supplier visit: Kickapoo Coffee in Viroqua, WI

In an effort to connect our suppliers to our customers, five people from Just Local Food recently made a trip down to Viroqua, WI to visit Kickapoo Coffee. We were all beyond-impressed at what we learned, experienced, and tasted...

The Kickapoo Roastery is stationed in Viroqua's original 1880s era railroad depot. The seven-person staff uses a combination of antique machinery, modern technology, and human subjectivity when roasting and tasting their coffee. These folks really know their stuff!

Beginning with a laser spectrometer, the coffee is examined to determine its optimal range for roasting. Next it goes to their 1930s German-made Probat roaster (aka, the "Wunderfrau") using radiant, convective, and drum-powered heat. Details from every roast are then entered into a computer and archived for further comparison and review. The final stage is a “cupping” where the beans are personally evaluated and tasted by the Kickapoo staff. They use a series of 100-point scales to measure the characteristics of depth, body, acidity, sweetness, cleanness, aroma, and after-taste. This process happens every week!

The green beans themselves come from some of the most well-known coffee-growing regions in the world. Purchased through a roasting cooperative, distribution costs and profits are shared more equitably. Their first stop is a warehouse in New Jersey upon which each roaster’s bean shipments are sent out accordingly. Storage at Kickapoo is maximized in a temperature and humidity controlled environment, providing an extended shelf-life.

Kickapoo tries to strike a balance between farmer relationships and quality coffee. One goal behind this dual mission concept is to allow the natural flavors and characteristics of the coffee to come through on their own, instead of trying to “enhance” them in any way. Another goal is to connect the consumer with the people responsible for growing and handling the beans, assuring that they’re being paid a fair price for their product. They even try to visit each coffee-growing region at least once a year to meet face-to-face with the growers.

Stop by Just Local Food to check out our latest offerings of Kickapoo coffees,
as well as the featured “always-on-sale” bulk variety (changes every month!). 
If you think you know coffee, wait till you try what’s coming from Kickapoo… 

Report and Photos by Drew G, worker/owner at Just Local Food Cooperative

NEW T-SHIRTS!!

$14.99 each

Sea Foam
Youth Girls S, M; Ladies L, XL Sizes

Asphalt
Unisex S, M, L, XL sizes

Also check out discounted prices on old long sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts.

roasting raw sunflower seeds

Roasting Raw Sunflower Seeds

Roasting seeds and nuts does make them less nutritious,

BUT we love them so.

We carry raw unsalted sunflower seeds for those with salt restrictions.

Pre-roasted and salted seeds and nuts can sometimes be TOO salty, or not have the flavor that you want. Here is an easy way to roast

sunflower seeds that takes a little advance planning but will better suit your tastes. You can adjust the salt, add your own spices and adjust roasting times to please your palette.

Basic instructions:

Raw-in-shell sunflower seeds

Water
¼ cup salt (more or less)Large bowl
Colander or strainer
Paper towels
Baking pan or cooking sheet
Additional seasonings (try mixing one or more of these
before roasting the seeds:
½ to 1 tsp. black pepper, 1 tbsp. lime juice, 1 tbsp. chili powder,
1 tsp. dried dill, 1 tsp. ground caraway seed, 1 tbsp. honey,
1 tsp. cayenne, your own spice mix, a prepackaged powderedmix like French onion or ranch dip mix-try our Simply Organic mixes).

Sort, remove ones with holes.

Combine 1 qt. water and ¼ salt, mix until dissolved. Use more or less as desired; you will need more for more than one pound of seeds. Soak overnight at room temp or for 8 hrs. Drain the seeds in a colander or strainer and pat with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Spread seeds in single layer on baking pan/sheet. Roast in preheated oven 300 degrees for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shells are lightly browned and fragrant. You can roast them darker if you prefer, but do not burn. (thanks to eHow for much of this information)

Attention Meat-Lovers: IT'S GRILLING SEASON!!!

Come on down to the store and try out some of our favorites:

-Grass-fed Highland Beef Hot Dogs and mouth-watering Pork Tenderloin and Baby Back Ribs from Beaver Creek Ranch (Burnett County)

-Pasture-raised steak and short ribs from Little Spring Valley (Eleva), Werlein Farms (Mondovi), and Wheatfield Hill Organics (Durand)

-Bone-in pork chops from Deutsch Family Farm (Osseo)

-Whole, cut-up, and wingless CHICKEN from Coon Creek Family Farm (Mondovi) and Beaver Creek Ranch

-And brats: Elk, Pork, Turkey, Lamb, and Buffalo bratwurst from a variety of local suppliers!

Any special requests, ask for Nik. Otherwise, fire-up your cookers and get ready for JULY 4^th!

Power to the People

This summer, Just Local Food is partnering with the WISPIRG Energy Service Corps ‘Power to the People’ campaign

to increase energy efficiency in Wisconsin by working with homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient.

WISPIRG's Energy Service Corps is a joint project of the WISPIRG Foundation and AmeriCorps. Specifically,

AmeriCorps members with WISPIRG Energy Service Corps will provide FREE home energy assessments and upgrades.

During an energy upgrade, trained Energy Service Corps members will visit your home, apartment, or business to

help you identify the places where you’re using more energy than you need to. You’ll learn about the simple steps

you can take to use less energy and receive information about local, state, and federal energy incentives and

assistance programs.

I hope you’ll join us in our effort to change Wisconsin’s energy future. For more information, or to sign up

for your FREE energy efficiency upgrade, visit www.energyservicecorps.org/schedule.

On Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/ESCEauClaire

Thanks for your consideration. We hope you’ll join the movement for

an energy efficient Wisconsin.

In ENERGY SAVING Solidarity,

Just Local Food

New products from Canaan

Canaan is a member of the Palestine Fair Trade Association, a group of over 1700 small farmers joined in fair trade collectives and cooperatives. Farmers are paid a living wage. Purchasing their products helps Palestinian families survive and maintain their connection to their land and their ancient olive trees.

Nabali Tree olive oil: Medium fruity with peppery finish. Made from olives from the native olive tree of Palestine. Certified organic, extra virgin, cold pressed.

Rumi Tree olive oil: Complex, sweet aroma, buttery finish. The Rumi tree has been cultivated in Palestine since the Roman Empire. Certified organic, extra virgin, cold pressed.

Za'atar: organic thyme is gathered, dried and blended with roasted sesame seeds, ground sumac and a touch of salt. Prepared by women-owned cooperatives. Use za'atar on tomatoes, bread, meat, fish, eggs and cheese.

Maftoul is an organic couscous: whole grain organic wheat that is cracked, hand rolled and sun-dried by a women-owned cooperative. Wholesome flavor, firm texture.

Sun-dried tomatoes: Tomatoes selected and sun-dried by women-owned cooperatives are pickled in organic olive oil. Add a deep flavor to sauces and other recipes.

Olive oil soap: crafted by women-owned cooperatives from organic olive oil and coconut oil. Natural olive scent, no added perfume.

The Grand Trio of Spring

Wild Leeks, Morel Mushrooms & Fiddleheads

ONLY available at Just Local Food where we work with experienced foragers who deliver the freshest wild bounty of Eau Claire and Chippewa County.

More Morels coming today and tomorrow. Plenty of Fiddleheads and Ramps on hand.

Call ahead for availability – 715-552-3366

Morels $31.89/lb

Ramps $2.99/each

Fiddleheads $9.59/lb

Celebrate with us!

Howdy Friends!

Just Local Food is turning 7 years old and you are invited to celebrate with us this Friday, May 13th, from 2-6 pm, in our parking lot at 1117 South Farwell.

Food, beer, and live music will be provided, including, but not limited to:

• The Stoop Singers of Eau Claire, WI (playing old-timey string music from 2-5 pm)
• Lambalot Acres of Augusta, WI (serving succulent lamby goodness)
• Deutsch Family Farm of Osseo, WI (serving some of the best pork you'll ever eat)
• Maiden Rock Orchard of Stockholm, WI (serving Grandaddy's apple chutney and fruit preserves)
• Big Donkey Pizza of Eau Claire, WI
• Nathan Berg serving Castle Rock cheese (Osseo, WI)
• David Anderson of Wilson, WI (serving wonderfully-hopped BrewFarm lager and specialty ales from 4-6 pm)

We are so proud to work with all of the great many farmers, butchers, brewers, bakers, artists, artisans, entrepreneurs, distributors, and tradesfolk, who have labored to improve our land, secure our economy, beautify our community, and keep our bodies fed and healthy.

Thanks to all of you for supporting us for seven years!

See you at the store!