Friday Finds: December 8, 2017

Take a look at what's new at the Co-op. 

Treeline Dairy Free Cheese

Treeline Cheese is totally dairy-free. It is made of pure, wholesome cashew nuts, acidophilus culture, salt and pepper. No animals are harmed, or even touched in its production.

Blackbird Seitan

Created by award winning chef Mark Mebus of Philadelphia based Blackbird Pizzeria,  Blackbird Foods seitan is a plant based, high protein, low fat and cholesterol-free alternative to meat. 

Primo Naturale

Just in time for the holidays, create the perfect charcuterie plate with cured Italian and Spanish meats. 

Philly Co-op Coffee

Philly Fair Trade Roasters roasted this special coffee blend just for Philly co-ops! $1 of every pound will be donated to the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance. Find Philly Co-op coffee in our bulk aisle. 

Really Reel Ginger Drinks

Locally made and delicious! Really Reel Ginger drinks are gluten-free and vegan. 

Goodness Giveaway: Win Groceries, Give Groceries

Win the gift of healthy food and support an organization in our community that provides healthy foods to many of our neighbors. Mariposa Food Co-op will be giving away an assortment of Co+op Basics items valued at over $100 to one lucky winner! Plus, we will make a $75 donation in the winner’s name to one of the following food banks:

• African Cultural Alliance of North America
• People's Emergency Center Food Cupboard

The sweepstakes is closed!

Food access at Mariposa Food Co-op

One of the seven cooperative principles is “Concern for the Community.” Providing healthy foods for the whole community has long been a priority for food co-ops because we believe access to good food is a right, not a privilege. Learn more about our Co+op Basics products and check to see if you qualify for our Food For All program.

Mariposa Food Co-op donates over $5,000 to New Sanctuary Movement

We're excited to share that we've donated $5,048 in unredeemed patronage refunds to the New Sanctuary Movement! 

This past year, Mariposa Food Co-op transitioned from offering a daily owner discount to distributing patronage refunds. By the end of September, roughly 58% of Mariposa owners redeemed their patronage refund. Mariposa staff voted to donate the remainder of the patronage refunds to the New Sanctuary Movement due to their commitment to immigration rights and social justice.     

Fight the "Pilgrim Pipeline," donate to the Ramapough Lenape Nation

Mariposa Food Co-op recognizes Thanksgiving is rooted in the celebration of white supremacy and colonization. In solidarity with the fight for indigenous sovereignty, we are collecting donations for the Ramapough Lenape Nation at the register through November 23rd. Plus, 5% of sales on November 22nd and November 23rd will be donated to their efforts.

Who is the Ramapough Lenape Nation

Since October 2016, under the leadership of the Ramapough Lenape Nation, Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp has been holding space and leading the fight against the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline, a 178-mile pipeline that would carry up to 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Albany, New York to Linden, New Jersey endangering local water supplies, sacred sites, and essential wetlands.

Unfortunately, the presence of Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp has exposed deeper issues surrounding indigenous sovereignty, land rights, freedom of religion, and discrimination against the Ramapough Lenape Nation. Water and land protectors at Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp have experienced harassment, intimidation, and false accusations on an ongoing basis from the Town of Mahwah and surrounding Polo Club neighbors.

The camp is in URGENT need of defense funds to protect our land and water protectors at Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp. Donate online or at Mariposa Food Co-op through November 23rd.

9 Vegan & Vegetarian Fall Dishes That Aren’t Salad

Vegans and vegetarians rejoice. We've compiled a list of some of our favorite vegan and vegetarian dishes to serve during the holidays. 

Cranberry Pecan Skillet Stuffing

This delightful stuffing is delicious for any Thanksgiving meal. Serve it with tofu steak and mushroom gravy for vegans. Add a pan-fried tofu steak and mushroom gravy to this vegan stuffing for your favorite vegetarian Thanksgiving guest.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

These easy sweet potatoes are sure to bring compliments as a holiday side dish. The coconut milk makes them extra flavorful – and dairy-free.

Savory Stuffed Pumpkin

Celebrate fall with a savory mix of sautéed apples, garlic and sausage stuffed in pie pumpkin.

Sweet Potato and Parsnip Latkes

This tasty latke variation can be enjoyed with applesauce, chipotle sour cream, and horseradish sauce.

Parsnip Apple Soup

The tangy and sweet qualities of both parsnips and apples combine in this delicious and hearty fall soup.

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Chard & White Beans

Acorn squash is perfect for stuffing. This filling has Mediterranean flair: olives, white beans and Parmesan cheese.

Mushroom & Wild Rice Frittata

Packed with a flavorful medley of chewy wild rice and three kinds of mushrooms, this frittata is great any time of day.

Sweet Potato and Greens Gratin

This savory, vitamin-rich casserole makes a hearty accompaniment to roasted poultry or ham, or atop baked polenta.

Sweet Potato, Red Onion & Fontina Tart

Try this roasted-vegetable free-form tart as an appetizer or side for a special dinner or as a vegetarian main dish.

Meet our producers: Crust Vegan Bakery

Women-owned and operated, Crust is a vegan bakery and Mariposa favorite! Bakers Shannon and Meagan - the vegan baking queens of Philly - have been baking out of a local commissary kitchen since August 2015. Crust baked goods are free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Everything is hand-made with all natural ingredients and 100% vegan.

Pre-order local Crust Vegan Bakery pies by November 19th. Remember, set your pickup location as Mariposa Food Co-op. Learn more about our holiday offerings. 

Products we love: Riojana Olive Oil

When you purchase Riojana olive oil you are not just purchasing a delicious ingredient to enjoy, you are casting a vote in favor of cooperative, fair trade businesses—and helping more than 422 cooperative members continue to invest in a brighter future.

Reinvesting profits for health and education

Certified fair trade by Fairtrade International in 2006, the members of the cooperative have invested more than $11 million Argentinian pesos (~ $730,000 US) in projects including a new drinking water supply for the village of Tilimuqui, where many of La Riojana’s workers and their families live. The fair trade premium has also been invested in production improvements, new community centers and medical equipment, but the most visible result of the cooperative’s reinvestment in its farmer members and their families can be seen in their commitment to education.

A new secondary school specializing in agriculture opened in Tilimuqui in 2010. Offering free education to children age 13-18, the school has had a profound impact on its community, providing a catalyst for local development, increasing employment by the creation of more than 50 new jobs at the school, and providing training in technical agronomy to help slow the migration of young people to larger cities. Since 2010, enrollment in the school has grown from 33 pupils to more than 300. With plans to build new classrooms, the cooperative hopes to expand the school’s capacity to 600 students in the next few years. The cooperative also provides kits of school supplies to children of its members, as well as free computer courses to adult community members.

Focusing on environment to ensure a bright future

Besides supporting health and education, the cooperative is invested in green initiatives and sustainability, so transitioning more of its growers to become equivalency USDA Certified Organic is another important goal. With a focus on becoming carbon neutral, La Riojana Cooperative is introducing improved water management techniques, the use of solar and bio energy and a reforestation project.

Products we love: Four Elements skin care

Four Elements combines their knowledge of natural healing with certified organic herbs to create medicinal wellness products, including skin care, tinctures, and tea. 

Moisture Creams

Calendula Neroli

• Soothing Calendula mix with moisture balancing Neroli and Organic Shea in this healing and luxurious cream.
• Best for mature and sensitive skin.
• Our Wellness Manager, Tyneisha uses this cream everyday!

Lemon Balm Moisture Cream

• This potent herbal cream features refreshing and calming Lemon Balm, St. John's Wart and thyme to promote skin comfort in even the most delicate areas.
• Great for acute skin outbreaks.

Unscented Comfrey Moisture Cream

• Pure enough for those who have the most sensitive skin, but effective enough for hard-working skin.
• With comfrey root, a traditional topical skin herb, just a bit of this cream is all you’ll need to relieve dry skin.

Look No X-Ma Moisture Cream

• Originally created for babies this gentle and mild cream can be used for all skin types and is effective enough for use on more chronic skin issues.

Herbal First Aid Salve

This vibrantly green salve contains ten active botanicals to help maintain topical skin health. Great for bug bites and other acute skin irritations.

Arnica Capsicum Botanical Liniment

Warming and toning herbs are infused into witch-hazel and blended with bracing essential oils to maintain joint and muscle comfort. This astringent rub is perfect for the medicine cabinet or the gym bag.

Jewelweed Chickweed Soap

An herb-infused soap inspired by bumping into the wrong plants and bugs in the forest. Great for foragers, campers and nature lovers.

Tinctures

Certified organic and hand-harvested at their peak potency and processed in small batches to maintain the optimal quality of the plant.