Pepper's Foods

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION ONE DAY SALE!

Peppers Foods — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 08:12:00 GMT

Come on down and join as we appreciate you the customer, with great one day savings, free samples and enter to win fabulous prizes!

Promise Valley

Peppers Foods — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:24:00 GMT

We're thrilled to offer our customers an amazing, Island produced yogurt! Promise Valley Farm is a small, family-run organic dairy farm in the Cowichan Valley. They produce grass-fed, cream-top A2A2 milk and yogurt from their own herd of heritage Guernsey cows. We currently offer Plain & Lemon 4.8% MF Organic Yogurt, with Honey soon to come! [??] [??]

Peak

Peppers Foods — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 07:09:00 GMT

Peak Beverage Co.'s 100% all natural fruit sodas are handcrafted in the Okanagan Valley with real fruit juice, a small amount of cane sugar and the perfect amount of bubbles. Both vegan & gluten-free, and available in the unique combinations of Apple Rhubarb & Haskap Lemonade.

Bicycle Pizza

Peppers Foods — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 12:32:00 GMT

Back in our freezer and now available! Locally made frozen pizzas from Bicycle Pizza [??‍??] [??] Choose from Secret Sausage, Ontario Aloha or Cheese. Thin crust, mostly round, handmade pizza... doesn't get much better than that!

Art of Slow Food

Peppers Foods — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 11:56:00 GMT

Fresh baked gluten-free goodies from The art of slow food! Locally made Pumpkin Scones & Cinnamon Buns (w/icing on the side)

Oreo

Peppers Foods — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 08:46:00 GMT

Look what just landed on our shelf [??] Coca Cola Oreo!! With popping candy. You really gotta try 'em!

Asian Inspiration

Peppers Foods — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 12:46:00 GMT

Easy made meals! Asian Inspirations Ginger Beef, Sweet & Sour Pork and Mango Chili Chicken. Ready in under 15mins, sauce included.

Low Carb

Peppers Foods — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 07:36:00 GMT

The The Low Carb Co Superseed Crackers are the ultimate vegan snack for anyone looking to munch on something crunchy that's not full of sugar. Crafted with simple ingredients, these light and airy keto crackers are made from a blend of nutrient-packed sesame, sunflower, chia, flax, and pumpkin seeds. Each cracker is loaded with healthy proteins, fats, and carbs, 9 vitamins, 9 minerals, 6 additional nutrients and 18 amino acids, making them a superfood for your physical and mental health. Original and Everything Bagel flavours.

Legends Haul

Peppers Foods — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 06:59:00 GMT

NEW to Pepper's: The Hills Sausages! These bangers are packed full of flavour, and handcrafted in small batches at their Certified Organic facility in Coquitlam. Antibiotic & hormone free and non GMO. Flavours offered:
[???] Chicken Breakfast Sausages
[???] Salt & Pepper Turkey
[???] Sundried Tomato & Chicken
[???] Mediterranean Turkey
[???] Butter Chicken
[???] Canadian Maple Breakfast
Legends Haul

Cattleman's Cut Jerky

Peppers Foods — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 12:37:00 GMT

Come get your jerky!
NEW @ Pepper's: Cattleman's Cut Beef Jerky. Original or Peppered. Slow-cooked premium steak, flavoured with brown sugar, sweet & savory seasoning and layers of hardwood smoke (and for the Peppered - fresh cracked black pepper)
#jerky #beefjerky #cattlemanscut

Inside Peppers July 13

Peppers Foods — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 06:40:00 GMT

Hi everybody! You know, this is going to sound crazy but I just visited Parksville this weekend for the first time and I've been living here for 14 years! And what's more, it's so beautiful that I can't believe I didn't do it before now! What a beautiful location. Not that I hadn't heard it was beautiful or seen photos prior but still...you really need to see that incredible beach with your own eyes.

Speaking of which, you get to see a picture of yours truly with your own eyes tonight because it's my turn to be recognized by Pepper's for the incredibly hard work I've contributed to the company, for my dedication, selflessness, passion, levity, integrity and so on and so forth. It was nothing, really. Just doing my job, as they say. Okay, I'll tell you a little about myself since you're asking. I've been at Pepper's since November of 2012 and during that time I've been a grocery clerk stocking the shelves, placing orders and doing all the stuff that a grocery clerk does. A little while later I learned the office stuff that deals with changing prices, making signage and links the computer to the front end. I've been the Weekend Manager, the Dairy Manager and two years ago, I transferred into the Meat Department where I've learned an entirely new skill set. And, of course, I write this newsletter and fill you in on everything new and exciting at the store! When I'm not at work I spend a lot of my free time relic and treasure hunting which is my addictive, nerdy hobby (I've found Spanish silver from 1791 as well as a U.S. $5 gold coin from 1857 just to name a couple of my best recoveries). And I'm a father to the best son any parent could ask for (I may be slightly biased here). But what's also great about Pepper's is that they've allowed me to take the ball and run with it in whatever I've been tasked to do. I've worked in food retail for the majority of my working life and I've never worked at a store with the management, coworkers and customers like this store. So today I choose to turn the tables (and get serious brownie points) by deflecting attention away from myself as Employee of the Week to thank the powers that be for allowing me to work here!

Alrighty then, so before we dive into the newsletter any further, we would love it if you'd consider helping our fellow citizens who've lost everything recently. Thank you.

Let's kick things off with a brand new, local product that's incredibly unique and super delicious: Elly's Oat Butter! You heard me, I said Oat Butter. But what exactly is it? It's a spreadable granola that "has the taste of a warm oatmeal cookie and the texture of a smooth nut butter." You can spread it on toast, a bagel or a cracker, dip your apple slices in it, drop some on your ice cream, in your plain yogurt or just eat it straight out of the jar! This stuff is not only delicious but it's incredibly wholesome, vegan, gluten-friendly, free of nuts and refined sugar and is made from ethically sourced ingredients! What a pleasure to sell this and to be the first retail account of another new and local business!

Plant-based eating is all the rage these days. But it's not like it's a fad; it ain't going anywhere. So we've embraced the need to offer a diverse selection of plant-based goods. Our newest addition is Gardein Suprême Plant-Based Burger. Made with no soy, no dairy and no meat, this juicy burger contains 20 grams of protein and looks, cooks, smells and satisfies like a real meat burger. Fun fact: Gardein is Canada's No. 1 frozen meat alternative brand. Why? It's because their products are diverse and delicious. It's that simple. Toss some on the grill and see why this brand is the best!

Hey you know what essential condiment is required for the best burger? Why, it's mustard, of course. But not just any mustard. Nope, it has to be Vancouver Island's Two Crows Coarse Ground Mustard! Available in three amazing varieties (Coarse Ground Original, Dill and Lavender) they use a base of Alberta grown mustard seeds and blend it with exceptional ingredients. Original simply contains coarse ground Canadian mustard seeds, vinegar, a dash of salt, and a sprinkle of sugar. Dill is added to the original for a zing that pairs great with salmon, devilled eggs or potato salad and Damali Winery's French Lavender creates "a mustard robust enough to enhance lamb, roast chicken, or a charcuterie board."

A little company opened in Switzerland in 1914 called the Wernli Brothers Biscuit Factory. It's still going strong today combining fine Swiss chocolate with various types of cookies and wafers. So if that sounds like something you'd like to try, check out Wernli Choco Petite Beurre Noir. It's dark chocolate planted onto a rich butter cookie. Sound addictive? It is! Or choose Wernli Granor which is a light wafer with delicate cocoa creme, puffed rice and Swiss milk chocolate! Heavenly! You can find both of these on the top shelf in Aisle 1, right under the TV monitor.

The Belgians know a thing or two about chocolate and other sweets as well! This next item doesn't contain chocolate, but it does contain a delicious vanilla creme sandwiched between two crispy biscuits! Anna Faggio Speculoos Fourré Vanilla is the perfect accompaniment to your next cup of coffee or tea. What more is there to say except that these are really, really good?!

One of the major components of whole grain wheat is the germ. When wheat is refined, the germ and the husk is removed because the wheat can be stored for longer this way. But the germ is packed with nutritional properties: plant proteins, healthy fats, fibre and loads of micronutrients. It can be used as a nutritional supplement or as a food additive. So if you've been looking for a healthy way to boost your diet, we have Kretschmer Toasted Wheat Germ back in Aisle 3!

The Little Stand is getting bigger again! It's added Raspberry Chutney to their line of locally, hand-made products! Vinegar, sugar and spices merge wonderfully with luscious red raspberries to form a truly remarkable product that also makes a great gift!

Remember Lucky Elephant Pink Candy Popcorn?? Oh man, that takes me waaaay back! Just like Cracker Jacks, every box contains a FREE prize inside! But this is a purely Canadian treat that's been around since the 1950s and was a corner store staple when I was a kid! And who doesn't remember getting cotton candy? We've got Mini Puppie Cotton Candy as well. And remember, Westshore Motorsports Park has the Legacy Drive-In running all summer! These make great movie-night snacks for the kids! Check out the website here: legacydrivein.com

Thanks for tuning in again this week. Please have a look at our ad attached below for some great sales which run from July 13th-19th. And remember, when you're out and about to continue to take good care!

Inside Peppers June 22

Peppers Foods — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 08:42:00 GMT

We're having a heat wave. A tropical heat wave. The temperature's rising it isn't surprising...

Of course it isn't surprising; it's summer! And boy did it ever arrive here on southern Vancouver Island yesterday! Temperatures are soaring and records are falling. Of course, the weather made for a wonderfully sunny Father's Day. Today, however, is National Indigenous Peoples Day, where we recognize the achievements (and there are many), heritage, diversity and cultures of our First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. It's part of the Celebrate Canada program which also includes Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24), Canadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27) and Canada Day (July 1).

This week's Employee Recognition goes to our Deli Department's own Tara, the Assistant Manager! For over 11 years, Tara has been creating delicious sandwiches, platters and loads of other good stuff that you'll find in her department! But her creativity isn't just limited to the kitchen. No, Tara is a very talented artist. You can see for yourself her artistic flair with a paintbrush by checking out her work on Instagram at @tara_fisher_art. And when she's not in the studio, she can be found exploring this beautiful island of ours with her husband, Len, and their sweet doggos! Thank you, Tara, for all that you do for Pepper's!

Beat this heat with three new varieties of ice cream from Breyers! Choose from Creamsicle, Revello or Fudgsicle! Now you can enjoy your favourite ice cream novelties without the wooden stick! And in much larger quantiities! Life is short; eat ice cream!

Just a little further over in the frozen food section you'll find these new Belmont Meats Purely Crafted Grass Fed Burgers! With only a few simple ingredients and no fillers, allergens, artificial colours or flavours, you get a high protein tasty burger that grills up in no time and is sure to satisfy everyone at the dinner table!

Maybe it's just too hot to cook so you're thinking something more along the lines of a charcuterie board or antipasto plate. If so, our Deli Department has three new Italian cured meats just for you! Preferisco Bresaola is an air dried cured beef (top round) that is lean and tender. In Italy, it is most commonly served and eaten with drizzled olive oil and lemon juice or balsamic vinegar, and served with rocket (arugula) salad, cracked black pepper, and fresh parmesan cheese.

Another salami variety is Preferisco Salame Al Finoccio, a pork salami containing fennel. It originated in Tuscany during the Renaissance when the key ingredient of standard salami, black pepper, was scarce.

The taste of Tuscany continues with Preferisco Salami Toscano. Taste Atlas describes it best: Salami Toscano is a traditional Italian salami hailing from Tuscany. It's produced with pork's ham, shoulder, lean belly, lard, and spices. The meat is ground and the lard is mixed with salt. The two are combined with spices, then stuffed into natural or synthetic casings. The salami is dried and well seasoned for at least 4 months before it's sold or consumed. Salami Toscano has an intense flavour of spices and meat, and the cross-section reveals a nice distribution of lean meat and fat. It's recommended to serve it thinly sliced with cheese, wine, and bread.

We recently told you about some Spanish Sheep Cheeses from Spagnia and they proved so popular that Dora brought in another flavour! Spagnia Sheep Cheese with Truffle. The classic nutty flavour of this cheese combines with the slightly pungent, earthiness of black truffle to form an outstanding cheese you'll be proud to serve!

An excellent, high quality cheese for grating or shaving is Italissima Parmigiano Reggiano! Another great Italian import, it's made only with cow's milk, salt and rennet in the traditional manner and aged from between 12-36 months.

Sam, our Dairy Manager, has been busy bringing in several excellent items to his department. Earth Island Avocado Oil Vegenaise is a dressing and sandwich spread made from oil extracted from ripe avocados that's gluten, soy and egg-free as well as being vegan!

if we told you that you could purchase a product that tastes, cooks and bakes like butter and replaces butter 1:1 but is dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, contains 25% less saturated fat than butter and freezes well, would you believe us? The better question is, would you try it? Because finally, a plant-based butter alternative that you'll actually want to eat is here! Becel Unsalted Plant-Based Spread has arrived! Swap out for regular butter for a healthier alternative without sacrificing anything else. It's better than butter!

Why not saunter up to Nature's Bakery and get yourself a satisfying Fig Bar in either Original Fig or Blueberry? Pick up a box of these awesome new snacks and you'll immediately notice how heavy it is! Real fruit and whole grains join forces to create a sweet (but not too sweet) wholesome snack (they don't contain any glucose-fructose) that will fuel you up and keep you going! Look for these in Aisle 1 with the cookies.

In Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil, Yerba Mate is consumed equally, if not more than coffee. It supposedly increases energy and mental clarity without the caffeine crash, jitters, heartburn or other negative effects associated with caffeine. So if you're looking for a natural way to boost energy and you want to stay cool, Mateina Yerba Mate Energy Infusion is a slightly sweetened, non-carbonated beverage that fits the bill. Our cold beverage cooler sees a lot of traffic this time of year but that's where you'll need to go to find these organic and fairly-traded thirst quenchers!

That's a wrap for another week, folks. Remember, in this heat, it's important to take some precautions to avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke, two very serious conditions. Stay hydrated: drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty. Reduce your exercise intensity: don't push yourself too hard. Wear sunscreen, wear light coloured clothing and stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day. So please, stay safe and continue to take good care!

Inside Pepper's June 08

Peppers Foods — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 10:59:00 GMT

Good evening, everyone! Welcome to another edition of the Pepper's Newsletter, the first one for the month of June. You know, there are a TON of celebrity birthdays today including Liam Neeson, Tom Jones, Dean Martin, Karl Urban and Michael Cera. But one whose talent was exceptional as a musician, singer-songwriter, producer, actor and director who would have turned 63 today was Prince Rogers Nelson, or simply Prince. He could play practically any instrument but he preferred guitar. Though short in stature, he was huge in musical ability and is severely underrated as a guitar player.

Someone else who appreciates music almost as much as we appreciate her is our Deli Manager, Dora. For the past 14 years she has worked to create a deli with the freshest and most diverse products around! Dora is constantly sourcing new items and paying attention to what our customers want most and takes great pride in what she offers. So this week, we honour you, Dora, with our Employee Appreciation Award! Thanks for all that you do!

Today's newsletter just so happens to be filled with new items from our Deli Department, specifically cheese, so if you're a turophile, read on! Let's go!

Kicking things off is Okanagan Falls Soft Unripened Goat Milk Cheese. This BC-made, fresh goat cheese comes in four flavours: Sundried Tomato, Fig, Olive Oil & Rosemary and Truffle. Remember, with fresh goats cheese, you want to eat it within a week of opening and never wrap it in plastic wrap! Always store it in a lidded container because this and any cheese, needs humidity and space to breathe.

Why stop at cheese made from goats? How about adding some more cheese made from sheep's milk, Dora? Oh you already did? Great! Spagnia Tradicion Sheep Cheese is traditional Manchego which hails from Spain. Available with added Black Garlic as well as Rosemary, these delicious cheeses have a mildly, gamey flavour that pair perfectly with sherry and are a staple with any tapas menu.

Hey, if we can't travel to foreign countries right now, we can at least purchase some excellent foods from them, right? Heading over to France from Spain, we'll find some fromage from LeSaveur de St. Germain. Here are two classic French cheeses: Petit Camembert (produced by the local farmers in Normandy) has a unique flavour made from raw milk collected in the Bocage Ornais area. Or choose Mini Brie which has a subtle nutty flavour with a slight hint of salt. Both are oven ready and will be the easiest appetizer you'll ever offer!

Scooting on over to Scotland, we'll be able to try numerous yummy and colourful matured cheddars from The Queen's Castle! Boozy options include Gin & Tonic as well as cheddar infused fittingly with Laphroaig Whiskey. Alternatively, you could gnosh on Applesmoke Cheddar or one containing Laird's Grainy Mustard!

Canada produces some darn good cheese, too, and one of the tastiest one's you've yet to try is Italissima Smoked Aged White Cheddar! It's smoked over applewood and aged two years to produce a full, refined flavour. Ever tried the simple yet ultra delicious grilled chicken and cheddar slider? This is the cheese you'll want to use!

That selection of fine cheese should tide you over for a little while. And while cheese makes an excellent appy, here are another two that are both vegan and gluten-free! Pizza Oggi has teamed up with Beyond Meat to create Mini Calzone containing Beyond sausage Italian crumble as well as vegan mozza and veggies. Baci Bites also are made with Beyond Italian crumble and vegan mozzarella but without the veggies. The crusts of both are made with cauliflower and cook up golden brown in about 15 minutes in your oven!

Looking for a concentrated broth for your soups, sauces and roasts? Canada's Savory Choice offers two liquid concentrate broths that come in convenient squeeze packs! Just mix with hot water and customize to your desired concentration and taste! With Savory Choice Beef Broth Concentrate or Chicken Broth Concentrate, you get a product requiring no refrigeration with less waste that makes great, gluten-free broth to bring out the flavour in any dish!

The same company, Savory Choice, also brings you Pho Liquid Concentrated Broth in Veggie, Beef and Chicken for adding a dash of Asian flavour to your cooking! One box makes 64 ounces (two quarts) of broth and all are made with natural ingredients.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: coffee is the nectar of the gods. But bad coffee is just about as disappointing as the tepid caesar salad that I talked about last week. So in order to avoid an early tragedy in your kitchen, pick up a bag of Rhino Coffee House Whole Bean Coffee! Hand roasted in terrific Tofino, these premium coffee beans are available at Pepper's in Organic Medium Roast, Organic Dark Roast, Surfer Blend (it's gnarly) and Espresso. Rhino started pouring coffee to Tofino-ans in 2013 so now you don't have to drive all the way up there to get a great tasting cup of coffee.

And finally, if any of you like to indulge in fine dining in Victoria, you've likely visited Zambri's. Since 1999 they've been serving up "Italian soul food" to the locals. As taken from their website: The incredibly well prepared Italian food and efficient service created favourable word of mouth. And over time, the obscure little eatery gained highly acclaimed industry recognition. GOLD Best Casual Italian Restaurant Vancouver Magazine, Victoria Chef Of the Year, EAT Magazine, to name a few. The Urban Peasant James Barber called it the “Nicest little Italian restaurant in BC. Probably in Canada. Terrific food.” So if you would like to try to recreate some of that magical Italian inspired cooking in your own kitchen, choose Zambri's Hpuse Made Tomato Sauce! You can get a jar of it in Original or Arrabbiata (spicy) in Aisle 2 with the other pastas and sauces.

Thanks for checking us out again this week. Scott's put together an exceptional ad which you'll find below. We look forward to the day where we can see an unlimited number of your smiling faces in the aisles. But for now, we'll have to hold out a little longer. Until then, stay healthy and take good care!

Pepper's Newsletter June 1, 2021

Peppers Foods — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 08:56:00 GMT

Pepper's Newsletter Monday, May 24, 2021

Hi everyone, Jon here again with another newsletter for you (the last one for May, I might add). As I write this, game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is happening between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. if you know me, you'll know that I'm a lifelong Leafs fan so it's a good thing that I'm writing this instead of watching because I don't think I can take the disappointment. The personal pain and anguish of this love/hate relationship is just too much to take. I've been apoplectic about this series collapse for two entire days so I'll just wait until later on tonight to see if the annual letdown has occurred. But enough about me and my emotional breakdown. Chin up, yes? On to the newsletter!

We continue with our Employee Appreciation campaign this week by honouring our Produce Manager, Cameron Dean, who has slid into his relatively new role, taken the reigns and run! Cam's been a solid and dependable worker for the past 14 years whose first role was as an employee of the deli. That led to Deli Manager and for about the past two years, he's led his team in the Produce Dept as manager there. Cam is constantly looking for fresh, local, quality produce and isn't afraid to order unique or obscure items to line his shelves. His department has never looked better! Cam's a very proud papa of three young boys, a dedicated family man and just a generally all a round swell guy! Thanks, Cam, for your dedication and hard work!

While we're on the topic of our Produce Dept. let's kick off our list of new items with one that can be found there in the tofu section. So Nutty French Onion Dip/Spread is a vegan, wheat-free, soy-free, well, spread or dip! Stepping away from highly processed and animal-based products, the Victoria, BC based creators wanted to create a french onion dip that was actually good. And they did it! The label says, "This is a fresh, natural product. Put it on everything. Eat. Repeat." Sounds good to us!

Continuing with plant-based deliciousness, TMRW Foods Breakfast Patties are 100% vegan and made with "familiar ingredients" and contain 13g of protein per serving. They're prepared in Canada in Port Coquitlam, BC, using ingredients including quinoa, red kidney beans, sunflower seeds and yellow split peas.

Alternatively, TMRW Foods Sausage Links are also available for a sizzlin' good breakfast! Choose from Hickory Maple or Roasted Garlic + Herb with each variety containing 11g of protein per serving and made with similar ingredients!

If you're going to cook up a mess of plant-based sausages or sausage patties, you're going to have to have something else to go along with it. That's where JUST Plant Egg Folded comes in! I'm not in love with the product name but you'll fall in love with the taste! And because it's folded for convenient heating in the toaster, you'll also love the ease with which you can prepare it! Put it on toast, as the middle of a breakfast sandwich or eat in by itself. It was voted Best New Frozen Product at Expo West’s NEXTY Awards 2020 which is great, because when you head to the frozen food section for the TMRW stuff, you can grab a box of these, too!

Alright, that's it for plant-based items. Next up is something to be found in our Meat Department seafood section and we're very excited about it because it's locally produced in little ol' Sidney By the Sea, BC. Jenny's Smoke Shack Candied Wild Sockeye Salmon is handmade in small batches using just fresh fish, sea salt and maple syrup. Simple, healthy and delicious! Keep refrigerated.

If, while you're cruising past the meat counter, you decide to purchase any number of our delectable lamb cuts, either raised locally in Metchosin or those from New Zealand, you're going to want to make sure you have a good mint sauce to go with it. And we have not one but two new ones for you! Mrs Bridges Mint Sauce is one of the finest from the UK and uses a traditional vinegar-based recipe. Another exceptional sauce is Colman's of Norwich Mint Sauce which is made with mint grown in the fields of Norfolk and has been since the 1960s.

Not long ago, we told you about Bart Lemongrass Paste in a newsletter and it sold out almost immediately! It's back in stock again but our Grocery Manager, Don, though that he may as well get a couple more lemongrass products while he was at it. In addition ton the Bart Lemongrass Paste, you can now get actual Bart Lemongrass Sticks. It's the perfect ingredient for soups or other long-simmered dishes because the flavour infuses as they sticks rehydrate. And if you only need a one-shot of lemongrass flavour, pick up some deSIAM Lemongrass Stir-fry Paste. Each package contains 30g of paste, just enough for a single stir-fry! Perfect!

Belberry Fine Foods has taken an everyday favourite and turned it into a genuine gourmet table condiment with Belberry Royal Selection San Marzano Tomato Ketchup! Man, your mac and cheese is gonna be so wicked awesome now! Give your burger, grilled cheese, fries or whatever you put ketchup on the royal treatment with this exquisite sauce!

Have you ever gone to a restaurant and ordered a caesar salad, only to be disappointed by receiving one with a weak and meh dressing? It's such a bummer. Caesar salads should be bold and garlic-y, right? So if you're like so many of us who demand a strong garlic flavour in your dressing, pick up The Garlic Box Caesar Dressing and Dip. There's a whole bulb of fresh (Ontario grown) garlic in every jar! It's everything you want in an authentic caesar dressing and dip that won't leave you feeling bummed out!

Our Deli Department already had an impressive selection of Italissima Gnocchi located in front of the tofu section (bottom shelf) but decided to go all out and get a few more for you! Italissima Squash Gnocchi as well as Italissima Cauliflower Gnocchi and Italissima Gluten-Free Cauliflower Gnocchi cook in about two minutes. Just pour directly into boiling salted water and when they float, they're done (just like perogies).

And finally, for all of your baking needs, we offer Savör Organic Blackstrap Molasses. As per the company website: Savör Organic Molasses is organic, kosher, unsulphured and contains no additives or preservatives. A high source of iron and an excellent replacement for refined molasses – this baking champion will have you sweetening the organic way in no time! Our molasses has a robust flavour described as bittersweet. Unlike refined sugar, blackstrap molasses contains essential vitamins and minerals and boasts several powerful health benefits. Use for marinades, dressings and baking to add a hint of sweetness and warm spicy flavour.

That'll do it for this week and that'll do it for this month! June is upon us already! Oh, sports update... Leafs lose. Shocking result there. Time for a stiff drink. I guess the Seattle Kraken are going to need some fans, right? Hmmm. Oh well, that's sports for you. Actually, that's just the Toronto Maple Leafs for you. Until next week, take a few deep breaths and take good care!

Peppers Newsletter May 11, 2021

Peppers Foods — Tue, 11 May 2021 00:04:00 GMT

Good morning! Here's hoping all the moms, grandmas, stepmoms and generally mother-like figures had a terrific day on Sunday! All of the special ladies in our lives deserve more than one day a year to let them know how much they mean to us. And speaking of special ladies, there's one that we need to recognize this week for our Staff Appeciation campaign! Kathy Perry has been working alongside our Meat Manager, John, for more than 22 years (that in itself deserves special recognition because, you know, it's John). Kathy is as reliable as they come and her high standards ensure that our Meat Department stays in tip-top shape! When Kathy isn't keeping John in line, she can be found spending time with her daughter and four grandchildren or tending to the garden. Thank you, Kathy, for your years of hard work. We look forward to spending many more with you on our team!

Management has been super busy getting in all kinds of new items for you over the past week or so! In fact, there's way too many to list in just this one newsletter so we'll forego the usual trivia so that we can list as many as possible without making it too lengthy. So here we go!

We have some new items that c an also be found in our advertised specials this week! That's always a bonus because you get to try something new at a special price! We're not saving the best for last this week, though, because it's chocolate and chocolate is pretty great, especialy when the business originated in BC! Zazubean Slinky is fair-trade, organic, gluten-free and vegan chocolate that either has half the sugar or has zero sugar! The top right corner of the label will tell you. The zero sugar bars are sweetened naturally with stevia and come in Grass Fed Milk Chocolate, Creamy Hazelnut or Super Dark Panama! Half sugar dark chocolate bars come in Nuts & Berries and Salted Almonds and are sweetened with either coconut sugar or a combo of coconut sugar and stevia! And best of all, you can try one (or all) for just $3.26 each this week!

Our Deli Department has offered Continental Sausage Co. Whiskey Thyme Maple Ham slices for quite awhile now and since they added this to their selection of fine meats, it's been a top seller. Now it's available as random weight hams in our Meat Department this week for the amazing price of just $1.06/100 grams! What makes this ham so special is the recipe of maple syrup and thyme combined with the award winning 100% single malt Shelter Point Whiskey from Shelter Point Distillery in Campbell River. This is premium ham with an unforgettable flavour! Come by our meat counter and we'll hook you up!

Hey, here's something you don't see everyday in our advertised specials: bird seed. But Scotty threw caution to the wind and put Armstrong All Season Bird Blend 3.18kg in it nonetheless because 1) it's a great deal at just $5.96 per bag. 2) there are a lot of birds around. 3) there are a lot of bird-lovers around. So it just made sense, really. This seed is best used with a large port tube feeder, platform feeder or hopper feeder.

Twinings of London has been providing the world with tea since 1706. Now, over 300 years later, the company figured it was timne to change things up a bit. With Twinings Cold Infuse Flavoured Cold Water Enhancers you simply drop a pouch into your water bottle, shake and go! As per the company website: a delicious range of herbal water enhancers that offer an easy way to stay hydrated. Each silky infuser includes a blend of the finest fruits and herbs, specially blended to brew in cold water to give you a refreshing drink. There's no sugar, artificial flavours, colours or caffeine! And with great flavours such as Lemon Ginger, Strawberry Lemon, Blueberry Apple and Mango Passionfruit, you'll liven up your ordinary cold tap water instantly!

If you just want to crack open a cold one we have something that's Canadian craft-brewed from the North Okanagan Valley. it comes from Underground, too! Not literally, though. Underground Kombucha is authentic, raw kombucha with naturally zero sugar loaded with billions of probiotics in every can. It's sustainably brewed using only ingredients from BC and comes in some amazing flavours: Peach Pear Apricot, Blood Orange & Brewer Hops, Black Cherry Vanilla and Blueberry Blackberry Ginger!

Some great foods come out of La Belle Province and one particular restaurant called Joe Beef in Montreal is têtes and épaules above most. Voted No. 1 in Quebec and No. 3 in the country by Canada's 100 Best Restaurants 2020, this tiny 30 seater (it has since doubled its capacity) is definitely one you must visit when in Rome. But for those of us who probably won't be making that journey anytime soon, we'll have to settle for some of their sauces and seasonings to transform our own BBQ creations! And wouldn't you know it, BBQ season is upon us! Joe Beef Steak Sauce and Joe Beef BBQ Sauce are going to be your new favourite condiments this summer. Combined with Joe Beef Butcher's Blend Seasoning Montreal Steak Spice and Joe Beef BBQ Rub, you'll have all the bases covered come dinner time! Look for them on the front display by the entrance.

As long as we're talking about meat, you should pick up some of the following from our Meat Department. Mary Manette Seafood Smoked Herring is naturally smoked Nova Scotia herring that is sustainably sourced. This descriptor is taken from the website: this sparkling fresh herring has a delicate and flaky texture that melts in your mouth; the perfect addition to your everyday pantry essentials. Our lightly smoked herring is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and Vitamin D, low in carbohydrates, and loaded with rich antioxidants. It's an easy appy on your seacuterie board or make a quick and delicious lunch with smoked herring and avocado toast!

Also found in our fresh seafood section are two local products by Humble & Frank Foods of The Atrium on Blanshard Street in downtown Victoria! Humble & Frank Original Tartar Sauce is a little sweet and a little tangy with a creamy texture. The tastes of pickled relish, dill and lemon vinegar (yum!) will make your fish and chips, calamari, egg salad or fried shrimp spectacular! Or try Humble & Frank Original Cocktail Sauce made with San Marzano tomato paste, freshly grated horseradish root, lemon juice, white pepper and other herbs and spices. Just add shrimp!

Stay tuned for next week's newsletter that'll be jam packed with more new goodies. Until then, enjoy the sunshine, stay safe and take good care!

Pepper's Foods

Peppers Newsletter May 4, 2021

Peppers Foods — Tue, 04 May 2021 00:05:00 GMT

A long time ago in a neighbourhood far, far away...(unless of course you live near us in which case it would actually be pretty close by) was SHOP EASY grocery. After awhile it was re-named Pepper's Foods where it garnered a small but loyal following. It won dozens of awards over the years providing outstanding service and an excellent product selection despite possessing only 4000 square feet of retail space (speaking of space, this is supposed to be a take on the opening text crawl of Star Wars because today is May 4th which is Star Wars Day afterall). And just the other day our store was awarded the 2020 Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Award for British Columbia/Yukon Region for Small Surface Category. We compete with stores across the country that are 15000 square feet or less. So we would like to thank the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) for this honour, the entire management team, as well as all of the incredible staff and, of course, our loyal customers for continuing to support and choose us! Thank you!

This is the third week of our Employee Appreciation campaign and today's recipient is Sarah Ross who was hired over 26 years ago as a cashier and has moved up through the ranks to Accounts Payable. But AP is just a small portion of what Sarah does for our store. She looks after our payroll. She logs our inventory. She ensures the computer systems, email accounts, front end POS machiners, tills and numerous other vital systems function properly. She orders and stocks store supplies. Sarah tirelessly worked to get our online store up and running. She has numerous responsibilities related to customer service. Did we mention that she is also the President of the Cadboro Bay Business Improvement Association? At any given time Sarah juggles with quite a few balls in the air but when she's not actually working (which is rare), Sarah will likely be found on a baseball diamond somewhere or voraciously devouring (not literally) a book. Thank you, Sarah, for the work that you do to keep this ship afloat! We couldn't do it without you!

Alright gang, let's talk about the new items that we have for you this week. We're going to kick things off with something that lots and lots of people love: cheddar cheese. but what we have for you is not just any cheddar cheese. This is the cadillac of cheddars. Balderson Reserve 2017 Limited Edition White Cheddar Cheese is quite possibly "the world's finest aged cheddar." Afterall, Balderson has been creating fine aged cheddars since 1881. iI's what they do. It's all they do! But this cheese ain't for the grandchildren. Nope, this is adult gnoshing cheddar that pairs well with full-bodied red wines, dark beers, port or sherry. Best served at or near room temperature.

Fans of our Paqui Haunted Ghost Pepper Chips (freakin' hot) know that the heat comes from real ghost peppers, not a bunch of chemicals. By the way, if you like it spicy then these chips are definitely for you! We've had them for a long time, so we figured it was time to add a few more flavours to the mix. Paqui Zesty Salsa Verde Chips (kinda hot) pairs tangy tamatillo, lime and sour cream flavours into a corn chip that everyone in the whole family can enjoy! And there's also Paqui Mucho Nacho Cheese Chips (not hot), the chip loaded with real organic cheeses and spices. It's a cheese lovers dream snack! Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo so why not go all in with these deliciously spicy (or not) snacks?

Another crispy snack that's new is Quaker Veggie Crispy Minis! Made from puffed brown rice as well as real vegetables like carrot, beet and spinach, these yummy in your tummy snacks come in Balsamic & Bruschetta as well as Italian Herb & Olive Oil flavours! At just 90 calories per serving (16 chips) you can eat 'em guilt free!

Let's keep it rolling with another crunchy semi-savoury snack cracker with a unique yet tasty flavour! Christie Wheat Thins Sweet Potato Crackers are made with whole grain wheat flour and dried sweet potato, as well as contain salt and cinnamon! They are perfectly suitable for eating on their own, straight out of the box, or they can be topped with mild or aged cheeses. They must be good because they've already been selling well!

Fresh lemongrass is an essential ingredient in Thai cooking but the problem with it is that it's not a great seler. So when you go to purchase it, it's often not at it's peak of freshness. And the other problem is that quite often, once you've purchased it, you can't go through it quick enough so it goes to waste. Is there a solution to this dilemma? there is now! With Bart Lemongrass Paste you get that ultra fresh lemony aroma with the citrus taste of fresh lemongrass in a convenient jar! One teaspoon of lemongras paste is equal to one teaspoon of chopped lemongrass. The math is simple! And so is the decision to put this in your basket. It's a no-brainer for sure.

Altight, it's time to get naked. Scratch that. It's time to get a Naked Smoothie off of the shelf in our Produce Department. Naked Smoothies are incredibly fresh and delicious blends of fruit juices with other ingredients that are vegan and contain no added sugars. For example, Green Machine is a combination of apples, mango, banana, kiwi and pineapple with spirulina, alfalfa, broccoli, kale, barley grass, wheat grass, parsley...you get the idea! They're jam packed with fresh and delicious ingredients full of nutrition and goodness. Also try Mighty Mango and Strawberry Banana!

And finally, if that sweet tooth of yours has been calling, you might just have to listen and satiate the urge with Barú Dark Chocolate Covered Marshmallows. Chocolaty coated Jet Puffed these are not. The "fluffy mallows" contain only natural ingredients, from bourbon vanilla to honey and are dipped in a crispy coating of fine dark Belgian or milk chocolate. Available in Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel or Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel, these are the ultimate treat for caving in to temptation.

Remember to have a look at our Cinco de Mayo themed ad this week. We have some great deals on items from every department. And also remember to be kind, not just to others but to yourself! It's amazing how we can handle life's big issues, sometimes surprisingly well, but yet we are incredibly good at sweating the small stuff and we find ourselves coming down hard on ourselves for just being human. We make mistakes. We drop dishes. We forget things. We spill milk. In the grand scheme of things, none of this matters. It's easy to lose sight of the big picture sometimes. So be good to yourself and for gosh sakes, take good care!

Pepper's Foods

Peppers Newsletter April 27, 2021

Peppers Foods — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 00:05:00 GMT

Good morning! Last week we introduced our Store Manager, Don Way, to you in the first of a series of weekly Staff Appreciation posts. This week, our Meat Manager, Mr. John Eldridge, is in the spotlight. With 57 years experience as a butcher, John is a master at his craft and one of the best there is. Period. He stocks a diverse and exceptional meat counter each and every single day and do you know why? It's because he works very hard and LOVES what he does for a living! And we LOVE having him as an employee which he has been for the past 31 years. John brings an amazing energy to work every day as well as a great sense of humour. His newest hobby involves smoking various cuts of meat in his awesome backyard smoker! Have fun with it, John, and thank you!

Hey, remember Expo 67? It was the International and Universal Exposition, a Category One World's Fair that was the first of its kind to be held in North America. It was the focal point for Canada's 100th birthday which ran in Montreal, QC from April 27-October 29, 1967. Category 1 meant that it must cover the full range of activities of contemporary man. The theme was Man and his World with sixty-two nations participating (the most to date) and it also set an attendance record on the third day with 569,500 visitors. In total, 54,991,806 people experienced this incredible event which, by the way, almost didn't happen. Moscow was originally awarded the opportunity by the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris but the USSR cancelled and Canada was granted the green light.

What's new and exciting to the store this week you ask? Let's start off with stuff found in our Meat Department since the manager is the man of the hour! John has added some amazing new items from Langford's Glenwood Meats. And if you know anything about Glenwood, you know that they don't skimp on quality. And they've been a family operated business since 1950 so they know a thing or two about meats. Just in time for BBQ season are Glenwood Smokies available in Beef, Turkey and Jalapeno Cheese (pork) flavours! You get six giant smokies per package that cook up juicy and delicious on the grill!

There's also Glenwood Weiners which come in Original (pork and beef), Beef Cheddar and Chicken varieties! There are six large weiners per package that will put the weiners you currently buy to shame. They taste that good!

And if you're looking for something ready-to-eat, try Glenwood Pepperoni! With four flavours to chose from (Original, Jalapeno Cheddar, Honey Garlic and Hot & Spicy) these are large portions of beef and pork pepperoni sticks with the perfect blend of seasonings and ingredients. We know that this will become your favourite pepperoni. And keep this in mind: you're purchasing product that's created and smoked on-site. Glenwood is involved entirely in the process so you're getting locally-made, high quality product that's flavourful and satisfying! Keep supporting your local businesses!

Another tasty addition to the store can be found in our Deli Department in the form of Bacon & Cheddar Egg Bites! These scrumptious gluten-free snacks are high in protein and come in a pack of two for just $2.99. You can find them in the Deli's cold case across from the first till!

Sometimes we're out of stock on certain items be it due to supplier shortages or what have you. That was the case with certain items from The Fishery, local seafood products from Salt Spring Island. But now The Fishery Smoked Mussels and Smoked Scallops have returned to the shelves! So if you've been disappointed at not being able to purchase these, you're in luck because they're in stock! And another seafood item that was unavailabe but has also returned is St. Jean's (Nanaimo) Smoked Mussels. There's no shortage anymore of delicious, loical smoked shellfish so make sure you remember to put these back on your shopping list.

Remember The Upside Organic Coffee Blend that we told you about last week? They've already expanded their line to include The Upside Organic K-Cups (K-Cup compatible)! It's that same great coffee blend except it comes in convenient Keurig cartridges. Each package contains 18 cups that are 100% blue box recyclable! Currently they live on a displayer outside the front doors of the store but they'll eventually find their way to the shelf in Aisle 3 with the other coffees.

Keurig coffee is almost instant coffee but not quite. But if you're in the mood for a flavoured instant coffee beverage then the two new ones found just below the coffee grinder might just be for you! Maxwell House Cafe Instant Coffee is available at Pepper's in Suisse Mocha as well as French Vanilla flavours! Apparently this is highly coveted stuff that's hard to find so if you're one of the many who have to go elsewhere to purchase this, your just saved yourself a trip!

Our Produce Department has added Muscat Grapes! If you've never tried these delicate, seedless beauties then you're in for a treat! These greenish grapes with a pink bloom and soft skin are one of the oldest grape varieties in existence. Imported from Chile, they are only available until before the end of May. So you might want to jump on the chance to try these, if you haven't yet already. They don't taste like regular table grapes. They taste more of lychee fruit than grapes, actually: sweet and deliciously fragrant!

If you want to attain a high level of streak-free cleanliness on glass and surfaces at home in a product that contains zero ammonia, try Method Glass Cleaner Waterfall. You'll get a streak-free shine with plant-based ingredients that smells like water lily and sandalwood! Smudges, fingerprints and detritus flung onto the bathroom mirror as a result of aggressive flossing don't stand a chance against this meaner, greener surface cleaner!

Want a healthy yet convenient meal that's ready in mere minutes? One that doesn't contain meat? One that's loaded with fibre and protein but that;s gluten-free and vegan? Presto bang-o you're in luck! Because you can have all of that with San Remo Organic Chili with Romano Beans! Here's the complete list of ingredients: Borlotti Beans, Water, tomato puree, cane sugar, starch, salt, red chilli peppers, onions, spices. That's it. Simpler is often better and in this instance, that's exactly the case. Simple yet delicious. Quick and easy.

There's another one for the books, gang. Wherever this finds you we hope that you are healthy and safe and continuing to persevere through this crazy period in our history. We hope you enjoyed the newsletter this week and until the next one arrives, please, take good care!

Pepper's Foods

Peppers Newsletter April 20, 2021

Peppers Foods — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 00:05:00 GMT

Good morning! Today we have some good news to share (this is, afterall, a letter about news)! Firstly, the Family Business Association of Vancouver Island has honoured Pepper's Foods by presenting the 2020 Family Business Excellence Award to the Davits family, the owners of the store. Our current General Manager, Cory Davits, along with his father John, are so pleased to have been presented with this award and sincerely thank the staff, our customers and everyone at the FBA for this recognition!

Secondly, if you've been a shopper at our store for any length of time, you're likely aware of who our Store Manager, Don Way, is. If not, Don has been steadfastly working at the store for 34 years and holds the distinction of being the longest serving staff member at Pepper's. Don's easygoing personality and great sense of humour makes him a pleasure to work alongside, especially during the trying times associated with this pandemic. He's the glue that holds Pepper's together which is why he is never allowed to retire. Ever. So as part of our Staff Appreciation Campaign (we single out and embarrass a staff member every Thursday) we are proud to recognize hard-working Don as our first recipient and he was presented with a store gift card for his efforts. Way to go, Don!

Okey dokey let's talk about new items on the shelves starting with some refreshing beverages available in our cold case up front. You may already be familiar with Zevia, the zero calorie sodas sweetened with stevia that we sell singly up front as well as by the pack in aisle 5. Now there are two new lines of sugar-free drinks available to you! Zevia Organic Tea is sweetened (the Canadian way to drink iced tea) black tea naturally flavoured with either Lemon or Raspberry and is the "first and only zero calorie and zero sugar tea platform. Naturally sweetened with a delicate balance of flavou, Zevia Organic Tea is USDA Organic and brewed with Fair Trade Certified Tea." We also have Zevia Energy for when you need a little extra boost without the added sugar! With zero sugar, zero calories and 120mg of caffeine per can, you'll power through your day sipping on a Mango Ginger or Raspberry Lime energy drink!

Or you could always opt for the old standby that's been chasing away the yawns for eons: coffee. But not just any coffee. You may recall how CHEK News aired an episode of The Upside on-location from Pepper's Foods just a little while ago. Well, the hosts, Ed Bain and Jeff King neother of which had ever been to the store before, were so pumped up about the store and how we focus on local products as much as possible, that they asked if we'd be interested in selling The Upside Blend Coffee! Yes, Ed and Jeff have a brand of whole bean coffee that's only available for retail at Pepper's Foods and Fresh Cup Roastery Cafe. The beans are small batch roasted for the best possible taste bringing out the full-bodied flavour and aroma as well as an enticing sweetness and wonderful depth. You'll find it in Aisle 3 with the rest of the hot beverages.

The perfect accompaniment to coffee is undoubtedly biscotti. Italians know a thing or two about coffee and what goes well with it. So if you're picking up some of that Upside Blend, you should add the latest flavour of the most excellent Melinda's Biscotti: Gingersnap. What started out of a garage 15 years ago in Sidney, BC as grown into a successful and thriving business and we're very happy to offer this biscotti in our store. It's not in the most obvious spot so look for it on the top shelf directly across from the bread (near the ATM).

Alternatively, you could just go for a chocolate chip cookie. However, our newest chocolate chip cookie puts the standard to shame because it's Christie Chips Ahoy Chewy Family Size with Cadbury Caramilk Chocolate Chips! You read that right. It's the classic chewy cookie with the classic chocolate taste of the iconic Cadbury Caramilk bar! What more is there to say, really except that you have got to get your hands on these immediately for your next compulsive snacking/binge watching marathon! Sweeeeet!

This pandemic has caused a lot of peeople a lot of stress so it's no wonder that alcohol consumption spiked! But if you're looking to scale back your boozin' yet still enjoy the taste of wine, try St. Regis Brut De-alcoholized Sparkling Wine! As per the company website:

The St. Regis Brut is a dry, golden yellow sparkling wine featuring floral, fruity and citrus notes layered over delicate and persistent effervescence. Made with a fine selection of Chardonnay grapes using traditional methods, our master winemakers have created a remarkable product that doesn’t compromise on taste to dazzle even the most discerning palates. Make every occasion a memorable one with this medium-bodied Brut that unveils a lively acidity, rounded balance and broad texture. It's great on its own or in mocktails!

Whole sesame seeds ground up with organic sesame oil = New World Organics Organic Sesame Tahini. No stabilizers, hydrogenated oils, sugars, salt, artificial colours, flavours, dairy products or preservatives are added to this traditional Middle Eastern condiment. It's also vegan! Add it to your dressings, noodles, quinoa, dips, pitas, hummus, and roasted vegetables.

If you happen to get a glob of that tahini on your favourite t-shirt there's a good chance it might stain it. Resolve Oxi Action Fabric Stain Remover comes in a new powder form in two varieties. There's Crystal White Chlorine Free Fabric Stain Remover as well as Colour Safe Fabric Stain Remover. NOTE: this is a super boosted IN-WASH stain remover meaning that you add it to your washing machine when you do your laundry. You can also use it as a spot remover by making a paste, applying it to the stain, waiting 5 minutes and then washing as recommended.

Finally, there's another new oat beverage available with the shelf-stable non-dairy beverages right under the monitor in Aisle 1. Silk Unsweetened Oat is a great dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, carrageenan-free, lactose-free and vegan alternative to drinking milk with only 50 calories per serving, zero cholesterol and zero sugar!

One last thing before you finish reading and start looking at our advertised specials, we have been provided with another NHL jersey from Arla Foods! This year we have a Winnipeg Jets Jersey available to be won (the draw will commence after the Stanley Cup is awarded) and all you have to do is sign your name and number on the back of your receipt and place it in the ballot box at the store entrance! Good luck!

Until next week, stay safe and take good care!

Pepper's Foods

Peppers Newsletter April 13, 2021

Peppers Foods — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 00:05:00 GMT

Good morning! "Houston, we have a problem." Those were not the words that Commander James A. Lovell Jr. spoke 51 years ago today when NASA's Apollo 13 spacecraft suffered a major malfunction en route to the moon. He also didn't say, "Houston, well there's the problem!" or "Houston, what's your problem?" No, in one of the most misquoted phrases of the 20th century, what he actually spoke was, "Houston, we've had a problem here." At least that's what the official NASA transcript states. And what a problem it was, indeed. For as many of us are already aware, the craft's oxygen was rapidly venting into space due to a short circuit which caused a significant explosion. Commander Lovell, as well as fellow crewmates Fred W. Haise Jr., (Lunar Module Pilot) and John L. Swigert Jr., (Command Module Pilot) were then forced to survive in space for an additonal four days (the accident happened on the third day in) while the spacecraft, instead of landing on the moon, orbited it on a return trajectory to earth. On April 15th, Apollo 13 was 254 km from the lunar surface on the far side of the moon and 400,171 km above the Earth. This is a Guinness World Record for the farthest distance from Earth reached by human beings and still holds to this day. They all survived the ordeal.

Okay so there's alot of ground to cover this morning so lets get right to it. And this week, our newsletter is packed with loads of local stuff which is very exciting! Salsa is the most consumed condiment on the planet. So it shouldn't surprise anyone that we have some new ones to tell you about! Everland Organic Salsa is made in Vancouver, BC and we have both Mild and Hot varieties available. Organic tomatoes, vegetables, herbs and spices combine to create a flavourful sauce perfect for chips and everything else that tastes great with salsa!

If I had to guess, I'd say the second most consumed condiment would have to be ketchup. I'm not going to look it up but that sounds about right. So when we ordered the Everland Organic Salsas, we figured that we may as well get a whole bunch of Everland Organic Ketchup, too! BBQ season is here so complete your next cookout of dogs and burgers with this super tasty tomato ketchup!

Say, if we're talking burgers, let's talk about the buns to go with them. Another exciting local product that's new to Pepper's is Portofino European Bakery Golden Potato Buns. With a sweet buttery taste and soft texture, your next burger or sandwich is going to be the best you've had in awhile! You'll love these buns!

A very popular saying is the one that goes "you reap what you sow." In other words, you're farming karma. Which leads us to our next excellent product by Kelowna's Farming Karma Fruit Co.! With the warm weather on the way, now is the perfect time to try Farming Karma Fruit Co. Sodas, made from apples frown in BC's Okanagan region! There's no added sugars and the juice (there's an entire apple's worth per can!) is not from concentrate. The original Apple flavour contains just 50 calories per can (10 grams of naturally occurring sugars) with almost no sodium (10mg) and has 14% of the RDI of vitamin C. That doesn't sound like a lot but how much nutrition is contained in the average can of pop? Exactly - zero. So get your hands on this line of BC-made sodas that come in Apple, Cherry, Peach, Berry and Pear flavours: the sodas that are ripe with good karma!

Salmon Arm, BC is home to the original Happy Days Goat Dairy which has added an excellent cheese to their already popular line of goat milk products! Happy Days Goat Cheddar Cheese is pure white cheddar goat cheese and is the perfect alternative to cow dairy cheddar. It has a light yet distinct flavour that every cheese lover will enjoy!

Our Deli Department has added some terrific pre-sliced meats from Victoria's own Berryman Brother's Butcheries! Now you can purchase half-pound packages of Pepperoni as well as Capicola Ham! Both are ideal as pizza toppings. Oh and in case you were wondering, capicola is, as per Wikipedia: a traditional Italian and Corsican pork cold cut (salume) made from the dry-cured muscle running from the neck to the fourth or fifth rib of the pork shoulder or neck. It's fatty but not too fatty, lightly spiced and slightly smoky. In other words, it's delicious! Plus, now back in stock is Berryman Brothers Garlic Ham Rings as well as their Charcuterie Pack!

And if you're putting together a charcuterie board with the aforementioned items, you can really kick it up a notch with Little Stand Red Pepper Jelly, another exclusve to Pepper's Foods! More local goodness with exquisite flavour = happy customers!

The Deli Department has also added ready-to-heat soups from Vancouver Soup Company! Every flavour is made from scratch in small batches using nothing but the freshest of fresh ingredients! They take pride in offering home-made food that is reliably consistent and has rich and complex flavour profiles. And with soups such as Chicken Coconut Curry, Smoked Salmon Chowder and Potato Leek (just to name a few), there is bound to be at least one that is destined to become your next favourite!

Let's close the newsletter out with an exciting giveaway that the store is holding on Instagram!

Five amazing local businesses have teamed up to offer a chance for one person to win a gift pack loaded with products they are sure to enjoy!

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

• $50 gift card to Dumpling Drop
• $50 gift card to Pepper's Foods
• pint of ice cream & t-shirt from 49 Below
• bag of coffee, tote bag & toque from Discovery Coffee
• one dozen tortillas, one pack (8) medium tortillas, one bag Hominy, one pound Masa Dough & gift card from Maiiz Nixtamal Tortilleria

HOW TO ENTER?
Follow these steps:

Head on over to our Instagram account: @peppersfoodsvictoria

LIKE the Giveaway post ??
FOLLOW these accounts ??

@discoverycoffee
@dumplingdrop
@maiiz.nixtamal
@49below
@peppersfoodsvictoria

TAG a friend in the comments of this post who would also want to win (1 comment = 1 entry, so tag away!) ??

* contest closes @ midnight on April 15th 2021. Winner to be announced April 16th and must be able to pick up their winnings from Pepper's Foods.

Well, there you have it. Loads of goodies await one lucky winner. Perhaps it could be you! We're pulling for ya! We want to wish you continued safety from this exhausting pandemic. Keep doing all the good things! Stay positive. Be kind. Help your friends and neighbours. And, as always, take good care!

Pepper's Foods

Peppers Newsletter April 6, 2021

Peppers Foods — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 00:10:00 GMT

Good morning! We trust everyone had a safe, enjoyable and socially distanced Easter long weekend! Any my, what amazing weather we had, too! The pink plum and cherry blossoms are in full swing here in Victoria and the sun has been shining brightly! But let's not get too excited because the forecast is calling for sub-zero temperatures this weekend. So best not put those seedlings in the garden just yet.

It's great when the subject of our little history lessopn has to do with food, although this week, one could argue that the item we're about to discuss is actually food. Today in 1930, a Canadian-born baker named James Alexander Dewar invented the Twinkie in Schiller Park, Illinois. Dewar was an employee of the Continental Baking Company when he realized that the machines which were used for injecting cream into strawberry shortcakes went unused when the berries were not in season. So he decided to fill some cakes with banana cream instead. When WWII broke out, bananas were rationed and the company was forced to switch to another flavour: vanilla. The name "twinkie" was conceived when Dewar saw a billboard for "Twinkle Toe Shoes" on a St. Louis billboard.

We mentioned holding off for awhile on planting outside but if you have a hankering for some fresh vegetables pick up some fresh BC Grown Living Lettuce! We have living Romaine, Butter or Spring Lettuces available that you can either leave out on the kitchen counter and continue to water or keep in the bag in your fridge. Fresh, crunchy, sweet and delicious greens that taste just like they were picked from the garden can be in your dinner salad today!

Consumers are becoming much more conscious of the choices that they make and how they can affext the environment, or degradation of it. For instance, plastic straws are frowned upon now and loads of people keep a reusable one in their purse, bag or glove box. Plastic bags have been largely replaced with reusable fabric bags. And plastic cutlery is becoming as equally avoided because they go straight into the landfill. That being said, we have a super convenient dining accessory kit available right now made entirely of bamboo! The Future is Bamboo Utensil Kit comes in a convenient and cute velcro-closing pouch and contains a bamboo knife, fork, spoon and straw (as well as a tiny brush for cleaning the straw). This renewable resource is used to make durable cutlery which can be washed and reused over and over with zero generated waste. They're vegan and cruelty-free certified, friendly on your wallet but best of all, they're good for the planet. Make a switch to your daily routine and ditch plastic once and for all!

If we're talking about items that are good for the earth, we'd better mention True Earth Eco Strips Disinfectant Multi-Surface Cleaner! This product is made from the same company that created those eco-friendly laundry detergent strips! It's way cool because the package contains 8 strips of which you drop one into your own spray bottle filled with hot water thus creating a disinfecting solution that kills 99% of bacteria, 99% of fungi and mold and 99% of viruses! You shake the bottle until the strip is disolved and you're good to go. All without creating any waste plastic. You only need one bottle which you can use over and over again. Oh and did we mention that it's Health Canada approved?

Keto-dieters listen up! Things just got real. Gone are the days of using a leaf of lettuce for your low-calorie, low-carb wrap. Folios Cheese Wraps are here in our Deli Department! What's that, now? What is a cheese wrap? Here's what the company website has to say: Folios Cheese Wraps, the first ever and #1 cheese wrap on the market! Folios are 100% all natural lightly baked sheets of cheese that are made from Parmesan or Cheddar cheese and are recipe-ready to crisp, wrap, roll or melt. Ideal as a keto-friendly, low-carb alternative for tortillas or bread, Folios is the better-for-you alternative you never knew you needed. We are committed to using the highest quality, nutritious ingredients that are free of additives, sugars and preservatives and with only 1g of carbs per serving! They're naturally lactose and gluten-free as well!

How does a fillet of salmon sound on the BBQ tonight? Yes, it'll probably make a sizzling sound but that's not what we mean. What we mean is, how appealing is grilling a fillet of salmon on the BBQ? Not just any fillet of salmon mind you. How about Aquastar Smoky Peppercorn Salmon? It's a side of marinated wild caught Alaskan chum salmon with garlic and cracked pepper! And it's a snap in either the BBQ or oven taking anywhere from 23-29 minutes depending on how you choose to cook it. The bag also has a see-through window on the back so you can have a peek before you buy it. We're working on getting this in individual portion packages as well!

We've talked about all things savoury thus far so let's switch over to the sweet stuff! Walkers has been making fine Scottish shortbread for eons and their popularity is evident by the amount that Pepper's sells. We go through A LOT of shortbread at this store. Not surprisingly, Walkers wants to get in on all that gluten-free action so they decided to make a cookie. Walkers Gluten-Free Biscuits come in Oat & Cranberry as well as Chocolate Chunk & Orange (this flavour will come up again soon...) They're certified gluten-free and vegetarian and yet still taste delicious because, hey, they're Walkers. Now you don't have to exclude anyone from your next tea party, although, with COVID numbers exploding, you probably shouldn't be having a tea party to begin with. But if you or your bubble peeps need gluten-free stuff, now you're all set!

Terry's Chocolate Oranges sell out every time we get them in stock. And why wouldn't they, since the taste of delicious milk chocolate and oranges makes an excellent flavour coupling. It only makes sense then that they finally started making Terry's Orange Chocolatey Confection in bar form. Well, they're more like several little round pieces of chocolate. Regardless, they're really, really good! You can get Terry's Orange Original or Terry's Orange Cookie Biscuit which is the same except that it has pieces of cookie mixed into the chocolate. We know it was just Easter and you've totally filled up on chocolate and couldn't possibly even think about eating any more but c'mon, it's only wafer thin.

We couldn't finish things up this week without mentioning something new to drink now, could we? Tonica Kombucha Tonic Blue Lemonade Supertonic has been in the store for awhile but we've just recently added Tonica Kombucha Tonic Pineapple Lemonade! How good does that sound (not this again...) It's the fresh taste of pineapple combined with the zingy tang of lemonade in raw, organic, enzyme-rich kombucha form! Yummy!

That'll do it for another week, folks. Please continue to do keep doing everything that you can to minimize your exposure to this stubborn virus. We're almost to the finish line so keep staying the course! And as always, our wish is for you to continue to take good care.

Pepper's Foods