Friends& Family
C O U N T R Y G R O C E R ’ S Q U A R T E R LY F O O D & L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E
Spring 2021 | Complimentary
Outrageous & Garden Good
Meet the team at Coombs’ Outrageous Edibles
‘People’s Manager’ Retires in Royal Oak Saluting manager Mike Parr’s 30+ years of leadership
Recipes I Nutrition I Pets I What’s in Store
countrygrocer.com
Brian and Bev Whitta Vancouver Island
Island Farmhouse Poultry is proud to provide the only island-raised, island-processed chicken to Vancouver & the Gulf Islands. We rely on fourteen dedicated farming families, like Brian and Bev Whitta, to raise the highest-quality, farm fresh island chicken.
Spring! WELCOME WELCOME
IN THIS ISSUE
Outrageous & Island grown
4
Herbs, vegetables and florals, greenhouse-grown in Coombs Welcome to the spring 2021 edition of Friends & Family. It’s hard to believe PETER CAVIN, Di it’s been a year rect COUNTRY GROCER or since our lives changed forever. COVID 19 has made us do business a bit differently but we are very proud of our team. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to keep our doors open, so a big thank you to our team and to all front line workers! This year, Country Grocer celebrates 37 years on Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island. We are excited for what this year brings. This spring we are filming season three of Cookin’ on the Coast with the crew at CHEK. A special thank you to Liquor Plus and ColdStar solutions for sponsoring the show! We are excited to showcase our Island suppliers and farmers. Stay tuned this fall for the new season! Another milestone is also happening this year: After 30 years of dedicated service with Country Grocer and a life-long career in the grocery industry, Mike Parr, our Royal Oak manager, is setting his sights on a well-deserved retirement that includes family time and planning future travel adventures. Read about his journey on page 7. Mike, we wish you all the best in your retirement years and thank you for your exemplary service and leadership during your time with us.
> RECIPES – PAGE 12 Grilled Striploin Steak Salad Mexican Spice Rubbed Chicken Maca Strawberry Chocolate Smoothie ON THE COVER
Mike Parr, retiring manager of the Royal Oak Country Grocer Editor Jennifer Blyth jennifer.blyth@blackpress.ca Group Publisher Penny Sakamoto psakamoto@blackpress.ca Victoria News Publisher Michelle Cabana mcabana@blackpress.ca Advertising Sales Patty Doering pdoering@vicnews.com Production Kelsey Boorman Janice Marshall Circulation 250-480-3285
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NUTRITION ON THE GO
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Friends&Family » Spring 2021 | countrygrocer.com » 3
s u o e g a r t Ou
&
Colanne and Jesse Jacobs, of Outrageous Edibles and Bedibles, in Coombs.
Jennifer Blyth photo
Island grown BY JENNIFER BLYTH
Tucked into the Coombs countryside just outside Parksville, Jesse and Colanne Jacobs and their team are busy seeding, watering and potting up thousands of herb, veggie and flower starts. Working in seven greenhouses and a few more cold frames where plants are hardened off before arriving at your Country Grocer, this is the team behind Outrageous Edibles and Bedibles. Born and raised in the area, after working for the previous owners, Jesse purchased the growing business 15 years ago, shifting the focus from the floral side more toward the edibles. “This has always been where my passion was,” Jesse reflects. Today, about 65 per cent of their product is edibles, however, as the winterflowering hellebores and flats of colourful
pansies and basket-stuffers show, there’s still plenty of “pretty” here, too! Whether flowers, herbs or vegetables, Jesse and Colanne try to include a wide variety, but all are tried and tested in our Island climate. In addition to numerous heirloom varieties, any plants you find will be grown from non-GMO seeds and raised with environmentally friendly integrated pest management practices. After all, “I have to eat this myself,” Jesse says. Living next door to the greenhouses, the family tries a lot of varieties in their own garden before offering it for the home gardener. A favourite of both the Jacobs and consumers is a recently introduced mixed lettuce selection that includes dozens of
4 » Friends&Family » Spring 2021 | countrygrocer.com
different types, so that in any six-pack you’ll enjoy numerous varieties – you never know what you’re going to get, but rest assured it will be delicious! For tomato lovers, whether your go-to fruit is for salads, sauces or sandwiches, you’ll find the right variety among the 60+ the Jacobs grow every year for local garden centres. “We do a lot of different mixes with the end user in mind.” That also means Jesse looks forward to questions and comments from customers. It’s why keeping the business at the size it is also works: “I look at every order that comes in and every order that goes out and I want it to stay that way,” Jesse says. As a wholesaler, Jesse doesn’t get that direct connection with the home gardener, but he encourages questions and feedback
through outrageousplants.ca, with the contact information included on every tag. Dive into the website’s FAQs and you’ll find the answers to some of the most common questions the Jacobs hear. “I answer a lot of plant and gardening questions – I like having those connections,” Jesse says. Those connections also extend into the community. In addition to donations to local food banks, Outrageous Edibles and Bedibles also works with the Ballenas Secondary, donating plants to the school garden. None of it, Jesse emphasizes, would be possible without the Outrageous team. “We couldn’t do it without our amazing staff – they’re back every year and they make this whole thing go.” As seriously as Jesse takes the growing business, it’s easy to see the fun he finds in the work. The catnip plant tag reads, “If you don’t talk to your cat about catnip, who will?” And pick up one of a number of varieties of mint, and you’re likely to find a delicious drink recipe on the back.
Kentucky Colonel Mint Julep? It all starts with fresh-grown Outrageous Edibles mint! (See recipe to the right) So, what’s hot for the coming growing season? Jesse is excited to share a few new varieties of heirloom tomatoes just bursting with flavour, including a personal favourite: the Golden King of Siberia, featuring a large, heart-shaped golden-coloured fruit. And for kimchi fans, there’s a Korean Dark pepper traditionally used in making the fermented dish. With years of experience in the growing world, what advice does Jesse offer home growers? First, grow what you love. Second, don’t rush it. While’s it’s easy to throw ourselves into the growing season each spring, consider what works for each particular plant variety and don’t plant too early. Limited in growing space? “There are plants that are suited for patios – find the right plant for the right place.” And try something new – remember, “it doesn’t have to be red to be a tomato!”
Grow Own YOUR YOUR
Kentucky Colonel Mint Julep Just like soups and salads benefit from the freshest ingredients, so too do your mixed beverages. And if your tastes lean to a mint julep on a sunny summer patio, it doesn’t get any fresher than a little muddled mint fresh from your own garden! INGREDIENTS: 1 tsp powdered sugar 2 oz. bourbon whiskey 2 tsp water 4 Kentucky Colonel Mint leaves METHOD: In a highball glass, gently muddle the mint, sugar and water. Fill glass with cracked ice, add bourbon and stir well until the glass is well frosted. Garnish with a mint sprig.
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Power up your on-the-go snacks! BY JENNIFER BLYTH ing, so it was time to tap into his creativity to When we’re hungry and on the go, it’s easy to see how he could take his passion for good, grab something quick to satisfy those immediate nutritious food in a new direction. cravings. “It gave me the chance to explore new opHowever, what we grab often isn’t particularly portunities,” he says. “The oat bar was on my good – or good for us. catering menu, so we looked at how we could Country Grocer’s Chef Michael Williams has adapt it to a retail product.” introduced a game-changer in the nutritious Twenty or so adaptations snack department: Chef Mike’s Power Bites. later, “it was a product I was The artisan oat bars are packed with nureally happy with,” Chef Mike tritionally dense ingredients and small-batch says. baked in Victoria. Even better, 70 per cent of Inside each box are two packs the ingredients – including the crucial oats – are Chef Mike’s Power Bites. of three small bars – open one certified organic and the tasty bars are naturally now and save the other for later, sweetened with honey, Chef Mike notes. or share with a friend. While the Power Bites are his first foray into commercial prodOf course, as any entrepreneur knows, having a fantastic products, Friends & Family readers will know Chef Mike has built his uct is only the start of the process. reputation on making delicious made-from-scratch whole foods Beyond the time in the kitchen, there’s finding the right packagrecipes. ing and design, the nutrient analysis and everything else that goes Chock-full of complex carbs and healthy fats, “there’s no with bringing a food product to market. compromising on the ingredients,” he notes. In addition to those As yummy as this version of the Power Bites is, fans will be organic oats and honey, the ingredient list includes coconut oil, happy to know that more varieties are in the works. Chef Mike chia seeds and cinnamon. is currently in the kitchen fine-tuning a white chocolate and cran“People really like how sustaining they are,” Chef Mike adds. Like many people, Chef Mike’s work was significantly impacted berry bar, and a high-protein version. Other products in the works include Chef Mike’s Power Graby the arrival of COVID-19. Many events and gatherings he nola, which he’s testing through his urbanforage.ca would have typically had on his calendar simply weren’t happen-
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6 » Friends&Family » Spring 2021 | countrygrocer.com
Retiring Royal Oak manager Mike Parr has had a long career with Country Grocer, working at multiple stores since his start back in 1990 at what is now the Esquimalt Country Grocer. This spring, he retires after 10 years at the helm of the Royal Oak store, looking forward to time with his wife Tara and their family.
‘People’s manager’ will be missed after his well-deserved retirement BY JENNIFER BLYTH It’s been more than 30 years since Mike Parr stepped onto the floor of what is now the Esquimalt Country Grocer. This spring, as he hangs up his apron for the last time as manager of the Royal Oak store, he’ll do so having left a lasting legacy for those lucky enough to have worked with him. “Over the years Mike has worked in several different positions in the stores and has managed three of our South Island locations,” notes Country Grocer Director, Peter Cavin. “Mike has always been there for his coworkers, listening and leading. He has mentored hundreds of people over the last 30 years and has been a steadying and positive influence within the business.” Through his dedication and hard work, Mike has earned the utmost respect and admiration from all those who have had the pleasure of working with him. With his knowledge and experience, he’s fostered and instilled Country Grocer’s uniquely warm and cohesive culture in all of his team and has built longlasting friendships with many. Friend and longtime co-worker Donna McKittrick recalls the day Mike arrived at what was then Mr. Grocer, asking for fellow friend and then-Esquimalt manager Jim Hesketh. “I remember that day clearly. Mike came in and for some reason he came to me and asked where he could find Jim – the two had worked together in Prince George. That began our working relationship and our friendship,” Donna recalls. Mike’s willingness to help stands out for those who have worked alongside him. “He’s one of those people – and always has been – that no matter what he’s doing, he’ll stop to help,” Donna says, noting you’ll often find him sweeping up or clearing the loading dock. Then there was the time she had a vacation coming, and with no back-up, Mike himself stepped in so Donna could get away. She recalls another day when the store’s floral designer
was off sick and a customer was desperate for a bouquet he needed as a gift. “Mike and I thought, ‘OK – we can do “He’s one of those this,’” Donna says. The two of them people – and always worked on that has been – that no bouquet on and off throughout the matter what he’s doing, day – spending far he’ll stop to help.” more in staff hours and flowers than the – Donna McKittrick store received back, Donna laughs – “but the result was a delighted customer and the company benefited because we made the customer happy.” Mike has willingly imparted that leadership approach to many young team members over the years. “I can’t say enough about the way he manages – he’s always been so welcoming to all the staff. He’s definitely a hands-on boss,” Donna says. Today, Mike is setting his sights on a well-deserved retirement that includes family time and planning future travel adventures. He does so as a well-liked people’s manager who leaves behind huge shoes to fill. A tremendous asset to the business who consistently makes a positive impact both on the people he has worked with and customers, “there aren’t enough kind words to say to thank a person for choosing to share three decades of his life working with us,” Peter says. “Mike is a great person and we are so glad to have him as part of our lives.”
Friends&Family » Spring 2021 | countrygrocer.com » 7
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Is there anything more than scrumptious than sweet strawberries on top of fresh-made custard in a flaky, chocolate-lined tart shell? We certainly don’t think so! Head to your Country Grocer bakery to pick up this delicious dessert today.
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Looking for an easy and rewarding way to raise funds for your team, school or other nonprofit group? It’s as easy as saving those Country Grocer till receipts! Through the Save A Tape program, community groups located on Vancouver Island simply collect their Country Grocer receipts, track their totals and return them to the store. In return, they’ll receive one per cent back in the form of Country Grocer gift cards. Register for the program online, then once accepted, you’ll receive a welcome letter detailing the simple process and a tracking sheet. Receipts must be submitted in bundles of $1,000, with a
minimum of five bundles to be submitted at once. Once you’ve dropped off your package at your allocated Country Grocer store, you should receive your gift cards in approximately one week. It’s that easy! Head to CountryGrocer.com/community to apply to the Save A Tape program today.
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Friends&Family » Spring 2021 | countrygrocer.com » 11
Recipes From Chef Michael
Maca Strawberry Chocolate Smoothie Using the benefits it offers, not to mention the amazing flavour within maca powder, this smoothie is sure to nourish and please at the same time.
Servings: 2 Preparation Time: 25 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Mexican spice rub: 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp ancho chilli powder 1 tsp toasted ground cumin 1 tsp salt 1 tsp garlic powder ¼ tsp cayenne powder 1 whole chicken or use your favourite cuts
1 heaping cup frozen strawberries ¾ cup milk (any kind) 1 serving chocolate protein powder PVL Sport Whey 1 heaping tsp Ecoideas maca powder ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
METHOD: 1. If your strawberries are whole, you may want to zap them in the microwave for 30 seconds so they can blend up a little easier. 2. Add the strawberries, milk, protein powder, maca powder and vanilla to a blender and puree until smooth.
Banana is always a good addition to a smoothie and will make this one a little more substantial.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
INGREDIENTS:
VARIATIONS:
Grilled Striploin Steak Salad
This tasty and simple spice rub is great on chicken as the recipe suggests, but it works great on pork as well or sprinkled on fried eggs or refried beans or perhaps whatever your creative juices come up with.
The chocolate in the protein powder, the nuttiness from the maca and the strawberry go together very well.
3. Serve immediately.
Mexican Spice Rubbed Chicken
METHOD: 1. No need to whip out the measuring spoons on this one if you don’t want to. Simply eyeball all of the ingredients by pouring carefully into a small mixing bowl. Portion the ingredients trying for roughly the same amount of cinnamon, chilli powder, cumin, salt and garlic powder. 2. Cayenne powder is much more potent than the rest of the spices. So if you are sensitive to heat, do use a measuring spoon for this one! 3. Once the spices are stirred really well you can store them in an air-tight container if you are not using them immediately.
4. If you’re ready to cook up some chicken, drizzle a little oil onto the chicken and liberally apply OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE the spice rub on all SERVICINg AUTOMOBILES sides. Induction & Fuel Injection Service Diesel Fuel Service Brake Service Oil Service Electrical Exhaust Tires
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5. Roast the chicken at 400°F until cooked through and serve.
VARIATIONS: If you like this rub, make it in a bigger batch and keep it ready whenever you feel like adding some great flavour to many different dishes.
12 » Friends&Family » Spring 2021 | countrygrocer.com
This salad is delish and a super nutritious, wholesome meal. The dressing is simple but amazing and loaded with flavour as it releases all the wonderful flavours from the pan-roasted steak. You are going to love it!
INGREDIENTS: Veggies for roasting: 1 small red onion, sliced thick 1 yam, sliced thin 1 zucchini, cubed 2 Island Pastures strip loin steaks Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper 4 cloves garlic, sliced ½ of a shallot, sliced ¼ cup of balsamic vinegar ¼ cup Extra Virgin olive oil ½ head of romaine lettuce
METHOD: 1. Start by getting your veggies roasted. Combine the onion, yam and zucchini on a roasting pan and place in a preheated 400ºF oven. Roast until nicely browned and softened. 2. While the veggies are roasting, grill your steak! Start off by drizzling a little oil and then seasoning liberally with salt and pepper. 3. Preheat a cast iron pan or grill pan on medium high heat. Roast the steak to your desired doneness and then remove from the pan to rest. 4. After removing the steak, add a touch more oil if necessary and then add the garlic and shallot. Sauté until caramelized and then add the balsamic vinegar. Reduce the vinegar by half and remove the pan from the heat. 5. Add the olive oil, give a good stir and make sure to remove any stuck on bits on the bottom of the pan. Transfer the dressing to a small bowl. 6. Now for the culmination. Combine the roasted veggies with the romaine lettuce. Place in a bowl, then slice the steak into strips and place on top of the salad mix. Finally drizzle liberally with the warm dressing and serve immediately.
Chef
MICHAEL WILLIAMS
The Spring Cleaning If your fridge is like mine, it needs a good cleaning a couple of times per year and after a totally Wacky 2020, this has the potential to be one of the biggest clean-outs ever. You know … the kind of cleaning where you pull it all out, wipe out the entire fridge with hot soapy water, wash the crisper drawers and then put it all back together. You’ll likely end up composting a few bottles of this or that. Personally, I can’t stand wasting food, but if that jar of ranchero sauce that I bought (and didn’t love) is still sitting there untouched after seven months, it’s gotta go. So with everything out of the fridge, decide what stays and what goes. If it stays, give the jar a wipe and find it a good home back on the shelf in the fridge. Having a strategy of what to have on hand will not only keep your fridge organized and tidy, but will also make life easier when it comes to meal planning and in particular, being able to create a yummy meal in a pinch. In my opinion, there are certain categories of basic foods needed to achieve this and if you keep them organized as such, it will be easier to know what you have on hand. Good quality, tasty salad dressings are key. Honestly, with a great salad dressing, all you need is a little bit of lettuce and shredded carrots for example and you can have some tasty roughage in your gut. I am at my best when I pack in the veggies and salads are probably one of the best ways to do just that. Keep two or three favourite dressings on hand, whether homemade – see below – or store-bought, and you’ll be ready to throw a salad together with little notice. Marinades and sauces are the next category I want to touch on. Having a few of these fantastic condiments in the bullpen will allow you to throw together a quick protein option that will have you excited about dinner. There are lots of great condiments that you can buy ready-to-go or visit countrygrocer.com where I have a great line-up under the category “Dressings, Marinades, Sauces and more” – a tasty go-to rotation of yummy meal enhancers. Right now I have Korean Fried Chicken marinade, Maca Coconut Sauce, Ancho Chili Sauce, Hybrid Hot Sauce, Portabella Rosemary Butter and Lemon Chia Dressing all ready to enjoy in my fridge. Because I have these, all I would need to do is sauté some chicken tenders or diced chicken and then finish it off with Maca Coconut Sauce, Ancho Chili Sauce or how about finishing with a knob of Portabella Rosemary Butter. Pickled, fermented and canned veggies and preserves are the next category that can make a meal interesting with little effort. I love me some Kimchi, pickled beets or asparagus, hummus, salsa and more. With these kinds of foods, one can easily elevate a boring plain veggie to the status of delish with a twist of a cap. Example you say? One of my go-to salads is lettuce and shredded carrots with these yummy pickled beets I canned in the summer and the Lemon Chia Dressing. It’s honestly one
of my favourite salads and it takes so little effort since I have the beets cooked/canned in big batches and a homemade dressing that’s super tasty and has a long shelf life at the ready. In conclusion… after the year that was, it is time for a reboot. With spring’s arrival, we all need new fresh inspiration and a shot of vibrancy. It’s time to get fresh, fit and healthy and that always starts with what you put into your body. You are what you eat
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Friends&Family » Spring 2021 | countrygrocer.com » 13
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Notes
NUTRITION WITH NICHOLAS WHITMELL
If life gives you lemons, drink them with water! One routine I have been consistent with over the years is drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning and a glass before bed. Ideally, you can consume this on an empty stomach and wait 15 to 30 minutes before consuming any other foods or liquids. Hold on to your hats because I’m going to share some of the benefits of adding this simple, yet quenching, drink to your daily routine. Lemon water is very rich in vitamin C. It’s also a relatively decent source of potassium and B6. This can help you enhance your immune function, help increase your absorption of iron, and fight off various diseases. Lemon water can also help decrease the risk of developing kidney stones! The citric acid in lemons helps prevent stones or slowly break them down by diluting the urine and increasing the citrate content. For anyone who’s experienced the agonizing pain of passing a kidney stone, this little tidbit of information is worth a shot, of lemon juice that is. Lemons can also help increase the friendly bacteria in your gut. Some of the pulp squeezed from fresh lemons will enter into the water, and the pectin from the pulp will help the good gut bacteria fight the bad gut bacteria. It’s an easy and affordable way to create a crime fighting duo in your belly. Along with a healthy whole food diet, this will help promote good gut flora to combat inflammation and other illnesses. Are you ever stressed? The stress of relationships, work, and finances can be taxing. Why not garnish it all with a little pandemic on top to heighten the issues even more? Luckily, the lemon aroma derived from the naturally occurring oils in lemons can decrease stress and improve your overall mood. Explore some other essential oils for your mental health and mood. You’d be surprised how much smell can affect your stress levels and overall mood. For all of the expecting mothers out there, you may have read about the
importance of folate during pregnancy. Adequate folate levels are essential for preventing neural tube defects. A little lemon water is a great tool to maintain these levels, along with some quality prenatal vitamins. Now, let me get into some of the benefits of drinking lemon water, on an empty stomach, in the morning: • Cleanses the liver and helps the liver flush out toxins. • Lower blood pressure, especially if you drink lemon water before going into a shower. • Electrolytes with the naturally occurring calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium to keep you hydrated. • Increased metabolic rate to help with weight loss. • Helps fight respiratory tract infections and throat issues. • Popular remedy for wrinkles, rashes and dark spots, keeping you hydrated and nutritionally charged for beautiful skin. • Alkalizes your body, which can prevent debilitating illnesses and issues that may come if your body is too acidic. The night benefits are very similar to the morning benefits. However, drinking lemon water before bed will keep you hydrated and may reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke in the night. A lot of us don’t drink enough water throughout the day as it is. Your body slowly dehydrates and can have a harder time pushing out toxins throughout the night. If you’re already dehydrated before bed, it can put you at a higher risk for an event like that to occur. Even having a glass one or two hours before bed is great, especially if you are prone to waking up to have to use the washroom in the middle of the night.
Try to aim for half of your body weight, in ounces, of water a day if you can. Water alone has amazing detoxification properties for your body, and will help you feel better and look better too. Lemon water is an added bonus for your body to help it function and perform as it should. Squeeze half or a whole lemon into 16 ounces of water in the morning, and then once again in the evening for optimal benefits. You can also look for fresh lemon juice, not from concentrate, and add about one ounce into your water. Remember, when life gives you lemons, drink them with water! Slow down, take a breather, and appreciate all the beautiful miracles you have in your life. Your family, your friends, your access to food, water and shelter. We do live in a pretty amazing country, and we’re lucky to have a lot of the opportunities and support that we have. Taking the time everyday to focus on the positives in our lives, rather than the negatives, can help bring much needed peace and calmness. Love yourself, make yourself a priority physically, mentally and spiritually. Your happiness starts with you. We are all in this together, let’s try to see the beauty and miracles that continue to flourish in our lives. Our Country Grocer family is here whenever you need us. We’ll continue to be open and serve you every day. Stay safe and take care of each other. Sending everyone lots of love from Country Grocer family here on the Island.
Friends&Family » Spring 2021 | countrygrocer.com » 15
OUR local GARDEN & FLORAL GROWERS
Hilltop Greenhouses Victoria
Cinnabar Valley Farms Nanaimo
C & C Growers, Victoria
Eurosa Farms, Brentwood Bay
Holland Nurseries Victoria
Mt Newton Floral Inc, North Saanich
Outrageous Edibles & Bedibles, Coombs
We support over 100 Island farmers, producers and suppliers. Keep an eye out for Island products in-stores!
MEET THE
Tea m
Royal Oak store welcomes new assistant manager Why was Country Grocer the right fit for Royal Oak assistant manager Antone Nemet? “You feel like family,” he says simply. “I’ve never worked for a company where you feel this cared for.” Since joining the Royal Oak store in October, Antone has been struck by the commitment the team members have both to the store and to their customers. It’s been especially noticed as everyone continues to work through the challenges of COVID-19. “The team here is solid and everyone is willing to help,” he notes. When he’s not at work, you’ll find Antone spending time with family and getting out to enjoy some of the region’s many outdoor destinations. “There are just so many places to discover,” he says. “You can spend your whole day exploring downtown Victoria!” With spring around the corner, Antone is also keen to kick the ball around the pitch with his fellow soccer enthusiasts, once public safety protocols allow. “I played for a long time and I’m looking forward to getting back to it.”
Jennifer Blyth photo
Antone Nemet is excited to join the Country Grocer family as the new assistant manager of the Royal Oak store.
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Friends&Family » Spring 2021 | countrygrocer.com » 17
Pets
Part of the Family Meet Robbie, an eight-year-old rough Collie who belongs to Noel Back, from Country Grocer’s Salt Spring Island store. Raised from a puppy, Robbie is Noel’s constant companion on several walks each day including their regular trip to the mailbox everyday at 3 p.m. Noel has taught Robbie to sit when cars are passing and to lay down when he’s in conversation with his neighbours. As beautiful inside as he is outside, Robbie is definitely the star of the neighbourhood!
Who’s your four-legged best friend? Cat, dog, rabbit? We’d love to meet them! Send along a photo and a few words about what makes your furry friend part of the family to Friends & Family editor Jennifer Blyth at jennifer.blyth@blackpress.ca
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Friends&Family » Spring 2021 | countrygrocer.com » 19
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Friends&Family » Spring 2021 | countrygrocer.com » 23
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