Join us at the Valley Natural Foods Demo Kiosk for a free Kale Cooking and Tasting Demo with Gardens of Eagan, Sunday, June 27, anytime between 12:00-3:00 p.m.  You see kale in the produce department, it grows in your gardens, but what do you do with it? Gardens of Eagan will show you how!

Want more?

Join us in the Valley Natural Foods classroom for the Hail to Kale! Cooking Class on Wednesday, June 30, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Registration required, $12/$10 members) Linda Halley and Jennifer Nelson from Gardens of Eagan  pay homage to what they call “the greatest vegetable ever.” Cook and sample various kale recipes, learn about its grand nutritional value and go home with an All Day Kale cookbook including kale recipes for every meal.

There’s still time to register: Stop by the customer service counter or call 952-891-1212, ext. 221

For a few weeks in early summer and fall, Minnesota is home to some of the best tasting lettuce around! The ideal climate for lettuce growth is a cool damp climate, and our spring and fall can match that to a tee. This means delicious, crunchy, sweet lettuce is available on our produce shelves right now! Try it paired with hydroponically-grown Minnesota tomatoes in Matt’s Monster Sandwich recipe.

You are invited  to experience the taste by stopping by our demo kiosk this Saturday, June 26 anytime between 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Can you imagine being a first-time shopper at Valley Natural Foods and becoming a member-owner the same day? Not only did this first-time shopper become a member-owner, she was issued membership #9999, marking a milestone for our co-op as our membership increases.

We celebrated with our new member-owner by presenting  her with a Valley Natural Foods gift basket. Welcome to our co-op #9999!

To learn more about Valley Natural Foods membership, please visit our membership page.

For those of you who are wondering why Valley Natural Foods ran out of fermented kombucha, we decided to stop ordering it until we better understand some concerns with slightly elevated alcohol levels. We will keep you posted with any updates when we learn more.

If you like kombucha, you might want to consider an interesting, liquid probiotic alternative which is produced locally:  CocoKefir.  Though not an exact substitute, you can be confident that CocoKefir is a nourishing probiotic alternative to kombucha as it provides an average of 45 billion cfu’s of live probiotics in a dairy-free, gluten-free, low-sugar drink. However, since CocoKefir does not contain vigorously-fermenting yeasts, it does not contain significant levels of alcohol.  

Just a 1/2 cup serving of CocoKefir will supply you with the same benefits (if not more) than a whole bottle of kombucha. Each bottle of CocoKefir contains 4 delicious servings.

To learn more about CocoKefir, please visit their web site at  www.cocokefir.com.

Supreme Court Ruling in Monsanto Case – Victory For Farmers, Consumers – The Supreme Court ruled June 21, 2010 in Monsanto v. Geerston Farms, the first genetically modified crop case ever brought before the Supreme Court. While the Court did reverse the original injunction, it also ruled that the ban on GMO alfalfa remains, and it is still illegal to plant or sell GMO alfalfa.

This is a huge victory for Center for Food Safety as well as National Cooperative Grocers Association and others who signed on to an amicus brief in support of this case, but most importantly for the farmers and consumers we represent. Please find more info in CFS’s press release on their website.

Learn more about a previous posting:  Action Alert from Organic Valley

New demo on Saturday, June 19 from 3:00-5:00 pm at our demo kiosk! Looking for a new fresh salad recipe to make just in time to take advantage of special priced produce? Here it is: a tasty refreshing, side salad to complement any dish.  Sample it during our demo and you will be convinced. If you grill, our peach and dill relish is a perfect topping for chicken, fish or tofu.  Any questions? Ask our knowledgeable produce staff who will be on hand during the demo.  Don’t forget, most ingredients are on sale the entire week.

We have a new product in our bulk department! Check out the new Toffee Almond granola from Golden Temple.  There’s plenty of  natural ingredients like whole rolled oats, almonds, and oat flour so you know you’re getting something healthful in your cereal bowl. And the toffee flavor is superb, especially when served with a splash of milk. This granola is on the sweet side - for some folks, it’s good enough for dessert! Try some sprinkled over plain yogurt for a yummy and satisfying snack.

If you are a gardening fan, you may want to attend our Farming the Backyard Film Series here at Valley Natural Foods.

Join us Wednesday, June 23, 6:00 pm.-8:00 pm to see the film Global Gardener (A look around the globe at the use of permaculture.)

Permaculture techniques are used all around the world. We can use this philosophy and techniques in our own homes and gardens to maximize efficiency of the growing and living space. Discussion will follow, led by Daniel Halsey. He will share his knowledge and offer advice through the discussion format.  This is a free class that will take place in the Valley Natural Foods classroom (Registration and donations encouraged.)

To register, stop by the Valley Natural Foods customer service counter, or call 952-891-1212. Hope to see you there!

Have you tried nourishing, whole grain goodness from Thuro Bread? If not, now’s the time!

Thuro Bread is coming to our Demo Kiosk on June 23rd, anytime between 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. for free tastings. Thuro Bread will also be here July 12 and July 26, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (both days) for more free tastings and information.

Thuro Bread is offering $.50 off the minimum purchase of 5 bars through July 31, 2010. Please go to our online coupon page to print coupons. Visit the dedicated Thuro Bread freezer case at the registers and choose from Chocolate Chip, Coconut Walnut Chocolate Chip, Craisin, Craisin Walnut, Raisin Walnut or three gluten-free varieties.

Please visit our Co-op Calendar for more information on all of our demos!

Fresh and exciting new recipes at our demo kiosk Saturday, June 12 between 3:00 and 5:00 pm!

Love yams? Never tried catfish? Now’s the time to have both of these with an easy, delicious, homemade grilling sauce. Sample a healthy pudding that rounds out any meal and is nutritious too! Our produce staff will be on hand during the demo to answer all your questions. Take home a recipe and take advantage of specially priced ingredients! Click below for this week’s recipe and while there check out our archive of equally fresh and healthy recipes!