Summer might not bring a hot stack of pancakes to mind, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy maple syrup, like in barbecue sauce at the grill or in this Morning Health Tonic from Maple Valley Co-op. Maple Valley is a farmer-, employee-, and customer-owned co-op that pays farmers a good price for their certified organic maple syrup, which is also kosher, vegan, and gluten free. Recently, they shared this information about their sustainability practices.
“Forests provide oxygen and help clean the air as well as the rain, offering healthier water to aquifers and streams. Our trees also store an incredible amount of carbon in their roots, trunks, and branches. With every gallon of maple syrup Maple Valley produces, up to 100 pounds of carbon are sequestered from our atmosphere, reducing our impact on climate change.” That means eating a gallon of maple syrup this summer offsets enough carbon for you to drive to the beach!
“Maple forests are native to North America and can provide maple sap for over 200 years. As a perennial food source, maple syrup production does not require annual tilling nor enable heavy soil erosion. Forests tend to hold soil in place.” Maple Valley also partners with their local wind turbine initiative in Cashton, Wisconsin, to fully power their headquarters and bottling facility. In fact, one of their maple farmers helps maintain the turbines.
“We’re a fellow cooperative … that’s committed to working with you to co-create a vibrant, cooperative economy. At Maple Valley, we love our woodlands and their gift of precious maple syrup—we feel honored and grateful to pass this sweet gift on to you!”
Want to cool off? Check out the snowy pictures of the Maple Valley Co-op harvest this past spring.