When someone really loves the St. Peter Food Co-op, everyone knows it. They’ve got the sticker on their car, they’re wearing the logo hoodie, you can find the diner mug in their kitchen cupboard… If you know someone who can recite the week’s Fresh Deals off the top of their head, here are a few Valentine’s Day ideas—handpicked by us here at the Co-op—that will probably go over well. 

1. evanhealy facials.

We’re loving the new line of  evanhealy products here in the Wellness Department! evanhealy is a plant-based skincare line that offers products handmade with 100% natural and organically sourced ingredients. In addition to offering eight complimentary facials on February 14 (spots are limited; inquire at the Wellness Counter), you can purchase face care kits that make great gifts and are a nice way to check out the entire product line. It’s time to rejuvenate your winter skin!

2. A big bag o’ bath bombs.

Our Wellness Buyer, Dimitri is bringing in special Valentine’s Day bath bombs from Pacha Soap Co. Based in nearby Nebraska, every Pacha purchase supports transparent, ethical sourcing, clean water initiative, hygiene education, and small business opportunities across the globe. We also carry an assortment of Pacha bar soaps and whipped soap scrubs, along with other local body care products from Made with Love, Herbal Beauty, and Lakota Made (stay tuned for our Local Producer Q&A with Lakota Made next week). Here’s a hint—if it smells good, it will probably make them feel good, too!

3. Write them a note in a handmade card.

Have you seen the new cards from Tin Can Valley Printing Co., based in Le Sueur? Letterpressed and locally-made… what could be better. Tin Can Valley specializes in letterpress printing using old worn-out wood type on antique printing presses. Make your chosen card even more special by writing a note inside about what—specifically!—you cherish about your friend/companion/lover, and they will certainly save this heartwarming gift for many years to come.

4. Strawberries & Talenti.

Two words that will make any heart sing with joy. Strawberries will be on sale, chocolate will be located near the strawberries, and delicious Talenti Gelato and Sorbetto are $3.99 through February 18th (long enough for a catch-up gift if you forget the 14th—we recommend filling the entire freezer if you do this). If you’re in the store this Thursday (2/13), we’re planning to offer free samples of strawberries, balsamic, and Vanilla Talenti so you can taste how amazing they are together.

5. Locally-grown flowers.

Once again we’ll be welcoming Len Busch Roses (roses and tulips) and Greenwald’s Greenhouse (variety bouquets) to the C0-op floor. The Busch family has been growing roses in Minnesota since 1969, and today their entire greenhouse is heated with environmentally-friendly biomass boilers that burn tree trimming waste provided from the local communities. The Busch’s also use hydroponic growing systems and predator insects in place of chemical control. Psst—here’s a secret: We’ll also be getting some orchids this year!

The St. Peter Food Co-op & Deli is open 7 days a week from 7am-9pm. You don’t need to be an owner to shop here—everyone is welcome, every day. We hope to see you soon!