Chocolate

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.

April 2026 Sales Flyer B (4/15-4/28)

April 15, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

April 2026 Sales Flyer B (4/15-4/28) (larger print)

Craft Chocolate Tasting at The Annex

April 14, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

Craft Chocolate Tasting

Join Us at The Annex, 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito for this special event!

$10 to taste chocolates from around the globe! Learn and explore the world of craft chocolates with passionate professionals as your guides.

The Xocolatyl Bar– Albany, CA @XocolateBar

Dick Taylor – Eureka, CA @dicktaylorchocolate

Naïve – Lithuania @ChocolateNaive

Original Beans – Switzerland @originalbeans

Ocelot – Scotland @ocelotchocolate

Auro – Philippines @aurochocolate

Sibu – Costa Rica @sibuchocolate

and more!

Cookies and Cream Dirt Dessert with Gummy Worms Recipe

April 3, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

Early bird gets the worm! Or should we say… cake? 😋

Check out this delicious plant-based cookies and cream cake. It’s lots of fun for kids and adults alike!

Cookies and Cream Dirt Dessert w/ Gummy Worms (makes 12 servings)

DIETARY: Vegetarian

TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes

Ingredients

2 (3.4 oz) packages vanilla instant pudding mix

3 cups cold milk

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

8 oz cream cheese, softened

⅔ cup powdered sugar

1 cup heavy whipping cream

10.5 oz chocolate vanilla sandwich crème cookies

Gummy worms

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk for 1–2 minutes until fully combined. Place in the fridge to chill while you proceed.
In a separate bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar until smooth and uniform.
In another bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks.
Combine cream cheese mixture with the chilled pudding mixture until fully combined. Then, gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until smooth and fluffy.
Crush cookies with a rolling pin until a coarse crumb forms or pulse briefly in a food processor.
Spoon half of the cookie crumbs into the bottom of 12 serving dishes or a 9×13-inch pan. Top with the pudding mixture—if making individual cups, aim for a scant ½ cup of pudding per cup. Top with remaining cookie crumbs.
Decorate with gummy worms and serve promptly.

April 2026 Sales Flyer A (3/25-4/14)

March 25, 2026 by The Natural Grocery Company

April 2026 Sales Flyer A (3/25-4/14) (larger print)

Philippine Chocolate Talk & Tasting – Tuesday, November 18, 2025

November 4, 2025 by The Natural Grocery Company

Calling all chocolate connoisseurs!

Come learn about Philippine Chocolate at 7pm on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, with The Natural Grocery Company Founder, Bob Gerner.

We will be featuring Auro Chocolate, which is an internationally awarded tree-to-bar chocolate brand that promotes sustainability by working directly with local Filipino farmers.

The name originates from the combination of “Au” which is the chemical symbol of Gold in the periodic table, and “Oro” which is the Filipino and Spanish word for gold.

Auro represents the pursuit to refine Philippine cacao and elevate the lives of local Filipino farmers who are as precious as gold.

One of the most exciting things about single origin chocolate is discovering the unique flavor profile that each bar would be able to offer. A 70% chocolate bar from two different origins could taste entirely different and at times, bars from the same origin can also vary in flavor notes because of the different protocols followed.

Join us to learn about sourcing, processing and quality!

This is a free community event at The Annex, 10387 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530, (510) 526-5150.

Vegan Crispy Bars Recipe

July 31, 2025 by The Natural Grocery Company

These vegan crispy bars are packed full of chocolate and coconut flavor!

They’re perfect for potlucks, lunchbox treats, or anytime you need a quick no-bake dessert .

Vegan Crispy Bars (6-8 servings)

DIETARY: Gluten-Free, Vegan

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour, 20 minutes

1 cup smooth peanut butter, unsalted

2/3 cup brown rice syrup

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups rice cereal

1 ½ cups vegan bittersweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon neutral oil

3 tablespoons shredded coconut

1: In a 6-quart pot, melt together peanut butter, syrups, and vanilla on medium low heat. Stir in cereal.

2: Spread mixture in a parchment lined 9” by 9” pan and press down flat.

3: Melt chocolate with oil and spread over bars. Sprinkle with coconut and chill until set, about 1 hour.

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

May 13, 2025 by The Natural Grocery Company

This decadent chocolate chia seed pudding is equal parts indulgent and delicious!

Whether you’re meal prepping tomorrow’s breakfast or craving a chocolate-y dessert – this is the recipe for you!

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

5 min prep + 2-4 hr chilling time

Serves 2-3

Vegetarian

Ingredients

1 cup milk (whole, almond, oat, etc.)

½ cup plain yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ cup chia seeds

2-4 tablespoons agave syrup

3 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted

1 teaspoon mushroom powder

Pinch of salt

Shaved chocolate, for garnish

Sliced almonds, for garnish

Mint leaves, for garnish

Directions

Whisk together all ingredients in a mixing bowl until smooth. Adjust sweetness to taste and place in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours to thicken.
Spoon pudding into serving dishes and garnish with shaved chocolate, sliced almonds, and mint leaves.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

April 3, 2025 by The Natural Grocery Company

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

1 hr

Makes 2 loaves

Vegetarian

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup cane sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

3 ripe bananas, mashed

2 large eggs

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon sea salt

½ cup sour cream

¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla together until pale in color. In a separate bowl, whisk together bananas and eggs. Add the banana mixture to the creamed butter and mix until just combined. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Fold into wet ingredients.
Add sour cream and fold the batter again until just combined then fold in chocolate chips.
Grease loaf pans with butter or baking spray, optionally, line them with parchment paper. Divide batter evenly between the two prepared pans.
Bake for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow banana bread to rest for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

Chocolate Trail Mix Bars Recipe

February 10, 2025 by The Natural Grocery Company

These delicious chocolate trail mix bars are perfect whenever you’re on the go!

Plus, they’re made of pantry staples you probably already have on hand – including oats, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. And if you don’t have them on hand you know you can get them at our stores!

Chocolate Trail Mix Bars

Makes 8

Total time: 35 Minutes

Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

Ingredients

1 cup gluten-free rolled oats

½ cup trail mix

½ cup mixed roasted nuts, roughly chopped

⅓ cup chocolate chips

½ cup roasted sunflower seeds

¼ cup sesame seeds

¼ cup currants

½ cup honey or brown rice syrup

⅓ cup creamy peanut butter

2 ounces chocolate, chopped

¼ teaspoon avocado oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine oats, trail mix, nuts, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and currants.
Heat peanut butter and honey in a small saucepan and stir until bubbling. Pour over oat mixture and stir until well blended and everything is coated.
Line a 9”x9” baking pan with parchment paper. Add mixture to the pan and with wet hands, press mixture flat.
Bake for 15 minutes. Allow bars to cool before removing from the pan.
Cut into eight bars and place on a cooling rack.
Fill a medium-sized pot with two inches of water and place a heatproof metal or glass mixing bowl on top. You want it to fit snugly without touching the water. Bring the water to a simmer over medium-low heat. Add the chocolate and avocado oil to the bowl and stir until melted and combined. Drizzle the chocolate over the cooled bars.

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