Sound Consumer

Dedicated since 1961 to informing and inspiring the PCC community through the co-op’s vision of advancing the health and well-being of people, their neighborhoods and our planet.

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Sound Consumer, June 2009

Raw food vitality

As the author of a vegetarian dining guidebook, I’ve had the pleasure of eating many exceptional meals over the years. But one of the most memorable meals I’ve ever had was not at a restaurant. Rather, it was a raw foods potluck a decade or so ago at a friend’s house here in Seattle.

As the author of a vegetarian dining guidebook, I’ve had the pleasure of eating many exceptional meals over the years. But one of the most memorable meals I’ve ever had was not at a restaurant. Rather, it was a raw foods potluck a decade or so ago at a friend’s house here in Seattle.

Public policy report

From time to time, PCC engages in public outreach and policy initiatives as events warrant. Read about some of our recent activities, from PCC staff testifying in Olympia to writing the Obama administration on public policy issues.

From time to time, PCC engages in public outreach and policy initiatives as events warrant. Read about some of our recent activities, from PCC staff testifying in Olympia to writing the Obama administration on public policy issues.

Choosing sustainable and healthy seafood

Choosing seafood that is both sustainable and healthy can be challenging. Is it farmed or wild? Troll-caught or trawled? Alaskan or Chilean? Healthy or toxic? There are so many questions — it’s enough to confuse even the most conscientious consumer.

Choosing seafood that is both sustainable and healthy can be challenging. Is it farmed or wild? Troll-caught or trawled? Alaskan or Chilean? Healthy or toxic? There are so many questions — it’s enough to confuse even the most conscientious consumer.

Genetically modified coffee confrontation brewing in Hawaii

Our morning coffee is brewed from beans grown by 25 million producers in the tropics, primarily in hand-tended backyard plots. On the island of Oahu, Hawaii, biotechnologists from Integrated Coffee Technology Inc. (ICTI) want to change all that.

Our morning coffee is brewed from beans grown by 25 million producers in the tropics, primarily in hand-tended backyard plots. On the island of Oahu, Hawaii, biotechnologists from Integrated Coffee Technology Inc. (ICTI) want to change all that.

Notes from the Cellar

Plucky Purcell — a notable Tom Robbins character — once observed that sooner or later everything boils down to the matter of a buck. Similarly, my dad often observes that the world turns on the Golden Rule — that is, those who have the gold, make the rules.

Plucky Purcell — a notable Tom Robbins character — once observed that sooner or later everything boils down to the matter of a buck. Similarly, my dad often observes that the world turns on the Golden Rule — that is, those who have the gold, make the rules.

Seasonal produce

Our love for June can be summed up in three words: local, organic berries. By the middle of the month, the first local strawberries and raspberries take center stage, with the first pick of the season coming from Rent’s Due Ranch.

Our love for June can be summed up in three words: local, organic berries. By the middle of the month, the first local strawberries and raspberries take center stage, with the first pick of the season coming from Rent’s Due Ranch.

The economic value of farmland

Until now, the costs of pollution and exploitation of finite resources haven’t been factored into the price of food. Profits are privatized while the cost to the environment is externalized to the public. It doesn’t have to be this way. Farmland needs to have its value recognized as more than just a source of food. In some places, that is being done.

Until now, the costs of pollution and exploitation of finite resources haven’t been factored into the price of food. Profits are privatized while the cost to the environment is externalized to the public. It doesn’t have to be this way. Farmland needs to have its value recognized as more than just a source of food. In some places, that is being done.

Letters to the editor

PCC stories · Organic White House · Egg scramble is a member benefit · Organic honey · Genetically modified? · The cost of food · Zero waste · Quorn is cultured, not a mushroom · Country of origin labeling

PCC stories · Organic White House · Egg scramble is a member benefit · Organic honey · Genetically modified? · The cost of food · Zero waste · Quorn is cultured, not a mushroom · Country of origin labeling

News bites

Economic impact of cooperatives · Washington legislative update · USDA surveys organic agriculture · Organic manure better · rBGH bill vetoed · GM corn ban upheld · Roundup linked with cell death · Free-range eggs have more vitamin D · Fight hay fever with vitamin E? · Gates Foundation funds GM tomato · GM crops don’t yield more

Economic impact of cooperatives · Washington legislative update · USDA surveys organic agriculture · Organic manure better · rBGH bill vetoed · GM corn ban upheld · Roundup linked with cell death · Free-range eggs have more vitamin D · Fight hay fever with vitamin E? · Gates Foundation funds GM tomato · GM crops don’t yield more

Your co-op

Annual member meeting · Election · Board meetings · From our two retiring board members

Annual member meeting · Election · Board meetings · From our two retiring board members