The Digest


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The Digest Summer 2014

From the Editor

Mini-Meals on the Go by Natalie Miller Rotunda

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ummer and fall are crazy-busy times. You know how it goes. After this winter finally wound down, we were ready to be on the go, packing into our days as many activities as possible. Our dizzying schedules may look something like this: attending our kids’ baseball and soccer games, filling the seats in the van with loved ones and heading to a Twins’ game (back by midnight), planning a picnic, swimming, boating, fishing, attending local festivals, backyard gardening, backyard barbecuing. We’re having the time of our lives, while the days fly past. Before we know it, it’s time to head back to work and school. (But the fun doesn’t have to end!) Amid the bustling activity, how do we wedge in the good eats we know will energize us and keep us healthy? Use this tip as you like, compliments of my sister. When the calendar page turned to Saturday, we knew Joan was in the kitchen, making nutritious meals and quick snacks that daughters Connie and Carrie would take back to their college housing. Junk foods would not pass her girls’ lips! The amazing thing is, that healthy pattern she established in their childhood is what they follow, post college. More and more of us are routinely paying attention to eating fresh whole foods, frequently, if not daily. The 5-A-Day program is likely responsible for that, at least in part. As their name implies, they advocate that we all eat five servings of fruits and veggies each day. Following that sound program helps immunize us against those food temptations that greet us everywhere we turn (unless we’re shopping at The Good Earth!). Faced with a choice of that bag of trans fat-laden chips, a donut piled high with

by Meredith Barth

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fter a frigid winter and a wet spring, I frosting made from who-knows-what, or a think it’s safe to say we’re all looking crisp red apple, more often than not, we’ll forward to making the most of this summer. pick the real food. For my family, that means picnics, fishing, While we eat healthy at regular mealtimes, baseball games, hiking—and good, oldthose between-meal hours can pose a fashioned mud pie making, of course. problem -- unless we’re armed with a This year, we’ll also be adding a few new nutritious snacking, mini-meal strategy. adventures, thanks to the suggestions offered Here are some ways to build in mindful on page 10. snacking—and have a little fun, too, as Dawn Johnson does. (Meet Dawn in this No matter what thrills we seek, it’s safe to assume, with three little boys in tow, that issue’s Staff Spotlight on page 3.) someone will be at the brink of starvation, within minutes of leaving the house. Most likely, this will occur at an inopportune time (how about if I finish baiting this hook first), within close proximity to the last meal (didn’t I just feed you?), or both. There’s a reason moms always travel with snacks. After a while, the same old fruits, nuts, and veggies start to lose their snack time appeal. Fortunately, the Good Earth has us covered. We’ll be enjoying a few of the goodies recommended by bulk manager, Luke, in this issue, and the mini-meal recipes in our feature story are sure to come in handy. I know I can also count on our new produce manager, Dawn, to bring in exciting, sesonal varieties of fresh produce to reignite my kids’ love for simple snacks—one of many reasons we love being member-owners of the Co-op.

Make It Fun Dawn is a lucky mom. Her young daughter already loves fruits and veggies, and the two of them have fun making “kooky faces,” her daughter’s favorite. How? “We just cut up whatever leftover fruit or vegetables we have and make funny faces out of them. Then we eat them!”   I’m very excited to have Aimee, our retail floor manager, sharing the first in a series That’s not their only fun-with-food trick! of articles she’s writing to help us all learn Look at these: more about our co-op—how it functions, how policies guide each department, why • Dips—guacamole, hummus, nut butter, member-ownership is important, and more. or chia butter (see below). Try dipping Find the first installment on page 7. green pepper slices, cucumber spears, celery sticks, or pear slices. Here’s to a fun and adventurous summer, filled • Fun shapes—cookie cutters are great for with watermelon, ice cream, and all manner of shaping melon slices. deliciousness from the Good Earth! continued on page 8

www.goodearthcoop.coop

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Get Involved Are you interested in getting more involved with the coop, meeting new people, and bringing new ideas and energy to events at the co-op? Do you have great ideas about what the co-op could do to better serve its member-owners? Contact a board member to see how you can contribute!

If you’ve got a story idea, comment, or question for the newsletter staff, or if would like to contribute to The Good Earth Digest, email us at [email protected].

Board Members & Management Christy Benesh Secretary [email protected] Diane Griswold Accountant [email protected] Gwen Feddema [email protected] Graham Litterst Vice President [email protected] Sarnath Ramnath [email protected] Megan McNair President [email protected] Michael Valente General Manager Michael.Valente@ goodearthfoodcoop.coop

Good Earth Board Meetings

For daily menu updates,

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Member-owners are invited to attend every third Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm in the Good Earth Community Room! Additions to the agenda must be submitted in advance.

www.goodearthcoop.coop

On the Good Earth Calendar

International Day of the Co-op July 5th: 4:00 pm- 8:00 pm Cost: FREE Fun activities for the whole family! Art Fair in the Gardens July 17th: 10:00 am- 8:00 pm @Munsinger Gardens Cost: FREE Music, art, and food! Visit www.munsingerclemens.com for details. Annual GEFC Dinner September 13th: 4:30 pm @St. Augustine’s Church Cost: $5 member-owners, $10 nonowners Good Earth Summer Cookouts Every Friday: 11:30 am-2:00 pm Through September 5th Summertime By George Every Wednesday: 5:00 pm-9:00 pm @Lake George Visit www.summertimebygeorge.com for details. Holistic Moms Network Every 2nd Tuesday: 7:00 pm Cost: FREE Email [email protected] for more information. Chive ‘n Jive Whole Foods Cooking Every 2nd Saturday: 9:30 am-11:00 am Free Thinkers Every 1st Sunday: 10:00 am-12:00 pm

For more details, visit GoodEarthFoodCoop.coop, and “like” the Good Earth on Facebook for event reminders!

Staff Spotlight: Dawn Johnson by Natalie M. Rotunda

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hat dark-haired gal you see wheeling carts of veggies and fruits into the produce department is Dawn Johnson, the Good Earth’s new produce manager. Hanging out with all that succulent produce isn’t her only job at the Good Earth. Dawn, tell us about yourself. I grew up in Minnesota where both of my parents were teachers. Mom taught home ec and Dad taught science. I learned a lot about biology, and we talked a lot about healthy food. It’s interesting to think about it, now that I’m here. I went to college in Duluth to be a teacher, changed directions, and earned a two-year degree in Detroit Lakes. I moved to St. Cloud eight or nine years ago. I was working at a garden center and saw that there was a job available at the Coop.   I had wanted to work with plants or

Tell us about the work you do here. I’m produce manager; I work with the produce staff, and I do ordering. A lot of what I do is in the produce department, trying to make it a work of food art, and customer service. I went to school in Detroit Lakes for sign lettering and design, and have been able to use those skills here at the Good Earth. I’ve made aisle signs, so it is easier for our customers to find what they’re looking for. You’ll see new ones popping up all over the Co-op.  Using my creativity at work is one of the reasons I love working here!

food, so I applied—and here I am! My life has done nothing but improve since I started working here. I love the atmosphere, the people, the business model—and I love what we do, having what people want, giving people the opportunity to buy healthy food.

Save The Date...

For the “Think Global, Eat Local” Annual Good Earth Food Co-op Dinner & Board Elections.

Saturday, September 13th 2014 Social hour@4:30 pm Dinner@5:30 pm St. Augustine’s Church 442 Second St SE, St. Cloud MN $5 member-owners, $10 non-owners

www.goodearthcoop.coop

Do you garden at home? I have lots of plants at home, and I plant a container garden every year. There isn’t a whole lot of room in my yard, so I plant tomatoes and herbs. I help my friends with their gardens, and they let me have some of the harvest. This summer, I’ll also be helping at SCSU’s community garden. I’m really looking forward to it! What veggies and fruits are you bringing into the produce department this summer/fall? We’ll have lots of fresh, delicious produce coming in this summer! Stonefruit (peaches, nectarines, plums, pluots), organic grapes, and, of course, lots of berries! You’ll see a lot of local fruits and veggies, too. Greens, herbs, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, melons, raspberries...and more!   We’ll continue to have local fruits and veggies through the fall, with the addition of local apples! When you’re not working, what do you like to do? When I’m not working, I spend lots of time with my daughter at the park or in someone’s garden.  When I’m inside, I love to read and play video games.

Dawn’s Product Picks • Organic Raw Kombucha MultiGreen Drink • Ataulfo mangoes—I like them better than the traditional, because their texture is creamy. • The deli’s vegan scones. It’s impossible to pick a favorite, but blueberry almond and the breakfast scone are

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A Visit to Fox Family Farm

by Kate Lechner, Meat Manager

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recently had the pleasure of spending a day with Laurence Fox, the Good Earth’s new local pork producer from Browerville, Minnesota. While taking in the beauty of traveling the rural Minnesota roads, I remembered what I had read and was told about the farm being a leader in sustainable agriculture. I knew Laurence had an amazing, affordable product and an enlightened philosophy on how his farm should operate, but nothing could have prepared me for how remarkable this experience was going to be. Upon arrival, I was welcomed in and given a complete tour around the on-site processing facility. It was immediately obvious that Laurence has a tremendous passion for the land and takes exceptional care of his family, his farm, and those beautiful pigs! Raised around pigs his entire life, Laurence moved to Minnesota in 2006, bought a farm, and custom built a processing facility to be acutely focused on the humane handling of his pigs. He said an idea came to him in the middle of the night; he awoke at 2:00 a.m. and started construction immediately. His design and custom welding proved his unique ability to minimize the stress of the animal and make the process as quick as possible. This process gives Fox Farm Pork the uniqueness of the utmost humane handling as well as an incomparable, exceptional flavor. I asked specifically to come on a processing day to see for myself the level of integrity and received a welcome vision of the utmost respect for

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the animal, for the land, and for family.   After a complete tour of the facility I got to meet the pigs. On the way out to the hoop houses we were accompanied by the family dog Trixie who keeps an ever watchful eye over her farm. The four houses were sorted by age and size and full of the happiest, healthiest pigs I’ve ever seen. Most of the pigs came straight to us for a delightful greeting, while some stayed happily nestled in piles of non-GMO corn stalk bedding and others literally kicked up their heels playing with one another. Seeing how well these pigs lived made me feel good about my place in the food chain and the importance of the energetic connection with what sustains us. As we walked with the pigs, Laurence explained to me the importance of land stewardship and his adamant opposition to genetic modification. He described how nothing is wasted; the blood and bone are composted with manure to fertilize the fields that grow the Non-GMO crops he grows to feed the animal. Laurence described how healthy soil feeds healthy plants and healthy plants feed healthy animals—including we humans who eat both plants and animals, painting a picture in my mind of completing a true full circle in sustainable farming. I would like to thank Laurence Fox for standing up against GMOs and his dedication to integrity and operating on the premise that our resources can be carefully managed and cultivated to make them last indefinitely.            

Summertime Snack Fare

by Luke Salisbury, Bulk Manager

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n these few precious moments between one winter and the next, we Minnesotans are ever aware of the drive to relish and savor this brief stint of fair weather. When you are ever on the march out into the wild blue yonder, you might find yourself wanting to cut your meal prep time down. Well, with a helping hand from the Good Earth Bulk Department, a reduction in prep time by no means requires a reduction in nutrition and sustenance! We have many products—some of them trusty standbys, others exciting new arrivals—that will help you to fuel up fast in the morning and snack deliciously and responsibly while out on the move!

from plant-based foods without adding any artificial ingredients—meaning absolutely no added flavors or preservatives! Lemon Cranberry Bites Tart and sweet bites made with organic lemon and plump organic cranberries—as unique as they are delicious. Peanut Butter Hemp Bites Crispy, nutty little buddies made with hemp protein for an additional energy whallop. Naughty But Nice Granola Rich, dark cocoa blended with freshly ground organic peanut butter makes this crowd favorite a likely candidate for both breakfast and dessert.

Go Take a Hike Trail Mix This delightful fare is my flagship munch mix. Made with 100% raw, organic foods, this is a combo you can really get behind. Dried goji berries, golden raisins, and mulberries play the honeyed counterpart to unsweetened raw cacao nibs. Throw in some raw pistachios and cashews and you’re living on cloud nine, my fellow chow compatriot! This balanced snack blend is one I have been revisiting for years upon years.

Gingerbread Flax Granola A lower-sugar granola sweetened with organic agave and organic molasses and flavored with organic aromatic spices.

Organic Dried Mango Now, this next bit might get a little chancy, because dried mango is one of those items that can drive a once rational person into the spiraling madness of dried fruit addiction. It has been observed that dried mango slices can turn kings into beggars, and beggars into kings. Imagine if you will a pillowy slice of perfectly ripe tropical bliss. Every bag of dried mango is excellent, but every now and again you come across the sweetest most cotton-leathery strip of paradise you can imagine, and you become a dried mango lifer in a micro-millisecond. It’s no small wonder that mango is the number one selling dried fruit at the co-op!

Luke’s Picks Now, since I am the one behind the keyboard, that earns me some space to crow

Find these tasty treats and many more in the same place you’ll find Luke most days—the Good Earth bulk department.

Banana Gorilla Granola No monkeying around with dried banana chips or fake fruit flavors here. They mix ’em fresh out of the peel with whole, organic cashews for a luscious yet low-cal, healthy energy burst you’ll pant and hoot over.

Freeze Dried Organic Berry Powders These new multipurpose fruit powders make a great addition to your morning smoothie, oatmeal, yogurt, or baked goods! High in Vitamin C and fiber, these can add a healthy boost to the flavor and nutritional profile of a summer power-breakfast. Much easier to take on the trail than fresh fruit, they won’t bruise, squash, or expire. These are 100% pure fruit with no added sugars or preservatives, and they come in 5 organic varieties: strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, acai berry, and goji berry!

and strut a bit about my personal favorite goodies. As a seasoned bulk foods nosher, I’ve come to stand by a couple solid snack selections. What’s that? You’d like to hear about them? Oh, well, I suppose I could prattle on a titch…

Granolas and Energy Bites We recently brought in a new line of organic granolas and energy bites called Pure Bliss Organics. When you are on the move and looking for a burst of healthy fuel, look no further! Just snatch up a re-sealable pack of energy bites and pop as many of these tasty tidbits as you desire. If you’re craving something with a little more crunch to it, then scoop up a share of our three new granolas. Mow down on a few in the early hours of the day, and take a little with you for later on down the trail. Pure Bliss Organics create all of their products

www.goodearthcoop.coop

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Ice Cream!



By Amanda Hegreberg, Grocery Manager

Galactica, Cherry Amaretto, dark chocolate, Ginger Cookie Caramel, and Lunaberry Swirl will keep you happy this hot summer

Top it all off with fruit, chocolate sauce, fudge, cake, and brownie pieces. The Co-op even has sprinkles and organic candy bars if t is time to cool down with some tasty you like. For an even more delectable treat, frozen desserts! One of my favorites is a bowl of vanilla ice cream with strawberries, fresh or frozen. Nothing beats that, except throwing in a brownie too.

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For a delicious dairy ice cream, Alden’s Organic and Three Twins Organic can’t be beat. Alden’s are in 1.5 quart sizes with traditional flavors—vanilla, cookie dough, strawberry and peaches and cream— while Three Twins come in pint sizes and have more options for the taste buds, like Caramel Truffle Swirl, Butterscotch Pecan, and Sea Salt & Caramel. Gelato connoisseurs, check out our Talenti section, as well as the Ciao Bella gelato squares. Gelato has less milk fat than traditional ice cream and is churned slower, so it has less air whipped into it, making it denser. Based on staff favorites, I recommend the Key Lime Graham squares from Ciao Bella and pints of the Talenti sea salt caramel, black cherry, and Sicilian pistachio. Need a non-dairy treat? We have that too. Between Rice Dream’s frozen desserts and pies, Almond Dream Bites, and coconut frozen desserts, we have you covered. Coconut is a great alternative for many people. We have Smooze coconut ice in pineapple, mango, and pink guava. So Delicious no-sugar-added chocolate frozen dessert, and Luna and Larry’s Coconut Bliss in pints and bars. Flavors like Mint

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Summer Skin

by Autumn Wallace, Health and Body Care Manager

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hen I think summer in Minnesota, I think outdoors: trips to the lake, picnicking, barbequing, bonfires, bicycling, and anything else we can find a way to do outside. The next thing that comes to mind is hot sun and lots and lots of bugs. That is why sun block and bug spray are so important. My favorite line for these products is Purple Prairie. Purple Prairie is a local company based in Clearwater, MNthat offers skin care products from lotion and soap to sun and bug care. All products are free of parabens, petroleum, phthalates, detergents, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and dyes.

whip up some fresh cream to make your own whipped topping. If you need a dairyfree option, we have you covered with our non-dairy options in the refrigerated case. Summer only comes once a year, but ice cream is available all year long. If you have suggestions, just let us know, and we can try to squeeze them in. Enjoy!

Please Note Advertisements and articles do not imply endorsement of any belief, idea, or service by the Board, management, or staff of the Good Earth Food Co-op.

www.goodearthcoop.coop

Purple Prairie sun care products are mineral-based and moisturize as they protect. Micronized zinc oxide scatters the suns harmful UVA and UVB rays without excessive whitening. That 20% zinc offers 30 SPF. The products are also unscented, 99-100% natural, biodegradable, and environmentally safe, and they come as a lotion, stick, or lip-balm. Purple Prairie offers a natural way to keep away gnats, biting flies, and mosquitoes. A special blend of essential oils and plant extracts make this DEET-free product safe for all ages. It also helps soothe after the fact, so try it on itchy bites, poison ivy, chicken pox and other itchies. It is available in a spray, lotion, and balm. When you’re out and about this summer, stop by the Good Earth and pick up these wonderful products. What’s better than supporting a local Minnesota company for a more enjoyable Minnesota summer?

Are You Part Owner of the Co-op?

by Aimee Stockholm, Retail Floor Manager

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e’ve recently changed our vocabulary, moving away from calling our investors “members” in favor of calling them “owners.” We would like to emphasize that when you make your stock purchase into the Co-op, you aren’t paying a fee to join a club— you are becoming a part owner of your local grocery store. We take great pride in knowing that over 50% of our daily shoppers are part owners, and we strive to meet their expectations. But what is a co-op, really? And what can you expect from us? In this article and in future issues of the newsletter, I’m excited to share with readers the basics of the co-operative principles on which our co-op is founded, our store’s mission and policies, and how we’re striving to fulfill that mission. There are many types of co-ops. Those of us from central Minnesota may be most familiar with producer-owned agricultural co-ops like Land O’ Lakes dairy or Ocean Spray juices. There are also worker-owned co-ops, like the Equal Exchange Co-op, and other types of consumer-owned co-ops like housing cooperatives, utility cooperatives, and credit unions. Co-operatives are typically based on the Rochdale Principles of Co-operation, first penned in 1844 and adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance in 1937. Those seven principles are: 1. Voluntary and Open Membership: open to all persons able to use their services and will-

ing to accept the responsibilities of member- What does that mean compared to traditional ship, without gender, social, racial, political corporations? First, instead of being owned or religious discrimination. by a select group of shareholders and controlled according to their level of investment, 2. Democratic Member Control: controlled any person can become a part owner of the by members, who actively participate in set- Good Earth Co-op and has equal voice, reting their policies and making decisions. gardless of their equity share. Our owners elect a board of directors and those board 3. Member Economic Participation: mem- members are volunteers, not employees. The bers contribute equitably to, and democrati- board is directly accountable to Co-op owncally control, the capital of their cooperative. ers through nomination and election proceMembers allocate surplus capital for devel- dures. opment of the cooperative, setting up reserves, or benefiting members in proportion Unlike corporations, where profits are reto their transactions within the cooperative. turned to shareholders based on ownership share, with no obligation to pay out divi4. Autonomy and Independence: cooper- dends, cooperatives invest profits back into atives are autonomous, self-help organi- the business and/or return surplus revenue to zations. If they enter into agreements with the member-owners based on their purchasother organizations they do so on terms that es that year. The motivation of co-ops is to ensure democratic control by their members maximize customer service and satisfaction and maintain their autonomy. rather than to maximize shareholder returns. In other words, a cooperative is owned by, 5. Education, Training, and Information: controlled by, and designed to benefit an open provide education and training for members, and democratic group of owners, who in our employees and the general public about the case are a majority of our shoppers. nature and benefits of cooperation. So, what are we doing to benefit our owners? 6. Cooperation among Cooperatives: co-ops This year, the GEFC Board of Directors has serve their owners and strengthen the cooper- been working on policy governance and has ative movement by working together. updated our ends statement. An ends statement is a very specific type of goal—one that 7. Concern for Community: work for the designates the results for which the organizasustainable development of their communition exists. The products and services portion ties through policies approved by their memof our ends statement is as follows: bers. continued on page 9

www.goodearthcoop.coop

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Mini-Meals on the Go

Continued from page 1

by Natalie Miller Rotunda

• Ants in a Boat—halve an apple and remove the core. Fill the middle with nut butter and sprinkle raisins on top.

Make-Ahead Mini-Meal Recipes Here are a few recipes that meet our on-the-

Make It Available One health-minded person I know buys quantities of nuts and trail mix that he bags in portion sizes at home. Each day, he carries whichever snack strikes his fancy, storing it in his briefcase or backpack. When that Snack Bell rings, his snack food is within reach, whether he’s working or cycling. Parents of a large family (12 kids) I know used to hard-boil dozens of eggs which the kids snacked on after school. Anything you do to make healthy snacks easy to grab is a sure win. Make It Easy It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or many ingredients to make a quick and easy snack. Here’s a short list of ready-to-eat and makeahead mini-meals that will satisfy hungry urges: • Pumpkin seeds, already roasted, or ovenroast your own • Raisins or other dried fruit • Yogurt-covered pretzels • Toast with nut butter or chia butter (see below) • Graham crackers, plain or topped with nut butter, fruit preserves, or Jim & Hazzy’s jam • Fair trade dark chocolate bars • Apple slices and cheese chunks • Apple slices with nut butter dip • Carrot and celery sticks • A cup of berries • Melon slices • Cottage cheese with fruit • Any of the chips in the snack aisle, served with guacamole, salsa or hummus • Fruit salad, prepared ahead and refrigerated • Parfaits—yogurt, fresh fruit, and a little granola for crunch • Trail mix—try one from the Good Earth bulk department or make your own with dried fruit, nuts, and whatever else strikes your fancy • Energy bars—many varieties available in grocery and bulk or try DIY bars with dates, nuts, and coconut • Air-popped organic popcorn, sprinkled with real flavorings from the bulk department

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• Your favorite dressing Method: 1. On your prep table or counter, line up the clean jars with lids. 2. Cut the rinsed veggies and fruits into edible portion sizes. 3. Add dressing to the bottom of each jar. 4. Layer ingredients in the jars, leaving a small space at the top. (How pretty they look!) 5. Place lids and store in your fridge. 6. Ready to eat? Shake the jar to toss your salad and enjoy! Liquid Snacks

go snacking critera: fun, easy, and available. Fruit and Veggie Wraps You’ll need: • Romaine lettuce or Swiss chard leaves Choose from the following: • Carrots, julienned • Green or red peppers, thinly sliced • Sprouts (broccoli, alfalfa, etc.) • Grated cheese • Ataulfo mango, diced • Blueberries • Dollop of hummus or guacamole Method: 1. Wipe off individual Romaine or Swiss chard leaves with damp towel. 2. Fold and press each leaf in half, along the rib. 3. On the side closest to you, layer the prepared ingredients, ending with the hummus or guacamole. 4. Roll the leaf snugly around the fruits and veggies until they form a wrap. 5. Store in a covered container in your fridge. Mason Jar Salads Make a salad in a jar with your favorite ingredients and it becomes a grab-and-go meal or snack. Don’t forget the fork and napkin! You’ll need: • 4 to 6 clean jars with lids, quarts or pints • Enough fresh greens, veggies, and fruits to fill the jars

www.goodearthcoop.coop

• Fill a quart jar with homemade veggie juice. Refrigerate. Most nutritious when consumed within a day. • Filtered water with slices of fresh cucumbers, lemon, lime, berries and herbs. Make your favorite combos by the pitcher or the glass. Chia Seed Butter and Crackers Chia seeds are loaded with nutrition, and so versatile! Consider these two uses from sarawilson.com, and see 11 more on the website. • Cinnamon chia butter: Add ground chia seeds to your favorite nut butter and spread on hot toast. • Chia crackers: Make a thin batter of ground chia seeds, plus milk. Cook in a slow oven. September is National 5-A-Day Month Many states have their own 5-A-Day program. Ours is supported by a coalition of organizations, more than 80, that range from non-profits to food banks. You’ll hear much more about this healthy habit of a program throughout September. As you can see from the snack and mini-meal ideas here, including those five servings can be easy— and fun.

Save a tree and stay informed! Email [email protected] to request an electronic copy of The Good Earth Digest.

Feasting on Watermelons

food is also low in calories, so feel free to indulge in this happy healthy snack.

Are You Part Owner of the Co-op?

The peak of the watermelon season is from mid-July through August. This is when they are at their sweetest, ripest and most deliby Michael Valente, General Manager cious. Though you can get watermelon year round these days, to get local, super-sweet summertime favorite, watermelons are watermelons that we all love to cherish, enone of the very foods that define the continued from page 7 joy in-season. season. You’d be hard pressed to find someone that doesn’t like this magnificent food. Watermelon isn’t just a picnic food these 1. The Good Earth Food Co-operative proThis enormous berry is loved for its sweet days. There are other ways to keep it in- motes sustainable, trustworthy sources of smell and juicy flavor, but it also possesses teresting. Rinds can be marinated, pickled, food and other goods and services at the best many health benefits. candied, and even stir-fried. For the juicy, possible prices.

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An American favorite, watermelon originates from the Kalahari Desert in Africa. Though there are over twelve hundred varieties around the world, only about 50 are popular in North America. Watermelons are fragile and must be harvested by hand because they are made up of 92% water and 6% sugar.

Not just delicious, watermelons are an excellent source of vitamins C, A, and beta-carotene. These attributes allow watermelons to be beneficial in resisting heart disease, breast, liver, and prostate cancer. Watermelons have also been known to melt kidney stones and help people suffering from gout and arthritis.

2. We give preference to local producers, organic practices, certified Fair Trade items, and non-GMO certified products, in that order. 3. We provide clear, consistent, and accurate labeling and presentation of products. 4. We strive to satisfy customer expectations, and promote health and well being. red flesh, find creative recipes for soups, salads, and other fantastic dishes. I recommend trying Grilled Watermelon and Tomato Salad or Thai-Spiced Watermelon Soup.

5. We provide member-owners and the community with access to information regarding both product selection and the services provided by the Cooperative.

Don’t forget the seeds! You can dry and roast them. They make a great snack loaded with vitamin B, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, iron, potassium and copper.

I look forward to sharing with you, next issue, on how we’re working to fulfill these ends, specifically when it comes to product selection and labeling.

We all know how thirst quenching and hydrating this amazing food is, but eating watermelon can also help with the digestion process, and dilutes blood, which may help Pick up a locally grown, plump and juicy in regulating blood pressure. This fat-free watermelon this summer and enjoy!

Ask a staff member or visit the website to apply for member-ownership today!

Order your certified organic CSA today!

Starting at $30/week Convenient St. Cloud Drop

www.goodearthcoop.coop

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Member-Owner Spotlight: Judith Lesar by Natalie M. Rotunda

How did you become a member-owner of the Good Earth Food Co-op? I’ve come to the Co-op since it was located on East St. Germain. I became a member-owner after the Co-op moved to this location. I don’t remember when, but it was before the store’s large expansion.

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udy Lesar no longer works as a psychologist, but that doesn’t mean she’s any less busy. She now fills her time with leisurely pursuits, and, as a working member of the Good Earth, she demonstrates store products on Wednesdays. Let’s get acquainted with Judy and see what she’s up to.

Judy, tell us about yourself. I’m a local gal. I grew up on a lovely farm 30 miles west of here, outside of New Munich. I presently live in the hill country near Avon with my husband David and our cat Albert. My grown sons are Adam, who lives in L.A., where he is trying to make inroads in the film industry, and Ben, here temporarily finishing his degree.

I have been attuned to healthy eating ever since college, but my interest has increased over time.

Are you a home gardener? I am a home gardener, but my passion is flowers. We do, however, raise basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, and chives—and rhuThe Co-op offers so much to mem- barb and apples. I wouldn’t have expected ber-owner and non-member shoppers. this of me, but I have started a fairy garden What do you like best? all along the north side of my house, and it This is a hard question to answer, but asking is so fun. A psychologist just might say it’s a it causes me to really look at what I value. regression to childhood. My husband and I come here often (I usually come three times a week). Most of the How do you like to relax? time, I have lunch, and there is absolute- I like to do lots of things. Many are simple ly nowhere else in town where I can get a and home-based things I consider play. I cooked-from-scratch-meal, with mostly or love walks/hikes with my husband, exercisexclusively organic or locally grown ingre- ing at the YMCA, gardening, sketching and dients, and at very reasonable prices. I also acrylic painting, reading, watching the birds like the great selection of products, and the in our yard, watching movies and documenwonderfully knowledgeable staff, so willing taries, traveling, and socializing with friends to help shoppers. However, neither of these or family, or for that matter, anyone who are what I like best. What I like best is the will talk to me. (I kind of like to socialize.) staff. I have never seen anything but a high level of kindness, consideration, and respect Is there anything else you’d like to share for customers. That, I believe, is rare today, with us? and a treasure I hope continues to be nur- The only other thing is that I am really enjoying the demo work. I get to learn about tured. Co-op products, and I enjoy interacting with Do you and your family eat organic and customers who stop by the demonstration table. sustainably raised foods?

Explore St. Cloud

by Aimee Stockholm, Retail Floor Manager

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ondering when you’ll have a chance to get away this summer? Discover opportunities for outdoor exploration and fun in the sun just minutes from your doorstep. The Saint Cloud area has an enticing variety of green scenery, learning opportunities, out of the way retreats, and low cost (or free) activities so you and your family can appreciate being outside in Central Minnesota. I’ve spent the last ten years living in St. Cloud, looking for ways to make being outside an adventure, and here are my favorites. Quarry Park St. Cloud is called the “Granite City” for a reason; it is built on and from granite. The Quarry Park, located in southwest St. Cloud, is a 684-acre county park built on a 100-year-

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old granite quarry. Features include miles of biking and hiking trails, solar-lighted cross-country ski trails, rock climbing, scuba diving, swimming, and trout and bass fishing in and around 33 water-filled retired quarries. One-day parking is $5, an annual pass is $16. For more info: www.co.stearns.mn.us/ Recreation/CountyParks Sand Prairie Wildlife Management Area The SPWMA, located off Highway 10 in east St. Cloud, is a 700-acre tract containing two wetland restoration areas, a prairie restoration area, and an observation deck for wildlife viewing—be on the lookout for the majestic Sandhill Crane. If you are a furry friends lover of the canine variety,

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you might be pleased to find that this is an off-leash dog area during non-nesting times of year. For more info: www.dnr.state.mn.us/wmas Munsinger Clemens Gardens Located on the east river bank, directly across from St. Cloud State University, these gardens offer majestic tree- and flower-lined pathways, fountains, and sitting nooks. Munsinger Gardens is free and open to the public every day. Check out Music in the Gardens, a showcase of local music, every other Sunday at 3:00 p.m., from June 8th through August 24th this summer. For more info: www.munsingerclemens.com continued on page 11

Explore St. Cloud continued from page 10

Keep It Local Unscramble  each  of  the  clue  words.   Copy  the  letters  in  the  numbered  cells  to  the  cells  at  the  bottom  with  the  same  number  to   reveal  the  hidden  quote!  

Lake George If you’ve ever driven by the St. Cloud downtown area on Division Street, you’ve driven over Lake George’s former lakebed with Lake George to the south. A scenic, historical, and cultural center of the city, Lake George is a naturally occurring lake: originally a swamp reaching to the steps of St. Mary’s Cathedral and draining to the south to the Mississippi River. Lake George offers a kids’ play area, a splash pad, and walking paths. Wednesday nights this summer, check out Summertime by George, a free concert and festival featuring local musical talent and various vendors (including the Good Earth!) and activities. For more info: www.summertimebygeorge.com SCSU Community Garden No room for your own garden plot? This year is the SCSU Community Garden’s 10th year, and it’s going strong. The SCSU Community Garden strives to create a green space for all to enjoy and encourage community building while providing knowledge about food and sustainable food systems. For more info: www.stcloudstate.edu/ communitygarden/ Frisbee golf courses Too broke for the country club, but missing those afternoons of light, outdoor competition with your buddies? Frisbee golfing—often called “frolfing”—is the low-cost (just the disks) alternative in the wooded parks of Central Minnesota. You can explore frolf courses at Riverside Park and Calvary Park in St. Cloud, and River’s Edge in Waite Park. Venture further and find courses at Mill Stream in St. Joseph, North Side in Sartell, Mississippi Heights in Sauk Rapids and Hidden Lake in St. Augusta. For league info: wwww.mndiscgolf. proboards.com Explore the Mississippi Up for a little danger, a little water, and lots of excitement and beauty? Several organizations in our area offer kayak and canoe rentals for exploring our beautiful stretch of the Mississippi. Contact SCSU’s Outdoor Endeavors or Clear Water Outfitting

Company for more information on rental rates, shuttles, and tours. For more info: www.stcloudstate.edu/ campusrec/outdoorendeavors/ and www. cwoutfitting.com/ I hope these opportunities for exploration piqued your interest! This is by no means an exhaustive list—many area parks have splash pads for the young ones to enjoy, and many neighborhoods have parks and community gardens. Just walking through our historic neighborhoods and downtown area offers a chance to appreciate mature trees and hundred-year-old architecture. I hope you can take a few afternoons this summer to enjoy your outdoor spaces, without worrying so much about gas, time off work, or expenses. You might see me there!

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brunch Join us for

every Saturday and Sunday in the deli!

- All natural, non-GMO ingredients. - No preservatives or added fats. - Made with love by a small, local company. 11

Become a member today!

Centennial Plaza 2010 Veterans Drive Saint Cloud, MN 56303 Tel: (320) 253-9290 [email protected] [email protected]

STORE HOURS Monday - Saturday 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Sunday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Benefits include: • A 5% discount to use once each month. • Monthly specials exclusively for member-owners. • A 10% case discount on pre-ordered products. • Patronage refunds based on your purchases during profitable years. • Reduced or free admission to Good Earth classes and events. • And more! For more information or to apply for membership, please visit GoodEarthCoop.com or see one of our friendly staff members.

Or Current Resident Centennial Plaza 2010 Veterans Drive Saint Cloud, MN 56303

PRST STD US Postage PAID Permit No 228 St Cloud MN

The Good Earth Food Co-op Wants You to be a Part of the Board of Directors! • Are you a member who is interested in getting involved more with the Good Earth Food Co-op? • Are you passionate about supporting the Co-op, the membership, and its ideals? • Are you committed to being a part of a team that will work together to represent membership? If yes, please consider applying or nominating someone that you know who fits this description for a position on the Good Earth Food Co-op Board of Directors. Being a part of the Board of Directors will allow you to learn more about and play a more active role in today’s Co-op! How to Apply or Nominate Someone: 1. Get an application or nomination form from one of the friendly staff members at the front of the store or on the website (www.goodearthcoop.com). 2. Complete the form and return it to the front of the store or to [email protected] along with a photo and a letter of recommendation. 3. The deadline for applications and nominations is Friday, July 11th 2014.

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