Customer Corner: Good Foods Co-op
It’s Customer Corner time again and we are happy to be presenting Good Foods Co-op! These guys are the ONLY cooperatively-owned grocery store in Kentucky and they celebrated their 45th anniversary last year. Their bulk section is #goals. Read on to see what they had to say about who they…
Recipe of the Week: Fluffy Maple Snickerdoodles
It’s Recipe of the Week time again! Show up to any fall gathering with these Fluffy Maple Snickerdoodles and you are sure to make some new friends! With no cane sugar or artificial sweeteners, you can also feel good about sharing these cookies. Read on to see how the recipe went…
10 Halloween Crafts for Maple Lovers
It’s that time of year again! You know the one; where the leaves turn colors, and the weather cools, and our focus shifts to sweaters & maple lattes. Best of all, Halloween is nearly upon us and we want to celebrate the best way we know how – with maple!…
Customer Corner: Cid’s Food Market
It’s time for another Customer Corner feature, and we are excited to be presenting Cid’s Food Market in Taos, NM! We think Cid’s commitment to mindfulness in their wages, community, environment, and product sourcing is awesome. Their store and it’s vision has been thriving for 32 years! Read on to…
Meet our Shipping Manager: Nicole
For this, our last Getting to Know You installment here on the blog (for now), we are introducing you to our Shipping Manager Nicole. She is the most recent addition to our team, having only been here for about 5 months. Nicole’s positive attitude and easy-going ways have been a…
Recipe of the Week: Autumn Pear Crisp
It’s October, and that means fall is in full swing! What better way to capture that feeling than this Autumn Pear Crisp recipe from our friends over at Azure Standard? Employee Alex was inspired to give this one a try when she saw Azure’s video on their Facebook page and…
Meet Our Production Manager: Justin
Five months ago, Justin joined Maple Valley as a bottler and production assistant. It is a role that calls for a certain level of artistry, as our bottler must ensure that syrup is selected to match the color and quality standards for our two grades of syrup. It is also…
Customer Corner: Azure Standard
It’s time for another Customer Corner feature here on the blog, this week we are pleased to feature Azure Standard. This organic distributor is based out of Dufur, OR with distribution all across the United States. In fact, we have a distribution drop here at the Maple Valley headquarters! For…
Recipe of the Week: Maple Lemon Ginger Sports Drink
Over the last week, our area has seen around 20 inches of rainfall. This has lead to extensive flooding, and has also affected some of our employees. With flood cleanup being everyone’s main focus, there has been little time for much else. However, employee Alex has an easy recipe for…
Customer Corner: UNFI
If you have ever worked in a field connected to natural foods, chances are you have heard of UNFI. Maple Valley products are carried in 10 of their warehouses. As the largest distributor of organic and natural foods in North America, their name is well known. But, their mission might…
Meet our E-Commerce, Customer Service, & Projects Specialist: Miranda
Miranda joined the cooperative family five months ago during the spring maple sugaring season. She quickly got to work getting our e-commerce platforms set up, and hasn’t slowed down since. Since then, she has become an indispensable part of the Maple Valley Cooperative family. Her organization skills paired with her…
Recipe of the Week: Tropical Watermelon Gin Slush
Alex is back at it this week with a Tropical Watermelon Gin Slush recipe from Build Your Bite. We are in love with this one! 😍🍹 Read on to see how it went for Alex and if she’s got any tips or tricks for those of you trying it at…
Customer Corner: Hummingbird Wholesale
It’s time for another Customer Corner feature here on the blog, and today we are focusing on Hummingbird Wholesale out of Eugene, Oregon! We are huge fans of their commitment to the environment. Their creative methods of achieving zero waste status include an awesome local bicycle delivery program! We asked…
Recipe of the Week: Maple Nut Trail Mix
It’s the middle of summer and the perfect time for camping, hiking, swimming, and general outdoor fun. It was in that spirit that employee Alex was inspired to try this week’s recipe; Maple Nut Trail Mix from Fresh Off The Grid! Read on to see how it went. If you…
Meet our Regional Sales Representative: Kim
It is hard to believe that Kim has only been working at Maple Valley for half a year. If you ask any of us, we would say it seems like we have known her for much longer. Her positive attitude and smiling face is very appreciated when she is in…
Customer Corner: Veritable Vegetable
Welcome to the latest edition of our Customer Corner Series! Today we are featuring Veritable Vegetable, an organic produce distribution company based in San Francisco, CA. We are proud to be one of the products carried by this sustainable & conscientious company. They had a lot to say about their company…
Meet our Social Media, Marketing, & Customer Service Manager: Alex
Yes, I know it is a long title, but there is no simpler way to sum up the many hats I wear here at Maple Valley. Maybe one day I will come up with an umbrella term that covers it all. Anyway, It is time to peel back the curtain…
Recipe of the Week: Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks
It’s time for another Recipe of the Week! This time, employee Alex gave Slow Cooker Red Wine & Maple Lamb Shanks from Big Oven a try. This one took a while, with an hour of prep and eight hours of cook time. It is the perfect set and forget dinner…
Meet Our National Sales Manager: Phil
Like many employees of Maple Valley Cooperative, Phil’s role as National Sales Manager slowly evolved to what it is now. Today, he can usually be found answering emails, handling orders, making calls, visiting stores, planing & attending events, working with our other sales reps, and maintaining customer information. As Phil…
Customer Corner: Shop’n Kart
For our latest edition of Customer Corner, we are excited to feature Shop’n Kart in Ashland, Oregon. This independently owned grocery store offers natural, local, & organic foods to their customers at the lowest prices possible by practicing high-volume buying. The result is a convenient and affordable grocery shopping experience…
Meet our Operations & Producer Relations Manager: Jim
Like most of us at Maple Valley, Jim has many roles in the cooperative. As Operations Manager he handles the day-to-day work of bottling, shipping, and inventory management. As Producer Relations Manager he is the main contact for our network of farmers. He coordinates maple syrup deliveries and ensures the…
Recipe of the Week: Maple Bacon Crack
For our latest Recipe of the Week series installment, we are featuring a fun and easy recipe from Chop Secrets that our employee Miranda tried out: Maple Bacon Crack. Miranda couldn’t resist the promise of an addictively delicious snack when she saw the video on her Facebook feed. Read on…
Meet our General Manager: Renee
The role of a General Manager is a demanding and multifaceted one. Someone who holds such a title must be able to handle anything that is thrown at her with an air of confidence and calm. Renee Miller, General Manager of our cooperative, is just the person for the job.…
Customer Corner: Co-op Partners Warehouse
We are happy to present our latest edition of Customer Corner featuring Co-op Partners Warehouse. Located in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, they are one of our Midwest distributors. We asked them about their inspiring mission and story and are pleased to share what they had to say. Read…
Food & Nutrient Levels Have A Profound Impact in Autism
To close out April as Autism Awareness month, we are very excited to feature this article from Autism Naturopath Julie Damant! Her inspiring work is making a big difference for children facing an Autism diagnosis. To learn more about her moving story and mission, check out her website, Facebook, and…
Meet Our Founder: Cecil
Cecil has always been a community-minded individual who sees the betterment of that community as his responsibility. A few minutes of conversation with him makes this point immediately evident. Whether he is building the first soccer field in the county, or overseeing a project to promote green energy in the…
Recipe of the Week: Maple Glazed Sweet Potato Salad with Red Quinoa and Maple Tahini Dressing
This week’s recipe of the week is a little bit different than normal. Instead of our regular format, we wanted to share with you an amazing recipe from Stephanie over at SK Parfait: Maple Glazed Sweet Potato Salad with Red Quinoa and Maple Tahini Dressing. It was inspired by our very…
Organic Maple Syrup Brings Peace of Mind to Families Challenged by Autism
This week’s article is a contribution from Behavior Analyst Jamie Lynn Melillo in recognition of April being Autism Awareness month. Jamie is the Founder and Executive Director at Hope for Autism Foundation. She has advanced graduate attendance at CSULA, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Berkeley, UC Denver, HKUST, and USC.…
Customer Corner: Autism Hope Alliance
Throughout the month of April, Maple Valley is excited to be hosting a variety of content including recipes, articles, and events in recognition of Autism Awareness Month. It is in that spirit that we are pleased to announce this month’s Customer Corner Feature: Autism Hope Alliance (AHA). We are so…
A Tour of Our Headquarters
As you may have already known, Maple Valley’s headquarters are located in the small town of Cashton on the western half of Wisconsin. We are open Monday through Friday every week and are happy to give tours to interested customers. However, if you are not located in Wisconsin, a visit…
Recipe of the Week: Turmeric Glow Lemonade
With maple season in full swing, March can be a busy time for many of us here at Maple Valley. As the weather warms and spring thaw begins, many of us find ourselves spending more time outdoors. Whether we are working in the maple woods or preparing for summer on…
A Day in the Woods
It’s finally maple season and our farmers are hard at work in the woods harvesting sap and rendering syrup. Earlier this week, we went out to the woods of founder Cecil Wright to have a tour and witness the hot-packing of the season’s first batch of syrup. Three of our…
Customer Corner: Engine Company No. 3
Milwaukee, with it’s beautiful lakeside views and status as the largest city in the state, is an ideal destination for those who want the Wisconsin experience. And, what better place to experience the tastes of Wisconsin than at Engine Company 3; a locavore brunch restaurant in the heart of Milwaukee?…
Maple Syrup Festivals 2018
It’s almost that time of year again and farmers are getting ready to collect sap from their trees. If you are lucky enough to live in a state that produces maple syrup, there may be a Maple Syrup Festival happening near you soon! These events usually include tree-tapping and…
Customer Corner: Bloom Bake Shop
This week we are featuring Bloom Bake Shop in the beautiful Wisconsin City of Madison; only a quick drive from our headquarters! Their lovely cakes, breads, and breakfasts will inspire you with their beauty. A visit to their shop is truly the way to set the tone for a wonderful…
Maple Cream
Also called maple butter, maple cream is a light and spreadable maple product with only one ingredient – maple syrup! The process begins in a similar fashion to making snow candy but the final result is very different. This delicious spread can be added to breads, used in deserts, or…
Recipe of the Week: Instant Pot Chocolate Cake
Saturday, January 27th is National Chocolate Cake Day and we found a recipe to help us celebrate. It may be a stretch to call cake healthy, but if you ever can, this cake might be the one. This vegan cake has no gluten, eggs, nuts, or dairy! It can also…
Snow Candy
Also known as Maple Taffy, Sugar on Snow, and tire d’érable, snow candy is an old recipe that was first practiced by indigenous tribes long before Europeans came to North America. The tradition of making this simple, homemade treat was passed on to settlers along with the practice of making maple…
Customer Corner: Viroqua Food Co+op
We are pleased to feature a local favorite, Viroqua Food Co+op, for our latest edition of Customer Corner. Their ideal placement in the heart of Vernon county, a region known for its organic producers, gives them a unique advantage in the local foods movement. Maple Valley is proud to be…
Master Cleanse Reset: The Benefits of Fasting
It has been 77 years since Stanley Burroughs first developed The Master Cleanse & it is still utilized with regularity today. If you are unaware of The Master Cleanse, you can find out more about it in our post What is the Master Cleanse? Many people swear by the benefits they…
Recipe of the Week: Bacon Apple Cocktail
The holidays are winding down, but they aren’t over yet – New Year’s Eve is yet to come. Many people use the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve as a time to relax after the hectic rush to celebrate. Employee Alex did just that with this week’s edition of…
Customer Corner: in.gredients
This week we are very excited to feature in.gredients in Austin, TX for our Customer Corner feature. This amazing zero waste grocery store never has any food waste. And, they keep their total garbage quantities below six pounds a month. They also have an awesome community presence with a focus…
The History of Maple Syrup
Friday December 8th is Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day. This fun holiday asks that you dress up and stay in character as a time traveler for an entire day. The only rule is that you cannot tell anyone you are a time traveler. Sadly, no one at Maple…
Recipe of the Week: Sticky Ribs
National Eat a Red Apple Day is on December 1st, and employee Alex decided to incorporate the theme in to this week’s Recipe of the Week. You might be wondering how Sticky Ribs could possibly be a recipe that celebrates red apples. There is only one way to find out…
Customer Corner: Alkalicious
This week we are featuring Alkalicious, a juice bar located in Chesapeake, VA. They offer a variety of delicious beverages that are all crafted with fresh organic ingredients. Their menu, which you can peek at on their website, features such healthy offerings as Apple Cider Vinegar Elixir, Acai Bowl, and Hydralicious.…
Thanksgiving Maple Menu
Thanksgiving is coming up and there is still time to plan your menu. Maple Syrup probably already has an established place at your Thanksgiving table. With its North American origins and its delectable sweetness, it is the perfect ingredient for Thanksgiving dinner. Here at Maple Valley, we have a lot…
Recipe of the Week: Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Burrito Bowl
Jason, our favorite local chef, is back this week to celebrate National Men Make Dinner Day! This burrito bowl looks irresistible. With Jason’s helpful instructions below, we are confident anyone could make this tasty dish for dinner. If you decide to try it for yourself, let us know how it…
Customer Corner: Salad Girl Dressings
For this week’s Customer Corner, we are excited to feature Salad Girl Dressings out of Willernie, Minnesota! Their fresh organic salad dressings come in a variety of flavors that make our stomachs growl. Who could resist Dark Cocoa Sea Salt or Curry & Fig? We are thrilled that Maple Valley’s syrup…
Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate fans rejoice: Wednesday, October 18 was National Chocolate Cupcake Day! Aren’t holiday’s great? The occasion gave employee Alex the inspiration she needed to try a chocolate cupcake recipe featuring maple syrup for Recipe of the Week. The result was certainly worth the effort. See how it went below, and…
Customer Corner: Wildflour Bakery
We are excited present Wildflour Bakery & Cafe from Agoura Hills, CA for our Customer Corner feature. A peek at their website sure gets our mouths watering! Their breakfast & lunch menus feature such dishes as “Organic 6 Grain Blueberry Pancakes” & “Wildflour Chicken Salad & Quinoa Tabouli Bowl”. Their tantalizing menu…
5 Facts You Should Know About Maple Syrup
Some interesting facts that might surprise you. Maple Syrup. We all know and love it. But here at Maple Valley, we often get questions about some misconceptions surrounding this delicious food. Here are 5 facts that will set the record straight. Some of them might surprise you! 1. Maple syrup…
Recipe of the Week: Maple Frappé
This Saturday, October 7th, is National Frappé Day. That was good enough reason for our employee, Alex, to try her hand at a home-made Maple Frappé! Read on to see what she used and how it turned out! If you tried it at home, let us know in the comments…
Farmer Feature: Jim Adamski
When we interviewed Jim Adamski for this week’s farmer feature, we discovered that he got his start in maple syrup production as a 4-H project in 1984. With the help of his family, the operation has been growing ever since. Keep reading to find out what inspires him, how he…
A Sugarmaker’s Tools
Buckets, spile, and a mallet carved from wood; a hand operated auger; horses and wagons to haul sap; piles of firewood to boil the sap; and a large kettle in which to boil it. These were the tools of the sugarmaker in 1900. The term, “Sugarmaker”, is used to refer…
Recipe of the Week: Healthy Rice Crispies Treats
This Monday, September 18th, was National Rice Krispies Treat Day. In celebration, employee Alex tried making “Healthy Rice Krispies Treats” from Heather Haynes at Kula Mama for this week’s Recipe of the Week. This simple recipe made the perfect afternoon sweet-tooth cure at the office. Check out the recipe here to give…
Customer Corner: Funny Girl Vegan Bacon
Today’s edition of Customer Corner features Funny Girl Vegan Bacon. They are a brand new company currently based in Ohio. Their vegan bacon contains Maple Valley’s Dark Maple Syrup. Not only is it vegan, it is also allergy free! Basically, it is the perfect bacon replacement for any application. They…
Climate Change & Maple Syrup
Hurricanes, heat waves, drought, wildfires, flooding: the effects of climate change are often severe and very apparent. It is easy to see how severe weather might effect your home and your lifestyle. However, even if you are out of the path of rising waters and raging storms, climate change might…
Recipe of the Week: Maple Nut Ice Cream
This episode of Recipe of the Week is led by our General Manager Renee. She and her daughter whipped up some homemade Maple Nut Ice Cream from scratch. The result was delicious and everyone at the office agrees – Renee is now the official Ice Cream Guru here at Maple…
Farmer Feature: Dave Lemke
Farmer Feature is back & this week we are featuring Dave (Beaner) Lemke! Dave’s farm, Running Tree Sugarhouse, is located in Medford, WI where he also owns a Ford dealership. We got a peek into his early aspirations of business ownership and his take on maple syrup production; a family…
Maple Syrup Camping Hack
It is the end of September. Labor Day weekend is coming up quickly and the kids are returning to school. But today is National Eat Outside Day and there is still time for one last camping trip. Fall can be the best time for camping. The changing leaves and crisp…
Recipe of the Week: Maple Spice Waffles
Local chef Jason Trahan is back this week to help us celebrate National Waffle Day; August 24! For the occasion, Jason came up with a Maple Spice Waffle recipe to share. Check out his walk-through below, and don’t forget to celebrate on your own by giving it a try at…
Customer Corner: FitySweety
Hello, and welcome to the second edition of our Customer Corner feature! This week we are featuring FitySweety; a vegan friendly raw cake company based in Florida. FitySweety uses Maple Valley Maple syrup as an ingredient in their cakes. Each beautiful cake is an incredible work of healthy art created…
Maple Syrup vs. Other Sweeteners
In today’s world of dietary landmines it can be difficult to know what is okay to eat. You have probably heard by now that sugar is bad. It can increase the risk of poor health and should only be consumed in moderation. However, there are many other sweetener choices available.…
Recipe of the Week: Dry Rub Chicken & Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
We are very excited to host a guest post from local chef Jason Trahan this week! Jason created two custom recipes just for the occasion. One features Maple Valley’s maple sugar, and the other has our maple syrup. Read on for the recipe and a step-by-step walk through from Jason.…
What is The Master Cleanse?
If you have spent any time on our website or social media, you have probably noticed multiple mentions of something called The Master Cleanse. Here at Maple Valley, we sell kits for this cleanse. What is The Master Cleanse and how should these kits be used? Before we continue, a…
Recipe of the Week: Campfire Sour
Welcome to another installment of our Recipe of the Week series! This week Alex tried out a Campfire Sour recipe from W&P Design. Just a quick disclaimer: Maple Valley does not condone underage or irresponsible drinking. If you are going to try this one out, please be sure you are…
Farmer Feature: Amish Farmers
This week’s farmer feature is a special one. Since Maple Valley is located in Cashton, WI, we are in the heart of Amish country. This means that a large number of our farmers are Amish. Their beliefs kept us from being able to use names, or take photographs of the…
How Maple Syrup is Made
Pure, organic, maple syrup. We are all familiar with the delicious, golden syrup that tops our pancakes and sweetens our coffee, but what is it? Where does it come from, and how is it made? Maple syrup production is a unique and interesting process that occurs in early spring. It…
Recipe of the Week: Maple Bacon Dip
For this week’s Recipe of the Week, employee Alex tried out Maple Bacon Dip from Darlene over at Dip Recipe Creations. If you want to give it a try, head on over to her website for the recipe. Give us your take in the comments below. How did it go for…
Farmer Feature: Eric Meyer
This week we are featuring Eric Meyer; a local maple farmer who was also Maple Valley’s first bottler & shipper. He shared the story of his start in maple syrup production, told us what inspires him, and shared his reasoning for choosing Dark over Amber syrup. Read on for all…
Maple Valley at NCG Convergence 2017
National CO+OP Grocers Convergence: Grocery and Wellness Conference 2017 is coming up on July 18-21 in Minneapolis, MN and Maple Valley will be presenting! This week we are featuring a guest post from Adrienne, one of our sales reps here at Maple Valley. In it, she gives us a small taste…
Recipe of the Week: Maple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Welcome to the first ever installment of our new series; Recipe of the Week! For each bi-weekly blog installment, we will be choosing a recipe from our Pinterest page that features maple syrup, and giving it a try in our kitchens at home. Afterwards, we will let you know how…
Farmer Feature: Jim Neidel
This week’s farmer feature is Jim Neidel; local farmer, and manager of operations & producer relations here at the cooperative. Jim told us what organic means to him and described his daily role here at Maple Valley. Read on to find out more, and stay tuned for the continuation of…
Organic Maple Syrup’s Nutritional Value
Pure, Organic Maple Syrup is a 100% natural sugar, rendered from the sap of a maple tree. Its unique flavor and smooth sweetness is well known worldwide. It is a delicious topping for everything from ice cream to bacon and is a common ingredient in a variety of recipes. As…
Farmer Feature: Cecil Wright
Welcome to the first installment of our Farmer Feature series! Every other week, we will be introducing you to one of our maple farmers. We are starting off with one of our founders: Cecil Wright. He sat down with us earlier this week to answer a few questions about what inspired…
Organic vs. Non-Organic
Isn’t all maple syrup organic? This is a question we hear a lot. If all maple syrup comes from maple trees, what is the difference between organic and non-organic maple syrup? The answer is more complex than you might think. Farmers must meet the highest standards in the care of their…
