August 2017

With an aim to inspire families to eat at home together more often, we are proud to celebrate National Family Meals Month™ in September!  During September, we encourage families to share one more meal together per week and we will highlight simple, healthy meal solutions to help make that happen. Did you know that numerous studies underscore the long-term health, academic and societal benefits of consistently eating together as a family?  Home-cooked meals nourish the spirit, brain and health of all family members.  Not to mention, people who frequently cook at home eat fewer, healthier calories.' Additionally, regular family meals are linked to the kinds of outcomes that we all want for our children: higher grades and self-esteem, healthier eating habits and less risky behavior. However, according to a 2013 Harris poll, only 30 percent of American families share dinner every night.

New gluten-free pastas are available in our grocery department. Banza Chickpea Pastas In 2013 Brian Rudolph began experimenting in his small apartment to create pasta made primarily from chickpeas. His obsession turned into the start of the Banza brand. Since then Banza has harnessed the power of chickpeas to create pastas that are higher in fiber and protein than traditional noodles, and without all the carbs. We now carry the following chickpea pastas: White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Classic Cheddar Mac and Cheese Shells and Cheese Deluxe Rich and Creamy Cheddar Elbows Penne Banza Chickpea Pastas are also certified non-GMO, gluten-free and kid friendly! Explore Cuisine While exploring in China, Joe Spronz recognized the need for healthier pasta alternatives. The idea came to him while enjoying soybean noodles regularly on his trip. He returned to the states and started the Explore Cuisine brand. We now carry

Box Tops has helped local schools earn over $800 million for things like helping build playgrounds, installing computer labs, and funding other programs that enrich their school communities since 1996, and are featured on some of your favorite Natural and Organic brands like—Food Should Taste Good Chips, Cascadian Farm Cereal, and Cascadian Farm Granola Bars. We’ve always placed great importance on listening to our consumers. After learning that over 90% of Annie’s consumers wanted Box Tops on Annie’s packages*, we’re pleased to announce that you can now find Box Tops on many of Annie’s products including: mac & cheese, fruit snacks, cereal, frozen snacks, granola bars, and more. Help us continue to help schools earn cash, by clipping Box Tops! From August 16th to August 29th, visit our store to find specially marked packages with Box Tops for Education.  You can take home

Join us Wednesday, August 16 through Saturday, August 19, 2017 for a Cheese Party! Each day we will have different samplings and demonstrations at the kiosk. Try Local Cheese Favorites Sample Wisconsin-made cheese varieties including Pasture Pride “Juusto” Baked Cheese, Deer Creek Cheddar Cheeses and Widmer Aged Cheddar Cheeses. Try New Artisanal Alpine-Style Cheeses Made locally in Wisconsin, these Alpine-Style cheeses are crafted by innovative chefs and cheesemakers at Yellow Door Creamery. We will be bringing in their Abondance-inspired “Monteau” and Gruyere-inspired “Altu” Cheese varieties for the party. Experience an Aged Cheddar Cheese Progression The aging (or ripening) of cheese allows the flavor and texture to develop. Different types of cheeses have different factors to consider when ripening like temperature, humidity and handling processes. The quality and type of milk also plays a huge factor in the aging process.  Come experience and taste the difference between

Next Thursday, August 10 is National S’mores Day, and to celebrate we will be sampling s’mores at the kiosk from 11am – 1pm! A S’more is the perfect combination of a toasted marshmallow that is squished between two crispy graham crackers topped with chocolate squares. Who can resist these warm, gooey, and crunchy messes? S’mores Origin Although the origin is unknown, the first documented “some more” recipe can be found in the publication of “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” from 1927. They were named “some more” because you could never really eat just one.  It wasn’t until 1971 where the name was shortened to S’more and the rest is history! Today, S’mores can be considered a seasonal staple during the warm summer months when campfires can be found in just about everyone’s backyard. Usually campfire conversation leads to discussing the perfect way

Sunday, August 6th is National Root Beer Float Day, and what better way to celebrate than coming into Valley Natural Foods and visiting our demo kiosk from 11am - 1pm. We will be serving up refreshing samples of this summer favorite using Alden’s Ice Cream and Hansen’s Creamy Root Beer. Alden’s Organic Ice Cream is committed to making ice cream with no GMO’s, no artificial flavorings or colorings, no artificial growth hormones or antibiotics, no carrageenan and no high fructose corn syrup. Hansen’s Sodas are new to Valley Natural Foods and are free from artificial flavors, sodium and caffeine and are sweetened with real cane sugar and natural flavors. Hansen’s Creamy Root Beer is just that; creamy, delicious and refreshing! Origins of the Root Beer Float Ever wondered how the Root Beer Float came about? Well we did a little research and found