Member Letter, July2026
- Jul 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Welcome to the new monthly letter just for the BFC community.
We are going to have a little fun as we work together to build a more resilient local food system! Thank you for being here, and for sharing in this mission.
Organic Local Watermelon Organic Local Blueberries Organic Local cantalope
It is fruit and berry season and Blueberries are ON.
It's time for blueberry pancakes, muffins, pies, jam, and chicken smothered in blueberry sauce! LIMITED TIME SPECIAL: Order a flat of blueberries and we add an extra pint for free!
Melons are just getting started. Galia and Cantalope are delicious right now and we have several varieties of watermelon.
Heirlooms and Sungolds and Romas, oh my! We have locally grown, organic tomatoes in all their summertime glory.
Fresh-in-season fruits and veggies arrive weekly. Shop often for the best selection and unexpected finds!
Organic Local Tomatoes Organic Local Corn Organic Local Marionberries
Announcements & Opportunities
Reminder: Pick up Member-Owner Cards at the checkout desk
If you have recently purchased your membership, stop by the co-op to pick up your member-owner card!
If you were one of the first 200 members and have not received your card, stop by the store and tell us your number. We will reprint and get it ready for pick-up.
Note: We print these in batches, so if your membership was purchased only in the last week or so, it will not be there yet.
Grand Opening, Grand Success
There was laughter. There were tears (happy ones).
14 guest vendors served up a taste of wonderful to roughly 300 visitors.
Thank you so much to everyone who came out and made the BFC Grand Opening wonderful!
New Product Highlight
BFC is now carrying Camas Country Mill Flours!
Local and family owned, Camas Country first opened its doors in 2011. They were the first mill of their kind to operate in the Willamette Valley in nearly eighty years.
Read More>>
Camas Country Mill Flour Holly's Dog Biscuit Mix from Camas Country Mill Einkorn Flour Camas Country Mill
People of the Co-op
Valeria Clarke
You may have seen her at the CG Farmer’s market, or ringing up your organic strawberries at the co-op register. You may have seen her on the cover of the BFC 2025 Annual report! Valeria has been with the co-op since before it was the co-op, and is also president of the Twinberry Commons board.
Q: Tell us about your role with the BFC?
Currently, I am the BFC Secretary, and up until a couple of weeks ago I was also the Treasurer.
I was a long time customer of the Farm Stand, since 2010. When the co-op got started, I could not stay in the background. As soon as I could, I jumped on the board.
Q: Why did you join? Tell me about your background.
Food has been my passion all my life. I was raised in a foodie household. Farm camp when I was 10 - that is what happens when you grow up in New York City. I endeavored to find all the plants and creatures in my neighborhood, on tiny little plots of grass. Mom would find pots and pans and they would line the house and would be little habitats.
I love nature, watching the intricacies in the web of life, how everything is connected.
I got a degree in animal husbandry from the school of agriculture. I joined my first food co-op when I was there at Penn State.
I’ve farmed in Israel, in Pennsylvania, and in Oregon; raising sheep, Christmas tree farms, market gardens. I ran a CSA and I’ve sold at Farmers markets. I am beginning a foray into growing willow and making baskets out of it. I am learning pine needle basketry as well.
Q: What are you most excited about for the co-op moving forward?
I am excited for us to start creating new departments; a health & wellness department, Paper goods. A new counter - which is in the works. New shelving - also in the works. Lots of things to be excited for.
Do you have a favorite product in the store you would like to share? What do you love about it?
YES! 2 of them.
I am not a big packaged food person. But, Kelp Chili Crisps by Barnacle - far and away best chili crisp that exists. Really umami - deep , rich flavor, layered with spicy hot - and then they are cool and crispy.
Golden Milk Tea, in the bulk section. Just amazing. I do a lot of ginger turmeric stuff. They have nailed the blend. Makes tea really easy. Now I don’t have to make my own.
Q: If you could have a billboard over the Blackberry Food Co-op building, what would it say?
Come shop with your family and all your friends. Become a member. Everyone welcome!
Barnacle Kelp Crisp Golden Milk Tea Medicinal Mushroom Extract
More things to get excited about:
In addition to the ever-changing seasonal selection of fresh local mushrooms, BFC is now carrying organic Medicinal Mushroom extract powders from Mountain Rose Herbs.
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