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Back to School in Bulk
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by Lisa Vines
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Back-to-school foods are
heavily advertised late summer, but are not necessarily healthy and
environmentally friendly. Consider, then, several of the items
available in the Bulk area at Honest Weight. Dry roasted nuts and
seeds; granola; dried fruit; trail mix: all these items can be
purchased in bulk, so a person can pack in reusable containers only as
much as is needed for each day’s lunch. Many are organic. Other snack
items include various sesame sticks and Chunks of Energy in different
flavors.
Nuts and seeds are a wise addition to a lunchbox, for they contain
vitamins and minerals (iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin E and small
amounts of folate, copper, phosphorus and calcium) as well as protein,
fiber, and a fair number of calories. One ounce of dry roasted nuts
contains about eighteen to twenty-four nuts (the large Brazil nuts are
an exception: six to eight make an ounce) and provide between 165–200
calories; oil roasted nuts will have more calories.
Dried fruit is another healthy option for the lunchbox, especially when
fresh is not available or feasible. Dried fruit provides antioxidants
and fiber; it may lower blood cholesterol and control diabetes. Many
dried fruits are high in iron, potassium, and selenium—nutrients
important for healthy blood and muscles. Dried blueberries,
cranberries, apples, strawberries, and goji berries (see “Go Gogi!”) would be a delicious treat as
is or sprinkled on top of some yogurt. The dried mangoes, said one of
my daughters, “look a little scary,” but she looks forward to them, cut
into strips.
One other advantage to packing nuts, seeds and dried fruits: If, for
some reason, they get left in the backpack overnight (or over the
weekend) – they’re still edible the next day.
One final selling point for these foods: Many of these items are
produced not far from 484 Central Avenue. Tierra Farm has been featured
several times in the Coop Scoop, and for good reason: A small,
privately owned, certified organic producer and roasting company
located in Valatie, Tierra Farm provides a number of the products
available in Bulk. “Most of the dried fruit we sell is from Tierra
Farm,” said Leigh Nowicki, assistant manager of Bulk. Looking around,
she noted that four of the granola mixes are now from Tierra Farm, as
are numerous dry and roasted seeds and nuts as well as some trail
mixes. Sixty-four miles from Albany, Dancing Star Farm in Claremont
(Mass.) produces those Chunks of Energy mentioned above.
So: back to school, back to the Bulk section. Have fun searching for
additions to school lunches.
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Resources
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Coop
Scoop articles on Tierra Farm: Suzanne Fisher, “Focus on Coop Suppliers: Tierra Farm,”
Coop Scoop, July/August 2006.
Suzanne Fisher, “Local
Gifts for the Season,” Coop Scoop, December 2008
C. Morse, “New on the
Shelf,” Coop Scoop, September 2005 (Tierra Farm’s trail mix).
Coop Scoop article on Chunks of Energy: Lisa Vines, “What’s in Bulk? Who’s on First?” Coop
Scoop, January 2007.
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| Other Resources |
“Dr. Decuypere’s Nutrient
Charts,” available at www.healthalternatives2000.com/nut-seed-nutrition-chart.html
Health Services at Columbia/Columbia University’s Health Q&A
Internet Service; www.goaskalice-cms.org
The Vegetarian Society Information Sheet, available at www.vegsoc.org/info/nutsseeds.html
www.TierraFarm.com |
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