The Whole Foods by Calhoun is undoubtedly superior to the one on Fairview. The Cub on University? No contest against the dump Cub on Lake Street or the one with the (ahem) melted sign in south minne. I can pick a favorite Trader Joe’s in town, I know which Rainbow to avoid.
But co-ops? I simply can’t seem to play favorites. You’ve seen my little mouse playing at the Seward Co-op. Soon I’ll show the highlights of the East Side. I used to practically live at the Wedge, and I’ve sampled the Mississippi Markets from time to time.
But there is a smaller co-op that I didn’t even know existed until a couple of years ago. It’s just North of University as you enter St. Paul from the west. The Hampden Park Co-op, or as I call it, “the hampdens” cause I’m posh like that.
Although it is small, the Hampden is full of treats I can’t seem to find anywhere else. Proximity might have brought me there in the first place, but I return for the fresh produce, the friendly community, and the fabulous finds!
For example, I stopped by tonight and bought some of my precious lefse mentioned in the previous post…
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| pitas and lefse and cheeses, oh my! |
I then picked up some veggies, to feed my body and my sooooooul….
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| I dream of a world where the produce is organic and the Lunas are on sale… Well wake up, Meri- the co-op shall provide! |
I grabbed a Blueberry Luna, some pretzel thins, and my favorite candy…
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| Although they don’t often carry my favorite variety- the peanut flavor… yummm |
I tend to hit the different co-ops when I’m in their respective neighborhood, and stock up on favorite items. At the Hampden, I usually go for the Dominex Eggplant meatballs, The Primal Foods Seitan Jerky, the Lefse, and the Falafel chips. Sometimes I buy the lentil/ bean dips, and I often get my beloved Good Earth Original Caffeine Free tea. I can never leave without some delicious produce:
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| Feast your eyes, then your tum-tums… |
So if you’re in the area, come visit the place! You might even chance upon some lovely in-store bluegrass music or the quirky sounds of the dance studio upstairs.
Tonight’s winner?
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| Uvas! |
Yep, Grapes move on to the next round. Sorry melons!
And with that, we move on to the SEMIFINALS!! I’m getting so tremendously excited- only Easter candy can distract me from this!
Tonight, Asparagus vs. Broccoli. Fight to the death.
Vote it up loves!
Meri
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