We are a socially responsible grocer, provisioning the highest quality produce and pantry staples. Our focus is on showcasing “best of class” regional and global craft foods with an emphasis on small producers. We advocate for our community to learn about a better food system.
Last week I wrote about the social responsibility part of our mission statement. This week I’d like to focus on “showcasing best of class regional and global craft foods with an emphasis on small producers,” which is part of our philosophy and offers a real-time experience.
This past November, we were tagged on Instagram by Oro Pacific Provisions, a company we had never heard of before, but were curious since their profile indicated they are the only San Francisco tinned fish producer. A quick DM back to them and days later a response from the owner, Brian, who said he would love to drop by samples. We arranged a time when he was in the area and tried his product. Our initial meeting was a strong start, and his words about his ethos matched how we describe Jupiter Foods.
I ordered a case of each of his five varieties, and as it turns out, he had already anticipated that and had them in his vehicle. We introduced the three tinned trout flavors, his smoked salmon, and smoked tuna to you all at the beginning of December. In these past three months, we have reordered twice. You are catching on to this beautifully crafted, hand filleted, small batch tinned fish. They source responsibly, use premium ingredients, and produce in small batches with no shortcuts.
This is one story from one product line. We’re the only store in the area carrying Oro, and we’re proud of that. So many of our items also carry a back story similar to this one. Auntie JJ’s cookies, Uproot Origin Elixir, Hudson Ranch olive oil and vinegars, Biotic Beverage, Recchutti Chocolates, the list goes on. Each one is a relationship, not just a transaction. These are examples of our regional “best of class,” but our global import partners are special to us, too. Japanese Pantry is a San Francisco importer that sources the very finest Japanese products, and ItalFoods provides us with outstanding Italian foods: more relationships, more stories.
When our mission was written all those years ago, we had no idea the stories that would come from these relationships or how they came to be. Reflecting on them now, I find myself excited for the stories still to come.