Wheatsville Co-op Austin, TX

[Dan gillotte <dangillotte AT gmail.com>]

Hello Wheatsville friends!

I hope that you are having a great week! There has been a lot of exciting stuff happening around here lately!

This week, scroll down for:
Expansion/ Renovation update including some major changes that MIGHT affect you!

Wheatsville sponsors It's My Park Day and other upcoming events.
Good food for less
Orange you glad it's citrus season?
Sneak peek at the Wheatsville Meat and seafood department of the (near) future
Cheese and Beer news

Deli yumminess
More Staff Picks!
Board meeting

Where's the bathroom?!?!?
So,
we are really starting to heat up on the project front and it's going
to start affecting you even more starting early next week! In order to
build our new refrigerated cooler, we have to build it through the
current customer bathroom. So, we need to close the bathroom beginning
on Monday for 2-3 weeks. We will have a lit, ADA compliant portable
bathrooom (with handwashing station!) at the Southeast corner of the
building. I know that this is kind of a bummer, but there really was no
way to proceed without this step. The plus side is that within 3 weeks,
we will opening up our brand spanking new bathrooms!

Yep, it's true by March 15th (or so) we will be utilizing the new
addition!!! We'll have lots of details coming your way in the March
edition of the Breeze, but in brief, you'll get access to our new deli,
new meat and seafood, and more! Stay tuned to e-mails for more news!

Thanks for your continuing patience on this immense project!

Wheatsville's community involvement (and you can help!)
Wheatsville has long been an important partner with lots of local groups, but over the past few years, we have really stepped up our involvement and support. This year, we are taking that commitment even further with MAJOR sponsorships of some important local events!

This year, we are major sponsors of It's My Park Day on March 7th, Austin Green Art Earth Day on April 18th, and the Sustainable Food Center's signature fundraiser, Farm to Plate in May.I am really proud and pleased to partner with these great groups and help them to do the good work t hat they do in our community.
The fine folks at the Austin Parks Foundation are the movers and shakers behind the awesome It's My Park Day and they could use your help! Here's more about it and how you can get involved!

It's My Park! Day, presented by Wheatsville Food Co-op, is an annual citywide park volunteer event. Individuals and community groups lead projects ranging from simple cleaning and repair to trail building and playground installation. 

This year's It's My Park! Day, coming up March 7, features more than 50 different projects at parks in every area of town. Tree planting will be a major focus. Come meet your neighbors and lend a hand at a park near you! 

See the full list of projects and register online at www.austinparks.org. Registered volunteers receive a free tee shirt. Snacks will be provided by Wheatsville.

Wheatsville Herb Fair TRANSPLANTED!
Due to the construction, our annual celebration of growing season is being held downtown at the Austin Farmer's Market! 
Come visit the temporarily transplanted Herb Fair on March 14th from 9am-1pm at Republic Square Park.

Wotta Deal!
Here's the latest from Chill Buyer, Mike Crissey

Yogurt, an important part of your broke-as-a-joke breakfast

I'm
a big breakfast taco fan (the deli folks have my order memorized) but
sometimes I need to switch things up when I'm short on cash or time.

Here's my back-up breakfast, which won't break the bank:

A muffin from the Wheatsville bakery ($1.49)
A banana (organic or conventional) from the Produce section ($.27 to $.50)

A cup of your favorite yogurt ($.79 on sale, or $.99 to $1.49)
Total: $2.55 to $3.97.

This
month's yogurt sale is Brown Cow Whole Milk cups (the red tops) for
$.79 (reg. $.99). Next month during March, Stonyfield Farm organic
yogurt cups (low-fat and whole milk) go on sale for $.79 (reg. $.99).

You butter not miss this sale!

If you haven't tried Remember
When Dairy's absolutely intoxicating farmstead  butter, you've been
missing out. My eyes roll back into my head when I peel the lid off a
half-pound container and the scent of butterfat hits my nostrils. This
tangy butter makes everything better. It's made with low-temperature
pasteurized, non-homogenized milk from mostly grass-fed, pastured
jersey cows, which receive no artificial hormones or antibiotics. 

For a limited time, the half-pound tubs of this fantastic butter
will be $2.99 -- $1.60 off the regular price of $4.59. No whey, you may
say. Butter grab them while you can.

End of Dairy Puns (for this communication at least!)

Grocery deal of the week from Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer
Annie's Shells and Real Aged Cheddar:

 
They're on sale right now. This is a perfect time to stock up on one of the most convenient natural foods. Annie's Shells and Cheddar
are made with organic pasta and real, natural cheese, and colored with
natural annatto. They taste great too. I always keep some on hand for
the kids' lunch time. They're definitely a hit at my house, and Annie's
is a great, health conscious and earth conscious company. Learn more
athttp://www.annies.com

So fresh you'll want to slap it, here is a produce update from Johnny Livesay!
Citrus Season Going Strong
If
you haven't tried any of this season's citrus, then you are really
missing out. We've been getting a lot of feedback from customers about
this seasons Rio Star grapefruit, they are sweet, juicy and delicious.
Personally, I have really enjoyed the Cara Cara pink navels, meyer
lemons, blood oranges and the clementines. They are all organic, make
great additions to salads, and vinaigrettes. Try using them to marinate
some chicken or some tofu. Get'em while they last, the season is pretty
short, deliciously short.

 
What a Fungi   
I
want to let you all know about a somewhat undiscovered gem in our
produce department, the king trumpet musroom. We've been carrying these
since the summer, and they have been slow to take off, but if you've
ever eaten them then you are probably a huge fan. These mushrooms are
long and dense, with a very meaty texture. I like them best thinly
sliced, and sauteed in butter with a little garlic and fresh thyme.
They go well with pasta, steak, brasies, and cooked on top of a fresh
salad. Try them out, you will not be disappointed.

 
They Call 'em Fingers but I've Never Seen 'em Fing   
Fingerlings.
Best potatoes ever? Fact, or fiction? I say fact. These little tubers
are like a butter wraped in a thin, delicious skin. I find them best to
be boiled until fork tender, then finished in butter, preferably
Remember When, or duck fat if you have some handy, with some salt and
pepper. We sell them in the bag, and loose.
 
In the Beer Aisle
SEASONAL BEER! LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Lagunitas Gnarlywine
From
the groovy brewery in northern California, Lagunitas Gnarlywine (like
Barleywine) is available at Wheatsville for only a few months of the
year. Witness the chocolaty malt so completely intermingled with the
thick forest of hops that it is really hard to tell them apart. A
heavy, rich flavor, bursting at the seams. Sweet coffee aftertaste.
Enjoy it while it lasts! (in the singles cooler) http://www.lagunitas.com/
 
Your yummy deli cooks for you!
We have an
abundance of delicious treats to warm your soul and fill your belly
this week in the Wheatsville Deli! In today's deli case are so many of
our staff and customer favorites: Crispy Fish Cakes, Curry Lime
Chicken Salad, Risotto Cakes, Almond-Roasted Asparagus,
Balsamic-Marinated Portobello Mushrooms, Texas Caviar, and tons more! We have Mongolian BBQ Tofu, Southern Fried Tofu and Popcorn Tofu! 
Ward off cold and flu season with our Garlic Soup, or try a hearty cup of our hearty Minestrone. As always, sandwiches, tacos, and our rice 'n' beans are ready to be served just the way you like 'em. 

Wheatsville's salsa of the month for February is the smoky, sweet Ancho Bomb!
This smooth, red salsa combines smoky, dried ancho peppers with the
sweetness of roasted red bell peppers, plus a bit of fresh-squeezed
orange juice and fresh garlic to round out the flavors. Try a dollop on
a Custom Breakfast Taco! Ancho Bomb also makes a fabulous enchilada
sauce! 

And don't forget our righteously famous Frito Pie, made with our own Tempeh Chili – it's a chewy, crunchy taste sensation, and the perfect lunch any day of the week. 

Or just grab a bite from our self-service deli case – green salads, chicken salad, Gingered Tempeh Pasta, tuna salad, pimento cheese, Thai Pasta, Black Olive Hummus… all these and more await you, so stop in and let the Wheatsville Deli fill you up!


New from the Wheatsville Bakery comes a Lone Star classic, Texas Sheet Cake!
When warm icing is poured over a hot, fresh from the oven cake, three
layers of deliciousness result upon cooling: a layer of creamy
chocolate frosting on top, a brownie-like layer of fudgy goodness in
the middle, and a moist layer of chocolate cake beneath. Following an
authentic recipe, our version of the official state cake is topped with
toasted pecans. Think you can handle all of that chocolaty Texan
goodness? Well, come and take it! That is, if it doesn't sell out
before you make it here!

From Bryan, the Butcher:
If you've been by the
store recently you can see that big changes are afoot. We're all very
excited about the future of Wheatsville. When it comes to the meat and
seafood department you're grown to love, great changes are on the
horizon. Many folks have noticed that some products can't be found in
their usual place. That may be for several reasons. One of which is
just a general re-organization of the department. Another is just a
real lack of merchandizing space. That's all changing and you're going
to have all those choices back and much, much more.

One thing I'm really excited about is the new seafood case, which
means no more tray and film wrapped fish. Wheatsville is a pledged
member of the seafood advocacy group and is please to offer the best
choices possible when it comes to sustainable seafood. We'll have fresh
shrimp and awesome Alaskan sea scallops, oysters, rock lobster, blue
crab, calamari and whole fish on display plus all the great selection
you have all ready seen. All sustainably raised,  of course. It will be
a personal mission of mine to provide only environmentally responsible
and sustainable seafood for our members. Attempts to go all sustainable
by our very large competitors have left them under scrutiny. Because of
our size we know we can offer the real deal in sustainability. 

Another really cool thing will be a great selection of fresh made sausages made at Wheatsville. We already have a great beef and pork Italian sausage which is already devoured regularly by customers (you know who you are). Another favorite is the fantastic spicy Moroccan style lamb sausage which
can be used for all kinds of recipes, from traditional dishes to
hamburgers. If you haven't seen these before that's probably because we
have sold out, which can happen in a few hour sometimes, but the great
thing is that will change and we'll always have these and other great
fresh made sausages.

More local products will be found too. We're going to have greater
selection grass-fed beef, pastured pork, pasture raised poultry
including heritage turkey for next thanksgiving. And all from our
favorite local producers like Bastrop Cattle Company, Richardson's farms, Dewberry Hills Farm, Country Side Meats, and Loncito's grass fed lamb.

We also plan to invite the house cook to take the night off with
the addition of quick to fix entrées. With choices like marinated
chicken breast, spiced crusted roasts, and stuffed everything else it
will make dinner decisions less stressful. Look for the exciting new
meat department in our new digs toward the middle of March!

We still have Niman boneless ribeye at $1 off with member coupon and Niman sweet Italian sausage $1 off so come by soon before this offer is gone!

Here's a quick word from our friend Patty Jacobs with Bastrop Cattle Company.


Drought Cuts Quantity, but Not Quality

As most
of you already know, Central Texas is in the depths of a two-year
drought.  It certainly is affecting all of us - we here in the rural
areas know how you in the cities are being asked to cut back on water
usage - and we appreciate your sacrifices.

For many of us out here its not just an environmental crisis - most
of us are now dependent on our water wells for our animals and our
corps - it's also an economic crisis.  And we do need your help.

When
you shop at your local Farmers Market or at stores that carry local,
sustainable food, you are directly buying from your rural neighbors. 

We don't want charity.  We have great produce and guarantee that
the quality is outstanding!  When you shop with us, it re-enforces what
we're doing and means we can continue to sow and raise the healthy,
sustainable foods you want close to home.

You accomplish much by your choice of where to shop and buy. 
Buying lettuce and kale locally means your money stays in the
community, it means your carbon footprint is smaller and it means that
the food you are buying is more environmentally friendly.

Thank you!

Thanks Patty we always appreciate your insight as a local producer.

No
recipe from the meat department this week so get out there, be
creative, have fun and feed someone you love! (Or, check out these
recipes on our web-site!)

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 .

What do you love?
Check out our "Staff Top Ten Picks" posted throughout the store, we work here and shop here!!!

Look for the green signs in front of the products. 

Featuring Mindy Dolnick, Baker

Coconut O.N.E. - Easily the most refreshing drink on the planet!
Dried Mango - This chewy all-natural snack quickly satisfies the sweet tooth
Smart Puffs - WARNING: It's incredibly easy to eat this entire bag in one sitting...by yourself


South Austin People Sandalwood Vanilla Spray : A fresh, soothing scent from South Austin People
EmergenC Pink Lemonade packets - tasty hydration, on-the-go
Wheatsville deli's Vegan Colcannon - healthy comfort food?  yes, please! 


Wateroak Farm Goat Milk Ice Cream: Rich, creamy, flavorful, and locally made!
Yogi Tea Kava stress relief - sweet dreams in a mug
Naked Juice Peach Mangosteen Bliss - Peaches + Mangosteen = a perfect pair

Stonyfield Farm Caramel Underground Yogurt - It's good for you, but tastes like it should be bad for you.  Love it!

Featuring Gabriel Gallegos, Membership Coordinator
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Biscuit and Baking Mix: The best gluten free mix I've tried so far.  It's a staple in my kitchen.
Enjoy Life Gluten Free Snickerdoodles: Hands down the best soft-baked gluten free cookie out there.

Amy's Black Bean Enchiladas: I never knew frozen enchiladas could taste so good!
L&A Coconut Pineapple Juice: It's like dessert in a bottle!
Tinkyada Rice Pastas: By far, the best gluten free pastas.  We also carry it in bulk.

Van de Walle Farms Salsa:Great on tofu scrambler for breakfast.
El Milagro Corn Tortillas:You can't find a better bargain for corn tortillas than this and they taste great too!
Ener-G Tapioca Loaf: It's packaged like a science project, but it makes great sandwiches when toasted.

Nature's Path Mesa Sunrise Flakes: I love to eat these for breakfast with vanilla almond milk.
Rice Dream Horchata: Nothing hits the spot quite like a glass of ice-cold horchata.

 Have a Great Week!

Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy