Copy
Inside: News on our grand opening celebration, new patron-requested products, an update on bulk products, a profile of Dancing Bears Company, and more!

In this issue:

Grand Opening celebration

Saturday, September 17 is the Grand Opening Celebration! Join us for a day celebrating art, food, and music. Meet local producers, sample food, and participate in Food Nirvana, a cook-off competition that will enlighten the senses. We are finalizing details and will have more information next week on how to be involved in this celebration!

We are listening and responding

We have openly encouraged members’ input on the products to stock in our enterprise.  In response, here is a list of just some of the new items on our shelves:
  • Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Scented Soap
  • “Lite” Kettle Corn
  • Go Naturally organic candy
  • Kiss My Face: Patchouli deodorant
  • Mrs. Meyers Detergent
  • Stacey’s Cinnamon Chips
  • Yak meat and jerky
  • Ground lamb
  • Goat Cheese
  • Organic butter
  • Taro Chips
Please continue to let us know what you want.

Bulk products are coming!

The plumbing project has finished laying the tile. The sink installation is next.  
 
The completion of the plumbing project will enable the setup and sale of the bulk products. This means that the following will be available in the amount which you want:
  • Grain
  • Rice
  • Beans
  • Granola
  • Dried Fruit 
  • Coffee
Breaking news
To support our bulk coffee beans, we have purchased a coffee grinder which will be arriving soon.
 
Look for our announcement when we have the bulk products in the store and ready for purchase.

Special requests for volunteers

In general
We will need volunteers the weeks of August 29th and Sept 5th to help set up the bulk items.

Every Tuesday
Tuesday is “Prepping Orders Day” for Katie. She could use help from 2 to 6 PM (either of those two-hour shifts) from people able to run the cash register so that she can work on orders up in the office.

If you have the time, please respond to this request for assistance. Thanks. Your assistance has been key to our efforts and is appreciated.
 

Environmental Working Group’s 2011 Shoppers’ Guide to Pesticides in Produce

Buying organic is the best way to avoid pesticides; however, organic may not be available or affordable for everyone. In response to the situation of going with non-organic produce, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has done the pesticide testing on washed and cleaned produce samples. People who use produce from the following "Clean 15 List" over the "Dirty Dozen List" can significantly lessen their pesticide exposure. Another way to use the lists is to prioritize organic purchases from the "Dirty Dozen List."
 
Clean 15 List
  • Eggplant
  • Cantaloupe
  • Kiwi
  • Cabbage
  • Watermelon
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Grapefruit
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Corn
  • Pineapple
  • Avocado
  • Asparagus
  • Sweet Peas
  • Mangoes
Dirty Dozen List
  • Apples
  • Celery
  • Strawberries
  • Peaches
  • Spinach
  • Nectarines
  • Grapes
  • Sweet bell peppers
  • Potatoes
  • Blueberries
  • Lettuce
  • Kale

Producer profile:
Dancing Bears Company  

This is the first in a series of profiles on our participating producers, artists, and volunteers.
Dancing Bears Company Logo
Jim and Mary Degiovanni, proprietors of the Dancing Bears Company, are key suppliers for Minnesota Street Market. Bordering the St. John’s arboretum, Jim and Mary’s enterprise is located on County Road 51. You pass their homestead and fields if you take the back way to Saint John’s University from St. Joseph. Currently they focus on organic produce, grass-fed sheep, free-range chicken, soaps, and honey.

The sheep are strictly grass-fed on their organic pastures. The Minnesota Street Market sells their ground lamb burgers. Last week, we started selling eggs from their free-range chickens.

As their produce is certified organic and sustainably produced, we are pleased to be able to provide their produce to our members and the community. Minnesota Street Coop currently sells their:
  • tomatoes,
  • eggplants, and
  • green bell peppers.
The tomatoes are so sweet and flavorful that they are great for simple, plain tomato sandwiches. Later in the season, you can look for their squash, melons, spinach and kale.  In fact, Jim intends to extend his plantings for next year and thus will be growing in tandem with our operations.

For more info, check out their website: www.dancingbearscompany.com

Celeriac soup
(We've changed some of the quantities in this recipe.)
 
2 1/2 T. butter
1 celeriac (about 1.5 lbs. before trimming and peeling), peeled and chopped
3 leeks, white and light green parts sliced
1 small potato, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
2 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper
4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch strips and cooked until crispy
 
In a large soup pot melt the butter over medium heat. Add the celeriac, leeks, potato, garlic and onion. Salt and butter, and let cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to low. Let the soup simmer for 20–25 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Use a blender or immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth. Stir in the cream. Salt and pepper to taste (we found it needed quite a bit). Ladle into bowls and top with bacon.
 
Serves 4.

 
Table and Chairs Donation
Thanks to Patty Weishaar for providing a set of table and chairs for use in the store by our customers. Patrons can now sit down and comfortably chat with friends. Additionally, furniture reinforces a community feel to the store. Thanks.
New Sign for the Exterior of the Store
The Minnesota Street Market has had a new sign produced to mark our presence in downtown St. Joe. The new sign will replace the Loso's sign currently in place. The Loso's sign is planned to be hung inside the store to link to the Loso's Store heritage.

The new sign is not only beautiful, but emphasizes one of our organization key mission statements: sustainability. The 8’ by 4’ sign is made of cedar. The primary benefits are:
  • Virtually no maintenance
  • Lightweight
  • Ages beautifully without rotting
  • Rustic and old-fashioned look and feel.
Copyright © 2011 Minnesota Street Market, All rights reserved.
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp