Stores_both – Page 10

Thank You St. John’s Family Farms!

February 12, 2022 by The Natural Grocery Company

St. John’s Family Farms are one of our 40th Anniversary sponsors. In every raffle tote you will find a coupon for a dozen of their eggs, redeemable in our stores.

Their hens are carefree and pasture-raised. They explore, play games of chicken, and never have to cross the road. Best of all, they lay darn delicious eggs.

Small flocks, free to roam, roost, and graze on green pasture
Custom-blended, Non-GMO feed feed all sourced from the USA
Eggs are hand collected, packed, and delivered fresh

Healthy food comes from a healthy environment. This all boils (in St. John’s case steams) down to location, trust, and attitude. Nestled among walnut orchards and open pastureland in Corning California, St. John Family Farms is organically growing and prospering.

They have taken land that was once dry & desolate and farmed it to be lush & green. It’s a perfect home for their Outdoor Hens. As a Non-GMO Project Verified farm, you can trust the transparency and traceability of their food sources. Their healthy farm thrives on human kindness. From the farm’s passionate owners to its dedicated employees and team of livestock guardian dogs, we are committed to keeping our environment safe for all.

Thank You St. John’s Family Farms!

Thank You Ital Foods Inc!

February 11, 2022 by The Natural Grocery Company

Ital Foods Inc is one of our 40th Anniversary sponsors. In each raffle tote you will find a jar of Rigoni di Asiago Organic Nocciolata Spread (chocolate hazelnut) and a bag of Di Bari Orecchiette Organic Pasta.

Italfoods is pledged to serving customers and suppliers with honesty and integrity, and an eye towards the particular needs of each one of them.

Over forty years of dedication to service, quality and authenticity have made Italfoods Inc. a vital food distribution service, respected by both its customers and suppliers. Each day a fleet of Italfoods trucks hurry from their headquarters in South San Francisco to deliver the finest imported and domestic food products to restaurants, specialty food stores, delicatessens and supermarkets throughout the greater Bay Area.

No matter how successful they become, their motto is to follow the ethic of our founder, Walter Guerra, who never forgot the shoes he was wearing when he came to this country, and always encouraged his employees to work humbly and become valued, proactive members of the community.

Thank you Ital Foods!

Thank You Cult Crackers

February 10, 2022 by The Natural Grocery Company

Cult Crackers is one of our 40th Anniversary Sponsors. In every raffle tote you will find their crackers.

Birgitta and Dianna make and sell Swedish crackers with a healthy California twist from their headquarters in Berkeley, California.

Their totally addicting crackers are filled with good-for-you organic ingredients and packed with flavor and crunch.

Birgitta’s favorite cracker is their best-selling Crunchy Cassava Crackers because of its crunchy goodness. Dianna favors the Classic Seed Crackers for their sweet, rich flavors. But hold on, because according to their website, they’re working on a new cracker flavor which is becoming a new fave for both of them.

Cult Crackers wants you to enjoy their crackers knowing they’re made with your health and our planet in mind. From the very beginning they decided if they’re going to do this, they’re going to do it right, using their business as a force for good. Cult Crackers is committed to using only the highest-quality organic ingredients they can find, are certified organic, mix and bake every batch of crackers by hand, package in sustainable packaging, pay our employees a living wage, and do things with care and intention.

We love what they do, and that Cult Crackers nourish people in so many different ways. Thank you Birgitta and Dianna!

Thank You Tofu Shop Specialty Foods, Inc.!

February 9, 2022 by The Natural Grocery Company

Tofu Shop Specialty Foods, Inc. is one of our 40th Anniversary sponsors. In every raffle tote this month you will find a coupon for one of their products, redeemable in our stores.

Tofu Shop is a small manufacturer and wholesaler of organic, artisan tofu products. Located in beautiful Humboldt County on the remote north coast of California, they bring over 30 years of culinary experience in small batch, open kettle tofu-making, crafted in the classic tradition of the great tofu shops of Japan and China.

As a food producer in a rural area, they’re committed to the health and well-being of both customers and community. They’re active in the development of local food systems, are leaders in recycling and waste reduction, and support a wide variety of non-profits working to make our community vibrant and sustainable.

Thank You Tofu Shop!

Organic Rio Red and Star Ruby Grapefruit

January 29, 2022 by The Natural Grocery Company

Season: This month our Red Rio and Star Ruby Grapefruit are grown in California. This is peak season! Grapefruit tend to grow in clusters, so much so that they can resemble grapes on a vine. (Fun fact! This is how grapefruit got their name.)

Flavor: Sweet, mildly tart, and super juicy they are mostly seedless with deep red flesh.

Storage: Store it at room temperature if you plan to eat the fruit soon, because citrus fruits are always juicier when slightly warm. If planning to store grapefruit for a longer period, make sure the skin is dry before placing the fruit in a mesh bag and store in your fridge crisper.

How to use: Many people like to eat grapefruit fresh and on its own. The juice is great but the sugar can add up quickly when you don’t have the fiber to balance it out. Grapefruit is delicious in salads, as a salsa for fish or added to your favorite grain bowl.

Nutrition: There’s a reason grapefruit is sometimes referred to as a superfood. In addition to its other health benefits, a serving of grapefruit is packed with vitamins and minerals. These include Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Calcium and Iron.

Organic Brussels Sprouts

January 25, 2022 by The Natural Grocery Company

Season: This month our Brussels Sprouts will be coming from either Mexico or California

Flavor: Raw or lightly cooked Brussels sprouts have a mild, sweet, almost nutty flavor. But they’re very easy to overcook, which can lead to a bitter taste, mushy texture, and a strong, sulfur-like smell.

Storage: Store unwashed and untrimmed in a closed container in the refrigerator.

How to use: Look for bright green Brussels sprouts. Black spots or yellow leaves are signs of decay.

To cook, rinse your sprouts well to remove any dirt. Slice off the bottom (which has a tough texture, even when cooked), and remove any outer, wilted leaves. I like to cut mine in half length wise. It helps me to keep from overcooking them. You can steam them, sauté or toss with oil and roast them. You can add raw, shaved Brussels sprouts to soups and salads.

Don’t boil your Brussels sprouts. This can lead to the mushy, bitter taste that many people hate. It also wipes out many of this veggie’s nutrients.

Nutrition: They are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Calcium, Iron and Potassium.

Organic Navel Oranges

January 20, 2022 by The Natural Grocery Company

Season: Grown in California! January through April is the best time for these. Named for the “navel” at the blossom end of the fruit, California navel oranges are considered by many to be the best oranges for eating out of hand.

Flavor: Richly flavored. Great balance of sugar and acidity. Seedless, the fruit separates into easy-to-eat segments. Has bright orange skin that peels easily when fully mature.

Storage: If you are not planning on consuming all of your navel oranges within three to four days, refrigeration is recommended. You can safely store them in the fridge for up to two weeks. The thick outer peel will protect the fruit inside but make sure you dry the outside of the fruit properly so the peel will not rot due to excessive moisture. The ideal refrigerator temperature for navel oranges is somewhere between 45 and 48 degrees. This will keep them as fresh as possible for as long as possible.

How to use: Peel and eat them! Try sectioning them to make a citrus salsa You can also juice them to make a marinade or combine pieces of fruit and juice for a sheet bake with vegetables and chicken.

Nutrition: Oranges are an excellent source of Vitamin C! Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which prevents cell damage and boosts the immune system. They are also a good source of fiber, calcium, potassium and folic acid.

Merry Christmas

December 24, 2021 by The Natural Grocery Company

We’re Turning 40 on Friday, December 10, 2021!

December 4, 2021 by The Natural Grocery Company

We are planning two community gatherings on Friday, December 10, 2021 to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of our company, which began with the opening of our first store.

First – stop by our Original Location, The Berkeley Store, 1336 Gilman Street, Berkeley, for a meet & greet with our founder, Bob Gerner. He will be outside, in front of the store from 3:00pm-4:00pm. All organic hot chocolate, hot spiced apple cider & cookies will be available while supplies last!

Please be cautious for the sake of our community and consider wearing a mask unless actively eating/drinking even though this is outdoors.

Second – The Natural Grocery Company is featured in a new video sponsored by The Independent Natural Foods Retailer Association. We will be premiering it in The Annex, 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito at 6:00pm. Bob will be there to say a few words, we’ll have sparkling beverages available, food and live music from The George Cole String Band from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Come early for the music and stay after the video presentation for more music, more food, more drinks and gather with community.

SunJams is partnering with us to provide the music for the evening. Please consider making a donation towards their mission to provide music education in our schools.

For this event in The Annex Dining Room we are requiring proof of vaccination or a negative Covid Test to attend. All individuals must wear face masks while inside the Annex except when actively eating or drinking.

The video will be published on our social media for those who cannot attend the event; after the premiere.

Sweet Potatoes or Yams?

November 9, 2021 by The Natural Grocery Company

We all love to make “yams” for Thanksgiving, but did you know that you are actually eating sweet potatoes? Perhaps you already know that they are different, but I think there are still some folks who do not. Keep reading if you want to know more.

I was a docent at The UC Botanical Garden for several years back when I had another life as a professional cook in the East Bay Area. I love learning about our foods both botanically and culturally and I hope I can interest you as well. In the United States we refer to an orange fleshed sweet potato as a yam, but they are really two completely different species. Botanically yams are a root while sweet potatoes are a stem (tuber). The true yam does not grow in the northern hemisphere. They are only grown in the Caribbean, Africa and parts of Asia. The Yam can grow up to 150lbs and 4.5′ in length. Their flesh ranges in color from white to yellow to pink and they have a very thick, scaly, alligator like skin. Their flesh is also very starchy and dry. Yams are more closely related to lilies and grasses than to sweet potatoes, which are in the morning glory family. Sweet potatoes are native to tropical regions of South America. Peruvian sweet potato remnants dating as far back as 8000 BC have been found. You can eat them raw, baked, boiled, steamed, roasted, broiled, grilled, fried and just about any other way you can think of!

There is a food origin documentary on Netflix called High on the Hog and in Episode 1 it delves into the differences between the two species and discusses how some traditional “American” dishes came into our combined cultural heritage while the origins were historically obscured. The series is based on the book “High on the Hog” by Dr. Jessica B. Harris and is well worth the read if you are at all interested in how our “American” food culture came to be. It is about the literal “roots” of our food culture.

At The Natural Grocery Company, we have a variety of different sweet potatoes to
choose from year round. The orange flesh varieties are known as “moist fleshed” and the white
fleshed varieties are known as “dry fleshed.” Here are the types we carry at both our stores:

Garnet-An orange fleshed variety that is the most popular. This is the traditional “yam” we eat at
Thanksgiving. With a dark red skin and bright pumpkin colored flesh, this sweet potato is great
prepared almost any way. It is very sweet and has a nice creamy, velvety texture when cooked.

Jewel and Beauregard-Both types have an orange flesh. These varieties have tan skin and tend
to be a little sweeter than the Garnet. I like to use the Beauregard in my sweet potato pie recipe.
It is very moist when cooked and has a texture that is not as velvety as the Garnet. Great for
making sweet potato fries or chips!

Hannah– This variety has a light tan, almost white skin with white flesh. The white flesh is
crumbly and has the texture of a russet potato when cooked. This year, I will be making a
Hannah sweet potato pie with cardamom and vanilla.

Japanese– Also a white fleshed variety, this sweet potato has a very dark purple skin. Because of
its drier texture, I like to slice these, drizzle with olive oil, cinnamon and cayenne and bake at
350 degrees until they soften and turn a golden brown color. They are also nice in soups.

Purple Stokes/ Okinawa sweet potato- This super food variety is my favorite! With a bluish
purple skin and deep royal purple flesh, this sweet potato has a texture very similar to the Garnet
but has an extra sweet earthiness to the taste. Originally from the Americas, this variety was
introduced to Japan in the 14th century and has become a staple on the Island of Okinawa where
it is eaten almost every day. This is believed to be the reason why Okinawa has the largest
percentage of people living over the age of 100 (more than any other country). This variety has
150% more antioxidants than blueberries and is wonderful prepared almost any way. Try using
these in a pie (beautiful) or mashed instead of regular potatoes.

Add some extra antioxidants to your Thanksgiving table and gain some insight into where OUR foods come from, celebrate our diversity and give thanks for the ability to come together!

By Laura Wilt, Communications & Marketing, The Natural Grocery Company

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