Where the Locovores go...

Go where the locovores go and benefit REAP in the process by using a selection of coupons to area restaurants and vendors.  The REAP Coupon Book is a "must have" item for Madison-area food lovers who enjoy saving on items purchased from area farmers’ market vendors, restaurants and shops.

The coupon book can be purchased at the REAP Food Group office for $10.00, ordered online, or from participating area groceries, Coops.  Proceeds from the sale of coupon books serve to benefit the Buy Fresh, Buy Local program. To learn more, visit the REAP Food Group site.

CRANtastic!

Did you know that the cranberry, ubiquitous during this time of year given its association with traditional Thanksgiving holiday feasting, is Wisconsin’s leading fruit crop?!
(See the NASS, USDA Cranberry production reports and the annual Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Bulletin for data tables).

Consult Steenbock’s research guide to the American Cranberry to explore more about cranberry cultivation, marketing, and use (including links to growers and online recipe sites).  Steenbock Library maintains this guide as a partner in AgNIC, a portal to agricultural news, events, libraries and research centers.

Should you wish to savor this fruit in your fall harvest menu, we also invite you to browse a selection of titles from our collection with Pinterest guide, "CRANtastic".

Annual CALS Auction

Do you like auctions?  How about supporting a good cause?  Then check out the annual CALS Student Association auction! 

The annual CALS Student Association holds an annual online auction to raise money for CALS leadership and community outreach activities.  The bidding is scheduled to start on Sunday, December 2 and continues through noon on Saturday, December 8.  Winners can pick up their auction items starting December 9 at the CALS Student Association office in the Stock Pavilion. 

Click here to see the great variety of items that you can bid on!

Dirty Dozen Redux

When is it a good idea to consider purchasing organic produce?

According to the staff with the Environmental Working Group, you may wish to splurge (that is, buy organic) on those produce items that bear a heavy pesticide burden when grown using contemporary "conventional" methods.

In tough economic times, it may not always be possible to shop organic 100% of the time, therefore one strategy is to pick and choose your food products wisely using such tools as the Dirty Dozen (Plus) and Clean 15 Shopper’s Guide.

The Dirty Dozen (Plus) for 2012 (buy these organic)

1.  Apples

2.  Celery

3.  Sweet bell peppers

4.  Peaches

5.  Strawberries

6.  Nectarines-imported

7.  Grapes

8.  Spinach

9.  Lettuce

10.  Cucumbers

11.  Blueberries-domestic

12.  Potatoes

Plus

Green beans

Kale/Greens 

The Clean 15 for 2012 (lowest in pesticides when grown conventionally)

1.  Onions

2.  Sweet Corn

3.  Pineapples

4.  Avocado

5.  Cabbage

6.  Sweet peas

7.  Asparagus

8.  Mangoes

9.  Eggplant

10.  Kiwi

11.  Cantaloupe-domestic

12.  Sweet potatoes

13.  Grapefruit

14.  Watermelon

15.  Mushrooms

Farm Fresh Atlas 2012

The 2012 edition of the Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas has been released! Pick up your copy from any of several university and area locations, including Steenbock Library (look for stacks at our service desks).

Use the Atlas to locate farms, markets and restaurant partners who bring you fresh, area-grown produce and food products. Do note that many of the area growers welcome visitors with special events, u-pick options, hay-rides and tours.

Should you be looking for options apart from the southern Wisconsin area, consult the site for Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlases or nationally, using the Local Harvest site.

Buy fresh; buy local!

Of Love and Chocolate

While the Madison area is host to some wonderful purveyors of chocolate (Candinas, DB Infusion, Gail Ambrosius, Maurie’s), you may feel inspired to craft your own sweet treats. Check out a sampling of titles from Steenbock’s cookbook collection (or run some additional searches in the catalog). After all, hasn’t it been said that the way to one’s heart is through one’s stomach?! Locate some of these titles on the display shelving, first floor, or speak with one of the librarians for assistance finding available copies.

With thanks to Brittany S for compiling this list of titles.

The Chocolate Bible: The Definitive Sourcebook, with over 600 Illustrations - TX767 C5 C482 1997

The Book of Chocolate - TX791 R62

Chocolate: History, Culture, and Heritage - TX767 C5 C46365 2009

Ghirardelli Original Chocolate Cookbook - TX767 C5 L37 1986

Hershey's: Make it Chocolate! - TX767 C5 H448 1987

365 Great Chocolate Desserts - TX767 C5 H38 1991

Baker's Favorite Chocolate Recipes: A handbook of Chocolate Cookery - TX767 C5 B33 1958

Pillsbury Cookies, Brownies & Chocolate Galore! - TX772 P54 1993

Mrs. Fields I Love Chocolate! Cookbook : 100 Easy & Irresistible Recipes - TX767 C5 F54 1994

Hershey's Chocolate Lover's Cookbook - TX767 C5 H449 1993

Chocolate Artistry: Techniques for Molding, Decorating, and Designing with Chocolate - TX767 C5 G65 1983

Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor - TX771 B98 2001

Chocolate Delights - TX767 C5 G55 1985

Death by Chocolate Cookies - TX772 D47 1997

Brighter Baking with M&M's Brand Chocolate Mini Baking Bits - TX772 B75 1996

Chocolate Passion: Recipes and Inspiration from the Kitchens of Chocolatier Magazine - TX767 C5 B68 2000

Chocolate Cake - TX771 U78 2001

Chocolates and Confections: Formula, Theory, and Technique for the Artisan Confectioner - TX791 G786 2007

Chocolate: Pathway to the Gods - TX817 C4 D74 2008

The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen, 2011

When is it a good idea to consider purchasing organic produce? According to the folks with the Environmental Working Group, you may wish to splurge (that is, buy organic) on those produce items that bear a heavy pesticide burden when grown using contemporary "conventional" methods.

In tough economic times, it may not always be possible to buy organic 100% of the time, therefore one strategy is to pick and choose your food products wisely using such tools as the EWG’s Shoppers’ Guide to Pesticides.

The Dirty Dozen for 2011
(buy these organic; note: lower numbers=more pesticides):

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines--imported
7. Grapes--imported
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries--domestic
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

The Clean 15 for 2011 (lowest in pesticide residues when grown conventionally):

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe--domestic
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

Every Purchase Matters

October has been designated as National Fair Trade Awareness Month by TransFair USA, a third-party certifier of fair trade products in the United States and member of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International which looks to alleviate poverty by securing sustainable, fair practices on behalf of small producers and agricultural workers.

And, do note that, earlier this year, WISPIRG’s Fair Trade Campaign also managed to secure the city of Madison the distinction as "First Fair Trade State Capital" and 16th "Fair Trade City" in the United States.

So, how can you make your purchases matter? Look for fair trade certified products in campus shops and local businesses. You may also wish to "save the date" for the 14th Annual Fair Trade Holiday Festival, Saturday, December 4, 2010 at the Monona Terrace.

• Where to Get Fair Trade Products in Madison, Willy Street Coop
• Where to Buy Fair Trade Certified Products, TransFair
  

Free Shipping and More for College Students

If you are a student who frequently purchases from Amazon.com, here is a deal for you!

Amazon.com is offering a free, one-year membership to its Amazon Student (Prime) program (a $79.00 value) which includes free, two-day shipping on textbooks and more. Additionally, Amazon Student members enjoy email alerts to other special discounts and promotions.

Students who are currently-enrolled in a college or university are eligible to register. Registration requires a valid .edu email address. Once you have signed up, you will receive an email confirmation message which will prompt you to click the verification link to complete the process.

For more information, visit the Amazon Student FAQ page.

Eco-Labels

Have you ever marveled at the various labels that adorn the packaging of the products you buy? Ever wonder what they actually mean and who the authority is behind them? If so, you may find the following resources useful for interpreting these labels and making your purchasing decisions.

Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports, has created the Greener Choices site to inform consumers about environmentally-friendly products—their labels and claims. Particularly nice is its search-engine feature where you can run a search for a specific product, label or certifier.

Similarly, the November/December 2009 issue of Mother Jones magazine featured a chart of Eco-Labels with evaluative color-coding to denote “best of the bunch”, “better than nothing” and “virtually meaningless.”

Of related interest are the study reports issued by TerraChoice (an environmental marketing firm) that elucidate Sins of Greenwashing.