November - Take the Time
November 8, 2024
With the spooky and thankful October safely in the rear-view mirror, we turn our calendar page and settle in to the new month. A bountiful harvest is safely tucked away, and kitchen stoves are taking a much-needed break from canning and blanching the garden produce. On farms, the fall work of machinery maintenance and repairs is almost complete. Livestock feed has been hauled home and stacked. Garden hoses are rolled up and underground sprinklers have been blown out. Strawberries and tender perennials are mulched and covered. School is well underway. Families are in the groove and the weather, which can always turn on a dime, is still holding steady as we enjoy a warm and lingering autumn. November often seems to hold out the promise of time. How about starting that book or project that you have been putting off? How about enjoying some time with your family or friends on a hike in the autumn colours? It’s a splendid time to go birdwatching. Plan to attend one of the Remembrance Day ceremonies near you on November 11, to honour and remember those who gave their lives for our freedom and privilege.
November can also be the time to start planning and shopping for Christmas, and there are a number of amazing markets happening all through the month featuring unique hand-made goods from talented Canadian artisans and designers. Attend any of these holiday markets, and you are sure to find the perfect something for those special folks on your Christmas list! Get a jump on your Christmas shopping or just take in the festive pre-Christmas atmosphere. But do set aside a little time to rest, relax and reflect as well. It was a high-gear summer, a full and abundant fall, and Christmas, well, it’s just around the corner!
Steep Hill Food Coop - Then and Now
Steep Hill Food Co-op started in 1978. The early objectives of the co-op were clear and still hold strong today. According to the meeting minutes for September 7th, 1978, the purpose of the co-op was to “work towards providing high-quality food and information about nutritious food. To encourage the development of an ecological lifestyle using appropriate technology and the local production of food. To work to develop and sustain a co-operative spirit in the community.”
Steep Hill Food Co-op has been a vibrant part of Broadway since its beginning. Originally, the co-op was located on the second floor of 821 Broadway Avenue (above what is now Cafe Japa Bowl). In December 1980, Steep Hill moved to its current location, one block away at 730 Broadway Avenue. Many stores have come and gone in the past 46 years, but Steep Hill has remained a steady source for organic and locally grown food in the neighbourhood. In recent years, the co-op’s role as a local grocery store for Nutana has become even more important as folks have had their options for accessible and affordable food decreased.
The “co-operative spirit in the community” that Steep Hill first strove to develop and sustain has been alive and well throughout the years. The store serves as a place to get to know your neighbours while shopping, as well as bringing folks together for workshops, recipe sharing, events, and much more. Some may remember the anniversary cookbooks that Steep Hill Food Co-op has shared. As we look forward to many more years to come, we celebrate the time and the people who have made the co-op what it is.
Sources: “Saskatoon’s Steep Hill Food Co-Op Celebrates 40 Years” by Melva Armstrong (WHOLifE, accessed Nov. 2, 2024). Meeting Minutes for Steep Hill Food Co-operative Limited (Sept. 7, 1978).
Steep Hill in The Community
Steep Hill Food Co-op is more than just a place to buy groceries; it’s a cornerstone of community life in the Nutana neighbourhood. Founded on principles of cooperation and sustainability, Steep Hill has been fostering a sense of community and belonging among its members and the broader Saskatoon area for 46 years.
Nutana is one of Saskatoon’s most vibrant and historic neighbourhoods, known for its eclectic mix of shops, cafes, and cultural landmarks. Steep Hill Food Co-op plays a significant role in this dynamic community by promoting local products and sustainable practices. The co-op’s commitment to these values has helped to strengthen the bonds between residents and create a more cohesive community.
Steep Hill’s membership with the Broadway Improvement District (BID) is another testament to its commitment to community building. The BID is dedicated to enhancing the Broadway area through beautification projects, events, and initiatives that promote local businesses. By being an active member of the BID, Steep Hill Food Co-op not only contributes to these efforts but also benefits from the increased visibility and community engagement that the BID fosters. This partnership helps to create a more vibrant, attractive, and cohesive neighbourhood, making Nutana a better place to live, work, and shop.
In recognition of its efforts to build community and support local initiatives, Steep Hill Food Co-op was honoured with the Nutana Notable Neighbour Award. This award celebrates individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the Nutana neighbourhood making it a better place to live, work, and play.
For those looking to stay informed about what’s happening in Nutana and on Broadway, Steep Hill Food Co-op’s bulletin board is an invaluable resource. Located inside the store, the bulletin board is regularly updated with information about upcoming events, community news, and opportunities to get involved. It’s a great way to stay connected with the community and discover new ways to participate in local activities.
So next time you’re at Steep Hill, take a moment to check out the bulletin board. You might find a new event to attend, a local cause to support, or simply a reminder of the vibrant community that surrounds you. Steep Hill Food Co-op is not just a store; it’s been a crucial part of community life, dedicated to building a stronger, more connected Nutana.
Delicious, Nutritious and Versatile Winter Squash
What would fall be without a staggering array of edible, long-keeping squash? The main ingredient in pumpkin pie and zucchini loaf is the result of millennia of selection and breeding. Like all our modern food crops, squash (Cucurbita spp.) once grew in the wild. Native to North and South America, they were present long before the arrival of humans. The earliest known evidence of their domestication dates back nearly 10,000 years ago, which predates the domestication of both beans and maize. Both winter and summer squash are easy to grow, delicious to eat, and versatile to prepare. Squash is packed with nutrients and vitamins containing high amounts of potassium, Vitamins C and B6 as well as fibre. Eating squash can improve blood pressure, support gut health and decrease your risk for certain diseases.
Steep Hill has several varieties of winter squash in stock, including Georgia Candy Roaster, Black Futsu, Kabocha Sunshine, Red Kuri, Buttercup, Autumn Frost and, or course, pumpkins - all from a patch of beautiful black Saskatchewan soil near you!
Here’s a superfast and easy recipe just right for these brisk autumn nights. Made from ingredients available at Steep Hill - your grocery store on Broadway Avenue! Bon Appetit!
View Red Kuri Squash Soup Recipe
Winter is Coming…
And we must prepare! Steep Hill is still looking for people to help with fall cleanup at the back of the store – this could include such tasks as weeding, tree trimming, and other maintenance. We are also creating a list of volunteer shovelers. When the snow comes (hopefully not right away), we will need people able to shovel the front and back of the store, in order to keep the areas safe and accessible for staff, customers, and passers-by.
Are you a handyperson? Specifically one with plumbing or electrical knowledge? We have a few tasks in the store that could benefit from your expertise. If you’re a home maintenance guru, come apply your skills to patching and painting walls and repairing doors.
We are still in need of volunteers who are willing to pick up and recycle cardboard, as well as people able to pick up and dispose of garbage.
In every newsletter issue, you’ll read about Steep Hill’s current volunteer needs, but please don’t feel limited by those specific requests. If you have particular skills and interests that you think could benefit the co-op, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Amielle, or you can also fill in the Participating in Steep Hill survey.
If you’re already a member, two hours of volunteer work in a given month means that you’re eligible for the working member discount (6% off the shelf price) for the following month.
Email Amielle directly at hello@steephillfood.ca to learn more about any of the volunteer needs outlined above. As always, we rely on the work of our in-store volunteers for packaging and other necessary tasks – you can sign up for a shift in the store or by calling 306-664-4455 or emailing hello@steephillfood.ca to request a shift. You can see the November Volunteer Schedule.
Steep Hill thrives through the work of volunteers – as a co-operative, the organization ’belongs’ to all the members, and we each have a role in ensuring its continued vibrancy and success. We are grateful to the work of our current volunteers and encourage everyone to get involved!
Upcoming Event
November 26 - Sustainability Speakers Series with Dr. Gordon Edwards
We Want to Hear From You!
For information about products and the store, email us at hello@steephillfood.ca or call 306-664-4455.
To contact the Board of Directors with ideas, feedback, concerns or questions, email board@steephillfood.ca or fill out a “How did we do today” card when you are in the store.
Thanks to Jasmin Carlton, Amielle Christopherson, Adam Douglas, Cathy Holtslander, Maryann Scott, Ann Smith, and Brianne Weigel for contributing to the Newsletter!
Your grocery store on Broadway!