Why is one of the most ancient of grains suddenly becoming a trendy ingredient? Farro has been a common staple of Mediterranean cooking since the days of the Roman Empire. Considered an heirloom grain, farro is described as being nutty, earthy, chewy and satisfying. Whole-grain farro benefits from being soaked in water or broth overnight in the refrigerator to speed up the cooking time, but it can be simmered for 30 to 40 minutes without the extra soak. Use farro in pilafs, any hearty grain-based salad or as a substitute for Arborio rice in a risotto.

Many of us have so much on our plates these days that we tend to forget to stop and appreciate the little things around us that make life worthwhile. So many people are either anxious about the future or depressed because they are living in the past; not enough of us live in the present. Living in the moment, where life is happening, centers our awareness on the here and now and makes us happier. Despite having a busy life or schedule, it is important to know how to be truly present. This winter, we invite you to adopt a ritual that connects you to “right now.”

Don’t have a ritual? The nice thing is anything can be a ritual — chopping vegetables, folding laundry, getting up in the morning, the list is endless. Our favorite winter ritual is drinking herbal tea because it is not only good for health, but the soul, too. There are many health benefits that come along with drinking herbal tea, like hydrating dry winter skin and promoting digestion relief after meals. Here’s a morning herbal tea ritual for inspiration:

• Choose a tea based on your mood.

• Take in the aroma of the herbs and dried tea.

• Boil the water in your kettle of choice.

• Portion the tea according to your flavor preference.

• Add the boiling water over the tea to infuse in a teapot or a tea press, and steep covered for 10 minutes.

• Remove the teabag or push the plunger to stop infusion. I like to add a small squirt of honey because I believe it brings out the flavors of the tea.

• Take a whiff of the tea and wait (im)patiently for it to cool enough to avoid burning your mouth.

Dig into these bulk tea recipes, provided by Seward Co-op staff member, Amanda Reeder.

More than with most dishes, what we think of as “chili” probably has a lot to do with where we live. Here are some popular regional chili varieties to try!

• Texas chili: classic, spicy tomatoes-based all-beef chili that is sometimes served with a side of beans
• Cincinnati chili: add cinnamon, cloves, allspice, or chocolate and serve over spaghetti with optional toppings of cheese, onions, and beans
• Southwestern-style chili verde: green chilis, garlic, tomatillos and cubed pork make a rich, tangy chili
• Chicago-style chili: ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, onions and beer–perfect for topping a hot dog

For a new take, on this staple dish check out these recipes from strongertogether.coop:

• Bison Chili
• Spicy White Bean Chili
• Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili
• Three Bean Chili

Today, citrus fruit is cultivated worldwide where the growing climate is conducive. Origins of this juicy fruit are most commonly traced back over 4,000 years ago to Southeast Asia, China, and India. However, recent research suggests that the first citrus plants were found in Australia, New Caledonia and New Guinea. It wasn’t until the late 1600s that we see evidence of cultivated citrus crops here in the United States.

Citrus, and all its wonderfully alluring varieties (see our seasonal Citrus Guide), are the world’s most widely planted fruits for human consumption. In this hemisphere, we reap the benefits of this abundant season primarily from November-March. The Valencia orange is an exception; this delightful variety is in season over the late summer and fall. And of course there are some late spring varieties, such as the crowd-pleaser Pixie Tangerine sometimes seen all the way into June.

We hope you’ll stop by our Produce department this winter and pick out something new to you!

In 2017, Seward Co-op looks forward to providing the community with healthy and sustainably produced food. Concern for community is one of the seven principles on which cooperatives are founded, and co-ops have a strong commitment to support their neighborhoods. This integrity of purpose underlines the vital role Seward and other co-ops play in the quality of our lives.

Building Commonwealth in 2016

This fall, the Friendship store celebrated its first anniversary and the Seward Co-op Creamery Café reopened after summer renovations and a menu relaunch. The Friendship store continues to perform beyond our expectations and the renovated café provides family-friendly dishes, and an upbeat and inviting atmosphere. Since opening the Friendship store and Creamery Café, thousands of new households have become owners of the co-op.

At Seward, we strive to build stronger relationships among employees, vendors, customers and our broader community by creating spaces in which people can come together over food. We are constantly asking ourselves how we can be more welcoming to all at the co-op. In 2016, this required that we acknowledge the larger historical context of racism and discrimination in our society and take proactive steps, as the board of directors did in September by publicly stating our co-op’s support for Black Lives Matter.

We take pride in the impact we make with our three distinct business units. We are able to offer more products and services from small-scale, local, and cooperative producers. And, each Seward Co-op location allows community members to gather over food, connecting with old friends and new acquaintances.

Community Giving

In early 2016, we reached $1 million in donations to local nonprofits via our SEED round-up program! Seward Co-op has made it a priority to give back to the community. In the spirit of the cooperative principles, the co-op launched SEED in 2011, a fundraising program that provides customers an opportunity to round-up their bill for organizations that share Seward’s commitment to a healthy community.

In the spring, Seward Co-op and many Twin Cities co-ops, teamed up to participate in the MN FoodShare March Campaign. Together, we raised a grand total of 109,371.37 dollars/pounds for the campaign! (This total is comprised of $97,211.67 and 12,159.7 lbs. of food.)

From Thursday, Nov. 17–Wednesday, Nov. 23 Seward Co-op donated 1 percent of all P6 sales, a total of $4,522, to the Cooperative Development Fund, a charitable family of funds that advances economic development through co-ops. These funds will be directed to area farms, many of which Seward has purchased from for years, that experienced damaging rains and consequential farm devastation in the 2016 growing season.

Recognition from Government Officials

In August, we received a visit from U.S. Treasury Secretary, Jack Lew. Lew and his staff visited the Friendship store because part of the financing for the building came in the form of a New Markets Tax Credit. Lew helped create this tax credit in the 1990s during the Clinton administration. The credit is aimed to create jobs and improve lives of people in low-income communities.

Representative Keith Ellison also paid a visit to the Friendship store in January. The congressperson toured the store, met with staff, and discussed the co-op’s recycling program and diversity hiring goals.

Today, citrus fruit is cultivated worldwide where the growing climate is conducive. Origins of this juicy fruit are most commonly traced back over 4,000 years ago to Southeast Asia, China, and India. However, recent research suggests that the first citrus plants were found in Australia, New Caledonia and New Guinea. It wasn’t until the late 1600s that we see evidence of cultivated citrus crops here in the United States.

Citrus, and all its wonderfully alluring varieties (see our seasonal Citrus Guide), are the world’s most widely planted fruits for human consumption. In this hemisphere, we reap the benefits of this abundant season primarily from November-March. The Valencia orange is an exception; this delightful variety is in season over the late summer and fall. And of course there are some late spring varieties, such as the crowd-pleaser Pixie Tangerine sometimes seen all the way into June.

We hope you’ll stop by our Produce department this winter and pick out something new to you!

January is National Soup Month, and what better way to celebrate than with delicious, seasonal soups? Check out Seward Co-op’s favorite soup recipes on WCCO and chili recipes on Kare11.

Old Fashioned Corn and Potato Chowder

2 1⁄2 cups cooked corn (canned is fine)
2 cups diced potatoes
1 Tbsp. butter
1⁄4 cup onion, diced
1⁄2 tsp. salt
1⁄8 tsp. pepper
1 1⁄2 cups boiling water
2 cups hot milk
1 Tbsp. flour, mixed with 1 Tbsp. water

Combine all of the ingredients except milk, flour and water in a large pot. Cook until potatoes are fork tender and onions are translucent. Add milk and flour/water, stirring well. Then, bring to a boil and allow to cook for 10 minutes. Serve with chopped green onion and shredded cheese as a garnish. serves 4-6.

Recipe Adapted from www.food.com

Vegetable Beef Stew

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1.5 lbs. sirloin steak or beef stew meat, cut into about 1″ cubes
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 lb. potatoes
8 cups beef stock
2 bay leaves
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. salt, or more/less to taste
1/2 tsp. freshly-ground black pepper

In a large stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Brown the steak, stirring frequently, until well browned, about 2 minutes. Remove the steak and transfer to a separate plate. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pot. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, carrots, celery and potatoes, and continue sauteing for another 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients along with the cooked steak to the pot, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover pot, and simmer for at least 20-30 minutes, or until the steak and vegetables are all tender. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Remove the bay leaves when ready to serve. Serve the soup warm, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serves 6-8.

As the temperatures drop from brisk to frigid, flurries drift into blizzards, and the days grow shorter, it is apparent that winter is here. Minnesota winters can be harsh, but they can also slow us down so we can rejuvenate and take care of ourselves. This time around, we are taking notes from the Danish, some of the happiest people on the planet, and embracing this season to the fullest by welcoming hygge into our homes and winter celebrations.

Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) — often thought to refer to “coziness” — is a word defined more accurately by a feeling than by a literal translation. Hygge is that feeling you get when you finally carve out some “me time”; wrap up in a cozy, oversized blanket; crack open your favorite book; and sip on a hot, steamy drink. Hygge can also be an evening surrounded by loved ones, gathered around a table lit by candles, sharing a meal sure to warm your belly. Above all, hygge is being intentional about making the everyday, simple tasks meaningful and special by creating a warm ambiance surrounded by family and friends.

Stop into either store January 14th and 15th between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. for our Hygge Event and enter to win a gift basket filled with items for creating a warm and cozy environment in your home

On Dec. 21, SunSpire Organic voluntarily recalled its 42% Cacao Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips and 65% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips because the products may contain undeclared milk ingredients. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. Between Oct. 21 and Dec. 21, 2016 Seward Co-op may have sold affected products.

SunSpire Organic 42% Cacao Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips (9 oz.)
UPC: 77241500750
Best By Dates: Feb. 24, 2017 through Sept. 19, 2018

SunSpire Organic 65% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips (9 oz.)
UPC: 772415007607
Best By Dates: Apr. 17, 2017 through Sept. 10, 2018

If you purchased this product at Seward Co-op between Oct. 21 and Dec. 21, 2016, it will be fully refunded at either our Franklin or Friendship store Customer Service desk.

Seasonal celebrations are in full swing and in this spirit, we’re hosting a photo contest. To enter, send us a picture of your seasonal celebration with a brief description, however it is defined. Whether it’s events with family or friends, an activity that connects people to history or cultural heritage, or a prized possession, we’d love to see it.

How to enter:

Please include #SewardPhotoContest2016 in your social media post or send photographs to sewardfoodcoop@gmail.com with your contact information including: name, e-mail, and phone number. Photographs must be submitted in .jpeg, .jpg or .gif format, edited for web, at least 2,000 pixels wide and no larger than 10 MB. Please send separate e-mails for each photo submitted.

• We do not accept photographs submitted through the mail.
• High-quality scans of non-digital photographs are acceptable.
• Digital photographs should be taken at the highest resolution possible.

You retain your rights to your photograph; however, by entering the contest, you grant the Seward Co-op (and those authorized by the Seward Co-op) a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries for Seward Co-op publications and promotional materials. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible. The Seward Co-op will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses.

Entry Deadline:

All entries must be received by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time on January 15, 2017

Judging:

Photo entries will be judged based on creativity, quality, originality, responsiveness to the prompt and overall impact. Judging will be conducted by the Seward Co-op Marketing Department. Seward Co-op will select a grand prize winner, as well as first and second runner-ups. Winners will be notified via the contact information provided with entry and will have five business days to claim their prize. Please do not contact us about the status of entries or judging.

Prizes:

Grand Prize: $100 Seward Co-op gift card
1st Runner-up: $50 Seward Co-op gift card
2nd Runner-up: $25 Seward Co-op gift card