Category: Reminder: Cart is Open

Cookout Stock-Up! 1,457 Different Products Listed

 

Time to stock up for summer grilling—from hamburger patties (don’t forget the buns – Threshing Floor is back) to rabbit bratwurst (yes, rabbit bratwurst!).

These two week shopping cycles come and go quickly! Be sure to watch for new products that are added throughout the week—especially produce items. Our 2015 calendar is available in a PDF (click to view), and you can click here to see new products added since last cycle!

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.) The online cart will close Sunday, May 17th at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., May 21st at all our sites except Ames, which is on Friday May 22nd. If you can’t make these times, our alternative pick-up is Saturday, May 23rd from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Avenue sit.

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New items + specials:

Our Global Greens growers (refugee farmers who started with us last year) are starting to list again. Bizimana Charles (Burundi) listed two kinds of radishes and Bucumi Simon/Mariselina Manirakiza (Burundi) listed radishes and several fresh greens (Red Russian Baby Leaf Kale, Spinach, and a Greens Mix).

Special K Ranch (Chariton) has a buy 5 get one free special on Texas Longhorn grass fed beef sticks.

Lucky George Farm (Derby) added rabbit bratwurst and several sausages from their heritage Large Black hogs including American maple sausage (with real maple syrup + honey), English style sausages, and Thuringer (a cooked ready-to-eat pork summer sausage).

Threshing Floor (Dallas Center) is back after taking off a few cycles to care for parents. Becky writes: “Hello Spring! Welcome Summer! How about some homemade hamburger or hot dog buns (either white or whole wheat)? Or cinnamon and cinnamon/raisin white or whole wheat bread for your morning toast? Thanks for your patience; it’s good to be back baking again!”

New Family Farm (Elkhart) added Red Butterhead lettuce (to go along with a wide selection of transplants).

Raccoon Forks Farm (Redfield) added spring garlic (to go along with their eggs and stewing chickens).

Heritage Hill Farm (Ames) added fresh thyme, green garlic, and chive blossoms (delicious in salads or egg dishes, or as a garnish).

SalAmander Farms (Bondurant) listed fresh herbs (including basil, green garlic, parsley) along with swiss chard.

From Lee’s Greens (Nevada): “We have a nice selection of tomato transplants along with cucumber and zucchini transplants, we also have potted herbs/mints and red/black raspberry plants, cut micro greens & rhubarb, and wheat grass for juicing and wheat, rye, oats for pets and animals.”

Good Shepherd Grass Farms (Monroe) added inventory to their ribeye steaks, NY strip steaks, and filets (just in time for weekend cookouts).

Sunrise (Woodward) added Job’s Tears live plants—corn type plants that produce beads perfect for stringing. Homegrown jewelry! Check out their stock of stinging nettles + wheatgrass as well.

Yoke S Ranch (Russell) has a timely sale on their Corriente hamburger patties, this cycle only!

Everything’s green! 1,537 Different Products Listed

 

Our next distribution is the Thursday before Mother’s Day, so pick from a wide set of nice options for your Mother’s Day gift—this year, choose something local! And fresh greens are coming in, along with several new and recently added items (from mushrooms to goat’s milk butter!)

NOTE: Our downtown volunteers aren’t available this cycle, so that pick-up site is not an option (sorry). Our Frankin Plaza site is just a few minutes away, and we have a Saturday pick-up option (if you don’t want to be out in traffic during the late afternoon/early evening). If you want to pick up Saturday, let us know with an email to info@iowafood.coop.

Also, we are starting two week cycles now that we are in the growing season. Our 2015 calendar is available in a PDF (click to view), and you can click here to see new products added since last cycle!

Note: The online shopping cart is open (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.) It will close Sunday, May 3rd at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., May 7th at all our sites except Ames, which is on Friday May 8th. 

Plant Sale Saturday, May 9^th from 10a-2p. at Franklin

Our annual plant sale will be held at our Franklin space this year (rain or shine). Browse plants + other items from over a dozen of our producers; ask gardening questions and meet your farmers!

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New items + specials:

Mushroom Mills (Columbus Junction) is a new IFC producer that came on board toward the end of last cycle. They’ve listed limited quantities of their oyster + lion’s mane mushrooms, so order now because they go fast!

Wildwood Farms (Wellsburg) is back this cycle (they sell every other cycle) with their amazing selection of baking and soup mixes, roasted nuts, granola bars, and trail mixes.

Broadhorn Farm (West Des Moines) updated inventories and re-listed tri-tip steak; don’t forget to pick up one of their grilling bundles to have on-hand for the nice weather.

From Jocelyn of Pickle Creek Herbal (Brighton): “We’ve lots more seedlings this cycle, including cilantro, dill, sorrel, spicy oregano, lemon verbena, mint, laveder, and basil (including the container-friendly Genovese compact and beautiful Corsican basils). We’ve also added new cherry and beefsteak tomato varieties (including blue tomatoes like Blue Beauty and Goldberries). And if you’re into hot peppers, we have a wide selection including Ghost and Trinidad Scorpion (two of the hottest peppers in the world).”

From Lee’s Greens (Nevada): “This cycle we have some really nice red and black raspberry plants, rhubarb plants, herbs, 3-packs of eggplant.  We have 3-packs, 4.5″, and gallon pots of a nice selection of tomato varieties. We have a nice mix of micro greens and some red veined sorrel plants in pots, plus wheat grass for juicing and wheat, rye, and oat flats available for animals.”

Popsie Fish Co. (Homer, AK) has marked down their salmon–$1 off/pound. Stock up for grilled salmon season!

7 Pines Farm (Maxwell) listed a wonderful selection of flower transplants (from daisies to ornamental millet) and a nice variety of Certified Organic pepper + tomato seedlings.

Lucky George Farm (Derby) added a variety of new products from their Large Black heritage hog herd (including delicacies like Jowl Bacon).

Farm Baby Foods (Des Moines) added three new flavors to their portable pouch fruit and vegetable purees; reusable pouches + simple ingredients make these perfect for all ages, and a terrific base for smoothies.

Yellow River Dairy (Monona) added goat cream butter to their huge selection of cheese dips + chevre.

Great River Maple (Garnavillo) introduced a smaller size of their famous maple cream, made from whipped maple syrup.

Beaver Creek Collections (Guthrie Center) is back with a fantastic selection of transplants as well as high-tunnel grown produce, from lettuce to radishes to green onions. Welcome back!

Yoke S Ranch (Russell) added a new product: chuck roast, a 2-3lb roast from their Corriente herd.

Calanne of Purrfect Muttchies (Truro) writes: “We are excited that our pet treats no longer need to be refrigerated!  We now use dehydration to prevent molding and preserve freshness. There is around a 2 oz difference in weight when the moisture is removed, so the 7 oz packages contain more crunchy treats (crunchiness has been a request).  We’ve also added a sugar free banana vanilla wafer (Naner Nilla Woofers!).”

New Family Farm (Elkhart) listed many more transplants (including flowers like zinnia and marigold) along with fresh spinach.

Salamander Farms (Bondurant) added warm-weather heirloom transplants, from cauliflower to melon to zucchini.

Time to grow!

 

1,453 different products listed:

Spring has arrived and we’ve got a huge selection of floral, herb, and vegetable transplants to prove it. And don’t forget your other essentials, from eggs to meats to dairy products to baked goods to pastas to …. the list goes on and on and on.

Having trouble keeping track of shopping cycles? Our 2015 calendar is available in a PDF (click to view).

Click here to see all the new products added since last cycle!

Note: The online shopping cart is open and will close Sunday, April 19th at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., April 23rd at our Osceola, Albia, Ankeny, Indianola, and Des Moines area sites and Friday April 24th in Ames. If you can’t make those times, our alternative pick up is Saturday, April 25th from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Avenue location.

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.

Upcoming Events—put these on your calendar now!

• Farm Cruise, Saturday April 25^th, from 10a-4p. Tour four area farms and meet the farmers—all IFC producers! All the info is here.
• Our annual IFC plant sale will be Saturday, May 9^th, from 10a-2p at our Franklin space.

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New items + specials:

Salamander Farms (Bondurant) added lots of new heirloom transplants including some really unique tomato and pepper varieties along with okra, Bok Choi, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, kale, and a couple of herbs.

Broadhorn Farm (West Des Moines) listed four new cuts from their Belted Galloway herd: chuck eye state (known as poor man’s ribeye), skirt steak, top blade steak, and rump roast.

Pickle Creek Herbal (Brighton) listed over 70 different certified organic transplants, including herbs (think “parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme”) and heirloom tomato, peppers, eggplant. Also new: Raspberry Lemongrass Balsamic Vinegar (which Jocelyn says “hits the tongue with a burst of sweet raspberry and finishes off with the tart brightness of lemon – perfect for spinach salads. I’ve been drinking it straight out of the bottle—I like it that much”). To read a powerful piece on their dog and the meaning of farming, click here.

From Lee’s Greens (Nevada): “We added a nice assortment of transplants, including black and red raspberries, rhubarb, herbs, and vegetables. We also have a nice selection of micro greens radishes, lemon basil, nasturtiums, peas, purple basil, red veined Sorel. We have flats of wheat, rye, and oats for animals and flats of wheatgrass for juicing.”

7 Pines Farm (Maxwell) listed hanging strawberry baskets, a wide selection of certified organic herb/veggie transplants, and several kinds of flower transplants to go along with their cream cheese spreads, butters, salsas/pickled jalapenos, and dip mixes.

Clarion Sage Farm (Adel) listed Minibel heirloom tomato plants (early maturing, compact plants, perfectly suited for growing in pots) and New Family Farm (Elkhart) listed a nice selection of herb, tomato, kale, and brussel sprout transplants.

Chris’ Custom Bakery (Ankeny) has cut-out sugar cookies in spring shapes as well as baseball!

Rosebud Botanicals (Afton) added new inventory of their mineral foundation makeup—handmade and without preservatives. They also have an option for ordering free samples if you aren’t sure what color you want. See the entire selection here.

Yoke S Ranch (Russell) has a sale on New York strip steak from their Corriente beef herd ($9.50/lb, down from $10/lb).

Maasdam Sorghum Mills (Lynnville) wants you to give their sorghum syrup products a try (an amazing ingredient for all kinds of cooking). They’ve added two cookbooks full of recipe ideas, 22 oz and 44 oz glass jars of sorghum syrup, and sorghum suckers (kids love them). They also added a history book that describes the importance of sorghum syrup and their family’s mill during Iowa’s development into a leading farming state.

Lucky George Farm (Derby) added a wide selection of goat meat products to go along with their soaps, pork, and rabbit products.

Kiowa House of Herbs (Searsboro) introduced several new items: quail eggs, plum jelly, fresh chives, and dried basil.

Shop now—Welcome Indianola + New Producer + Easter Stock-Up

 

1,385 different products listed; stock up for the Easter holiday!

This is the second to the last of our winter three-week shopping cycle. After the next cycle, we’ll go back to every two weeks! Having trouble keeping track of shopping cycles? Our 2015 calendar is available in a PDF (click to view).

Note: We’ve added a drop off site at the Indianola YMCA (306 East Scenic Valley Avenue). It’s our eight pick up location! Pick up there is from 5 to 6 pm on distribution Thursdays.

The online shopping cart is open and will close Sunday, March 29thth at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., April 2nd at our Osceola, Albia, Indianola, and Des Moines area sites and Friday April 3rd in Ames. If you can’t make those times, our alternative pick up is Saturday April 4th from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Avenue location.

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. See below for updates.

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Need eggs for Easter? Just counted 194 dozen listed by six different producers. Better buy now or they may be gone.

Curbin’ Cuisine (Des Moines) is a new IFC producer offering ten unique hand-blended spices. Owners Jarrod and Misty Fontanini reside in the heart of Des Moines (Jarrod is Sous Chef at Briarwood Club in Ankeny and Misty works at Wells Fargo). Their company’s motto is “Eat Good & Feel Good”. Check out their spice blends (love the names, including Fahrenheit 515, Jah-Mon Jamaican, and Ka-Ching BBQ). 

Yellow River Dairy (Monona) is back after taking 2014 off to build their goat dairy business. They’ve listed eight kinds of Chevre along with crumbled goat feta, grated goat cheese, and three goat cheese dips (Bold Bleu, Hot Red Pepper, and Garlic and Herbs). Welcome back!

From Lee with Lee’s Greens (Nevada): “We have a nice selection of greens (leaf lettuce mix, swiss chard, spinach, red kale), microgreens (Daikon Radish, Lemon Basil, Nasturtium, Pea, Red Radish) along with wheat rye and oat flats.”

Griffieon Family Farm (Ankeny) has your Easter dinner covered with ham roasts and steaks and Des Moines Bacon Company has three different kinds of ham (to go along with their amazing bacon products).

Zaza’s Pasta (North Liberty) listed Spinach-Ricotta Manicotti – perfect for a quick meal.

Wildwood Farms (Wellsburg) is back (Lorna’s sells every other cycle) with an amazing array of baked goods, granola bars, mixes of all kinds (soup, pancake, brownie, bread), and roasted nuts.

Sunrise (Waukee) listed red cabbage, purple kohlrabi, and pea microgreens (great on sandwiches or as a fancy side salad for a special dinner) as well as two sizes of wheat grass flats .

Elements of Rejuvenation (Leon) writes: “Time to think Spring! Check out our favorite Soy Wax scents like Springtime Lilac, Heavenly Hyacinth, Jasmine, and Gentle Spring Rain. Our new Dragon’s Blood scent is getting rave revues!”

Wonderful Skin Care (Ames) added four new Moisture Bard scents (Jasmine, Lavender, Lemongrass, and Tea Tree). 

Grimm Family Farm (Williamsburg) updated stock of their potatoes—customer favorites German Butterball + Villeta Rose (gotta have potatoes for that Easter meal).

Salamander Farms (Bondurant) added a nice selection of rare pepper + heirloom tomato transplants along with some herbs. Go ahead and get started (it’ll make you feel good), especially if you’ve got a sunny protected area.

Kiowa House of Herbs (Searsboro) added custom-blended Peppermint Ginger tea (perfect for fending off spring colds).

Beaver Creek Produce (Berkley) listed basil, sage, and thyme fresh herbs (a perfect way to add extra flavor to your cooking) to go along with their red leaf lettuce!

Lucky George Farm (Derby) listed many new cuts from their Large Black herd—cubes to roasts to ham hocks.

Broadhorn Farm (Truro) added two new beef cuts from their Belted Galloway herd: 1) Eye-of-Round Roast (make your own roast beef!) and 2) Flat Iron Steaks. They’ve also put their short ribs on sale.

Good Shepherd Grass Farms (Monroe) added beef summer sausage (with a special introductory price of $12.50/package) and they put their beef bologna on sale and extended their beef roast sale (10% off)! Shop and save now.

Yoke S Ranch (Russell) put their Corriente beef brisket on sale for $6/lb.

Shop now—many new items + returning producers:

 

1,291 different products listed; welcome back to many producers!

We are in our winter schedule of three-week shopping cycles. Remember to to stock up! Having trouble keeping track of shopping cycles? Our 2015 calendar is available in a PDF (click to view).

Thank you to all who participated in our survey. Your time is greatly appreciated; we’ve made a summary of some of our findings for you to see here. And congrats to Connie Maxwell who won the $100 shopping credit!

Note: The online shopping cart is open and will close Sunday, March 8th at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., March 12th at our Osceola, Albia, and Des Moines area sites and Friday March 13th in Ames. If you can’t make those times, our alternative pick up is Saturday March 14th from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Avenue location.

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.

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IFC producers have listed a wide selection of products such as winter greenhouse greens (lettuce, collard & mustard greens, spinach, swiss chard, kale, arugula) as well as cheese, milk, yogurt, meats, chicken, eggs, dry beans, apples, potatoes, winter squash, salsa, sauerkraut, olive oil, pasta, and sweet corn. Here’s some ideas for shopping this cycle:

Welcome back producers!

Threshing Floor (Dallas Center) is back from their break with a new product, cheddar whole wheat bread, made with whole grain Iowa flour + fresh cheddar cheese. Shop all their baked goods here.

Zaza’s Pasta (North Liberty) says “We’re back to work after our baby hiatus. 🙂 I’ve added a couple of new flavors of Orecchiette: Tomato-Basil and Garlic-Chive. Also, our fun spring flavor, ASPARAGUS, is back…available in Fettuccine shape!” Shop here and email congrats on their baby (Hugo) here!

Greene Bean Coffee (Jefferson) is back with an array of their signature coffees, all roasted in-house. Read about the farms their beans come from, and the taste profile of every roast and blend here.

Broadhorn Farm (West Des Moines) is back with their grass-fed beef from Belted Galloway cattle. Check out their packages and sales on beef bundles.

Audubon County Family Farms (Audubon) is back with eggs, frozen aronia berries, and pork spare ribs.

Sunset Ridge Family Farm (Waucoma) is back with their selection of specialty goat cheeses.

New Items!

Herbal Blis Soaps (Boone) listed two new soaps—coffee & cream scrubby bar and green tea tree soap, all handmade and free of fragrance and dyes.

Good Shepherd Grass Farms (Monroe) has their beef roasts on sale (10% off)! Shop and save now.

Wonderful Skin Care (Ames) added a couple new products to their natural skin product line—massage lotion in muscle relief or relaxation, and ‘Wonderful Mommy’ lotion in two scents. Browse the selection here.

Des Moines Bacon Co. (Adel) is now offering pork bellies for all the homemade bacon fans out there! This is a product that’s been sought after and we are pleased to have it available here!

Lucky George Farm (Derby) is offering goat shoulder + goat stew meat; check out their listing for recipes!

Yoke S Ranch (Russell) put their sirloin roast on sale for $6/lb.

Wild Rose Pastures (Ames) added grass-fed Beef Oxtail  and grass-fed Sirloin Lamb Chops.

New month, new stuff! And win $100…

 

1,275 different products listed; new producers, new items, fresh Iowa greens in the middle of winter!

We are in our winter schedule of three-week shopping cycles. Remember to to stock up!  Having trouble keeping track of shopping cycles? Our 2015 calendar is available in a PDF (click to view).

Chance to win $100 in purchase credits! We have a new survey we’d like members to complete to learn more about topics such as our website and online shopping cart system. If you haven’t completed it yet, please check it out here. All participants will be entered to win $100 in IFC purchase credits.

Note: The online shopping cart is open and will close Sunday, Feb. 15th at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., Feb. 19th at our Osceola, Albia, and Des Moines area sites and Friday Feb. 20th in Ames. If you can’t make those times, our alternative pick up is Saturday Feb. 21st from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Avenue location.

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.

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Welcome new producers!

Prairie Rose Farm of Martelle (near Cedar Rapids) was established 2008 and by Paula Spaight and Gary Buker. They grow various food crops including dry beans, aronia berries, purple asparagus, blue and green corn, and chestnuts. This cycle they’ve listed Yellow Indian Woman beans along with Cannellini white kidney beans. Welcome Prairie Rose!

Wonderful Skin Care of Ames makes natural body care products that are 100% natural, great for your skin, and do not contain any preservatives, toxins, parabens, suflates, or petroleum products. They’ve listed their body butter in several different sizes and scents along with a several kinds of lip balm. Welcome Wonderful Skin Care!

Rosebud Botanicals (Afton) relisted their liquid hand soap in Honey Berry (made from Iowa beeswax and Iowa-grown aronia berries).

Beaver Creek Produce (Berkley) is back with their hydroponic-grown greens, including arugula, mustard greens, leaf lettuce, and collard greens. Welcome back!

From Lee of Lee’s Greens (Nevada): “We’ve listed all of our greens – lettuce, spinach, baby red kale, baby green kale, Swiss chard, arugula, radishes, sweet baby turnips – along with our potted herbs and flats of grasses for small animals. Thanks.”

Salama Greenhouse (Boone) added Green Leaf Lettuce (fresh cut, 3 heads per bag) to go along with their spinach, swiss chard, and kale.

Country View Dairy (Hawkeye) added a new yogurt product: a 3 lb tub of their most popular variety – Greek Lemon Custard.

Des Moines Bacon Co. (Adel) introduced all-natural ‘America’s Cut’ boneless pork chops from humanely-raised Berkshire pork.

Herbal Blis Soaps (Boone) added a new handmade soap – Lavender-Anise – to go along with their other soaps and hand salves products.

Yoke S Ranch (Russell) has Minute Steaks from their Corriente herd on sale for $5.25/lb.

Purrfect Muttchies (Truro) has a new treat variety for dogs + cats called Best Budd Beer & Cheese Crackers featuring three kinds of cheese, and of course, beer.

The Kiowa House of Herbs (Searsboro) added Aronia Triple Cherry Muffins to go along with their amazing selection of teas, jams/jellies, baked goods, eggs, and desserts.

WW Homestead Dairy (Waukon) is now offering ice cream in ½ gallon size! They’ve also listed a few new flavors of their famous cheese curds.

The Winter Edition (with fresh greens and much more)!

 

Nearly 1,200 different products listed; many new items.

We are back to our winter schedule of three-week shopping cycles. Given there will be an extra week between distributions, remember to to stock up!  Remember, our 2015 calendar is now available in a PDF (click to view).

Consumers, please fill out our Desired Products Survey (click here) —this is your chance to let producers know what you’d like to see offered this year!

Welcome Albia!

Thanks to IFC member Stacie Gibler, we now have a drop-off site on the square in Albia (about 65 miles SE of Des Moines). Thank you, Stacie!!!

Note: the online shopping cart is open and will close Sunday, Jan. 25th at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., Jan. 29th at our Osceola, Albia, and Des Moines area sites and Friday Jan. 30th in Ames. If you can’t make those times, our alternative pick up is Saturday Jan. 31st from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Avenue location.

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.

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IFC producers listed a wide selection of products such as greens (lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula), cheese, milk, yogurt, meats, chicken, eggs, dry beans, apples, potatoes, winter squash, salsa, sauerkraut, olive oil, pasta, and sweet corn. Here’s some ideas for shopping this cycle:

From Lee’s Greens (Nevada): “We have listed a nice selection of greens (lettuce, spinach, red and green kale, arugula) along with sweet baby turnips and potted herbs. We also have fresh wheat, rye, and oat grass flats that can be fed to small animals. Our chickens particularly like these.”

Threshing Floor (Dallas Center) has returned with their much-loved breads, rolls, and other baked goods. Check out their ‘Iowa’ whole wheat bread that uses organic red wheat grown by Early Morning Harvest. Welcome back!

Herbal Blis Soaps (Boone) listed two new soaps—rosemary and absinthe bar soaps; the absinthe uses a blend of anise, blood orange, gingergrass and French clay for a very unique bar.

Broadhorn Farm (Truro) added specials for Valentine’s Day: porterhouse, ribeye, top sirloin, and filet mignon. They’re also introducing two new products—flat iron steak and beef strips (for fajitas or stir-fry).

Lucky George Farm (Derby) added these new items: Pork Cutlets, Blade Steak, and Country Style Ribs from their Large Black hogs, plus “20 Acre Lotion Bars” and Pasture Raised Heritage Whole Chicken in small/large.

Yoke S Ranch (Russell) has ground beef patties from their Corriente herd on sale for $5.50/lb.

Overhome Farm (Waukee) listed popping corn, variety called ‘Dynamite’, it has a buttery flavor and comes in two pound bags. Perfect for a local, healthy snack.

The Kiowa House of Herbs (Searsboro) added several new items, including grasshopper pie (that uses WW Homestead Dairy’s mint ice cream!), raspberry tea, and potpies, some of which are vegetarian and many use Iowa vegetables.

WW Homestead Dairy (Waukon) has increased inventory in their farm fresh butter—get it while you can!

Chris’ Custom Bakery (Ankeny) updated their sugar cookie shapes; choose from winter, football, or Valentine’s hearts.

Agri-Cultured (Waukee) added two new items for those who like spice—ghost curry pickled vegetables and smoke’n ghost sauerkraut. Check out their new kombucha flavors too: aronia, raspberry, and strawberry.

Sunrise (Woodward) has Job’s Tears necklaces made with beads grown on a plant—check them out and pick up this unique Iowa gift.

Farm Baby Foods (Des Moines) listed many new baby food varieties and flavors. Absolutely nothing is added other than the produce listed… no salt, sugar, fillers or preservatives. Check out their selection of on-the-go pouches and 4-oz containers. Their on-the-go pouches are reusable and refillable!

 

Happy New Year (almost)!   Nearly 1,100 different products listed; check out what’s new for 2015. We are back to our winter schedule of three-week shopping cycles. Given there will be an extra week between distributions, remember to to stock up!  Our 2015 calendar is now available in a PDF (click to view). Welcome Albia! Thanks to IFC member Stacie Gibler, we now have a drop-off site on the square in Albia (about 65 miles SE of Des Moines). Plans are to do distributions there every other cycle, with Stacie coming up to get the orders. Thank you, Stacie!!! Farewell to Fieldstone Farms! Eli Kalke and Dale Fields recently moved to Minnesota to be closer to daughters and grandkids. Eli, who served on our board, said they are grateful for the many wonderful relationships they established with our members over the years. Their bees are now in California (helping pollinate the almond crop), but they’ll come back in the spring. Eli and Dale will continue to sell their fine products and plan to have their website operational this winter. To wish them well, send an email to fieldstonefarmsbiz@gmail.com. Note: the online shopping cart is open and will close Sunday, Jan. 4th at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., Jan. 8th at our Osceola, Albia, and Des Moines area sites and Friday Jan. 9th in Ames. If you can’t make those times, our alternative pick up is Saturday Jan. 10th from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Avenue location. 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.  +++++++++++++++++ New Producers this cycle! Farm Baby Foods (Des Moines) is an all-natural baby food company. Owner Julie Burroughs began making baby food in 2010 as a way to offer her little one a hearty, all-natural alternative to commercial baby food. Absolutely nothing is added other than the produce listed… no salt, sugar, fillers or preservatives. Check out their selection of on-the-go pouches and 4-oz containers. From Angela Johnson of Lucky George Farm (Derby): “We’ve reclaimed a 20-acre forgotten farm in the SW corner of Lucas County (just outside of Derby, IA) where we raise Large Black hogs, which is a critically-endangered breed.” They’re starting with rabbit and a selection of pork cuts from their Large Black herd; they’ll add handmade soaps in the near future. ——- IFC producers have listed a wide selection of products such as cheese, milk, yogurt, meats, chicken, eggs, dry beans, apples, potatoes, winter squash, salsa, sauerkraut, olive oil, pasta, and sweet corn. Here’s a few new items: Heart of Iowa Soapworks (Gilbert) is back with a soap making class! To be held Sat. Jan. 17 at our Franklin location, Karla will lead participants in creating their soap (you will go home with approximately 3/4#). A slew of reference handouts will be provided. Sign up through the shopping system; read more here. Herbal Blis Soaps (Boone) listed a new shampoo bar and a bar soap called ‘Earthmother’ with cinnamon, patchouli, and ylang ylang essential oils. Calanne of Purrfect Muttchies (Truro) notes, “We added Peppermint and Carob to the Pawrty Peppermint Carob Paws so they now have a breath freshener at playtime.” Glenwood Century Farm (Albion) is offering popcorn that is a blend of four colored hybrids (makes for an attractive package). They all pop white and fluffy – a perfect snack for a cold winter day! Griffieon Family Farm (Ankeny) added two new items: handmade rope baskets and peppermint lip balm. The baskets are a reuse of a heeling or heading rope that has been used on real horses and cattle by real cowboys! The Kiowa House of Herbs (Searsboro) added two new soups (Cheesy Asparagus and Vegetarian Asparagus) plus a variety of dried herbs. Check out their listings here. From Bob with Country View Dairy (Hawkeye): “We ended our Blackberry Custard Greek yogurt and have totally switched that flavor to Aronia Blackberry Custard Greek. We are excited to work with fellow IFC producer Harvest Moon Farms to use their aronia concentrate to make this yogurt not only delicious, but also with the added benefits of the aronia berry super-fruit. Thanks & looking forward to another exciting year in 2015 being part of the IFC!”

 

Happy December!   1,296 different products listed; Give local this holiday season (it’s our last cycle before Christmas)!   Finish up your holiday shopping for gifts and special holiday meals this cycle. In January we will return to 3-week cycles, so this is your chance to stock up! Our 2015 calendar is now available in a PDF (click to view). Note: the online shopping cart is open and will close Sunday, Dec. 14th at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., Dec. 18th at our Des Moines area and Osceola sites and Friday Dec. 19th in Ames. If you can’t make those times, our alternative pick up is Saturday Dec. 20th from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Avenue location. 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.  +++++++++++++++++ Some items to add to your shopping list: From Becky with Threshing Floor (from Dallas Center): “I would like to encourage people to relax with some of Threshing Floor sticky pecan rolls or cinnamon rolls.” Sounds like they’d be perfect with some hot coffee or tea. From Cindy with Audubon County Family Farms (from Audubon): “This will be the last cycle to order aronia berries and spare ribs for a while. I’ll be taking January and February off, but will return in March with the berries and other products.” Wildwood Farms (from Wellsburg) added some new gifts including beautiful handmade wooden pens, rolling pins, wine stoppers, and letter openers. Lorna also listed two gift boxes (Holiday Breakfast and Soup & Bread), and she’s got holiday specials on nuts, trail mixes, and baking mixes. Chris’ Custom Bakery (from Ankeny) listed incredibly detailed decorated holiday sugar cookies and a new DIY sugar cookie kit w/ cookies and frosting–a perfect holiday activity for kids! Salama Greenhouse, Inc. (from Boone) has large red Poinsettia’s as well as potted orchids, spinach, and Swiss chard.  Great River Maple (from Garnavillo) has their maple syrup gift baskets back in stock! From Donna with Wagner Enterprises (from Dallas Center): “Hi. I am back online and am offering pies for Christmas: Apple, Cherry, Peach, Pecan, or Pumpkin made with fruit from this year harvest. You can freeze the pie for Christmas or for New Years. Thanks, Donna.” Lee’s Greens (from Nevada) has salad greens, lettuce mix, spinach, red and green kale, arugula, radishes, sweet baby white turnips, and potatoes along with potted herbs this cycle. NOTE: They also listed 10″x21″ flats of 4-6″ tall wheat and rye grass: great for chickens and other animals that like grass greens! From Jocelyn with Pickle Creek Herbal (from Brighton): “I’m excited to list for the first time what has been a pet project of mine for a long time: Herb-infused fruit vinegars; specifically, Strawberry Basil Balsamic and Blueberry Lemon Thyme Balsamic. Also, I added a Candy Cane (Peppermint) gift bag to go along with our other bath salt/soap/lip balm gift bags, and I’ve listed the Frog’s Legs Shallots again this cycle—but once these are gone, we’ll be sold out until next season. Thanks and Happy Holidays!” WW Homestead Dairy (from Waukon) has listed three holiday gift boxes: Cheedar Cheese Sampler, Cheese Curd Sampler, and Taste of WW Homestead Dairy. As of this morning (Wednesday), they still have butter available as well! Herbal Bliss Soaps (from Boone) is a new IFC producer, making their debut with healing hand salve and ‘Lemonchello’ bar soap–both make perfect gifts. Kiowa House of Herbs (from Searsboro) added many, many new cakes (twelve, to be exact), from angel food to German chocolate to devil’s food. And don’t miss their new almond pastries! Al Dente Toffee (from Adel) listed new toffee flavors–double dark chocolate and ginger snap. The ginger snap is made with molasses and has crushed ginger snap cookies on top. Heritage Hill Farm (from Ames) introduced a new bar soap, ‘Sweet Citrus Goats Milk Bar Soap with Orange Peel & Essential Oils’, a nice scent for the holidays.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!   1,076 Different Products Listed; Shop “Small” (and from the comfort of your home) this Saturday!   Two more shopping cycles before the holidays–shop unique gifts and gift collections from your favorite local farmers and artisans. Following Thanksgiving and ‘Black Friday’ is ‘Small Business Saturday‘, a campaign to increase business for local vendors. Skip the Friday crowds and shop from home this Saturday! Note: the online shopping cart is open and will close Sunday, Nov. 30th at midnight. Distribution is Thurs., Dec. 4th at our Des Moines area and Osceola sites and Friday Dec. 5th in Ames. If you can’t make those times, our alternative pick up is Saturday Dec. 6th from 10:30 am to noon at our Franklin Avenue location. 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.  +++++++++++++++++ New items to add to your shopping list:

Salama Greenhouse, Inc. (from Boone) added Large and XL Red Poinsettias (find them in the Live Plants Subcategory of the Non-Food Category). These classic holiday plants are large, bushy with plenty of blooms. Includes pot cover and bow. Iowa Choice Harvest, LLC (from Ames) now carries frozen bags of locally harvested aronia berries–perfect for smoothies. Good Shepherd Grass Farms (from Monroe) is pleased to offer their new beef Italian sausage–with just enough spice for Italian pasta dishes and sandwiches.  WW Homestead Dairy (from Waukon) added three gift box options: the Cheese Curd Sampler Box (featuring their cheese curds); the Cheddar Cheese Sampler Box (featuring several types of their cheddar cheese); and the Taste of WW Homestead Gift Box (featuring their cheddar cheese curds, cheddar cheeses, and salted butter). Kiowa House of Herbs (from Searsboro) is now serving a multitude of muffins–from Banana Walnut to Double Cherry to Parsnip (!)–using Iowa-milled flour from Early Morning Harvest. Also check out their new chocolate herbal teas. Broadhorn Farm (from Truro) has some exciting new items: quick cooking beef cubes and 7-bone chuck steak. They are also having a sale on short ribs this cycle. Grimm Family Farm (from Williamsburg) listed red storage beets and red cabbage in addition to several potato varieties. Elements of Rejuvenation (from Leon) introduced a new soy wax candle called ‘Campfire’ and will be at our Franklin space on the next two distributions to sell their products. Perfect last-minute gift! Zaza’s Pasta (from North Liberty) added a Herbed Linguine and Whole Wheat Linguine to their inventory. Handmade pasta makes a superb gift! Heritage Hill Farm (from Ames) has a new soap – Lavender Goat’s Milk – that features dried lavender grown on their farm. It comes packaged to give as a gift. They’ve also listed winter squash (and welcome to Jessica from Heritage Hill as a new producer board member!). From Country View Yogurt (from Hawkeye): “We are partnering with another IFC producer – Harvest Moon Farms – to create a unique healthy treat: Aronia Blackberry Custard Greek Yogurt. Our trial run last cycle went well, so we’ve made more 3 lb tubs available AND we’ll include one 6 oz cup in each Greek Variety pack. We also have cases of 12-6 oz cups available in limited quantity. Give it a try this cycle!” Audubon County Family Farms (from Audubon) has restocked their pork spare ribs and are including their recipe for preparing them in the oven. Another good holiday option! Yoke S. Ranch (from Russell) added Corriente beef summer sausage–a must have for holiday cheese plates. Griffieon Family Farm (from Ankeny) has lowered the price of their beef loin tenderloin by $1 and their country-style pork ribs by 75 cents. Purrfect Muttchies (from Truro) added Banana Mini Muffins with homemade dehydrated banana chips and updated their Clever Pooch Pineapple Coconut Kisses. Treat your pets! From Lee of Lee’s Greens (from Nevada): “We have our nice selection of greens (lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, baby red kale, baby green kale) as well as potatoes, radishes, turnips, and potted herbs.”