As January approaches, you may be feeling hopeful for what may come or maybe you are just taking it day by day. However you are feeling is okay—we have all faced many compounding stressors brought on by the pandemic. Navigating the winter months ahead, after already banking many months of shelter-in-place, may seem daunting. Cooking is one way to get through. Time in the kitchen can be a great way to relieve stress and bring comfort. There can be excitement in trying new recipes and learning new ways to nourish yourself and loved ones with food.
The co-op offers more than locally produced goods by small-scale makers. We are also a great place to find ingredients from producers that treat their staff equitably and farm their fields sustainably. No matter the season, our Produce department is brimming with fruits and vegetable sourced from many Community Foods growers year round. Throughout the winter look for the Community Foods logo at the shelf to find produce favorites that not only supports your wellness but also folks who produce our food in alignment with cooperative values.
Check out the staff recommended seasonal produce from Community Foods growers below.
Kolo Kai Organic Farm started over 20 years ago by Ben and Collete Ferris in Kauai, Hawaii. Today, the family run farm that organically grows over 100,000 pounds of roots a year. Hawaii offers the perfect climate for ginger and turmeric to thrive. Despite high farming and land costs, Kolo Kai is proud to employ 10 full-time, benefit-earning employees who earn a living wage. Stop by our Produce department and taste the freshness of Kolo Kai ginger and turmeric roots—they add the perfect spice and depth of flavor to many winter comfort foods like curry or stir-fry!
R&R Cultivation is a local grower in the Twin Cities that specializes in growing fresh, organic, gourmet mushrooms. Their gourmet mushrooms are grown right here at our urban farm facility in Roseville, MN!
From the forests of northern Wisconsin, Northwoods Mushrooms grows organic shiitake and other specialty mushrooms. Northwoods Mushrooms are log-grown, meaning that they inoculate freshly cut logs with mushroom mycelium, and then incubate them for several months. The mushrooms that grow from these logs are tastier and healthier than mushrooms co-op shoppers may be accustomed to.
Urban Greens was started by Joel and Andrew, friends who grew up together in Indianapolis and studied engineering together at Calvin College. Thanks to the science of hydroponics, Urban Greens are able to offer many local herbs year round.
Bullthistle Gardens is a family-run urban farm in South Minneapolis that provides micro greens year round.