Issuu

Earth Day Fun

2018

Everâ€™man Anniversary April 11th-17TH

All About Organic

RECIPE IDEAS AND MORE!

M AR - A P R 2 0 1 8

t h e h e a lt h y a lte r nat i v e

William Rolfs General Manager

THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE Published for Ever’man by Ballinger Publishing

Ever’man Publishing Coordinator Maria Pinochet Publisher Malcolm Ballinger Executive Editor Kelly Oden Art Director Guy Stevens Editor Will Isern Graphic Designer Jason Marcum Staff Contributors Rob Thead Ryoko Ohnishi Ad Coordinator & Graphic Designer Carly Stone Editorial Assistant Tanner Yea Account Executives Paula Rode Geneva Strange Boyce White For information: info@everman.org For advertising rates, contact 850.433.1166 Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe serves a diverse community. The diversity is reflected in culture, tastes, needs, lifestyles and viewpoints. It is within the vision of this cooperative to strive to embrace diversity and to meet as many community needs as possible. Opinions and viewpoints shared within this newsletter are neither endorsed nor disregarded. Editorial content is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, recommend or offer medical advice. Ever’man reserves the right to review the appropriateness of the placement of advertising. The product appropriateness is based on Ever’man’s product philosophy regarding accountability to healthfulness. If there seems to be potential for conflict-of-interest issues regarding competition with products sold at Ever’man, the ad may be rejected. Ads will be sold at the discretion of the Marketing Manager who reserves the right to refuse and edit submissions. The Healthy Alternative is published every other month by Ballinger Publishing for Ever’man Natural Foods Co-op, Inc. DBA Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe (Ever’man). All Rights Reserved. Comments and opinions expressed in this publication represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those aof the publisher. This publication accepts no responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this publication does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2015

2 | THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE

Greetings to all Members and Patrons, Here we are heading into spring again. It’s time to start planning your summer gardens. We have been so proud of our winter garden here at Ever’man. The winter has taken a toll on some of the plants, but others are still doing pretty well. Cat McCreery (our Super Gardener) planned and executed a garden that was not only beautiful but it produced a huge amount of food. It’s hard to believe, but this April will be four years since the Grand Opening of the new store. As you may know, we are currently working towards a second store on Nine Mile Road. There have been some road blocks along the way, but planning is continuing to move forward. Construction costs have been an issue since the two hurricanes hit during the past year. Labor and material costs have drastically increased due to the needs in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. We are working with our architect and General Contractor to design a building to fit both our needs and budget. It’s better to take a little extra time to ensure a sustainable project. As you know, April 22nd is Earth Day. Ever’man always strives to do our part for Mother Earth. We are planning some nice events including educational classes and the planting of our spring garden. To stay informed, please pick up a calendar at the service center desk for the latest schedule of events or visit our website calendar or Facebook events page. As you read this month’s edition of the The Healthy Alternative you will notice how much effort Ever’man invests in caring about our environment. We are constantly looking for ways to improve the footprint we’re leaving for our children and grandchildren. One way we make a difference is in the design of our stores. Just as we designed and built our current store, we will add many energy efficient options to

our second store. A few of those additions will be LED lighting, high SEER rated AC/heating units, white reflective roof, skylights, light harvesting sensors, solar and heat reclaim water heaters, energy efficient refrigeration system, low VOC paints and adhesives, semi-permeable parking pavers, extra insulation in walls and on roof and flooring that does not require wax and stripping. We will also install a cardboard baler to aid us in recycling virtually all of the cardboard boxes shipped to our store. We save packaging materials such as Styrofoam “peanuts,” pillow packs, bubble wrap and cold pouches. Thanks to volunteer, Hugh Ed Turner, we have an avenue for most of these items to be reused. We are also helping the environment while choosing items to be stocked on our shelves. We are very careful to choose new products that are organic or non-GMO. These items and their producers put much less stress on the soil and natural resources of our great planet. We also look at the amount of packaging and the distance items must travel. In our meat department, we source grass fed products that have been humanely treated and raised without growth hormones and antibiotics. Our seafood choices are guided by the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch. In closing, I would like to congratulate the newly elected board members Lauren Southern-Godwin (incumbent), Sandra Smith, and Jena Melancon. These members have made a huge (3 year) commitment to our co-op and its membership. I am excited to continue working with the board as we move through this very exciting year for Ever’man Natural Foods. Spring will be here soon; I hope everyone is ready to enjoy the great weather our area brings this time each year. Thanks for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you in the store soon.

EVER’MAN ENDS STATEMENT Because of Ever’man, the community will have: • education about health, nutrition and environmental issues • access to healthy, natural food and products at the lowest possible price • support for responsible, local agriculture and small business • an example of green business practices

STORE HOURS

Monday - Saturday 7:00am - 9:00pm Sunday 9:00am - 8:00pm 315 W. Garden Street · Pensacola, Florida 32502 850.438.0402 · everman.org

In this Issue: 2 | A LETTER FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER Our General Manager talks about progress being made at the upcoming Nine Mile Road location.

APRIL EVENT CALENDAR PAGE 6-7

4 | board news Our Board Secretary talks about the value of membership and the importance of investing in your community.

6-7 | APRIL EVENT CALENDAR Learn about the many green events happening at Ever’man! 8 | What’s trending at ever’man Experts weigh in on what’s trending for Spring.

RECIPE IDeAS PAGE 9-10

9-10 | RECIPE IDEAS Two great recipes showcasing seasonal vegetables. 11 | PLANT-BASED PROTEIN Find out more about how to work plant-based protein supplements into your diet.

12 | EVER’MAN HIGHLIGHT Meet one of our employees and find out more about our current selection of locally-grown microgreens. 13 | ALL ABOUT ORGANIC Find out how to eat well and support the environment!

ALL ABOUT ORGANIC PAGE 13

14 | GET MORE OUT OF YOUR STORE See what’s happening at Ever’man. 15 | CO+OP BASICS More ways to save with Co+op Basics! 16-17 | Educational center classes See what’s going on at the Educational Center. 18 | ANNIE’S SOIL MATTERS GIVEAWAY Learn about why soil matters and enter to win Annie’s Compost & Gardening Kit, valued at $90! For more updates about the store, membership, education, recipes and the Ever’man Cafe daily menu, follow us online! Website: everman.org Facebook: facebook.com/evermancoop Twitter: @evermancoop Pinterest: pinterest.com/evermancoop Tumblr: evermancoop

13 The inserts in this issue were placed by ARC Gateway, Inc. residents.

Instagram: evermannaturalfoods Sign up for the Ever’man e-mail newsletter: everman.org/membership

THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE | 3

2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS DAVE DEBLANDER PRESIDENT

Lauren Southern-Godwin Board Secretary

KELLY ODEN Vice President LAUREN SOUTHERN-GODWIN SECRETARY Eric Schneider TREASURER LYNN JACKSON DIRECTOR TARA JONES DIRECTOR Bonnie Bayly DIRECTOR Jena Melançon Director Sandra Kaye Smith Director FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD VISIT: EVERMAN.ORG/ABOUT/ EVERMAN-BOARD -OF-DIRECTORS MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO MEMBERS. THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEEETINGS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Monday, March 26th Monday, April 30th

6 pm 6 pm

Meetings, held at the Ever’man Educational Center, start at 6:00PM. We welcome your participation and comments. If you are unable to attend meetings, consider sharing your feedback via email at: board@everman.org.

4 | THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE

As a long-term member of the Ever’man Board of Directors, a question I have received on numerous occasions is: what returns can I see from my investment in Ever’man Cooperative membership? Like any investment with value, the answer is: a lot! Although everyone in our community is welcome to shop with us, there is financial value that only members can enjoy. Some of this value is in the specially-priced member deals for certain products, the choice of which is constantly changing. Another benefit is the discount members receive on bulk purchases, from special case to bulk wine orders. But value found in membership of our cooperative exceeds purely financial benefits. Active members have the opportunity to run for the Ever’man Board of Directors; each membership comes with the right to vote for board elections as well. As a member, you have the opportunity to have as active a role in the direction of our cooperative as you choose. And, we host an annual member appreciation party with delicious, complementary food and live music, which for some long-time members is a yearly membership highlight. Some also ask how membership at Ever’man is different from joining some other type of shopping club. By paying the modest annual membership fee, you are making a deliberate choice to be part of an organization that is more than just a store. But membership is not just another fee. Annual membership dues are invested in our community. Guided by member feedback, we support local charities and educational programs that have been identified—by you—as important and worthy of our support. Ever’man members can, and do, feel good about being part of a store based on democratic, cooperative principles, one that provides a unique business model and offers excellent wages and benefits to its employees. And through our product selection, the store supports its mission for organic and sustainable agriculture, in ad-

dition to other healthy products and fair trade and employment practices. To further our goals, the Ever’man Educational Center enhances membership perks by providing a large number of varied classes offered every month (and most free to members). We want to be able to continue to offer all of these returns on your membership investment, and make membership continue to create value and work for you. Beginning on April 1st, the annual membership fee will increase to $20; the senior fee will be $8. Lifetime memberships will have no change. The Board of Directors has performed a year of careful research to ensure this decision is in the best interest of all Ever’man members. Fellow Board members have personally surveyed Ever’man members regarding their feelings on the subject, and have thankfully received full support over this decision. The Ever’man membership fee has been the same amount—$12—since the early 1990s. The Board therefore considers the new fee in line with all of the member benefits and class offerings. To put this in purely economic terms: A more recent (and popular) membership perk is the 5% discount on our daily salad/hot bar. If you eat lunch here once a week for a year, the $20 membership fee will easily pay for itself with this discount alone—not including any of the regular member-only store deals. We look forward to the opening of the second store on 9 Mile Road in the coming year: expanding membership benefits and providing a second shopping location more convenient for many in our Pensacola community. Please know that Members are always invited to our monthly Board meetings. And membership gives you the right and opportunity to speak during the Open Forum segment at the meetings to share your feedback and suggestions. Ever’man Cooperative membership means someone listens to you!

Annual Membership Fee to Increase Since its inception, Ever’man Cooperative has been dedicated to adding membership value and finding additional ways to satisfy our members. Over the years, we have established and grown member benefits to include: member only sales, member appreciation days, and our annual member party. We consistently seek to create value. This past year, we added a 5% member discount on our daily and ever-popular Hot & Cold Bar (after 11am). For civic-minded members and those interested in local leadership, membership affords the opportunity to both run and vote for the Ever’man Board of Directors.

Water Fire Mold Restoration Home Remodeling Renovation

All natural cleaning solutions for most carpets. Utilizing Bio-Kleen’s grapefruit seed and orange peel extract cleaner!!! We use a totally natural disinfectant made from the herb thyme for most mold and water damage jobs. Carpet Tile Oriental Rug Cleaning 850-484-8500 850-FLOODED

The annual membership fee is invested back in the community. With member feedback, we support local charities and educational programs that are identified as important to you. And, with your continued support, we have simultaneously grown our leadership role in the community alongside the value of your membership – all while holding the membership fee at the same rate since the 1990’s. In order to maintain and grow this level of service and community engagement, the Ever’man Board has voted to raise the annual membership fee starting April 1st, 2018. The per-household annual fee will increase from $12.00 to $20.00; the seniors’ 65-and-older annual fee will increase from $5.00 to $8.00. Since 2014’s expansion project, which included the Educational Center renovation, we have Look for this Member Tag! utilized the new facilities as an added opportunity to consistently boost membership value. The member and community classes held at our Educational Center—a 1,900 square foot facility equipped with a commercial teaching kitchen that comfortably accommodates 42 attendees—has continued to be well-received. Our monthly event calendar of 70+ classes, which consists of a dynamic range of classes from yoga, introduction to nutrition and wellness, to more in-depth classes that include visualization for stress relief and aromatherapy, continues to remain full and well-attended.

Register Now for 2018-2019 School Year! 850.469.8138 • MontessoriPensacola.com Programs for 18 months through Middle School, as well as Extended Care. Pensacola’s only accredited Montessori school • Accredited by AMS & AdvancED

SPIRIT GATE MEDICINE An IntegrAtIve ApproAch to Your heAlthcAre needs

Furthermore, as the only cooperative grocery in our area, Ever’man supports a unique business model that offers employees good wages and excellent benefits. We are more than just a store! Our membership fees further our efforts to be an influential member of our community, one that supports our community members’ healthy lifestyle by eating organic, local, and natural foods, and shopping sustainably.

orIentAl MedIcIne And lIfestYle counselIng specIAlIzIng In stress MAnAgeMent, pAIn reductIon, longevItY, And woMen’s heAlth BonnIe McleAn o.M.d., A.p. Just puBlIshed!

cAll us @ 850.932.1778

Dr. Bonnie McLean

April Event Calendar Information on Earth Day Events This year, Ever’man will celebrate Earth Day all month long with a variety of eco-friendly classes and local community events. To learn more about these events, and to see our full Educational class calendar, go to our events page online at www.everman. org/events. We hope to see you at one or more of these fun community events!

Garden Hours with Cat 8AM-10AM

Our Ever’man gardener carefully mapped out the 540 square foot garden to create a “kitchen style” harvest garden perfect for store use and also for harvesting. We invite you to come down to Ever’man at 315 West Garden Street to garden and learn from Cat Monday mornings 8am-10am.

th Container Gardening 10AM-Noon

Join Paul Flores to learn all about container gardening. Reserve your spot online at www.everman.org/events

ECUA Recycling: The Future is Green 3PM-4PM

Jim Roberts, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) public information officer, will create public awareness and provide instruction on recommended environmental strategies. Come and learn all about our new innovative recycling program.

Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) Quench Buggy 10AM-2PM

The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) Quench Buggy, a mobile water station with multiple on-board fountains, is at the Store between 10am-2pm. Stop by and meet Jim Roberts, ECUA public information officer, and get information about our community’s environmental strategies and programs.

2018 Ever’man Anniversary April 11th - 17th

Ever’man celebrates its 4th year in the expanded Garden Street location with weeklong Deals, Specials, Demos and Events. Come celebrate with us! 6 | THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE

Hours With Cat th Garden 8AM-10AM

Earth Day Pensacola 10AM-4PM

Ever’man will participate in Earth Day Pensacola at the Bayview Park. Staff will be there to talk about green business practices, and how small daily changes can make a positive impact on our environment. Stop by to talk to our Community Outreach Assistant, Rob, about recycling, food waste, and to win some great eco-friendly prizes.

Earth Day

Keep Pensacola Beautiful and Ever’man will be hosting the 3rd annual Bag Swap on Earth Day! Visit the table, outside the Ever’man Educational Center, on Saturday, April 22nd from 9am-12pm to trade in your bundle of 25 plastic grocery bags for a reusable bag made out of 100% recycled material! There will be raffle prizes, giveaways and educational displays. Thanks for participating!

Y AT EV E DA

N MA R’

Earth Day Bag Swap

EART H

Girl Scouts

Ever’man is pleased to welcome back the Girls Scout Council PE of the Florida Panhandle. Last DA NS RI ACO L A , F LO year, thirty nine Girls Scouts from Escambia County earned their Ever’man Earth Day patch for their work with helping plant the Ever’man Community Garden. This year activities will include learning about planting from our resident heirloom specialist, Cat McCreery.

What’s Trending At Ever’man? Experts Weigh In.

arth Day is almost here and Ever’man members and shoppers tells us they use this opportunity to explore even more ways to decrease their environmental footprint and to decrease shopping related-waste. Here are the ways each department assists Ever’man members and shoppers to meet their Earth day goals!

Belinda Carlino Customer Service Manager

With spring upon us and Earth Day just around the corner, I thought this would be a good time to remind all our members and customers about programs at Ever‘man that help the environment and support our community. When shopping with EcoFriendly bags, Ever ‘man will donate five cents to a charity that support the environment, pets and wildlife or provide healthy food. A list of the charities are available from your cashier or the customer service desk. We also have a bring your own container for bulk items. You can purchase bulk items without purchasing a new container. Just bring in your own clean/sanitized recyclable

container and the cashier will weigh the container and subtract the weight of your purchase. For the community garden you can borrow a pair of scissors to cut your own veggies and we also have recycling bins in the store as well. There are more programs to find out about, so why not “Spring” into action today and stop by the customer service for more details/information on all our Eco-Friendly programs. While there, sign up and become a member or renew your membership because there are always member discounts available to be found throughout the Store and Cafe department.

Lyn Sparks Wellness Manager

Steve Cochran Produce Manager

A lot of the products we carry are sold in containers that can be recycled, or re-purposed, after use. For example, many items come in glass bottles—and if not recycled—can serve other uses once the product has been used. Many of our Healthy and Beauty items are environmentally friendly, such as our large selection of soaps and sunscreens that can be used without damaging the local ecosystems. And, we have toothbrushes made from recycled products and bamboo that are very popular. We take the environmental footprint of every product into consideration when choosing new items to stock.

The Ever’man Produce Department plays a very active role in decreasing the store’s impact on the local environment, and assisting our members and customers in doing so as well. Our department is always fully stocked with produce that has been raised organically, helping to prevent the overall amount of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides used locally, regionally, and globally. But these changes cannot happen without our customers. By purchasing organically-grown fruits and vegetables, Ever’man customers assist in this endeavor with each and every transaction.

Brett Beamer Prepared Foods Manager

Darrell Melton Grocery Manager

With Earth Day almost here, the Ever’man Cafe is happy to announce an exciting change: we now offer 100% compostable to-go soup containers (and lids). This has been a priority for us for some time, and is done through our business relationship with the National Co+op Grocers. We are confident that this is a move into the right direction, and furthers the mission of Ever’man. And, over the past year, we have decreased the amount of food, oil and grease (FOG) poured down drains that wreak havoc on local water and sewer infrastructure. In partnership with ECUA, Ever’man Cafe is currently recycling approximately 200 gallons of FOG material each week.

Here at the Ever’man Grocery Department we are always conscious of how our actions impact the environment. We use local vendors to supply many of our products, which reduces the number of large semi-trucks that are on the road, and related greenhouse gas emissions from the decrease in “food miles”. We provide recycling bins for our members and customers to prevent unnecessary waste going to our landfills. And, available to all Ever’man customers is the ECUA recycled oil collection (FOG) station, located right behind the store. This facility allows customers to dispose of their used cooking oils in a responsible manner, as opposed to just pouring these materials down the drain. With everyone’s help, as Ever’man employees and customers, we can collectively reduce our impact on the environment.

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Sonny Porter Meat & Seafood Manager People ask us regularly about our department’s waste disposal—and we have an interesting answer. All of the waste we generate through processing meat and seafood for individual retail sale goes through a rendering service. This service takes our waste product and converts it into materials for use in cosmetic, medical and industrial applications. This prevents this otherwise usable matter from ending up in landfills, where it would create harmful greenhouse gas.

This Italian inspired Gremolata is a healthy option for an accompaniment dish. Made with some of the favorite flavors of spring - lemon, parsley, mint and garlic – and the popular spring veggie, asparagus, and you have a side dish that is enjoyed by everyone! Asparagus is naturally rich with folic acid and a good source of vitamins C and A, potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, and thiamin.

Asparagus Gremolata with Orzo

Ingredients 8 ounces uncooked orzo pasta 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 yellow onion, diced 1/2 pound asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces, woody ends discarded 1 cup curly parsley, washed well, stems removed, and finely chopped 3 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 1 lemon, zest and juice Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes Pinch each of salt and ground black pepper 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese for garnish

Preparation Cook the orzo according to package directions and drain, reserving 1/4 cup of cooking liquid. While the orzo cooks, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for a few minutes. Add the asparagus and sauté another 3 minutes or until asparagus is just tender. Remove from the heat and add the reserved cooking liquid, parsley, mint, garlic, lemon zest and juice and red pepper flakes. Mix together with the hot orzo. Season with salt and pepper and garnish the individual servings with Parmesan. Serve warm. Serving Suggestion Add 2 tablespoons of sliced olives or oil-cured sundried tomatoes for a more complex flavor. Or skip the orzo, and serve the asparagus gremolata over couscous or quinoa with lemon wedges. Nutritional Information 556 calories, 12 g. fat, 17 mg. cholesterol, 336 mg. sodium, 93 g. carbohydrate, 6 g. fiber, 23 g. protein

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop Find more recipes and information about your food and where it comes from at www.strongertogether.coop. THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE | 9

Bake some chicken, and jazz it up with some hummus with avocado, capers and olives for a slider that keeps the party going. Ever’man Cafe carries a variety of house-made hummus such as Roasted Pepper Hummus, Garlic Hummus as well as Boar’s Head ‘s Roasted Pine Nut Hummus and Artichoke & Spinach Hummus! For a special kick, try some of the almond dips that are found in the cooler on Aisle 1. Ingredients 4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Avocado Hummus Chicken Sliders Preparation 1. Heat oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a sheet pan. 2. Cut each chicken breast portion in half to make two even, slider-sized portions and place the chicken on the pan. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and thyme. Roast for 20 minutes, until an instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a breast reads 165°F and the juices run clear. Cool the chicken on a rack until cool enough to handle. 3. Halve the avocado, remove the pit, and cut the flesh, still inside the skin, into dice and scoop into a medium bowl. Add hummus, capers and olives and stir. 4. On each bun, place a couple of spinach leaves, a piece of chicken, and top with about 3 tablespoons of the hummus mixture. Cover with the top half of the bun, using a toothpick to hold it together, if desired. Place sliders on a platter and serve.

1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 cup prepared hummus 1/2 large avocado 1 tablespoon capers, drained 2 large Kalamata olives, chopped 8 whole wheat slider buns or whole wheat dinner rolls 16 spinach leaves 10 | THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE

Nutritional Information 10 calories, 6 g. fat, 50 mg. cholesterol, 430 mg. sodium, 19 g. carbohydrate, 4 g. fiber, 22 g. protein

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop Find more recipes and information about your food and where it comes from at www.strongertogether.coop.

Plant-Based Protein Are you looking to work some protein supplements into your diet? If whey and other dairy-sourced proteins do not work for you, plant-based protein is a good starting point, and we carry a variety of brands, flavors, and formulas to meet every dietary restriction. As a meal replacement, each organic and non-GMO 22g serving of Garden of Life brand Raw Organic Protein (vegan, dairy & soy free), or 20g scoop of their Raw Protein Greens (raw & vegan; gluten, dairy, and soy-free) can be the core of a healthy, simple, and filling breakfast, or light lunch. Protein powders are also a great way to manage your hunger throughout the day as a mid-morning or afternoon snack. A good dose of protein also promotes muscle growth and repair when taken before and/or after a workout. And, each of these comes in a variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, vanilla with chai, or unflavored (and without Stevia). Donâ€™t let the larger tubs of these products keep you from trying themâ€”we also carry single servings of each product so that you can find the formula and flavor that best suits your dietary and lifestyle needs without having to commit to multiple servings. Or, let our highly knowledgeable staff in the Wellness Department walk you through the entire line of products to help you make that initial decision!

THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE | 11

Local Highlight: Super TeenieGreenies While browsing the salad greens in our produce section, you may have noticed our current selection of microgreens, grown by local farm the Santa Rosa Place (of the same county). Theirs is a farm dedicated to providing local, clean, and sustainable superfoods to the Gulf Coast. The owner and farmer, Virginia Batés, first started farming with her grandfather at the age of 10 and never lost a passion for the land. After several nonfarming walks of life, during which she discovered microgreens, she spent two years researching and studying them as a viable commercial crop.

The Santa Rosa Place grows several varieties of microgreens using hydroponic growing methods. They use an organic growing medium for the crops, grown from all non-GMO untreated seed without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides in a temperature-controlled grow house designed to optimize growth and nutrition. Microgreens are older than sprouts and younger than a baby green. The foods are a nutritional powerhouse, and considered a “superfood”. Ounce for ounce, microgreens provide more nutrients than many other natural foods. Low in carbohydrates, they are also naturally high in protein, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes and antioxidants. Virginia says, “Growing healthy food for the people of my community is the most rewarding thing I could imagine doing. I am beyond grateful to the community and local businesses, like Ever’man, for their choice to buy local.” And, Ever’man is thankful for the efforts of local farmers like Virginia, whose commitment to their craft allow us to best serve the demands of our members and customers.

Employee Spotlight: Frank Lopez, Ever’man Cafe Grocery Employee Can you share with us what prepared you to work at the Ever’man Grocery Department? I’ve been working at Ever’man for more than thirteen years now, and this was actually my first job when I entered the workforce. I think what led me here to begin with was the friendly and hard-working staff. These have certainly been big reasons for my staying. But, the pay is also good, along with my work schedule. I have seen a lot of changes in Ever’man since I started here—in the location and amenities offered by the store—but the reasons that attracted me to begin with have a lot to do with staying. And, with so many regular and long-time customers and members who shop here, seeing the same friendly faces on a regular basis helps as well.

12 | THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE

Tell us a little about your interests and how you spend your free time? I am an avid sportsman, in that I really enjoy going to the gun range, where my dad and I shoot a whole variety of firearms. I also enjoy archery—I have both a bow and crossbow that I shoot for target practice and sometimes use to hunt. With the numerous opportunities in the area for fishing, I really enjoy fishing at Pensacola Beach, where I’ve caught all kinds of fish over the years—including a few (small) sharks. I’ve been on fishing trips to South Florida, but we are lucky with so many great fishing spots basically in our backyards.

All About Organic They’re environmentally sound. Many conventional farming practices cost taxpayers billions of dollars in environmental damage and federal subsidies, while organic growers protect soil sustainability and water quality and contribute to biodiversity. They’re better for farmers. Organic farming protects the health and welfare of farm workers by limiting exposure to harmful synthetic pesticides, chemicals, and fertilizers. And organic farming, particularly when sustainable practices are used, better preserves and fortifies the land for farmers of future generations. They’re more humane. Animals on organic farms are typically treated more humanely.

So how do you tell if the products you’re buying are organic?

hen it comes to food, organic is a delicious way to eat well and support the environment. The key principle behind organic food is healthy soil. By acting as responsible stewards of their land, organic farmers create a cycle of healthy soil, growing healthy food for healthier people. And it’s clear from the tremendous growth of organic food—$1 billion in sales in 1990 to $43 billion in sales in 2016—that more and more people appreciate its value. Organic foods meet all government

safety standards that other foods must meet, plus the specific requirements outlined for organic certification. While foods that are grown organically may sometimes cost more, they also offer the kind of value you won’t find in conventionally grown foods.

Why eat organic foods? They’re healthier. Organic foods are grown without the use of GMO seeds, synthetic pesticides, chemicals, and fertilizers.

If a food is labeled as “made with organic ingredients,” it contains at least 70 percent organic content, while the label “organic” means that 95% or more of the ingredients are organic. In general, looking for the “USDA Organic” label is the best way to guarantee that the product has been grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), irradiation, antibiotics, or growth hormones. Organic growers avoid contamination during food processing, keep detailed records of their operations, and are likely to use sustainable growing methods. For more information on food terminology, head over to our Food Glossary. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop.

THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE | 13

Get More Out of Your Store Look for the Ever’man booth and our Community Outreach Assistant, Rob, at the Third Annual Emerald Coast Holistic Health Expo presented by Natural Awakenings, March 10 and 11 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach. At this region’s largest event focused on natural living and holistic wellness, guests will experience two days of learning, sharing and caring with cutting-edge exhibits

and presentations, a fair-trade natural-fiber fashion show, entertaining and transformative demos and more than 100 door prizes. Featured presentations include Stem Cell Therapy, Reflexology, Thermography, Functional Medicine, Nutrition and Natural Pain Management, as well as two panel discussions with local experts: Marijuana, Endocannabinoids and You: The Dawning of a New Era, and Aging Holistically.

Cooking Demo | April 14th 9am & 2pm Ever’man Educational Center

Ever’man Charity Eco-Friendly Bag Program

Join us for a grass fed beef cooking demonstration & learn best practices of regenerative agriculture and its health benefits. Special guest appearance from Bilal Sarwari, the Organic Garden Manager, at White Oak Pastures, our regional Meat & Seafood Department’s supplier of grass fed beef .

In support of our local community, we were proud to be the first to roll out a Charity Eco-Friendly Bag Program. Our program makes it easier than ever for members and customers to contribute to worthy community charities. For each ecofriendly bag used, Ever’man will donate 5¢ to a charity of the shopper’s choice. From March 1st through April 30th Ever’man is happy to announce that our Charity Eco-Friendly Bag Program donation options are:

United Way of Escambia County, Inc.

Giving help to our community members in need including a healthy meal. United Way, a local 501( c )(3) brings together agencies, businesses, organizations, faith-based groups, government and individuals to focus on the community problems that matter most.

Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc.

A member supported group whose focus is to protect and preserve our award winning state parks; to make them as accessible as possible to all; and to promote environmental education.

Save the Manatee® Club

A membership-based organization established in 1981 to protect manatees, Florida’s official state marine mammal. The Club’s mission is to protect endangered manatees and their aquatic habitat for future generations. Work focuses on public awareness and education and the sponsorship of research, rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts. 14 | THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE

Bringing Hemp Back Join Josh Hendrix on Monday, March 19th 4–5pm and 6–7pm at the Ever’man Educational Center. Josh Hendrix has the mission to help rebuild the US hemp industry. Over the years, he has been an influential member of various groups and associations that work to further education, farming opportunity and collaborations in the industry. Please purchase your ticket at Customer Service prior to the event. The cost of the ticket is $5 and the $5 ticket is to be used as a coupon when purchasing CBD oil.

More ways to save with Co+op Basics!

BBQ with Family

Spring gatherings are about the ultimate BBQ meal. To throw the best BBQ for your family and friends, pick up your BBQ essentials at Ever’man. We have a large selection of condiments to accompany any dish. Look for everyday low prices in our Co-op basics programs. Many Co-op Basic items such as Field Day are USDA certified organic and made in the USA. For those products that are not certified organic, Field Day remains committed to sourcing Non-GMO foods.

Field Day Ketchup 8 oz. Spectrum Mayonnaise 32 oz. Field Day Yellow Mustard 8 oz. Field Day Stone Ground Mustard 8 oz.

Disco+ver Earth Day

Why limit Earth Day celebrations to just April 22? Every day is Earth Day at your co-op! Celebrate the sustainably produced products that fill your co-op’s shelves all season with budget-friendly savings on earth-friendly products! Stop by the co-op to pick up your free copy today, and save over $50 on products like Clif Bar, Cascadian Farm, Organic India and Mrs. Meyer’s. The Discover coupon book includes recipes and sustainable entertaining tips, too! Look for coupon books beginning in March. Coupons are valid through April 30, 2018.

VER’MAN ANNIVERSARY SP E ! H T 7 ECIA L 11-1 I LS R P

BLOWOUT!

EVER’MAN SPECIALS

TREMENDOUS!

STELLAR!

EVER’MAN EVENTS

EPIC!

EVER’MAN DEMOS

EVER’MAN DEALS

WATCH FOR SOME GREAT NATURAL

ORGANIC LOCAL DEALS STOREWIDE! THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE | 15

Educational Center Class Descriptions MYTHOSOPHY®: What are myths, legends, and fables? Mythosophy® means the Wisdom of Myth. Come explore how hidden wisdom can be revealed in the old stories and the words we use. A transformational technique ‘Thinking Mythically’ will be offered. Cost: Complimentary. Natural Gardening & Spring Essentials:

Cooking Classes DEBBY’S KITCHEN: This is a

cooking class for the novice cook at any age! This class will be educational, fun and offer some basic knife and sauce skills to appeal to anyone. Bon Appetite! Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

SEED TO TABLE COOKING:

Join our gardener Cat for a cooking class featuring fresh harvest from our community garden. Cost: complimentary (you will just eat a sample, not a full meal)

Fitness Classes FUNKY FLOW YOGA: Funky

Flow is a creative hour with fun postures and music, combining yin and yang postures. Please wear comfortable clothing, all you need is yourself, a mat if you have one, and an open mind. Cost: complimentary.

VINYASA FLOW YOGA:

Vinyasa flow is the art of moving through a series of postures with the breath. This class is for all levels of practice. Please bring a mat. Cost: complimentary.

16 | THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE

PILATES MAT: Pilates engages the mind and body together to create exercises that involve the whole person. Pilates strengthens the core, improves balance, increases coordination and decreases stress! Cost: complimentary

Kids Classes Story Sprouts: Children ages

3-5 are invited to do arts & crafts, make a snack, and have story time. The classes are always creative and have an organic, environmental and local twist. Cost: complimentary.

STORY SEEDLINGS: Story seedlings builds on the foundations begun in Sprouts with emphasis on listening to a story or books. During each session, activities offered are: storytime for 4 to 8 yr olds, hands on healthy snack preparation, and arts & craft. Siblings under 10 are welcome to join and participate as they like! Cost: complimentary.

Info Classes ECUA RECYCLING: Jim Roberts, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) public information officer, will create public awareness and provide instruction on recommended environmental strategies. Cost: complimentary.

Spring is here! Come join us to learn how essential oils can help protect your harvest from our Florida pests. Learn how to make natural pesticides plus sunscreen, after-sun spray and more! Cost: complimentary.

Container Gardening Fundamentals with Paul Flores: Be a successful container gardener by learning about container selection, soil preparation, sowing seeds, transplanting and plant care in a hands-on, question friendly class with hand-outs. Cost: complimentary.

Support Groups CCFA: The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America offers a local support group where patients, family members, and caregivers can connect to others living with these digestive diseases. Cost: complimentary.

GAY GRASSROOTS: Gay Grassroots is a social, advocacy, and support meeting open to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons, as well as Straight Allies. Cost: complimentary. TRANSGENDER ALLIANCE: Come join fellow members of Pensacola’s transgender community. Share stories, support, and find fellowship among fellow transgender individuals. Cost: complimentary.

LA LECHE LEAGUE: Our

Mission is to help mothers breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. Cost: complimentary.

VETERAN’S MEETING: These monthly meetings focus on veteran services in our community. Cost: complimentary. LEAPS (Love, Encouragement, and Postpartum Support):

A self-care support group focused on helping moms connect and engage in activities that promote balance, stress management, and overall wellness. Guest speakers and self-care activities will be provided and are free of cost. Pre-crawling babies welcome. Cost: complimentary.

Wellness Classes MEDITATION FOR PLANETARY PEACE: A non-denominational meditation to bless humanity and shower Mother Earth with peaceful, healing energies. Followed by opportunity to receive mini energy healing session for physical, psychoemotional or stress issues. Cost: complimentary.

GROUP MEDITATION WORKSHOP:

A very simple, safe, scientific, non-denominational, world service group meditation with over 600 Transmission groups in 40 countries worldwide meeting on a regular basis. Cost: complimentary.

Third Thursday Inspirations:

A variety of alternatives for healing of the body, mind and spirit. Cost: complimentary.

Full Moon Meditation: Every month

around the time of the full moon people all over the world join together in groups to bless humanity and our planet. “The Great Invocation” is a world prayer invoking light, love and spiritual purpose into human consciousness. Cost: complimentary.

Natural Healing/Cancer Study:

Group that studies about the illness of cancer. Presentations are done through DVDs or by live speakers who share personal insights and experiences. Cost: complimentary.

Do you Want to Teach at our Educational Center?

Contact our Marketing Department at (850) 438-0402 ext. 17 or by e-mail: education@everman.org. Please note that the classes taught must fall within the guidelines of the Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe Ends Statement and you must have proof of qualifications. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Full calendar online at www.everman.org/events.

Cat McCreery If you have parked in the back parking lot of Ever’man Co-op, you have probably been pleased to find the Ever’man Community Teaching Garden flourishing with fresh herbs and lots of greens. Our community garden is plotted and maintained by Catherine McCreery (Cat) who uses heirloom plants and companion planting methods to keep our community garden thriving all year long. Cat is an heirloom specialist who utilizes seeds that have been passed down for generations within her family. This passing down of a plant’s seeds is what defines an heirloom plant, which is any variety of vegetable, herb or flower commonly grown in home gardens and by growers prior to World War II, after which hybrids were developed. Cat especially loves these heirloom varieties of plants because they have acclimatized to Pensacola’s unique weather and soil. This means heirloom plants become well adapted at living in certain areas so the next generations of plants are even better at functions like dealing with high heat or lots of direct sunlight. Often heirloom varieties of plants require less watering and less intensive care as they become used to a region’s specific environment. In addition to putting a lot of time, energy, and love into the community garden, Cat also teaches a monthly Seed to Table cooking class in the Ever’man Educational Center. Her Seed to Table cooking class utilizes fresh herbs, promotes nutrient-dense meals, and low-sugar dessert options. She is also very knowledgeable about cleansing with herbs, cooking with freshly picked ingredients and immune-boosting herbs and does a wonderful job sharing her knowledge with her classes. To learn more about the Ever’man Community Garden and her gardening methods, look for Cat in our community garden Monday mornings 8am-10am. Ever’man Educational Center 327 W. Garden St. Pensacola Fl. 32502 THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE | 17

Annie’s Soil Matters Compost/Garden Giveaway Promotion

What We Are Doing

Soil is critical to life on earth. More than 99% of our food comes from soil! And that’s not all – we rely on soil to clean and store water, support biodiversity and regulate our climate. To keep our planet healthy for future generations, we need to take care of our soil. Some agricultural practices, including overtilling, over-grazing and excessive chemical applications, are degrading our soil. Soil degradation leads to erosion and biodiversity loss, and it threatens our food supply. In the U.S., we’re losing soil 10x faster than the natural replenishment rate. 18 | THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE

As part of the food industry, we recognize that agriculture contributes to some of our most pressing sustainability challenges, and we believe that the most promising solutions start with healthy soil. We are on a journey to bring soil back to life through regenerative agriculture.

How It Works

Regenerative agricultural practices work with nature to pull carbon from the air and store it in the soil, where it nourishes a network of life. By sequestering carbon underground, regenerative practices can reduce the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere! Regenerative practices include: composting, cover crops, extended crop rotations, no- or low-till, and perennial crops, among others.

At Annie’s, all of our food begins with soil. We have a long history of supporting soil health through organic agriculture, and now we’re amplifying our commitment to soil by advancing regenerative practices that enhance resilience and diversity. We’re learning from scientists, farmers, and nonprofit organizations, and we’re exploring new ways to source ingredients and measure impact.

What You Can Do

Keep learning! Educate yourself and your family about why soil matters. Ask questions about how your food is grown. Compost at home. Support regenerative farmers… And join us on our regenerative journey! Sign up at http://www.annies.com/farm-to-yum/soilmatters to stay involved. This Earth Day, we want to make it easier to take care of the soil in your own yard! From 4/18 to 5/1, you can enter to win Annie’s Compost & Gardening Kit, valued at $90. Visit our co-op from 4/18 to 5/1, and ask your friendly co-op staff how to enter!

Spring Sweet Spring Time to Adopt-A-Manatee

AUDITIONS FOR THE 2018-2019 SEASON: Grades 3 - 8, Saturday, May 12, 9 - 12 PM Grades 9 - 12, Sunday, May 13, 1 - 4 PM

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: The Bear Family Foundation Johnson Supply Company

Cat Country 98.7FM/News Radio 1620AM WEAR TV3/WFGX TV35 Ballinger Publishing

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Monday - Saturday 7:00AM - 9:00PM Sunday 9:00AM - 8:00PM 315 W. Garden Street · Pensacola, Florida 32502 850.438.0402 · everman.org