Drawing strength from our roots

If you look at a map of the Seattle area, you’ll see that the annual meeting will be held this year at a site almost exactly equidistant from our two oldest stores — Ravenna (opened in 1976 and closed this year) and Kirkland (opened in 1978). PCC has roots on both sides of the lake and in more parts of the greater Seattle area, as we know from our members, who write to us asking for a new PCC store in their neighborhood.

Although our demographics are changing with the times, some things haven’t changed. We are still a cooperative, still dedicated to providing members with food that supports their health and also the health of the environment in which we all live. Our annual meeting this year will feature a discussion with board members and candidates on drawing strength from our roots — identifying the core values that define PCC as a unique retailer and contributing member of the community.

Here are some thoughts from our current crop of board candidates on drawing strength from our roots:

Lori Babcock: We are drawing strength from the need that brought us into existence — the need for organic products — and the belief in sustainable agriculture that gave strength to a vision of what the co-op could be. We are committed to continue educating, promoting and increasing awareness of the urgency of organic agriculture and its link to our health.

Linda Dickson: For an organization like PCC that is based on membership, this reference to our roots could not be more appropriate. The roots of PCC Natural Markets, of course, are our members. To me, we do indeed draw strength from our PCC membership, but I believe we gain a great deal more from you, our roots. We gather ways to enhance and improve our day-to-day operations. Our members give us direction as to what the future of PCC should look like, and you give us inspiration for what this organization can be in the areas of conservation and the environment.

I grew up in the country and I see PCC drawing strength from our roots, being stronger as a result of our working together as members, in the same way that the individuals in my childhood neighborhood gathered strength from each other and from our roots and background, to make us a better and stronger community.

Pat Gibbon: [For me this means] looking at our environment and the need for sustainability. Growing up in Wisconsin’s farmland, I quickly learned why we need to preserve farmland and continually work to make the environment better. The concept of sustainability is so important today for businesses, communities and people.

Carmelita Logerwell: Whether creating espaliered or topiary shapes, dealing with drought or unusual weather cycles, the strength to survive and flourish comes from a tree’s roots. PCC needs to change and adapt to a changing business and retail climate and member and customer expectations. The rootstock of organization as a co-op, which encompasses a commitment to member ownership and democratic process, is where we draw the strength to meet today’s demands. PCC looks different than it has in the past, but its roots are widespread in the community it serves and the vendors it supports. Thanks for your support of the election.

Chantal Stevens: As a biologist and gardener, my immediate thought is that of a carrot. Digging deep in a soil that is rich and fertile, drawing its force from it, the carrot sprouts lush green foliage before passing on its vitality when it becomes a tasty nourishment. We, too, draw our strength from the ground up, from a milieu that has been fertilized by the love, convictions, and labor of our family, friends, or community, flourishing with the duty to pass on the bounty.

On the value of membership
PCC realizes there are many places you can spend your hard-earned dollars and buy similar products today. Through your patronage at PCC and your membership, you make a difference on farm policy and food security. We’re stronger together than apart. All our members (40,000) combined have a strength of voice that each would not have alone. From time to time, PCC sends letters to lawmakers to support proposals affecting food and farming. Here’s a recent example:

Christie Todd Whitman, Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington D.C.

Dear Ms. Whitman,
We’re writing on behalf of our 40,000 member households to urge you to strengthen a proposal regarding “recycled” hazardous wastes in fertilizer.

We commend the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency for proposing initial steps to limit toxic waste in fertilizer, but the draft plan falls short of a common-sense threshold. The plan as drafted does not prevent toxic wastes from being used for agricultural, lawn and garden fertilizers. It only would establish amounts of these toxins that can be added to soil over time and build up.

Our food supply already is contaminated with persistant bioaccumulative toxins including dioxin, mercury, lead and others. These compounds have no place at all in our agricultural systems, in fertilizer, our food chain, or in the environment as a whole…

• We urge a ban against the use of any hazardous wastes, including dioxin-laden waste, in any fertilizer.
• Eliminate a loophole that allows hazardous steel- mill waste to be turned into any fertilizer. Between 1990 and 1995, a reported two million pounds of lead was sent from Oregon steel mills to Moxee City, Washington to be made into fertilizer.
• Eliminate an exemption for mining wastes used to make micro-nutrient or any fertilizer product. Ironite, for example, should not get special treatment.
• Retain existing requirements for managing hazardous waste being made into fertilizer. EPA has proposed lifting requirements for tracking shipments of such waste made into fertilizer.
• Adopt full reporting and tracking systems, including labeling requirements so consumers know what hazardous wastes are being made into fertilizer and what toxics they may contain.

The natural and organic food industry has been growing 20-25 percent over the past several years, in part, because consumers are demanding a wholesome, healthful food supply. Consumers do not want our farms, gardens and lawns to serve as a cheap and convenient dumping ground for industrial polluters.

Please strengthen docket #F-2000-RXFP-FFFF.

Sincerely,

Randy Lee and Tracy Wolpert
Acting Co-CEOs
PCC Natural Markets

How to Get in Touch with Us
Email us at board@pccmarkets.com