Hello September

It is not just back to school that marks September as a big one on our calendars, did you know it’s also a month dedicated to both cycling and organic too? 

As for what’s on local, Stroud has plenty of fantastic events to get involved with this month, with Music, theatre festivals, artist open studios, exhibitions, and more. 

Personal highlights include Jazz Stroud, the return of the Stroud Theatre Festival, The Stroud Water Textiles & Trust Wool Week, the always-popular SITE Festival open studios, and this years Heritage Open Days with it’s tasty theme of Edible England.

Speaking of edible, September is packed full of in-season produce, many of which are available on our shop thanks to our fabulous local suppliers; ZeroDig (Inc. Nell’s Patch) on Oakbrook Community Farm, MarrowsLTD with their veg boxes, Stroud’s family run Global Organic Markets, and the Gardens at Hawkwood College.

This months’ newsletter is packed with organic inspiration, Green Week celebrations, supplier updates, new produce on our shop, and food recommendations. 

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for new products and producers in the weeks to come. We recommend you spend a little time discovering all the wonderful local fresh foods and other goodies we have available on our shop by using our handy search bar and category filters.

Thank you for all your support for Stroudco and what we do. 

Happy Reading Everyone! 

Updates From Our Stroud Suppliers

The Beeswax Wrap Co. Named B Corp ‘Best For The World’ Company:  

Makers of beeswax wraps, reusable cotton bags and more plastic free alternatives; The Beeswax Wrap Co. celebrated being named one of the top 5% of global B Corp Certified companies doing great things for the environment this Summer. Awarded a ‘Best For The World 2021’ badge by the B Corp organisation for their environmental impact being a core commitment since day one.

Beeswax Wrap Co. strive to put the planet and people before everything else so its great to hear that their hard work and dedication to be an environmentally friendly business has been recognised! 

With their endless array of everyday usage we have a fab selection of designs for both their beeswax and vegan wraps available to order on our online shop.

NEW On Our Shop From Stroud Valley Project Eco Shop:

Stroud Valley Project have added a whole host of items to our shop that available now to order. 

The list includes beeswax candles, grocery and produce bags, soaps and hair care products, and even woollen gardening twine made in England. There are also several items, such as reusable stainless steel straws, plastic free tape and plastic free ear buds, that will help cut down on plastic use.

“We want people to be able to access our products to help make their home, on the go and self-care routines as eco-friendly as possible.”

Tash, Stroud Valleys Project

Discover Noni’s NEW Coffee Blends:  

1. BLOOM v2: A delicious drink suited best to be drunk as an espresso style drink, but tastes really good in a cafetiere with milk too. This combination of coffee is sustainably sourced from Aquiares, Costa Rica and Matas de Minas, Brazil. 

The Aquiares – meaning ‘land between rivers’ Estate is situated in Aquiares which lies at 1,100-1,400 MASL and the coffee shrubs planted in a web of natural springs and rivers. Diego Alfonso runs the farm and on the farm there is a strong connection between agricultural, environmental and social health. They look for synergies where the environmental health translates into coffee plant health ultimately contributing to long-term stability. 

The Brazil portion of this blend is from the region of Matas de Minas grown on the Fazenda Jatobá farm that is run by two brothers Walter and Ednilson at 800- 1,150 MASL. 35-40% of the farm is under conservation preserving the natural flora and fauna, they have planted ‘green curtains’ to protect the farm against weather and also provides natural protection against pests. 

2. DUST v2: Sustainably Sourced from Soconusco, Mexico. Dark Chocolate, Pear and Lychee. This coffee tastes at its best as a black drink, but can be enjoyed with milk. Grown by Edward ‘Teddy’ Estere on the Chanjul Estate, Soconusco in Mexico. Situated at 1,200 – 1,700 MASL. 

Teddy is set apart by his commitment to sustainability. Already on the estate are a number of practices that are very forward thinking. The DUST project looks to support farmers who are looking at ways to promote soil health and diversity. On the Chanjul Estate Teddy has incorporated numerous measures to promote a healthy environment. 42 hectares of his 210 total are dedicated to prevention of wasteful use of a resource. His practices include; soil conservation and waste water treatment. 

His commitment does not stop here, Teddy is on the road to an incredible achievement, he is in the process of transitioning to a carbon neutral farm, in today’s world seemingly full of chaos, what an incredible aim. 

Not only are his environmental practices honorable but he also has a structure for migratory pickers to provide education, in which the workers are taught to read and write. The wage is above the minimum wage and there is a bonus structure in place for the workers. 

3. HALF CAFF (Espresso) v1: Raspberry, Cocoa and Raisin. This coffee can be enjoyed both black and with milk.

This creation was a bespoke coffee request that is apparently rather popular, so I have decided to make a real thing out of it! So you want a coffee but you don’t want too much caffeine. This HALF CAFF might be just what you are looking for. This is a delicious blend of my house espresso BLOOM and the Co2 decaf from Rwanda. The decaf comes from the combined regions of Nyabihu, Gakenke and Nyamasheke in Rwanda. Coffees from these regions are selected and sent to Europe to be decaffeinated. Paired with the Brazil, Soa Francisco de Bela Vista and a delicious coffee from Runinya, Burundi. 

The Co2 process, this is a chemical free decaffeination process. The beans are soaked and pressurised in Co2 which removes the caffeine from the beans. The flavour profile is not tampered with and this decaf still tastes delicious.

Coming Up At Hawkwood College:  

Have You Heard? 23rd September 2021 will be award-winning Peter Moseley’s premiere screening of his climate emergency documentary, Beyond Solstagia, at Hawkwood College in Association with Stroud Film Festival. As a tribute to Polly Higgins, it will also feature leading activists Jonathon Porritt and Caroline Lucas. Tickets available now on Hawkwood College Website.

Maryanne’s Bake and Preserves:  

NEW from Maryanne, homemade lemon and blueberry cake. 

Organic September

Organic September is all about raising awareness and celebrating the many benefits of organic food and farming. We have a great range of organic produce available on our shop.

     The Benifits Of Organic Include:  

• Supporting biodiversity and wildlife
• Helping to combat climate change
• The highest standards of animal welfare
• Reduced exposure to pesticides
• Food as it should be, and food you can trust

Foodie Inspirations

Whether it’s meals, snacks, sides, or desserts, shopping with Stroudco can help make it easy! 

In Need Of Some Super Snacks?  

Our plastic free supplier Loose has a fantastic range sweet and savory of ‘snackables’ without the usual packaging and plastics.

Our Essential Trading nut butters and chocolate spread offerings are ethical, organic, and free from palm oil. As are the moreish Seed and Bean Chocolate Bars we get from them. 

For a healthy boost to up your fruit and veg intake we have a rainbow of fresh produce available that make for great snacking with plenty grown in the UK including some local to Stroud gems.

Fancy The Convenience of Meal Ready with Made By Hand Love?

MAMA’s Family Food offers a range of hearty dishes for the whole family to enjoy. Choose from Neapolitan Pasta Frittata with a choice of salami or vegetable filling, Jamaican Jerk Sweet Potato and Bean Stew (Vegan), Aubergine Parmigiana (Vegetarian), Chicken and Spinach Puff, and Jamaican Jerk Chicken.

The delicious Stroud Farmers Market Girish and Son Vegan Indian is always a hit. Their sides include Samosas, Onion Bhajis, Aloo Tikki and Cumin Rice. As for mains choose from Chickpea and Spinach Curry, Red Lentil Dal, and Mung Bean, Coconut and Sweet Potato Dal.

If it is an accompaniment you’re after than Maryanne’s Bakes and Preserves homemade sausage rolls, quiches with a choice of fillings, and lasagnas (including a gluten free option) are perfect for lunch or tea.

For something lighter we also have Essential Trading Organic Soups available with a choice of Vegetable & Tomato or Lentil & Pumpkin. Both taste great with the freshly baked breads we have available from SALT Bakehouse and The Artisan Baker.

Craving Dessert or After-Meal Treats; Why Not Add Something Sweet? 

The Welsh Cake Lady’s homemade Welsh Cakes, Barabirth (A Traditional Welsh Tea Cake), & Mixed Tart Boxes are always a delight.

Artisan Baker has Organic Blueberry Crumble Muffins and Organic Cookies with a choice of Pecan and Oat, Chocolate Sourdough, and Peanut Butter 

Maryanne’s Bakes and Preserves tiramisu pots are an indulgent pudding for any occasion.

Baked By Beth’s beautifully decorated brownies and bars are suitable for a range of dietary needs with gluten free, plant based (vegan), and raw options available.

As for SALT Bakehouse, their croissants are the best to enjoy, anytime, any day.

The 2021 Big Green Week

A NATIONAL WEEK OF EVENTS CELEBRATING ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Across the 18th – 26th September communities across the country will be joining together for the Great Big Green Week. Set to be the biggest ever climate and nature event in the UK everyone’s invited. One local group getting involved is the Chalford Climate Action Group (ChalCAN) who will gave a wide range of activities scheduled on their website.

To find out what else will be happening across the UK visit the Big Green Week website by clicking www.greatbiggreenweek.com/find-an-event

Featured below ore our favourite suggestions from The Big Green Week Pledge List (also on their website) of ways we can all get involved:

Ordering With Us At Stroudco

Our online Open Food Network shopfront is open for orders 8am Friday to 8am Wednesday every week, to make an order please follow the steps:

1. Go to https://openfoodnetwork.org.uk/stroudco/shop
2. Click the padlock and login icons at the top of the page
3. Log in using the email you are signed up with (or use the sign up tab, if you don’t already have an account).
4. Click on our Shop tab and add what you would like to your basket.
5. Click on your basket and follow the check out instructions to place your order.
6. Eagerly await your order to be delivered to your door Friday afternoon – or if you have chosen to collect – we will see you at our Trinity Room Hub midday Friday.

If you need to order on behalf of vulnerable others, as well as yourself, or you wish to make an order as a group, organisation, neighbourhood, or community then please contact us at manager@stroudco.org.uk for more information.

We Love To Chat

Please check out our social media pages for updates. We love hearing from you on social media so please tag us in your comments, tweets, posts, pics, & shares, including #stroudco to help spread the word of what we do.

We also welcome any feedback you may like to share and hope you will continue to shop with us in future weeks! A final BIG Thank You from all of us on the Stroudco Team for being such a vital part of our community and supporting what we do.

For help with a particular issue or query please email manager@stroudco.co.uk

More updates to come in our next newsletter so get following our social media and subscribing to our newsletters by entering your email in the subscribe box on our website contact page to be added to our mailing list today.