Being a believer...

On New Year's Eve, a sweet couple dropped in, for the first time.  She is gluten-free by necessity, and he's a vegetarian - they were thoughtful, and interested in what was going on in Medusa.  I told them, as I love telling strangers about our history, and about our plans.  As they were leaving the man asked me, very pointedly, if I am a believer.  I inquired, "A believer in what?"

They wanted to know if I'd accepted their flavor of religion as the one true gospel, of course.  Those of you who know me are probably smiling right now, and I politely offered that no, I did not subscribe to any one version of religious reality, nor have I chosen one particular shade of spectacles, through which to see this amazing world.  But isn't the question captivating anyway?

Are you a believer?  It's been haunting me...  I can think of a number of things that I, sitting here early in this brand new year, am a true, ardent, suck-out-the-marrow believer in:

I believe in the power of people to make huge changes - beautiful, indulging, creative changes that make us all better off.  And I believe that you are making little changes right now, even if it's near killing you to do it, that are making the universe smile. 

I believe in the amazing strength of our communities. Mine have been splintered, fragmented, dwarfed, and endangered but isn't there a resiliency that makes you shudder with awe?  Have you ever sat at our front tables on a sunny morning, listening to the amazing patchwork of connections that literally hums?  Tommy Snyder shared with me recently that he was thinking of having a small herd of dairy cows again, just to maybe provide some local milk.  The thought of it sends a shiver down my back - finally a local dairy here again, and one that might give us access to local milk!  There is something ancient and deeply gratifying to hear of such plans.  The Duncan family are committed to care-taking their ill and aging mother in her lifelong home, here in the village, a prospect that is both noble and, at times, incredibly difficult and heartrending.  But they do it anyway.  The Stetners run Wild Thymes, devoted, it often seems, to not only producing delicacies fit for a demi-goddess like Medusa, but to some greater, higher cause.  With Fred, I will never tire of talking the progressive politics of a healthy democracy.

I believe, with everything I can muster, in the amazing-ness of everything that is Medusa.  I believe that what some see as just a little corner store at the outskirts of Albany County, in the Bermuda-triangle region of the state where Frito-Lay delivery men refuse to tread and where delivery of the New York Times is (still, and again) just a dream, is an incredibly special place.  We are graced by Ryan's boots, fresh from the farm, as well as Angela's camera, fresh from NYC - and they might greet each other as old friends.  That makes me smile, that gives me something to believe in.

So, from MGS, a hearty welcome to 2011, where you'll probably have to endure another year of me reminding you to shop local, to shop small, to shop here.  But even more importantly, this year I'll want to know: are you a believer?

We've made it for 7 months!

and it's almost Christmas!  And the holidays in Medusa are looking lovely!  So much to tell you about!

First, it can't wait till the end, so here goes: we're going to have a winter carnival!  We aren't quite sure what one does during these things, so I'm taking suggestions - so far, we are totally interested in snowman building and ice sculptures, as well as crafts and amazing food.  If the weather cooperates, we'd like to have some sledding, and we're trying to get permission (thanks, Mark O.!) to use the Medusa pavilion for skating.  We'd love some help, too, so if any of you are interested in volunteering, or have suggestions for activities, send them on!  We're thinking a weekend in February - one that doesn't run against the Groundhog Day Festival that the Preserve holds.

If you know me, you know a bit about my politics.  And if you follow the news, you've probably noticed that climate change has vanished from headlines, despite the fact that 2010 is shaping up to be another warmest year since we've started keeping records.  So we are going to investigate what this means for the Hilltowns with a Climate Change Conference in 2012, providing a place and time for some discourse among local leaders, scientists and the general public.  Plans are only just shaping up now, but please drop in and chat it you are interested - I'll keep you updated here as plans transpire.

I've sent out some email blasts about bulk ordering specials and there are some more coming for January - but just to clear up a few tangles: my email address is aroggio@nycap.rr.com.  Send all of your requests there, or see me in person.  Once I get your email, I will send out a confirmation email to verify I received your order.  Also, note the pack size - lots of these items coming in packs of 4 or 6 or more, and the price reflects that. You are paying for four 11lb bags of rice, for example, if I list the pack size as 4/11lb.

Along those lines, you should know that we are considering direct shipmemt of some of our biggest selling items.  Although I love UNFI, the reality is that the large supermarkets are getting better prices than us by direct shipping - by acting as their own distributors.  I'm not sure how much, if any, of our products we can do this with, but I am interested in getting better prices for everything, so we're going to give it a try,  As always, if there's something you want me to look into, give me a yell - I'll see what I can do.

We're preparing for a bit of a transition, as our liquor license is finally proceeding, hopefully without any more hitches.  We are expanding our retail space a bit, to make room for beer and wine, and plan to shift around some shelving as well, to make room for more tables.  We are also planning to offer more personal care products and supplements, which is why you might notice more of that temporarily stacked precariously up on shelves, in our typically orderly way.  We've been trying out some 3-in-1 shampoo and body washes, as well as several more lotions and oils.  We have a few lines of vitamins we are considering carrying - Rainbow Light is on my short list because I have sme experience with them - as well as some medicinal and herbal remedies.

We have a lot in stock for the holidays, so let me save you the trip into Greenville or Albany!  We've got everything from ravioli and frozen dinners to a full freezer filled with Morning Fog Farm pork and beef cuts, wild caught salmon and Free Bird chicken.  Lots of ice cream, including the 1/2 gallons of Perry's, by popular request.  We've got Pamela's cheescakes in the freezer, as well as lots of Dancing Deer cookies and brownies.  Lots of fresh stuff coming in on Friday, but currently we have green leaf lettuce, mushrooms avocados, onions and garlic, apples and bananas.  Tons of tomatoes, and green peppers and oranges in on Friday.  Lots of yams in the cooler, as well as a nice selection of nuts and cheeses, including herbed goat cheese and brie.

***  New Update  ***  The amazing Josh, from Albert's Organics, has totally hooked us up - in addition to our usual Hunan Dumplings from MacroVegetarian, we've got Peking Duck scheduled for delivery on Friday!!  Even more incredibly, he got us an amazing price on pineapples and mangoes and oranges - so prepare yourself for Medusa Fruit Cups!  Can you tell it's Christmas in New York??

In other news, we are fully stocked up on all grocery items, from stuffing mixes to potato chips.  And we're ordering more Angie's kettle corn, as well as Miguel's, for all of my gluten-free friends.  Don't forget, too, that we have Immaculate Bakery's gluten-free cookie batter in, too - so someone needs to try it and review it for us!

For the holidays, we still have a few spiral hams left, as well as 1 conventionally raised turkey and 1 organic turkey.  Call me quick if you want one of those!  Jason's become the local diva of gift baskets, which are looking amazingly lovely - chocolate, as well as our own local basket, which Kate Henderson's candles and knits, Lulu's fudge and maple syrup and honey, and an assortment of Wild Thymes products.  We're also catering!  Lots of cookie platters available, or ask for our full catering menu, and we'll supply platters for holidays parties!

We've all been a bit under the weather, and so have a lot of you, so let's hope now that we've passed the winter solstice and the days start to get longer, we'll all be looking forward to a happy and healthy New Year, absent any more colds!  And, yeah, you bet I'm hoping for a Christmas weekend Nor'easter!

Someone do a snow dance...

Seriously, aren't you just a little jealous that the Midwest got all the snow and all we get is frigid temps and then more rain??  Maybe it's just me, but if it's gonna be cold, I'd like a White Christmas. Please.

There's some interesting things afoot for the upcoming holiday, not the least of which is our fabulous gift offerings.  We have a ton of baskets, from a chocolate variety basket to an organic coffee basket to a only-local basket.  (So if you are local vendor, get your stuff in here; people need gifts!)  I also have a small warehouse full of spare baskets, if you'd prefer to make your own.  (And I won't be offended - lots of your ideas are way better than mine!)  Sweet Angela brought us some amazing knit hats to sell - they are lovingly crafted from fair-trade materials, for our littlest ones.  Kate Henderson, of Sheepy Valley, promises she's going to bring us some of her wool and beeswax candles, which promise to be perfect for gifting.  And Lucinda brought us her homemade fudge - Lulu's, and it's mind-blowingly delicious, and perfect for that Medusa gift basket!

We are also anxiously awaiting the final okay to sell beer and wine, as the last drafts of our liquor license app sits before me, hopefully including every single insignificant piece of information the great State of New York needs.  The spirit of the season dictates spirits, after all.

In other news, I need your orders for bulk goods by this Wednesday.  Much to my chagrin, UNFI is refusing to deliver at all during the holiday, despite my pleading, since our run falls on a Friday.  This is really annoying, but there doesn't seem like there's much I can do about it.  For fresh, I think I can get us some good prices at the Menands market, should we run low after Christmas.  (Thanks Fred S.!)  It probably won't be organic, though, but it'll probably work as a stand-in.

I do have turkeys and hams coming in from the amazing Albert's Organics, both of which are either all-natural or organic - my preorder customers get first pick, but there will be a few extras, so let me know if you need one.

Also fresh, we have a fully stocked cooler - lettuces, romaine hearts and leaf, celery, avocado, oranges and bananas, Indian Ladder apples (and cider!), plus lots of packed nuts, including tamari almonds.  We have some Vermont fresh tofu left, as well as lots of farm fresh brown eggs from Baitholts Farm, and from Morning Fog.  Please come and buy some fresh cranberries - it's a good price and I need to get them out of the cooler!  More carrots, broccoli and mushrooms in on Friday. Probably more coconut water and Bolthouse smoothies, too.  We've got a nice selection of cheese, and we added Chevre, herb crusted and not, as well as small, adorable rounds of Brie.  Looking around for something else special, cheese-wise...

The freezer is bursting, folks.  I have Udi's gluten free breads and bagels, and Gillian's gluten-free pie crusts and pizza crusts.  Coming on Friday, Pamela's gluten-free cheesecakes, which sound amazing, even for those of us who live for gluten.  Tons of Dancing Deer cookies and brownies in there as well, with more arriving on Friday.  There have been a few requests for the molasses clove and the oatmeal raisin, so I'm going to give it a try.  Ice cream from Julie's and frozen fruit pops, plus a bunch of chocolate bar pops.  And an overwhelming amount of beef cuts, chicken and salmon.  Just in, too, is a wide selection of pork, including Kielbasa, pork hotdogs and bacon from Morning Fog Farm.  If I could figure out the logistics of a frozen meat basket, OMG, I would be so on it. 

We would also love to do some party platters for holiday get-togethers, so save yourself a little work and order them through us - from veggie trays to cheese and cracker to dessert trays, we can provide fresh, tasty and beautiful platters. 

Lastly, a few non-food related notes.

We are moving forward with a Medusa Council on the Arts, with a planning meeting scheduled for late January.  If you are interested in getting involved, drop me a line and I'll send you an invitation to the google group.

I am interested in a Hilltowns Climate Change Conference.  The local organizations I've approached about this don't really have the time or funding right *now*, but are interested.  Despite the disdainful expressions of the Tea Partiers that frequent the store, I think some discourse around how climate change may effect our region, ecologically and economically, is critically important.  Again, drop me a line if you're interested in getting involved: aroggio@nycap.rr.com.

Love to you all - very merry holidays - and remember not to forget us!

Holidays!

Been weeks, I know - it is exceedingly difficult to find time to write this, but I promise to get more updates done in the next few weeks.  Lots going on, and lots of things in planning, and lots to talk about.

First, I have always resisted the impulse to tell you all to buy local.  I trust you will buy where ever you feel comfortable, and where you can get the best value for your dollars.  But now, after a frighteningly slow month, I want to gently suggest that your dollars are best spent in our community, and we could really use the business, especially in the winter.  Although it is absolutely true that we cannot always offer the most competitive prices on every product, we *can* offer great deals on a lot of really superior products.  We also carry, to the greatest degree possible, products made by your neighbors.  Dollars spent here stay here, and support our community.  End of lecture!

That said, we are actively trying to meet the needs of more of you.  Beer and wine are coming soon!  (I swear!)  Painfully slowly, and we're really sorry - most of the delays are on our shoulders, as the Liquor Authority has been really helpful.  We plan to have it by the first of the year, though - so feel free to start making suggestions - other than Bud Light, Miller Light and Coors Lights, which have already been added to the list by an entire contingent of local beer drinkers.  Would be nice to have some local beer and microbrews, too.

We are also constantly improving our selection of tobacco products, from name brands to cheaper alternatives.  We have one of the best selections of loose tobacco in the region, and we'll try to get anything you request.

We also continue to expand our selection of top quality all-natural and organic products.  This weeks brings a number of new products, with the majority of them coming in at sale prices that we happily pass on to you.  Albert's is sending broccoli and restocking our avocados, as well as our tomatoes and lettuces.  We've got navel oranges in, and fresh Indian Ladder Farms apples.  Macrovegetarian products are in tomorrow as well - Hunan Dumplings and Buckwheat Soba noodles. We've got fresh Vermont tofu in the cooler, and a wide selection of nuts, from seasonal pistachios and pecans to our favorite tamari roasted almonds, mixed nuts and walnuts. 

We're trying the Immaculate Baking Company through UNFI this week, which offers a wide selection of all-natural cookie doughs, and they are an amazing company with a pay-it-forward sort of mission.  Plus, Late July cookies are on sale again, so we've stocked up on a number of them.  Florida Natural's fruit snacks will be back in, too, by popular demand.  Lots of fresh gluten-free breads and bagels in from Udi's, and next week, Pamela's cheesecakes, which are delicious as well as gluten-free.  We've got a ton of seasonal products in for the Holidays, and will take preorders for all natural and organic turkeys and hams, as well as continually offering beef and pork selections from Morning Fog Farm in Berne.

More of you have been taking advantage of our bulk ordering program - we offer 15% over cost for anything in UNFI's sale catalogs.  I've been sending out email blasts - if you want to be added to our list, drop in or send me an email at aroggio@nycap.rr.com. 

Gift baskets are coming this week as well - tentatively, we're offering a seasonal spice basket, several assorted tea baskets, and baking baskets, including a gluten-free one.  And, because I can't help myself, a chocolate basket. 

There are several weekly meet-ups in the works as well.  We'd like to host a crafting for charity group inspired by Craft Hope.  And I'm gauging interest in hosting a weekly meetup for artistic moms, which is utterly self-serving, I know, but I'm thinking the only way I'm getting to a PhD defense is with a little encouragement!.  There's also been some interest in a weekly playgroup - I don't think our Rensselaerville playgroup is in business these days, but if there's anyone interested in helping to reorganize, I don't think it would be difficult to drum up a crowd.

And events!  We (Janice, our amazing and lovely postmaster at the grand olde Medusa PO, and I) are needing some caroling.  Seriously.  So, on the heels of a beautiful tree lighting at our Medusa church, we are inviting everyone to meet up at the Store at around 6pm on the 11th, for an evening of old time village caroling.  Since we are pretty sure we're not the only ones who don't remember the third verse to Silent Night, we'll be providing the lyrics and the encouragement, and some refreshments afterward.  And not being musical is no excuse - this is purely about fun!  We're having a Living Market that day, too, from 11am - 3pm, so if you still have gifts to buy, keep this in mind: you can spend your Christmas budget by investing in a community in the developing world.  More details to follow...

Phew!  That's it for now - remember to remember us, and lots of love!

Sweet November...

Another Halloween behind us, and I'm writing this a bit thankfully, as we finished off the last of our trick-or-treating in snow showers tonight...

We have placed a staggering amount of product on shelves - and we are just dying for a bit more room.  From cooler and freezer space to dry goods, things are feeling like a tight fit lately!  And, though I say this with a teeny bit of trepeidation, we have a number of events planned for the coming months, and we'd love a bit of space set aside from stacks of juices and the traffic of a busy store.  So stay tuned - there are many plans afoot!

We have a new Albert's Organics sales rep, Josh, who's learning the ropes, and learning about places like Medusa.  With that preparation, keep us in mind if you need lettuce, as he sent us lovely bags of romaine, as well as iceberg this week.  We also have beautiful, and seasonal kale left in stock, as well as portabella mushrooms, and broccoli.  Lots of Indian Ladder apples, as well as more cider coming in this week, as soon as I can get us down to Indian Ladder.  There are also delicious Buckwheat Soba noodles in, as well as Hunan dumplings, from Macrovegetarian.  Tofu coming in this Friday, and, hopefully, Rob Sweeney, a lcoally famous vegetarian chef, will be getting us some of his handmade falafel.

On the deli, we have been doing SOUP like crazy!  We have officially designated Fridays as gluten-free soup day at the Store, and for all of you that do eat gluten, I thrown in a chunk of artisan bread to dunk.  We've got more chowders and chil coming up this week.  Oh, and there are a few more specialty sandwiches coming up, too - we're adding a Medusa PB&J, on granola bread - and officially giving the Italian mix it's rightful place in the menu. And, in case you haven't noticed, we've been giving our ancient deli cooler a bit of tenderloving care: late last week we installed tiles in the front, to better display amazing Boar's Head, and our line of organic cheddars AND the lights are fixed!  So now you can actually *see* what's in the deli cooler!  Isn't life great?!

Next, I love UNFI.  Love them, love them.  I've been trying to get as many good, new products as we can afford, including a wild variety of soups, from Wolfgang Puck and from Pacific Natural.  I just got 2 cases of Angie's Kettle Corn in as well - and WOW, this stuff is delicious - and cheap, thanks to great sale prices!  We've also got a bunch of fresh juices in, from Harney and Sons teas, as well as a new smoothie beverage from Bothouse Farms.  Morning Fog is keeping us stocked with fresh eggs, and Mike Duncan, up across from Sayre Road, has promised us weekly eggs, too.  We also now have a few different cough medicines and herbal cold remedies, as well as some vitamins.  We'd like to do more of that, as soon as the space issue gets worked out a bit more.

In the freezer, we're trying out some Blue Horizon breaded clams and fish sticks.  I finally found some salmon fillets we can freeze, too; they should be in next week.  (Thanks to that lovely lady who was in looking for them!)  We've got cases of gluten-free bread from Udi's as well as gluten free chocolate muffins and cinnamon rolls.  I also reordered several cases of the Food For Life breads, which are a delightfully hearty, full grain bread.  There's a lot of local meat cuts from Morning Fog, and Freebird chicken as well.  If anyone talks to Cheryl Baitholts, I'd really like to take turkey orders for her.  And if she can't, Helderberg Market might be able to - I just left a message on the Helderberg Market facebook board.

Speaking of the holidays...  The lovely Town Clerk in Berne is an amazing pie baker!  She's agreed to take holiday pre-orders for pie - apple, pumpkin, blueberry and pecan.  We're also making apple pies - we sold 4 this weekend alone. And our underground, on-the-sly bread business is taking off - I'd be willing to take some weekly preorders, if you have a hankering for a particular variety.  Catering, too, is picking up: we were able to provide lunches to the Huyck Preserve several times this month, and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity!

Next to last note - we hit two papers this past week!  Saturdays at the Store was included in the most recent editions of the Altamont Enterprise, and the Greenville Pioneer.  Thanks so much to Melissa and Andrea - we appreciate it!  And thanks, too, to sweet Dan, who's joined our staff of well, none.  He has an incredible eye for design, and has done wonders for the state of our coolers and freezers.  It isn't always easy working here, with small children underfoot and barely competent storekeepers, but he's proven to be a delightful addition to our family!  So, officially, welcome aboard!

Last note (I swear!): we are interested in buying a water buffalo.  Seriously - Heifer International is an amazing program dedicated to providing livestock to struggling subsistence communities in developing nations.  They have a great reputation, and we've chosen them as a way of paying forward some of the blessings bestowed on us here in Medusa over the past year.  Still working on the details, but we'll keep you in the loop.

So - wow - doesn't this mean the holidays have begun?  Next stop, Thanksgiving!

No snow, but beautiful morning anyway!

Yes, I did say that.  We had a *winter storm watch* posted on Thursday evening, for of us over 2000ft.   By the time we were up Friday morning (to the sound of pelting rain), it had been rescinded.  So very cruel, for those of us who excitedly anticipate the first lovely snow of the season!

I have a few updates on products and some new stuff in from Albert's and UNFI, and some info on our computer services and upcoming events, but first: THANKS FOR A GREAT COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND!  We were busy!  I've changed out strategy a bit, after a terrifyingly slow September: when you all ask me how we're doing, you will get only blunt honesty!  Yes, we are (usually) paying the bills, but *please* don't forget us!  Drop in often, and let me know when there are products you need that we aren't carrying and I'll do my best to find them. 

Speaking of which, Albert's sent us some new vanilla soy milk, among other things.  We trying out the Vermont Soy milk, which is made by an amazing company in Vermont devoted to their farms, sustainable practice and healthy communities.  We usually carry their artisan tofu, and their sales rep called last week and we chatted a bit about land use reform and the importance of local agriculture.  Great people - so come and try out their soy milk - I'd love to keep using them.

Produce-wise, we've got fresh broccoli in this week, in adidtion to lovely romaine hearts and fresh Vermont tomatoes.  Got portabellos from Albert's, onions from White Knuckle, as well as three kinds of Steve's potatoes.  Fresh garlic from Dr. Eldridge, who is sure you're all going to flip over the bulblets we've got on sample on the front counter.  (Several of you already have!)  I've also still got a lot of fresh apples, as well as Indian Ladder's cider in half and full gallons.  And, of course, organic avocados.  Got a bunch of tempeh in the produce cooler that has to move, too, so if you're interested, I'll give you a great price.

Also in the produce cooler, but not produce, is a ton of nuts - walnuts, tamari roasted almonds and mixed nuts, as well as chocolate covered pretzels and raisons.  We do need mroe farm-fresh eggs, though - so if you are a local farm who wants to sell eggs, come and see me.  Or someone go poke Mike Duncan a little and make sure he gets down here with eggs for me!

UNFI brought in a ton of restocks this week, especially the Bob's products.  We have some new Davinci angel hair spaghetti in - Davinci has amazing prices and a great product.  Juice boxes by Honest Kids came in last week - the pouches not the box, for just $4.49 - so for anyone who's been asking, they're here!  We also finally have the Pacific Natural soups in, highly recommended by Hans, my official retail soup taster.  More Wolfgang Puck soups also arrived, and I restocked those surprisingly good Florida Natural's fruit sticks, which flew off the shelf last week.

More Familia muesli cereal, which seems pricey until you calculate the cost per ounce, and for these 2 pound boxes, you are getting a good savings off of conventional cereals - and they are way more nutritious.  

In the freezer, we have more of that amazing Giovanni Rana ravioli from Albert's, and I restocked us on a lot of the Julie's ice cream, including those chocolate chocolate ice cream bars.  So, if you're like me, and can eat ice cream all year round, I'm looking out for you!  There's a bit of a tangle with Gillette Creamery, who wants to sell us Perry's, for all of you who want the half gallons, and the Ben and Jerry's varieties, but they can't let us put them in the Nestle's freezer.  So, sigh, as soon as we get a new freezer from them, we'll be able to rearrange our ice cream order.

October events: BEADS today!  (Which is why I need to quickly finish this and get over there!)  And the sun just came out in Berne, so if my tablecloths don't blow away in this wind, we'll be making necklaces and bracelets all morning.  Maybe we'll get some bubbles going, too.  Next week is paper mache bowl making, and a dress up funshop the week after.

And we *might* have a local celebrity poet joining us Halloween weekend as well for some dark poetry.  And don't forget - Camp Medusa is having a Haunted Camp that weekend, too!

Novemeber promises a lot of events!  I'm trying to line up a series for the first three weeks of November around Sustainability and Local Agriculture.  And another poetry reading, too - so if you are a poet and would like to join us for an open mic (frankly, I don't have a mic, but we're a small store!), please let me know!

More to come - love you all!

Finally sunshine!

We survived to see the sun again - and just in time for the weekend - it's looking just marvelous, right through Labor Day.

There are a few events to remind you about - as well as some news about the case order program.  There are some fresh things in from Albert's, and some new stuff in from UNFI, and a few words about our sandwiches and soups.

First, because this so excites me - we have Saturdays at the Store starting tomorrow!!  We'll be tossing out huge lumps of handmade squishy playdough and...well, playing with it!  Should be a blast - all ages and play-doughing abilities are embraced!  We're having a beading funship, a paper mache bowl making funshop, and then dress-up and candy eating on the final Saturday in October.  Then we are planning to move inside and start Monday evening panel presentations.  We are tentatively planning for discussions around health and healing, and sustainable living, and covering topics such as the differences in quality and cost of conventionally processed and organic foods, how to take responsiblity for your own health, and supporting local economies by buying whole and buying local.   And - don't forget! - Sunday is 10-10-10 - Global Work Party Day.  Folks all over the planet will be working on projects aimed at bringing out carbon dioxcide levels back down to 350.  See 350.org for more information.  We are planning to leave out a document describing Transition Towns - communities working to change lives and lifestyles for better, more planet-friendly living.  Might be a good time to chat about creating a local currency, which I've thought was a fabulous idea for many years now.

Takes a village to save a planet, you know.  (Yeah, it also takes bringing down some huge multi-nationals, but I thought I'd start with Medusa.)

That said, just a few words on Store items for the week.  We just heard from Vermont Tofu (find them on Facebook, too!) who have been shipping us artisan tofu, through Albert's Organics.  They are a very mission-based firm, committed to local and organic soy production and value added processing to support their local community and to achieve a really top quality product.  I spoke with Alex today - they are also interested in having us try their soy milk, which they say is better than Silk.  I need some feedback from my customers before I'm willing to try it, though - so stop in and chat with me.

We have a ton of Kettle chips back in - including a New York Cheddar in the lunch size.  We've also dipping our feet back into bulk for the winter - I am packing organic lentils (green and red varieties) as well as split peas into retail containers.  The price is fantastic, and the retail packs are compostable.  And if you soup-fiends want more than I am offering in the retail sizes, I'd be happy to weigh you out more.

Albert's sent us fresh chicken, though you'll need to grab it while it's available - $6.99 per lb for breast meat, and there are only 6 packs.  We also have more Giovanni Rana ravioli - delicious and it won't stick around long, so stop in soon.  Lots of gluten free ravioli available in the freezer, too, though for at least one more week you'll have to either dig around for it, or ask one of us to find it. 

We've got fresh portabellos in, too, as well as a new supply of falafel and Hunan Dumplings.  The one disappointment this week is that our soups are all back-ordered, so we won't be offering fresh soup on the deli till next Friday.  Ugh.  But still have minestrone for Saturday, and a lot of fresh Boar's Head salads, our specialty and deli sandwiches, as well as the new addition, the Medusa Mushroom.  David G. and company claim it needs something green and crunchy, though, so I'm still working on that.

And - yay! - we've got fresh apples and cider from Indian Ladder Farms in Voorheesville, maple syrup from Mountain Winds Farm in Berne, and fresh potatoes coming from White Knuckle in Rensselaerville.  I am so thrilled that we are blessed with so many amazing local farms as vendors!

I am preparing an email bulletin of the Otcober offerings through UNFI - if you don't want to wait for me, drop in and scan through the catalogs - we just got November in as well.

Love to all of you - looking forward to a wild Columbus Day weekend!