What’s red and yellow-striped on the outside, and is dense, juicy-sweet on the inside? It’s an heirloom tomato variety called Striped German. Or how about “it’s like eating candy right off the vine?” Two cherry varieties known for that description are Matt’s Wild and Peacevine.

Discover exciting colors, shapes and tastes in your own garden this year by planting heirlooms!  Be on the lookout June 1st for a new shipment of flower, herb and veggie bedding plants arriving on Tuesday, June 1st from  Gardens of Eagan. Plants will be available in the produce department throughout the planting season.

Here’s a great tomato planting tip:

Remove plant from pot, pinch off leaves half way up the stem, place the plant sideways into a “trench” (instead of a hole) and carefully bend the top of the plant upward before covering with dirt. The buried stem will produce roots resulting in a stronger, healthier and higher-yeilding tomato plant!

Four-legged furry friends frolick for fun and funds!

Woofer and Hoofer walk is coming up on June 5 and because we love our four-legged friends we’re donating to the Minnesota Valley Humane Society’s fundraiser. As a member of the co-op you’ve already helped by voting to give a portion of the CCF fund to the Humane Society.

MVHS mission is: To prevent and alleviate animal suffering through shelter, adoption, education, collaboration and community outreach; and to strengthen the relationship between people and companion animals.

If you would like to support the Woofer & Hoofer fundraiser, sign up to walk and fundraise on your own OR contribute to Valley Natural Foods’ donation page. Visit our homepage and click on the Woofer & Hoofer banner.

Be sure to stop by our sponsor at Woofer & Hoofer to receive a pet food sample!

Congratulations to all area high school and college 2010 graduates! Best wishes to all of you from Valley Natural Foods, especially to those who work here:

Krista C. – Burnsville High School

Jessie R. C. – Avalon School

Stephen Q. – University of Minnesota

Nia H. – School of Environmental Studies

Sierra S. – Burnsville High School

Phil M. – Burnsville High School

Lisa H. – Dakota County Technical College

It is early summer and we can already anticipate the fresh flavors this time of year brings. If you are a true mid-westerner then you have already been firing up the grill. What better to go with great grilled meats than a couple of fresh produce sides. Be sure to check out our Produce Possibilities recipes this week found at our Fresh Meal Solutions.

Be sure to join us at the Valley Natural Foods demo kiosk this Saturday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. for an early summer taste of field-fresh avocados.  This climateric fruit matures on the tree, but ripens off it. To help speed the ripening of an avocado, place it in a paper bag for three days. Our produce experts will be on hand to demonstrate two great sides to serve with grilled brats, chicken or portabella mushrooms.

Let’s do something new with those delicious spring asparagus spears. How about asparagus with a kick?  Think Chipotle chili peppers whisked with mustard and lime juice, drizzled over those cooked, steaming, green stems of summer.

Between this Southwestern Asparagus and an eastern-inspired Napa Cabbage and Spinach Salad you’ll nearly have a complete meal, with money left over for dessert.

Produce Possibilities brings you new ways to prepare veggies each week, at a discounted price. Stop by on Saturday 3pm-6pm to see the recipe come together and, of course, have a taste.

They’re here! Several varieties of herbs, vegetables and flowers are ready for you to plant into your garden beds. Enjoy great pricing too!

4-packs $1.49 ea.
Small individual packs $.99 ea.
Medium individual packs $1.49 ea.
Large individual (priced as marked)

Don’t forget to click the coupon link and print out a special 3-day coupon (May 21-23) to enjoy $.25 off your choice of any Glacial Ridge bedding plant. CLICK HERE for online coupons

It’s sometimes surprising to hear that a simple ingredient is actually beneficial to our health. In the case of black pepper it’s no different.

Black pepper can increase the flow of saliva and gastric juices, which can help your body in digestion. It can act as a natural coolant, cooling your body. So spice it up as the weather gets warmer!

A few pinches of pepper in your everyday recipes can also reduce your need for salt, decreasing your sodium intake.

Valley Natural Foods sells fresh whole peppercorns and ground pepper in the bulk spices deparment. Buy as much or as little as you want to keep your spice rack fresh.

Whether we want to simply regulate our blood pressure naturally, lower our high readings, or just boost our health, eating specific fresh and dried fruits can help us do so. For example, raisins and figs have extraordinary benefits, and avocados are a wonder fruit.

Included in the following article are options on how these fruits can be used, fruit juices, popular brand comparisons, calorie contents, and even which fruits to avoid. Click the link below to read the entire article:

Best Fruits to Help Lower High Blood Pressure Naturally

 On Saturday, May 15 between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m., be at the co-op for a new and exciting demo at our demo kiosk! Taste a sample, grab a recipe and shop for specially priced ingredients!  While here, learn once and for all how to cut open your own coconut to use in the recipe and in any other recipe that calls for fresh coconut. Click on Produce Possibilities below and see the possibilities yourself!

For all of you gardeners who enjoy instant color, you can look forward to a nice variety of annuals arriving at the co-op by May 21 from Glacial Ridge Growers! Included in that shipment will be herbs and a variety of vegetable-starts as well. Many annuals and vegetables will be sold in 4 packs.

Click the coupon link, print coupon and use on May 21-23 to enjoy $.25 off your choice of any Glacial Ridge bedding plant. CLICK HERE for online coupons

Be sure to be on the lookout for vegetable transplants, including heirloom varieties to arrive the following week from Gardens of Eagan.