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Soapmaking workshop

This year, several of you have learned through our series of workshops how to create handmade soaps thanks to the guidance of our sustainable cosmetics expert Marisa from Primal Essence.

This has made many more interested in participating; however, spots and space are limited so we cannot accommodate everyone as much as we would like. That is why we have decided to continue organising more soap workshops from now until the end of the year! Take note: our next workshop will take place on Monday, September 25th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at our store in Oud West.

As usual, you do not need to bring any materials, as Marisa will provide you with everything you need! If the weather is merciful, we will hold the workshop in our backyard.

You can buy your ticket here

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Mini News

It's time to take a break! From 9th to 22nd of August we will be retired in a remote place in rural Finland. No electricity, no running water, but a sauna and a lake. Could we ask for anything else? I don't think so!
For this reason, our physical store will remain closed, but you can place your orders online whenever you want. We will send them after the 22nd, so we ask for a little patience.

Meanwhile, let us tell you what is coming around the corner:

🌱 We will introduce a change in the purchase process in our physical store. Until now, it's necessary to weigh the containers before refilling and then again after the refilling, to later subtract the weight of the empty container. All this recorded by hand in our "analog scanner" (the white little papers). Starting in September, it will no longer be necessary to weigh the jars or bags twice! One time will be enough, the rest will be done by us (well, the new cash register system!)

🌱 We will start bringing some organic products in glass jars. We know that there are many products that are difficult to sell in bulk, such as tahini, olives, tomato sauce, etc. However, they are basic in the kitchen and always useful to have in the pantry. Also many of you have suggested to have them in our store. That is why we are glad to announce that next month we are inaugurating a small corner with organic products contained in glass jars.

Throughout the coming month and until the end of the year we will be adding more products to this new section. What would you like to find in our store in glass jar? Send us your suggestions!

🌱 Some of you have already seen and tried it. We have a new toy: a machine to make peanut butter! Now you can come to our store and make your own butter, bringing your jar or using one of the ones we have in the 'recycled jars' section. The peanut is natural roasted and, after pressing the magic button, the butter comes all warm and smooth, fresh and ready to eat! Here in the photo, Aaron using it for the first time.

 

 

That is all for now. Remember that our online shop continues to operate during our absence. Orders will be shipped upon our return. Au revoir! πŸ”πŸŒ²πŸŒΌ

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Plastic Free July

Plastic Free JulyΒ is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.Β It all started as a campaign launched in 2011 by Plastic Free Foundation, in local government in Western Australia, and is now one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world. Millions of people across the globe take part every year, with many committing to reducing plastic pollution far beyond the month of July.Β 

Our mission as a zero waste shop is to help reduce plastic consumption as much as possible and this type of initiative contributes to raising awareness among those who have not yet joined this good cause, but also to remind ourselves that the battle against plastic reduction it's from day to day.

Where to start? At Little Plant Pantry we help you to implement small changes that will lead you to achieve a more sustainable life. For example, you can start by using dishwashing soap bar instead of buying the liquid version that comes in a plastic bottle. Or maybe you can save the plastic containers that you already have and refill them with the cleaning products that we have in our cleaning station. And, as you already know, you can always come to our store with your own containers, bags or jars and refill them with goodies, avoiding buying those same products in plastic packages, whose degradation takes centuries!

Remember our motto: recycle, reuse, refill. That's the key! Are you ready for the challenge?

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A New Collaboration! – De Stadsgroenteboer

Summer is just around the corner and with it a wide variety of fresh vegetables to eat and share. Did you know that in Amsterdam West there is a group of local farmers who work hard all year round to supply the community from May to November with seasonal vegetables? Did you know that you can subscribe and receive an incredible box of vegetables grown without herbicides, on fertile and healthy soil every week from them? And finally, did you know that you can pick up your crate every Saturday at our store? Sign up with De Stadsgroenteboer guys on their website by clicking here. Your crate of vegetables will be waiting for you in our backyard.

πŸ₯¦ All the veggies come loose or in paper bags, so no plastic involved!πŸ₯¦

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A new edition of an old acquaintance – JARA Sauces

An old friend is back, now under a new brand name: JARA. This is AndrΓ©s, a Colombian chef and farmer with years of experience adding flavour to meals.

With his new brand JARA, AndrΓ©s brings us three of his iconic and delicious sauces: Tomatillo Salsa, Salsa al Funghi y Salsa Picante.

He explains how his business was took off. "JARA was started during the first Corona lock-down in spring 2020, when many small sustainable farms in the Netherlands had an unsold vegetables surplus due to the closing of the Horeca. Using vegetables from our urban farm in Amsterdam West and buying this surplus we created delicious, healthy and plant rich products. When restaurants reopened, the immediate problem disappeared. We continued production by purchasing ingredients from our farming community in the Netherlands at fair prices, while turning the organic waste from our production process into compost that goes back into the soil, creating a circular food chain"

After a while, AndrΓ©s turned into a farmer with the goal to revolutionise the way food is produced and consumed - to make sure that everyone from the farmers, to the sellers and the consumers make a conscious and responsible choice benefiting everyone in the process including and especially our planet. In addition, by purchasing his products you support local farmers that grow their crops using regenerative agriculture techniques. This way everybody, including children, can enjoy tasteful food that supports both the planet and a healthy lifestyle! His products are 100% natural without any artificial additives or flavour enhancers, directly from Dutch farms to your kitchen table.

JARA only works with local, sustainable partners within The Netherlands that share the same values. Together they work to improve the current food system and offer you better food choices.

Have you tried these delicious and sustainable sauces yet? If you haven't, you can find them in the pasta corner at our store, together with a booklet with recipes. Do you live very far? No worries! You can always order online.

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A New Product! – Natural Sassy Cider from Normandy

Summer is on the way and we can enjoy longer and sunnier days, which makes us look out on the terraces to enjoy delicious drinks. At Little Plant Pantry we are not left behind and to get in tune we bring you this exclusive and refreshing drinks from Normandy: pear and apple ciders from SASSY, to enjoy in individual size.

What's so special about SASSY Ciders?

SASSY, it's a story of two childhood friends with the same passion - Cider. Xavier and Pierre-Emmanuel learned to appreciate the true taste of cider, having grown up with cider as an integral part of Norman life. SASSY was born out of this childhood passion and desire to put Normandy back on the map.

Ciders

The two friends looked at current trends from drinks brands across the globe to guarantee their ciders would work for the modern palate. More freshness, lightness and finesse, to obtain a refined and balanced range that will have people gagging for another!

Their creations are made from 100% fruit juice which means NOTHING is added. Their artisanal press takes the very best from the carefully selected fruits and ensures only the highest quality to delight your taste buds. The balance of apple varieties offers freshness with a contrast of bittersweet and fruity aromas. This allows to pair with food, reinvigorate a cocktail or simply sip away at the end of the day.

Visit our shop and a grab a couple of bottles to refresh your afternoons in the park, terrace or wherever you want! And remember, you can always get them on our online store

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Let’s celebrate Mother’s Day 🌺

Goodie bag

May is the month we celebrate our beloved Moms. That is why we want to pamper all mothers this month with a 5% discount on Beewise products available in our online store. In addition, we will giveaway on Instagram a Sustainable Goodie Bag with different treats for her:

🎁 1 handmade mini soap Primal Essence
🎁 1 cotton shower puff
🎁 1 set of 12 reusable make up removers
🎁 100 grams of chocolate treat, 3 different fillings: raspberry, coconut and roasted almond.

Do you want to get the bag no matter what? You can also buy it on our online store.

Happy Mother's day!

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Mini News!

With April comes spring and it seems that nature woke up from its hibernation inviting us to recharge batteries. That is why we want to keep you motivate with this mini news we will share with you.

Join us in the garden: if you have more plants than space in your garden and you are planing to get rid of a few, wait! We will be happy to give them a second chance in our garden. Or if you have extra cuttings that you need to plant, why not come to our store during our opening hours and plant them yourself in our backyard?Β  For our part we will start this week by adding flowers and herbs, maybe also some decoration! Help us to make our garden more beautiful and give a proper welcome to spring.

King's Day: many people have asked if we will open on King's Day. The answer is: of course! Last year we worked together with Leticia's Recipe, cooking a vegan paella at the entrance of our store and it was a complete success. For this year we thought of bringing back our yummy Focaccia, which delighted palates of several diners last spring. We will also put available our full range of sweets that you already know and some "special" soft drinks. Don't miss it!

Easter: This week we will have all our whole cakes with a 15% discount. Surprise your family and friends with a completely vegan and gluten free cheesecake or banana bread to share. All handmade from our kitchen. You can order online and pick up at our store or choose home delivery if you live in Amsterdam. Also remember that our store will be closed on Easter Sunday.

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Pump Up!

cleaning products

It is news to none of us that we are facing the worst climate crisis in history. The pollution of the air, sea and land as a result of an overproduction of goods, often unnecessary, is reaching its maximum limit. Can we do something about it? The future does not look bright, but small changes in our habits can inspire and encourage others (and the new generations).

Products that we always find in plastic packaging no matter what, are the household cleaning products. Probably at this time you have one or more plastic bottles with dishwashing liquid, shampoo or liquid soap at home. Even if many manufacturers of those containers ensure that they are recyclable a new OECD report informs that just 9% of plastic waste is recycled while 22% is mismanaged.

What can we do then? An easy and handy solution is to reuse those containers you already have instead of putting them into the rubbish. At Little Plant Pantry we opened a few months agoΒ  'The Household Cleaning station' where you can pump and refill your used bottles. The cleaning station counts so far with laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, hand soap, WC cleaner and floor cleaner. All these products are eco friendly, based on vegetable and biodegradable ingredients, vegan and not tested on animals. Come by and pump up!

Do you live too far or it is not possible for you to come to our Store? No problem! We deliver the product in a recycled glass jar or bottle that customers kindly have donated to us (but this will be a topic for other Newsletter!)