All posts by Gary Huber

Shop Now: More Products, More Producers!

August 6, 2014
by Gary Huber

1,283 Different Products Listed, including Peaches, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Apples and Much More!!!

 

The online shopping is open. It’ll close on Sunday, Aug. 10 at midnight with distribution on Thurs., Aug. 14 at our Des Moines area and Osceola sites and Friday August 15 in Ames. To shop go to https://iowafood.coop and log in. If you need help with your username or password, send an email to info@iowafood.coop. We’ve got a huge selection of really incredible products. See below for new stuff.

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New items to add to your summer shopping list:
Iowa Orchard (from Urbandale) was given a variance to sell Missouri peaches the next few cycles. Bryan assures us their flavor is amazing because the fruit are tree-ripened (as opposed to being picked green).

Heritage Hill Farm (from Ames) is a new IFC producer that has listed Green Beans, Red Cabbage, Rhubarb, Shallots, Yellow Summer Squash, Zucchini, and three kinds of potatoes (Heirloom Fingerling, Purple, and Red Norland). Welcome aboard!

Maxwell Farms (from State Center) listed green beans, tomatoes, Patty Pan squash, Athena melons, Big Jim NuMex and Poblanos peppers, and three kinds of potatoes.

Quaking Bog Botanicals (from Fairfield) listed green and red cabbage along with garlic.

Grade A Gardens (from Johnston) State Fair Apples, Hardneck Garlic Braids, Cortland Yellow Onions, Redwing Red Onions, Conservor Shallots, German Butterball Potatoes, and La Ratte Fingerling Potatoes.

Zaza’s Pasta (from Iowa City) has only listed non-refrigerated dry pastas since Julie opened her new store this last spring, but this cycle she’s added some of her sauces and frozen items (she said something about someone going to an Iowa Cubs ball game).

Wildwood Farms (from Wellsburg) is back this cycle and has added three new items: Toffee Chip Brownie Mix, Apple Crunch Trail Mix, and Nut and Fruit Trail Mix. You really ought to check out Lorna’s products – they are amazing.

Global Green’s eight farmers (refugees from places where conflicts have displaced families) continue to add more and more fresh produce items. Seeing their wonderful products and the smiles on their faces feels so good.

Chris’ Custom Bakery (from Ankeny) added a product that’s selling well at farmer’s markets: Multi-Grain Wheat Bread. Its made with “spent grains” from local breweries (the barley, wheat, or rye used in the brewing process). They have high nutritive value and add a great flavor to the bread. Chris also notes that her my commercial kitchen is a nut-free facility, and families with nut allergies should feel free to contact her.

Purrfect Muttchies (from Truro) adjusted up the weights for their amazing pet treats from 5 to 7 ounces per package, but they’ve kept the price the same. They do a really nice job – a truly unique product.

Lee’s Greens (from Nevada) has cucumbers, Zucchini, summer squash, green beans, green bell peppers, eggplant, green tomatoes for fried green tomatoes, and potted herbs listed.

7 Pines Farm (from Maxwell) added certified organic green tomatoes, red tomatoes, onions, and Yukon Gold potatoes to go along with their cucumbers, kale, leeks, peppers, and garlic. They’ve also got flavored butters, cheese spreads, salsas, dry mixes, and pasture-raised broilers (a truly eclectic producer).

Tesdell Farm Fresh Produce (from Slater) has German Extra Hardy garlic on sale in “bulk” quantities (10 heads for $9).

Sunrise (from Woodward) listed fresh-picked Aronia berries (the world’s heathiest fruit).

New Pioneer Farm (from Carlisle) added watermelon, cantaloupe, and blackberries to go along with their blueberries, strawberries, sweet corn, green beans, onions, and summer squash.

Yoke S Ranch (from Russell) has their sirloin roast on sale for $5/lb.

Wild Rose Pastures (from Reasnor) added Beef Tenderloin, Rib Eye Steaks, and a Grass-Fed Beef Bundle.

 

IFC Distribution Today (Tomorrow in Ames)!

July 31, 2014
by Gary Huber

This is being sent via email to everyone who ordered this cycle and has products to be picked up. Today is distribution at our Des Moines area sites and Osceola, and tomorrow is distribution in Ames. We have an alternative pick up time on Saturday from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Plaza site. If you need to pick up on Saturday and haven’t told us already, please let us know with a call to 515-450-6812.

Pick-up is Thursday

July 28, 2014
by Gary Huber

We had 189 members order 2,243 items this cycle. Total purchases were about $11,500. If you are getting this message as an email, you’ve ordered something. Pick-up will be on Thursday at our Des Moines-area sites and Osceola. Specific times and locations are to the left. If you need to use the 10:30 to noon Saturday alternative pick up time, send an email to distribution@iowafood.coop.

Note: please 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”.

Below are some additional instructions.

How I shop for my pets at the Iowa Food Co-op

July 23, 2014
by Gary Huber

 

 

by Dr. Franchesca Zenitsky, DVM, MS

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The IFC is not just good, local food for savvy people; it offers lots of wholesome food choices for our pets too! My own dogs and cats thrive on a raw diet and have been eating locally through the co-op for years. As a holistic veterinarian, I enthusiastically recommend it as a trusted resource to my clients who want to do the same for their pets.

A raw diet is really very simple and all the basics can be found at the IFC. The three primary daily foods include:

  • Muscle Meat with Fat – approximately 80% of daily rations

  • Organ Meat – approximately 10% of daily rations

  • Edible Bones like necks, backs, and wings – 7% to 13% of daily rations as tolerated

Variety is important for pets too, so I typically stock up on ground beef, whole chickens, all kinds of chicken parts including leg quarters, meaty backs and necks, luscious capon breasts, beef and chicken liver, and the grab bag from Griffieon Farm that may include liver, heart, tongue, lamb fries, or kidney from beef, pork, and lamb. I occasionally treat them to pork and lamb cuts. Other essential and beneficial foods include:

  • Tripe -15% to 18% of overall diet

  • Eggs – A couple times a week, preferably raw, the white and the yolk

  • Vegetables & Fruits – For dogs: 1½ % of diet; about 1/2 to 1 tbsp. of select vegetables per pound and a half of ground raw meat-organ-bone and an occasional select fruit treat. It is said that cats do not metabolize plant based foods well, but I sometimes give them veggies.

  • Recreational Bones – Several times a week for 20 to 30 minutes

I long for the day when green tripe will be offered through the IFC as part of my idealistic dream to expand their raw food offerings for pets, but until then I’ll crack open some gorgeous chicken and quail eggs into the food bowls. My dogs love the meaty bones from Griffieon Farm – and, we only feed raw bones, beef, chicken or otherwise. For veggies and fruits, we roll with what’s seasonal. My favorites include sweet potatoes, winter squash, apples, garlic, turnips, carrots, and other root veggies in the fall and winter and new potatoes, beans, broccoli, zucchini, cucumbers, melon, and berries in the spring and summer. Dark, leafy greens seem to be available most of the year now and they pack the most nutrition, so my guys get a lot of good greens.

To round out the diet, I add Calcium to balance Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio when feeding boneless meats, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Kelp / Alfalfa or a Vitamin-Mineral Supplement, and Taurine – For cats: Cats cannot produce this essential amino acid. I have also used nettles, honey, and bee pollen from the IFC as supplements for my allergy dog, Tony.

And, where would life be without treats? Although my dogs, my patients, and I are heartbroken that Iowa Pet Adoptions has ceased production of their addictive dehydrated liver, I just found out that the IFC has a new producer of pet treats and we are testing them out now. I also like to treat my dogs and cats to IFC’s milk and yogurt, which they love. And, because cats need more fat in their diet, they all get a little bit of butter regularly. Don’t forget the fermented foods!

My belief is that the key to good nutrition for any species is eating a broad variety of biologically appropriate foods and the IFC has that covered. I love that I can feed my animals a fresh, wholesome, local diet from producers that I know and trust.

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Be sure to check out Dr. Z’s website and Like her Facebook page!

 

 

Shop now: Summer’s Cornucopia is Upon Us!

July 23, 2014
by Gary Huber

1,153 Different Products Listed, including all your summer essentials:

 

The online shopping is open. It’ll close on Sunday, July 27 at midnight with distribution on Thurs., July 31 at our Des Moines area and Osceola sites and Friday August 1 in Ames. To shop go to https://iowafood.coop and log in. If you need help with your username or password, send an email to info@iowafood.coop. We’ve got a huge selection of really incredible products. See below for new stuff.

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New items to add to your summer shopping list:
Global Green’s eight farmers (refugees from around the world farming on land owned by the Valley Church in WDM)  added an incredible array of fresh produce including potatoes, green beans, eggplant, carrots, summer squash, zucchini, tomatoes, chard, basil, and parsley. 

The Kiowa House of Herbs (from Searsboro) added several fresh herbs along with horseradish and Lavender Potpourri (a mixture of herbs and aromatic oils for a natural & safe room deodorizer). 

New Family Farm (from Elkhart) added four new eggplant varieties to go along with their beans, summer squash, onions, kale, basil, cabbage, and cucumbers.

Lee’s Greens (from Nevada) added potted Autumn Bliss red raspberry plants, and they’ve also got cucumbers, zucchini, yellow summer squash, and green beans listed.

Iowa Choice Harvest has their frozen sweet corn and apple products on sale this cycle.

Crazy Cow Creamery (from Buffalo Center) is back after taking off a few cycles (to care for their new baby – congratulations!).

Tesdell Farm Fresh Produce (from Slater) has their new crop garlic listed.

Audubon County Family Farm has frozen certified organic aronia berries listed. They are also offering a U-Pick opportunity (free berries with a $.50/lb donation to the IFC).

7 Pines Farm (from Maxwell) added pasture-raised Cornish Cross broilers and certified organic fresh garlic, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes.

Yoke S Ranch (from Russell) has their beef brisket on sale for $5/lb.

Oswald Meats (from Manson) added chicken breasts, thighs, legs, and backs/ribs.

IFC Distribution Today!

July 17, 2014
by Gary Huber

This is being sent via email to everyone who ordered this cycle and has products to be picked up. Today is distribution at our Des Moines area sites and Osceola, and tomorrow is distribution in Ames. We have an alternative pick up time on Saturday from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Plaza site. If you need to pick up on Saturday and haven’t told us already, please let us know with a call to 515-450-6812.

Pick-up is Thursday

July 14, 2014
by Gary Huber

We had 192 members order 2,290 items this cycle. Total purchases were just over $12,000. Our numbers are holding steady the last few cycles, and we very much appreciate your using your cooperative for your food purchases.

If you are getting this message as an email, you’ve ordered something. Pick-up will be on Thursday at our Des Moines-area sites and Osceola. Specific times and locations are to the left. If you need to use the 10:30 to noon Saturday alternative pick up time, send an email to distribution@iowafood.coop.

Note: please 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”.

Below are some additional instructions.

Meet Kim, IFC Shopper Extraordinaire

July 14, 2014
by Gary Huber

Check out this shopper profile from IFC cheerleader, site helper, and expert shopper!

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Name/location:

Kim Jackson/Osceola 

 

Originally from:
Always Osceola 


What got you interested in the local foods movement:

I guess we started by getting a whole beef from my grandpa to fill our freezer each fall for a few years, and then, I was intrigued by the ‘eat local & know your farmer’ educational concept by the Farmer’s Markets (both in downtown Des Moines & then our local Clarke County Farmer’s market) and was soon a big fan but missed the product & thrill of the hunt in the off season until Shanen Ebersole introduced me to the IFC. Before all of this I never thought about all the extra ‘stuff’ in our food, never thought about our animals being given drugs to encourage growth or production, or chemicals on crops & the effects it all has on our bodies. Now I love knowing what I know about or foods.

 

How you heard about IFC:

Shanen Ebersole, Ebersole Cattle Company!!  We had become friends through my childcare business & she has been instrumental in educating me about eating local, being healthy, as well as actively monitoring what we expose ourselves to in general.  

 
What did you buy your first IFC order:

At first the website was overwhelming, so I put off joining until I was finally brave enough to attend a December open house at the MHM location & was instantly hooked.  Being able to know the producer, hear how the product was made/grown, & know that the money I spent was going to a family rather than a store, yea, sign me up. At that open house I think I bought jams to put in Christmas gifts, a pie for an upcoming family dinner and I think this is when I was introduced to the Huber Family’s awesome carrots. That seems like a really long time ago, when its really just been a lot of IFC orders ago.

 
What motivates you to keep buying:

I love seeing the IFC grow in producers as well as meeting new consumers.  There are always new products added, new families or farms or products to learn about and try.

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We heard that your daycare has the most local menu around:

The kids eat so much local & have no idea.  The milk, the yogurt (that we often freeze into yogurt-cicles), veggies, potatoes, cheese curds, chicken, butter, popcorn, cornmeal, apples. They have some favorite products, so when we run out & have to wait for distribution day by subbing in grocery store product, they comment on the difference & how they can’t wait for Coop day.

 
Being a participant on the Iowa Child & Adult Care Food Program that is run by USDA, I have to follow specific & sometimes frustrating guidelines when deciding on what to serve the children. When WW Homestead Dairy’s milk came to the IFC, I linked up the creamery’s information to my sponsor who sent it on up the chain to get approval. (Who then replied directly to me about how in favor of it she is.)
 
 All of our garden plants were either started by us from seed, Farmer’s market or IFC transplants this year. 

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How did you get involved in the Osceola location/help starting it:

When I started ordering I would space the orders out as my husband was picking them up on his way home from work, eventually, after a couple of years, I had eased him into picking up an order at almost every distribution.  This sometimes meant him waiting around after work for the site to open, or helping carry in product or leaving work early to get my order. Keep in mind he still isn’t entirely on board, so he suggested I see what I could do to get an Osceola site going. Shanen invited me to see what I could do about finding a location.  She then put me in contact with Pete & Cindy Woltz (Timber Ridge Cattle Company) who are located just south of Osceola so I would have a local board member for information, after a couple of failed attempts we unofficially put it on the back burner until Pete & Cindy offered to share their new retail space on the Osceola square.

 

How you see IFC and local foods movement growing in Osceola:

It is so exciting! We had 9 orders the first month & we continue to add members with orders at almost every distribution! Our local farmer’s market has also added some new producers to their Saturdays, so I think the local foods movement in southern Iowa is growing as a whole. 

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Please tell us some of your favorite IFC items:

 

Osceola pick up is on distribution Thursdays from 5-6:30p at 117 W Washington St.

 

Thank you, Kim! She is one of our most enthusiastic members and has put in countless efforts to make the Osceola site a reality!

Shop now: Sweet Corn, Ice Cream, Gouda Brats + so much more

July 8, 2014
by Gary Huber

1,164 Different Products Listed, including all your summer essentials:

 

The online shopping is open. It’ll close on Sunday, July 13 at midnight with distribution on Thurs., July 17 at our Des Moines area, Ames, and Osceola sites. To shop go to https://iowafood.coop and log in. If you need help with your username or password, send an email to info@iowafood.coop. We’ve got a huge selection of really incredible products. See below for new stuff.

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New items to add to your summer shopping list:
SWEET CORN is here from New Pioneer Farm, sold in six packs; naturally grown.

Wild Black Raspberries from Kiowa House of Herbs, who describe the wild berries as ‘luscious and sweet because of all this rain’. Perfect ice cream topping, too!
Gouda Brats w/ Frisian Farms Gouda from Timber Ridge Cattle Co.: ‘I met Mike Bandstra of Frisian Farms on the highway between Oskaloosa and Bloomfield a while back to pick up some of his special aged gouda which we combined with our Swabian Hall/Large Black pork to make this extraordinary brat.’

Sourdough bread from Gardner’s Harvest using a years’ old wild yeast starter.

Ice Cream: Strawberry Cheesecake, Rhubarb Fest, + Peanut Butter Cup are all new flavors from WW Homestead Dairy and since it’s National Ice Cream Month…

Mild Beef Sticks $2 off from Yoke S Ranch. Enjoy a perfect summer snack at $11/lb.

Tongue of Fire Beans + Mini White Cucumbers from New Family Farm: ‘The hot weather is really turning some things on here at New Family Farm! So we have listed several common items this week (like onions, cabbage, kale, green beans, summer quash) and some fun things like mini white cucumbers and tongue of fire beans.’

Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes from Salama Greenhouse (formerly Northwest Greenhouse) + Lee’s Greens. Choose red and orange slicers, or a colorful mix of grape tomatoes.

Greek Oregano + Garlic Infused Olive Oil is back from Pickle Creek Herbal. You’ll want this for all the veggies + chicken you’ll be grilling! Jocelyn says they just harvested the oregano used in this oil.

Pastured, cut-up, frozen whole chickens fed non-GMO feed are back from Wild Rose Pastures, fed no hormones or antibiotics and raised on a diet of fresh grass.

Beets available from Raccoon Forks Farm, and three varieties (golden, with/without tops) from Red Barn.

Turnips are here from the Threshing Floor.

Greek Blackberry Custard Yogurt from Country View Dairy is now here; this new flavor is available in 12 packs. The taste of summer, in a yogurt!

Chicken Feet from Griffioen Family Farm. LaVon comments, ‘What can I say about chicken feet?  Use to make chicken stock, fry them or use in a favorite recipe.  If you have to put a foot in your mouth, this is the best kind!’

Leeks, candy onions, red onions, yellow onions are here from Red Barn Produce (candy onions), New Family Farm (white + yellow + red) and Certified Organic leeks + Certified Organic red onions from 7 Pines Farm.

New formula dog treats have arrived from Purrfect Muttchies–treat your pet to wholesome flavors like Bacon, Spinach, + Tomato bones.

 

IFC Distribution Today!

July 3, 2014
by Gary Huber

This is being sent via email to everyone who ordered this cycle and has products to be picked up. Today is distribution at our Des Moines area sites and Osceola. We have an alternative pick up time on Saturday from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Plaza site. If you need to pick up on Saturday and haven’t told us already, please let us know with a call to 515-450-6812.