/newsletter/february-march-2012/ The Wedge Community Co-op Newsletter is a bi-monthly publication. The Wedge Newsletter is a service for member-owners and other customers of the Wedge Co-op. It provides timely information on a variety of subjects related to cooperatives, organic agriculture, natural foods, the environment, and health. http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/giving-back-to-the-community-in-2012 Wedge Co-op Donations Committee Recipients 2011 The Wedge Donations Committee gives a limited number of $60.00 gift certificates to organizations that are co-op related, food related, focused on the environment and/or in the neighborhood served by... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/beard-nets By Tim Kastner, Bakehouse Manager Growing a beard is one of the two things I like about Minnesota winters. What's the other you ask? Playing hockey, of course. When I returned from my vacation in October to find everyone wearing beard nets, I w... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/bank-account-fees-why-pay-them By Judy Flug, Business Development Manager, Wings Financial Credit Union Over the past several years, big banks have been steadily phasing out free checking accounts in favor of new and higher account fees. Take, for example, the attempt last fall... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/turkish-delights By Canan Karatekin, Ph.D. If you think Turkish cuisine consists of shish kebab and stuffed grape leaves, think again! The civilizations that inhabited the region for thousands of years and the varied geography of the country have combined to creat... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/ask-professor-produce I just wanted to let you know - I have never in my life liked grapefruit (I'm 83!). I know it is good for me, and I tried the grapefruit you sell at the Wedge (Rio Star) and I loved it. I never knew grapefruit could be sweet like that. Where does that ... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/mn-cooperative-heroes Throughout 2012, International Year of Cooperatives, we'll be highlighting Minnesotans who are in the National Cooperative Hall of Fame. Minneapolis-based Bill Gessner kicks off our year of recognition. William Gessner Cooperative developer and... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/natural-real-food-energy-boosters By Wendy Gordon I originally intended this to be a column of energy drink recipes, but soon realized there wasn't much in the way of recipes to write about. The reason for an "energy drink" per se is convenience. Buy one without artificial flavors... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/energy-drinks By Wendy Gordon Long popular in Europe, energy drinks burst on the US scene in the 1980s with Gatorade, created for athletes at the University of Florida. Gatorade, essentially water fortified with sugar, salt, carbohydrates and electrolytes (alon... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/the-cooperative-movement The Co-operative Movement brings together over 1 billion people around the world. Co-ops play significant economic and social roles in their communities. Below are some facts about the Movement that demonstrate co-ops' relevance and contributions to ... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/what-does-natural-mean By Elizabeth Archerd, Membership and Marketing Manager When you see the word "natural" on a product label or a store sign, what do you think it means? Do you think it means no harsh pesticides or herbicides, no GMOs? It doesn't. Research con... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/product-recall-action-needed The number of product recalls may increase as new regulations take effect. As they occur, we want to notify all our members and non-member shoppers as quickly as possible. The fastest way for us to contact you all is to send a direct email. Please... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/board-of-directors-2012-calendar (meetings are on Thursdays unless otherwise noted) February 16 March 22 May 17 June 21 August 16 September 27 ANNUAL MEETING: Wednesday, October 17 (Location to be Determined) December 4 Meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Wedge Class... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/financial-report By Elka Malkis, Financial Manager Sales for the 2nd quarter (October - December) were $12,029,538. This is a 10.9% increase over last year. The financial statements for the 2nd quarter were not completed in time for inclusion in this issue, but re... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/from-the-general-manager By Lindy Bannister Below are the remarks made by our Lindy in Cancun, Mexico in November, as part of a meeting of the International Cooperative Alliance. Check out the photo at: www.wedge.coop/community/gm-represents-us-coops My name is Lindy B... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/wedge-deli-has-everything-for-february On Big Game Day Serve: Take 'n Bake Buffalo Pizza Turkey Chili Dip Samplers Guacamole and organic salsa in massive quantities (great with Whole Grain Milling Tortilla Chips from Aisle 5) Valentine's Day Delights Include: H... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/call-for-member-to-serve The WedgeShare Committee would like help reviewing and screening the grant applications. The member who joins the WedgeShare Committee this year will participate in screening the grant applicants to recommend a slate of WedgeShare candidates to the B... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.wedge.coop/newsletter/february-march-2012/call-for-wedgeshare-applications-2012-grants-available By Marjorie Hegstrom, WedgeShare Committee of the Board of Directors The Wedge is soliciting grant applications from organizations that work for sustainable development through environmental, natural health, natural food or cooperative-related act... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000