Taste all of our bulk coffees at once, and find your favorite! Our friends from Equal Exchange, Peace Coffee and Just Coffee will all be here on Saturday, March 13 from 10-12 to give you samples of the coffees they sell here in bulk. It’s also a great time to talk with them about their philosophy, their visits with coffee farmers, and their business models. If you’re a coffee lover, don’t miss the Coffee Tasting!
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Saturday Morning Coffee Tasting
CSA Day!
Head in today from 11-2 for CSA Day! Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms are a unique way for people to receive fresh, locally grown food at a reasonable price every week during the warm months. Ten local CSA farms will be at CSA Day to talk with: you can learn about their farming practices and products available, and have the chance to purchase a farm share for the season.
CSA farmers sell “shares” in their upcoming harvest during the spring, giving them the capital to prepare for the growing season. Then, usually from about June to October, the folks who have purchased shares (usually referred to as CSA members) head to the farm each week to pick up an often bountiful basket of whatever is in season. By purchasing a share, CSA members share in the risks, and the rewards, of the season.
This is the fifth year that the Co-op has hosted CSA Day. This year, attendees will find CSA farmers who are growing and producing vegetables, cheese, eggs and meats. In addition, our local turkey producers will be on hand to talk about heritage birds for Thanksgiving 2010. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet local farmers!
Winter Local Food Recipes
Whether you’re taking the Winter Eat Local Challenge from March 1–7 or you’re just looking for yummy recipes, check out our winter local recipes page. It’s a great list of delicious dishes for which at least 50% of the ingredients (either by weight or number) are generally available from local sources in the winter.
Have a local recipe to share? Make a batch for the Local Food Potluck on Thursday, March 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the Just Food Community Room (bring a plate and utensils too). See the upcoming events in the sidebar for details for this and other events and classes during the Winter Eat Local Challenge.
Get ready for the Winter Eat Local Challenge
Think you can only eat locally-produced foods in the summer? Think again! There are lots of local foods (even some produce) available right now. So join us in taking the Winter Eat Local Challenge, from March 1 through March 7. The challenge is to eat 50% of your food from the 5 state area for 1 week.
Need a little inspiration? Visit http://www.eatlocaljustfood.wordpress.com to hear other people’s stories, recipes, and ideas. And make sure to attend the free Eat Local events: Intro to Permaculture on Monday, March 1 at 7 p.m., Local Food Potluck on Thursday, March 4 at 5:30 in the Community Room followed by a presentation on Local Food Policy in Rice County at 7 p.m., and CSA Day on Saturday, March 6. Call to reserve your seat for classes.
Just Food voted Best Groceries
Thank you, Northfield, for voting for Just Food Co-op for Best Groceries and Best Healthy Food in the Northfield Entertainment Guide/Locally Grown Northfield’s Best of 2009! We’re so happy that you enjoy shopping with us as much as we love having you here!
Love your Co-op
Looking for a great gift that everyone is sure to love? Visit your friendly neighborhood Co-op for sweet ideas, like Equal Exchange Love Buzz coffee. We’ve also got an excellent assortment of chocolate and chocolate confections, delicious bulk teas, and cookies for every taste. And who doesn’t love a basket full of citrus?
On Valentines Day, and every day, shop at Just Food Co-op!
Superbowl Madness at the Just Food Deli!
Head to the Just Food Deli this weekend for delicious treats for your football fans at game time! In the Grab & Go cooler we’ll be featuring Peppadew Cream Cheese Dip and Baked Vidalia Onion Dip. You can also head there for Spinach Artichoke Dip (serve hot or cold with bread) and Thai Peanut Dip (serve hot or cold with meat or veggie skewers). On Sunday you’ll find Chicken Wings in the cooler, ready for you to take home and heat up. And all weekend long, enjoy Chili (hot from the soup pot) and Cornbread (available in the cooler)!
Now Hiring!
Looking for a really great place to work? Look no further than Just Food Co-op! We’re currently hiring for two part-time positions. Click here for the position descriptions, and start your co-op career today!
Beautiful Bouquets
Put a little spring in your step! Treat yourself to a beautiful bouquet when picking up tonight’s groceries at Just Food Co-op. Learn more about our partnership with Forget-Me-Not in the next edition of The ComPost, coming out February 1. (Owners, look for it in your mailbox in the next day or two.)
Also in this edition: Winter Eat Local Challenge, Minnesota FoodShare, gardening classes, and more!
A Letter from Erin Johnson of Open Hands Farm re: the Waterford/Northfield Agreement
Dear friends,
Yet again, Waterford is struggling to protect its precious agricultural land for food to feed Northfield for future generations. Waterford Township’s annexation agreement is under attack and we need your help.
On Monday January 11th, Joel Walinski and Brian O’Connell from the City of Northfield came to the Waterford Town Board meeting. They presented a memo to the Board that was written by the new City Attorney, Chris Hood. The memo (http://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/2/2010CCR008–ATTACH-1-Memo-re-Waterford.pdf) declared the Waterford annexation agreement, which the governor signed into law in 1981, to be null and void. He went on to advise the council to stop making payments to Waterford for the annexed Sheldahl property and that the annexation part of the agreement has no binding effect. His memo states this clearly: “Based on the foregoing, I recommend that the City stop any further tax reimbursement payments to the Township based on the 1980 Joint Resolution as such payments are not authorized by law. With respect to future annexations in Waterford Township, the City should move forward with consideration of such matters pursuant to governing ordinance and state statute without consideration of the 1980 Joint Resolution as it is not relevant and does not have any operative effect. The City Council may want to consider, at this time or in the future, approaching Waterford Township regarding the development a long-term orderly annexation process to guide future growth, development and municipal services in the Township.”