We have a drive thru!
Over the last six years she has been working as a deli shift lead, Sandy is amazed at the amount of food the co-op’s little kitchen produces and the large
amount of customers it is able to serve daily.
Now she feels the deli’s breakfast options, which include breakfast sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, and hot oatmeal, fill a nice niche that was missing before. It pleases Sandy how the co-op seeks to meet more and more needs over time, which relates to the store’s mission of helping to create a healthy community.
And when you are driving to work in the morning, hopefully the deli’s breakfast options can meet your need for food fast! The deli’s drive thru opens at 6:30 a.m. Monday thru Saturday and at 8:00 a.m. on Sundays. Besides the breakfast options already mentioned, you can also stop by to get your coffee, juice, smoothies, and any scones, muffins, or cookies in the drive thru too.
One other thing Sandy feels is missing in the world of fast food is gluten-free options. The deli offers its breakfast sandwiches in gluten-free versions using Glutino English muffins found at the co-op.
Not only are the deli’s gluten-free breakfast options unique, but so is the department’s commitment to using high quality, organic, local, and clean ingredients in all of its products. Finding healthy fast food can be challenge but Valley Natural Foods strives to make it possible. The co-op’s breakfast offerings are made using ingredients found at the co-op, which also include Rudi’s whole wheat English muffins, Larry Schultz eggs (Owatonna, MN), Beeler’s bacon (Le Mars, IA), local Wisconsin cheeses, and bulk granola.
In addition, these high quality products are also available at a fair price.
“You are able to drive up and get a cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich for under five dollars; that’s a neat deal!” says Sandy. “It’s fairly hearty and substantial too.”
Another hearty option is the deli’s hot organic oatmeal, which customers can customize from a list of topping options.
“We don’t just offer milk and oatmeal; there are some really high quality topping options customers can choose from which I don’t think other fast food places offer,” Sandy adds. “We have almond milk, raisins, flaxseeds, walnuts, almonds, dried cranberries, maple syrup, protein powder, brown sugar, and more. It’s something hot and it has some bulk to it!”
However, if you are looking for something lighter, the yogurt parfait is the way to go.
“The yogurt parfait looks so neat. It contains fresh raspberries, granola from our bulk department and yogurt in a plastic package with three separate containers,” says Sandy.
Sandy relays how the parfait is packed with nutrients as raspberries are high in antioxidants and have less sugar than other fruits, the granola contains healthy grains and the yogurt is a nice blend of protein and probiotics.
When it comes to the deli’s juice and java bar, what really warm’s Sandy’s heart is when she sees children sharing juice drinks with their parents.
“They share the juice and sometimes they even say their kids don’t even like sugary drinks,” Sandy exclaims. “They have been growing up on green juices or fruit juices and they don’t have those cravings for other things. It’s just neat that they are being exposed to that so early in life.”
It just so happens too that the deli’s green lemonade, made from kale, celery, ginger, lemon and apples, and the number five, the Bunny Blues, made from carrot juice, blueberries, and bananas, are two of Sandy’s favorite drinks. Being dairy-free, she loves that the juice and java bar is able to switch out skim milk for milk alternatives such as coconut or almond.
“The green lemonade is the best drink. I even love making it because of the ginger and lemon smell! It has some wonderful, cleansing ingredients,” says Sandy.
The deli’s breakfast options, including the breakfast sandwiches, yogurt parfaits and oatmeal, are available until 10:00 a.m. Monday through Friday or until supplies last. Brunch is served every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and Sunday starting at 10:00 a.m. in the deli’s hot bar.
