Body Care Favorites for Summer
By Kim McDermott, Wellness Manager
Summer is the season for sunshine, adventures, and spending more time outdoors, but it’s also the perfect time to give your body and skin a little extra support. From staying hydrated in the heat and soothing tired muscles to nourishing sun-kissed skin and keeping pesky bugs at bay, we have rounded up some of our favorite products to help you feel your best all season long. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your nighttime routine, recover after a day outside, or discover a new wellness staple, these staff favorites are worth checking out!
Below are a few of my top favorite must haves for summer.
Bioptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough Drink
Bioptimizers brand magnesium is coming soon! Bioptimizers unique magnesium blend contains 7 different types of magnesium. Each type has benefits for the different organ systems and tissues, so you get total body support, including muscle function/recovery, relaxation, heart and nervous system health, cellular energy, and energy metabolism. The addition of the tart cherry extract in a therapeutically significant 1 gm dose aids muscle recovery and sleep, with real cherry flavor that’s not overpowering. It’s my new favorite go-to magnesium before bed!
Life Flo Magnesium Lotion
Magnesium lotion is an alternative way to get magnesium, useful for those who don’t want to take the mineral orally. Since it’s absorbed through the skin, it’s great for soothing muscles after a day of outdoor work or play. This lotion is perfect before bedtime to assist with relaxation and sleep.
Sky & Sol Tallow Cream
An ‘Everywhere’ cream that contains just 6 natural ingredients, including grass-fed tallow, jojoba oil, mango butter and propolis. Tallow has been used for centuries in traditional skincare, due to its similarity to the natural oil produced by our skin. This super rich cream is perfect for after sun care and nourishes deeply while also protecting the skin’s natural barrier. Fatty acids in tallow are anti-inflammatory, which may be why tallow is especially useful for irritated, dry, itchy skin.
Humble Deodorants
Simple effective ingredients and innovative, alluring scents make Humble one sexy deodorant company! Humble makes it easy to say no to plastic with earth-friendly cardboard packaging, and they donate to 1% For the Planet for every purchase. Rockrose scent is one of their bestsellers, co-created by native Iowan Jason Momoa. A Wheatsfield shopper said it best when asked what she liked about Humble deodorants: “I love the smell, I love how they go on, and I love that they work!” ‘Nuf said.
Trace Minerals Electrolyte Powerpaks
It seems everyone has gotten the message about the importance of staying well hydrated using electrolytes, especially in the summer. Dehydration can occur when working outdoors in the heat and/or sweating a lot, and can cause blood volume to drop, resulting in brain fog, fatigue and muscle weakness; otherwise known as dehydration fatigue. Electrolytes are minerals that assist in keeping the body hydrated and are needed to regulate fluid levels, support muscle and nerve function, and maintain pH balance. Trace Minerals power packs keep you hydrated during the heat of summer, and come in a variety of flavors. With only 1 gram of sugar, they have just the right amount of sweetness. Power packs have become a favorite of the Wellness staff, mainly because they make a noticeable difference when we use them regularly.
Bug Soother Max
Bug Soother is manufactured by Ecolips, an Iowa Company in Cedar Rapids. The ‘Max’ version is the newest addition to their Bug Soother line, a beefed–up original version with extra essential oils like cedarwood, thyme, geranium, and clove. The Max formula is deet-free and designed to repel both mosquitoes and ticks. After all the recent rain, this product will be your new best friend on your outdoor excursions!
Empowr Protein + Creatine
Move over plain old protein powder! Empowr plant protein represents the next generation of protein supplements, with creatine added in for additional muscle and cellular support. Creatine is generating a lot of interest not only for gym enthusiasts, but also the 50 and over crowd. It’s being included in more protein supplements as it helps increase muscle mass when paired with resistance training, and aids in the regeneration of ATP, the molecule that helps power muscle cells.
Research is also showing creatine boosts brain function, by increasing memory and processing speed. Lastly, creatine may benefit postmenopausal women by conferring muscle and bone strength. Empowr supports the whole body with protein for muscle strength and recovery, creatine for muscles and cognitive support, and a Lactospore probiotic for gut health. Besides a hefty 25 gram serving of protein, there’s no added sugar or artificial flavors, so you can feel good about fueling your body with Empowr.
Local Sale!
Save on Everything Iowa!
Members! Shop your Co-op on Saturday, July 25 to save 15% on local products around the Co-op (that’s over 1,000 products!).
From 11am-1pm – Enjoy local samples, co-op explorers local scavenger hunt for the kiddos, wellness diy and sign up to win our local product giveaway!
Wheatsfield defines local as grown or produced within the state of Iowa. No further discounts. Non-members save 5%.
July 2026 Change for Community: Iowa Wildlife Center
Iowa Wildlife Center
The Iowa Wildlife Center provides professional wildlife rescue, medical treatment and rehabilitation of native wildlife in central Iowa; teaches about wildlife and habitat stewardship; and provides wildlife assistance skills training.
Eat Lunch With us on the 4th!
Eat lunch with us on the 4th of July!
Stop by for house-made pork brats, hot dogs, and veggie dogs. Plus all the fixins!
Grab them in co-op off our hot bar. Grab chips, cold drinks, cookies and more to round out your lunch! Cool off after the parade with your co-op.
July 4th STORE HOURS: 8am-6pm
LUNCH: 11am-3pm
While supplies last. No evening hot bar available. Deli Department closes at 4pm.
June 2026 Produce Parable
Nam Doc Mai Mango
June 2026 Produce Parable
By Adam Calder, Wheatsfield Produce Manager
Summer is upon us, and that means it is the time for tropical fruit! Making a return appearance in our produce department is a real star, the Nam Doc Mai mango.
It is difficult to articulate just how good these mangoes are. The Produce Department Assistant Manager, Devin, said “they taste like what people always say good tropical fruit eaten in its setting tastes like.” That is a succinct way of saying these mangoes taste like a tropical sunset, with your feet in the sand at a beach, after a day of swimming in the ocean. If such things could have a flavor, they would taste like the Nam Doc Mai mango. Our Center Store Manager, Jane, said she and her children bonded over their surprise and delight in the sublime taste of this wonderful fruit.
The lemon-yellow flesh is succulent, sweet and syrupy in a most decadent way. The fruit itself has a unique, pointed shape with a greenish-yellow to gold-colored peel. These mangos also have a pleasant, heady scent that matches the sweetness of the fruit’s flavor. They originated in Thailand, and are the key ingredient in the delicious Thai Mango Sticky Rice dessert. Once confined only to Thailand, they are now grown in tropical and sub-tropical locations all over the world.
The plant itself has an interesting property, in that the seed exhibits polyembryony, which means the seed contains more than one embryo. In most circumstances, when a plant forms a seed there is one embryo in it, with a genetic composition unique compared to that of the parent plant. In polyembryony, there is more than one embryo in the seed. These embryo “siblings” have identical genes to one another, but different genes than the parent plant. The same thing happens in humans when identical twins are born from one initial embryo.
The season on these delicacies is only from June through July, so grab some the next time you are in the co-op if you want a tropical treat in the middle of our land-locked ocean of corn and soy.
June 2026 Word From the Board
Why I Chose to Become a Wheatsfield Member-Owner
Deb Russell, Wheatsfield Board of Directors
As a member of the Wheatsfield Board of Directors, I’m often asked why membership matters. After all, anyone can shop at the Co-op, so why become a Member-Owner?
For me, the answer is about more than discounts or sales. Membership is a way to invest in a business that reflects the kind of community I want to help build.
Wheatsfield began as a buying club in 1974, built on a simple idea: neighbors can do more together than alone. More than 50 years later, that idea still defines the Co-op. As a Member-Owner, I’m more than a customer, I help shape a community-owned grocery store that serves local people rather than outside shareholders.
Of course, membership also comes with practical benefits. Member-Owners receive appreciation discounts throughout the year, special pricing, savings on pre-ordered cases, wellness discounts, and reduced rates for classes and events. For many members, those perks help offset the one-time, fully refundable $100 equity investment.
The value of ownership reaches beyond any one member. Co-ops keep more money in the local economy, create more opportunities for locally produced food, and support business practices that are good for people and the planet. By supporting Wheatsfield, Member-Owners help strengthen a food system built on relationships with local farmers, providing local jobs, and promoting a healthier community.
What I appreciate most, though, is having a voice. Member-Owners elect the Board of Directors and help shape the future of the Co-op. In a cooperative, every Member-Owner has an equal vote. Whether you’ve been a member for decades or just joined this year, your voice matters.
As a board member, I have the privilege of seeing the care and commitment that go into keeping Wheatsfield financially strong, responsive to its members, and true to its mission. And speaking of being a board member, this year’s board election cycle is underway! Give it some thought and if you believe this is something you would like to do, check out the candidate packet and start filling out that application! The Nominations and Recruitment Committee will be accepting applications for new board members through August 10.
When you become a Member-Owner, you’re doing more than supporting a grocery store. You’re helping sustain a community institution and taking part in a business model that puts people before profits.
That’s why I’m a Member-Owner, and I hope you’ll consider becoming one too.
CANCELLED – COOKING CLASS: The Mighty Chickpea
THIS CLASS HAS BEEN POSTPONED – WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON A NEW DATE!
Discover the versatility of the humble garbanzo bean (chickpea) in this demonstration-style vegetarian cooking class. Join us as we showcase the transformative power of this pantry staple, turning it into 3 delicious, flavor-packed dishes that are easy enough for weeknight meals yet impressive enough to wow your guests at any gathering.
If you have specific dietary restrictions, please reach out to us in advance before signing up for the class at [email protected] or by calling the co-op at 515-232-4094 and speaking with Sheba Wright, Education Coordinator.
Limited substitutions can be made during the class.
Meet the Instructor!
Rama Sridhar is an expert chef in vegetarian cooking and has dedicated more than 40 years to communicating the benefits of vegetarian nutrition. Rama's cooking is based on two fundamental principles: (a) develop recipes that excel in both nutrition and taste and (b) draw and use ideas from all over the globe to develop creative fusion foods. She is a guest Chef at a local restaurant – Lockwood Café – where she offers Indian and International foods. Rama has a close connection to Ames. She has lived here for 35 plus years and received a Dietetics degree from Iowa State University. She is a diehard Cyclones fan.
Date & Time
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 5:30-7PM
Class Location
Community Room
HANDS-ON CLASS: DIY Herbal Lip Balm
Dive in to the art and science of handcrafted herbal lip care in this interactive, hands-on workshop! Using a plethora of natural, nourishing, and eco-friendly ingredients including beeswax, oils, butters, and plant essential oils, participants will make and take home two different lip balm formulations to protect lips in all four seasons. It's herbal lip care made simple, made from scratch, and made by you!
Meet the Instructor!
Ann Staudt is the founder, chief soap formulator, kitchen chemist, graphic designer, sales manager, packaging extraordinaire, and overall operations manager behind Siberian Soap Co. She holds degrees in both chemical and environmental engineering. Soapmaking provides a wonderfully creative outlet that combines her interests in science, art, and living a simple, eco-friendly lifestyle.
Date & Time
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 | 5:30-7PM
Class Location
Community Room
June Member Appreciation Celebration 2026
Let’s Celebrate June Member Appreciation Day!
Join us on Saturday, June 13 from 10am-2pm to celebrate you! Enjoy samples around the co-op, visit with board members, sign-up to win our Local Product Giveaway, send the kids on a crafty activity, meet local producers, and more!
Local Producers
Experience the best of our community at the co-op with local producers sampling their fresh, high-quality products. Engage with the passionate individuals who are dedicated to bringing the finest local goods to your table, and discover new favorites while supporting your local economy.
Beeler’s Pure Pork, LeMars, IA
EcoLips, Cedar Rapids, IA
Terry Naturally , Regional
Co-op Explorer Craft Activity
Head back to the Community Room for a fun and crafty activity! We will be creating Upcycled Butterflies out of toilet paper rolls, pipe cleaners, and colorful markers.
All supplies provided, every age welcome!
Giveaways!
Celebrate with giveaways from our front welcome cart, sign-up to win a local basket, grab a coffee or water and learn all about what’s going on at the co-op! Don’t miss out on our limited edition Wheatsfield Koozie and La Croix GIVEAWAY! We are giving away 100 koozies with a La Croix in them starting at 10am, one per person, while supplies last.
Samples!
We will have a diverse array of great samples throughout the co-op. Whether you’re craving fresh, local produce, artisanal cheeses, or gourmet snacks, you’ll find something delightful at every corner. These samples allow you to explore new flavors and discover your next favorite product, making each visit an exciting culinary adventure.
May 2026 Board Meeting Highlights
May 20th Board Meeting Highlights
- The Education and Outreach Committee announced continuation of the Graduate Research Night events due to the previous month’s success. May 21st was the second Graduate Research Night event, and the Student Board Representative and Education and Outreach Committee will continue to co-organize these events in upcoming months as part of Wheatsfield outreach and Iowa State University outreach efforts.
- The CEO informed the Board that the parking lot re-pavement project is officially complete; the Co-op experienced less than two weeks of altered parking, and sales were not significantly impacted during this time.
- The CEO report noted an increase in co-op customers in April from March.
- Our CEO attended the National Co-op Grocers (NCG) meeting in San Diego, where she met the new CEO and was able to attend a number of sessions, several of which were on data trends and how to get new customers in the doors.
- The Board reviewed a new CEO evaluation form with categorical criteria that will be used for evaluation of the Wheatsfield CEO; these criteria will be used by the Executive Committee and Board for CEO evaluation and by the CEO for self-evaluation.
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