Archive for the ‘New & Featured Products’ Category
A few weeks back we shared our excitement about the introduction of Michigan cheeses to our cheese cooler that went like this:
“For so many Michigan Made products there seems to be a wall at that big bridge called the Mackinac. The good news is we are continuing to reduce that impedance value.
And now we’ve learned of a way to get Grassfields Organic Farmstead Gouda from Coopersville to the U.P.! (Coopersville is Northwest of Grand Rapids).
The “Farmstead” part means it’s made from raw milk from the farm’s own grass-fed year round, Animal Welfare Approved (www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org) herd of cattle.
This small batch artisan Gouda is an exciting development in our access to Michigan cheeses.”
Next time at the Co-op try Grassfield Gouda’s little sister Lamont Cheddar!
Visit www.grassfieldscheese.com to lean more about the 5th generation Meerman Family farm!
Introducing three new brands of chocolate!
The regionally produced B.T. McElrath Chocolatiers has been named by Chocolatier Magazine as one of the top 20 artisan chocolate makers in the United States, and has also been featured in Cool Hunting, Bon Appetit, USA Today, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Better Homes & Gardens, Minnesota Monthly, Mpls/St.Paul Magazine, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Read the delicious descriptions on the packages and you’ll know you can’t pass them by!
Fearless Chocolate Company makes their bars from 70% organic RAW cacao – which their package claims is among the healthiest whole foods on the planet – organic whole cane sugar and organic herbs packaged in brilliantly humorous post-consumer recycled packaging.
Available in Matcha green tea peppermint, exploding coconuts and sweet & hot hibiscus ginger.
For the delicious fun of it – or for health apparently – these unique and compelling bars are worth a try!
Sweetened with stevia, Lily’s Sweets Fairtrade dark chocolate offers “25% fewer calories. 100% indulgence.”
All are made from cocoa with traceable, high integrity providence. Three new brands you can trust.
Short’s Brewing Company of Elk Rapids has been doing some creative things with ales, and Soft Parade is no exception. Short’s has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation due to their popular fermentations.
They call it a fruit infused rye ale fermented with fresh blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. We don’t know if it’s the apex of their creativity”, but I can tell you it is refreshing on a summer-ish kind of day!
And as they say, “Handmade by people who care in Northern Michigan.”
Post by Bryan.
Check out our Mother’s Day gift baskets, featuring all sorts of items, from local body care products to great wine. Pick one up near our registers before it’s too late!
This weekend we set up a new baby – toddler – kids end cap!
It includes the few old favorites we’ve stocked all along…
…And 6 shelves of new organic products – from junior juice boxes to smoothies to puffs - including 3 additional recipes of Earth’s Best baby food jars which are on Co+op Deals sale through next Tuesday.
(We’ve also learned that “big kids” (i.e. Co-op employees) really enjoy those new smoothie things quite a bit, too!)
(Thanks to the Papin kids for stopping by the Co-op & playing along this afternoon!)
3 Month aged Manchego is at a special 10% off sale through the month of April!
This sheep cheese imported from the Mancha region of Spain is being sampled each Tuesday this month!
That means only 2 Tuesdays remain after today (the 17th and the 24th.)
Today’s samples are making their way to the floor as I type!
New to the Co-op’s wine selection are Yellow + Blue’s Monastrell (Spain) and Torrontes (Argentina)!
Yellow + Blue packages their organic wines made from hand picked grapes in one- liter “Tetra Paks”, for a versatile, well-crafted vintage.
Let’s say that again: One liter (not 750 mL). Tetra Pak. Organic. $8.99.
Good to know – Tetra Paks are now OK to add to the single stream recycling in the City!
Responsible and affordable.
Think of the possibilities!
Coming Soon: Two new products from Amy’s kitchen should hit the freezers by Saturday.
(From Amy’s web site:)
Introducing Amy’s Vegan DAIYA Margherita Pizza!
We love that pizza is a comfort food you can share and make memories around. Our Vegan Margherita Pizza with Daiya Cheeze is a delicious vegan and dairy-free take on a classic, and is sure to bring your friends and families together.
Gluten Free Sandwich Rounds
Amy’s new Sandwich Rounds are light and tender, easy to toast or use for sandwiches, and delicious enough for all to enjoy . . .not only those who are gluten intolerant. Just thaw or toast and top with your favorite spread or sandwich filling.
Somehow our Co-op’s little cheese cooler keeps getting more & more exciting!
Finally! Introducing our foray into Michigan cheeses!
For so many Michigan Made products there seems to be a wall at that big bridge called the Mackinac. The good news is we are continuing to reduce that impedance value.
And now we’ve learned of a way to get Grassfields Organic Farmstead Gouda from Coopersville to the U.P.! (Coopersville is Northwest of Grand Rapids).
The “Farmstead” part means it’s made from raw milk from the farm’s own grass-fed year round, Animal Welfare Approved (www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org) herd of cattle.
This small batch artisan Gouda is an exciting development in our access to Michigan cheeses.
Visit www.grassfieldscheese.com to lean more about the 5th generation Meerman Family farm!
Daiya Cheddar- and Mozzarella-Style Shreds have become a new favorite! So much so that we’ve added to the selections!
New to the Daiya family are PepperJack shreds, Cheddar wedges, and Havarti Jalapeno wedges.
Daiya products are vegan – “Deliciously Dairy Free”, as they say - and free of free of other common allergens.
Click on over to www.daiyafoods.com for a great collection of recipes using these innovative – tasty and functional – dairy alternatives.
New Planet Gluten Free Beer!
Just arrived – a fresh, but limited supply of all three of New Planet’s Gluten Free Craft -Brewed Ales.
TreadLightly, 3R Raspberry, and Off Grid Pale Ales are brewed in a dedicated facility in Boulder Colorado using the most stringent gluten free threshold test available using sorghum, brown rice, tapioca and other allergen free ingredients.
The names of each brew promote “doing good things for the planet.” Learn more at http://newplanetbeer.com/homepage/
The March of Traditions.
Don’t forget about St. Urho in all the Irish hubbub. (He’s the Finnish dude who – allegedly – saved the grape crops of Finland by chasing out the grasshoppers.)
Any reason for a winter-ending get-together, right?!
St. Urho’s Day is celebrated the day prior to the better known St. Patrick’s feast. Wear purple and represent the Scandinavian version of the story!
By all accounts Corned Beef is not a traditional Irish preparation. It is a traditional Irish-American invention. Nonetheless, it has become a salty-sweet March tradition for many. This year the Marquette Food Co-op has a limited number of Garrett County uncured, antibiotic free Corned Beef brisket available. Get yours today to get ready for the weekend. $9.99 lb.
Oh, and don’t forget the cabbage. Or the Guiness Draught!
“From Grass to Gold.” The pride of the Kerrygold brand is another Irish success story. Kerrygold one-year Aged Irish Cheddar cheese is one of our favorites to recommend year-round, but it seems like a must-have for your St. Pat’s weekend. Kerrygold’s full-bodied, smooth taste is a world-class accompaniment to corned beef and a draught. Here’s an inside tip – we will be sampling Kerrygold on Thursday between 3 and 6! Stop by and give it a try.
Another of our faves from the Isles is Red Dragon mustard-ale cheddar. You have to try this one of a kind Welsh cheddar to believe it, and it just may change your life.
One more cheese note: Audra has brought in ONE wheel of Cahill’s Porter Cheddar with this weekend in mind! Get some while it’s here. Arriving Wednesday!
Santa Julia Organica Malbec Argentina is the newest addition to our family of organic wines. It is being produced by the third generation of the family owned vineyard where they are working toward land preservation and community development in the Mendoza Region where they farm.
If we had to post one word for Happy Hemp Salad, I think it would be, “WOW!”
Made in town at the Coachlight Restaurant from eleven organic ingredients! Spinach, carrots, crimini mushrooms, avocado, kale, red and green bell peppers, strawberries, Manchego cheese, hemp seeds, grape seed oil come together with the “special seasoning” in some incredible synergy that is just purely… good. It’s just unbelievably good.
And a great addition to the grab and go deli set!
We are excited to announce the arrival of another unique Michigan Made product! Unity Vibration Triple Goddess Kombucha Beer has made quite a splash in our “Great Beer State” in its feature at this year’s beer festivals. The brewers, Terek and Rachel Kanaan of Ypsilanti, will soon be living on their own family farm and growing much of what they infuse into their flavored kombuchas.
From the label:
“Kombucha is a raw, living, fermented, naturally carbonated, unpastuerized beverage. Our kombucha beer has the kombucha you love, plus whole leaf organic hops and crushed whole organic fruit. Open-air fermented like a Lambic, oak barrel aged, bottle conditioned, artisan brewed.”
The refreshing character of the feremented black tea is a perfect complement to the bitter hops and raspberry fruit in the Triple Goddess brew. 22 oz bottle.
See www.unityvibrationkombucha.com for more.
Also featured in the fermented corner of the store is Short’s Good Humans Double Hopped American Brown Ale. The maltiness melts into unexpected resinous hop-sense if you’re thinking “brown” and haven’t read this review. No guarantees about the goodness of your Humanity if you quaff some, but it couldn’t hurt to try a session!
Green Valley Organics Lactose Free Dairy has made it to our Chilled doors!
(From http://greenvalleylactosefree.com/)
“Peace & Harmony In Your Stomach.
Dairy power to the people, especially the lactose intolerant people!
For you and your family, we’ve created rich, creamy Green Valley Organics® real dairy yogurt, kefir and sour cream. Unlike other lactose free options there is no compromise on taste. They’re simply delicious by any standard. Made from organic ingredients, our fresh and flavorful, lactose free dairy foods will make you feel good inside. And with all their protein, calcium and Flourish®, our proprietary blend of 10 live & active cultures, they’re as good for the body as they are for the soul.
Our company has been committed to digestive health for over 40 years.
So when we say it, you can believe it.
DeBacker Family Dairy of Daggett – in the UP! – has released a classic glass quart of Wild Berry flavored drinkable yogurt!
When you stop by to get your UP-made DeBacker milk, don’t forget to try this lowfat creation made with berry puree and sugar.
Havarti Party! After months of searching Audra has landed a fresh set of Havarti from Denmark! And fresh it is. The overwhelming responses from our sampling of the new Creamy and Dill varieties were about how fresh they taste. Fresh. Creamy. Dilly. Enjoy.
Would be great grated on eggs and spuds.
Each month our Bulk buyer treats us to the convenience of a prepackaged dried fruit. Bryan just cracked open a box of Black Mission Figs that are so fresh, they’re almost juicy! Grab a bag and go enjoy – as a quite nutritious and highly delicious snack. We dare you to try to make them last a few days back at the office!
Make San Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water part of your dinner ritual! Be reminded of sun sparkling on water, the sound of waves, and long stretches of sand.
Read more about the legend of this Italian icon by visiting www.sanpellegrino.com/int/en/main/the_legend/default.aspx.
For many of us, February speaks of Love. And chocolate.
Chocolove 3.2 oz bars are on Co+op Deals sale for $1.99. And there’s even more good news this month for Chocolove lovers!
In light of recent events in the complex socio-economic world where cocoa farming and exploited labor coexist, the owner of Chocolove, Timothy Moley, has decided to weigh in on the company’s policy regarding their cocoa sources.
In a statement on Chocolove’s web site, Moley states:
“Our policy states that we will not buy chocolate or ingredients from firms that use or reinforce the use of exploited labor of any sort. Our chocolate supplier does not engage in and does not support forced or exploitative labor practices.”
Chocolove procures their chocolate through Belgian chocolate makers who get cocoa from Africa’s Ivory Coast. However, Moley states, through the work of a number of international trade organizations, they do what they can to ensure their chocolate and other ingredients do not use exploited labor.
Following years of international development work, Moley signed Chocolove up to join the World Cocoa Foundation. He decided that it would be limiting to purchase licensing fees through fair trade organizations to then in turn purchase only from cocoa suppliers with fair trade agreements.
Chocolove is confident their partnership with the World Cocoa Foundation ensures they are producing a socially responsible product, including the protection and improvement of worker’s right in Cocoa growing nations.
To read more about Chocolove, please visit their Frequently Asked Questions page.
2012 has been declared as the International Year of Co-ops by the United Nations. Keep up with our website throughout the year as we highlight other cooperatives we partner with to help “build a better world” through our collective social, economic and environmental impacts!
Our featured Co-op for the week is a regional, Southwest Wisconsin native: Mt Sterling Goat Milk Creamery . The tiny cheese factory in the tiny town of Mt. Sterling (population 200+) has been making cheese since 1913. In 1976, a group of goat herders banded together to create the Co-op and purchased the creamery in 1983.
The milk is now sourced from about 20 farms in the tri-state area (WI, MN, IA), quality tested, and crafted by hand into fresh, excellent-flavored goat cheese in a variety of styles by cheesemaker Bjorn Unseth. Five styles are now available at MFC.
Adding Mt. Sterling American Cheese Society award-winning artisan goat cheese to your shopping list is another way you can support traditional family-operated farms working together to make high quality products .
As Co-op consumers we contribute to economic resilience, ecological sustainability and social justice simply by doing the business we do to fulfill our human needs.
A few new finds to liven up your winter food options, with thanks to Customer Suggestions for inquiring about these products!
Divina Mediterranean Foods works with small farmers throughout the Mediterranean region to procure hand-picked and sorted produce, cultivated and preserved without pesticides, coloring or additives. Our latest addition to the Divina lineup is Greek Pepperoncini peppers. Their mild heat is a favorite addition to sandwiches and salads. (They’re also great with a shmear of chevre on a Marquette Baking Company baguette, in case you need any further inspiration.)
Casa Fiesta Jalapenos are sliced, pickled and packed within 24 hours of harvest, guaranteeing fresh, crunchy, spicy results. They’re actually labeled as “nacho sliced”, but we give you permission to put them on everything.
“Less Bun, More Flavor”. Ozery One Bun flat sandwich breads. Multigrain is loaded with nine nutritious grains for a hearty sandwich bun. Whole wheat is a convenient 100 calorie serving size.
Organic Nigori Momokawa Sake from Sake One. Craft brewed In the traditional, partially filtered style, this domestic sake from Forest Grove Oregon is versatile enough to pair with foods from spicy Thai to dark chocolate. Still silky smooth like the filtered sakes we are used to, but the creamy rice adds layers of exotic flavors.
