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, April 2013

Question for urban farmers: To bee?

If you notice more bees on your flowering plants this spring, it might be because a neighbor has taken up the latest craze in urban farming: beekeeping. It’s a growing pastime and some even say the humming honeybee hive will replace the clucking from the coop as the gardener’s favorite pet.

If you notice more bees on your flowering plants this spring, it might be because a neighbor has taken up the latest craze in urban farming: beekeeping. It’s a growing pastime and some even say the humming honeybee hive will replace the clucking from the coop as the gardener’s favorite pet.

What’s causing Colony Collapse Disorder?

Is it pesticides? Viruses? Genetics? Environmental stress? Scientists and beekeepers studying Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) find the complexity vexing.

Is it pesticides? Viruses? Genetics? Environmental stress? Scientists and beekeepers studying Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) find the complexity vexing.

New PCC standard: chocolate must be fair labor

From now on, PCC will sell chocolate candy confections and cocoa powders only from vendors that provide assurance that child slave labor is prohibited and follow International Labor Organization (ILO) Fundamental Conventions.

From now on, PCC will sell chocolate candy confections and cocoa powders only from vendors that provide assurance that child slave labor is prohibited and follow International Labor Organization (ILO) Fundamental Conventions.

GE salmon and I-522 updates

GE salmon – there’s still time to submit a comment to the FDA. And the first step in the passage of I-522, Washington’s initiative to label genetically engineered foods, has been certified by the state to appear on the November 5 ballot.

GE salmon – there’s still time to submit a comment to the FDA. And the first step in the passage of I-522, Washington’s initiative to label genetically engineered foods, has been certified by the state to appear on the November 5 ballot.

Raw: quick & easy

You don’t have to be on a raw food diet to enjoy the benefits — or flavors — of raw cuisine. The tastes are fresh and bright, the textures often satisfyingly crunchy or creamy.

You don’t have to be on a raw food diet to enjoy the benefits — or flavors — of raw cuisine. The tastes are fresh and bright, the textures often satisfyingly crunchy or creamy.

Raw, raw, raw!

When you hear the term “raw food,” do carrot sticks come to mind? Think again! Today, raw food is not just fresh produce. It also includes raw packaged foods such as crackers, nut butters and other snack foods never heated above 116° F.

When you hear the term “raw food,” do carrot sticks come to mind? Think again! Today, raw food is not just fresh produce. It also includes raw packaged foods such as crackers, nut butters and other snack foods never heated above 116° F.

Antibiotics for organic apples and pears?

By the time you read this, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) already may have voted at its April meeting on what to do about allowing antibiotic sprays for organic apples and pears under certain conditions.

By the time you read this, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) already may have voted at its April meeting on what to do about allowing antibiotic sprays for organic apples and pears under certain conditions.

Letters to the editor

Food and water waste · Chocolate standards · Fermented foods · Soaker pads for meat? · Bringing containers from home · Recycling purple bags · Bon Ami cleanser

Food and water waste · Chocolate standards · Fermented foods · Soaker pads for meat? · Bringing containers from home · Recycling purple bags · Bon Ami cleanser

News bites

Food company ethics? · Consumers want sustainable seafood · More GMO labeling bills · Heart-healthy diet · LA opposes GE salmon · Organic tomatoes more nutritious · Hemp farming to return? · Half of U.S. farms have superweeds · Sugar limit in soda? · No more Food Alliance · More “ag-gag” bills

Food company ethics? · Consumers want sustainable seafood · More GMO labeling bills · Heart-healthy diet · LA opposes GE salmon · Organic tomatoes more nutritious · Hemp farming to return? · Half of U.S. farms have superweeds · Sugar limit in soda? · No more Food Alliance · More “ag-gag” bills

Soil & Sea: reports from our producers

Are honeybees good pollinators? How is India growing record rice yields without GMOs? Learn the answers and more.

Are honeybees good pollinators? How is India growing record rice yields without GMOs? Learn the answers and more.

PCC Board of Trustees report

Notice of annual membership meeting · 2013 election · Next Board Meeting

Notice of annual membership meeting · 2013 election · Next Board Meeting

Sound Consumer, April 2013