Community Food Co-op

Voted Bellingham's best grocery store. Full-service deli, hot bar, salad bar featuring organic, local, and natural foods. Everyone can shop, anyone can join. Co+op, stronger together.

Welcome! Everyone can shop the Community Food Co-op!
360-734-8158|
  • menu bar three linesMENU
    • Hours & Locations
      • forest-street-5138Downtown Store
        1220 North Forest Street at Holly Street
        Bellingham, Washington
        7 am - 10 pm
        360-734-8158
      • Cordata Exterior 2019-03868Cordata Store
        315 Westerly Road at Cordata Parkway
        Bellingham, Washington
        7 am - 9 pm
        360-734-8158
      • holly-street-5129Bakery Café
        405 Holly Street at Forest Street
        Bellingham, Washington
        7 am - 7 pm
        360-734-8158
    • In Our Stores
      • Community Rooms
      • Customer Input
      • Deli Hot Bar Menus
      • How to Shop
      • Service Desk
      • To-Go Deli
      • What’s on Sale?
      • Contact Us
    • Departments
      • Bakery
      • Co-op Bakery Café
      • Bulk
      • Dairy & Refrigerated
      • Deli & Deli To Go
      • Floral & Garden
      • Grocery
      • Health & Beauty
      • Meat & Seafood
      • Mercantile
      • Produce
      • Specialty Cheese
      • Wine, Beer, & Spirits
    • Classes
      • Co-op Event Calender
      • Healthy Connections Classes
      • Instructor Profiles
    • About Us
      • Awards
      • Co-op Blog
      • Magazine & E-news
      • Our History
      • Strategic Plan
      • Sustainability at the Co-op
      • Vision, Mission, and Values
      • Contact Us
    • Community Giving
      • SEED: Community Shopping Days
      • Donations & Sponsorships
      • Donate at our Registers
      • Farm Fund
      • The Real Food Show
    • Join Us
      • Invest in the Co-op
      • Why Join? How to Join!
      • Board of Directors
      • Employment
      • Local Business Partners
      • Sell to the Co-op
    • Recipes
      • Recipes
      • Cooking Videos
  • What’s on Sale?
  • Hotbar Menu
  • Classes & Events
  • Comments
  • Hours and Locations

Classes & Events

  1. Let’s Make Mozzarella and Burrata is postponed

    December 7 @ 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
  2. Essential Remedies: Aromatherapy Blending for Mind, Body & Spirit with Michelle Mahler

    December 10 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
  3. Detox and Fasting with Jim Ehmke, CN

    December 10 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

View All Events

You are here: Home / Archives for organic

Meet Your Farmer: Sunseed Farm

by Megan Stilp, Cordata Produce

Locally grown organic garden starts available now at your co-op!

farmer in greenhouse with garden starts

Nick Guilford tending plant starts in Sunseed Farm’s eight greenhouses. After the germination chamber, the small starts move into this warm greenhouse to grow before being hardened off for outdoor planting in the cooler greenhouses.

Nestled in the valley of the south fork of the Nooksack River sits Sunseed Farm. Nick Guilford, proprietor, has been using organic growing methods since starting the business in 1997 and obtained organic certification in 2001. On the farm you’ll find organic garden starts, many destined for sale at the Co-op, growing right alongside the plants that go into Sunseed’s fields for vegetable and herb production.

This makes for less transplant shock, and an earlier, more abundant yield.

Most plant starts sold in our area are chemically raised, which can make for a hard transition into a garden where they aren't being fed a nutrient solution every day. According to Sunseed’s website, “Our organic starts not only come with a longer lasting nutrient base in the pot, but the plants are also in a more natural, nutrient foraging relationship with the soil. This makes for less transplant shock, and an earlier, more abundant yield.” Additionally, over a 20-year career as a market farmer, Nick has selected varieties of crops that have been proven to thrive in our climate. All of these factors can help produce a successful home gardening experience when using starts from Sunseed Farm.

You can find their organic garden starts at both Community Food Co-op locations from about mid-March through the end of our often unpredictable local planting season. You can also find Sunseed Farm at the Saturday Bellingham Farmers Market.

Dedicated to your gardening success, Sunseed’s website is a great resource for the home gardener, with planting tips and schedules, articles on season extension, and even a selection of their favorite gardening tools and books available for purchase.

 

margaret gerard and nick guilford on their farm

Margaret Gerard and Nick Guilford at Sunseed Farm get your garden starts growing with the best soil, optimal growing conditions, and lots of love.

planting chart for veggies herbs and starts
Tweet

FLORAL & GARDEN| HOT OFF THE PRESS garden| local| organic| plant starts| produce| whatcom county

Organic Duck Eggs from Sky Valley Family Farms on Sale

family member of sky valley family farm in startup washington holds two baskets of pasture raised chicken eggs

The Co-op proudly sells Sky Valley Family Farm’s pasture-raised organic duck and chicken eggs.

The fourth-generation family is unique in that all of its products are pasture based and its fields are certified organic.

Photos courtesy of Sky Valley Family Farms.

The 44-acre Sky Valley Family Farm is located 40 miles northeast of Seattle, in the whistle-stop town of Startup. The farm’s fields are certified organic and no antibiotics or chemicals are ever used in the fields, or on its pasture-raised ducks and chickens, resulting in tasty and healthful eggs.

The Sky Valley chickens and ducks have been extra busy celebrating the arrival of spring by laying lots of eggs. Due to the increased productivity, duck eggs are on sale.

Sky Valley Family Farm duck eggs are on sale through May 14!

Use these high-quality eggs in your next entrée, baked treat, or featured in a simple preparation that allows the freshness, quality, and flavor of authentic farm-fresh, nutritious, organic pasture-raised eggs to shine.

chickens at sky valley family farm in startup washington roam about in the pasture organic
ducks at sky valley family farm in startup washington enjoy pasture organic

Chicken eggs $6.75/dozen

Duck eggs $4.69/half dozen (reg. $5.49)

Learn More

Learn more about the Sky Valley Family Farm at their website.

Tweet

GROCERY| SALES chicken| duck| eggs| organic| pasture raised| sale

Pure Nelida: A 2019 Next Step Recipient

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

April 2019
Nelida Martinez and her daughter hold organic veggies on pure nelida organic farm in skagit county washington

Nelida Martinez (at right) and her daughter hold armloads of organic produce grown on her farm in the Skagit Valley.

“Me gusta mucho crecer las plantas, producir buena alimentación, para alguien más. Me gusta mucho, este trabajo es mi pasión!” says Nelida, owner of Pure Nelida Organic Produce.

Translation: I like to grow plants and provide nourishment for everyone. I like it a lot, this work is my passion!

Photo courtesy of Pure Nelida.

Pure Nelida: A 2019 Next Step Grant and Loan Recipient

The story of Pure Nelida began 30 years ago when Nelida Martinez learned to cultivate fruits and vegetables in the fields of California.

For many years, she and her family worked and lived under the hot sun while being exposed to pesticides.

Nelida’s personal interest in organic food comes from her son’s diagnosis of leukemia and her suspicion that the disease arose due to the many years the family spent working in the pesticide-ridden fields of California. Despite a long battle, Nelida ultimately lost her son to the disease.

After moving to Washington, Nelida enrolled in bilingual sustainable farming courses, developed a business plan for an organic farm, and gained experience with organic farming with the assistance of Viva Farms in Skagit County, Washington state’s first bilingual farm business incubator.

Nelida’s passion as a farm owner has her always thinking of ways to improve her farming methods and expand her farm. She is currently farming on nine acres and plans to lease five additional acres.

photo of zlex perez of northwest agriculture business council and jean rogers of community food coop farm fund presenting a big check to nelida martinez of pure nelida

(from left) Alex Perez from Northwest Agriculture Business Center, Nelida Martinez from Pure Nelida, and Jean Rogers from the Co-op’s Farm Fund, gather to present Next Step grant and loan funds to Nelida.

The funds will be used to purchase and construct a large durable greenhouse that will help Nelida expand her business and increase efficiency on the farm

Unfortunately, this past winter windstorms destroyed the greenhouse she used to start her plants. Next Step grant and loan funds will be used to purchase and construct a large durable greenhouse that will help Nelida expand her business and increase efficiency on the farm.

Pure Nelida currently sells produce to the Puget Sound Food Hub, which delivers fresh produce to our stores. Nelida is also working to expand into more wholesale markets. Among other products, the farm sells berries, tomatillos, kale, chard, onions, corn, potatoes, and jalapeño, chili, and bell peppers.

Edited and reprinted with permission of Pure Nelida Organic Produce and Viva Farms.

Learn More

Learn more about Pure Nelida and Viva Farms. Find information about the Co-op's Farm Fund grant and loan programs.

Tweet

FARM FUND| HOT OFF THE PRESS| THE CO-OP DIFFERENCE Farm Fund| farmers| farms| latinx| next step| organic| pure nelida

Peel into Citrus Season

Now is the perfect time to enjoy the juicy, peak-season goodness of citrus and get your vitamin C the old-fashioned way ... from fresh food!

The Co-op is grateful to work with organic citrus growers that go beyond the ordinary to provide us with unique varieties of citrus that boast great flavor and mouth-watering juiciness. This is only a sample of the juicy goodness available in Co-op produce departments.

Curious about a new variety? Ask any produce staff and they will be happy to talk citrus with you!

BUDDHA'S HAND

buddha's hand fruit

Minimal juice or flesh. Used for zesting, baking, or can be candied.

RIO STAR GRAPEFRUIT

grapefruits sliced red

Overall blush on exterior peel with a deep red interior color. Distinctly sweet taste and juiciness.

NAVEL ORANGES

organic navel oranges

Bright orange skin. Balance of sweetness and acidity. Very juicy.

TDE MANDARINS

mandarin oranges

Cross of a Temple tangor, a Dancy mandarin, and an Encore mandarin. Deep orange rind color. Very sweet and rich flavor.

CARA CARA NAVEL ORANGES

cara cara oranges navel

Pink flesh. Sweetness balanced by a mild strawberry to cranberry-like finish.

KUMQUATS

kumquats orange fruits

Delicious, sweet yet tangy. Can be eaten completely including the peel.

POMMELOS

pommelo green graprefruit on branch

Slightly sweet mild grapefruit flavor without bitterness and very little acidity. Pith around segments is bitter.

PRODUCE buddha hand| citrus| grapefruit| kumquat| mandarin| oranges| organic| pommelo

2018 Farmer Award Recipients!

by Jean Rogers, Farm Fund Administrator

October 2018

Remember September? We can't stop reminiscing about the fun we had together!

To kick off Eat Local Month, the Co-op and Sustainable Connections hosted the Hootenanny to Benefit the Co-op’s Farm Fund at Boundary Bay Brewery.

All ages gathered together to celebrate community, dance, enjoy a delicious meal with ingredients specifically sourced from local farms, and to present the Local Farmer Awards.

photos by FotoMataio Fotografia on Instagram @fotomataio, courtesy of Eat Local First

We are thrilled to present the 2018 Local Farmer Award winners and tell you a little about each one.

As the late harvest season winds down it’s a perfect time to highlight the winners of the Local Farmer Awards, announced at the Farm Fund Hootenanny in September.

All the farmers who were nominated were fantastic, and selecting the recipients was a tough decision. As one nominator said, “pretty much all around classy group of people no matter where you turn.”

Congratulations to everyone who was nominated by their fellow farmers and local eaters.

2018 BRIGHT SPOT FARMER AWARD

Helen Solem,
Sumas River Farm

Some wonderful local farmers that add spark to our local food system were nominated, so we created a new award.

It is an honor to announce Helen, owner of Sumas River Farm as the recipient of the first Bright Spot Farmer Award.

Helen's many contributions run the gamut: delicious and unique produce and berries, participation and support for many food and farming events, sharing the history of Whatcom County farming, dedication to social justice, and the all-around warmth she brings to the work she does. Helen has worked tirelessly on her beautiful farm in Sumas, and brings dedication and positive energy to every project she is involved in. Well deserved, Helen, we appreciate you!

2018 NEW FARMER AWARD

Jen Finch & Colin Fischer,
Wanderwood Farm

If you’ve been to Wanderwood Farm’s booth at the Bellingham Farmers Market, you’ve probably seen or tasted their delicious produce and enjoyed a warm reception from these friendly folks.

Wanderwood got a big thumbs up from fellow farmers who nominated them for the New Farmer Award. One person said, “Jen has long been a part of the farmer and farmers market scene. They are a great addition to the farming community: active in the Bellingham Farmers Market board, and really have their act together.” Congratulations, Colin and Jen, and here’s to a great future for Wanderwood Farm!

2018 INNOVATOR FARMER AWARD

Griffin Berger,
Sauk Farm

Griffin has brought a unique, ambitious, and valuable new endeavor to our local food system and is bringing new products to the marketplace.

Specializing in apples and grapes, Sauk Farm just received its organic certification, which makes it one of the only organic apple growers on this side of the mountains. Griffin has also put a lot of effort into the infrastructure of Sauk Farm. The processing facility has a cider press and a certified organic dehydrator, which Griffin generously shares with other farms. Look for Sauk Farm ciders and dried and fresh apples (available seasonally) at the Co-op. Welcome, Griffin, and thanks for your creativity in bringing local, organic apples and grapes to our plates and glasses!

2018 MENTOR FARMER AWARD

Anna & Geoff Martin,
Osprey Hill Farm

Osprey Hill Farm is a mainstay of the local farming community and has grown steadily as a premier organic farm in the South Fork Valley.

Anna and Geoff have shared their expertise generously for many years with new farmers in Whatcom County. One nomination stated, “Anna is so generous with her time in supporting beginning farmers. Every season she teaches Cloud Mountain interns about the importance of business planning. Her passion for sharing her experience with young farmers is inspiring.” Anna has also been a mentor for Sustainable Connections’ Food to Bank On program for the last seven years, and is a participant and an original member of the Puget Sound Food Hub. Thanks, Anna and Geoff, for your stewardship of local farming!

Tweet

FARM FUND| HOT OFF THE PRESS| SUSTAINABILITY| THE CO-OP DIFFERENCE eat local first| Farm Fund| farmer awards| farmers| hootenanny| local| organic

Stone Fruit Sale and Demos

Organic plums, pluots, peaches, and nectarines only $1.99/pound!
On sale Saturday and Sunday only at both stores.
While supplies last.

Hosted tastings noon to 3 pm:
Downtown store on Saturday;
Cordata store on Sunday.

fruit| nectarines| organic| peaches| plums| pluots| produce

Blueberry-Orange-Coconut Swirl Popsicles

by Alissa Segersten, Contributing Author

July 2018
Three blueberry coconut swirl Popsicles.

Alissa's recipe (below) for Blueberry-Orange-Coconut Swirl Popsicles is not only delicious, healthful, and beautiful, it is also simple to make and kid approved!

Read more about the benefits of fresh blueberries and then swirl up a batch of these popsicles for a summer treat.

Photos by Alissa Segersten

Fresh Summer Blueberries: Eat your fill—and make sure to save some for use all year long!

How lucky we are to live in blueberry country—trips up to Mount Baker yield handfuls of tiny alpine blueberries each with a profound flavor punch, while our local food markets bring baskets overflowing with large, sweet, locally grown berries. Additionally, growing your own backyard blueberries is easy!

Check local nurseries in either the spring or fall (the best times to plant berry bushes) and find a sunny location in your yard. They take little to no effort to grow. I love walking outside my back door on a sunny summer morning to pick handful after handful of sweet summer blueberries.

Buckets of fresh blueberries

For those wanting to invest some time and energy, you can take a trip out to the county where u-pick blueberry farms abound.

Every summer I take my five children out to some of our favorite organic berry farms for two reasons: to fill up our second freezer with numerous pounds of health-promoting goodness that we can utilize all year long, and so they can develop an intimate connection with their food by learning where and how it grows.

Luckily, blueberries at peak season are easy to harvest. We literally pick bucketfuls in a matter of hours. One trip to the berry patch usually gives us 60 to 80 pounds of blueberries!

No time for u-pick? No problem.

You can purchase local and organic blueberries from the Co-op produce departments.

What can you do with all of the fresh blueberries that summertime in the Pacific Northwest provides? Here are some ideas:

  • Make blueberry popsicles by blending fresh berries with orange juice (or use the recipe at right) and freezing the mixture into popsicle molds.
  • Freeze the berries in large containers to use throughout the year.
  • Eat as many as you can every day while they are in season. You really can’t eat too many.
  • Make blueberry jam. I use Pomona Pectin (available at the Co-op) to make a low-sugar or honey-sweetened jam. Then I can the jam in a boiling water bath and keep in my pantry so my children can use it throughout the year.
  • Add the blueberries to salads, on top of ice cream, or in smoothies.
  • Make blueberry crisps, muffins, or pancakes. I even have a recipe on my website for blueberry pancake syrup!

Blueberry-Orange-Coconut Swirl Popsicles

I like to make a few batches of these just after we go blueberry picking. Making popsicles with freshly picked fruit is an effective way to help preserve the harvest!

Sometimes I use apple juice in place of the orange juice and other times I simply blend up the blueberries with a little water or coconut water.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 to 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk

METHOD

Place the blueberries and juice into a blender; blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds leaving a little room at the top of each one. Top each off with a tablespoon or so of coconut milk, then take a chopstick or small spoon and lightly swirl it into the blueberry mix. Freeze overnight.

About the Author

Alissa Segersten holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University and is currently working on a master’s degree in Nutrition and Functional Medicine.

She is the founder of Whole Life Nutrition and Nourishing Meals, the mother of five children, a whole-foods cooking instructor, professional recipe developer, and cookbook author. She is passionate about helping others find a diet that will truly nourish them, and offers elimination diet recipes, healthy gluten-free recipes, and paleo and vegan recipes, as well as tips for feeding your family a nourishing, whole-foods diet.

Alissa is the author of two very popular gluten-free, whole-foods cookbooks and guidebooks: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook and Nourishing Meals. She is also the co-author of The Elimination Diet book.

Learn more at nourishingmeals.com.

Did You Know?

Blueberries are one of the healthiest foods to include in your diet!

Blueberries are not only a food for you, but also for the healthy bacteria in your gut. Eating blueberries can actually increase the levels of the all-important bifidobacterium species found in normal gut flora. This will not only help balance your gut ecosystem (boosting the good guys means not allowing room for the non-beneficial or more harmful species of bacteria and yeasts to take over and damage your gut), but also improve your immune system.

Blueberries have also been well-researched in both cancer prevention and cancer treatment. Some studies have shown that consuming blueberries can inhibit breast carcinogenesis and act therapeutically in established malignancies. Blueberries get their beautiful bluish-purple pigment from the bioflavonoids called anthocyanins. These compounds can act like antioxidants in our bodies, scavenging free radicals, thus reducing inflammation, among many other things.

Tweet

PRODUCE| RECIPES| SALES blueberries| local| organic| popsicles| recipe| vegan| vegetarian

Ask the Nutritionist: Summer Produce

by Selva Wohlgemuth, Co-op News contributor

June 2018

Selva Wohlgemuth, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

Dear Nutritionist: What are your favorite early summer produce options and why?

In season, locally grown, and organic fruits and vegetables are no match to the large-scale supermarket varieties. Summer is here and it is time to thrive on the bounty of goods it brings. Visiting the Co-op’s certified organic produce department, or a local farmers market, is a great way to get the biggest bang for your buck. Not only are you supporting the local economy and reducing environmental impact, but you are also getting the most vibrant, nutrient-rich foods possible.

Purchasing freshly harvested produce will ensure the highest quality. Not only can you see the difference, but you can smell and taste the difference too!

Did you know the color and smell of fruits and vegetables is due to their phytonutrient content?

The more vivid in color and the more aromatic a fruit or vegetable, the more concentrated the phytonutrients in the product. Phytonutrients are important compounds that have been found to have a wide variety of positive effects on the human body, including reducing inflammation, aiding in hormone regulation, encouraging the growth of good gut bacteria, and even playing a powerful role in preventing cancer.

Some phytonutrients decrease with food processing and are best consumed raw, while others increase with food processing and are best consumed cooked.

To get the most health benefits out of your summer produce, enjoy a variety of raw and cooked plant foods daily.

I hope you load up on the season’s best local, fresh produce! Remember, every color and every smell offers something special. May the natural beauty of your exciting produce discoveries transform into a delightful and phytonutrient-rich dish to share with friends and family.

Let’s get to know some of summer’s earliest rock stars!

Strawberries & Raspberries

organic strawberries
fresh raspberries

Strawberries are amazing because they are in the top 5 produce items with the highest concentrations of vitamin C. Vitamin C plays a large role in eliminating free radicals and reducing inflammation. Just one cup of strawberries provides 100% of your daily vitamin C needs! Raspberries and strawberries are a rich source of polyphenols—phytonutrients that have far reaching health benefits. Phytonutrients, specifically in raspberries, have been studied for their ability to induce programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancerous cells. These polyphenols increase with each stage of ripeness. The riper the berry, the more intense flavor, and the more health benefits!

TIP: Make sure to buy organic strawberries. Conventional strawberries contain the most pesticides per weight out of any produce item tested by the Environmental Working Group.

Cherries

fresh red cherries

Rich in powerful anti-inflammatory compounds, anthocyanins found in cherries have been shown to act similar to NSAID drugs, dampening the inflammatory response within muscle tissue. Furthermore, reductions in serum inflammatory marker CRP (c-reactive protein) were found after two servings of Bing cherries. This is an indication that cherry consumption may help reduce systemic inflammation within the body.

TIP: Anthocyanins are more concentrated in dark and tart cherries.

Dandelion Greens

fresh dandelion greens

Dandelion greens, especially raw, are unique because they are one of the richest sources of prebiotics (food for good gut bacteria) called inulin and oligofructose. One cup of chopped raw dandelion greens provides a whopping dose of about 7g inulin and 5g oligofructose. These prebiotics provide fuel to good gut bacteria like Bifidobacterium spp., which produce B vitamins for our absorption and short-chain fatty acids that help fuel colon cells and prevent colon cancer.

TIP: If you cook the dandelion greens the content of prebiotics decreases by a third, but it is easier to eat a larger volume. In Greece, they blanch dandelion greens and then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. So good!

Fresh Herbs (Oregano)

fresh planted oregano

Oregano is one of the most concentrated food sources of polyphenols called flavonoids, with more than four times higher antioxidant activity than blueberries! Plus, it has potent antibacterial properties due to its high concentration of polyphenols. It has been shown to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria like E. coli and parasites like giardia and Blastocystis hominis.

TIP: Since many of the phytonutrients in herbs are fat soluble, make sure to pair fresh or dried herbs with quality oils like extra virgin olive oil for the biggest health punch.

Summer Squash

green zucchini squash

This abundant garden vegetable is not only rich in potassium and fiber, but also rich in phytonutrients shown to have many positive effects including reducing the risk of ulcers, promoting the growth of friendly bacteria, and supporting overall health via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities. Plus, due to its rich fiber content, it can help balance blood-sugar levels and fuel friendly bacteria in the colon. It’s a win-win situation!

TIP: Turn zucchini into a delicate pasta by using a julienne peeler or spiralizer. Then toss with your favorite pesto or sauté with garlic and extra virgin olive oil.

A Recipe Suggestion

cooked zoodles with parmesean

See Selva’s recipe for Summer Zucchini Pasta. 

Photo by Selva Wohlgemuth

Ask the Nutritionist

Have questions? Send them to contact@happybellynutritionist.com. Selva Wohlgemuth is a registered dietitian nutritionist. Learn more about her approach to general health and well-being at her Happy Belly Nutrition website, and see her recipes and other kitchen tips at Poppies and Papayas.

Tweet

PRODUCE| SALES ask the nutritionist| dear nutritionist| gluten free| healthy| local| nutrition| organic| vegetables| vegetarian

Dirty 12/Clean 15

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

May 2018

Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports the pesticide residue levels found on conventionally grown produce and publishes the results in the handy Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce—more commonly known as the Dirty 12 and Clean 15 lists.

The Dirty 12 are the produce items that contain the highest levels of post-harvest pesticide residue; conversely, the Clean 15 contain the lowest levels.

The same 12 items from 2017 are making a repeat appearance on the 2018 list. The only difference is a shuffling of the order. Whenever possible, purchase these 12 produce items from organic sources.

Studies found that many of these residual pesticides cannot be completely removed, even after produce is carefully washed or peeled.

residual pesticides cannot be completely removed

EWG reported the following key findings from its 2018 analysis:

  • More than 98 percent of samples of strawberries, spinach, peaches, nectarines, cherries, and apples tested positive for residue of at least one pesticide.
  • A single sample of strawberries showed 20 different pesticides.
  • Spinach samples had, on average, 1.8 times as much pesticide residue by weight than any other crop.

In addition to the Dirty 12, EWG also highlighted issues associated with hot peppers, which were found to be contaminated with insecticides toxic to the human nervous system. If you like it hot, consider buying organic.

hot peppers found to be contaminated with insecticides toxic to the human nervous system

The Co-op deli has made a commitment to never use any produce item on the Dirty 12 list in any of our housemade deli food unless it is certified organic. Thanks, deli cooks, for keeping it organic and healthy in the Co-op kitchens!

Learn more about the methodology and results of the analysis on the EWG website and pick up a Dirty 12/Clean 15 wallet-sized card in our stores.

Dirty 12 & Clean 15

list of ewg's dirty 12 items
ewg's clean 15
Tweet

PRODUCE| SALES clean 15| dirty 12| ewg| organic| pesticide| residue

Vendor Profile: Hummingbird Wholesale

by Tim Flores, Downtown Bulk Department

February 2018
Hummingbird

Just like the lovely hummingbirds, Hummingbird Wholesale seeks to sip the nectar without harming the flower. It is a family-owned organic food distributor that carefully chooses products by considering the sustainability of farming practices, ingredients, and nutritional value.

“What if, like the hummingbird, all people would sip the nectar of the earth without harming the flower? Is it possible? At Hummingbird we know it is possible.”

When you spend time shopping in the Co-op's bulk department, and among our grocery shelves, you will start to notice the bright yellow labels identifying products from Hummingbird Wholesale of Eugene, Oregon. We highlight Hummingbird in our stores, as it is one of those rare businesses that is privately owned but operates with values similar to our co-op.

Hummingbird endeavors to serve people and planet by providing high-quality nutritious food grown as sustainably and locally as possible.

The business treats its employees with utmost respect, and operates a warehouse with laudable social and environmental practices. They track their sustainability impacts by reporting annually to the Sustainable Food Trade Association, just like we do.

hummingbird wholesale enjoying food outdoors

Hummingbird makes an organic lunch every Tuesday and Thursday for staff who gather to share delicious food and enjoy each other's company.

Photo courtesy of Hummingbird Wholesale.

The company has helped create an incredible food system in Oregon’s Willamette Valley while serving customers as far away as Bellingham. Hummingbird has partnered with local mills and farmers to grow and process organic foods previously unavailable in our region, sometimes in response to requests for specific food crops from its customers, like our co-op.

It has grown the organic food system by helping farmers transition to organic farming and also pioneered Distributor Supported Agriculture (DSA) that, like the Consumer Supported Agriculture (CSA) many of us are aware of, supports and shares the financial risk faced by farmers.

taking large steps to achieve a tiny footprint and zero waste

This small family-owned company states that it is “taking large steps to achieve a tiny footprint and zero waste.” For example, a lower carbon footprint is achieved by delivering up to 2,000 pounds per delivery to local Eugene businesses via energy-efficient electric-assist cargo tricycles. Bulk liquids are delivered in reusable food grade deposit return containers with an 83 percent return rate, thereby diverting thousands of pounds of plastic from landfills every year.

hummingbird wholesale organic bulk foods bike
Hummingbird organic food on a mission

Karl, above, started making cargo bike deliveries for Hummingbird in 2001. Since then, the bike delivery team has grown to three people and two cargo bikes with trailers (at right). Now, nearly all local deliveries in Eugene, Oregon, are done by bike. In 2017 the bike team: made 1,800+ bike deliveries, peddled more than 1,000 miles, and hauled 300,000+ pounds of product.
Photos courtesy of Hummingbird Wholesale.

Our bulk department stocks many amazing products from Hummingbird and, with few exceptions, they are organic: cranberry and heirloom yellow eye beans, mung dal and black lentils, dried peaches and persimmons, raw sprouted almonds and pumpkin seeds, and bulk maple syrup. There’s even organic quinoa penne pasta.

The bulk Washington honey is one of the few non-organic items (because you cannot control the nectar-collecting habits of bees) along with the chocolate covered hazelnuts and almonds. You can also find Blue Lotus masala chai, and organic black Dakota popcorn on our grocery shelves.

sip from the nectar without harming the flower

Give Hummingbird products a try—the quality and intention to “sip from the nectar without harming the flower” is undeniable!

Learn More

Learn more and read the company’s annual sustainability report on its website.

Tweet

BULK| GROCERY| SALES bulk| hummingbird| oregon| organic| sustainable| wholesale

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »

Categories

  • BAKERY
  • BULK
  • DELI & CATERING
  • EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
  • FARM FUND
  • FLORAL & GARDEN
  • GROCERY
  • HEALTH & BEAUTY
  • HEALTHY CONNECTIONS
  • HOT OFF THE PRESS
  • MEAT & SEAFOOD
  • PRODUCE
  • RECIPES
  • SALES
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • THE CO-OP DIFFERENCE
  • UNCATEGORIZED
  • WINE, BEER, & SPIRITS
thanksgiving, gathering, table, community, sharing

Get Ready to Gather Around the Thanksgiving Table

The Co-op knows how important the Thanksgiving meal can be, and we have carefully selected the very best ingredients to help you make this Thanksgiving memorable and manageable. We’re here to lend a helpful hand with everything from dinner to decor!

picking coffee beans at Pachamama Cooperative

Pachamama Coffee Cooperative

Pachamama is a co-op that is 100 percent owned and governed by the farmers who grow the coffee. Pachamama’s member-cooperatives represent thousands of families in Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico, and Ethiopia.

bulk beans and grains in scoops

Buy Bulk! Save Money and Reduce Food and Packaging Waste

The Co-op’s bulk department is all about saving money, reducing waste, and being better stewards of our environment. We offer products in our bulk department that can’t be found elsewhere.

enews-sign-up-image

get connected and save - click here to sign up for our e-news

DOWNTOWN STORE & DELI • map • 360-734-8158 • 7 am – 10 pm
CO-OP BAKERY CAFÉ and CONNECTIONS BUILDING CLASSROOM • map • 360-734-8158 • Bakery Café: 7 am – 4 pm
CORDATA STORE & DELI and LOCAL ROOTS ROOM • map • 360-734-8158 • 7 am – 9 pm

Copyright © 2019 Community Food Co-op

0