Your co-op community, January 2012

This article was originally published in January 2012

Burke Museum presents “Hungry Planet”

  • University of Washington campus
    17th Avenue N.E. and N.E. 45th Street, Seattle

PCC is partnering with the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture to present “Hungry Planet: What the World Eats.” Hungry Planet examines how people from different countries and cultures feed their families, through photographs of 10 families from around the world at home, at the market, and surrounded by a week’s worth of groceries.

The exhibit also features “Salish Bounty: Traditional Native American Foods of Puget Sound,” which explores 5,000 years of traditional tribal diets, as well as the revitalization of native food traditions.

Bring your PCC membership card and join the Burke Museum on Friday, January 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. for the Hungry Planet opening preview, with live music and refreshments from PCC. PCC members (kids 5 and older and adults) will receive 50 percent off the regular $10 entrance to this event; it’s free for kids 5 and under. RSVP is recommended. Reserve your spot »

Visit pccmarkets.com for more info about weekend tastings provided by PCC Cooks, nutrition lectures and programs on food production and distribution, and more. The Hungry Planet exhibit runs through June 10.


Blood drives

Every two minutes someone in Western Washington needs a blood transfusion. Please help ensure this precious resource in your community by donating to the Puget Sound Blood Center. PCC will hold blood drives on the following dates:


Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive

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January 9 to February 12

Carry on Fred Rogers’ giving spirit and help those in need by donating new or gently used, clean sweaters, coats and cold weather gear. Collection bins will be inside all PCC store locations and KCTS 9. Donations will be distributed to Wellspring Family Services, serving Seattle and King County.


Family nutrition dinner

  • Thursday, January 26, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
    Northgate Community Center
    10510 5th Ave. N.E., Seattle

Take a night off and have dinner with PCC. We’ll learn about and enjoy the wonders of fresh food as we cook a simple, easy meal with a PCC nutrition educator.

Participants will share a family-style meal together and leave with new ideas, recipes and confidence to feed their family at home. Free for families; kids 5 to 12 years old welcome.


Mason bee presentations

Here’s some trivia about orchard mason bees you may not know: they don’t live in hives, they’re not social like honey bees, they don’t sting, and they are very efficient pollinators.

Curious to know more? Come watch PCC member Missy Anderson’s lively and entertaining presentation about these cool little critters! Free event.


“Plastic ocean” presentation

  • Wednesday, January 25, 7 to 9 p.m.
    Seattle Town Hall

If you’ve heard there’s a “garbage patch” twice the size of Texas floating in the Pacific Ocean, it’s because Capt. Charles Moore has been working to make sure you do. Moore charts his journey from concerned mariner to ocean activist in “Plastic ocean: How a sea captain’s chance discovery launched a determined quest to save the ocean.”

He’ll talk about tsunami debris floating to Washington, aquaculture plastic debris and reusables. Book signing to follow.

Admission: $5, tickets at the door or at brownpapertickets.com


Kindiependent Kids Rock Series

Join us for this fun series running through April. PCC will help kids put together cool, take-home treats. Kindiependent is “Seattle’s independent kids and family music scene,” featuring some of the best local children’s entertainment groups. Learn more about this organization and check concert dates at kindiependent.com.

  • Recess Monkey

    Saturday, January 14, 10:30 a.m.
    Mount Baker Community Club
    2811 Mount Rainier Dr., Seattle


    Hang out, rock out and sing out with Recess Monkey at the Mt. Baker Clubhouse.
    Proceeds support Childcare Resources (childcare.org).

  • The Not-Its!

    Saturday, January 28, 10:30 a.m.
    Mount Baker Community Club
    2811 Mount Rainier Dr., Seattle


    The Not-Its! is a Seattle-based band that plays original rock/pop music for young children. Proceeds support Camp Korey, dedicated to transforming the lives of children with serious and life-altering medical conditions (campkorey.org).


PCC Cooks

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Armchair travelers will be pleased at the selection of cooking classes this winter.

Try delicious, authentic recipes in classes such as A Bite of Korea, Chinese Dumplings,” “Lebanese Cuisine,” and “Indian Breads.” If you’re gluten-free, you can participate in hands-on classes on how to make fresh pasta, Japanese gyoza, breakfast baked goodies or Sunday dinner with our expert instructors.

Check out fun classes such as “Spice up Your Life,” “Pressure Cooking,” and “Vegan Patisserie.” Kids will have fun in classes such as “Fearless Bread Baking,” “Stone Soup,” “Gluten-free Lunchbox” and much more.

For the latest information on in-store products and producers, take a free Walk, Talk and Taste tour, scheduled once a month at each of our nine stores, plus specialized gluten-free tours.

Details on all classes are in the winter catalog available in PCC stores or at PccCooks.com. Register online or call 206-545-7112.

Also in this issue

Soil & Sea: reports from our producers

Reports about Texas Rio Star grapefruit, organic bunched greens, organic apple acreage, Washington's apple harvest and winegrape acres, the beef supply and the Dungeness crab fishery.

GMO labeling initiatives

Important efforts are underway in Washington state to require labels on genetically engineered (GE) foods. Bills are being introduced in both the state House and Senate with broad support.

News bites, January 2012

Gender eating patterns, Peanut butter prices, Grocery profits, and more