You may have seen these posters around our store but not had a chance to unpack them. We choose items in our store that uplift our values so as a consumer you have the agency and access to vote with your dollars, without the marketing BS!

When you become an Owner you are automatically enrolled. This is one of the ways Owners can save by shopping here but also a reminder that an item on a shelf is much more than a price, it is a transaction. A transaction that went through many hands.

How the people that make our food, how it gets here, and the impact it has on our environment all matter. Taproots allows those products to stand out a little louder.

Food is necessary to life so should it support life?  We think so, so we made it our value program. 

Last week we took a trip to Julian, NC to visit Clear Springs Farm a grass-fed and finished cattle farm run by Laurie Scotton and her husband David Scotton. The proprietors of this farm are veterinarians who have a love for farming and the humane treatment of animals. 

Their calves are born and raised on their farm, feeding off of native forages from start to finish, and are never given added hormones or antibiotics. Most other cattle are grain-finished, meaning, towards the end of their life, they are shipped away to a feedlot where they are fed grain to fatten them up, but "grass-finished" cattle are finished on the fields.

Hearing the perspective of veterinarians in regard to how we consume meat and how important the treatment of the animals is when it comes to the taste, nutritional profile, and overall quality of the meat, was extremely refreshing.

Laurie was very adamant that we only consume beef twice a week and no more than 8 oz/serving. She spoke about how unsustainable it was for not only Americans to eat red meat every day but the fact that we have carnivores as pets that also need to be fed protein. She knows that it is impossible for the rest of the world to eat like Americans. She was very frank about the reality of our future grandchildren and their pets eating insects for protein in order to sustain our dietary needs. 

We also do not live in a reality where everyone can eat a strictly plant-based diet. It is very important that each person and family do their own research when it comes to their needs. And we are here to help! Protein is such an important macronutrient for the health and development of our bodies and brains. We appreciate the work of small farmers like Laurie and David Scotton strengthening our local food system. This is no small job!

Find their products in our local meat case on aisle 5!

We are excited to announce we now carry Clear Springs Farm, a family-owned farm in Julian, NC, 100% grass-fed & grass-finished beef!

Did you know cattle get more minerals out of a grass-fed diet and can digest more of the vitamins they are eating? A more diverse, nutrient-rich diet leads to more nutrients in the fat of the beef. When compared to grain-fed beef, grass-fed has three times more Omega-3 fats and fewer calories. And it's absolutely delicious!

Their mission states, "We provide delicious grass-finished beef to our community that is healthy for the environment, the cattle, and the people that we serve all while being stewards of the land we love."

Read more here about their process, production, and dedication to their animals and land.

Find their product in our frozen meat case on aisle 5. Just in time for February's Owner Bonus!

A Message From CDF:

"Cooperatives and their members are facing losses from some of the worst hurricanes in recorded history. Committed to Principle Six, cooperation among cooperatives, the Cooperative Development Foundation is partnering with cooperatives to help meet the needs of our neighbors in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Florida.

We have heard from cooperators in Puerto Rico that several cooperatives have been affected, including forced temporary closures, loss of crops and animal inventory, and perishable food inventory, equipment losses, and cancellation of contracts. The Dominican Republic co-ops report loss of beef and dairy cattle as the hurricane affected key meat industry regions. Florida is assessing damage as they recover from the shock of Hurricane Ian’s impact. In Cuba, Pinar de Rio, Cuba's western-most province, is home to 385 cooperatives and suffered the most damage from the hurricane.

Support the effort with an online donation or by sending a check to CDF at 1775 I St. NW, 8th floor, Washington, DC 20006 indicating Disaster Recovery Fund in the memo line. Your donation today can help CDF provide co-ops and members impacted by hurricanes with immediate and ongoing support through CDF’s Disaster Recovery Fund. CDF distributes 100% of donations to recovery efforts."