Sound Consumer

If you buy canned or jarred tuna, you may have noticed prices have climbed steadily for several years. The bad news is that more price hikes may be coming. We wanted to know why — what factors are responsible. Here’s what we found.

The histrionic debate over whether fish stocks are healthy or on the verge of collapse has consumers lost at sea. The two most prominent scientists in the controversy stand on opposite shores.

2012 is forecast by many to be a year of great change and, from an ocean conservationist’s perspective, this comes not a moment too soon. Even now, in spite of overwhelming evidence and strong warnings from the scientific community, we continue to plunder our seas at an astonishing rate.

What better way to feel like a kid this summer than by indulging in an ice cream sundae? A scoop or two of your favorite ice cream is stratospherically better with a drizzle of sauce.

So many flavors, so little time — the ice cream aisle at PCC is overwhelming, we know. It’s an eternal debate: should you choose cool, pure vanilla or classic chocolate? Or, is it time to go for something outrageous?

Those of us living in the Pacific Northwest are blessed this time of year with a steady flow of high-quality and affordable local, fresh fruit and vegetables. With nectarines, peaches, tomatoes and other summer favorites hitting the markets, it’s a good time to remember why choosing in-season, organic produce is important.

Customer service · Healthier body care · Fukushima radioactivity · GMO labeling · Paleo shopping · Predator-friendly meat?

High fructose corn syrup · High-fructose diet affects brain · FDA to reconsider livestock antibiotics · Coffee for longevity · Healthy foods cost less? · Migrating bison · Low olive oil prices · Nanoparticles unlabeled · Cesar Chavez remembered · Iraq excludes U.S. wheat · Changing BSE rule? · California kids eating less · Food prices rising

Large crops of tree fruit, including cherries, are in store this summer — if there’s enough labor to get the fruit off the trees! It’s also looking to be a good season for Alaskan wild salmon and PNW pole-caught albacore.

PCC Board of trustees election results · West Seattle hits high mark · Board meeting report