September at Steep Hill
September 11, 2025
Can summer already be over? School and university are back in session, the outdoor pools have closed, the leaves are starting to turn, and flocks of geese are getting restless - are they heading south or just flying in circles looking for a swathed farmer’s field to feast in?
September is harvest month and the local food is glorious! Steep Hill has more local suppliers than ever, and the abundance is mouth-watering. Let’s not keep this a secret! Every week, we have folks come into Steep Hill for the first time, happily surprised to find a grocery store on Broadway, impressed with the variety and volume we manage to fit into our “hallway” of a store. Why not bring a friend with you next time you shop and personally introduce them to the Steep Hill experience.
This is also when fall activities start ramping up again. There’s lots going on in and around our neighbourhood. Steep Hill has an app for that too! Check out the poster board on the wall across from the check-out counter. It is a floor to ceiling compendium of up-coming events and local opportunities! Just one more way Steep Hill builds community.
September is Organic Month!
At Steep Hill we promote and celebrate organic food year round - but September is extra special because the whole organic sector joins in to help people learn more about and enjoy more organic food.
Organic production is a system of farming that replenishes and maintains soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. It encourages practices that increase biodiversity and reduce negative environmental impacts, while also supporting animal health and welfare. To learn more about what the organic label on your products means - visit the Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA) website.
Watch From Seed to Seed - A special Organic Month screening presented by COTA. Explore what organic really means through an inspiring real-life story. This film highlights the connection between food, farming, and climate resilience—offering a moving introduction to the values behind organic agriculture. Follow Terry and Monique who gave up careers as opera singers in Europe to pursue their passion for ecological agriculture and to build a food community in the heart of Canada. Climate Change presents a challenging season, as this diverse group of farmers and scientists aims to regenerate the land and farming. Register for the event running September 10th to 30th, 2025. If you have any questions or technical difficulties, contact Canada Organic Trade Association via email.
Time to Talk Turkey - Already!!
Staff will start taking your Thanksgiving turkey pre-orders starting the week of September 22. Rosetown area Sovereign Valley Farms will again supply us with delicious free-range fresh turkeys. There will be information in store and online for folks who are interested. If turkey will be on your menu, reserve your bird as soon as you can. This will help streamline ordering for both Steep Hill and our farmers.
Spirit of Saskatoon
Steep Hill is a finalist in the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce’s annual SABEX awards, nominated in the category “Spirit of Saskatoon” with so much to offer, Saskatoon has something for everyone. Shops and eateries, restaurants and bars, stay-and-play hotels, galleries and museums, cultural attractions – behind every door is an opportunity to discover Saskatoon’s warm hospitality and welcoming spirit. The Spirit of Saskatoon award is presented to a business or organization that reflects this spirit in the way that they serve visitors and customers, providing memorable and made-in-Saskatoon hospitality time after time. Will this year’s winner be Steep Hill? We’ll have to wait until October 29 to find out. Stay tuned …
Awesome, Amielle!
August 27th was Amielle’s Steep Hill Food Co-op (SHFC) anniversary! She joined our little co-op two years ago, and has been working her magic ever since! Congratulations Amielle, from the board, staff, membership and community of SHFC!
Volunteering for Fall
Our volunteers help keep Steep Hill running smoothly, so whether you help with shelving or packaging, serve on the Board or one of the committees, or look after compost or garbage disposal – thank you!
If you’re interested in getting involved, there are always more volunteer opportunities. One of the store’s current needs is for people willing to do a bit of cleaning one or two mornings per month. There are a few cleaning tasks that are challenging to do during store hours, so these would need to be completed before the store opened for the day.
If you’re able to help with morning cleaning or have questions, please email Amielle directly at hello@steephillfood.ca. Two hours of volunteer work gives you working member status for the following month, which provides you with the working member discount (6% off the shelf price). For in-store volunteer work, sign up for a shift in the store or by calling or emailing to request a shift.
Saskatchewan Craft Council: A Collective Celebration of Fine Craft
At Steep Hill Food Co-op, we’re proud to support the co-operative principle of solidarity by celebrating other collectives and co-operatives that enrich our community. One such organization is the Saskatchewan Craft Council (SCC), a cornerstone of Saskatchewan’s creative landscape for over 50 years.
Located at 813 Broadway Avenue, the SCC is a member-based, non-profit organization that represents, supports, and promotes over 130 Saskatchewan craftspeople. Through its Shop + Gallery, the SCC provides a platform for artisans to showcase and sell their work, while also offering the public access to high-quality, handmade goods that reflect the province’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.
The SCC operates as a collective voice for craft artists, advocating for the value of fine craft and offering professional development, exhibition opportunities, and community engagement. Its public gallery hosts up to six exhibitions annually, featuring both traditional and contemporary craft practices, and its boutique offers a curated selection of pottery, textiles, jewellery, woodwork, and more.
By fostering collaboration, mentorship, and artistic excellence, the SCC exemplifies the spirit of co-operation. It’s a place where artists support one another and where the community can connect with the makers behind the work.
We at Steep Hill encourage you to visit the Saskatchewan Craft Council and experience the creativity and craftsmanship that thrive just down the street. Supporting local artisans and collectives like the SCC helps build a stronger, more connected community—something we’re proud to be part of.
Jota Soup
Yay, it’s soup season!
As cooler weather sets in, soup is a great way to warm your home and nourish your soul. With local and garden ingredients, it’s an economical, time-saving and healthy way to feed yourself and your family. Almost every cuisine on earth has a traditional soup, so that favourable bowl can be a cultural experience. Take a trip and never leave home!
Jota soup (pronounced yo-ta) is traditional to Slovenia, but it also has roots in the bordering Italian provinces of Friuli and Trieste. This photo was taken on the patio of an alpine refuge in Slovenia’s Julian Alps, a welcome reward at the end of a steep and scenic hike. At the refuge, jota soup was offered with an optional sausage on the side. Alternatively, you may add the sausage to the soup while it’s cooking. For a vegetarian soup, omit the bacon and the sausage. You can boost the flavour by adding a bit more smoked paprika.
Most soups are quite easy to make, but there are a few tips that “up” the flavour and the sensory experience. Start by slowly sweating the onions and other base vegetables. Cook them until soft and lightly caramelized before moving to the next step.
Add aromatic herbs and spices to the vegetables as they cook, not to the water or stock. This builds layers of flavours that compliment each other without tasting watered down. Sprinkle vegetables with a little salt to enhance their flavours.
After adding the liquid, bring to a boil then turn down for a long, slow simmer. Boiling ensures everything is cooked, but the flavour builds in the simmering. Don’t cook soup in a rush—time and patience pay off. Soup is always better the next day (and the next and the next). If you have the time, cool and refrigerate your pot of soup a few hours or the day before you plan to eat it. You’ll taste the difference. Better yet, double the recipe and freeze half of it for another fuss-free soup day in the future.
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, Amy Jo Ehman, Cathy Holtslander, and Maryann Scott for contributing to this Newsletter!
Your grocery store on Broadway!