Kroger seeks suggestions for healthy section

For those of you who shop for groceries at the Kroger grocery store on State Street in Athens, you will no doubt have noticed that the store has been undergoing extensive remodeling over the past several months. If you shop late at night like me, you may have been treated to an orchestra of jackhammers.

However, when it is finished, one of the new features of the store will be an expanded "Natural Foods/Organic" section, where vegetarians and vegans find many of their food choices. Yesterday I noticed a sign asking for suggestions from its customers as to what to carry in this larger area. I was told that suggestions could be submitted on any piece of paper.

Now, while I am indeed a fan of The Farmacy, I often regret the fact that I have to make two stops to shop (three, if I make it to the Farmer's Market that week!)

Kroger does not carry all the healthy products I desire, while The Farmacy has some specialty products but is simply not big enough to carry everything I need -- especially a larger variety of produce. For those of us who have visited a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, you may have also dreamt of having similar types of options.

I don't expect Kroger to turn into a vegetarian/vegan paradise overnight. They may be hesitant to carry such a variety unless they see a financial return. But who knows? Perhaps all they need is a little input to make healthy grocery shopping in the area a bit better and make some money while they are at it.

For example, as mentioned in my previous entry, I would love to see Field Roast Grain Meats. Even a more established brand like www.tofurky.com/ (more mock meats) would be great. In my previous life in Illinois, I was a huge fan of Natural Ovens breads, bagels and cookies and really miss them. I'm still enjoying a package of delicious whole grain oatmeal raisin cookies I bought during a holiday visit.

I'll be making my list this week, and I encourage others to do the same. While I'm at it, I'll make a copy for The Farmacy, too. Knowing the nice people there, I'm sure they would not mind suggestions to better serve their clientele.

A Vegan Holiday Option

OK, I'll admit it. As a former meat eater, I miss the tradition of eating turkey at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It's not that I miss the taste, but I miss how it served as the centerpiece of the meal that tied everything together. We'd have turkey with gravy, stuffing, cranberries, vegetables and a roll.

Since I became a vegan, holiday meals seem a bit lost. Sure, I have tons of recipes, but it's hard to make them fit in with old traditions that are stuck in my head -- those traditions that bring back all those great memories.

A few years ago, before my parents and sister went vegetarian, my mother made me a Tofurky. It was pretty good, but it can be hard to find at my local grocery, even if they carry other tasty Tofurky mock meat products.

This Thanksgiving, however, mom found a delicious "Celebration Roast" from the Field Roast Grain Meat Company that fit right in with our old holiday traditions. The roast is stuffed with sausage-style stuffing made from butternut squash, apples and mushrooms. Served with mushroom gravy, cranberries, veggies and whole wheat rolls and this was just as good as any holiday dinner I can remember.

All I can say is WOW. The holidays may be over, but I'll be looking for any excuse to have this again. And I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes a hearty dish -- vegetarian or not.

The unfortunate news is that it is not available in Athens -- not at Kroger and not at the Farmacy. Next time I remember, I'll have to ask them to get it. It would make a great addition for local vegetarians.

Until then, the closest place to get these products may just be Whole Foods. I do not know if they carry it in Columbus, but the grocery chain is the only one in the midwest that currently carries it. You should give it a try.

Athens Farmers' Market

If you really want to get an authentic feel for Athens, stop by its famous farmers' market.

Located in the University Mall parking lot near the new Bennigan's Restaurant, it is THE place to be on a Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to the farmers and their families, you'll see undergraduate and graduate students, professors, town notables and assorted Athens families. (During warmer months, it is also open on Wednesdays.)

For those who like to people watch, this is the place. However, let's remember why we're here -- the food!

What can you find? Well, it depends on the time of year. All the fruits and vegetables are seasonal. Right now, that means lots of apples, squash and pumpkins. You can also find peppers, garlic, onions, potatoes -- you name it.

For those who love salsa, there are two to three great stands. My personal favorite is Bungtown Salsa, which is made locally by a Hocking College student. The Jose Madrid stand has several great varieties to try. Occasionally there are others.

I always stop to visit the stand run by the owners of the Ali Baba food truck. You can get homemade hummus, fattoush and baba ganoush. You'll also find cous cous or taboulleh. On occasion, they have AMAZING potato candies. Stock up because these are soooo good.

Sometimes, I also pick up some whole wheat bread or rolls from Crumbs Bakery. They have a couple vegan options -- the whole wheat or herb varieties. My only problem with them is that they go bad fast. If you're not going to eat it right away, put it in the refrigerator. The peanut butter cookies are good, too. You can buy them in an eight-pack.

Over time, everyone finds their favorite stands. When you know what you like, it will save you time.

However, when all is said and done, you will still have to stop at Kroger. Most of the stuff is not cheap. However, at least you will know you helped support the local economy -- and got some tasty fresh food, too.