Your co-op, February 2009

This article was originally published in February 2009

Talk to the Board

two people

(L-R) Issaquah store director Debbi Montgomery spoke with trustee Carol Binder at a Talk to the Board event.

Members are encouraged to ask questions and share ideas or concerns with board members during monthly Talk to the Board visits to PCC stores. These events have become a regular venue for the board and members to meet and interact on a one-on-one basis.

During this quarter, we’re continuing a discussion that the board began at the fall member meeting about how PCC practices social responsibility — how important is social responsibility to you and what does a socially responsible business look like to you?

The board trustees look forward to talking with you about this and any other topic. Here are the dates for February and March:

  • Saturday, February 21, 2 to 4 p.m.
    PCC West Seattle
  • Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    PCC Issaquah

Should you wish to give the board some feedback on this or any issue, you may contact the board at
board@pccmarkets.com

Board meeting report

There was no board meeting in December. The January 27 meeting report will be published in March.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Tuesday, March 31 at 5 p.m. at the co-op office. Members are welcome at all public sessions of the board meeting. Member comment period is at 7 p.m.

Elections coming

The 2009 board election dates are April 28 through May 22 with five candidates vying for three open seats:

  • Stephen Tan, incumbent
  • Stacey Donahue
  • Stuart Heath
  • Maggie Lucas
  • Mark Woodward

The nominating committee chair, Mary Simon, says, “After we interviewed 13 passionate and talented PCC members, our nominating committee’s deliberations were intense. We believe that any of these fine candidates would be a stellar addition to our board and we’re grateful to all the applicants for their willingness to be involved in this important process.”

Other members of our nominating committee are Diana Crane, Janet Hietter and Don Nordness. Kelly Horton has served as the board’s representative on the committee.

Beginning March 25, our Web site will feature short video conversations with each board candidate. You’ll learn a bit about their backgrounds, their interest in PCC, and why they want to serve you in the trustee role. These video interviews and other election-related material will remain posted on our Web site throughout the spring election.

Candidate Forums

In another effort to help members know the candidates, we’ll again host four informal candidate forums — two at east side stores and two on the west. All the candidates will participate, along with several current board members. Please make plans to attend one of these meet-and-greet sessions.

All events are 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

  • May 5, Fremont PCC
  • May 6, Edmonds PCC
  • May 12, Redmond PCC
  • May 13, Issaquah PCC

Of course, members who attend our annual meeting on April 28 will have a chance to meet and talk with the candidates and all current board members.

Public policy work

Since our last issue, PCC has engaged in the following public policy education and outreach:

  • December 10, 2008 — letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture about new pasturing standards for organic livestock.
  • January 13, 2009 — joined others in the Good Food Coalition, meeting with the Washington state acting director of agriculture to discuss ongoing support for the Local Farms, Healthy Kids program.

Also in this issue

Working for a new farm and real food

This month's article quotes two donors and their experiences about the work being done to preserve the farmland that makes real food possible. It also mentions a fundraising dinner for a new farm that will be held on Saturday, February 21 at 6 p.m. at the Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma. Tickets are $75.

Life in the margins

The Willits farm in Washington’s Dungeness Valley encompasses many components of a native environment. Despite appearances, this environment is largely the result of human effort. John Willits planted his willows and the windbreaks that guard the limits of his beet field. He dug his pond, broadened the margins between his fields, and let them go wild. Not long ago, some might have questioned the wisdom of surrendering productive farmland.

Letters to the editor, February 2009

New Secretary of Ag, U.S. vs. Chinese honey, Raw milk, and more