Your co-op, April 2010

This article was originally published in April 2010

Notice of annual member dinner meeting

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

After a locally focused, seasonal meal, the board and management will report to the membership on the state of our co-op, and the 2010 board candidates will be introduced.

The education session covers a topic that more than a few members have told us they’d love to learn about — what a typical PCC day is like. So the theme of this meeting is “A Day in the Life of PCC.” Imagine peeling back the roof of one of our stores and peering down to see what’s happening.

Through words and pictures, we’ll talk about many aspects of a 24-hour PCC cycle. Yes — even when the stores are closed for shopping, there are beehives of activity. You’ll learn about the people and practices that make PCC such a unique retail operation.

Make your voice heard — please vote

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Voting in stores and by mail April 27 to May 20

The election begins April 27 and ends on May 20. We’re publishing a special election insert inside the May Sound Consumer, which will include candidate bios, campaign information and your ballot. The inserts must be mailed to all active members and will be sent by April 24.

We already have posted the candidate information, including video interviews, on our Web site, giving you some extra time to consider your decisions.

You’ll be able to vote in person at the annual meeting, and at any PCC store or by mail thereafter.

Ballots will be counted at a public meeting on Monday, May 24 at 4 p.m. at the co-op office. Results will be posted online and in the stores by May 28. Contact Janice Parker at 206-547-1222 if you’d like to volunteer to count ballots.

Meet the candidates and enjoy great PCC food

  • Saturday, May 8, 1 to 3 p.m.
    Edmonds PCC — special “election” prices on fresh lunches from the grill
  • Saturday, May 15, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
    Redmond PCC — special “election” prices on pancake breakfasts

We have designated two dates during the election period when you’ll be able to meet all the board candidates in person: one visit on the west side and one on the east. Make plans now to come.

nominating committee members

The 2009-2010 nominating committee is shown after their final meeting. Standing, l-r, Diana Crane, Buzz Hofford, Janet Hietter and Mary Simon. Seated, l-r, Rick Riehle and Don Nordness. Crane, Hietter, Riehle, Nordness and Chantal Stevens are candidates for the 2010-2011 nominating committee.

You’ll have a chance to talk with the candidates about the values important to you. Some of our current trustees also will be on hand, as will some of the nominating committee members.

Nominating Committee Chair Mary Simon notes, “We’re excited about this year’s slate — an energetic group of talented, articulate, committed PCC members. We thank all the applicants for participating and especially applaud the candidates for the time they’re dedicating to the election process.

“The committee encourages all members to get out and meet the candidates at the annual meeting or in the stores next month, to read the candidate materials in upcoming PCC publications, and most importantly,” says Simon, “to VOTE! It’s one of the great privileges of this member-owned organization.”

Board report

There was no board meeting in February. The March 30 board meeting report will be published in the May issue.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Tuesday, May 25 with public comments at 7 p.m. The agenda will be posted on our Web site at least one week prior to the meeting.

Also in this issue

The beginning farmer: Turning challenge into opportunity

Having successfully cleared the major hurdle most new farmers face — securing land — Orting Valley farmer and owner of Crying Rock Farms, Joel Blais, now is wrestling with the realities of what it means to be a small-scale organic pork producer. Joel shared the following reflections about his biggest challenges.

Green cleaning

Growing up in my house, spring cleaning was a yearly tradition anticipated more than any holiday — for several days each April, my Norwegian-born mother and grandmother would clean and organize every closet, wash and iron all the curtains, scour every tile and appliance, and dust every nook and cranny until the entire house gleamed.

Agave: considering the issues

Agave syrup (or nectar) is an increasingly popular sweetener used in drinks, nutrition bars and some desserts. It’s also increasingly controversial. Agave syrup has about the same number of calories per teaspoon as white sugar but its lower glycemic index doesn’t cause as great a rise in blood sugar.