ypsi~dixit

In the Von's juice section, the AF taught Y. how to determine the juices' country of origin. It's printed in purple computo-type on the neck of the bottle. I was astonished to see that many brands of "American" apple juice in fact came from...China.

Apple juice from China? That's crazy! The juice I much prefer, anyways, is cranberry juice, and the AF said this was probably domestic since cranberries grow, by and large, only here. So I was OK with buying cranberry juice, while haunted by visions of a giant tanker whose hold sloshed with apple juice from China.

Y. also bought a couple cans of frozen cranberry juice concentrate and plans to mix it up and re-use the cranberry juice plastic container instead of pitching it.

Every purchase is a political act. Y. tossed a few instant noodle cups into the cart for work lunches but when the AF pointed out that these were in styrofoam, thought twice and returned them to the shelf. Styrofoam can be recycled, said the AF, but Y. would rather opt out of anything styrofoam-related. Bad stuff.

Even with Von's limited selections, it was possible with the AF's help to make some educated choices.

Von's is old news to many kind readers; I realize that. But I only recently discovered it through the help of the peripatetic AF. I never even knew it was there. Now it's my favorite market. Y. fills in the artisan cheese and sandalwood soap and organic produce gaps at the co-op.

Is your AF Brett from Maproom Systems?

My favorites about Von's are the central/south american food aisle (who knew you could get so many types of menudo?), and the Mexican "helados" in the freezer section. Strawberry's my favorite, special man pal likes the rum raisin.

Mark: No.

Katy: As broad-minded as I try to be, I can live quite happily without menudo, since I know what it is (shudders). But what is "helados"?

"Special man pal" is an adorable phrase.

I have seen the building but have never stopped in. This is a mistake I must correct as soon as possible. Soound like a store well worth a visit.

40% of all the apple concentrate in the US is from China. It's really hurting our orchards. We raise millions of bushels of apples in Michigan, and orchard owners are looking at making money on hayrides and wedding receptions, the way movie theaters make money on popcorn and candy.

They have a real butcher at Von's, and the meat choices are often better than higher-priced Kroger's.

It is, Listener. Let's go there sometime; I'll show you where the bulk sardines are (eleven inches from the end of aisle 4, right hand side, third shelf down; I have it memorized).

Michael: The meat selection is outstanding for such a small store. Chicken (esp. leg quarters, which is what I buy) is always dirt cheap. Tripe available, ham hocks too.

Michael: *40%*?! That is insane. Feh. No Chinese apple juice for me! I can't imagine how cheaply they grow it there to make it worthwhile to fuel up a whole tanker to laboriously ship it here. Lordy. Shop local's my motto. The localler (farmer's market) the better.

Yes, to give a local example of orchards scrambling to stay afloat, Wiard's survives only via its "countrytime on the farm" fall festival weekends and its "Night Terrors" Halloween events, both unbearably hokey and yet strangely charming (plus I picked the most wonderfully delicious Winesaps I've ever tasted).

Menudo - as a vegetarian, I don't partake, but I do enjoy looking at the various cans of it.
Helados - I think it's just the word for "ice cream" but these particular ones (with a small bear or something on the box) are ice cream-type popscicles.

thanks for the heads up on Von's...I've been looking for a place to supplement my Ypsi Co-op trips (Riverside Bakery bread soooo goood).

Cara: Riverside Bakery bread is a real treat, if not even a luxury! Spread with nothing more than good butter, and with a bowl of soup--wonderful meal.

Would you let me know if you try Von's and what you think about it?