UPDATE FOR THE WEEK OF Apr 3

Seeking Rain Barrel Donation: We would like to set up a rain water collection system for the garden, so if you have a rain barrel, or would like to donate money towards the purchase of one, please contact Cheri Lewis. Thanks!

2023 Membership Renewals
Memberships are due the first time you shop at the Co-op in 2023. The cost is $30 for the entire year, which is still a great deal. Thank you for your continued support!
Local Products Update
If you would like to place a special order for any of our local product suppliers, please contact Theresa at theresa.pizzuto@gmail.com. 

Monetta Asparagus Farm: 
We received asparagus on 3/25 and will continue to receive it until the end of the growing season. 

Growing Greens Family Farms:
We have collards, curly endive, radishes, and Swiss chard in stock.

Local Meats:
We have ground beef and breakfast sausage from Johnson Creek Farm. If you’re interested in bison or elk, or have requests for other types of local meat, please contact Cheri Noffke.

Rickety Barn Farm:
We will receive goat milk fudge and chicken pot pies on 3/28. Chicken pot pies: Two flavors – traditional & spinach/feta – made with all natural ingredients. Each pie feeds 4. 

Organic sourdough bread: 
There is a good supply of bread in the freezer. 
Monthly Senior Discount Day 
The Co-Op offers a 5% discount to seniors 65+ on the 3rd Saturday of each month.  The next senior discount day will be held on Saturday, April 15. 

Updated COVID-19 Reminders – Masks are now optional for shoppers – We are still following recommended safety protocols
The Pickens County community level is LOW. Based on the current CDC and SC DHEC guidelines, masks are optional for shoppers. Day managers will decide whethervolunteer workers will wear masks on their shifts. We are still following all of the recommended CDC guidelines and SC DHEC guidelines for keeping people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, so we will reinstate the mask policy if the transmission rate increases again.
 We ask you to do the following:If you are feeling sick at all (fever or not), Please do not come into the store.If you know you have been exposed to COVID-19, DO NOT come into the store.  The CDC guidelines call for staying home for at least 5 days after you’ve been exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19.  See this link for more information on what to do if you contract COVID:  What to Do If You Are Sick | CDC

Order Due Dates and Delivery Dates
Online ordering calendar 

UNFI — Thenext delivery date is Wednesday, April 5. The next order due date is Monday, Apr 17. 

Happy Cow — We will receive a delivery on Monday, Apr 3. Place orders by Saturday, Apr 15, for delivery on Monday, Apr 17. 

Frontier Herbs — Orders due monthly on the 4th Tuesday of the month.
New, Restocked & Highlighted Products
Gluten-Free Products
Produce
 If you are interested in ordering a specific type of produce please contact Theresa to discuss availability.  Visit the list of produce suppliers
Personal Care
 Pet Products
Supplements
 
Culinary Herbs
Medicinal Herbs
Consignments & Gifts
 
Reduced Items
 
Discontinued Items
 
Recipes and Health Articles Quinoa
bowl of quinoa
Purchase organic quinoa at the co-op

Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah”) is a type of edible seed that comes in various colors including black, red, yellow, and white. The plant has been cultivated for about 5000 years and is indigenous to the Andean region of South America, specifically Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Peru. After the seeds are harvested they undergo processing to remove the natural saponins, a bitter-tasting chemical compound coating the exterior that acts as a natural pesticide.Quinoa is usually harvested by hand due to the differing levels of maturity of the seeds even within one plant. Therefore seed losses may occur if mechanically harvested. However, in the U.S., seed varieties that have a more consistent maturity are selected to allow for mechanical processing.

Source Of 
ManganesePhosphorus
MagnesiumFolateThiamin (Vitamin B1)

Quinoa and Health
Though technically a seed, Quinoa is classified as a whole grain and is a good source of plant protein and fiber. One cup cooked provides about 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. Unlike some plant proteins, quinoa is a complete protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot make on their own.Quinoa is also naturally gluten-free and can be eaten safely if one has gluten intolerance such as celiac disease.

Make
Packaged quinoa is usually pre-rinsed but some brands may advise rinsing before cooking to remove any remaining saponins. Use a fine mesh strainer to catch the small seeds and run the quinoa under cool water for a few passes.Quinoa is prepared similarly to rice using two parts liquid to one part dry quinoa. One cup of dry quinoa will yield 3 cups cooked, and can be prepared in water, stock, or other liquids. You may also add herbs or spices during cooking such as bay leaves, marjoram, thyme, black pepper, or garlic or onion powder.Add the seeds, liquid, and desired herbs to a pot and bring to a boil on high heat. When a rolling boil is reached, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until tender. You may notice a little white “tail” unfold when it is fully cooked; this is the nutritious germ. Fluff with a fork. If the quinoa is too wet or you prefer a drier quinoa, drain the cooked quinoa in a strainer and return to the pot. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes to dry out further.For easier cooking, quinoa can be prepared in a rice cooker with the same ratio of 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water.

Serve
Prepare as a breakfast cereal by cooking the quinoa in milk or water. Stir in diced fresh fruit, cinnamon, and a tablespoon of nuts.
Substitute quinoa in place of rice in stir-fries and sushi.
Add a half to one cup of cooked quinoa to salads or soups for more heartiness.
Replace pasta with quinoa in pasta salad recipes.
Pop quinoa similarly to popcorn. Place a 6-inch deep pot over medium-high heat. When the pan is very hot, add enough quinoa to cover the bottom of the pan in a single layer. Turn the heat to medium, then cover and shake the pot to ensure a more even temperature and less burnt seeds. Open the lid slightly a few times to allow steam to escape. Continue shaking the pan until popping slows or you smell burning. Pour the grains onto a baking sheet to cool. Season as desired.

More recipe ideas and serving suggestions featuring quinoa:
Quinoa Chia Edamame Veggie Burger

Did You Know?
There are more than 120 known varieties of quinoa. White and yellow quinoa have the mildest flavor, so they are good varieties to try first. Red and black quinoa have slightly stronger, earthier flavors and tend to hold their shape better than lighter colored quinoa.
View online: https://soilborn.org/recipe/stir-fried-collard-green-with-shiitake-mushrooms/