Life Extension Spring Sale We received the first 15% off sale order from Life Extension last week. If you would like to place a special order with the next sale order that we place (date TBD), please add it to the Life Extension Direct Order book or call it in. If you have questions, please email Katherine Vinson. Open House Sat, May 21: Save the Date Save the date for our Grand Re-Opening Celebration & Member Appreciation Day to be held on Saturday, May 21 from 11:00-4:00pm during the annual Six Mile Issaqueena Festival. More details will be shared soon! Contact Theresa if you would like to assist with the planning or volunteer at the event. 2022 Membership Renewals Memberships are due the first time you shop at the Co-op in 2022. The cost is $30 for the entire year, which is still a great deal. Thank you for your continued support! Weekly Recipe:  Cream of Asparagus & Spinach Soup (w/ ginger) at the bottom of this email   Product Updates  New & Restocked Products (Photos Below) UNFI: we received the UNFI delivery on 3/30. See photos below for new and restocked products. Shiitake Mushrooms: we received shiitake mushrooms from Elijay Mushroom Farm, Elijay, GA on 3/31. Asparagus: we received asparagus from Monetta Asparagus Farm, Monetta, SC on 3/31. We will restock periodically throughout the growing season. If you would like to place a special order, please contact Theresa with the quantity (number of packages of ~ 1-1/2# each) that you would like.  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 16.  Updated COVID-19 Reminders – Masks are now optional for shoppers – We are still following recommended safety protocols The Pickens County rate of transmission has been low for a couple of weeks, so based on the current CDC and SC DHEC guidelines, we have made masks optional for shoppers. Day managers will decide whether volunteer 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.  What 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 Previous Posts Visit these links for more information: Darkspore Mushroom Grow Kits available to order Volunteer Jobs Co-op Garden Project Updates Order Due Dates and Delivery Dates Online ordering calendar UNFI — The next order due date is Monday, Apr 4. The next delivery date is Wednesday, Apr 13.  Happy Cow — Next delivery on Monday, Apr 4. Place orders by Saturday, Apr 16 for delivery on Monday, Apr 18. Backroads Bakery —  TBD Frontier Herbs — Orders due monthly on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

New, Restocked & Highlighted Products

Gluten Free

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

Consignments & Gifts

Reduced Items

Recipes and Health Articles Cream of Asparagus & Spinach Soup Delicious creamy soup with spring vegetables Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Total Time: 35 mins Servings: 2 serving  Calories: 287kcal   Ingredients 1 bunch asparagus chopped and cut it into pieces, remove the thick ends at the bottom Half of one onion 1 cup chopped spinach (or green peas) 1 inch ginger 1 tablespoon butter/olive oil ½ cup heavy cream 3 cups of homemade vegetable stock ½ teaspoon salt or to taste ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper Instructions In a sauce pot heat butter and add chopped onion and fry until it becomes translucent. To this add chopped asparagus ( make sure to remove the thick bottom part, set aside few tips for garnishing the soup) and sauté for about 4 minutes to this add chopped spinach and ginger piece and sauté for 3 minutes. Then add vegetable stock, salt and cook for about 10 minutes or until asparagus become soft and tender. When it is cold enough to touch using immersion blender or blender grind them into fine puree. If you want you can strain and remove any thick pieces. Bring back the soup to heat and add pepper and heavy cream and bring it to rolling boiling. Blanch the set aside tips of asparagus for 3 minutes in boiled water. Drain and garnish the soup with it. Nutrition Calories: 287kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 683mg | Potassium: 128mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2592IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg Find it online: https://zestysouthindiankitchen.com/cream-of-asparagus-and-spinach-soup/