Newsletter May 2025

“May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope.” – Emily Brontë

As spring finally actually arrives in the North Country, here at the Co-Op we’re excited to embrace the season and all its gifts. Wintery gray skies are giving way to sunshine, birds are out and about, and fresh, local produce is starting to make its way onto our shelves! 

We’ve been getting all sorts of gorgeous veg from the Meadow. The Meadow Farmstead, based out of AuSable Forks, is committed to cultivating “happy, healthy, and educated communities through agriculture.” Their radishes make a zesty treat, especially paired with some cultured butter and your favorite cracker. And the chives and scallions? They’re just showing off at this point. If you find yourself as enamored with these offerings as we are, you can also visit the Meadow Farmstand’s website to sign up for their CSA! 

Starts for greens of all sorts arrived this week, too, thanks to Ilyssa Brown. We have 4 packs and 6 packs of lettuce, kale, collard greens, and more. They make a great addition to any garden, and they’re a great source of early spring food for our pollinators. Expect more starts from other local farms soon! 

One of the best parts of spring is being able to go out into the natural world and take in the flourishing flora. Experiencing the beauty and wonder of the Adirondacks is always a great time, but you know what isn't? Lyme disease. We have anti tick products for all your hiking, camping, and otherwise outdoorsy adventures. 

Speaking of the great outdoors, Carol Czaja has some words of wisdom to share: practice wilderness ethics! By following the seven principles of Leave No Trace (plan ahead and prepare, use durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of other visitors) we can each be a part of supporting the sustainability of our public lands. 

Our Coffee of the Month is Mindy, Body & Soul from Equal Exchange. A blend of light and dark roasts, this bean is known for its nutty, chocolatey flavor. 

Cheese of the Month is Chile Jack from Origin Creamery. This cheese is made with only A2 milk–a type of milk which contains the A2 beta-casein protein–rather than with A1 and A2 milks. While A1 is naturally occurring in many cows’ milk, A2 has been found to be easier on the stomach! So if you’re a dairy-lover whose stomach doesn’t always share the sentiment, Chile Jack may be your new best friend. 

In other news, we just had our Annual Member Meeting. Highlights include Board Elections (congratulations Shawna, Sarah, Stephen and alternate Jeff!), financial report from FY 2024, and a message from me, Natalie: “community is all we have at the end of the day.” If you missed it, fear not! The whole thing was recorded and posted to our facebook, so you can catch up anytime.

Natalie Casey-Sanger

General Manager

North Country Food Co-Op