Revive Kombucha – Return Bottles by 9/1/2017
If you have a stash of Revive Kombucha bottles, be sure to return them by September 1, 2017 for your $2 refund. If you have questions about their decision to sunset the bottle exchange program please email them directly or contact us via the contact form. Thank you!
Summer Farming
Yesterday I spent a few minutes chatting with our produce buyer Tim about summer fruits. Last week’s heatwave was a focal part of the conversation. Ten days straight of temperatures over 100 degrees in the Central Valley impacts ripening and harvests. With solstice (June 20th) marking the longest day of the year, the sun had even more hours in a day to heat things up.
The remarkable thing about this recent heat spike was how hot it remained in the valley at night. The delta breeze normally helps cool things down when the sun sets. However, that was not the case last week. Some of our farmer friends reported that temperatures remained as high as 80 degrees all night long.
With temperatures like these, apricots can cook from the inside out, rendering an unpleasant flesh to the fruit. This happens when the pit gets so hot (usually from temperatures around 105 to 108) that it remains hot like a pizza stone and continues cooking the fruit into mush. Grapes that are just entering versaison, when the skin changes color from green to black are also particularly vulnerable during heat spikes. The grapes become raisins, without any sweetness. And tomato blossoms abort when temperatures are over 100 degrees.
Of course, these challenges are all par for the course of a farmer’s life. And it is our job (more accurately, that of our produce buyer, Tim and his team) to source the best harvests of the season while supporting our farmers through the triumphs and tribulations of the season.
Of particular delight right now are watermelons, (juicy, sweet and crunchy) and cherries (just starting to arrive from our northern friends in Washington).
Thanks for reading!
-Sarah
Cacao – Finca San Antonio Chocolate
Organic farming, Fair Trade practices and impeccable artisan care all contribute to the outstanding quality of Finca San Antonio. Their use of a rare varietals of cacao such as Criollo
also makes them stand out from the competition.
Criollo was the predominant cacao of central and northern South America for ages. Because of its low productivity and susceptibility to disease it now represents between 0.1% and 5% of the world’s crop. Finca San Antonio still cultivates this varietal of cacao in the northern region of San Martín. Their bars contain between 55% and 70% cacao, all of which is grown organically.
A study by Dr. Ibero from the Nutrition Research Center of the University of Navarra (Spain), published findings in the journal of Food & Nutrition Research showing that the daily intake of 1.4 grams (415 mg flavonoids) Cocoa has beneficial effects for obese individuals, may reduce systolic blood pressure and helps decrease depressive symptoms. A study published in January 2017 in the American Heart Journal shows that the consumption of chocolate may help support better cardiovascular health.
We are proud to carry the chocolates from Finca San Antonio. You can find their bars in The Prepared Food Annex near the flowers, air plants at vases at the parking lot side of the building.
As someone who personally enjoys chocolate daily, I can attest to the marvelous taste of these chocolate bars. See you around. -Sarah
Quench Your Marathon Thirst!
This weekend’s weather is supposed to be sunny and clear. For those of you planning to run the Bay to Breakers, this is really good news!
After the race, you my be craving something refreshing. What better beverage to drink than Sufferfest!? After all, the athletes behind this awesome gluten removed craft beer, developed the recipe inspired by their own post run thirst!
And if you love wine, stop by the Annex after the run for our Grand Wine Tasting from 2-5 pm. More info here > Grand Wine Tasting Tickets
Grand Wine Tasting – This Sunday!
Sunday, May 21st | 2-5pm
Taste 30 wines | Tickets $10
You may pre-purchase your tickets or buy them at the event. To purchase now click > here.
Many of our wines are organic or biodynamically farmed.
We are also having a 20% off Price Crush SALE (12 or more bottles, mix & match ok)!
If you buy a case that day (5/21), we’ll refund your tasting fee*!
The 20% off wine case sale lasts all week: May 21st – 29th!
* The eventbrite service charge is non-refundable
Fair for Farmers
May 13th is World Fair Trade Day. The purpose of this international celebration is to showcase the small-scale farmers and artisans at the heart of the fair trade movement and the contributions they make to healthy and sustainable communities around the world.
This year we’re highlighting small-scale farmers who bring together traditional farming methods with innovative organic practices, creating truly regenerative agriculture. Brands like Alaffia, Alter Eco, Dr. Bronner’s, Equal Exchange, Guayaki Yerba Mate, and Maggie’s Organics are building these supply chains that make a difference—and bringing you products that you can feel good about putting in your shopping cart.
Each brand’s products and its producers tell a different story: Alaffia’s deodorant helps support reforestation projects in rural Togo, increasing food security and helping to slow erosion. Alter Eco’s chocolate partners are reintroducing heirloom cacao varietals as part of an agroforestry project in Ecuador. In India, Dr. Bronner’s is partnering with a project that is revitalizing land into a rich, regenerative ecosystem to grow mint oil that puts the tingle in your soap—and a wealth of food and cash crops. Equal Exchange’s coffee helps power deep organic practices, and farmer-led workshops that pass the wisdom on to the next generation of Honduran farmers. And in Paraguay, Guayaki works with the indigenous Aché Guayaki who cultivate your yerba mate boost in the understory, earning a living in harmony with the rainforest instead of depleting it.
Small-scale producers are growing food and farming systems that give back to their communities and regenerate our planet. When you support the fair trade brands that support them, you’re helping grow that future too.
Look for special in-store deals throughout May, and let your purchases be Fair for Farmers every day!
Learn more at FairWorldProject.org
Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar – It’s Many Uses
- Tummy troubles. Dilute a tablespoon of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar with water or tea and drink it before a meal for optimal digestion.
- Combat dandruff. Mix ¼ cup Bragg Vinegar with ¼ cup water in a spray bottle. Spray it onto your hair after you wash, let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.
- Teeth brightening. Rub apple cider vinegar directly on your teeth and then rinse with water. Careful not to do this too often, it can break down enamel just like any acid! For a less abrasive approach, mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water, swish and spit.
- Soothe a soar throat. Mix one teaspoon apple cider vinegar, one teaspoon cayenne pepper and three teaspoons of honey in a glass of warm water.
- Foot odor! Pour one cup of apple cider vinegar over baby wipes, or thick paper towels. Store them in the fridge. Use as needed.
- Use it topically on your skin (apply with a cider soaked washcloth) to make your skin feel softer, absorb excess oil and reduce fine lines by restoring optimal pH levels.
- Scorched by the sun! Add a cup or two to the bath to help restore your skin’s pH.
MESA Spotlight – a Local Non-Profit
The folks at MESA (Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture) work to connect leaders in sustainable farming around the world for experiential training, knowledge-sharing, and cross-cultural exchange to cultivate community food systems. The Natural Grocery has long been a host for MESA stewards looking to gain work experience in our retail setting while working with our 100% organic produce.
Since 2011, The Natural Grocery Company has hosted 10 Stewards from these six countries:
- Peru
- Ecuador
- Republic of Georgia
- Thailand
- Sri Lanka
- South Korea
The work MESA does is vital to maintain a healthy global community, sharing resources and skills around the world to strengthen sustainable farming and international solidarity.
This Thursday, MESA will join us to share information about their Bay Area work supporting women, immigrants and formerly incarcerated community members to launch organic urban farms and businesses. They will also be actively fundraising in collaboration with East Bay Gives. You can help them reach their fundraising goals!
Come on down to the Annex on Thursday, May 4th to hear about their work, meet some of the people they serve and support a local non-profit!
They will be available for questions and information from 11-2 and 4-6. We hope to see you this Thursday!
Easter Menu
Join us now through Sunday the 16th for our holiday menu:
