Winter Solstice wishes

Thanks to everyone who visited us on the day of The Mill Road Winter Fair and indeed for all of your support and loyalty to the shop this year. 

We've been rather busy since the fair! so catching up today and thought we'd share a few photos with you. 

The Fair saw the return of our ever popular `pop up Cafe'

 We were joined by local raw chocolatiers Rawr and their amazing chocolate fountain

From us all, Happy Winter Solstice (today!) Happy Christmas & a healthy 2014!

Please note our holiday opening hours are as follows

Tuesday 24th December 9.30am-4pm

Wednesday 25th December (Christmas Day) Closed

Thursday 26th December (Boxing day) Closed 

Friday 27th December Closed

Saturday 28th December 9.30am-6pm

Monday 30th December 9.30am-6pm

Tuesday 31st December 9.30-6pm

Wednesday 1st January (New Years Day) Closed

Reasons to buy Zaytoun...

`They planted so we eat, we plant so they eat'

Palestinian proverb

Zaytoun is an award winning fair trade company sourcing artisan produce from Palestine.  In 2009 they launched the first Fair trade olive oil in the U.K, and have since added couscous, dates and soap to their range.  Working closely with farmers who cultivate some of the oldest olive groves in the world (some trees are believed to be as old as 1500 to 2000 years), their work with women's co-operatives in Palestine has earned them several awards including "The Ethical Women in business award", whilst the superlative quality of their olive oil has been recognised by The Soil Association.

Mahmoud Issa, an olive farmer near Jenin puts its simply when he says;

"The zaytoun, the olive, means everything to us. My father and my grandfather farmed on this land, and now my children work alongside me harvesting. We can't do anything about our political situation but we can improve our economic situation.”

Not only does Zaytoun support and encourage local farmers through fair trade, but wherever possible tries to ensure all labeling and packaging also takes place in Palestine, creating further employment.

Arjuna is proud to support Zaytoun, and sells medjoul dates, cous cous and our personal favourite Za'atar!

A wonderfully versatile seasoning of thyme, toasted sesame and sumac, za'atar is great with roasted vegetables, added to houmous or simply with olive oil (zaytoun of course) and some crusty sourdough bread (we'd recommend our excellent Dovecote bakery loaf)

But don't take our word for it. Tasting is believing.  So next time you need olive oil call in and take home some Zaytoun. 

Read all about it!

We're pretty excited about the new books we just received!

If you're looking for some fresh inspiration, or a gift for a friend, come and have a browse! 

Our own favourites are Vegan cup cakes take over the world by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, and the now classic Vegetarian mains from around the world by New Internationalist.

Busy Bees!

We've been busy bees since we lasted posted here! Over the last few weeks the shop has been a hive of activity (I'm sorry) as we get ready for the Mill Road Winter Fair

The Fair which takes place on Saturday 7th December is an event created and run by the people of Mill Road, and a celebration of our very unique little corner of the city.  Arjuna has been involved with the fair since the beginning, and this year will see us return with our ever popular pop up soup and pizza counter outside the shop. We will also have local chocolate to sample and buy courtesy of our lovely friends at Rawr, as well as an opportunity to experience a taster session of acupuncture.

In other news, we've just collected some wonderful local honey from Saffron Walden. Springwell Apiaries produce excellent set, runny and borage honey as well as honey comb. We also have some very nice candles from them.

Finally, yesterday we attended an inspiring meeting organised by the newly created Cambridge Sustainable Food Network.  It was very exciting to exchange ideas and hear about some of exciting initiatives in the city such as Cambridge crop share.  

Seasonal and local

We don't like to brag, but Arjuna is quite unique in offering customers the chance to select loose, unpackaged organic fruit and vegetables.

If you just need one unwaxed lemon, a serving of Brussels sprouts (yes the first ones are here! we've also got the sticks too! see bottom left) Or perhaps you're after a whole sack of potatoes? Then we can help!

We receive deliveries nearly every day of the week and right now the shop is overflowing with a harvest of local pumpkins & squash, rainbow carrots and much more! 

And what's more we hope you'll be surprised at what good value much of our produce is 

The baking habit

As you've probably realised by now, we quite like Cakes.

 

From our classic date slice made from a secret yet simple recipe handed down through generations, to our new gluten free creations such as our sunny Carrot cake with teff, or bright and zesty lemon drizzle cake, we use organic ingredients whenever possible and coconut palm sugar or apple juice concentrate to give natural sweetness. 

 

Our most recent baking adventures resulted in a special apple and coconut cake for apple day, and a light but hugely comforting Bakewell tart.

 

Our selection changes daily, so next time you're passing remember to have a peek through the window and why not treat yourself? We think you've earned it:) 



Seasonal squash

Harlequins, Kabocha, custard & spaghetti! just some of the varieties of local squash we currently have care of the lovely people at Snakehall Farm and our good friends at Waterland Organics.

The little Kabocha squash are a staff favourite. Rich in beta carotene, iron, vitamin C and potassium, and with a taste somewhere between sweet potato and chestnuts, we recommend this little pumpkin stuffed with green lentils, feta and rosemary.

We're also enjoying some excellent pumpkins from Frank at the Cambridge Organic Garden whose excellent raspberries are also a seasonal favourite. 

Gluten Free Beer!

People often ask us if there is such a thing as gluten free beer.. Well we looked far and wide and at last found this vegan & gluten free beer by Glebe Farm!

Frank's fantastic raspberries!

If you've not yet tried our wonderful organic raspberries grown locally by the ever cheerful Frank of The Cambridge Organic Market Garden, there are still a few coming!  

We also had the first beautiful pumpkins this week care of our good friends at Snakehall Farm 

A new offering for Autumn

Today's special is a mushroom and chickpea stroganoff with roasted beetroot and new potatoes.

 

 

We also have a Tofu Tagine, a selection of pasties and a few chocolate brownies left!

 

 

 

Gluten free Carrot Cake with Teff

Here's a peek at our latest work in progress! A new gluten free carrot cake made with Teff

Native to Ethiopia, Teff is high in fibre, calcium and protein

The first one has just come out of the oven and is cooling down

Come in on Friday and let us know what you think!

We've been baking!

Chocolate, walnut and hemp seed cupcakes (vegan)

These are the last few left so come and treat yourself!

Telling the Arjuna story..

Did you work or do you know anyone who worked at Arjuna in the 1970's?

We are currently working on a very special testimony project telling the story of Arjuna and would love to hear from you if you were here at the beginning, or at the creation of the Worker's Co-operative.  

Perhaps you are in this evocative photo from 1978 or know someone who is?

In particular we are keen to make contact with Michael Alan Green, Susan Elizabeth Inkster, John Walter Miller, Margaret Cramlington Rannen, Clare Rowena Ryle, Jeremy Michael Smith, Michael John Pepper, Bryan Alan Sentence and Margaret Williamson. 

If you can help please email us on contact@arjunawholefoods.co.uk

Look what came in this coming!

 

Organic lival grapes from Provence

Organic September is here!

Small changes, Big differences

Organic September has arrived! and appropriately our weekly deliveries of vibrant local and seasonal produce are in full swing as we approach autumn.

Plum tomatoes from Wild Country Organics, perfect for pasta sauce.

The theme of Organic September is "Small changes, big differences", and the Soil Association are encouraging us all to swap to an Organic version of something we buy regularly.  As is true of Fair trade, we can really affect change by what put in our shopping baskets.

Aubergines from Wild Country Organics, try them lightly grilled

And to celebrate Organic September we have a special offer! Throughout September buy any 5 Arjuna packdowns and get the cheapest free!

  

Black Tomatoes from Wild Country Organics, just add olive oil and enjoy!

Talented people who work at Arjuna #1 Kathrin Lang

In the first of a new series, meet some of the talented people who work at Arjuna.

Arjuna has always attracted creative people.  Our iconic logo and the mural which some of you may remember from the café, were all the work of past Co-op members.  Many of our loyal customers are artists too, notably Sam Motherwell whose beautiful linocut of our shop graces this blog and our Facebook page

If you visited us on the day of the last Mill Road Winter Fair, you might have seen our exhibition featuring the work of present Co-op member and artist in residence Kathrin Lang

Kathrin is a freelance illustrator and a graduate of The Cambridge School of Art.  Her beautiful work has a strong narrative flair, drawing on fairy tales, theatrical and surreal imagery, and poster art.

Her evocative work was recently included in the exhibition "Stories begging to be told"at Changing Spaces on Norfolk Street, whilst her work has also appeared at the Ruskin Gallery, Sixbells and Jolly Scholar in Cambridge, and New Designers in London.

To see some of Kathrin's portfolio visit her wonderful website

Would you like to work within a successful independent ethical business? If so read on...

An opportunity has arisen to join our happy and supportive co-operative.

Arjuna Wholefoods is a unique place to work and grow. It's hard work, but if you have a passion for wholefoods, vegetarianism, the organic and fair trade movements and independent shops, we'd love to hear from you.

We're looking for a positive and motivated  person, open to learning new skills and ready to contribute and commit to the development of our business.  

Working 5 days a week (including Saturdays) you will be able to offer a minimum commitment of two years, as you will be working towards becoming a member of our Co-operative and a company director (though you will be no stranger to the shop floor! We all do a bit of everything here, from the accounts, to mopping the floor)

If you enjoy taking on responsibility, interacting with people on an equal basis, and find reward completing a task well, whether it be big or small, this may be the place for you!

For an application pack, please call into Arjuna Wholefoods, 12 Mill Road anytime during shop hours (Monday-Saturday 9.30am-6pm) or call us on 01223 364845.

We look forward to meeting you!

Wild Country Organics

We were thrilled to see the first tomatoes arrive last week from our good friends Wild Country Organics in Abington.

 

Plum tomatoes & black Tomatoes from Wild Country Organics.

Also pictured are Yellow submarine and Gardner's delight from Snakehall Farm

 

Certified organic since 1998, Wild Country is a family farm comprising 5 acres of glasshouses.  Their award winning spinach and pak choi can be found in Arjuna all year round. 

 

Earlier in the summer we received beautiful edible (courgette) flowers, and our fridge is currently brimming with their superlative fresh basil, sorrel and parsley.

 

 

Wild country's aubergines are also big on character! 

 

We can't wait to see what comes in over the next few months! so please call in and see what inspires you. 

Arjuna outside catering

Did you know the Arjuna Kitchen also specialises in fresh and vibrant vegan & vegetarian catering?

 

Whatever the occasion, we can cater for your event! 

 

 

Be it a dinner party for 6, or 200 hungry wedding guests! We can tailor a menu for you from our popular menu of signature salads and meze 

 

 

We can also provide curries, soups and stews, and our famous vegan cheese cake!

 

Here's what a recent happy client said

 

"Arjuna supplied lovely food for my party, all delivered on time...sustaining many guests into the small hours."

So, if you're planning an event be it large or small, we would love to help! 

Drop us a line at contact@arjunawholefoods.co.uk or call 01223 364845

A new couscous offering

Arjuna veteran Nick has spent a heroic day in our sizzling hot kitchen creating a wonderful walnut roast..

Served on a bed of mushroom and pomegranate pearl couscous drizzled with a fragrant basil dressing, it's perfect for the hot weather.

Hillside animal sanctuary

We've been supporting Hillside Animal Sanctuary for many a year, with donations, selling their lovely Christmas cards, and even adopting a Donkey! So we were thrilled to hear news this week that they have found  a second site to offer further sanctuary to animals rescued from dire situations.

Currently situated just outside Norwich, they provide a home for some 2000 animals, including 1200 horses, but urgently need more acreage.  Just recently Hillside received an offer of land close to their existing site complete with barns and stables, and so began an appeal for donations. The sanctuary are inviting people people to buy a square yard of land for the very reasonable sum of £3 and will issue a certificate for every donation.

To help and learn more about their great work please visit

http://www.hillside.org.uk/acatalog/donations.html

Lemon and mulberry cake

The newest addition to our menu of gluten free cakes is a summery lemon and mulberry cake! 

Refreshing, moist and just sweet enough. It won't last long, so grab a slice whilst it's still here! 

Where does our organic produce come from? A little about Snakehall farm

Every spring at Arjuna we excitedly await our first delivery of seasonal produce from the wonderful people at Snakehall Farm.  As the summer days go by, the deliveries get bigger and bigger as more and more delicious organic produce arrives, culminating in a small invasion of vibrant squashes and smashing pumpkins (sorry).

But it's not just the quality and freshness of the produce we love about Snakehall Farm.  Situated just a short hop from the city in picturesque Reach, the farm comprises of 18 acres of organically certified land managed as a charitable social enterprise by The Prospects Trust. 

Committed to a philosophy of “Growing Differently”, they provide supported work experience, training and life skills to adults with learning difficulties, disabilities and varying health needs. Involved in every aspect of the farm from sowing, cropping and grading, they are supported and encouraged to grow.  There is also a wonderful farm shop on site, well worth a visit!

As more of Snakehall Farm's fantastic produce starts to arrive with us this summer, we'll be posting photos and keeping you up to date. 

To learn more about The Prospects Farm you can also visit their blog at  http://prospectstrust.wordpress.com/

In our delivery this week we received some very cheerful rainbow chard!

And some very cute mini cucumbers

Independent retailer month

This July Arjuna is celebrating Independent Retailer Month, a global campaign acknowledging the value of shopping local, supporting independent & artisan shops, and preserving the character and diversity of our high streets.

Statistics recently published by The Centre for Local Economic strategies suggest that for every £1 spent with a local independent business, between 50p-70p circulates back into the local economy.

Whilst Cambridge may not have adopted a local currency such as the Brixton pound, it is possible find nearly everything you might need exclusively on Mill Road, as well as unique products you won't find anywhere else!

We try very hard to make shopping at Arjuna a personal and enjoyable experience, and are very grateful to all our loyal customers who ensure we can continue to bring you sustainable, ethical and yummy food!

This month we'd love to see as many of you as possible, so please come in to say hello and find out what's happening in our kitchen and our range of seasonal special offers.

New decadent superfood cake!

We're very pleased with our newest sweet creation!

Our new rich chocolate cake is sweetened with coconut sugar and agave syrup, and packed with juicy goji berries, crunchy hemp seeds, and pumpkin seeds.

It's been selling fast and people have been returning for more. Try a slice of this limited edition decadent cake whilst it lasts!

Arjuna go to the beach!

It's become something of a tradition here at Arjuna that around the time of the longest day of the year, we pack a picnic and head for a Norfolk beach after closing the shop. Last week a group of us stoically set off in a summer downpour with a picnic, a guitar and a sky lantern.  Here's a few photos

What's been happening in the kitchen this morning?

We're really pleased with today's offering from the kitchen!

Our special to start the week is a pearl couscous salad in garlic infused olive oil, topped with golden butternut squash and sprinkled with crunchy walnuts. 

Today's takeaway treats!

We have some exciting new filled pasties!

 

 

 

 Moroccan butterbean -Wild mushroom and cashew - Lemony chickpea

Tempeh and shiitake mushroom filo parcels

Today's special is tempeh and shiitake (mushroom) filo parcles on a bed of wild rice and rocket

Deliciously satisfying yet light 

What's coming out of the kitchen!

Today's special is vibrant beetroot and buckwheat salad served with falafel.

 

 

 

Saturday 25th

Classic lentil lasagne

Selection of pasties

 

Wednesday 29th June

 

Middle eastern seedy carrot salad with falafel

Tempeh filo parcels on wild rice salad

 

Friday 31st June

 

Hungarian goulash

Iranian green lentil salad

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nettle filled filo parcels on zingy quinoa salad!

Today's spring offering from the Arjuna kitchen is nettle filled filo parcels on a zingy quinoa salad!

Staff picks!

In the first of our new `staff picks' series, Arjuna workers share their favourite products from the shop!

Melissa chooses James White Apple & Ginger Juice

"It's sweet with a spicy kick"

Lucas starts the day with Ethiopian Harar Coffee by Suma

"It has an earthy taste, but there's sweetness too without being acidic"

                                                 It's also on promotion right now!

 

Kathrin has a craving for Tropical Wholefoods dried mango

 

 

"It's Mangolicious!"

 

 

Dan likes Crone's Cider

 

 

"It's a real cider with nothing added"

 

 

 

 

Arjuna supports Scrapstore

Arjuna recently donated to Scrapstore, a local group which collects materials to re-use for art and craft activities.

Scrapstore run workshops encouraging children and young people to think about recycling and reducing their carbon footprint.

Based at Unit 17, Barnwell Business Park, Barnwell Drive, CB5 8UY, for a calender of upcoming events just visit https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/scrapstore-events