Just Food Co-op

Visit the Just Food produce department and discover the amazing amount of fresh, locally-grown produce already available. Simply look for the purple signs that designate products grown within the five-state area. The sign will also tell you more specifically where that product was grown, so you can decide what your personal definition of local is and easily find products that meet your needs.

As we get further into the growing season, you’ll find that more and more of our produce will be local. Our commitment to local farmers and to building the local foodshed is probably most visible by the sheer number of purple signs in our produce department! And as always, if you need help identifying any of our produce, or you’d like some cooking suggestions, our friendly and knowledgeable produce staff are always happy to help!

NOTE: CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELED.

How to Break Up with Your Car: A panel discussion to support wannabe cyclists.
Wednesday, May 19, 7-8 p.m. in the Just Food Community Room
Cost: FREE. Please register by phone or with a cashier. 507.650.0106

Want to start driving less and biking more? Whether you want to bike to the grocery store and library on the weekends, or commute to work by bike every day, you’ll find inspiration and information at this excellent (and free!) event. Local bike enthusiasts will present a panel discussion and answer your questions on how to bike more and use your car less in support of Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 21. Panelists will address the nuts and bolts of getting from here to there on a bike, assessing what equipment you might need and how to do that on a budget, practical strategies for choosing routes, parking and locking, and safe biking practices. There will be door prizes and other giveaways as incentives to get you riding.

Don’t miss our annual Mothers Day Plant Sale this weekend, May 8 and 9, during business hours in the boulevard in front of the store. You’ll find a great selection of locally-grown organic and IPM herb, flowers, and vegetables, including the ever-popular Sungold cherry tomato plants grown with loving care by our friends at Big Woods Farm! You’ll find starts from Gardens of Eagan this year too.

We’ll have local farmers on hand from 10-2 on Saturday to answer your planting and gardening questions. Plus, during that time you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the final stage of our community art project.

We’re all trying to tighten up the belts in this tough economic time. Come to the Co-op’s Community Room Thursday, April 6 at 6 p.m. to learn the secrets to buying healthy, natural, organic and local foods while staying within your budget. You’ll get tools to help you make the most of your money while feeling good about your food choices.

The class is free, but please reserve your seat by speaking with a cashier or calling 507-650-0106.

Come down to Just Food Co-op tonight or tomorrow for the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway! On Friday, April 30 from 3-6 p.m. the Rice County Mastergardeners will be here giving out free tree saplings. They’re a group of volunteer educators and they’ll also be giving out important educational information about tree selection and correct methods to plant. Then on Saturday, May 1, the Northfield Environmental Quality Commission will be giving out trees from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Experienced tree handlers will be on hand with advice on tree selection, planting and ongoing care.

The trees are available on a first come, first serve basis.

NOTE: The Earth Day Celebration will be held at the rain location at the Armory on Division Street.

Northfield Earth Day Celebration at Central Park
Saturday, April 24, 1-4:30 p.m., Central Park (rain location, Northfield Armory)
Activities for all ages include crafts for kids, big ball soccer, relay races, entertainment, and the chance to explore what’s happening to promote a sustainable Northfield! Recycling bins available for the collection of used Christmas lights and inkjet cartridges. Sign up for a Community Garden plot, learn how to save energy and help the earth. Music by the Northfield Arts Guild Mexican Folkloric Dance, Musicians from NHS and the Carleton Porch Light Collective. ASL interpreter available. This event has been organized by Transition Northfield and is co-sponsored by Just Food Co-op, ARTech, Carleton ACT and Northfield EQC.

Note: this event is not sponsored by Just Food Co-op. This information is given as a community service only.

4th Annual Northfield Earth Day Contra Dance!
Friday, April 23 at the Northfield Armory. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Free Contra Dance lesson from 7:00-7:30 (recommended for all participants). Contra Dancing from 7:30-10:30, featuring the music of Contratopia and “caller” Robin Nelson of Tapestry Dance Center in Minneapolis. Participation is recommended for persons over the age of 10. A supervised dance/play area will be provided for children under 10 yrs.

Admission: $9 adults; $6 students and youth under 18 years (family cap is $25 per family). No dance partner or contra dance experience required! Contra dance instruction is provided at 7:00 p.m. (recommended for all participants) and “called” out throughout each dance.
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Note: this event has been organized by Transition Northfield and is co-sponsored by Just Food Co-op, ARTech, Carleton ACT and Northfield EQC.

Northfield Earth Day Celebration at Central Park
Saturday, April 24, 1-4:30 p.m., Central Park (rain location, Northfield Armory) Activities for all ages include crafts for kids, big ball soccer, relay races, entertainment, and the chance to explore what’s happening to promote a sustainable Northfield! Recycling bins available for the collection of used Christmas lights and inkjet cartridges. Sign up for a Community Garden plot, learn how to save energy and help the earth. Music by the Northfield Arts Guild Mexican Folkloric Dance, Musicians from NHS and the Carleton Porch Light Collective. ASL interpreter available.

Have you been curious how clean the Cannon River really is? Do you wonder what is being done to keep our waterways clean? Do you know how far we’ve come?

Hear from Cannon River Watershed Partnership’s Executive Director Beth Kallestad for the State of the Watershed Address this Wednesday, April 21 from 7-8 p.m. in the Just Food Co-op Community Room. This free talk will provide an overview of how our waterways compare with state standards and the important work of CRWP. Celebrate Earth Day by learning more about the watershed in which you live!

We’ve got some great classes lined up this month, but register soon. We’ve already had one fill up!

Backyard Chickens: FREE! 4/15, 7-8:30 p.m. in the Community Room (516 Water St S, Northfield)
Join Aaron Wills and Molly McGovern Wills as they recount their first year of raising urban chickens. Their stories, insights and information on resources will give you the confidence you need to start raising your own.

State of the Watershed Address: FREE! 4/21, 7-8 p.m. in the Community Room
Beth Kallestad, Executive Director of the Cannon River Watershed Partnership, will provide an overview of how our lakes and streams are doing with regard to state water quality standards. She’ll also talk about what CRWP is doing to protect the watershed, and how you can help.

Build your own Rain Barrel: $45/$42 owners, 4/28. 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Community Room
Daniel Jones will talk about how rain barrels can benefit your yard and gardens, and take you through the steps of building your own rail barrel to take home. Must be 18 and sign a waiver to use power tools.

Looking for fair-trade, organic Easter candy? Come down to the Co-op for these delicious chocolate eggs…. a screaming deal at 80 cents each or three for $2. Or, get a great ready-made bag of tasty treats too.

Make sure to come down soon, though, because our supply is limited.

Just Food will be closed on Sunday, April 4 so that our staff can spend the holiday with family and friends.