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The Annex Sessions: Ragamenco – Wednesday, August 26, 2026

August 12, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 6-8:30pm “The Annex Sessions” music series will continue at The Annex (El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex), 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito with

Ragamenco

Featuring:

Javier Jiménez – guitar

Luis Jiménez – cajón & percussion

Satish Pillai – piano

Nilan Chaudhuri – tabla

Devi SenGupta – vocals

Mallar Bhattacharya – sarode

Chris Bastian – double bass

Ragamenco represents the synthesis of ancient traditions that have been linked by human and cultural migration through the centuries⁠. A collaboration of Spanish, Indian and USA musicians from the Bay Area, Ragamenco explores exciting new territories by combining haunting Indian classical melodies with exciting gypsy, flamenco, and jazz traditions from Spain. Come hear ancient traditions from the Old World finding a new voice in California.

Javier and Luis Jiménez are founders of the acoustic global music septet Barrio Manouche, known for its distinctively syncretistic global sound, with influences from Spain, France, Brazil, and a wide range of musical styles and genres. Bassist Chris Bastian draws from a diversity of traditions, from classical to blues to flamenco. Satish Pillai is a pianist with eclectic musical influences, from rock to jazz to Indian classical music. Mallar Bhattacharya is a sarode (lute) player of the Maihar school of classical North Indian music. Percussionist Nilan Chaudhuri specializes in tabla from the North Indian city of Lucknow. Devi SenGupta is a classically trained vocalist who sings devotional songs in the medieval languages of North India.

Social media:

–https://ragamenco.com/

–https://www.instagram.com/ragamenco/

–https://youtube.com/@ragamenco3224?si=KvtMkNqKNkA7NS9L

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The Natural Grocery Company is proud to present this series in partnership with SunJams and Javier Navarrette Music Productions.

SunJams is committed to funding children’s music education in underserved public elementary schools. Your donation will help support this ongoing program.

All the proceeds will go directly to our network of local musicians, each of whom has been severely impacted by the lack of events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether you donate $10, $100, or $1000 – any amount helps and will allow us to keep bringing music to our community! As always, your donation to SunJams 501(c)3 may qualify as tax exempt.

Javier Navarrette Music Productions continues to bring live music to several venues around the Bay Area. Javier has been a professional musician and music educator in the Oakland Unified School District for the past 20 years. Over the past few years Navarrette has produced outdoors events that have proven instrumental in enabling musicians to deal with some of the fallout of the pandemic and shutdown that followed.

COVID RELATED SAFETY MEASURES

Please be safe. Feel free to wear a mask if you prefer.

TICKETS

Tickets are NOT required for this venue, you can simply come in, order food and beverages at the Annex counter and pay at the registers.

The Annex Sessions: Modupue Wednesday with Hector Lugo y La Mixta Criolla – Wednesday, August 19, 2026

August 12, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 6-8:30pm “The Annex Sessions” music series will continue at The Annex (El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex), 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito with

Javier Navarrette’s “Modupue Wednesday” Presents

Hector Lugo y La Mixta Criolla

Featuring:

Hector Lugo- Percussion/ Vocal

Roman Ito Carrillo – Percussion/Vocal

Camilo Landau – Cuatro/Vocal

Ayla Davila – Bass

Raul Navarrette – Trombone

Javier Navarrette – Percussion/Vocal

With Special Guests!

Javier Navarrette curates shows with various artists from different cultures in the Bay Area, as well as presenting his own global music projects at “Modupue Wednesdays”

~~~~~

The Natural Grocery Company is proud to present this series in partnership with SunJams and Javier Navarrette Music Productions.

SunJams is committed to funding children’s music education in underserved public elementary schools. Your donation will help support this ongoing program.

All of the proceeds will go directly to our network of local musicians, each of whom have been severely impacted by the lack of events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether you donate $10, $100, or $1000 – any amount helps and will allow us to keep bringing music to our community! As always, your donation to SunJams 501(c)3 may qualify as tax exempt.

COVID RELATED SAFETY MEASURES

Please be safe. Feel free to wear a mask if you prefer.

TICKETS

Tickets are NOT required for this venue, you can simply come in, order food and beverages at the Annex counter and pay at the registers.

August 2026 Sales Flyer B (August 12-25, 2026)

August 12, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

August 2026 Sales Flyer B (8/12-8/25) (larger print)

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus Bowl Recipe

August 8, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

Brighten up your day with a roasted cauliflower hummus bowl! ☀️ This veggie-forward meal is perfect combination of creamy and hearty. Try it for a healthy lunch or a light dinner!

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus Bowl (serves 4)

DIETARY: Vegetarian

Total time: 30 minutes

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon turmeric

½ teaspoon sea salt

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds bite-size cauliflower florets

16 ounces roasted red pepper hummus

2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and sliced

⅔ cup pickled red onion

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

2 large handfuls microgreens

4 poached eggs

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine paprika, cumin, garlic powder, turmeric, sea salt, and olive oil. Toss with cauliflower until evenly coated.
Spread cauliflower evenly on the baking sheets and roast for 15–20 minutes, until tender and lightly browned. Rotate pans halfway through for even roasting.
To assemble each bowl, spread hummus onto the bottom of a shallow bowl or plate, creating a slightly thicker rim around the edges.
Arrange roasted cauliflower in the center. Top with avocado slices, poached egg, pickled red onion, feta cheese, and microgreens.
Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired and serve immediately.

Beer & Cider Tasting at The Annex – Sunday, August 23, 2026

August 6, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

Join us on Sunday, August 23, 2pm-5pm and sample IPA, Hazy, Sours, Hefe, Pilsners, Black Lagers, ciders and mead from craft breweries and find your new favorite!

$10 to taste samples from East Brother Brewing, Mare Island Brewing Company, Alvarado Street Brewery, Barrelhouse Brewing Company, Oakland United Beerworks, Barebottle Brewing Company, Berryessa Brewing Company, Headlands Brewing, Temescal Brewing, Farmstead Ciders, Lassen Ciders, & others!

10% discount on any Beer and/or Cider purchase with no minimum purchase required.

If you are 21+, please come join us at The Annex, 10387 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito!

The Annex Sessions: Jamie Dubberly and the Dharma Latin Jazz Quintet – Wednesday, August 12, 2026

August 4, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 6-8:30pm “The Annex Sessions” music series will continue at The Annex (El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex), 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito with

Jamie Dubberly and the Dharma Latin Jazz Quintet

featuring:

Javier Cabanillas, congas

Omar Ledezma, timbales

Christian Tumalan, piano

Fred Randolph, bass

Jamie Dubberly, trombone

Evolving from the award-winning 9-piece Orquesta Dharma, this quintet brings a more intimate version of the band’s sound, featuring some of the Bay Area’s top Latin and jazz musicians. Rooted in West Coast Latin jazz and shaped by both the sounds of New York’s El Barrio and Afro-Cuban traditions, the music also draws on straight-ahead jazz and New Orleans brass band influences. The group features original compositions and inventive arrangements of Latin and jazz repertoire, with a focus on swing, interaction, and danceable grooves. The music of Dharma has captivated audiences throughout Northern California and internationally, with reach extending to salsa charts in New York and Cali, Colombia, and has also been featured on the nationally syndicated radio show Jazz After Hours, as well as Sirius/XM Radio The group is currently preparing to release its third full-length album, Con Alma Y Swing.

~~~~~

The Natural Grocery Company is proud to present this series in partnership with SunJams and Javier Navarrette Music Productions.

SunJams is committed to funding children’s music education in underserved public elementary schools. Your donation will help support this ongoing program.

All the proceeds will go directly to our network of local musicians, each of whom has been severely impacted by the lack of events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether you donate $10, $100, or $1000 – any amount helps and will allow us to keep bringing music to our community! As always, your donation to SunJams 501(c)3 may qualify as tax exempt.

COVID RELATED SAFETY MEASURES

Please be safe. Feel free to wear a mask if you prefer.

TICKETS

Tickets are NOT required for this venue, you can simply come in, order food and beverages at the Annex counter and pay at the registers.

August 2026 Sales Flyer A (7/29-8/11)

July 29, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

August 2026 Sales Flyer A (7/29-8/11 (larger print)

Independence Matters in Organics

July 27, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

Independence matters.

Not only are we proud to be an independent retailer, we’re also proud to carry countless independent organic brands.

Thanks to the @cornucopiainstitute “Who Owns Organic” list, you can choose to shop brands that align with your values. Here are a few of our favorites:

Alvarado Street Bakery

Organic Valley

Bionaturae

Brew Dr.

Cult Crackers

Equal Exchange

Dr Bronners

Nixie

Pick up a Cornucopia “Who Owns Organic” Booklet in our stores or visit their website to learn more.

Whipped Feta Dip with Grilled Vegetables Recipe

July 23, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

Hungry for a healthy summer appetizer?

This whipped feta dip goes perfectly with seasonal vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini. Serve with some warm pita bread for the perfect shareable appetizer.

Whipped Feta Dip w/ Grilled Vegetables (makes 1 ¼ cups)

DIETARY: Vegetarian

TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes

8 ounces feta cheese, drained if in brine

½ cup Greek plain yogurt

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

4 bell peppers (mix of red, yellow, and orange), cored and cut into 2” pieces

1 large zucchini, cut into ½” thick slices

1 package pita bread, cut into wedges

To make dip, combine feta, yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and pepper in a food processor and process until smooth. Place in a container and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
Meanwhile, prepare vegetables as described above and place in a mixing bowl. Toss with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Grill vegetables over medium heat, about 3 minutes per side or until tender-crisp.
To serve, place a small bowl of dip in the center of a serving platter. Arrange grilled vegetables and pita around the dip. Garnish as desired with chili flakes, paprika, and fresh herbs.

Touring Norandino: Peruvian Coffee & Cacao Cooperative

July 22, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

Our founder, Bob Gerner, recently returned from a tour of Peruvian Co-op Norandino. He went with Josué, who was a barista in The Annex, his wife Natali as well as Bob’s goddaughter, Yuliana.

Norandino supplies Equal Exchange with coffee as well as many of our chocolate brands with cacao. They sell to many manufacturers and importers. They are located in the northern Peruvian city and province of Piura.

The Natural Grocery Company has carried their coffee through Equal Exchange since the 1990s. In 2003 they hosted Bob for a week on a coffee farm in the village of Coyona. They also hosted one of our customers, who won our 25th anniversary contest of a trip to Peru in 2007.

They are what is known as a 2^nd-level cooperative. They are owned by many 1^st-level cooperatives. When Bob visited there in 2003 he thinks they had over 90 1^st-level cooperatives in their organization. Each cooperative has one vote, and they elect the President of Norandino. Norandino is more of a marketing and processing cooperative and provides funding and organic services for the 1^st-level cooperatives. 1^st-level cooperatives are usually on the village level, maybe 50 to 200 families.

Norandino

July 11 at 5:30 AM

Hay visitas que se convierten en tradición y amistades que trascienden el tiempo

Algunas relaciones comerciales nacen de un negocio. Las más valiosas nacen de la confianza y se fortalecen con los años.

Con mucha alegría, la Cooperativa Agraria Norandino recibió nuevamente la visita de Robert Gerner, fundador de The Natural Grocery Company de California (EE. UU.), un gran aliado y amigo de nuestra organización que, una vez más, volvió para reencontrarse con el origen de los productos que llegan a los consumidores de su país.

Durante su recorrido por nuestras plantas de panela, café y cacao, Robert pudo conocer los avances de Norandino, compartir con nuestro equipo y reafirmar el compromiso que nos une desde hace muchos años: llevar al mundo productos de alta calidad que nacen del esfuerzo de miles de familias productoras.

La visita fue acompañada por el equipo del Área de Mercado Local, liderado por Maribel Jaramillo, en un espacio de diálogo, intercambio de experiencias y renovación de una alianza basada en la confianza, el comercio justo y el respeto por quienes cultivan la tierra.

Gracias, Robert, por volver a Norandino. Porque cuando un amigo regresa al origen, confirma que las mejores alianzas no solo perduran en el tiempo… también siguen creciendo.

Some visits become tradition and friendships that last a lifetime.

Some business relationships are born from a shared business. The most valuable ones are born from trust and grow stronger over the years.

With great joy, the Norandino Agricultural Cooperative once again received a visit from Robert Gerner, founder of The Natural Grocery Company in California (USA), a great ally and friend of our organization who once again returned to reconnect with the origin of the products that reach consumers in his country.

During his tour of our panela, coffee, and cocoa plantations, Robert was able to learn about the progress of Norandino, share experiences with our team, and reaffirm the commitment that has been between us for many years: to bring high-quality products that come from the effort of thousands of producer families.

The visit was accompanied by the Local Market Team, led by Maribel Jaramillo, in a space of dialogue, exchange of experiences, and renewal of a partnership based on trust, fair trade, and respect for those who cultivate the land.

Thank you, Robert, for coming back to Norandino. Because when a friend returns to the origin, it confirms that the best alliances not only last over time… they also continue to grow.

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