Richfield Celebrates 10 Years

Guess who just turned 10! This past June, our Richfield location celebrated its tenth anniversary. Opening our third store was a big undertaking: From finding staff to reaching new shoppers to keeping the shelves stocked, there was no shortage of hard work to be done. But with determination, can-do attitude, and old-fashioned “co-op-eration,” the Richfield … Continued

Garlic Scapes and How to Use Them

Garlic scapes are one of our favorite local veggies here at the co-op. If you’ve never tried these crunchy, garlicky stalks before, now is the perfect time. It’s also the only time, as they’re available for a limited window in spring and early summer. Now’s your chance to dig in! Garlic scapes explained These long, … Continued

What are Bitters?

Bitters are having a comeback! Traditionally used in cocktails, their use is expanding to a number of areas, from functional drinks and mocktails to desserts. What are bitters? Bitters are concentrated extracts or tinctures that are made by infusing or muddling botanicals or aromatics, such as roots, herbs, barks, flowers, or fruit peels. These tinctures … Continued

Spotlight on: The Lakewinds Deli

Some nights, you’re just not in the mood to cook. Maybe you’re short on time before heading to a kid’s sports event. Or it’s a beautiful day, and you’d rather take a walk before dinner than spend time in the kitchen. Whatever the reason, when you need a meal (fast!) but want something made with … Continued

How to Recycle for Sustainable Success

Recycling is an easy and convenient way to reduce your trash and protect the environment, but it’s only effective when we follow guidelines for how to recycle in the areas we call home. Recycling doesn’t just divert waste from landfills, it also provides jobs and supports regional manufacturing. Most of the materials that go into … Continued

Food Rescue: Cutting Food Waste & Giving Back

Grocery stores like Lakewinds, along with other food-related businesses such as restaurants and farms, generate food waste. There’s no way to avoid it completely, but we can take steps to minimize waste and redirect safe, edible food to those who need it. One way the co-op aims to reduce food waste is through food rescue … Continued

Seeding Success: Springtime on the Farm

For many of us, spring is a time to open the windows and get outside a bit more. Perhaps, if we’re feeling ambitious, spring is a time for a bit of house cleaning and garden prep. But springtime on the farm is all about getting ready for the upcoming growing season. Between repairing equipment and … Continued

Eco-friendly Products to Help You Live Sustainably

Earth Day is the perfect time to assess your eco-friendly habits. Whether you’re composting, aiming to drive less and walk and bike more, working to conserve water, or using less plastic, there are lots of small ways to live more sustainably. As the quote from chef and author Anne Marie Bonneau goes, “We don’t need a … Continued

15 Ways to Eat More Fermented Foods

The chill of winter brings not only frosty mornings, but cold and flu season, too. Gut health is important year-round, but is particularly top of mind this time of year, when having a balanced gut microbiome is crucial to supporting your immune system. One easy way to support gut health is with probiotics, particularly those … Continued