6oz pack, Roast beef $7.69 6oz, Roasted turkey  $7.59 6oz, Smoked turkey $6.99 6oz pack, Smoked Ham $6.99 oz. Organic Prairie is great line of products that also use 50% less packaging material than most zip seal packages. Organic Prairie products are a cooperative group of farmers with a belief sustainability and humane treatment.  Also look for $1 off coupons for Organic Prairie products.

Did you know Wheatsville has its own line own fresh sausages? Post renovation we saw the opportunity to make traditional fresh made sausages in the meat market. The best thing is we're using Niman Ranch meats, which are naturally raised, sustainable and third-party certified animal welfare standards. We make 6 varieties currently: Sweet Italian, Hot Italian, Chorizo, pork breakfast, turkey breakfast, and Chicken lime and cilantro sausage. These are recipes I've been making and refining for years. Most commercial sausages are made with more fat, almost 60%. Our sausages are leaner and made with whole ingredients, no additives or cures. You can pick these up at the meat counter or prepackage in the meat case.  You can also find the sausages making their way into the deli. Thanks to the bakery and kitchen we now have 2 great items made with our sausage for eating pleasure: Feta and sausage hand pies $2.99 each and now on our "brunch" hot bar we'll be selling the pork breakfast sausage to have with your biscuits and gravy or French toast. I personally recommend both of them; the hand pies are great anytime of the day.

Specials for the month!

Natural sea Cod filets and sticks $4.69 8oz, regular $6.59

Niman Ranch All natural Pork tenderloins $13.99/lb in 2 piece cry-o-vac, regular price $14.49/lb

Buddy's Natural chicken bone is split breast $5.29/lb, regular $5.49/lb (customer requested)

 

Thanks for supporting and participating in your Co-op!

Have a great week!

Dan Gillotte

Wheatsville GM & Email Guy

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Cooperation among co-ops and summertime fun!

Hello Wheatsville friends and fans!

 

I hope summer is treating you well. Thanks to all 2,500 of you used your Owner Appreciation Day discount benefit and made it one of our best weeks ever! I hope your pantries are nice and stocked! The next one is in October.

 

Cooperation among cooperatives

I am delighted to announce that due to the incredible support of our owners, the amazing work of our staff and the hugely successful first year in our newly renovated store, we have been able to make an investment challenge to help Black Star Co-op meet their fundraising goals and open the world's first cooperatively owned brew pub!

Black Star has approximately $180,000 left in their fundraising goal. When their owners raise $130,000 more, Wheatsville will kick in the last $50,000 so that they can open!

I'm very pleased that we are in a financial position to be able to demonstrate in a very concrete way our support and belief in a robust cooperative economy and the sixth co-op principle of cooperation among co-ops. If you're interested in cooperative business or beer or awesome new local enterprises, maybe YOU would consider investing, too? Learn more: http://www.blackstar.coop/co-operate/invest/

(If you do invest, tell 'em Wheatsville sent ya!)

Scroll down for:

Eatin' in season with the produce team!

Cheesy Goodness!

Cup of Joe- Ruta Maya coffee tastings this weekend!

Sunday brunch at Wheatsville?!?! Woo hoo!!!

New beef cuts in the Meat department

New wild-harvested Incense!

 

 

Cherries!

As the summer moves along, we start seeing more of our good friend the cherry. Right now we have delicious organic bing and rainier varieties of cherries. They have been very sweet and juicy, so come in and get some!

 

Floral Sale

We continue to run a special on our flowers. Large bouquets are on sale for $13.99 and small for $8.49. Our flowers are grown using sustainable practices and aren't sprayed with any pesticides or other chemicals or fragrances. These are a perfect way to spruce up your living area, or bedroom during these nice summer days.

 

Peaches

If you haven't eaten a Texas peach this season, you are missing out. This has been the best season for local stonefruit in about six years. Come in and get some of these juicy delights.

 

Eat in Season

Summer is the best time of year for our growers and we have some great local seasonal produce right now. We've got several varieties of squash (yellow, zucchini, and sunburst) from Martinez Farms in Pleasanton and Texas Naturals in Buda. Also, we've got okra coming in and cucumbers, tomatoes and cherry tomatoes from Tecolote Farms in Elgin.

 

Cheese Island has some good sales going on this month. Our Romanian sheep Feta on Sale for $6.29/lb, regularly $7.99/lb and our Domestic Cow Feta on Sale for $4.59/lb. Nancy's Cream Cheese 8 oz. on Sale for $1.69 ea. regulary  $2.39 ea. Organic Valley Bleu Cheese Crumbles 4 oz. on Sale for $3.49, regularly $4.29. Organic Valley Shredded Parmasean on sale for $3.49, regularly $4.29. Organic Valley Cream Cheese Tub on Sale for $2.29, regularly $2.99.

 

If you have not tried the new Chevre spread from Pure Luck, do not worry. I have plenty in stock. June's Joy is their newest creation. It is a spread made with Local Goodflow Honey, fresh thyme and black pepper. The honey compliments the tanginess of their award winning chevre, and the hint of thyme and black pepper come through in the finish. I have used it to stuff a pork tenderloin, and also have enjoyed it with fresh figs and a chilled Sauvignon Blanc.

 

Cup-a-Joe in the Bulk Department!

Look out coffee lovers…this weekend Ruta Maya Coffee Company will be sampling their amazing Dark Roast, Espresso Roast and Espresso Decaf Roast coffees in the bulk section from 9am until 5pm both Saturday and Sunday.  Come on out-grab a cup-a-joe and meet one of the local roasters Wheatsville is proud to offer in our bulk coffee selections!!

 

Chicken Quesadillas, Sausage Pies and Sunday Brunch!

 

Summertime is the right time to try some new dishes! Our brand new, simply delectable Grilled Chicken Quesadillas, generously stuffed with Cilantro-Lime-marinated, grilled Buddy's local, all-natural white meat chicken, baby spinach and Monterey Jack cheese, on Margarita's local organic flour tortillas (some white, some wheat)! We heat them just enough to melt the cheese and cut them into quarters, so they can be easily reheated or eaten cold. They're perfect with our spicy pico salsa!

And this week we're taking a stab at Sunday Brunch on the hot bar! Blueberry Baked French Toast, Biscuits & Gravy and a tasty Tofu Scramble will be just some of the items available that day, so come on in and get your day started right!

One of our bakery's newest treats uses the Featured Cheese for July, slightly salty, brined Feta. The savory Italian Sausage & Feta Pie is a whole lunch that fits in your hand! Sold out of our full serve case for just $2.99 each, these rustic treats wrap our in-house all natural, certified humane beef and pork Italian sausage with veggies and tangy feta cheese in a homemade, tender pie crust. Yum!

Our salsa of the month for July is the A-maize-ing Black Bean and Corn Salsa!

A spicy blend of organic black beans, corn, tomatoes, garlic, jalapenos and cilantro, this hearty salsa is ideal for endless chip dipping!

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! Try one for just $4.99!

Looking for a deal? July Owners Specials are also ready for you in the Deli! Yerba Mate is only 99 cents a cup, down from $1.69! Wow!! Also, you can get a Southern Fried Tofu sandwich for just $3.99, reg. $4.99! And our best-selling traditional mild Casera Salsa is also on sale for $3.99/lb, reg. $4.99/lb!

Also on sale at the Deli Counter are tasty cold cuts: Boar's Head Beef Pastrami at $9.49/lb, reg. $9.99 and Pepperjack Cheese, $5.99/lb, reg. $7.19!

And don't forget we're also here to help you with your Catering needs! From a vegan birthday cake to an all out Mediterranean feast, we have platters and salads to fit every occasion. Check out our website at http://wheatsville.coop/catering.html to get some ideas, or call the Deli to place your order: 512-478-1164!

 

Meet Wheatsville's meat!

We have some great new cuts, made for the grill, hitting the meat cases this summer. Niman ranch beef flat iron steaks are cut from the shoulder. This area is typically reserved for roasts, stew meat and ground chuck. Our experience allows us to further merchandise and remove this beauty of a cut for you. It's also known as the "Bar Steak". It's an inexpensive cut ($6.49/lb) that really delivers great beefy flavor and because of is great marbling it's very juicy. It's versatile too. Just add whatever seasonings or marinade you like, grill and serve on tacos or cold on salads. Better yet slice it and eat it as is.

Our friendly folks at Windy Bar Ranch are sending us fresh fajitas and flank steaks. These steaks once considered a throw away cuts are now highly sought after. Like most foods we love, the skirt steak has humble beginnings enjoyed by the poor farmhand. The history of the fajitas is interesting. Check out this old story from our friends at the Austin Chronicle.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:261130

We have Windy Bar skirt steaks for $8.99/lb and seasoned for $9.99/lb.

Flank steaks are even more obscure. Each cow only yielding 2 pieces, the cut is 10-12 inches long 6 inches across and no more than 1 inch - 1 ¼ inch thick. These work great as a substitute for skirt steak, but they're leaner and tend to not have the same great flavor the skirt steak. My favorite way to make flank steak is to stuff it. Start with the the steak flat on a cutting surface and with the sharpest knife you start cutting open the steak like a book. Depending on the thickness you should have about ½ inch on each side. Stop cutting just before the opposite edge. You now have a perfect vehicle for the grill. You can stuff it with anything you like. Sautéed veggies and goat cheese is my favorite but try different things. Once you have a even layer of stuffing over the entire steak start rolling. You can tie the steak or use water soaked tooth picks to hold it in place. Then just grill, it's a thin cut so is doesn't take too long. When done slice it into medallions, which should look awesome with the stuffing.

This video might help, couldn't hear the audio hope it's nothing crazy…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTYcw9U6KPs

Wheatsville gets these Windy Bar Flank steaks ($8.99/lb) in a limited supply. So call ahead and we'd be happy to save you one, if we can.

If skirt steaks and flank steaks are to your liking, ask us about the "Hanger" steak next time you're in the store. It's another interesting story.

 

Keep your eyes open for these specials this month:

Applegate Farms Great organic hotdogs $7.49 16oz package, regular priced $7.99

Applegate Organic turkey dogs $6.49 16oz regular $6.99

Organic Prairie IQF Breast portions $19.49 2 pound bag, regular $21.99.

Niman Ranch St. Louis Ribs special price of $8.99 lb, pre-cooked and gluten free

Speaking of gluten-free…did you know all Niman ranch pre-packed meat are gluten free. This includes the sausages, fearless franks, salamis, and pulled pork.  Check out the Niman ranch faq sheet http://nimanranch.com/faq.aspx

 

GEE, YOU SMELL TERRIFIC!

 

The Wheatsville Health Team is happy to tell everyone that we are now carrying Juniper Ridge incense. These are simply amazing!  Stop by and give these Sticks, and Smudges a try.

"For those of you who don't like incense because you associate it with patchouli parties and chanting Krishnas but find the smell of sitting around a campfire enjoyable and relaxing, these incenses are for you! These are the only incenses anywhere made with 100% wild-harvested leaves, wood and resins from the mountains of the West―no perfumey stuff, no added scents, no fake anything."http://www.juniperridge.com/sumbc_incense.htm 

Incense Sticks (40 per box) - $ 6.99

Wildcrafted Smudges - $ 5.99

 

I hope that you have a most excellent week!

 

Dan Gillotte

Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy