“I don’t think there’s a better corn out there,” Valley Natural Foods produce manager Kim Dvorak says of local Gardens of Eagan sweet corn. She says she usually cooks her corn in sugar water, but doesn’t need to with Gardens of Eagan sweet corn, which arrives freshly picked to the co-op at the end of July.

“It is the best organic corn in town,” says Sheryl Eernisse, Valley Natural Foods’ demo coordinator; which may be why each year she hosts a food demo titled Corn is King (Almost).

Minnesota corn doesn’t ripen until late summer, and Valley Natural Foods is celebrating with a mini corn feed. Sheryl will be serving samples of corn on the cob for co-op customers to taste and discover that local sweet corn is well worth the wait.

The first week of Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 is almost complete, but it’s not too late to join in!

The 5-2-1-0 program is designed for kids and lasts for four weeks. Each week has a simple health goal for kids to follow. If you haven’t already, stop by the Wellness Department to sign up.

Recieve a coupon for one free Fruit-of-the-Week and information on the week’s healthy goal by visiting the Wellness Department each week.  Last week kids got to pick one free kiwi!

This week (July 12-18) kids are encouraged to limit “screen time” to 2 hours a day.

Screen time consists of computer, TV, video games or anything with a screen! Do you think you can do it?

For more information, visit blog post Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0

A bald eagle flew over Valley Natural Foods as the co-op celebrated the perfect weekend for a Perfect Picnic on Saturday July 11, 2009.

The 34th Infantry Division Honor Guard presented and flew the American flag at the dedication ceremony in honor of our local servicemen and women. 

The food was mouthwatering (of course) and co-op friends enjoyed live entertainment, a bouncy house, massage and yoga. We also kicked off the Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 summer program for healthy kids.

On Sunday Krista Cummings and Phil Mattson, both Valley Natural Foods employees, held a dog wash as a fundraiser in the co-op’s parking lot. They earned approximately $150 and you can bet that those pooches were happy. The money raised goes towards the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk, which Krista is walking in honor of two family members. If you want to donate or learn more visit Krista’s donation page or  www.the3day.org.

Mississippi Market Natural Food Co-op  is moving! On July 16 they are moving from their Randolph Avenue store location to 1500 West Seventh Street in St. Paul. In honor of the new opening, they are hosting a Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony and have invited you to join them. You will also have a chance to chat with their Green Team about the new building’s green features.

• What: Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony, dedicating the Peace Pole brought from the Randolph store, with remarks from St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Mississippi Market  Board President Nina Johnson and General Manager Gail Graham.
• Where: 1500 West 7^th Street, St. Paul  
• When: July 16 at 10:00 AM.

Riding your bike for 300 miles in just four days is no small feat, but member-owner and Valley Natural Foods employee Yani Clement is taking on the challenge. She is participating in the Red Ribbon Ride July 16-19, which raises funds to support seven Minnestoa HIV/AIDS service organizations.

Valley Natural Foods supports Yani’s ride and is donating to help her reach a fund-raising goal of $1500. If you’d like to contribute visit her donation web page.

To learn more about Minnesota Fighting Aids on Bikes visit http://www.redribbonride.org/.

Saturday, July 11, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

• Grilled Brats, side and lemonade for $2.00 – come enjoy Valley Natural Foods’ very own homemade brats!
• German Grill demonstration – Learn why this grill is one if the best out there for all you who love to grill.
• Flagpole Dedication and Honoring of Local Servicemen & Women
• Chair Massage, Aromatherapy and Stress-Relieving Tips
• Free yoga class by Isis Yoga at 1 p.m.
• Kick-off 5-2-1-0 program – Let’s help our kids develop healthy habits for a lifetime!

Sunday, July 12, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

• Brunch for sale in the deli (starts at 11 a.m.)
• Fire It Up grilling tips, recipes and free samples
• Outdoor dog wash - bring your dogs and let someone else do the dirty work! Dogs will be washed with all-natural pet products by a two young Valley Natural Foods staff members who are raising funds for entry into the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, on behalf of a family member.

We love the summer, but our groceries aren’t so keen on the heat. Organic and natural foods are more sensitive to spoilage a bit quicker than the conventional brands because they aren’ treated with all those substances and chemicals for preservation.

There are some things you can do to help keep your refrigerated items and produce fresh longer.

Getting your groceries home fresh:

• Grocery shop last thing before returning home.
• For longer trips, pack your groceries wisely. Pack all cold items together, or purchase one of our Hot and Cold bags.

Keeping in mind that your organic foods have a shorter shelf life once you do get home, here are some tips to keep them fresh:

• Consume as close to the purchase date as possible.
• For produce try Debbie Meyer GreenBags found near the Bulk Trail.
• Debbie Meyer CheeseBags are available are available at the Cheese Counter.

If you have any questions about keeping your organic groceries fresh longer, feel free to ask a staff member. They’d be happy to help you.

For the last decade Valley Natural Foods has been a stop on the North Dakota Farmers Union cooperative tour. This year about 45 students filled the store to learn more how a food cooperative is run, and of course to taste our great samples.

We were lucky to meet Josh Norby, NDFU Member Education Coordinator, who says this is his third tour of Valley Natural Foods with NDFU. He came to the co-op 10 years ago as a student, then again as a counselor, and this year he led the tour.

Valley Natural Foods was happy to be a stop on the NDFU tour and loves hosting tours for commmunity members who are interested in learning more. If you have a group interested in touring, please contact Josie at communications@valleynaturalfoods.com