The Boise Co-op Produce Department has the distinct pleasure of introducing you to one our beloved local vendors, Global Gardens, purveyors of some of our favorite “pesticide free/conventional” lettuces located along the back, north wall of produce. Global Gardens Farm is a cooperative of Somali Bantu and other African refugee growers operating on 22 acres in Star, ID.  The Boise Co-op is uniquely situated and equipped to provide shelf-space for just this type of smaller-sized produce vendor; our intimate stature compared to that of larger, chain-style grocers provides us the flexibility to work with a small, independent outfit such as Global Gardens:

Global Gardens is a program of the Idaho Office for Refugees. The Office “sponsors refugee agriculture projects at 8 locations in Boise, Eagle, and Star providing garden/farm space for around 100 refugee families as well as training in horticultural production and marketing.”

The intentions of the program benefit not only the refugee families, but also our community and world. By cultivating local food networks grown in the organic spirit, we expend less fossil fuels bringing products to market. “At Global Gardens Farm each family receives land, equipment and training enabling them to build capital and knowledge [in order] to one day start their own farm business.” Local family farms are the key to the new local aesthetic that is defining the local food moment of which the Boise Co-op is a major part. 

By purchasing produce from Global Gardens we not only support a local farm, reducing fossil fuel use, but we are directly supporting refugee families in pursuit of their integration into American society – diversifying and enriching our local community in general. The support of the Boise Co-op, working directly with the produce department enables the refugee farmer to gain entrepreneurial skills that are transferable to many jobs, helps them to improve their English and western communication skills while allowing them to spend quality time with their families and communities.

Global Gardens is also seeking land to farm that is closer to Boise. They are looking for property that is available for at least two years, one acre or larger, and has irrigation water. We support their endeavors and hope that others will also help to grow our community – please contact the Refugee Agriculture Coordinator at the Idaho Office for Refugees if you can help.
 

 Currently we offer various lettuces grown by Global Gardens in our “pesticide free/coventional section” along the back, north wall of produce. Get them quick as our local lettuces season is fast approaching an end judging by the heat we’ve been experiencing recently.

Enjoy this heat, and get ready for local melons and grapes!

~Douglas Bolles

It is an exciting time in produce right now. Our long wet Spring has yielded a beautiful array of both organic and pesticide-free local lettuces from our local growers: Peacefully Belly, Global Gardens, & City Gardens.

Look for  a number of varieties of local organic lettuces featured in our organic green corner by Peaceful Belly: Deer Tongue, Oak Leaf, Butter, as well as standard Red and Romaine.

Also, experience the beautiful pesticide-free lettuces along the north wall of the produce dept. grown by Global Gardens and City Gardens. They are a treat, and are less expensive than their organic counterparts:

These organic Mustard Greens produced by Peaceful Belly have a delightful “sharp” flavor that adds a wonderful accent to a salad – I just like to eat them sans-dressing, in the raw! 

They are gorgeous too!

Do try this speckled Trout-Back Romaine grown by Marty at City Gardens as the main component in a salad, or as a part of your picnic fixings. It’s gorgeous.

As we move into summer proper these cooler weather items will disappear, so do take advantage now. The local season is on!

Enjoy,

&

In joy!

~Douglas Bolles

Tim Sommer, Purple Sage Farms

Middleton, ID: tsommer@speedyquick.net

You may recall that this past fall, I attempted to peel an onion–that is, I considered our place in the world, assessing our impact upon others and the planet through how we live. If I came to any answer, it was to the idea of a strong and vibrant self-sustaining local community. That was where I could see hope. And it is exactly these ideas, heralding the local community as the solution, and disproving the myth of the tragedy of the commons for which Elinor Ostrom won the 2009 Nobel Prize in economics.

As a means of communicating the importance of our local community, I’m taking the produce blog on the road. My intention is bring our growers closer to you by showing you what they do, and who they are. So at this time, I’m pleased to introduce to you Tim and Tamara Sommer of Purple Sage Farms.

Purple Sage Farms in Middleton, ID is a Certified Organic producer of Herbs and Salad Greens. This family operation has been a certified organic producer for over 20 years now. In fact, Tim helped create the Idaho organic certification legislation with other local organic growers Nate Jones and Mike Heath. Purple Sage not only sells their greens to the Boise Co-Op, but also to local CSAs, outdoor markets, and local restaurants, such as the “just eat local” beacon, Bittercreek Alehouse.

The operation consists of 12 large greenhouses that are all planted and operated by hand. During the peak of their season, the staff consists of a crew of about 7–of course all but just a couple are family members. The farm is run as a sustainable closed loop system, growing not only the herbs in the greenhouses, but also growing grass upon which goats and sheep are pastured which environmentally balances the system. The animals help close the loop and put back into the soil what the plants remove, which makes Purple Sage a small family farm in the traditional sense, self-sustainable, where most of the family’s food is produced right there.

(the rosemary greenhouse felt like a lush garden even in early march!)

As I toured the farm, I was curious to know what made a farmer tick. Tim is an exceedingly interesting person. In each green house, he exuberantly fed me something right out of the ground. Baby Kale. Watercress. Chives. It was all wonderful and exotically complex. Sharp and tasty.

Tim fits no farmer stereotype with a degree in marketing from ASU and business background chasing million dollar marketing contracts in California’s Orange County. Despite all that, both he and his wife were Middleton High grads. I guess he just needed to see world. Though he and his wife were not high school sweethearts, they did eventually become romantically involved while living in the Seattle area. They married and returned home to Middleton, where they raised their three children. It was a sense of community that brought them back. And we are glad to have them as a part of our family. I know I certainly enjoy his hard work, and I think you should too! Try some of his greens, they are tremendous!

We’ll close with a  photo of Tim taken in his music room. That’s what he does for fun. He plays both American folk and Irish/Scottish traditional folk music both for fun at home and live around town with a band. And that’s Tim & Purple Sage, one of your local family farmers. Enjoy!

~Douglas Bolles

Although St. Patrick’s Day has passed, many claim March as “Irish Heritage Month.” That said, let’s explore a bit of the darker side of the heritage, taking pause to understand why the Irish Potato Famine occurred and why we should appreciate our local growers.  *Please note that our local, organic potato season is beginning to wind down. Don’t worry, they are planting more, but do take advantage of these great spuds while they last!*

Little, local farms have worries similar to those of industrial farms, but they don’t have the same risks involved compared to that of a monoculture system -(the growing of just one kind of crop in an area).  What “little” does well is diversity, probably because that is the only way to survive. A little of this, and a little of that and that’s how they try and stay balanced and insure themselves against loss. Of course no one gets rich this way. . .

The Irish potato famine was an example of a worst case scenario faced by a society built upon a monoculture. Because the potato was such a staple food for such a large number of the population, the Irish people faced starvation in the mid 19th century when large numbers of the potato crops failed due an infectious blight. Nature prevents a whole system from collapsing though genetic diversity. Humankind on the other hand has a tendency to breed out diversity by growing only those things that are profitable, durable, or inexpensive. This is what happened in Ireland. Due to the lack of genetic diversity, one pathogen devastated the one plant sustaining large numbers of the population. This is the risk of a monoculture system.

Some similar interesting lessons in the underpinnings of various past societies are noted in Jared Diamond’s recent book, Collapse. In one instance he showed  a “chain” of civilizations tenuously built upon one another by trading with each other for their staple foods and survival. And just like a monoculture, when one link in the chain fell, the whole structure was brought down! It’s a pretty scary book. Maybe not a good one for Spring. Better for the Autumn.

Of course our local guys are building diversity by planting what works in their area, and doing things that create a sustainable, closed-loop system. We are actually very lucky to have such great farmers growing the very best and healthiest foods just for us. We live in Eden. Truly, I hope you realize this!

Happy Irish Heritage Month from your friends in Produce where we always wear our green.

And take a look at the end of the winter citrus crop. It is outrageous!

~Douglas Bolles

The Produce Department has moved into the peak of winter citrus season. Right now you will find the best prices of the season on both bagged and loose organic navel oranges. Get them while you can! We also have a number a delicious organic citrus varieties available for you try. Check them out!

Apropos of nothing, did you realize that the Boise Coop is your only local source for organic tropical fruits? Can’t make it to Hawaii? Or, maybe you want to pretend like you are lost on an island for some strange reason, come see us for island fare. I don’t think the meat dept. has any wild boar, but the produce department stocks organic Pineapple, organic Mango, and organic Coconut most of the time. Make anytime an island paradise.

Also, try a young Thai coconut as an exotic drink:

We’d also like to recommend organic peanuts. A great, healthy snack alternative!

and finally,

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

Enjoy!

~Douglas Bolles

Sometimes taking care of yourself means taking the time to enjoy yourself. Moderation in all things? Does that include moderation in moderation? I think so! Our produce department is now offering the best price of the season on local, organic, Pie Pumpkins. It’s a steal at $.69/lb. Do take advantage of this offer and enjoy yourself before we enter a new spring! (Also, I’m betting the local Cloverleaf heavy cream could whip and top a fresh piece of pie yielding earthly heaven.)

Despite this advocacy of the indulgent, I’d also like to point you toward some of our RAW, healthy choices. These products are featured in the produce “juice cooler” located near the fruit table as you enter the produce department. Try one of the many RAW Perfect Foods Bar. There is nothing better for an energy snack. Also consider one of our RAW crackers from It’s Alive! or Dr. John’s. We also are featuring a RAW sauerkraut and RAW Paté from It’s Alive!.

So in closing. . .? Do enjoy yourself, but also consider some of our RAW healthy choices too!

Be well,

~Douglas Bolles

Did Santa bring you citrus in your stocking as a child? Candy is sweet, but citrus can be an equally wonderful stocking stuffer!  Hey Santa! Don’t forget the produce! We’ve got wonderful citrus available in the Boise Co-op produce department right now, perfectly juicy additions to those unfilled stockings!

Consider our organic clementines, and our organic satsuma mandarins. If you enjoy the sweetness of the winter citrus like I do, perhaps a 5 lb box of organic satsuma mandarins or maybe our bagged organic navel oranges? We also have some beautiful Meyer lemons available now for festive holiday cooking and drinks.

Add some zest to your holiday festivities and enjoy the season!

Happy holidays from your friends in Produce.

~Douglas Bolles

No, I’m not talking about the produce clerks (the world knows I would be a the top of that list). Instead, I’d like to highlight a few varieties of nuts that are just wonderful right now. Everyone is going crazy for the local Carpathian Walnuts. They are easy cracking and as much of a treat as any of the other seasonal items we only are able to enjoy for the moment they’re here. Hurry! We are also featuring a local pesticide free water chestnut in our newly renovated commercial section along the north wall of produce, as well as a roasting chestnut displayed on our fruit table. Both are local, and are a seasonal treat.

Speaking of local: right now, all the potatoes, onions, and squash are local and organic. Two local farmers that need to be mentioned in this respect, are Nate Jones, and Mike Heath. They fill our chests through the winter with the stuff we need–squash and tubers.

As I think I mentioned in the produce monthly newsletter, it’s mulling spice and cider season! We have a cider crock mulling all through the holiday season. Stop and try a sample. It will add spice to your day. The cider we are featuring is from the local Williamson Orchard.

Have you ever included quince in your holiday recipes? It is a baking fruit which offers many fun, creative and delicious options…try it at your Thanksgiving celebrations! It is a local product, and many different recipes are available near its display on the fruit table. Also, you may find a variety of other recipes put together by employees and our Culinary Educator/chef extraordinaire Sylvie Ryan hanging in the new “Member Services” kiosk area near the front of the store.

After some adjustments, we are finally achieving our goals for the new coolers in terms of efficacy and attractiveness.  As always, we want your input. Let us know what you think. The idea with the old coolers was working only on one plane, the horizontal. These new coolers offer us the opportunity to also utilize the vertical plane. But there is definitely a balance between maximizing space and creating a beautiful environment that people enjoy and feel comfortable in. Take a moment and tell us how you feel about our new space.

Oh, and know that our best people are working on the issue of how to engineer the new product signs. That is step two, but it is definitely on our minds now. If you don’t understand the current “wacky” signs, let us know, and we will be more than happy to help you out!

Thanks so much for spending this time with us. Have a great week!

Your friends in produce.

~Douglas Bolles

So, big changes in produce eh? Well yes, this past week the produce department installed all new cooler units along the back and side walls. The result of all this new change is a produce department in flux. We apologize for any inconvenience. Let us know if you need anything. The new coolers will be more efficient and therefore more environmentally sound, but they also offer much more light and surface area than the old coolers did. Due to this new space however, our ideas and displays are somewhat up in the air.

It is our goal to try and keep things where the were for the most part, but since we do have an opportunity to try and change our displays for the better, we may shift some items here and there if it seems to make more sense. Through this process, we in produce want to accommodate you as best as we can. Please don’t hesitate to ask for us to find something for you or for anything at all. Also, we want your input. This is a tabula rasa, a blank slate–and if you have any ideas about how your produce department should look, let us know! We are all in this together.

Also, as soon as things settle down, we will begin working on permanent, uniform, readable signs. Let us know what you prefer. We need to get out all the information, but we don’t want a lot of clutter. Let us know what is most helpful for you, and you will be doing us a great service.

Thanks so much!

Here is a peak at our new look:

(By the way, I’m eating squash and cabbage this week. Also I’ve been rediscovering the bulk aisle. So much fun with food!)

Enjoy,

Doug Bolles

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true, I have sixteen thousand words I’d like to share with you this week. My intention is to let this beautiful produce speak for itself. Of course I do need to mention a few things first.

The Produce Department is a cornucopia right now of local, organic squash, potatoes, and other roots. The feast is almost here. All that is left is the preparation. Begin your planning now! The cranberries have now arrived. Maybe it could be fun to try out some of your cranberry recipes early. Why not cranberries all fall? We still have some figs left, too. This temptation will soon be gone, so enjoy them while you can! Also, we now have some mini kiwis that would make a fun snack. Finally, something special will be arriving this weekend and I’d like to comment upon it with an apt seasonal story.

Were you aware that at one point in time the Earth had only one season? Sure, according to the Greeks that is. It was always summer and the harvest continued forever. That was until the daughter of the Mother Goddess was abducted. When Demeter, the Goddess of nature and Earth, allowed her daughter to wander off to pick flowers, Hades, God of the Underworld, took this opportunity to steal away with Persephone to the underworld and make her his bride. It was at this point that summer ended and fall began as, in her sadness, Demeter refused to allow anything to grow.

Much later, well into winter, Demeter was able to ascertain what had happened to her daughter. Hermes was dispatched and upon the rescue of Persephone, it was learned that she had eaten from the fruit of the Underworld, the Pomegranate. It was only a little though, but this married her to Hades nonetheless and made her the Queen of the Underworld. It was determined by Zeus that she could spend part of the year with her Mother on Earth, but that she must also spend one month with Hades for every pomegranate seed that she ate. Her mother, Demeter, now mourns her daughter’s descent every year to the underworld and thus nothing is allowed to grow during Persephone’s time away. Persephone has also become the guardian of Death’s secrets and cannot share with anyone that which she has learned in the underworld.

An interesting twist to this tale is that of the role that Dionysus played in it. Due to Hera’s jealousy of her husband Zeus’ cheating ways, she had the Titans persue and destroy Dionysus, the illegitimate son of Zeus. Finding and retrieving the still beating heart of his son, Zeus transformed it into a pomegranate, which Hades fed to Persephone who then became pregnant. Dionysus was born again in the Underworld and later returned to live in the light among men as the God of wine, madness, and ecstasy. There is hope, even in the fall.