Tag: local food

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!