All posts by Gary Huber

IFC Distribution is Today!

April 26, 2018
by Gary Huber

This is being sent to everyone who ordered this cycle.

Today is distribution at all sites except Ames, which is tomorrow. Osceola’s pick up will be tomorrow as well (same time of day) because of services for Cindy Woltz. Our alternative pick up is Saturday from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Plaza site.

If picking up at Franklin Avenue, please check out what’s available in our Retail Center. And if for some reason you need to call, use 515.450.6812.

Thanks for your orders. See you later today or tomorrow or Saturday.

IFC Pick-up is Thursday!

April 23, 2018
by Gary Huber

Hi. If you are getting this by email, you’ve placed an order for this week’s distribution.

The number of folks ordering this cycle was 254, and sales totaled about $14,750. That’s about 90% of last year’s sales total. So, we are down this cycle, but year-to-date we are running 10% over last year. That what we budgeted for growth. We’ve got four more cycles before our fiscal year ends on June 30th. Hopefully spring is here, and we’ll see our sales grow again.

Regardless, we appreciate your purchases, and now it’s time to make it all happen. What follows is some information on what comes next, but first a heads up to our Osceola customers that pickup there is being moved to the same time (5-6:30 pm) on Friday.

The reason is Pete Woltz’s wife, Cindy, passed away last week. Pete’s store – Timber Ridge Country Market – is where we do our Osceola pick up. Services will be on Thursday of this week, and so pick up will be on Friday.

We are deeply sorry for the loss of this wonderful woman, and our thoughts are with Pete and their family. Here’s a link to her obituary.

Anyway, here’s the relevant info regarding distribution this week.

1. If you are picking up at Franklin Plaza, please check out products available for purchase in our Retail Center. There’s good stuff you can add to your online orders.

2. Specifics on times and locations for all our sites are available with this link and to the left.

NOTE: IF YOU ARRIVE BEFORE THE SCHEDULED START TIME, OUR VOLUNTEERS WON’T BE READY. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY AND BE PATIENT.

3. Our alternative pick up time will be from 10:30 am to noon on Saturday, April 28th. If we don’t see you Thursday, we’ll assume you are coming Saturday or have made other arrangements.

4. We accept EBT cards for payment ONLY AT OUR Franklin Plaza site. If you are an EBT member and are picking up at another location, please send an email to distribution@iowafood.coop so we can arrange for processing your payment.

5. It’s a GOOD IDEA to check to be sure your pick-up site is correct. You can access your invoice by logging in, going to the shopping tab, and click “view in-process invoice”. If it’s not right, send an email to distribution@iowafood.coop.

Thanks again. Let the sun shine.

From our President

April 16, 2018
by Gary Huber

From IFC Board President, Susan Ekstrom:

Community

I recently represented the IFC at a rally celebrating National Clean Water Day put on by the project Mighty Earth. As I listened to the other speakers I felt such appreciation for all the organizations striving, as I think we do, to help protect our environs and our own health.

Mighty Earth is currently working to get Tyson Foods to buy animals to process from farmers who use sustainable agriculture practices.

It really will take all of us together to resist the influence of ‘big ag’.

PS I also reminded the gathering that healthy worthwhile food is not cheap!

 

-Susan

IFC Distribution is Today!

April 12, 2018
by Gary Huber

This is being sent to everyone who ordered. Today is distribution at all sites except Ames, which is tomorrow. Our alternative pick up is Saturday from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Plaza site.

If picking up at Franklin Avenue, check out what’s available in our Retail Center. In addition to our regular items like meats and canned goods, we’ll have carrots, beets, duck eggs/eggs, microgreens and more for sale.

If for some reason you need to call, use 515.450.6812. Thanks for your orders. See you later today or Saturday.

IFC Pick-up is Thursday!

April 10, 2018
by Gary Huber

Hi. If you are getting this by email, you’ve placed an order for this week’s distribution.

The number of folks ordering this cycle was 240 and sales totaled about $13,600. That’s down about $1,000 from this cycle last year. Not sure why. Could be winter’s grip, in which case spring and all the green it brings should help.

Regardless, we appreciate your purchases, and now it’s time to make it all happen. We’ll have your products ready for you; here is some information on what comes next.

1. If you are picking up at Franklin Plaza, please check out products available for purchase in our Retail Center. There’s good stuff you can add to your online orders.

2. Specifics on times and locations for all our sites are available with this link and to the left.

NOTE: IF YOU ARRIVE BEFORE THE SCHEDULED START TIME, OUR VOLUNTEERS WON’T BE READY. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY AND BE PATIENT.

3. Our alternative pick up time will be from 10:30 am to noon on Saturday, April 14th. If we don’t see you Thursday, we’ll assume you are coming Saturday or have made other arrangements.

4. We accept EBT cards for payment ONLY AT OUR Franklin Plaza site. If you are an EBT member and are picking up at another location, please send an email to distribution@iowafood.coop so we can arrange for processing your payment.

5. It’s a GOOD IDEA to check to be sure your pick-up site is correct. You can access your invoice by logging in, going to the shopping tab, and click “view in-process invoice”. If it’s not right, send an email to distribution@iowafood.coop.

Thanks again. Let the sun shine.

Make dinner in 25 minutes: Mexi-Mac

April 7, 2018
by Gary Huber

Another recipe from board member + local food wizard, Robin!

She says, “Shanen Ebersole asked me to create something that was a quick & easy weeknight kind of dinner using a pound of her new ground beef. So, I came up with Mexi Mac, which was perfect since I’m having a crazy, busy week.”

For this recipe you’ll need ground beef, cheese, salsa, and pasta, which are all available now!

 

Mexi-Mac
Author: Robin
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. ground beef – I used beef from Ebersole Cattle Co.
  • · 2 cups salsa – you decide how hot you want to go
  • · 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
  • · 1 15.5 oz. can of corn, drained or 1 ½ cups frozen corn
  • · 2 cups elbow pasta
  • · 1 ½ cups water
  • · ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • · Sour cream (optional)
  • · Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until cooked through. Drain any grease.
  2. Add salsa, tomato sauce, and water to the skillet. Bring to a boil. Add pasta and corn. Return to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. When the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat, sprinkle with cheese, recover and allow cheese to melt.
  4. Serve with sour cream and cilantro.

 

Easy Weeknight Dinner: Italian Beef Sandwiches

April 2, 2018
by Gary Huber

 

Robin says: “This is one of those crazy good recipes that is so easy that you’ll find it making its way into your regular rotation for those busy nights.”

Shopping list:

 

Easy Weeknight Dinner: Italian Beef Sandwiches
Author: Robin
Ingredients
  • 1 2 – 4 lb chuck roast – I used the chuck roast available in the crockpot bundle from Yoke S Ranch
  • 1 10.5 oz can beef consomme
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 heaping tablespoons Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2 of a 16 oz jar of pepperoncini peppers (use 1/2 jar of peppers and 1/2 jar of juice)
  • Sandwich rolls – I use toasted ciabbata, but a good hoagie roll, buttered and toasted also works well
  • Cheese such as the fresh mozzarella from Lost Lake Farm or provolone
Instructions
  1. Cut the roast to fit in either an Instant Pot pressure cooker or crockpot.
  2. Place the meat in the bottom of the pot.
  3. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the meat.
  4. Pour in the consomme, water, peppers, and juice.
  5. Cook at low heat in the crockpot for 6 hours or in the Instant Pot for 55 minutes at high pressure, followed by a quick pressure release.
  6. Shred the beef.
  7. Place the shredded beef and peppers on a bun, top with cheese, and place under the broiler to slightly melt the cheese.
  8. Enjoy!

 

IFC Distribution is Today!

March 29, 2018
by Gary Huber

This is being sent to everyone who ordered. Today is distribution at all sites except Ames, which is tomorrow. Our alternative pick up is Saturday from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Plaza site. Some quick notes:

  • We’ll be sampling Cranberry shortbread cookies from Sweet to Eat Bakery. Remember, if there is something you’d like to try before you buy, reply to email and let us know!
  • If picking up at Franklin Avenue, check out what’s available in our Retail Center. In addition to our regular items like meats and canned goods, we’ll have carrots, beets, duck eggs/eggs, microgreens and more for sale.

If for some reason you need to call, use 515.450.6812. Thanks for your orders. See you later today or Saturday.

IFC Pick-up is Thursday!

March 26, 2018
by Gary Huber

Hi. The number of folks ordering this cycle was 259, and sales totaled about $15,500, or about 7% more than this cycle last year. Those are good numbers, especially considering we were at about $8,000 on Saturday morning. That’s $7,500 is the last two or so days, which is quite remarkable.

So, thank you very much for that bump is sales. We have incredible members, both producers and consumers.

Now it’s time to make it all happen. If you are getting this by email, we’ll have your products ready for you to this week. Here is some information on distribution:

1. If you are picking up at Franklin Plaza, please check out products available for purchase in our Retail Center. There’s good stuff you can add to your online orders.

2. Specifics on times and locations for all our sites are available with this link and to the left.

NOTE: IF YOU ARRIVE BEFORE THE SCHEDULED START TIME, OUR VOLUNTEERS WON’T BE READY. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY AND BE PATIENT.

3. Our alternative pick up time will be from 10:30 am to noon on Saturday, March 31st. If we don’t see you Thursday, we’ll assume you are coming Saturday or have made other arrangements.

4. We accept EBT cards for payment ONLY AT OUR Franklin Plaza site. If you are an EBT member and are picking up at another location, please send an email to distribution@iowafood.coop so we can arrange for processing your payment.

5. It’s a GOOD IDEA to check to be sure your pick-up site is correct. You can access your invoice by logging in, going to the shopping tab, and click “view in-process invoice”. If it’s not right, send an email to distribution@iowafood.coop.

Together, we can be the change; our future is now.