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Bluff
Country Coop |
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Dish
soap, lentils and deli, oh my! |
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At
age 37, I have just experienced a breath of fresh air at the Bluff Country Coop. I mention my age
because Julie, the Deli Manager at the coop, informed me that Bluff Country
has existed for 30 years. And this made me both elated and melancholic.
Joyful, as this wonderful business has been paving the way for sustainable
living practices since I was seven years old. And sad, as it has taken me
nearly 4 decades to learn about it. In the realm of a coop-ers life, I am but
an infant. I suspect, however, that I am one of scores. On
the morning of Saturday, January 26th, I asked my daughter to
Google “Coops in Upon
entering the coop, I was greeted by busy member-workers as I slowly took in a
number of hand-made products along the West wall of the store. The produce
area was beautiful and well kept. But since I was not shopping for produce, I
moved on toward my other passion – JAVA! The scent wafted in and out of my
head like an addictive, caffeinated melody. Incredible. But… I was not there
for coffee either. I
was in the market for bulk goods in the pasta and grain families, and just
product research in general. I made some wonderful new discoveries among the
household cleanser and hair care offerings. My purchases were: Vegetable Orzo, Sesame Oatburger Mix, Green Forest Toilet Paper, Dr. Bronner Sal Suds, Ecover Dishwashing Liquid,
Giovanni Conditioner, Natural Value Laundry Powder, Hain Iodized Sea Salt,
Gladrags “The Keeper”, Brown Cow Yogurt, Terra Exotic Vegetable Chips, Food
Merchants Brand Polenta, Naturally Dried/Sweetened Craisins and 100 World
Centric Biocompostable Spoons and Forks (made with Cornstarch). One of greenfete’s missions
in 2008 is to expand our eco-loving product knowledge and give gifts
year-round that share our discoveries with others. Such as gift baskets stuffed
compostable utensils, hand-made soaps, recyclable toothbrushes, hemp
clothing, biodegradable cleaning products, bulk dry goods and interesting
baskets themselves. The items listed above will all be tested and considered
for gift basket fare. The
final items I encountered were from the Deli area. Note, that when visiting
Bluff Country Coop, you may take a break for lunch at one of the tables in
the dining area. I devoured an incredibly succulent squash soup and a humbling
hummus sandwich - washed down with an Adina Ethiopian Iced Espresso. Very
nice. I also sampled 2 cheese varieties and some wonderful butter atop bits
of multi-grain bread, laid out in an inviting display near the soups. My stay
was somewhere around an hour, give or take, and I learned many things while
gaining a new grocery resource. To
add to an already blissful consumer-adventure, Julie told me about an event
happening in town - The Frozen River Film Festival hosted at WSU. The Bluff
Country Coop was represented at the festival, selling deli items to feed
hungry green-minded pioneers in attendance. Upon her tip, I was able to spend
a few hours soaking in all of the warmth that I like to call
“eco-fellowship”, by talking with vendors and catching an organic chef
prepare a winter meal. Thank
you Julie, for the gift of knowledge. I look forward to future trips to Wonderfully-priced.
Happy, helpful and gracious staff. Warm and inviting atmosphere.
Incredibly-delicious deli items. Culturally-aware. Buy-local evident. A+. |
