MANNA MARKET LLC., ORGANIC PRODUCE AT ITS FRESHEST

Every item offered for purchase at MannaMarket is guaranteed to be Organically grown or contain Organic ingredients.  A standard sack order contains the freshest organic items available so you can enjoy food as God intended!

 Donations Needed

We need donations of copy paper, brown paper grocery sacks and plastic grocery bags, gallon-size Ziploc-style plastic bags, and egg cartons.   Please bring some with you when you come to pick up your fruits and vegetables.

Pick-up dates are:   January 3, 17,& 31st,  February 14 & 28,  March 13 & 27, etc; orders must be placed no later than the Friday before the pick up date.

Reusable Bags

To reduce waste, we would like to begin using reusable bags for co-op orders.

Each family should have at least two reusable bags large enough to hold an order, about the same size as a brown paper grocery bag. Please print your name legibly near the top edge of each bag. On pickup day, you will bring your empty bag and pick up the filled one

Sack Prices:

Half Sack:  $35.00 feeds one person
Full Sack: $55.00 feeds 2-4 people
X-full Sack: $80.00 feeds 5+

Special order sacks are a $60.00 mimum order( you pick and choose what you like but there are minimum requirements for certain items.)

How do I pick up my order?
Pick-up location:
4405 Dolly Ridge Rd
Birmingham, AL 35243
12:00 – 2:00 pm on the dates given above.
Delivery is always available within the Over-the-Mountain area for a small charge.

Company History

Near Death Experience Brings Organics to Birmingham
by Robyn Mitchell

In 1994, I contracted a case of Toxic Strep-A which left me in a coma for a week, and had doctors and family members preparing for my death. Through some miracle though, I did survive. During my nearly year-long recovery and rehabilitation, I sought information on healthful living and eating. My research led me to the benefits of eating organically, and sparked a passion that spawned a business as well as an informal consulting service. I started eating a diet of raw fruits and vegetables, gradually leaving off meat and dairy. At that time, I was eating 85% of my food raw, and almost all organically. Within 6 months, I felt incredibly better. Even though I have gradually reintroduced meat and dairy to my diet, I continue to benefit from the improved nutritional value of organic foods.

At a time when organic foods were largely unknown in the state, I set out to introduce the community to the health benefits of eating organically. Starting on my porch, with the help of a friend, I began a small Co-Op. The initial participants, like me, were primarily those who were recovering from a serious illness. They saw in organics the potential for renewed and sustainable health in their lives by cutting out the various pesticides, preservatives, and other contaminants routinely found in commercially grown foods.

The MannaMarket Co-Op was started in April 2000 with just 12 families. We are now serving families all over the 4 county metro area, and will ship nationwide. There are many benefits to eating organically.

Why, well here are just a few facts:

Just a few reasons why an organic lifestyle is important � not only for adults, infants, and children, but for the general health of our world as well.

• Consider the fact that pesticides rarely occur by themselves and that multiple pesticides may be used on a fruit or vegetable. Pound for pound, children eat more fruits and vegetables than adults do. They have less detoxifying enzymes than adults, making it more difficult for them to break down the toxic chemicals that enter their bodies. They breathe faster and have immature organs. Their playing habits put them into contact with toxic chemicals more frequently (down on the carpet and the lawn, or hugging pets doused with flea and tick sprays or wearing chemical collars).
• Organics are the products of an environmentally sustainable agricultural system that protects farmlands, water supplies, wildlife, farm workers and consumers.
• Because organic farming builds soil fertility, by using naturally composted fertilizer to feed and keep soils balanced, foods grown this way are generally more flavorful and nutritious.
• Certified Organic acreage has doubled in the last three years, increasing its ability to offer year-round availability with a greater level of consistent quality.
• Dietary fiber acts somewhat like a brush, keeping your intestines clean and promoting a healthier digestive tract. Experts agree that eating 20-30 grams of dietary fiber per day (almost double what the typical American now eats) may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
• Pesticides are poisons designed to kill living organisms, and can also be harmful to humans.
• More energy is now used to produce synthetic fertilizers than to till, cultivate and harvest all the crops in the U.S.
• Although more and more large-scale farms are making the conversion to organic practices, most organic farms are small, independently owned and operated family farms.

The logic is inescapable. Eating organically not only promotes health in humans, it also promotes health in the environment, and ultimately health in our economy as resources are redirected toward food production rather than the eradication of poisons intentionally introduced into our soils and waterways.

Diet Information

Articles about Diet, Food, and Health that we think you will find interesting!

* What do wine, green tea and blueberries have in common?   ANTIOXIDANTS–

Berry Well:

What do wine, green tea, and blueberries have in common? ANTIOXIDANTS

Berries contain large quantities of antioxidants. Studies have implicated these Berries contain large quantities of antioxidants. Studies have implicated these antioxidants in slowing the aging process and lowering one’s risk for many diseases, including certain cancers and heart disease. Antioxidant-rich berries are now being recommended to treat specific medical conditions, including bladder infections, arthritis, and visual problems.

Recent studies confirm that dark red and blue berries help stabilize the collagen in the cartilage of major joints. Cartilage is better known as the “cushion” of the joint. Thus, improving the integrity of the cartilage will most likely reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation that often accompany the ravages of arthritis.
There are many different varieties of berries in the United States. The most commonly used include blackberries, black currant, blueberries, boysenberries, cranberries, lingonberries, raspberries, and strawberries. It is known that the darker the berry, the more antioxidant it contains. These berry antioxidants, also known as anthocyanins, are specific pigments found abundantly in plants. Blueberries have the most anthocyanins of all the berries.

In addition to antioxidants, fresh berries contain significant amounts of fiber, vitamin C, and folate. Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant. Fiber is good not only for colon health, it also helps maintain low levels of cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar. Folate, known also as folic acid, is well known for its use during pregnancy in preventing spina bifida. More recently, folate has been shown to lower the level of homocysteine, a protein by-product now thought to increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.

A surprisingly good source of antioxidants is jam and jelly. In cooking studies done with raspberries, baking or jam making, which involves high temperatures, does not seem to deactivate the antioxidant ability of raspberries. Enjoying one to two tablespoons with your favorite toast, muffin, or scone will provide an excellent source of anthocyanins.

Juice made from berries is not as rich in antioxidants and should be consumed in moderation given its sugar load. People with diabetes should take extra care in monitoring how juice affects their blood sugar.
When buying berries, choose fresh berries in season when possible since these fruit are among the most perishable. Keep berries no longer than 2-3 days as their taste and antioxidant potential will decrease rapidly thereafter.
Berries are truly Mother Nature’s gift to us. Enjoy in good health!

* 5 Significant Breast Cancer Studies Show Fruits, Vegetables, and Fiber Aid in Prevention.

* Broccoli is known as the “Crown Jewel of Nutrition” – Read about it here(PDF).

* WHO Calls ‘Urgent’ Conference on Carcinogens – Click here to read the news(PDF).

* 10 Foods that Pack a Wallop – Click here to find out what they are(PDF).

* Super Size America – Click here for the details(PDF).

Links

Some of our favorite links we think may be of interest to you. Links open in new windows.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/

http://organic.org/

http://www.mofga.org/

http://www.ota.com/news/press/24.html

Co-Op Rules

By definition, a Co-Op is a member organization where individuals join together to make bulk purchases and share in the savings. One of the ways to generate these savings is for members to volunteer to help with the weighing, bagging, and distribution of the produce. MannaMarket asks that each member volunteer at least 3 times per year to help on pick-up day. Since many of our members have work schedules that prevent them from doing this, we ask that you help in other ways — distributing flyers, recruiting new members, delivering produce, etc. There are other volunteer needs as well, and I can work with you to identify one that fits your schedule.

As a member organization, participation in the Co-Op presumes a commitment to placing, and paying for, your orders. Most Co-Ops require a 4 to 6 month commitment. MannaMarket�s policy is that you must notify us in writing 1 month prior to skipping a pick-up or resigning from the Co-Op.Much of our work is done ahead of time, and this commitment allows us to seek out the best produce at the best price. If circumstances prevent you from providing at least 1 month�s notice, you are welcome to request that your order be donated to Grace House, a home for disadvantaged and troubled girls located in the western part of Birmingham. Donations to Grace House are a regular part of the Co-Op�s effort to give back to the community. You are also welcome to have a friend or neighbor pick up your order on your behalf.

We must have guaranteed payment for each order.To do this, we request that each member provide credit card information as a backup to other payment means. This information will only be used by us in the event you fail to make payment for a scheduled pick-up.

By the time you receive the email directing you to place your order on the internet, our order has already been placed. Therefore, it is too late to change the size of your order. This notice is only to give you the opportunity to order Extras. If you need to change your order size for some reason, notice must be given at least 1 week in advance.

We want your experience with MannaMarket to be positive, and have tried to keep rules to a minimum, and make them as simple as possible. You may contact Robyn Mitchell at the Contact Information Below: if you have any questions or comments.

Please print this form, keeping a copy for yourself, and bring a signed copy with you to the next pick-up.

I understand the rules of the MannaMarket Co-Op, and agree to abide by them.

ORDER AGREEMENT

NAME:______________________________________

DATE:_______________________________________

Credit Card Info:

Name on Card:________________________________________

Card Number:_________________________________________

Exp. Date:__________________ 3 Digit Code on back of card:_____________

Billing Address:____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTACT INFORMATION

To receive additional information on how to adopt an organic lifestyle, please contact us:

Manna Market LLC                                                                                                                                                                                                Robyn Mitchell                                                                                                                                                                                                 Managing Member                                                                                                                                                                                                9340 Helena Road Ste. F – 122                                                                                                                                                                  Birmingham, Alabama 35244                                                                                                                                                                             Tele: 205-566-2533

All content ©2006 – 2009 Manna Market LLC; all rights reserved.

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