Your co-op, November 2008
This article was originally published in November 2008
Talk to the board
The board members have decided to continue their monthly member outreach. Kelly Horton, member relations committee chair, observes, “This program gives the trustees a chance to meet members, staff and shoppers in a comfortable, informal setting. The practice of posting a question for each visit helps us get feedback from members on a topic of ongoing board discussion.”
Over the next two visits, we’ll ask members:
Share why you think social responsibility is an important value for our co-op? What does it mean to you?
This also is the question discussed at the fall member meeting during dinner. Would you like to weigh in on this question? Please stop by one of these store visits or email us directly at
board@pccmarkets.com
You also may write us at the co-op office on this or any topic.
Upcoming “Talk to the board” dates
- Saturday, November 15, 12 to 2 p.m.
PCC View Ridge - Saturday, December 13, 2 to 4 p.m.
PCC Fremont
Board meeting report
At its September 30 meeting, the board discussed the recruiting and nominating process that produces candidates for board election. The nominating committee reported that it will screen the applications submitted by the November 4 deadline and will begin interviews in early December.
The board also discussed plans for the October 28 member meeting. We’ll report on this member meeting in the December issue and on the Web site by November 12. The reports will include photos.
Next board meeting
The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Tuesday, November 25 at 5 p.m. at the co-op office. Member comment period is at 7 p.m.
Running to save farmland
Greenlake PCC staff member Nil Tilija will be running the 2008 Seattle Marathon to help raise money for the PCC Farmland Trust. Thank you, Nil, for your 26.2 miles of dedication to saving local, organic farms.
To support Nil on his run, drop your donation in the jars at Greenlake PCC or visit PCC Farmland Trust’s calendar. All proceeds will benefit the PCC Farmland Trust’s future farm fund.
Advocating sustainable public policies
From time to time, PCC Natural Markets engages in advocating policies that support sustainable food and agricultural systems. Here are some of our recent activities:
- Drafted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), explaining why its proposed “naturally raised” label would be deficient and misleading.
- Supported efforts before the Pierce County Conservation District for a USDA Mobile Meat Processing Unit to support ranchers in the south Puget Sound area.
- Signed on to a letter to the Health Subcommittee of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, advocating a phase-out of nontherapeutic antibiotics for livestock.
- Drafted a letter to the Food and Drug Administration opposing the proposed final rule approving irradiation for fresh spinach and lettuce.
- Supported a lawsuit filed by 15 California almond growers and sellers to overturn a year-old law requiring domestic almonds to be sterilized/pasteurized.
- Submitted a declaration requested by the Organic Seed Alliance and the Center for Food Safety on the potential impact of genetically modified sugar beets to PCC products and customers.