News from Around the Store

Produce

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! New developments for Equal Exchange Organic Bananas!

For most co-op shoppers, Equal Exchange has become a household brand in the last 24 years. The good folks of the Equal Exchange worker co-op have brought us major transformation in the coffee, tea, and chocolate industries—helping to de-commodify these cash crops and educate consumers about realistic pricing that reflects fair wages and higher environmental standards.

Now Equal Exchange has set its sights on transforming the organic banana industry. They have partnered with El Guabo Banana Co-op in Ecuador, which is a grower co-op comprised of many small, independent family farmers who, alone, would not have any market for their bananas. You can understand this best by thinking of locally grown/produced products here in Minnesota—outlets like the Twin Cities Co-ops help to keep local small-scale organic farmers in business.

When we buy Equal Exchange Bananas, we are again supporting small family farms, but from thousands of miles away. There, as here, supporting small farmers feeds families, nourishes communities, and protects the environment. To bring this even closer to home, when you purchase organic bananas at the Wedge, you will notice a posted lot number on our banana display—you can record that number, go online at Equal Exchange.com, and look up the profile of the farmer who grew your bananas that week. The thanks for this exciting new opportunity goes to Equal Exchange—and for their efforts to make a saner, more just food system for us all.

Floral

You asked for it, We found it! Wedge Floral Has Locally Grown and Fair Trade Flowers

For flowers that make sense as well as scents, the Wedge's Floral department is here to dig up the nitty gritty for you. We are excited to announce new bouquets from local Naturefresh Bouquets. These unique, handmade bouquets are a mixture of the exotic and the familiar, and use bold color combinations for a modern feel. They are as responsible a choice as they are beautiful, as Naturefresh sources its flowers from fair-trade sources in Ecuador in bulk, and individually assembles them here in Minnesota for maximum freshness.

Want to get even fresher on Valentine's Day? Did you know that the Wedge stocks locally grown roses, lilies, Alstromeria and Gerbera daisies, even in the heart of winter? Local greenhouse-grower Len Busch Roses supplies the Wedge year-round with beautiful flowers at affordable prices. Locally grown greenhouse flowers last longer, cause very little environmental damage, and support the local economy.

Bakehouse

Are you planning a special dinner for a special someone on Valentine's Day? If so, be sure to complete your meal with a crusty artisan bread. A sliced baguette is the perfect accompaniment to any dish. We bake them every morning, so you can give the best to your loved one.

St. Patrick's Day (March 17) is all about Soda Bread here in the Bakehouse. It's a seasonal favorite. Made with buttermilk and lots of raisins, it's sweet and savory at the same time. Try it with your favorite soup or stew—it goes great with any roasted meat dish. Get your fill while it lasts... it only comes around once a year!

Meat and Seafood

The Wedge Meat and Seafood Department is now using a biodegradable fiber tray for our packaged meats. We have replaced the traditional petroleum-based, expanded polystyrene foam trays with a more environmentally friendly tray that is made from renewable resources including sugar cane pulp, cattails, tapioca root, corn starch, asparagus, and bamboo. These plant materials decompose at a much faster rate than Styrofoam. However since they have come in contact with meat we do not suggest home composting or recycling of these trays.

The trays have a beige color because they have not been treated with bleach or artificial dyes. Chlorine bleach used in manufacturing produces dioxins that are harmful to the environment. The pulp used to make the trays is 100 percent natural and unbleached. They are produced in factories that run on a closed-loop operation, meaning the water used in production and all fiber scrap materials are recycled.

As the first USDA certified organic meat department in the country (2002), we strive to bring the best products to our customers; last year we introduced a new natural brown freezer paper to our full-service case, and now we have biodegradable fiber trays. We are committed to reducing the negative environmental costs in food packaging. We feel that what is good for the environment is ultimately good for our members, our community and our business.

Deli

The Deli is ready for the two big days in February:

That Big Football Game (you know, the one we're not supposed to call by its name unless we pay the NFL licensing fee): Build Your Own Pizzas, Buffalo Wings, Dip Samplers and megatons of Guacamole.

Valentine's Day Delights include: Heart-shaped Chocolate Truffle Cakes (Gluten-free) and Heart-shaped Linzer Cookies — we're making them all during the first half of February so you can test them again and again, before the big day.