Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month

With fall and winter approaching, our Co-op begins sourcing more produce from warmer climates. With seasonal changes, our local produce shifts towards heartier fruits and veggies. To keep our produce department bountiful in the colder months, we increase our purchases from communities further away including Hispanic and Latine communities in the Western and Southern U.S., Central America and South America.

As Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month wraps up (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15), our community reflects on the contributions and hard work from these communities. We rely heavily on our relationships with Hispanic and Latine producers - both locally and afar - to provide the full rainbow of fresh produce to our community year-round.

Here is a snapshot of purchases from last winter. Our purchasers choose organic fruits and veggies whenever available:

• Argentina: Blueberries
• Chile: Blueberries & Kiwis
• Colombia: Bananas
• Costa Rica: Yucca Root & Pineapple
• Ecuador: Asparagus, Dragon Fruit, Mangos & Bananas
• Mexico: Pineapple, Bananas, Avocados, Green Beans, Celery, Cucumbers, English Cucumbers, Eggplant, Jicama, Green Onions, Snap Peas, Snow Peas, Bell Peppers (Green, Orange, Yellow, and Red), Mini-sweet Pepper, Fresno Peppers, Habanero Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, Poblano Peppers, Serrano Peppers, Shishito Peppers, Radishes, Squash, Cilantro, Grapefruit, Limes, Blackberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Asparagus, Tomatillos, Tomatoes
• Peru: Ginger

In addition to our produce selection, much of our Co-op’s coffee comes from Latin American countries, of which 60% of the world’s coffee supply is produced! Notably, this includes our partnership with Equal Exchange, a worker cooperative committed to Fair Trade and sustainable practices. Browse our bulk department for a wide selection of single-origin coffees from Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua, Peru and Guatemala.

This winter, when you enjoy that cup o’ joe, yucca fries or avocado toast, remember that these tasty gems did not get here on their own. These synergistic relationships are crucial to providing our community with high-quality produce year-round.