Your co-op, September 2009

This article was originally published in September 2009

Board report

The board met on July 28. Members heard a report from legal counsel on their fiduciary responsibilities, established this year’s committees, approved plans for the fall member meeting (see notice this page), and began work on developing an agenda for a strategic planning retreat.

Talk to the board

September 26, 10 a.m. to noon
Redmond PCC

Before visiting Ames Creek Farm during the King County Harvest Farm tour, stop by PCC Redmond to chat with a board member at this month’s board store visit.

Next board meeting

Tuesday, September 29 at 5 p.m. at the co-op office, with member comment period at 7 p.m.

Fall member meeting

Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 5:30 p.m.
St. Demetrios Hall
2100 Boyer Ave. E., Seattle, Wash.

Join us to celebrate co-op month with dairy cooperative farmer Jon Banson of Organic Valley cooperative. Learn about the investments they’re making in their herds, and the farming systems and soil that will ensure a livable future for generations to come.

Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m.
RSVP by October 19, 2009 — online or by calling 206-547-1222.

Directions are online or cal 206-547-1222. Free parking. Accessible by metro bus visit tripplanner.metrokc.gov.

Organic food integrity starts with seed integrity

We are in the midst of a revolutionary food epoch unlike any other in history. It’s rich with potential, creativity and passion. And it’s rife with conflict, despair and danger. To many it appears to be a mythic war between Agribusiness Goliaths and Homegrown Davids, or the systems of genetic engineering (GE) and that of organic.

Insights by Goldie: Bitter and sweet: agave syrup

Recently, upon return to the office after a few days away, I thought it odd that I had a cluster of emails and voicemails all asking similarly suspicious, troubling questions — mostly about agave syrup. Additional questions about agave have been raised by other shoppers, including participants in PCC’s Free Walk, Talk and Taste tours in our stores.

The organic dairy business: the land of milk and money

You may have read that the dairy world is imploding, that the price non-organic farmers get for their milk has fallen 50 percent since last December — the fastest, deepest drop since the Great Depression. As many as half the nation’s dairy producers — 20,000 — may call it quits by the end of 2009.