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, January 2011

Questions about Mexican organics?

In winter and early spring, while most of our regional farms lie dormant, grocery store produce sections remain well stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables. Much of this vast selection comes from Mexico.

In winter and early spring, while most of our regional farms lie dormant, grocery store produce sections remain well stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables. Much of this vast selection comes from Mexico.

NOSB meeting in Seattle

Mark your calendars: The National Organic Standards Board and the National Organic Program will hold their first meeting ever in Seattle on April 26-29. Consumers, vendors and other organic stakeholders may attend or testify.

Mark your calendars: The National Organic Standards Board and the National Organic Program will hold their first meeting ever in Seattle on April 26-29. Consumers, vendors and other organic stakeholders may attend or testify.

What’s ahead in 2011

Like businesses everywhere, PCC has plans for the new year, with strategies for challenges and ideas for improvement — customer service, remodel and upgrade Fremont PCC, explore software to deliver our 10% coupon electronically — and much more!

Like businesses everywhere, PCC has plans for the new year, with strategies for challenges and ideas for improvement — customer service, remodel and upgrade Fremont PCC, explore software to deliver our 10% coupon electronically — and much more!

The Farm Worker Pesticide Project: protecting people and the planet

Last spring, a group of workers tending orchard trees noticed a cloud of toxic fumes heading their way. Within minutes they were experiencing the pain and terror of acute poisoning: vomiting, abdominal cramps, dizziness, headaches, weak muscles, numbness, burning hot skin, and other symptoms.

Last spring, a group of workers tending orchard trees noticed a cloud of toxic fumes heading their way. Within minutes they were experiencing the pain and terror of acute poisoning: vomiting, abdominal cramps, dizziness, headaches, weak muscles, numbness, burning hot skin, and other symptoms.

Back to basics with whole grains: a foundation for whole health!

Some articles indicate “cheap” foods are being consumed more heavily now. These are primarily refined carbohydrates, such as refined white breads, crackers, cookies, white pastas, polished white rice and refined (degerminated) corn flour products.

Some articles indicate “cheap” foods are being consumed more heavily now. These are primarily refined carbohydrates, such as refined white breads, crackers, cookies, white pastas, polished white rice and refined (degerminated) corn flour products.

Sustainable shrimp

At PCC, we carry only American shrimp, wild-caught or farmed in ways that are ecologically sustainable. We have a range of sizes and styles — fresh, frozen, raw and cooked. Here are a few you may find in our stores.

At PCC, we carry only American shrimp, wild-caught or farmed in ways that are ecologically sustainable. We have a range of sizes and styles — fresh, frozen, raw and cooked. Here are a few you may find in our stores.

Shrimp with spice

In January, when we’re craving hearty fare that’s also healthy, shrimp stars in some of our favorite dishes — they’re low-fat, packed with protein and delicious. These spicy recipes are flavorful enough to brighten even the darkest winter day!
Bengali Spice-rubbed Prawns ·
Southwest Red Chili-crusted Shrimp Skewers

In January, when we’re craving hearty fare that’s also healthy, shrimp stars in some of our favorite dishes — they’re low-fat, packed with protein and delicious. These spicy recipes are flavorful enough to brighten even the darkest winter day!
Bengali Spice-rubbed Prawns ·
Southwest Red Chili-crusted Shrimp Skewers

Notes from the Cellar

Graciano. Say it. Graciano. Delicious, no? Mellifluous at a minimum and when pronounced with the proper accent, an instance par excellence of onomatopoeia. These ears hear grace, depth, boldness, bright, racy rhythms, accents of sultry spice and a hard-to-categorize wildness. It’s a lovely word and an even lovelier grape, rich in color, exuberantly fragrant, spicy and magnificently structured, with great aging potential.

Graciano. Say it. Graciano. Delicious, no? Mellifluous at a minimum and when pronounced with the proper accent, an instance par excellence of onomatopoeia. These ears hear grace, depth, boldness, bright, racy rhythms, accents of sultry spice and a hard-to-categorize wildness. It’s a lovely word and an even lovelier grape, rich in color, exuberantly fragrant, spicy and magnificently structured, with great aging potential.

We are what we eat and how we eat

Since returning from a Slow Food conference in Italy as a delegate, I’ve been noticing the American organic consumer’s tendency to focus somewhat obsessively on what we eat. It seems that our dietary rules — no gluten, sugar, dairy or nuts, for example ­— become the goal. Please, don’t get me wrong, I’m not denying the very real allergies and sensitivities that many of us have (me included).

Since returning from a Slow Food conference in Italy as a delegate, I’ve been noticing the American organic consumer’s tendency to focus somewhat obsessively on what we eat. It seems that our dietary rules — no gluten, sugar, dairy or nuts, for example ­— become the goal. Please, don’t get me wrong, I’m not denying the very real allergies and sensitivities that many of us have (me included).

Letters to the editor

Mexican produce? · Fresh, local, organic · Food safety · Eat your vegetables · Xanthan gum · Oil for baking · Provide cloth diapers? · Discontinue plastics · Roundup to save forests?

Mexican produce? · Fresh, local, organic · Food safety · Eat your vegetables · Xanthan gum · Oil for baking · Provide cloth diapers? · Discontinue plastics · Roundup to save forests?

News bites

New powers in agriculture · Strawberry fumigant causes cancer · EU retreats on bluefin tuna quotas · Gene patent policy change? · Not organic goji · Organic hops required · Sight of meat calms men · Apple a day? · Beak deformities linked to pesticides · BPA disappearing from packaging · Aquifers going dry · Wind farm health effects

New powers in agriculture · Strawberry fumigant causes cancer · EU retreats on bluefin tuna quotas · Gene patent policy change? · Not organic goji · Organic hops required · Sight of meat calms men · Apple a day? · Beak deformities linked to pesticides · BPA disappearing from packaging · Aquifers going dry · Wind farm health effects

Your co-op

Board meeting report · Next board meeting · · 2011 board candidate slate · Talk to the Board · CFO celebrates 40 years at PCC

Board meeting report · Next board meeting · · 2011 board candidate slate · Talk to the Board · CFO celebrates 40 years at PCC

Sound Consumer, January 2011