When I returned to the Co-op after a two year absence, I was
pleased to see that two of my pals were still there, and going to
be working with me. Jane, the Deli’s resident Cheese buyer, has
been privy to the local food scene for many years.

When apprised that I would be covering the Co-op Deli contribution to
What’s New for the monthly Newsletter, the first item about which Jane
wanted to express excitement was that of the Ballard’s cheese offerings,
a family run company operating out of Gooding, Idaho. “Who knew that
Gooding is the home of such a delicious line of LOCAL cheeses?” was
Jane’s rhetorical comment.

Ballard’s Dairy has been producing cheddars, feta,
swiss, and a halloumi-style Greek cheese since 2004.
Jersey Cows provide the rbst-free milk. After kindly providing several
samples for the Co-op deli and the faithful customers to taste, Jane
took it upon herself to add the Ballard brand truffle-salt cheddar to
the wares available in the deli. Ballards developed the truffle-salt
cheddar in collaboration with food distributor RITROVO who supplies
them with the truffle-flecked sea salt used in this cheese. The result
of marrying this unique salt with the Ballard’s Jersey cow milk is just
outstanding, and has been an unmitigated smash hit when sampled at the
demo table inside the Co Op in days past.The price is $16.99 per pound,
and is hand cut by the Ballard’s into roughly half-pound packages. This
truly is a cheese that competes with the finest cheddars out there,
whether from England or the New World. Trust me!
Also available from Ballard’s are the Jersey Dream (Greek Style )
Feta, the Holy Cow Swiss, and the Pepper Cheddar, all priced at $6.99
per pound. (You can see how truffles and sea salt can affect the price of
a cheese).

Another friend of many moons is Lucy, a fellow
Piscean who has been our head of the Co-op Bakery,
home of all things sweet and wholesome, for almost 3 years, after
tenures in the Wine Department and the Co-op bookkeeping office.
Lucy and the deli bakery is on the verge of churning out batches of Hot
Cross Buns, a sweet treat who’s history dates back to before the dawn
of America; the first recorded use of the term Hot Cross Buns is evident
in 1733, although it is believed that the buns marked with a cross were
eaten by the Saxons even earlier than this, in honor of the goddess Eostre
(the cross on the top is thought to have symbolized the four quarters of
the moon). Quickie history lesson folks: “Eostre” is probably the origin
of “Easter, and Good Friday, with the cross on top signifying the
Crucifixion. These yummy buns will be offered in 9 piece pans, ready to
reheat if you wish. At $6.99, They will go fast!

Other fun things to find on any given day in the Deli: Fruit and
yogurt parfaits, currently being made by Brandi, the lovely Deli Manager
herself. Offered in 9 oz. cups, at $2.99  these parfaits are a great idea
for a “grab and go” Breakfast – conveniently found in our “grab and go”
retail case! Made with the freshest fruits available each morning, and
low-fat vanilla yogurt, they are already a huge hit with Co-op customers
and employees alike!

Another new item that has hit the deli shelves in the last month,
grilled paninis have been wafting their succulent scents throughout the
market, making the entire store smell delectable and delicious. These
exceptional new lunch menu additions are available from 11am-2pm at the
Deli salad counter. Although the paninis menu began as simply Italian
meat and cheese or Chicken Pesto, Brandi has been “ziggin’ and zaggin’”
trying out various delectable combinations, testing whatever fresh and
interesting ingredients she has at her beck and call on any given day.
Build on Village Loaf and/or Ciabatta breads from Zeppole, always
keeping the Panini pieces local, these sandwiches are $7.99, and
absolutely delicious! Another way the Co-op is your North End
lunch time destination.

Look for the Ballard family cheese tastings and sales at the Capital
City Public Market on Saturdays downtown, and watch for further exposition
from me about other cheese offerings coming from the Ballard family
available at the Boise Co-op deli in future newsletters.

Take care deli-faithful!

Todd Giesler