Your co-op community, November 2015

This article was originally published in November 2015

Food Bank Packaging Parties

Help package bulk foods into family-sized portions at our partnering food bank locations. Join us on:

Monday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m., Kirkland Hopelink Food Bank

Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m., North Helpline Food Bank

Monday, November 16 at 7 p.m., Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank

Monday, November 16 at 7 p.m., Westgate Chapel Food Bank

Tuesday, November 17 at 7 p.m., Rainier Valley Food Bank

Wednesday, November 18 at 7 p.m., FamilyWorks Food Bank

Wednesday, November 18 at 7 p.m., University District Food Bank

Pre-registration not required. Due to space restrains, for groups larger than five people, please contact the food banks directly to set up group volunteering activities. To learn more visit pccmarkets.com/foodbank.


Purple Stride 5K

Sunday, November 1, 8 a.m. to noon
Magnuson Park – Hangar 30
7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle

Join in this 5K run or family-friendly walk that supports the efforts of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. You can find us inside Hangar 30 in the Kid’s Area where we’ll be making custom soup mix with kiddos 12 and younger.

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and to register for the run visit pancan.org.


Greenlake Gobble

Sunday, November 22, 8 a.m.
Green Lake Park
5900 West Green Lake Way N., Seattle

Join us the Sunday before Thanksgiving, for a fun and festive 10K run/walk and a 5K run/walk. Kids 12 and younger can compete in the free PCC Healthy Kids Tiny Turkey Trot at 9:10 a.m. PCC is the official fruit sponsor of the run so swing by the PCC TasteMobile to refuel.

Make sure to stick around for a post-race celebration that includes the crowd-pleasing Mashed Potato Munch Off competitive eating contest and an onsite beer garden.

Canned food donations will be accepted for Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. Funds raised will support Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission goal of providing 300,000 meals to fight hunger with hope this holiday season!

Sign up for the run at promotionevents.com/thanksgiving/home.html.


2016 Chinook Book sale

The 2016 Chinook Book sale will be from November 16 through December 27! Celebrate the holidays with $5 off the retail price of the print book, mobile pack and combo pack, on sale for $17, $10 and $25. Save hundreds of dollars while supporting local, sustainable businesses. Inside, you’ll find three PCC coupons redeemable at our stores. PCC will donate all proceeds to the PCC Farmland Trust. See Chinookbook.com for more info.


Seattle Kids Marathon – Race Day

Saturday, November 28, 10 a.m.
Seattle Center, Fifth and Harrison

The Seattle Children’s Kids Marathon is structured to allow kids — kindergarten through eighth grade — to complete a full 26.2 mile marathon at a rate that’s fun and safe for their growing bodies “one mile at a time.” It also encourages them to eat 20 healthy foods, read 13 books and perform 13 good deeds.

PCC is sponsoring the “Eat Right-o-meter.” Try 20 of the 26 items, check them off the list and bring your list to the TasteMobile while at the Kids Marathon and the first 100 kids will receive a $20 gift card. Register soon so kids have time to complete their miles, meals, reading and good deeds before race day.

To learn more and to sign up, visit: seattlemarathon.org/seattle-childrens-kids-marathon.


Woodland Park Zoo Wildlights

November 27 through January 3
Woodland Park Zoo

The zoo’s winter holiday lights festival is here! WildLights features wild animals and wild places recreated in hundreds of thousands of sparkling LED lights. Experience amazing indoor and outdoor light displays, see a few of our animal friends (including visiting reindeer), have a faux-snowball fight with your family, and enjoy carolers singing. On December 19 the PCC TasteMobile will be there from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. handing out hot cider and a sweet treat. See zoo.org/wildlights for more info.


Farms for Life

Farms for Life increases access to nourishing farm-fresh produce for agencies serving our local community. Women’s shelters, youth homes and community kitchens receive organically grown produce purchased from local farmers. Support the cycle of nourishment — local farmers and people in need of healthy food — and be a part of change. Board member and volunteer positions available starting this month. For more information: info@farms4life.org.


PCC Cooks

The holidays are just around the corner, and PCC Cooks is here to help you prepare! If meat is on your mind — or your menu — join us for Roasting Poultry and Meat, where Chef Darin Gagner will share reliable recipes for success as well as his extensive culinary knowledge. He’ll discuss brining, searing and carry-over cooking in a demonstration format perfect for ample note-taking and question-asking. Cultured Foods (with a Holiday Twist!) offers an inventive non-traditional array of cultured dishes with flavors perfect for a holiday table. Added bonus: cultured foods can help aid digestion and keep your body healthy during the season of overindulgence.

This November, you also can experience some heart-warming home cooking the Portuguese way, as you sit down to a Portuguese Table, learning about the culture and cuisine along the way. Many other hearty options abound from Yeasted Whole Wheat Bread to Easy Italian Dinner and Knife Skills. Visit PccCooks.com to browse the tasty choices!

Also in this issue

Soil & Sea: reports from our producers

Learn about the California pistachios crisis, Perdue's purchase of Niman Ranch, California's record ag profits, drought impacts on local salmon, and the decline of frozen entrees.

Quel fromage! A surprising twist in the "French Paradox?"

The latest research on cheese and other fermented dairy, such as yogurt and kefir, suggests the "French Paradox" may not be a paradox at all — instead, we just now may be starting to understand the health benefits of cheese and other fermented dairy.

Staff picks

This month our staff loves salsa, beeswax candles, PCC deli's Perfect Protein Salad, PCC bakery's Harvest Fruit and Nut Bars, beautiful holiday wines, and more!