North
Farm News
April 2001
Published
bimonthly by North Farm Cooperative for its customers/members. To submit
original articles or provide feedback, please e-mail the Editor, Norma
Woods.
In This Issue:
North
Farm Improves Returns Policy
Gaylord
is Not Coming!
New
Flavors, Products, Brands
Member Forum: Answers
& Questions
North Farm Staff Picks From
the Driver's Seat
A Fuller Life is a Better Life
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Why Come to the General
Membership
Meeting? by Bill Lathrop,
General Manager
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North Farm Cooperative will be 30 years old on December 18, 2001. This year's General Membership Meeting (GMM) will include the celebration of 30 years of providing natural and organic food and products to members.
If it is possible for you to join us in Madison May 18 and 19, nothing would make us happier. Each year, the GMM is the single most important event for North Farm Cooperative. The GMM provides what is often the only opportunity for the Board and the North Farm staff to meet face to face with you and to hear your concerns and suggestions.
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North Farm's GMM Team began planning this year's event last August. All have worked hard to make it worthy of your time.
The GMM begins Friday, May 18, with a guided herb walk, warehouse tours and opening reception picnic. This year's picnic will be held at Olin Park, one of the most beautiful parks in Madison, overlooking Lake Monona, the new Monona Terrace Convention Center (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) and the Capitol.
On Saturday, May 19, we conduct our annual Business Meeting and vote for new Board Members. Our keynote speaker, anti-GMO activist Ronnie Cummins, is National Director of the Organic Consumers Association. Ronnie is a great speaker with a powerful message—be sure to hear him!
Saturday will also include the best selection of workshops ever offered at our GMM. We feature workshops on hydration, reflexology accommodating food allergies, cooking with natural foods and a women's health forum.
One of the most popular reasons to attend the GMM is the Natural Products Show. This is your chance to sample and learn about the products offered by North Farm and meet with manufacturers. Many of the products sampled at the show are also available for purchase at deeply discounted "show deal" prices.
If all that makes you tired, please stop by the massage booths. We will have certified massage therapists on site Saturday afternoon.
North Farm Cooperative was founded by people who wanted to buy natural and organic food and environmentally safe products at an affordable price. In 1971 we were at the forefront of the natural foods movement. For 30 years we have helped people lead healthier lives and find we are now "mainstream" and more relevant than ever. Not only a distributor of healthy foods and products, North Farm continues to inform and instruct our members on nutrition and healthy living through our sales force, newsletters, regional meetings, Web site and our General Membership Meeting and Natural Products Show.
Despite all the work of our staff in preparing for the GMM, it will not be a success without you. You are the reason for all the work. And without you, it will be impossible to pass on the traditions which inspired, built and have sustained this Cooperative for 30 years.
The top ten reasons to attend our GMM:
• To learn more about the business you own.
• To see how beautiful Madison is in May.
• To learn more about NF-One.
• To celebrate our 30 years in business.
• To strengthen your cooperative spirit.
• To sample lots of free products from our vendors.
• To enjoy camaraderie with other members.
• To voice your concerns to North Farm Staff and Board Members.
• To be inspired to buy and use healthier products.
• To be entertained and have lots of fun.
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North Farm Improves Returns
Policy
by Becky Sonstrom,
Sales and Member Services Manager
We are seeing an increase in the number of returns and requests for credit and also varying interpretations of our policy. Because our goal is to provide you with quality products and services, we need your help in improving this policy.
An improved credit and returns policy means better service for you as a customer. Returns impact our inventory and create out-of-stock problems. We need your help in the following ways:
-
We need your help to prevent errors.
Many returns occur because there was a pack size change. Please verify the pack size using the current Price List or the Web site. Pack sizes can greatly affect the amount ordered vs. received.
Case-only products cannot be returned unless the full case is intact. Do not remove an each and request credit on the remaining items in the case.
- We need your help to correct and research errors.
Please do not remove the colored picking label attached to the product. Keep it on or with the product so we can research the error.
Please do not open the case or open the product to be returned. We need the product in its original packaging.
Please do not write on the cases or product to be returned. Tape a note to the case if necessary. We will not issue credit for defaced cases or defaced product.
Please check in and inspect all refrigerated and frozen products and arrange for credit of these items with your driver. Please do not cause the driver to be late for the next delivery by checking in re-pack items. Credit and return for all dry products can be handled after delivery.
Credit and return for products other than frozen may be arranged by contacting North Farm within 30 days of delivery. We will not issue credit after 30 days.
Please make sure your credit request is complete, including invoice number. You can phone us, or e-mail your credit request to nfcoop@northfarm.com. Or use
the Credit Request Form, available with each invoice, in the Price List and on our Web site at
www.northfarm.com.
We are currently reviewing the credit and returns policy and making changes to create a fair, yet enforceable policy effective with May 1 orders. A full update of our policy will be published in the May/June Price List.
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Gaylord
is Not
Coming!
by Bill Lathrop, General Manager
In my last article, I explained the tests we were conducting with Gaylord boxes. Gaylord boxes are large, heavy-walled, cardboard boxes designed to contain and protect large shipments.
These boxes failed to meet our goals in virtually every aspect of testing. The boxes looked nice when they were loaded on our trailers; however, that was the only successful aspect of this program.
Of the members involved in testing, most disliked the boxes. They were difficult to unload and store. For our staff, they were difficult to pack, they were difficult for our drivers to use, there were ergonomic problems and they were not as durable as we needed.
So, for those of you who are wincing at the thought of another delivery in a Gaylord box, rest easy. We are continuing to look for ways to better segregate orders and are open to your suggestions. E-mail nfcoop@northfarm.com or call us.
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New
Flavors, Products, Brands
by Sara Procknow, New Products Committee
CHEESE & CHEESE SUBSTITUTES
Henning’s Cheese Curds—Wisconsin wouldn’t be Wisconsin without squeaky cheese curds. These are new from a real Wisconsin cheese maker:
416 HENNINGS CHEESE, Cheddar Curds Yellow, 6/10oz 1ea $3.57 $19.12
417 HENNINGS CHEESE, Cheddar Curds White, 6/10oz 1ea $3.57 $19.12
418 HENNINGS CHEESE, Cheddar Curds Garlic/Dill, 6/10oz 1ea $3.57 $19.12
419 HENNINGS CHEESE, Cheddar Curds Cajun, 6/10oz 1ea $3.57 $19.12
420 HENNINGS CHEESE, Cheddar Curds Two-Tone, 6/10oz 1ea $3.57 $19.12
421 HENNINGS CHEESE, Cheddar Curds Jalapeño/Pepper, 6/10oz 1ea $3.57 $19.12
RICE
Lundberg Organic Wild Rice—Gourmet rice mixtures; very beautiful packaging.
5784 LUNDBERG Black Japonica Rice Mix OG 12/1# 1ea $2.47 $26.48
5783 LUNDBERG Wehani Brown Rice OG 12/1# 1ea $2.47 $26.48
5786 LUNDBERG Wild Blend Gourmet Rice Mix OG 12/1# 1ea $2.47 $26.48
SOAP, BODY & FACIAL CARE
Glitter Lotion from Pure & Basic—We brought this on just for fun. It’s a wonderful all-natural lotion which sparkles and shimmers and shines. Great as a gift, too.
5642 PURE & BASIC, Glitter Body Lotion - Gold, 12/8oz 1ea $6.26 $67.03
5646 PURE & BASIC, Glitter Body Lotion - Opalescent, 12/8oz 1ea $6.26 $67.03
We’ve brought on a few products early, for orders beginning
April 1:
BEVERAGES, REFRIGERATED
Organic Valley Orange Juice—Organic Sunshine joins the Organic Valley offerings. Fresh from Florida and not from concentrate, one juice is fortified with calcium.
7692 ORGANIC VALLEY, Orange Juice Pulp-Free OG, 6/64oz 1ea $4.76 $25.50
7695 ORGANIC VALLEY, OJ Pulp-Free w/Calcium OG, 6/64oz 1ea $4.76 $25.50
COOKIES, PACKAGED
Health Valley Cookies & Bars—New cookies and bars from Health Valley are available in April. The cookie flavors are chocolate chip, raisin oatmeal and chocolate chocolate chip. Check out the pastry and cereal bars in Snacks & Nutrition Bars
14037HEALTH VALLEY, Café Creation Cookie Choc Chip, 6/7.3oz1ea$2.40$12.85
14039HEALTH VALLEY, CaféCreateCookieChocChocChip, 6/7.3oz1ea$2.40$12.85
14040HEALTH VALLEY, Café CreationCookRaisinOatmeal, 6/7.3oz1ea$2.40$12.85
SNACKS & NUTRITION BARS
14041 HEALTH VALLEY, Cobbler Cereal Bar Blueberry,
4/24/1.3oz 1ea $10.89 $39.98
14042 HEALTH VALLEY, Cobbler Cereal Bar Apple, 4/24/1.3oz 1ea $10.89 $39.98
14043 HEALTH VALLEY, Cobbler Cereal Bar Strawberry,
4/24/1.3oz 1ea $10.89 $39.98
14044 HEALTH VALLEY, Solar Bar Chocolate, 4/24/1.5oz 1ea $16.78 $63.53
14045 HEALTH VALLEY, Solar Bar Peanut Butter, 4/24/1.5oz 1ea $16.78 $63.53
14046 HEALTH VALLEY, Solar Bar Berry, 4/24/1.5oz 1ea $16.78 $63.53
14381 HEALTH VALLEY, Café Creations Pastry Bar Cinn, 6/8.5oz 1cs $12.73
14383 HEALTH VALLEY, Café Creations Pastry Bar Choc Espres,
6/8.5oz 1cs $12.73
14387 HEALTH VALLEY, Café Creations Pastry Bar Choc Rasp,
6/8.5oz 1cs $12.73
JUICES, PACKAGED
Ceres 100% Juice—From South Africa’s Ceres Valley comes a range of fruit juices with exotic flavors like “Dew of the Dawn” and “Youngberry”. The juices are 100% fruit juice with no preservatives and no added sugar. Packaged in convenient aseptics.
12608 CERES JUICE, Apricot 100% Fruit Juice K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $29.99
12609 CERES JUICE, Carrot,Celery&Tomato100%Juice K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12610 CERES JUICE, Dew of the Dawn Melon/Papaya K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12613 CERES JUICE, Guava 100% Fruit Juice K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12615 CERES JUICE, Litchi 100% Fruit Juice K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12616 CERES JUICE, Mango 100% Fruit Juice K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12621 CERES JUICE, Medley of Fruit Mango/Papaya K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12622 CERES JUICE, Papaya 100% Fruit Juice K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12625 CERES JUICE, Passion Fruit 100% Juice K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12626 CERES JUICE, Peach 100% Fruit Juice K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12628 CERES JUICE, Pear 100% Fruit Juice K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12629 CERES JUICE, Secrets of the Valley Apple/Ch K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12630 CERES JUICE, Strawberry 100% Fruit Juices K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12632 CERES JUICE, White Grape 100% Fruit Juice K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
12634 CERES JUICE, Youngberry 100% Fruit Juice K, 12/33.8oz 1cs $30.27
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Member
Forum:
Answers & Questions
The following answers are the opinions of individual members and do not constitute
endorsement by North Farm.
Another answer to the question: Should vitamin E and other oil-based vitamins be refrigerated?
A There really is no good reason to refrigerate vitamin E, A or D, which are all oil-soluble vitamins. First, they are antioxidants which would prevent their oil base from going rancid. Second, they are always in gel caps which keep out oxygen to prevent oxidation (rancidity). Third, they are always in opaque bottles which keep light out and also prevent rancidity. Refrigeration might actually cause moisture to condense in the bottle which could soften the gel caps and make them less protective of the vitamins inside.
Another answer to the question on the differences in olive oils:
A There is a BIG difference between the two. Expeller-pressed uses extrusion devices and centrifuges; the latter can heat the olive oil. Cold pressing is exactly what it states; olives are pressed or crushed (as are apples in cider making) using steel or stone mills.
Answers to February Questions:
Q
What is Ayurveda?
A Ayurvedic medicine is based on principles of constitutional analysis and evaluation of disease. It is an Eastern Indian practice which integrates treatment and diagnosis of ailments based on the actions and applications of herbs on the body. They have a method of classifying herbs for conditions of the body, which are Vata (air), Pitta (fire), Kapha (water); conditions which fit these categories require herbs which either promote or decrease them.
Q
Can taking calcium supplements lead to kidney stones?
A The answer to this depends upon the individual. A good source of information on kidney stones is Prescription for Nutritional Healing (in its third edition, available from North Farm) by Balch and
Balch.
A Not really; it all depends on the type of calcium you are taking. Kidney stones are caused primarily from a lack of calcium. They could also be caused by ingesting the wrong sources of calcium (both in supplement and food forms). Dairy food sources of calcium are not a great source of absorbable calcium. They have been heated, and that causes the calcium to become bound and harder for the body to absorb.
Eat vegetables high in calcium raw or lightly steamed. They are the best-absorbed food sources of free calcium. In supplements, look for calcium from mineral sources (lime-stone, etc.) When the body is lacking calcium it starts to take it from your bones. This is not very efficient and the body can’t always break it down completely. This could cause formation of kidney stones.
A The mayohealth.org Web site lists taking calcium supplements as one of the six risk factors for developing kidney stones. To help prevent kidney stones drink at least three quarts of fluid daily and take calcium supplements with meals, not separately.
Q
What is ear candling—is it safe?
A North Farm has a book on ear candling (#16614) for around $9. I have had many people report to me the great benefits of having it done to their ears when needed. Ear candles are very safe if used correctly and not too often.
Q
Other than fresh, which is most nutritious: frozen, canned or dried food?
A
Once a food is harvested it starts dying; we preserve foods and prolong their breakdown but all types of food storage will cause a loss of nutrients. It’s best to eat a variety of foods—especially
vegetables—and make sure you support this by taking a good multivitamin (as a minimum). Supplementation is one way to get a daily supply of the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs in a convenient form.
Q Is it possible to drink too much herbal tea or to drink teas in harmful combinations?”
A Assuming you have no particular health problem, it would be difficult to drink too much of the milder herbs (e.g. mints, fennel, chamomile, rose hip, ginger, dandelion, burdock, alfalfa, raspberry or strawberry leaves). Some plants are strong medicine and should be used sparingly or for specific conditions. Examples: Diuretic herbs could cause loss of necessary
minerals; antibacterial herbs (e.g.
goldenseal) can disrupt the balance of your intestinal flora; cathartic herbs shouldn’t be used routinely; St John’s Wort can cause skin rash with sunlight exposure; ginseng should not be taken when sick because it gives a false energy at a time when your body needs to rest; immune stimulant herbs may increase symptoms of an overactive immune system (allergies, asthma, eczema).
Always check with a knowledgeable practitioner if you are taking both herbs and prescription medication, especially for diabetes and herbs for blood sugar control, St John’s Wort and anti-depressant medications, heart
medication and cardio-tonic herbs.
We still need an answer to:
How can I decide what is the most healthful bread to buy?
How long is it safe to keep open jars of salsa, ketchup and mustard in the refrigerator?
Can allowing children to drink cola drinks high in caffeine stunt their growth or harm them in any way?
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North Farm Staff
Picks Favorite Products
Bill Lathrop, General Manager
Mo Hotta Mo Betta
“This is a great selection of hot sauces—from slightly hot to very hot. I particularly like the Sunny Serano (#7665), which is medium hot and has a great flavor. Sunny Serano is somewhat similar to La Victoria’s hot sauce, but it’s a little sweeter and tangier. You can find it in Condiments & Appetizers.”
Seeds of Change
“Virtually everything I have tried from this company has been great. All of their products have been
reformulated, and the whole line is really good. The salsas, pasta sauces, dressings and box mixes all are some of the best products I have sampled. We buy the salsas regularly.”
Uncle Matt’s Orange Juice
“Sometimes we forget to buy Uncle Matt’s (#4224) and have to drink supermarket orange juice. When we get the Uncle Matt’s back in the fridge, we notice it tastes just like fresh-squeezed and better than even the supermarket premium brands. This is just the best juice—and
Uncle Matt is a great guy. Be sure to meet him at the GMM.”
Zen Don
“Zen Don is some of the best soymilk on the market. A real delicacy! I like Vanilla (#18046) best. We buy it almost every week.”
Robert Barbee, Sales Rep for Wisconsin and Illinois
“I picked all of these items based on quality.”
Helios Kefirs
“I like Helios partly because of the company’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and organics, partly because of the health benefits and partly because of the wonderful, fresh flavors.”
Rapunzel Products
“North Farm carries Rapunzel’s baking cocoa, candy, nut
butters, soup and sweeteners. Anything Rapunzel makes is high quality and they are committed to organics.”
North Farm Raw Cheeses
“North Farm Cooperative is among only a few producers of raw cheese and we produce the highest quality.”
Wendy Fairbanks, Member Services Supervisor
“Seeds of Change Garlic and Onion Pasta Sauce (#8065) has a wonderful flavor and good ingredients. I usually add ground meat and mushrooms; this is a dish the whole family will eat.”
Roger Schaeffer, Information Systems
“I bought a banged-up box of Bear Mush Hot Cereal (#6500) in the North Farm Outlet Store. We like it better than Cream of Wheat. I would feed it to my two young grandchildren for breakfast.”
Kathi Wacek, Purchasing Manager
“Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil (#12144) from Nature’s Alchemy mixed with Hain Almond Oil (#4535) makes a great all-purpose body oil. I use the mixture daily as an after shower oil and as a perfume; it’s my “everything” oil.
“Both my son and I enjoy Naked Juice’s Protein Zone (#10919) for breakfast; it really fills us up!
“My family eats a lot of North Farm Grated Parmesan Cheese (#545) over spaghetti, on salads and in everything else.”
Mark Kopke, Outlet Store and Warehouse
“All the After the Fall juices are great. Of the Knudsen juices, Simply Nutritious Morning Blend (#15794) stands out. I enjoy all four Vruit Blends: (#8220) Apple Carrot, (#8232) Berry Veggie, (#8218) Orange Veggie,
and (#8254) Tropical.
“I use Jason Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and Conditioner (#11263 & #11264). They help with my dry scalp much better than the prescription products I was using before.”
From the Driver’s Seat
Tracy Cooper, North Farm Driver
We found Tracy in the North Farm Outlet Store stocking up for his next trip. He was leaving in an hour for Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Michigan; Fort Wayne and South Bend, Indiana and points in between.
Tracy had found a great bargain on Genisoy Chocolate Uncoated Soy Bars (#7769) to eat between stops. He also found Breadshop’s Orange Almond Granola (#11934) to eat by the handful right out of the box.
One of Tracy’s favorite meals when he has access to a microwave is Ethnic Gourmet Kung Pao Chicken Rice Bowl (#3652).
Since he does so much sitting in the truck he also works out. After a workout he takes CoQ-10 (#30200) to rebuild tissue and drinks Knudson Grape Recharge (#1292) to restore his electrolytes.
Tracy says his customers are really good to him and have taught him a lot of “health tricks”. He says he’s a lot healthier now than when he started working for North Farm.
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A
Fuller Life Is a Better Life
Glenn Fuller loved dairy products but found they gave him headaches. Not willing to give up his love for the taste of milk, he began to search for an alternative in 1984. Glenn found he did not like the strong taste of available soy products, nor did he like the texture of milk alternatives made with oats or nuts. It became clear in order to have a non-dairy alternative that was great tasting, Glenn would have to create it.
Working along with a food scientist, Glenn began the development of his milk alternative. Bringing home a different powdered blend each week, he and his wife Jeannine would mix the beverage and test it. After a year of these samplings, Glenn finally found one he liked. “This is BETTER than milk!” he exclaimed to his wife.
Jeannine immediately replied: “That’s the name for your product—Better Than Milk!”
For eight years Better Than Milk was nurtured as a product of a well-known food manufacturer, Sovex Natural Foods, for whom Glenn was CEO at the time. It was through Sovex that Better Than Milk was launched into the health food market in 1986. In 1998, Glenn and Jeannine purchased the Better Than Milk product line from Sovex as part of their new company, Fuller Life, Inc. |
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Today, Better Than Milk is available nation-wide. North Farm sells Vanilla, Chocolate, Plain and Light Beverage Mixes (all powders) as well as Natural Soy Drink (liquid).
DRINK
TO YOUR HEALTH
Rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, soy is hard to beat when it
comes to nutritional value. An 8-ounce glass of soymilk
can provide up to 20% of the average adult's daily protein
requirements and half the recommended daily calcium. Plus, soy
is a good source for minerals and vitamins, including iron, copper,
magnesium and zinc as well as B-vitamin such as niacin, pyridoxine and
folacin.
The protein in soybean is a complete
protein. Of the nine essential amino acids our bodies must get
through food intake, the soybean is the only vegetable which provides
all nine, making it one of the highest quality proteins
available-equal to meat or dairy products, but with none of the
saturated fat, cholesterol, or other undesirable elements.
Another interesting fact is up to 38% of the calories in soybeans come
from protein, 8% higher than any other bean. |
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