Wheatsville Co-op Austin, TX

[Dan gillotte <dangillotte AT gmail.com>]

Hi frends!

Introducing the Wheatsville Food Co-op Gro-op!
In partnership with our friends at Austin Green Art and Resolution Gardens, Wheatsville is launching an easier way to grow your own food! Come to the launch announcement and film screening at the Triangle from 4pm-10pm on Wed. April 22nd! Join us for a screening of King Corn and learn more about the Wheatsville Gro-op!

Wheatsville Presents the Austin Green Art eARTHday this Saturday!
Gateway to the Green Economy
Join us Saturday, April 18, 9 am - 3 pm at Republic Square Park (4th & Guadalupe)
Join thousands of your neighbors, local green businesses and environmental groups and the cultural community in a manifestation of the Sustainability Revolution! Products, services, food, kids activities, music, art and more celebrating life in balance and restoration. http://www.austinearthday.com/
This event is rain or shine, and we need the rain so bad, that we're not even hoping that it stops! But even though you're sweet, you're not made of sugar, right? So head on down and celebrate Earthday!

The new store is really coming together, eh?
Despite some chaos and lots and lots of movement and changes the store is really starting to move toward its final look. Thanks for your continued patience and patronage. Your support makes this all possible. We've made some significant changes to grocery, vitamins, bodycare and produce this week. Please be sure to ask if you're not finding what you need. We haven't gotten rid of any product to make these moves, so if it was here last week, it's probably here this week... somewhere. We're trying to have extra staff on to be there to help you find what you need.

Word from the new and improved deli!
A fair trade organic coffee bar, a beautiful bakery case brimming with treats, and fresh-baked artisan breads – including a fabulously crusty, organic French baguette! – are just three of the many new reasons to come out to the Wheatsville Deli this week! But there are so many more!
In the full-serve case you may find the creamy, spicy Red Curry Tofu, Balsamic-Glazed Grilled Portobello Mushrooms, pungent Broccoli with Cashew Tamari, crispy Risotto Cakes, Curry Lime Chicken Salad, grilled sustainable Yellow fin Tuna Steaks, tender Almond Roasted Asparagus, healthy Lively Carrots and Beets, the Asian-spiced Ume Bean Salad, and tons more! We have Mongolian BBQ Baked Tofu, Southern Fried Tofu and Popcorn Tofu – which is looking better than ever thanks to our new deep fryer! 

African Peanut and Minestrone soups are on the menu as well. As always, custom sandwiches – grab a coupon for 50 cents off a Boar’s Head Ovengold Turkey Sandwich this month – tacos, and our rice ‘n’ beans are ready to be served just the way you like ‘em. This is one of the BEST VALUE lunches in the whole dang town! 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 on any day. 

Or just grab a bite from our self-service deli case – grab-n-go sandwiches, green salads, Chicken Salad, Gingered Tempeh Pasta, Tuna Salad, Pimento Cheese… you can even save 25 cents off the Thai Pasta this month!… all these and more await you, so stop in and let the Wheatsville Deli fill you up!

And be sure to try the Deli Counter’s latest smoothie of the month, the refreshing “Pineapple Banana Dream,” a smoothie bursting with fruit and reminiscent of sipping pina coladas on the beach!
 
From the Land of Cheese:
 
Some Brie facts:
Brie is a soft, cow’s milk cheese that originated in the Brie region of France. It has a buttery texture and nutty flavor. Brie is traditionally made with raw milk and aged for a period of four to five weeks. Unfortunately, government regulation requires any cheeses made with raw milk, to be aged at least 60 days. So, that means you have to go to France if you want to eat true Brie. The outside of the Brie is covered with a white mold (penicillium candidum) and is meant to be eaten. Bries tend to have butterfat content around 45%. Double cream bries, like Fromage D' Affinios have a butterfat content around 60%. Triple cream bries, such as Saint Andres, have a butterfat content of 75%. Brie can be eaten with crackers, crusty bread, or fruits and nuts, like pistachios and pears. A subtle red wine, like a Pinot Noir or a dry, lively white wine, like a nice Champagne is a good pair. Quince paste or fruit preserves could also be served along with the Brie.
 
There are two “bries” that we carry that I would highly recommend. Brazos Vellay Cheese Company’s  Brie  and the Saint Andre triple cream. Brazos Valley Cheese Company is located outside of Waco on the Brazos  River. Let this cheese sit out for an hour, before eating. After five minutes of sitting, this cheese starts to change states and from the inside out turns into a slow river of butterfat. This brie is made from fresh Texas cows milk and made without the use of additives or preservatives. The Saint Andre triple cream is made using a sour cream, sweet cream and heavy cream. This gives it its dense body, tangy taste, satin texture and a butterfat content of 75%. I would absolutely recommend Champagne and strawberries to compliment this cheese.
 
The use of brie does not have to be confined to appetizer or on a cheese plate. It can be used in many different recipes. Use brie in place of butter for mashed potatoes. If you are daring, use it alongside the butter. It can be used in mac and cheese or as a filling for tarts.  I had a wonderful sandwich made up of turkey, brie and fig spread on marbled rye. Once you start eating this cheese and understanding the nuances of its taste and texture, you will realize the uses for this cheese are almost limitless.
 
 
Word from Bryan, the Butcher
 
Most of our customers can walk up to our seafood department and pick anything they like, knowing that we’re providing them with high quality, sustainable seafood. Wouldn’t you like to take that confidence with you when you eat out? Even the best restaurants struggle with balancing quality seafood with tight budgets, and more often than not the quality is what ends up suffering. Though most restaurants have sustainable options, like catfish or tilapia, you still have to know what to look for. Wheatsville Food Co-op, as a pledged member of the seafood advocacy watch, is proud to provide you with information and knowledge to make informed decisions at all times. That’s why we provide you with the same information we use to stock our shelves.
 
Try this link: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx
 
This seafood watch list provided by the Monterey Bay Aquarium is wallet sized, so you can take it anywhere. You can also have it downloaded to your cell phone. The seafood watch list tells you, by region, what seafood choices are acceptable based on sustainability and population. We pass out the wallet sized seafood watch list in the store, or you can request it from the Meat Department staff. It’s a handy tool to use for yourself or to give to friends who may not be as familiar with the important issues surrounding our oceans. We also recommend giving copies to the chef at your favorite restaurant and request that they sell only sustainable seafood. New this year, The Monterey Bay Aquarium has devised a sushi watch list that we have available. So check it out!
 
This month, Applegate Farms slow cook ham is on member coupon, for $.25 off $5.99.  Applegate spinach and feta chicken and turkey organic sausage is also on coupon for $.25 off of each.  Have a good week, see ya soon!
  
New Freezers mean more new cool stuff for you (ha! that was a punny one!)
Gluten Free Free Pizza Crust- Locally Made
 
Gluten Free Kneads make all natural pizza crusts that are delicious, convenient, and produced in a dedicated gluten free facility.
Their products are created with their own flour blend called Smart Flour.  It contains tapioca, teff, and amaranth flours which enhances its protein, vitamin and mineral, and fiber content.  Taste the difference and see how delicious gluten free can be.
 
Featured in the pizza section of our new freezers!
 
http://www.glutenfreekneads.com
 
In the Beer Aisle
Beer of The Week
 
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
 
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale has a deep amber color and an exceptionally full-bodied, complex character. Generous quantities of premium Cascade hops give the Pale Ale its fragrant bouquet and spicy flavor. The perfect beer for Spring, both full-bodied and refreshingly light.
 
 
Thanks!
Have a great week!

Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy