Wheatsville Co-op Austin, TX

[Dan gillotte <dangillotte AT gmail.com>]

Hello Wheatsville friends and fans!

I was hoping to be writing this from our new addition as I welcomed you all in with a big smile. But, the contractor had a different idea and so I am writing you to tell you about our delay. As of this post, I do not know for certain when we will be able to occupy and open the new addition. We are shooting for opening the new addition to customers on Monday March 30th. As soon as I know this to be the real date, I will send out a rare second e-mail to let you all know right away! You can also stay updated with us on Facebook and Twitter. When we open the new addition, then the real fun begins as we will start to renovate the interior of the main store. Things may end up in unusual places for portions of this time, so don't be afraid to ask a staff person to help you find what you need!

Once again, we're disappointed that we are having a delay, but it is looking really good in there and I think you'll be very excited once we are open for business. Thanks for your patience!

Austin Green Art, Resolution Gardens and Earthday

Have you seen the two small raised beds out on the patio. Our pals at AUstin Green Art set them up and planted them the other day as part of a pilot program to build and maintain raised beds all over the city. Wheatsville is working to be a major partner in this project and will hope to help get raised beds in many many of our owners' yards over the next several months. This program is literally two weeks old from concept, so hag tight for more news!

Save the date for Earthday weekend- Saturday April 18th is the Wheatsville sponsored Austin Green Art Earthday downtown at Republic Square park.

Produce news from Johnny
Local Cilantro
Some time in the next few days we'll be switching over to some beautiful, locally grown cilantro from our friends over at Urban Roots. These kids are doing great things, and we are proud to support them as they learn about sustainability and community. For more about Urban Roots, check them out on the web:http://www.youthlaunch.org/programs/urbanroots.php

Apple Bags
We currently have pink ladies in bags! The bagged variety are very small; cute really. Pink lady apples are by far my favorite variety. They are sweet forward, and tart back. They tend to be extremely crisp, and rarely mealy. Perfect.

We also have Fuji and Gala bags as well. Come get some for your juicing and eating pleasure.

Sprung
Spring seems to trickle in slowly in the produce department. As the seasons change, be sure to try all the fresh organic goodies that we offer. Fennel is a nice late winter, early spring crop that is very versatile. With its anise flavor, and celery crunch, fennel makes a great addition or base for raw salads. Coat it in oil, salt and pepper, and roast it in a hot oven until it is caramelized for a delicious side dish. Greens also split these seasons, and are just as versatile. Lacinato kale is great raw, but even better when steamed and finished in butter, olive oil, or earth balance with just a splash of vinegar.

In The Grocery Aisle
 
Maggie’s Soap Nuts:
I had to find out if Maggie’s Soap Nuts actually made my laundry clean. I was a little surprised to find out how well they worked. Soap Nuts are the fruit of the Chinese Soapberry tree. They contain saponin, a natural cleaner that leaves your clothes soft and clean without any chemicals or scents. All you have to do is put a few Soap Nuts in the included cotton bag and put them in the washing machine. This is a truly sustainable and earth friendly product that I’m proud to use. I was quite impressed. Next time I’ll try the concentrated liquid version. To learn more about this great product and company, go to http://www.maggiespureland.com  

Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer

The deli isn't moved into new digs yet, but they are still rocking the delicious food! 
It’s Spring Break and SXSW, and it couldn’t be a more beautiful week for it! Come drop by your loving Wheatsville Deli for a fresh taste of spring!

Renew yourself with our St. Patrick’s Day-themed smoothie of the month, “Soylent Green is Leprechauns!” This tasty pineapple-strawberry brew has an added boost of protein-rich spirulina (plus the obligatory ground-up leprechauns, magically vegan of course!) to give the shake added nutritional value as well as a brilliant green hue!

Poblano Salsa is our salsa of the month – and has been such a hit, we’re thinking about making it all the time! Tell us what you think! This green salsa blends poblanos with tomatillos, jalapenos, onions, garlic and lime juice to make a delicious, spicy and flavorful salsa, perfect for dipping chips or topping your taco!

Also in the case this week you may find such delectable treats as Garlic-Butter Grilled Yellowfin Tuna Steaks, Spring Beets with Orange, Vegan Colcannon, Spicy Mango Quinoa, Insalata Caprese, Red Curry Tofu, Turkish Garbanzo Bean Salad, Risotto Cakes, Curry Lime Chicken Salad, Creole Yams… and in the bakery our chocolaty, old-fashioned Texas Sheet Cake and chewy, sweet Vegan Oatmeal Cream Pies!

Money-saving coupons this month at the Deli include 50 cents off a delicious Tuna Salad Sandwich, made with fresh green apples, celery, red bell peppers, carrots and green onions, on any kind of bread you like with all the veggies you could ask for! We’re also featuring 25 cents off a Black Bean Taco, which you can order on your choice of corn, white or wheat tortilla, a slew of veggies and your choice of salsa (try the Poblano!!). We also have a great deal going on in the self-serve case – our all-white meat, all-natural Buddy’s Chicken Salad, tossed with tart apples, toasted pecans and crunchy celery in a fresh basil mayonnaise dressing, is 50 cents off the price of each package all month long.

Come in to celebrate Spring and change – in the form of our upcoming move to the new Deli space! – with your Wheatsville Deli!
 
In the Beer Aisle
Beer o’ the Week
Bohemia
 
Refreshing and delicious, Bohemia Beer was originally launched into the market at the turn of the 20th century. Bohemia Beer is a premium lager with a reputation for quality. 
The name Bohemia comes from the Czech Eastern Bohemia region. The Czech Emperor in Vienna sent a Czech brewmaster to Mexico to teach the Mexicans how to brew beer. What a tasty history!
 
Real Ale Special---Limited time only!

 
Enjoy Texas’ own Real Ale at a reduced price, just in time for Spring Break and South by Southwest! Regular price:$7.49  Sale Price:$6.99

I hope that you have a great week and thanks again for your continued patience on our project. It will be worth the wait!

Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy