“Made from scratch really just means made with love!” This heartfelt message is the cornerstone of the husband & wife baking team of Jason & Jenna Siebert. It shows in the quality of their always-from-scratch baked goods and personal commitment to their local bakery, The Sweet Divine. Check out this special feature from News Channel 5′s Show Me St. Louis! The news crew just happened to show up as Jenna, Jason & crew started on the cupcake order for Straub’s!

For more information, check out  http://www.thesweetdivine.com/

Video originally posted on Show Me St. Louis’ webpage.

We received the following letter in response to a large catering order for an event near our Clayton location. Read some of the great comments, and feel free to check out our Casual Catering Menu for your next special event.

Dear Trip,

I am not sure if you are the correct person to whom I should send this letter of appreciation, but you are the Straub’s Ambassador, as far as I am concerned. In the past, I encouraged Westminster [Christian Academy] to utilize the commercial business of those who are part of the WCA community. Even though Gregg and I are now alumni WCA parents, we are still consumers.

We recently contacted Straub’s Markets as a supplier for prepared foods for the Ladue Chapel Annual Strawberry Festival. Sharon LaBerta walked us through the entire process and made us feel very comfortable with catering for the luncheon on June 2 at which we served 273 people. Sharon and her staff were exemplary in their handling of the logistics, the preparation, the communication and even a last minute addition.

The entire group of Deacons could not be more pleased with the quality of the food and the presentation. We received so many compliments from the congregation for our new supplier & menu. Thank you for having and training such fine people within your organization. These folks were so professional and every detail was handled with care.

Our sincere appreciation and thanks for a “JOB WELL DONE” go to Sharon and her staff as well as the management of Straub’s Markets. We look forward to a new partnership with Straub’s and Ladue Chapel events.

Sincerely yours,

Sue H.

Why shop at a locally-owned business first? The following 10 reasons show how more money spent at local businesses like Straub’s is reinvested in our community—creating diversity and helping to maintain the surrounding area’s unique appeal.

1. Local shops value you more.
   Customer service is the cornerstone of the Straub’s business model. We have maintained our reputation for great service since we opened the doors over a century ago, and are always looking for ways to make your shopping experience even more convenient and enjoyable.
2. Shopping local creates jobs.
   Straub’s has been hiring local since 1901. Our four locations provide jobs for hundreds of St. Louisans, who in turn spend their hard-earned money in the local community.
3. We’re invested in the success of our community.
   At Straub’s, we participate in our local communities in a number of ways throughout the year. We love to give back to the communities we serve! Supporting local shops means a direct financial impact on your community as well.
4. There’s no end to the wide range of local products.
   Many people fall out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products and gifts available. See our list of available Saint Louis Favorites.
5. Shopping local saves you money.
   Local distributors do not need to make lengthy commutes to sell their products. All of the additional fuel charges for transit and freight don’t make their way into the prices of local items.
6. Shopping local saves the environment.
   Since Straub’s stocks many locally-sourced goods, which do not require long car or freight journeys, this also helps to reduce our global footprint.
7. Shopping locally retains our communities.
   No one likes to see local shops and services close their doors to be replaced by large corporations, but this unfortunate situation is directly related to how people spend their money within a community.
8. Shopping local retains our distinctiveness.
   Straub’s creates a distinctive shopping experience through our customer service and products available. We track shopping trends and respond quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking products to meet the changing population needs.
9. Local shops are for everyone.
   In our efforts to cater to all customers, we carry a wide variety of chef-prepared specialty foods and gourmet items as well as casual, everyday products. Our locations are also scattered across a wide range of the Saint Louis area.
10. Shopping local saves services.
    Private and public sector services tend to cluster around shops. As shops disappear so do hairdressers, banks, restaurants, and other local services.

Shop Local. Shop Straub’s.

The Story of Rain Crow Ranch begins with the Whisnant Family, who own and operate a family farm located in the rolling hills of the southern Ozarks near Doniphan, Missouri. This farm has been in the business of producing beef since 1882 when the land was granted to the heirs of veterans of the War of 1812.

Farming is a family affair for the Whisnants. Veterinarian Patricia and husband Mark have been married since 1979 and have six children: Jack, Pete, Cody, Trent, Logan and Katie Grace. They are all involved in the raising, production, processing and marketing of their grass-fed cattle. Rain Crow is third party certified USDA organic, concerned with high animal welfare (Animal Welfare Approved) and maintains a yearly GMP audit for food safety at their processing facility.

Why Grass-fed?

Grass-fed products have enormous health benefits. Higher in Omega-3 fatty acids, higher in CLA, higher in Vitamin E, higher in beta-carotene, lower in calories grass fed beef is one of the healthiest protein sources on the planet. It is beef you can feel good about eating. At Rain Crow Ranch, they often tell people that they are simple grass farmers who manage the quality chain of forages for their cattle to harvest. Raising and grazing grass is part science and part art. It is what makes their system work. Animals raised the way they were intended makes for healthier animals and healthier meat.

Health professionals recommend grass-fed beef because it may reduce your risk of a number of diseases including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Nutrition and wellness providers recognize grass-fed beef for being nutritionally superior. “You are what you eat”, but “You are what you eat EATS.”

Chefs prefer it for its clean, pure taste.

Environmentalists appreciate the sustainable agricultural practices that respect the land and form the base for the grass-fed solar production model.

Animal welfare advocates favor grass-fed beef because it allows for healthier animals raised with respect. Animals raised in a manner that provides the fulfillment of their natural behavioral and biological instincts – grazing and foraging on pasture.

Consumers seek grass-fed beef as an alternative to the gigantic “factory farms” and feedlots in industrial beef production where animals are fed low level antibiotics, hormones, an aberrant diet and chemicals to speed gain. They are rediscovering the quality and care of products that are raised with pride on American family farms.

Grass fed is better for your health, better for the environment,  better for the animals, and better for the family farms that produce it with pride. For more information, visit the Rain Crow website.