LIFE
Levi's Indigenous Fruit Enterprise is known for their aronia berries, which are native to Iowa, through sustainable farming practices that work with nature.
Keota, IA
Type: Café
Produces: Pitas & Hummus
Location: Iowa City, IA
Miles from Coop: 1
Yochai Harel is the owner and operator of Cortado, an italian-style espresso bar and cafe that offers a variety of warm caffeinated beverages, fresh baked goods, and Mediterranean-style sandwiches and salads in downtown Iowa City. It's a favorite among coffee connoisseurs and students from the university.
Yochai began working in coffee shops in Tel Aviv, Israel before moving to New York and later to the Iowa City area with his growing family. He dreamed of opening his own shop with a European influence and within a few years he and co-owner Ryan O'Leary did just that. In 2017, they opened Cortados across from the Old Capitol dome off of Clinton Street and quickly established a following in the area.
As for the name?
It's one of Yochai's favorite coffee drinks.
“The cortado was how I used to get jobs,” Harel said.
“People would say, ‘Show me what you can do,’ and I would make them a cortado. The balance of it is great.”
Cortado has since expanded, offering their house-made hummus taïm -that's delicious hummus in Hebrew - and fresh pitas at the Co-op and we're excited to have them.
New Pi's Grocery Team Lead says about the partnership,
"Working with small businesses like Cortado is what New Pioneer is all about. Helping take a vision these local vendors have and turn them into a reality is something we take great pride in. It's been a pleasure working with Yochai and you certainly can't beat snacking on some warm Cortado pita and fresh hummus he makes."
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Levi's Indigenous Fruit Enterprise is known for their aronia berries, which are native to Iowa, through sustainable farming practices that work with nature.
Keota, IA
Founded in 1976, Iowa based Frontier Co-op is a leader in branded organic and natural herbs, spices, and essential oils. As a co-operative owned by wholesale customers that buy and sell its products, Frontier sources hundreds of different botanicals and oils from over 175 suppliers in 50 countries.
Norway, IA
When owners Naftaly and Ofer were unable to find the Mediterranean food they craved and grew up with, they decided to use their own family recipes to bring authentic falafel and hummus to Iowa City.
Iowa City, IA
"By providing a loving and relaxing environment for our cows we are able to get remarkably consistent full-flavored raw milk."
Thorp, WI
“We like our sap to stay extremely fresh – if the sap clouds over it affects the flavor, so we like to keep our sap clear as water,”
Garnavillo, IA
Lindsey and Kyle operate their kombucha micro-brewery with sustainability and harmony with the land in mind. Using locally sourced medicinal plants, they aim to celebrate 1-2 ingredients in their recipes.
Fairfield, IA
For James Nisly, growing organic vegetables is about fulfilling a vision of producing healthy food for a healthy community and building well balanced soil for sustainable food production.
Kalona, IA
The best thing about being an apple farmer is that, unlike a ripe tomato, [an apple] doesn’t have to be picked right now. It can wait until tomorrow. It is a nice pace.”
Central City, IA