The Deli Dispatch

Mt. Airy welcomes new salamis from Portlandia and a marinated feta from Down Under.

Just in time for picnic season, Mt. Airy Deli Manager Shawn O’Connell has brought in two new salamis from Olympia Provisions of Portland, OR. Loukanika is a Greek salami with garlic, cumin and orange zest. Finocchiona is a traditional Italian snacking sausage with garlic, black pepper and fennel.

Over in the cheese case, Meredith Dairy Australian marinated feta is waiting for your spreader. It’s a sheep- and goat-milk combo bathed in garlic-infused extra-virgin olive oil, spices and fresh herbs.

Going On in Grocery

Would ya believe milk from pea protein? And say “Hola” to Que Pasa chips.

These days, "non-dairy" means more than the powdered gunk folks used to put in their coffee. Thus Ripple pea-protein milk now occupies a couple rows in the dairy case in Chestnut Hill. It has eight grams of plant-based protein per serving — the same as mammal milk — with half the sugar. The Hill carries plain and vanilla varieties.

Meanwhile, in Mt. Airy, we've made room for Que Pasa organic stone-ground tortilla chips from Delta, BC. (They’ve been in Chestnut Hill for a while now.) Homemade salsa season is around the bend, and these dippers can handle what you’ve concocted. They’re also non-GMO and gluten-free.

Bulk & Beyond

White chocolate buttons from Ecuador. And two new gluten-free, low-sugar granolas.

Ecuador’s chocolate is revered as the best in the world, and the Ecuadoran founders of Republica de Cacao have set their sights on producing it sustainably. The ingredients in their single-origin white-chocolate pieces, now in The Incredible Bulk, are all produced locally, right down to the milk from small communities of dairy farmers.

So much for sweet — now let’s talk about your sugar footprint. International Harvest of Mt. Vernon, NY, has joined the low-sugar, gluten-free granola club, and Mt. Airy has added their banana almond and pistachio mulberry varieties. Ask a bulk staffer for samples for a side-by-side taste test.

Garden Variety

It’s May — plant away! And don’t forget Mom.

Thanks to a mostly mild spring, many of you have gotten a jump on the garden. But if you’ve been holding back, especially on summer veggies, Weavers Way Floral Buyer Ginger Arthur has given you the (green) thumbs-up. Starting with Mt. Airy Day, May 6, tomato, pepper and eggplant starts will at both stores, and are safe to put into your favorite container or patch of earth. Ginger will also have 7-inch geraniums available.

For immediate Mother’s Day floral gratification, Mt. Airy and the Hill will have mixed bouquets, as well as peonies (if the weather cooperates). Think Mom’s gotten tired of flowers on her day? She hasn’t. Trust me.