Cultivate Fall 2021

FALL 2021

ABOUT OUR NEW MURAL

A CLOSER LOOK AT FA I R T R A D E

AN INTERVIEW WITH ROSE STREET PAT I S S E R I E

TWIN CITIES C O - O P PA R T N E R S LEADERSHIP TEAM JOSH RESNIK CEO DEB KERMEEN CFO JAMES COLLINS Senior Director of Supply Chain ADAM GOWER Director of Human Resources

Sculpture by Aaron Nytroe, Linden Hills Co-op Grocery Manager.

Find the artist on Instagram at @nytroeaaron to see more of his work.

that keeps families fed with nutritious foods, one where farmers are paid fairly, and food is grown in a way that nourishes the soil rather than depletes it. Our Fairtrade partners are carrying out this vision through relationships with small-scale farmers, distributors and retailers across the globe. This fall, we’re shining a light on the Fairtrade products in our stores and the stories behind them.

Read on to learn what Fairtrade means and why it matters. Also, get inspired by local people making delicious food. we envision a food system

STEVE SHARE EMILY ANDERSON LEA REIMANN

DOUG PETERSON Senior Director of Retail Operations AMY FREESE Director of Marketing

P U B L I C AT I O N CONTRIBUTORS LEIGH MCCARREN Ownership and Outreach Specialist AINSLEY JENSEN Marketing Specialist RESONATE Design and Art Direction ANDRÉS PÉREZ Photography

2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS SARITA PARIKH JANE SCHOMMER TOM PIERSON

REBECCA LEE Senior Director of Purchasing and Merchandising

LISA FITTIPALDI SOPHIA NELSON JULIAN KORGER

LOCAL FACE MASK PROCEEDS SUPPORT AID ORGANIZATIONS Local company Fair Anita works with artisans worldwide to create unique and affordable jewelry and facemasks that support women around the world. One hundred percent of their handmade facemask sales are donated to organizations that support individuals who have been impacted by the pandemic. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, TCCP has sold over 3,600 masks and in turn donated almost $11,000 to organizations who need it most!

2021 ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTION

NEW & NOW Our annual co-op owner meeting is Thursday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.

Join us for a celebratory evening with co-op leaders, local vendors, musicians, and nonprofit partners.

The annual co-op election is happening now! Cast your vote to fill the open seats on the board and help choose December’s Change Matters partner. Voting closes during the annual owner meeting at 6:30 p.m.

LEARN MORE AND CAST YOUR VOTE AT TCCP.COOP

PAPER BAG FEE In November of 2019, Minneapolis’ City Council approved a 5¢ bag fee for paper and plastic bags at retail stores.

When the bag fee was enacted, we saw approximately a 50% reduction in paper bag use. This initiative was put on hold when the pandemic began but was reinstated in our stores on Oct. 1. Customers are now charged a nickle for handled bags given out at our checkout lanes. Shoppers who use SNAP/EBT or WIC are exempt from the fee.

CO-OP COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS NOVEMBER EVENT Thursday, Nov. 18, 6:30-8 p.m.

Save the date for the fourth event in our Co-op Community Conversations series in partnership with Eastside, Seward and Mississippi Market Co-ops. Join us for a conversation and celebration of the contributions, cultures, traditions, and histories of Native people in Minnesota. Stay tuned at tccp.coop for more information.

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TWIN ORGANICS LEADING PRODUCE SUPPLIER In 2018, Twin Cities Co-op Partners sold the former Gardens of Eagan property to Jacob and Andrew Helling, the owners of Twin Organics. This growing season, Twin Organics was one of our top sources of farmer-direct produce for the Wedge and Linden Hills Co-op.

We’re proud to support their farm and the vitality of their land by sourcing their quality organic produce for our customers.

SIGN UP FOR CO-OP PERKS to receive extra savings and coupons digitally! We’re making it easier to save at the co-op.

Update your preferences at tccp.coop/digital-opt-in

Why does fairtrade matter?

Around the globe, farming is the single largest occupation.

Yet, many farmers live on less than $2 per day. The injustices farmers face exist because of historical inequalities, many of which were solidified during the Colonial era and continue to through today.

Purchasing Fairtrade certified products directly addresses those injustices and brings us closer to an equitable future.

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Photography provided

by Fairtrade America

Through a unique pricing model, rigorous standards, support networks, and creating demand for ethically produced goods, Fairtrade organizations are building a better system for imported products.

BETTER FOR

BETTER FOR

BETTER FOR

A Fairtrade model ensures that farmers are guaranteed fair wages and safe working conditions.

Fairtrade standards also address gender equality, child labor and worker rights.

Fairtrade organizations help farmers implement environmental standards that protect the local ecosystem. They also incentivize farmers to become certified organic by offering additional support funds to farms with both a Fairtrade and organic certification.

When something is Fairtrade certified, consumers know that the dollars spent on that product are going to small-scale farmers, investing in equality and worker rights, and creating a more sustainable future.

THE PEOPLE

THE PLANET

THE PRODUCT

ABOUT OUR MURALIST The new mural at the Wedge Co-op was painted by talented Twin Cities muralist, Reggie LeFlore. We sat down with Reggie to learn more about him and his recent works.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PAINTING MURALS IN THE TWIN CITIES? I've been painting murals and taking part in public art projects in the Twin Cities since 2016, starting with Intermedia Arts and the Hennepin Theatre Trust.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MURAL YOU’VE DONE? My recent faves have been with the X Games and Ua Si Creative projects, but I really enjoyed the reception behind The Afrocentric Spectrum. The concept honors the vast spectrum of Blackness told through the stories of two characters—a demigoddess whose Black history had been wiped away and a mortal man who's essentially a vessel of Black knowledge in modern times. It was painted in 2020, a time that was incredibly challenging for Black folks, so it felt good to paint something positive and not so triggering.

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOUR MURALS AROUND TOWN? I have quite a few spread out throughout the Twin Cities—Two in Uptown Black Lives Matter, All Year Round at Lake and Lyndale, and a commission done inside the Moxy Hotel), one that's depicting a group of Twin Cities kids over on 16th and Lake, a mural in Saint Paul (The Afrocentric Spectrum), and two recently finished murals in downtown Minneapolis (an X Games mural) and in Bloomington (a collaborative mural done with Ua Si Creative).

DOES YOUR ART TYPICALLY HAVE SPECIFIC MESSAGES OR THEMES? The central theme involves the references of “everyday people.” I try to tell a story about the various cultures and identities of the people I paint, which usually ends up becoming a collaborative process as I learn more about the folks I'm depicting.

WHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN DOING THE MURAL PROJECT AT THE WEDGE? This project falls in line with the types of work I want to take part in, which involves using my talents to uplift others’ stories through largescale portraits. This one is special because it depicts a young banana farmer who realizes his overall impact among the world, as well as his surroundings and the folks that came before him. There’s a lot to learn from Johnny’s experiences.

LEARN MORE ABOUT REGGIE AND HIS WORK RAL86.COM

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DISCOVER THESE POPULAR ITEMS WITH FAIRTRADE INGREDIENTS.

ORGANIC INDIA TURMERIC FORMULA

A customer favorite for joint health, an antiinflammatory and pancreatic and liver support.

Organic India works with a network of over 3,000 farms throughout India. All farms use organic, bio-regenerative agriculture and have enjoyed social, environmental, and economic recovery as a result.

ALAFFIA EVERYDAY SHEA UNSCENTED BODY LOTION

An excellent everyday lotion for keeping skin soft and moisturized during the cold months ahead.

Alaffia’s shea and coconut butter are Fairtrade certified through ECOCERT. Alaffia pays 15-25% above market price for shea nuts. Cooperative members also receive a salary more than 3x the average family income in Togo.

EQUAL EXCHANGE FRENCH ROAST COFFEE 6

DR. BRONNER’S 18-IN-1 PEPPERMINT PURE-CASTILE SOAP

Co-op shoppers love this simple castile soap scented with organic peppermint oil, leaving skin feeling cool and refreshed!

Dr. Bronner’s is committed to building relationships with organic farmers and producers to create equitable supply chains. They guarantee fair prices for farmers, living wages and excellent working conditions, and respect for the Earth and its people.

Our top-selling Equal Exchange coffee. A dark and nutty classic, great for starting your day on a positive note.

Equal Exchange partners with democratically run farmer co-ops around the world to source their products. Their coffee beans are purchased from 23 cooperatives in 12 countries.

We’re proud to carry a variety of Fairtrade certified products.

Look for a Fairtrade certified label to guarantee that your purchase supports small-scale farmers and workers around the globe.

EQUAL EXCHANGE ORGANIC EARL GREY TEA

EQUAL EXCHANGE BANANAS

Equal Exchange bananas come from three organic farmer cooperatives in Peru and Ecuador. The farmers in the co-op share resources, capital, and knowledge which helps them leverage their resources and gain access to a global market.

The Equal Exchange bananas you find at the co-op are ripened to perfection at our very own Co-op Partners Warehouse.

A feel-good alternative to a classic cup of tea. Perfect for a cozy fall afternoon.

This blend includes tea grown by a community of small-scale landowners committed to environmental preservation.

The organization that processes their tea grants market access to small farmers so that they can stay on the land, provide strong livelihoods for their families, and maintain healthy and vibrant communities.

ENDANGERED SPECIES ALMONDS + SEA SALT + DARK CHOCOLATE BAR This decadent treat features Californiagrown almonds and a pinch of sea salt.

Endangered Species uses only Fairtrade certified cocoa beans from the Ivory Coast of West Africa. Other ingredients are Fairtrade certified when possible.

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Who’s on the Mural?

Johnny is featured on our new mural on the outside of the Lyndale Avenue side of the Wedge.

O F A S O G UA B O

My grandfather, Jacinto Gabriel Aquim Ruiz, dedicated his life to agriculture, specifically to banana and fruits production. He told me that, before agricultura was different. It was harder work because they didn’t have the technology we have now, they had to carry the banana bunches on their shoulders for long distances and they sold them in bunches. When I was a kid, I liked to wake up early and accompany my grandpa to the ports and to walk around the plantations. Besides, I liked to plant many different fruit plants.

At school I was interested in biology, and my teachers made me the chemistry lab‘s assistant because I was very responsible. When I was finishing high school, I took the responsibility to have a property of 0.95 hectares that my parents bought for me so I could work and learn more about the field. When I started, it was very hard because I didn’t have a place to deliver my boxes and I didn´t have a stable price. I entered AsoGuabo in my last year of high school, but at that time they didn´t have their own infrastructure. Following my grandpa’s advice, I also planted fruit trees to have something else to eat besides bananas. I studied aquaculture engineering at the university. I learned about microorganisms that can be used as probiotics and about organic production

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and then changed my production to organic.

Once I graduated, I started to work on many projects to combine aquaculture with agriculture.

I also saw changes at AsoGuabo. I saw many improvements, including having our own building, giving food supplies and a Christmas bonus.

Additionally, we have school benefits for producers.

Now with Edwin Melo as president, we have seen other benefits. We have a bio factory, we produce our own fertilizer and recycle plastic, we have medical care, improved packing and fertilizing cycles, and many benefits for members. I feel very happy to have seen the change of AsoGuabo, and I am very proud to be part of this association.

AsoGuabo is a farmer-run cooperative with 350 small-scale banana farmers.

Each farmer is committed to improving quality of life for themselves and their communities.

The bananas you find at the co-op come from Equal Exchange.

In addition to earning a fair price for their bananas, the co-op receives a Fair-Trade social premium that members voted to spend on education, health care, retirement, environmental projects and infrastructure improvements. Additionally, AsoGuabo is giving back to the local and global community by sharing their highly successful cooperative model with other producer groups in Ecuador and throughout the world.

Equal Exchange partners with banana farmer co-ops to source organic Fairtrade bananas at fair prices.

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We’re thrilled to be partnering with Rose Street Patrisserie & Patisserie 46 to offer their delicious breads and decadent desserts at our stores. Co-owner John Kraus leads a team of incredibly skilled bakers (including some former Wedge bakery employees!) to create world-class breads, pastries and desserts in their bakery every day. We recently met with John to get the story behind the incredible baked goods that come out of their patisseries.

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Photography provided by Rose Street Patisserie

time, they can also find a delicious local cheese or some apples grown nearby makes us happy, too.

Reward yourself for a job well done with a piece of our chocolate cake, too. We think it’s pretty good, and other folks seem to agree—it took second place at the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in Paris a few years back.

SOME OF THE FORMER WEDGE BAKERY EMPLOYEES RECENTLY JOINED YOUR TEAM, HOW ARE YOU INCORPORATING THEIR SKILLS AND EXPERTISE INTO YOUR BUSINESS?

john kraus HEAD CHEF

Elizabeth Rose CEO

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START BAKING AND OPEN A PATISSERIE? I began my career working at a variety of restaurants in London, Nashville, and Chicago, and had been an instructor at the French Pastry School in Chicago for 10 years. I loved that so much, but I began to dream about having a space of my own, a neighborhood gathering place where people could come together, take a break from the day, and enjoy conversation over a great cookie or coffee and a pastry—maybe run into a neighbor or two, catch up a bit. That’s what I remember from the bakery in my hometown growing up, and that really is what it’s all about to me.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BRING YOUR BREADS, PASTRIES AND DESSERTS TO A RETAIL SETTING? People have been asking for this for a long time— and while we do sell to quite a few restaurants throughout the Twin Cities, we love this idea of having our products so accessible. Of course, we love when people come to Patisserie 46 or Rose Street Patisserie as a destination, whether it’s to buy a baguette, pick up lunch, or choose a dessert to mark a special occasion. But knowing that someone can add one of our breads to their grocery cart or grab a treat to bring home while they’re making their regular visit to the co-op is really great. Knowing that at the same

We feel fortunate to add these talented folks to our team; sharing our skills and experience with one another has strengthened our team. This is how we ensure the future of our craft—through sharing and learning. Not only do they bring important knowledge from their past experience, but just as importantly, a love of the co-op model and its rich history. The co-op was created by the community, and we are building our own community of chefs and bakers right here. We recently began offering the customer-favorite sourdough boule and challah which are available now at the co-op!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR BREADS TO SOMEONE WHO HAD NEVER HAD THEM BEFORE? We focus on the flavors of the wheat so we can highlight the hard work of the farmers and the millers of the Upper Midwest. We want to provide a well-balanced loaf of bread, one that brings those ingredients and their origin to the front. Like wine, the wheat tells the story of the terroir, or the land that it came from.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BREAD YOU MAKE? The Miche! It’s my favorite loaf of bread—it’s made using local grains from a local miller, Wisconsin Wheat.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY A FRESHLY BAKED LOAF OF ROSE STREET BREAD? You have to try it at room temperature, so you really taste it. Then I like to toast it with some great local butter and a sprinkle of sea salt. That’s all you need!

OK, well, house-made apricot jam is pretty great, too.

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autumn apple tartine INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

1 loaf of Rose Street Miche

Cut the Miche loaf into slices, depending on your preferred thickness, and toast it. A toaster or broiler works well.

A small piece or 1/2 cup crumbles of your favorite local Blue Cheese (I recommend local Northern Lights raw milk blue.)

1 Honeycrisp or First Kiss Apple 1 Jar of Rose Street Christmas Jam (Coming to our stores soon!)

1 cup microgreens (I like basil, but cilantro would be great, too) 2 pinches of Maldon Sea Salt

Slice the apple into small, thin strips.

Spread a generous portion of Christmas Jam on the toasted Miche slices.

Sprinkle with Blue cheese.

Add the sliced apple.

FIND A COZY SPOT TO SIT AND SAVOR ALL OF THE LOVELY FLAVORS WORKING THEIR MAGIC TOGETHER!

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Top with a few microgreens.

Finish with a dash of Maldon Sea Salt.

Elizabeth and I look forward to apple season, cooler temps, and the arrival of our Christmas Jam—it has a wonderful balance between sweet and tart with a blend of cranberries, strawberries, oranges, and seasonal spices, as well as pecans, walnuts, and almonds. This Tartine is just a great seasonal treat—it’s a nice mix of flavors and textures, and it’s fantastic as an appetizer, lunch, or a perfect little snack.

It reminds us that the seasons are changing, and the holidays are coming, which makes me happy because that’s my very favorite time of year.

FOR A LIMITED TIME

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immigrants working in

local food Through the next three issues of Cultivate, we’ll spotlight one of these business owners and share a recipe that reminds them of home.

HEAR NAIMA’S STORY

Naima Dhore

is a first-generation farmer, activist, and educator committed to community building and looking after Mother Earth. She is the program director at Somali American Farmers Association and owner of Naima’s Farm LLC, where she supports the next generation of Somali-American farmers. naima is passionate about organic farming and inspiring future

farmers, specifically people from immigrant communities in Minnesota. As a director, Naima’s vision comes from the lack of access disadvantaged communities have to farmers’ markets. By addressing this disparity, Naima is able to help those facing food insecurity while continuing to educate immigrant communities by providing nutrition workshops at public forums about sustainable agricultural practices and organic farming techniques. At these forums, she also spreads awareness about healthy eating habits and the impact organic farming has on the community and across the state of Minnesota.

Photography provided by Naima and Green Card Voices 14

Green Card Voices is a local nonprofit organization that uplifts the stories of immigrants living in the Twin Cities and around the US. We’re thrilled to be partnering with them to tell the stories of three local immigrants who own local food business in the Twin Cities: Naima Dhore of Naima’s Farm and Somali American Farmers Association, Ruhel Islam of Gandhi Mahal and Curry in a Hurry, and Belén Rodriguez of Quebracho Empanadas. In September, they joined us for a virtual panel discussion about the immigrant experience in our community, owning a food business and weathering through the pandemic and civil unrest of 2020.

Watch a recording of that event on our website at tccp.coop.

Naima’s “Hilib Ari” Hilib Ari is traditionally made with goat meat, but the co-op's beef stew meat works just as well.

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

One pound beef stew meat 2 tsp. of salt 2 tsp. oil 2 red onions 2 cloves garlic 2 tsp. curry powder 2 tsp. cumin powder Handful of cilantro and parsley

Boil the meat until fully cooked and tender. Strain the water.

Add fresh herbs to the pot and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Add salt, oil, onion, and garlic.

Then stir in cumin and curry powder.

Serve with rice or Somali bread, Sabaayad.

Dec. 6, 2021 – Jan. 2, 2022 10% off one purchase: 12/27/21 – 1/2/22 SPRING OWNER CELEBRATION

Mar. 7 – Apr. 3, 2022 10% off one purchase: 3/28/22 – 4/3/22 SUMMER OWNER CELEBRATION

May 23 – June 19, 2022 10% off one purchase: 6/13/22 – 6/19/22

your bustling, vibrant urban market 2105 Lyndale Ave. S. Mpls., MN 55405 612 871 3993

LINDEN HILLS CO-OP your friendly neighborhood store 3815 Sunnyside Ave. Mpls., MN 55410 612 922 1159 tccp.coop PLEASE RECYCLE Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission.

The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the board, management, staff or member-owners of Wedge Community Co-op or Linden Hills Co-op. Nutrition and health information given is for educational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for a consultation with a licensed health or dietary practitioner.

Wedge Community Co-op 2105 Lyndale Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55405

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