Commodities Natural Market to open in fall

Twenty-one years ago, Michael opened Commodities Natural Market in New York’s East Village, where it became an anchor in the community. According to Zagat Survey, New York Magazine, Village Voice and The New York Times, it is one of the highest-rated, independently owned natural food stores in the city.

With marriage and the addition of twin boys, 3 and a half, and Ellery, 1 and a half, to the family, the Hugheses decided it was time to move full-time to Stowe and open a second store here.

Commodities Natural will feature only 100 percent organically grown produce — they say they are one of a very few stores to maintain such standards — plus a full complement of organic groceries. Stocked merchandise will include a large selection of bulk foods, gourmet and specialty foods at discounted prices that “are second to none,” they say, and health and beauty aids with a wide selection of natural remedies, vitamins and herbs.

They look forward to adding exceptional local products and small batches of freshly roasted coffees and fresh-pressed organic juices.

With three little kids in carseats, Audra is very excited that the store will provide one-stop shopping.

Zuber’s berries

I have been itching for blueberry season to start, and so last Saturday stopped at the Zubers’ luscious berry patch at the end of North Hollow Road to check things out.

Donna was in the barn readying supplies and Walt was out pruning the bushes he had so lovingly planted decades ago.

Donna and I walked up to the bushes for a taste test and found that many of the berries were plump and blue but still registered zowie! tart to the tongue.

Donna said with luck the berries would be ripe for picking just about now, Thursday, certainly by the weekend. It depends on how much cloudless sunlight there has been earlier in the week.

Zuber’s is a pick-your-own-berries honor-system enterprise. Follow signs to the parking area beside the small red barn. Baskets are there if you don’t want to bring your own. Amazingly, the prices are the same as they have been for several years — $3.50 per pint, or pick 4 pints for the house and then one for yourself for free. No one counts how many you eat while picking.

Nancy Stead of Stowe writes about the people, places, politics and peccadilloes of the area. Comment on this article at stowetoday.com, or email letters to news@stowereporter.com.