From all of the snacks in your goodie bags, the t-shirt and customized race bib, the benefits for being a participant in Valley Natural Foods’ 2013 Run for Hope 5K  on May 4, 2013 are growing by the minute.

Now we have an additional benefit that can help you get your garden started this year.

Any registered Run for Hope 5K runner with receive one FREE herb plant from Gardens of Eagan!

So if you haven’t registered yet, now is the time. Join our other 164registered runners today! Get your garden off to the right start!

And remember, all registration proceeds benefit a wonderful non-profit organization, Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring and your donation is 100% tax deductible.

Don’t forget to stop by Valley Natural Foods’ Garden Center after the race for all  of your organic and sustainable gardening needs. The Garden Center is open starting May 2 in the Valley Natural Foods parking lot.

116 people are registered for our Run for Hope 5K and guess what, it is just over a month away on May 4th! As you might already know, all  registered runners will receive tons of swag and snacks along with a custom keepsake race bib!

Yet one of the coolest pieces of swag is this year’s t-shirt which features a new, fun snazzy design on a sharp black shirt. However, to get this t-shirt in your size, you must register by April 12th either online or by using our offline form that you can drop off or mail to Valley Natural Foods. If registering offline, do remember to make the check out to Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring, the beneficiary of this year’s race. Also, registration rates will go up after April 12th, from $28.25 to $35.00 so do register today!

However, you may say that you are not a runner, so why should you register?  All walkers are welcome to participate in the Run for Hope 5K and you can even bring strollers! Walking is a great form of exercise and the Run for Hope 5K welcomes everybody, no matter what fitness or skill level you are at.  And with all the freebies that you receive for participating besides the fact that all proceeds benefit a great cause, there is no reason not to register!

However, if you would like to run the race, be sure to check out the article entitled “Busy Moms: Give Running a Chance” on page 6 of the April/May issue of Valley Natural Foods’ This is Living Naturally magazine. Three busy moms give their tips and advice for including running as part of one’s fitness routine.

Bibs,  swag bags and t-shirts must be picked up on Friday, May 3rd in-store at Valley Natural Foods’ demo kiosk from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. There will be no race-day pickup of these items.

The Run for Hope 5K  on May 4th, 2013 at Valley Natural Foods, is really heating up!  95 runners are registered now and 40 of those have been added in just the last 3 weeks.

Race registration is not the only thing that is heating up! More sponsors have been added, increasing the free goodies that you will get in your swag bag. Also, we have exciting news: every registered runner will get a custom keepsake race bib with his or her on it.

There is still time to register to get these neat swag items plus a race t-shirt! To ensure you get a swag bag and a race t-shirt in your size, you must register by April 12th. All proceeds from the race benefit Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring, a 501 (c)(3).

Every runner loves swag and you know you will be hungry after that race, so we got you covered with all of these FREE snacks thanks to the product sponsors listed below. Every runner will get at least one of  each of the following items:

• Equal Exchange Bananas
• Iceland Spring Water
• Chobani Champions Yogurt
• KIND Bars
• Larabars
• Clif Bars
• Nature’s Path Granola Bars
• Pamela’s Whenever Bars
• Think Thin Bars
• Garden of Life Protein Mixes
• Enjoy Life Seed and Fruit Mixes

Also, many thanks goes out to our monetary sponsors for their generous donations: Amica Insurance (Platinum Sponsor), McDonald Eye Care Associates (Silver Sponsor), Life Wellness Center (Silver Sponsor), Anchor Bank and Burnsville Community Foundation ($500) Just Me Geralyn and Glass (Bronze Sponsor), Dakota Electric Association (Bronze Sponsor), Garden of Life (Bronze Sponsor), Moms on the Run (Bronze Sponsor), Vital Life Chiropractic ( Patron of Hope Sponsor), Blahnik Insurance (Patron of Hope Sponsor), Pro Staff (Patron of Hope Sponsor).

We already have 55 runners registered for Valley Natural Foods’ Run for Hope 5K  on May 4th!  And although snow is on the ground yet, spring is right around the corner!

So step into spring and support local youth mentoring by registering today! Your registration fee is tax-deductible since all proceeds will be donated to Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring, a 501 (c)(3).  Registration is $28.25 until April 12th; rates go after this date.

But why would you want to register for this race besides it benefits a good cause? There are lots of reasons:

• For one, you will get a free t-shirt! That’s right, if you register by April 12th, you will get a free race t-shirt in your size.
• Lots of swag is in your future! You will get a bag full of treats and goodies from Valley Natural Foods’ very generous vendors. As of today your bag will already include KIND bars, Enjoy Life Trail Mix, Think Thin Bars, Iceland Spring Water and Garden of Life protein shake mixes. That is just the beginning! Look to get lots more swag and coupons as more product is donated.
• The top three placing men, the top three placing women and the top three placing children (under 18) will win Valley Natural Foods’ gift cards.
• You don’t have to “run” the race! We invite all walkers to register too. Bring your friends and make walking the race a time to catch up and get some exercise! It will be a fun event for the whole family.

Therefore, we encourage you to take a moment and consider the Run for Hope 5K. Registering and making that goal to run or walk the race is a great healthy “step” in the right direction!

Be a hero and fight hunger this March! Valley Natural Foods is teaming up with fourteen other food co-ops from across the state to participate  in the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches from March 1-31, 2013. Every year the program provides funds, food and educational materials to over 300 food shelves across the state. Last year the participating co-ops’ collective members, shoppers and staff gave over $91,000 dollars/pounds of food to neighborhood food shelves, making our campaign the third most successful in the state! Hunger and poverty are very prevalent in Minnesota, so your help is needed!

Valley Natural Foods will be raising funds and food for 360 Communities, our local Burnsville food shelf that serves residents in Dakota County. We encourage all shoppers to participate in our food drive. Starting March 1 we will have canisters at our registers and we will be selling $5 bags of food items valued at $20 or more for the food shelf. Shoppers who purchase the bags will not only be donating their $5 but also the food items in them. After purchased, place the bag in the one of the two yellow collection bins located by Valley Natural Foods’ exit to ensure it gets to the food shelf.  For the last few years, Valley Natural Foods has conducted a food drive in both December and March using the food bags as the platform for the fundraiser. This platform has been wildly successful in the past thanks to you, our shoppers, as we have raised nearly $4,400 for 360 Communities across 3 different food drives since 2011. Our goal this year is to raise $2,000 and to donate over 1,200 pounds of food.

Many thanks goes out to Valley Natural Foods’ generous vendors who donated product to put in the food bags: FIG Foods, Mary’s Gone Crackers, Bob’s Red Mill and Annie’s Homegrown. Each bag will be filled with soup, crackers, macaroni and cheese and hearty granola cereal thanks to these vendors!

If you would like to purchase your own items to place in the food collection bins, we encourage that as well! 360 Communities is always looking for non-perishable food items and toiletries.

It’s mid-January and maybe you are already struggling with that New Year’s resolution to stay healthy and fit. You realize that having a goal to work toward would really make things easier. Valley Natural Foods has a healthy goal that you can work into your resolution: registering for our 3rd Annual Run for Hope 5K! Hosted at our location, the race begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

However, what is the point of committing to a race that is a little over 4 months away?

• If you register by February 15th, you will get the early bird rate of $23.25! The cost goes up after that to $28.25 and continually increases until race day.
• Making the commitment now will give you the motivation, perseverance and the positive, uplifting attitude that is needed to get you through that exercise routine on these frigid wintry days. You have something to look forward to, something to work toward.  Whether you run or walk the entire race, all that matters is that you finish! When you cross that finish line, it will make all those workouts in wintry weather worth it and you will have a great sense of accomplishment!
• 100% of all race registrant costs minus $3.25 in Active.com fees will be donated to this year’s beneficiary: Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring, a 501(c)(3). 250 boys and girls participate in Hope for Tomorrow’ mentoring program within school districts located across the Twin Cities, including the Burnsville/Apple Valley area. Over 70 business leaders within the local communities volunteer their time each month to mentor a student. They give students the confidence, guidance and direction they need to carve a successful path for the future. Mentees get the chance to plan for their future through field trips to area businesses and colleges. As Valley Natural Foods’ Run for Hope 5K beneficiary for the last 2 years, we’ve helped raise over $11,000 for this organization. The funds helped secure the organization’s 501 (c)(3) status, open new chapters and hire an executive director.
• Everybody who registers will receive a t-shirt in their size (if registered before April 12) and a goodie bag full of awesome snacks!

Register today to improve your health and the health of Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring! It’s a two for one deal!

Every holiday we are reminded about the importance of giving, especially giving back to those that need it most. At Valley Natural Foods, we think it is important to give back where you live, especially to those within your local community. We encourage our shoppers to join us in this mission during the holiday season!

Valley Natural Foods is hosting its third annual holiday food donation drive. Throughout December 2012, customers can buy $5.00  donation bags of food for 360 Communities’ Burnsville food shelf location. Simply buy the $5.00 bag of food and place it in the donation barrels by the store’s exit. Both your $5.00 and the food will be donated.  Actually, buying just one bag is a great value for the food shelf! Each bag contains over $20 (retail value) of food items at the cost of only $5.00!  Therefore, by spending just $5.00, you are donating over $25 to 360 Communities. Our goal is to raise upwards of $2,000.

360 Communities provides immediate aid, resources and location connections for individuals and families, helping on their journey to self-sustained success.  In 2011 alone, 360 Communities’ network of 5 food shelves served 10,940 individuals with food, aid and other resources.  Over the last decade, food shelf visits have increased across Minnesota by 164% according to Hunger Solutions MN.  The organization also reports that  3 million people visited Minnesota food shelves in 2011.

360 Communities is in need of food items year-around; see their  list of most needed items for reference .We thank all of our shoppers in advance for participating in this effort! Happy Holidays to all!

Help end childhood hunger! Through October 14th, 2012, assist Valley Natural Foods and other vendors and  food co-ops across the U.S. raise $100,000 to help provide food access to families all across the nation. The goal is to help children, regardless of their circumstances, get the healthy food they need to thrive.

This effort is part of the Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, a national nonprofit that is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. According to this organization, more than 16 million children or nearly one in five children in America struggle with hunger. Food co-ops across the country are joining in this campaign as part of World Food Day (October 16th), the global movement to end hunger.  All the food co-ops in the U.S. plan to announce their collective donation to World Food Day on October 16th.

Hunger in Minnesota is also rising. Minnesota Partners to End Hunger reports that 80,200 Minnesotans receive food assistance every week and since 2008, there has been a 62% increase in visits to food shelves.

Valley Natural Foods encourages its shoppers to donate to this effort! Throughout this week and into the weekend, we have a cash canister collection at our registers to support the Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.  We also encourage you to drop off food items in our food shelf collection bins located near our exit. All food items are distributed to 360 Communities’ Burnsville food shelf.

Will Steger, the 2007 recipient of the National Geographic Lifetime Achievement Award, has led some of the most infamous polar expeditions in recent history. Now the School of Environmental Studies Education Foundation (SESEF) has led Steger to their annual fundraiser on Saturday, September 29, 2012 as the keynote speaker. The fundraiser, called S.E.S. Fest, is a charitable event supporting the School of Environmental Studies (SES) in Apple Valley, a top rated high school in the southern metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul in regards to test scores, academic achievement and graduation rates. This optional public high school’s overarching theme and focus is on the environment and sustainability, providing students with real-world opportunities for field trips and projects across the globe. Valley Natural Foods is a sponsor of the event.

President of SESEF, Sarah Berger, said the foundation is excited to have Will Steger represent S.E.S. Fest this year because he encapsulates how an environmental education empowers and inspires students to take action, explore and come up with solutions to environmental issues. Berger adds that beyond Will Steger’s keynote speech, this year’s fundraiser really gives the community a chance to learn directly from alumni, current students and faculty how SES’s innovative teaching methods and sustainable opportunities have positively impacted their lives. The community will also get the chance to understand how SESEF helps stimulate this innovation through ongoing support of SES projects.

S.E.S. Fest will start at 2:00 p.m. with a local vendor food fair outside the school located at 12155 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley. The vendor fair celebrates local fare and environmentally friendly food options. SES informational booths will also provide information about the school and its innovative projects. Bonnie Matthews, who appeared on the nationally recognized Dr. Oz show for her weight loss, will sample her locally produced vegetarian Freekeh Foods burritos. Student, staff and alumni presentations will take place at 4:00 p.m. inside the school, followed by Steger’s keynote speech at 4:30 p.m. The event will end with a silent auction and live entertainment provided by Dave Hudson starting at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by Valley Natural Foods in Burnsville.

S.E.S. Fest tickets are available through current SES students, SESEF board members and online at: http://sesef.org/. Cost is $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. All funds raised support SESEF in its efforts to provide scholarships, grants and support for new and innovative SES student projects and activities.

Community Night at the Co-op’s 2012-2013 programming began last night, September 11th, at Valley Natural Foods from 5:00-7:00 p.m.  Nearly 90 people (parents and children) from participating elementary schools, Westview, Northview, Gideon Pond and Sioux Trail enjoyed the night’s activities around the theme Back to School Lunches and Snacks. These activities included traveling across the store tasting samples from yummy recipes. Grab the recipe for one of the items demonstrated last night,  colorful vegetable roll-ups, online.

Families also got the chance to purchase a healthy meal from the deli department. Last night’s meal, walking tacos, was a hit! Customers could choose from gluten-free, vegan beans or ground beef topped with Whole Grain Milling tortilla chips, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa and sour cream.  The cost was $2.99 for kids and $3.99 for adults.

The classroom activity’s goal was to encourage children to eat more vegetables in their lunches. To get them excited about it, Kelli Schulte from Kingdom Kids Nutrition had them make their own skewers of colorful raw vegetables that they could top with a homemade dill dip.  Kids had the opportunity to chose from raw broccoli, cauliflower, a variety of peppers, carrots, cherry tomatoes and more! Needless to say, it actually worked as many kids went back for seconds!

All in all, it was a successful night!  However, it isn’t the end of Community Night at the Co-op! The programming is just starting for the school year during Tuesday evenings from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Valley Natural Foods.  Here are this year’s dates: October 2, November 13, December 4, January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, and May 7. The program’s goal is to provide an interactive evening that will teach families how to eat healthier through recipes, a healthy meal, sampling and fun activities.  Valley Natural Foods promotes the program at the four participating elementary schools but any shopper can participate in the evening’s events!  Valley Natural Foods also donates funds to each of the participating schools throughout the school year.  Shoppers can help one of the schools win an additional $1,000 in May 2013 by placing their receipts in the collection boxes labeled with the school’s name.