old blog

We've Moved!

2006-12-21T13:07:00.000-05:00

The Syracuse Real Food Co-op's blog can now be found at http://syracuserealfood.coop!

Please update your links and also note that if you are reading our feed, that has changed to http://feeds.feedburner.com/SyracuseRealFoodCoop

Support Rural America

2006-12-07T14:19:00.000-05:00

Green Rabbit Farm, supplier of some of the Co-op's wonderful local veggies, sent this out to its mailing list today. I figured readers of this blog would be interested...
Support Rural America

Kris

Co-op Happenings....

2006-11-14T10:56:00.000-05:00

The Co-op has been quite active lately, its time for the blog to catch up. Last night we held our Fall General Membership Meeting at the Westcott Cinema. We screened the movie Black Gold. Over 60 members enjoyed good conversation, locally grown popcorn, Fair Trade coffee, a eye opening documentary, and a chance to nominate themselves for the Board of Directors. Co-op member Stefanie Noble decided she was going to throw her hat in the ring nominate herself for one of the open positions. More information about the election will be available soon.

On Sunday night we held our 2nd annual Harvest Dinner at
BC Restaurant. A big thanks to the farmers who participated, the folks who came for the farmers food and the Bill Collins of bc for preparing a wonderful meal. (pictures to follow)

Fall Membership Meeting

2006-10-14T13:18:00.000-04:00

Join us on Nov. 13 at 6pm for a Meeting and a Movie. We are holding our Fall o6 Membership Meeting at the Westcott Cinema this year, it should be a great night. We will be showing Black Gold.

Best of Syracuse

2006-10-12T11:02:00.000-04:00

The finals are here! The current issue of the Syracuse New Times contains the ballot for the final voting, pick one up today!

We are up for 6 of the categories:

1. Best Neighborhood Market

2. Best Health Food Store

3. Best Place to Pick Up The New Times

4. Best Place for Vegetarian/Vegan Food

5. Best Gift Shop

6. Best Produce

Thanks for your support Syracuse!

Co-op Potluck!

2006-10-06T16:04:00.000-04:00

It is time for a potluck!
10.22.06 / 1:30pm - 4:30pm / Westcott Community Center

This is going to be a FUN event!

Local Apples!

2006-09-28T14:28:00.000-04:00

Check out the Co-op's LOCAL APPLES today!

Best of Syracuse

2006-09-28T10:31:00.000-04:00

The Syracuse New Time's Best of Syracuse nominations are in, and the Co-op is up for 6 AWARDS! The contest will be holding a final vote
in the Oct. 18 issue of the New Times.

Support the Co-op and Vote!

We are up for...

Best Health Food Store
Best Place to Pick up the Syracuse New Times
Best Vegetarian / Vegan Food
Best Produce
Best Neighborhood Market
Best Gift Shop

Thank you for your support!

Learn about Local Weeds!

2006-09-23T11:37:00.000-04:00

Wise Woman Herbalist, and Co-op Member, Marie Summerwood is holding a Weed Walk in the Morningside Community Garden. The event is being held Oct. 5 at 5pm.

Marie will teach you about many local plants and just how useful they are. Marie has studied herbal medicine for over 20 years.

The Morningside Community Garden is located behind the Ed Smith Elementary School on Broad St.(below the water towers).

If you are interested please RSVP at 315.472.1385

Local Farm Profile

2006-09-14T14:38:00.000-04:00

Click here to learn more about one of our great CNY Family Farms and their role in Organic Valley. Organic Valley, being a cooperative of family farmers, is a company we firmly stand behind. We carry a number of Organic Valley products in the store, I personally love the milk!

Kris

Seasonal Cooking

2006-09-14T10:34:00.000-04:00

This educational video is part of a series available on youtube.com. Kevin Snow puts on a great show, enjoy and look for more to come.

Kris

2006-09-09T15:43:00.000-04:00

Cheese of the day: Morbier (moor-bee-ay)

A rich semi-soft cheese that tastes of nuts and fruit with an aroma of freshly-mowed hay. Morbier is named after the French town of its origin.

Historically the producers of the cheese would cover the curd at night with ash in
order to preserve the moisture. The next morning the makers would then
add a fresh batch of curd to the top of the ash and let age. Morbier was then completed. An excellent selection for either a table cheese or melting on breads.

Matthew the SRFC cheese guy.

Taste of Westcott!

2006-08-31T09:09:00.000-04:00

The Co-op participated in Syracuse University's The Taste of Westcott last night. The event is put together each year in order to connect area food based businesses to SU students. This year they connected 700+ hungry students with several area greats. I must say we were a big hit, I have seen pirana with less of an appitite! Adam, Lori and Kris (me) were busy from start to finish feeding the masses.

Best of Syracuse - New Times

2006-08-30T09:28:00.000-04:00

Its Best of Syracuse time again! Todays New Times has the first ballot for the Best of Syracuse. Can you thnk of your favorite...coffee joint, fresh bread spot, best produce, best gift shop, best neighborhood market, best health food store, best place to pick up Syracuse New Times, best place to hide a body? Follow the rules and make sure you pick at least 30.

Add yourself to our Co-op Friends map!

2006-08-26T09:30:00.000-04:00

We want to see where our friends are! Add yourself to our map directly to the right of this posting so we can take a look at how far our network ranges.

Write to the New Leaf

2006-08-23T09:43:00.000-04:00

Lets keep the conversation going. Post replys to this blog, write letters to The New Leaf (our newsletter), talk to the staff. The thing that seperates us from other stores that sell similar products is the fact that we are a cooperative. Lets celebrate the challange that presents to us, lets COOPERATE!

changes in the layout

2006-08-22T17:39:00.000-04:00

Notice anything different...
We are doing some work with the blog layout. Keep posted

Proper use of the Bulk Aisle

2006-08-11T13:06:00.000-04:00

Here at the Co-op we reocognize the incredible value of the bulk foods section, and as we see interest in it grow we realize that many of you must be thinking along the same lines. Our bulk choices range from the finest locally made organic granolas, to the highest quality beans/rices/ nuts available. In fact we have the most competitive prices on organic bulk food in the region. Personally, I am a big fan of the Tierra Farms granolas, the Pistacio Mulberry in particular (try it with some Evans Double Maple Yogurt).

Marty (Co-op bulk manager) is shown below showing clerks Adam and Brad proper bulk buying techniques...

Baby Food!

2006-08-10T15:40:00.000-04:00

The Co-op's baby food section is expanding. We now carry each stage of your babies diet (1-3). Start your new baby off with organics!

Puffins!

2006-08-09T09:43:00.000-04:00

An actual Puffin has occupied the Co-op! Maybe you should come and see this...

Local Stawberries

2006-06-17T17:02:00.000-04:00

Come by the Co-op for some Fresh, Local and Delicious Stawberries! Nothing is sweeter and more refreshing on a summer day than fresh picked strawberries and the co-ops got them!

Taste of Syracuse

2006-06-13T17:31:00.000-04:00

We participated in the Taste of Syracuse this year (June 2-3), and it was quite a weekend. The weather did not cooperate with us the way we would have liked, seeing as how we were selling organic frozen fruit bars. Hopefully next year's June will be more summer like. Matt, our new cheese buyer, was at the event selling wonderful Artisinal Cheese plates.

The New Bulk Bins Are Here! The New Bulk Bins Are Here!

2006-06-04T09:56:00.000-04:00

To anyone who may have come shopping on Weds. May 31: I'd like to assure you the Coop has not exploded! Many people have often joked that if we tried to fit anymore stuff or people in here that that very thing may happen, and it may have seemed that way from the state of the store for a day or two last week. What with the large boxes and stacks of shelves piled on the sidewalk. Bulk bins scattered throughout the store. Loads of tools and freezer installation men clogging the last aisle. Helpless employees trying to find a square inch of space to do their work.

We all know the Coop has been growing exponentially the past few years, and with fast growth can come the occasional growing pain, as evidenced by our store pouring out onto the sidewalk last Wednesday. But as Wednesday turned into Thursday the Coop elves were busy at work. By elves, of course, I mean a group of dedicated staff and volunteers who were gathered at a moments notice and worked into the wee hours of the morning. So come check out our new and improved bulk section as well as our expanded freezer section.

Thanks to Adam, Andrew, Chuck, Desira, Ryan, and Travis B. for making it happen, and Kenneth for the nice pic.

Bulk Master Flex

Recess Coffee

2006-05-22T10:53:00.000-04:00

As many of our shoppers know Recess Coffee has started roasting coffee beans right here in our neighborhood! What you might not have known is that you can get Fair Trade beans, roasted at Recess, here at the Coop. We've got the Lightning Bolt Blend in bulk and we also have 1/2 pound bags of the Lightning Bolt, Sumatran Manheling AA, and my personal favorite Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. Check out their website for more about Recess.

Bulk Master Flex

Plant Sale at the Co-op

2006-05-20T18:13:00.000-04:00

Today's Plant Sale was a huge success! Karl Frost from Frosty Morning Farm and Kendra Pearse from Black Brook Farm were here to sell seedlings and answer questions. Look for more events like this through the summer!

Fair Trade Day

2006-05-20T17:53:00.000-04:00

Sat. May 13 was World Fair Trade Day. Events were held world-wide to celebrate Fair Trade, and all that it brings us. The Co-op celebrated by tasting tea, coffee and chocolate that was fairly traded. Roji Tea Lounge was on hand to sample some of the wonderful teas they offer at their downtown location. Theresa Bizzel of Seeds of Life was helping throughout the day to make sure the Fair Trade celebration was a success.

Gardening Event at the Co-op!

2006-05-05T15:16:00.000-04:00

We would like to invite you to an event we will be having on May 20th in front of the Co-op!

We will be hosting a Seedling and Seed sale in which a number of our local farmers will have tables set up for most of the day.

In addition, for those of you who have not had the pleasure of gardening but would like to, or simply have some questions that you'd like answered by "the experts", there will be a presentation by our farmers ("Gardening 101") at noon, with a Question & Answer period from 11am-2pm.

This is the perfect opportunity to meet some of the people who grow the foods you eat and to get your garden underway!

ALSO:

Now in the produce department (while supplies last):
1. Ramps (wild leeks) from the Finger Lakes region
2. Mixed Salad Greens (from Grindstone Farm)
3. Local Spinach (from Grindstone Farm).

KMak

Earth Day Clean Up

2006-04-29T18:46:00.000-04:00

Here are some of our pictures from our Earth Day Clean Up of Barry Park on April 29. A small group did their part for the park the Co-op is neighbors with and enjoyed a nice BBQ after. Thanks to all those who helped!

Spring favorites...

2006-04-24T14:39:00.000-04:00

With spring has come organic asparagus, fava beans, zucchini and yellow squash to the SRFC Produce department! We also will continue to carry local spinach and salad mixes as we make way for more from our local farmers!

May is "Eat Local" month, so stop on in for some fresh springtime favorites!

KMak

Earth Day!

2006-04-14T17:00:00.000-04:00

The Co-op will be cleaning up Barry Park Sat. April 22 at 10 am! We would love to see as many people there as possible, the event will be followed by a BBQ at the store. The cleanup is part of a larger project being put together by OCCRA.

If you are interested just stop by Barry Park Sat. morning and look for the Co-op banner!

Local Produce!

2006-04-06T14:53:00.000-04:00

Spring is finally here, and so has begun local produce season! We now have fresh organic spinach from the Grindstone Farm greenhouses, but only while supplies last so come and get it. Enjoy the sunshine, and be ready for more in the coming months!

KMak

Ducklings

2006-04-05T15:31:00.000-04:00

Check our frozen meat case for D'artagnan ducklings.

We've gotten a lot of requests for duck, and this is our first offering. We will have locally raised ducks this (early) fall.

We also have D'artagnan Duck Bacon, kosher, fatty, and delicious.

Duck, duck, but no goose.

TH

Spring has Sprung!

2006-03-28T16:06:00.001-05:00

Green Rabbit Farm, Madison New York

Look for LOCAL produce coming soon to the Co-op!

Coffee at the Co-op

2006-03-10T17:46:00.000-05:00

Starting tomorrow, March 11, the Co-op will be offering a variety of brewed coffees. Our new paper cups, with above logo, are a benefit of belonging to the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA). While Co-ops belonging to NCGA maintain their autonomy, they reap the benefits of a "virtual chain" such as these great cups.

We will also be offering month long "coffee cards" that will enable the holder to grab a great cup of fair-trade organic coffee as often as they please.

Call to Action...

2006-03-10T13:08:00.000-05:00

3.10.06
CALL TO ACTION:

If you are interested in food safety, please read the following article regarding the House's vote to have federal food
safety laws superceded by federal laws. If this also passes in the Senate (and is sure to be signed by the President),
states will not be able to have food safety laws that are more strict than the federal laws which are being written by,
and for, agribusiness. The bill is being rushed through Congress to prevent a comment period which would bring the
issue to the public.

According to this law, the FDA would have to approve any deviation from federal laws, which it is highly unlikely to do
since the FDA has been very slow to act on any business that does not closely follow the Bush agenda. Any requests
could be endlessly tied up in red tape as a way to prevent any action from occuring.

If you feel strongly about this issue, it is not too late to contact
Senators Schumer and Clinton to inform them of your
opinion. Remember, our representatives are charged with representing us,
their constituency.

Thursday, March 9, 2006 (SF Chronicle)
House votes to dump state food safety laws
Zachary Coile, Chronicle Washington Bureau

Washington -- The House approved a bill Wednesday night that would wipe
out state laws on safety labeling of food, overriding tough rules passed
by California voters two decades ago that require food producers to warn
consumers about cancer-causing ingredients.
The vote was a victory for the food industry, which has lobbied for years
for national standards for food labeling and contributed millions of
dollars to lawmakers' campaigns. But consumer groups and state regulators
warned that the bill would undo more than 200 state laws, including
California's landmark Proposition 65, that protect public health.
"The purpose of this legislation is to keep the public from knowing about
the harm they may be exposed to in food," said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los
Angeles, a chief critic of the measure.
Several critics argued that the bill was rushed through the House without
complete hearings as a favor to a specific industry -- at the same time
that members are talking about the evils of lobbying and proposing
stricter ethical rules.
Under the bill, any state that wanted to keep its own tougher standards
for food labeling would have to ask for approval from the Food and Drug
Administration, which has been criticized by food safety groups as slow to
issue consumer warnings.
The measure was approved after a debate in which House Democratic leader
Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco accused the Republican majority of
"shredding the food safety net that we have built in this country."
The measure passed 283 to 139, with the support of many Democrats. The
Bay Area's 12 Democratic members opposed the bill, while Rep. Richard Pombo,
R-Tracy, supported it. The legislation faces a tougher battle in the more
evenly divided Senate, and there are signs of growing opposition to the
measure.
California's two Democratic senators are threatening to block the bill
from coming to the Senate floor. A group of 39 state attorneys general,
including many Republicans, has warned of the consequences of the measure.
State food and drug regulators and agricultural officials also are urging
the Senate to reject the bill.
A major target of the legislation is Prop. 65, which was approved by
two-thirds of California voters in 1986 and requires labeling of
substances that may cause cancer or birth defects. The law has inspired
other states to follow suit with their own rules on food labeling that are
more stringent than federal standards.
Critics say the laws have added costs for food manufacturers and
distributors, who must comply with different rules in different states.
The industry's backers claim the different warning labels confuse
consumers.
"There is no reason nor is there any excuse to allow regulatory
inconsistency to drive up costs and keep some consumers in the dark on
matters that may affect their health," said Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga.
But California officials said the new legislation would reverse the gains
made through Prop. 65. Many companies, fearing the warning labels, have
changed their food to meet the state's tougher standards. Bottled water
companies have cut arsenic levels, and bakers have taken potassium
bromate, a potential carcinogen, out of many breads, doughnuts and other
bakery goods.
"We've had a lot of success in getting them to reformulate," said
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer.
Opponents of the bill complained that it was rushed to the House floor
without a public hearing, where state regulators and food safety advocates
could have testified against it.
"That is the job of Congress, to hold hearings, to introduce facts, to
listen to debate," said Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., who co-sponsored the
bill but opposed it on the floor, saying it needed a thorough public
debate. "I am wondering right now what the food industry is afraid of. Why
are they trying to ram this piece of legislation through the House?"
Critics of the measure also have been frustrated that California
Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has not taken a position on the bill
despite being urged to do so by Waxman and Rep. Mary Bono, R-Palm Springs,
early last month.
"Your silence on this legislation is inexplicable," Waxman wrote in a
letter to the governor. "It not only rolls back essential existing laws,
but it takes away your ability, and the ability of the California
Legislature, to respond to future public health issues."
A spokeswoman for the governor said Schwarzenegger may still jump into
the debate.
"The office is reviewing it," said spokeswoman Margita Thompson. "Once
the determination is made if the governor should weigh in and how, we will."
The vote Wednesday was a sign of the tremendous power of the food
industry in Congress. Corporations and trade groups that joined the National
Uniformity for Food Coalition, which backed the bill, have contributed
more than $3 million to members in the 2005-06 election cycle and $31
million since 1998, according to data from the Center for Responsive
Politics.
The industry also has many top lobbyists pushing the bill, including
White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card's brother, Brad Card, who represents the
Food Products Association.
A leading fundraiser for the bill's chief sponsor, Rep. Mike Rogers,
R-Mich., has also been lobbying on the bill. Matt Keelen, a Republican
consultant whose fundraising firm raised more than $315,000 in political
action committee donations for Rogers in 2001, is now a lobbyist for the
Grocery Manufacturers of America, which has led the charge for the
measure.
"The food industry wants to take the states out of the picture because
they can't control them," said Andy Igrejas of the National Environmental
Trust, which opposes the bill. "This is how they do it. They make campaign
contributions, and they hire people close to members of Congress."
But Rogers denied there was a backroom deal with the food industry. He
said supporters of the bill simply believe federal standards work better
than state standards on food safety.
"A chicken grown in Louisiana is going to end up on a plate in Michigan.
Peas grown in Florida are going to end up in Louisiana," Rogers said.
"This is an interstate matter."
The House passed an amendment late Wednesday allowing states, including
California, to continue to issue warnings about the heath effects of
mercury in fish and shellfish.
But the House defeated an amendment by Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara,
that would have let states keep laws that warn consumers about exposure to
substances that could cause cancer, birth defects, reproductive health
problems or allergic reactions associated with sulfites.
The House also rejected a proposal to allow states to label meat that has
been treated with carbon monoxide. The gas is used to keep meat looking a
healthy red or pink for longer, but consumer groups say it allows stores
to sell potentially dangerous meat that has already spoiled.

New Local Granola!

2006-03-08T13:31:00.001-05:00

Brought to the Co-op by Tierra Farms this delicious locally made granola is now available in our bulk section. The flavors are Bannana-Walnut and Pistacio-Mulberry, they are both great. Try some today with Old Chatham's wonderful maple granola, it makes for a marvelous pairing.

Finger Lakes Fresh

2006-03-07T14:40:00.001-05:00

Finger Lakes Fresh

Finger Lakes Fresh is a non-profit organization located in Ithaca New York. Their mission is to provide opportunities to individuals with disabilities and other working barriers. The greenhouse is providing the Syracuse Real Food Co-op the beautiful, local and fresh salad bouquets pictured above. Stop by the Co-op today for some tasty lettuce. You can enjoy a salad and supports a great organization at the same time!

New Products in the Store

2006-03-04T15:30:00.000-05:00

A few interesting things new in your store: Patti Peek's Italian Cookies and desserts. Almond paste cookies in bags by the coffee, and funnel cakes in the deli case. You may have seen Patti's treats at the regional market, but she has mostly sold by word-of-mouth until now. She advertises, "Cookies like Nana used to make..." I especially like the almond paste Pignolis, not too sweet, covered in spanish pinenuts.

Not new to many of our customers are Rita Muhammad's Vanilla Bean Pies. These have been a big hit at Plowshares for a few seasons, and we now have them in our deli case in a single serve size. I had never tried a ean pie before sampling them this winter, and I was very impressed by the smooth, rich consistency and subtle vanilla flavor. We carry brown sugar sweetened and maple syrup sweetened in 3" sizes.

Member-Working

2006-03-04T11:39:00.000-05:00

Have you given Member-working a try? Sarah here has, and by the looks of it she loves it! Starting is as simple as filling out a Member-worker application and setting up your start date. Two hours per month earns you an 8% discount and two hours per week earns you 13%. The experience you get from Member-working doesn't end at the check out line but follows through in the form of a more defined understanding of your Co-op, a better understanding of the staff and the products we offer. Give it a try, stop in today and ask a staff member for some help.

Co-op Member Owners gets Op-Ed published

2006-02-06T20:35:00.000-05:00

Co-op Member-Owner Dawn Ashbridge had this letter published in The Post Standard:

Thanks Dawn!

Post-Standard Letter
Monday, February 06, 2006
To the Editor:

Recently, The Post-Standard did a small article highlighting Consumer Reports' investigation into whether organic food is worth the higher financial price.

Organic has, in fact, become a buzzword these days. Even places like Aldi's and Wal Mart have jumped on the organic bandwagon carrying products like "organic" milk.

Once these companies realized that there was a consumer demand for organic products, a demand that warrants consumers to pay a higher price, a market was created for them.

Of course, every consumer wants to get the best price they can whether we are purchasing organic items or "conventional" (i.e., not organic).

This brings me to my point. I had the pleasure of attending the recent Northeast Organic Farmer's Association of New York (NOFA-NY) conference at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool and I walked away with a new understanding what "organic" really means.

Seeing this vast number of farmers all come together for the cause of organic was interesting to me. Why are they farming "organically"? Why are many of them taking a loss year in and year out?

Why the back-breaking labor when large-scale farms both within the United States and abroad are producing food on a much grander scale? Well, they told me why.

Organic, despite what I believed, does not simply mean growing without pesticides. Organic was founded years ago as an ethic. An ethic with roots deeper than conventional, profit-driven agriculture. Organic does mean not using chemical pesticides on crops, but it is more than that.

It is a reverence for the land and a commitment to health - the health of the soil, the health of the workers, the health of the families that the farmer feeds, the health of future generations - both human and otherwise. It is environmental stewardship in every facet of the term.

Organic means paying farm workers a wage that they can live on, even if it cuts into the profits that the farmer takes home. Organic means social justice and every person's right to be able to support themselves, while doing honest work.

Organic means local food for local people, and not using limited fossil fuels to ship products from across the United States, or farther, like Mexico and New Zealand. Organic means lower pollution, not pre-packaged produce in the grocery store that is laid on a Styrofoam tray and shrink-wrapped in plastic.

No, despite the labeling out there, none of this is organic. And all of it weighs heavy on the hearts of the farmers that I met at the conference.

These are people who put their souls into the ground and grow the life on which we feed. I know my farmer. I looked him in the face and told him that I was proud that he grows my food. I'm thankful that his ethics feed my young daughter, so young and so vulnerable.

Sadly, though, our tax dollars are providing huge subsidies for farmers to grow large, monoculture crops. Monoculture means they grow one thing - literally; all other ecosystem life dies.

This is completely unsustainable. Why do they do this? Because the chemical manufacturers want our growers to become increasingly more reliant on their chemical pesticides. We, the taxpayers are forced to fund this because Monsanto and other large chemical companies have strong lobbies in Congress.

On guard, folks. Food has become political and our choices at the store are our strongest voice. It may be more expensive to buy organic food - true organic food, but what is the dire cost otherwise?

Shop your local farms; shop your coops like the Syracuse Real Food Coop, which is also ethics-driven and not profit-driven.

Let's take back our food. For more information on Communty Supported Agriculture, go to www.localharvest.org and search for CSAs around Syracuse.

Dawn Ashbridge

Liverpool

Second Potluck a HUGE Success!

2006-01-26T16:50:00.000-05:00

The second Westcott Community Center Potluck was a HUGE success. We were really pleased at the 100+ turnout for the event, what a true representation of community! The food was such a delicious representation of our culinary diversity, delicious enough to inspire the possibility of a Co-op Member/owner cookbook! We were glad to see the Turkey that the Co-op contributed (cooked by our very own Travis Hance) being thoroughly enjoyed. A big thank you to everyone involved; Kim Jackson from the Westcott Community Center for helping us put this together, The Erwin Methodist Church for the last minute folding chairs they provided, The Citizens Campaign for the Environment for the folding chairs they provided, all the Co-op staff who provided so much support throughout the whole event, all the last minute volunteers who put in so much time to make the night a success, and especially the folks who came just a bit to late and were turned away at the door. This event was twice the size of the last and we were not as prepared as we would have liked to be. Next time promises to be a little different. We really are very glad to see the transforming power of food and community working together so nicely!

2006 Seed List

2006-01-19T17:34:00.000-05:00

Here is our 2006 Seed List, they will be available in about 3 weeks...

Beans
205PO Provider Bush Green Bean OG
280NO Northeaster Pole Bean OG
*299WI Windsor Fava Bean
*318SR Scarlet Runner Bean

Corn
564KK Kandy Korn Yellow Sweet Corn
*679PB Pennsylvania Dutch Butter Flavored Popcorn ECO

Peas
842MM Mammoth Melting Sugar Snow Pea
892NP Sugarsnap Snap Pea

Melons
*908JL Jenny Lind Muskmelon ECO
*1118PC Peace Watermelon

Cukes
1313MO Marketmore 76 Slicing Cucumber OG

Summer Squash
1434CZ Cocozelle Zucchini
1522SP Seneca Prolific Yellow Summer Squash

Winter Squash
1608TQ Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash
1649BD Bush Delicata Winter Squash
1752HO Howden Pumpkin OG

Roots
2050NF Nantes Fancy Carrot
2121RO Red Ace Beet OG
2282SR Shinden Risoh Daikon Radish
2439EV Evergreen Hardy White Scallion

Lettuce/Spinach
2550TY Tyee Spinach
2723SO Salad Bowl Lettuce OG
2729RO Red Salad Bowl Lettuce OG
2754PZ Prizehead Lettuce
2760RS Red Sails Lettuce
2811BU Buttercrunch Butterhead Lettuce
2981LO Lettuce Mix OG
2983MM Mustard Mix
3023AO Arugula OG

Greens
3031FG Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard
3036BL Bright Lights Swiss Chard
3051CH Champion Collards
3158GI Gigante d’Italia Parsley
3166FG Forest Green Parsley
3228MZ Mizuna
3383RO Red Russian Kale OG
*3390WV Early White Vienna Kohlrabi
3410PK Packman Broccoli
*3573GR Graffiti Cauliflower
3586WB Winterbor Kale

Peppers
*3722PB Purple Beauty Sweet Pepper
*3753CO Czech Black Hot Pepper OG

Tomatoes
4125HO Heinz 2653 Paste Tomato OG
4260BF Big Beef Tomato
4282SG Sun Gold Cherry Tomato

Herbs & Flowers
4415WO Sweet Basil OG
4519CO Cilantro OG
4525CO Purple Coneflower OG
4542MM Mammoth Dill
4586VO Lavender OG
4657RM Rosemary
4665SO Broadleaf Sage OG
4644SO Stinging Nettle OG
4686SJ St Johnswort
5083LB Lemon Beauty Calendula
5140SM Sensation Mix Cosmos
5198BC Blue Cloud Larkspur
5254CR Tall African Crackerjack Mix Marigold
5272HB Clarke’s Heavenly Blue Morning Glory
5288JM Jewel Mix Nasturtium
5352MB Mission Bells California Poppy
5400AB Autumn Beauty Mix Sunflower
5409GS Mammoth Grey Stripe Sunflower
5491SF State Fair Mix Zinnia
5864FB Monstrosum Fire Ball Strawflower
6336WF Wildflower Mix

*new for 2006

January 24 Potluck

2006-01-04T17:09:00.000-05:00

Our next potluck at the Westcott Community Center is going to be at 6pm on January 24. Last time just about 60 people came and had a great time. Come by with a dish to share and see just how many great cooks we have in our midst!

Election Results are IN!

2005-12-10T17:28:00.000-05:00

The results of the Co-op's Board of Directors elections are in! Your new directors are...

President:
Gloria Kraegel

New Members to the Board:
Peter Pedemonti

Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows

Elected for another term:

Jennifer Blusk

Mark Meisner

Larry Rutledge

Thane Joyal

Remained on Board:

Wally Francis

Marcy Rothenberg

Congrats to all the new members and welcome back to everyone else!

Fall General Membership Meeting

2005-11-04T15:49:00.000-05:00

Tuesday November 1st the Syracuse Real Food Co-op held its bi-annual General Membership Meeting, and it was great. Not only was attendance far greater then the recent past, but for the first time we have a contested race for the board of directors. Stay tuned for a special edition of the New Leaf coming very soon to your doorstep. This issue will profile the declared candidates and include your ballot which can be dropped off at the store. Remember the election runs until Dec. 1, you can decide to run anytime up until that point.

First Annual Harvest Dinner at La Cena

2005-10-27T13:42:00.000-04:00

Monday's First Annual Harvest Dinner held at La Cena in Fayetteville was outstanding. Chef Billy Barry prepared four outstanding dishes using the wonderful local ingredients provided by several of the CNY farmers supplying our co-op.(Menu below) I would like to extend everyones heartfelt gratitude to Aberdeen Farm, Cobblestone Valley Farm, Green Rabbit Farm, Tierra Farm, Two Hearts Farm, Macdonald Farm, Freedom of Expresso, Roji Tea Lounge and Vinomania for supplying us with the wonderful food and drink that helped make the night such a success. We are planning to not only make this a tradition, but to add more events like this to the year.

Menu

Salad
greens (Tierra Farm) tossed in cabernet vinagarette with beet (Green Rabbit Farm) tarte tatin

Main
grilled boneless turkey chop (Macdonald Farm) with leek stuffing (Tierra Farm), butternut squash, and cranberry demi glaze

slow cooked t-bone (Aberdeen) roast with carrots (Green Rabbit), leeks (Tierra) and chickpea ragout and au jus

rabbit (Aberdeen Farm) , braised in red wine with arbequina olives, grilled venison (Aberdeen Farm) marinaed in yogurt chickpea ragout

roasted butternut squash filled with dried fruit cous cous, brown sugar glaze and sauteed kale (Green Rabbit Farm), cauliflower and roasted carrots (Green Rabbit Farm)

Dessert
Pumpkin Flan (Two Hearts Farm)

Tea - Roji Tea Lounge
Coffee - Freedom of Expresso
Wines- Vinomania

Roji Tea Tasting a SUCCESS!!!

2005-10-23T11:50:00.000-04:00

The folks from the Roji Tea Lounge www.roji-tealounge.com were in the Co-op for a tasting event yesterday (October 22). The Roji Tea Lounge is located in downtown Syracuse and is open for deserts and teas. Check them out!

Co-op Potluck a SUCCESS

2005-10-18T11:02:00.000-04:00

Thank you everyone who attended the Co-op's first community potluck dinner at the Westcott Community Center. Everything you made was delicious, and the discussion was interesting. We will keep you posted as more events like this are happening. Pictures to follow....

Abodanza!

2005-10-07T12:33:00.000-04:00

Apples and Pumpkins and Rain, oh my...

Altough the temperature was 70 degrees when I woke up this morning, we have a tremendous amount of fall produce ready for you.

New York apples(Crispin, MacIntosh, McCoun, Cortland, and Gala), Bosc pears from Wolcott farm: .99 #

Concord grapes from Wolcott Farm: 1.99#

New England Organic Apples: 6.99 a half peck

New York state decorative pumpkins: 5.99

Come celebrate the change of seasons! Forecasts predict a cold, rainy night, why not bake some pies and enjoy them by the fireplace?

Cheese of the day.

2005-10-07T12:21:00.000-04:00

What could possibly be a better way to eat all of these apples than with cheddar?

Today we are featuring Montchevre Goat Cheddar for tasting. This is a very mild, accesible goat cheese, so if you are looking to experiment outside the American tunnel of bovine dairy, this would be a great place to start.

This cheese will be on sale for the month of October.

General Membership Meeting Announced...

2005-10-05T19:22:00.000-04:00

We have announced our General Memebership Meeting 2005!!! We will be holding it at the wonderful Palace Theater on James St. http://www.palacetheatresyracuse.com/. This will be on November 1 at 6pm. The meeting will come first followed by organic popcorn and movies about...FOOD!

Really REAL Cream Cheese

2005-10-01T11:12:00.000-04:00

In further New York State delicious food news:

Today we are featuring Heamour Farms Quark.

Quark is a traditional German soft spreadable cheese that is quite common all over middle Europe. (The average German eats 10 pounds a year!) Quark is delicious slathered on toast all by itself, having a soft, whipped texture and mild, tangy lactic flavor.

Shannon at Heamour Farms wants you to know that there is a LOT more you can do with it! She recommends mixing in dill and garlic for a party dip, or you can use it in place of cream cheese to make a light, fluffy cheese cake (having tasted one of these that was prepared by Lisa from Two Hearts Farm, I can attest to flavor! I heard the choir singing with every bite!)

My favorite breakfast these days is a piece of toast, well buttered with cultured butter, a layer of Quark, then a slice of smoked salmon. Oh man, THAT is REAL food!

Quark is also commonly eaten just like yogurt, with some preserves or granola mixed in.

Come on in and taste it today!

Old Chatham Sheepherding Company

2005-09-30T13:32:00.000-04:00

Today we have two very special cheeses for tasting.

Hudson Valley Camembert is a mixed sheep and cow's milk cheese that is in the style of camembert. This cheese comes in a unique square format.

Mutton Buttons are creamy, rich sheep's milk cheeses in the style of Brie. These come in a very fun, small size that is just enough for two to snack on, or could make a light meal for one.

The Old Chatham company is located in the upper hudson valley area and have been in oeration since 1994. They produce true "farmstead" cheeses, meaning that the animals are located on the same sight as the creamery. All of the animals are grass fed, so you can taste a LOT of character in the cheeses, and the cow's milk in the Hudson Valley Camembert is from a neighboring farm's non-rBGH herd.

The Hudson Valley Camembert won "Best Cheese in America" in the 2001 United States Cheese Competition, and won "Best in Class" in the 2002 World Cheese Championship.

Toma Biellese

2005-09-29T15:03:00.000-04:00

Toma is a type of cow's milk cheese produced throughout the Alpine arc of northern Italy. Interestingly, I've read, it tends to crop up in those areas where the classic mountain 'fontina' has less of a presence.

Genuine Toma cheese should is made the old 'artigianale' way, by the very hands of the farmer who overlooks the grazing and milking of his animals on the Alpine slopes throughout the year.

The cheese is aged at least three months and possess with a soft, elastic consistency and a light, yellow crust. The taste is fairly salty.

I love this cheese with adrizzle of chilli oil, or just sliced and served on pear slices.

Try some in our produce case today!

2005-09-28T16:12:00.000-04:00

We will have local organic eggplant on Thursday Sept. 29

Best of Syracuse!!!

2005-09-28T14:19:00.000-04:00

Thank you all for your votes, the Co-op won three awards in the Best of Syracuse Competition. We are the #1 place to get vegetarian food (but remember, we are NOT a vegetarian store), we are the #2 best "health" food store and the #3 best place to get produce. Thanks Syracuse!

Welcome to the Syracuse Real Food Blog

2005-09-28T13:48:00.000-04:00

Hello and welcome to the Syracuse Real Food Co-op's BLOG!