Your co-op community, September 2014

This article was originally published in September 2014

PCC grant winner

We’re thrilled to announce that our third community grant has been awarded to the Magnuson Children’s Garden. Part of Magnuson Nature Programs, this garden hosts classes, camps and school field trips that teach principles of organic gardening and environmental stewardship to both children and adults.

This summer, the garden is partnering with Magnuson Community Center to provide a garden training program for formerly homeless teens, who will go on to share their skills with younger residents of Magnuson Park low-income housing through the community center’s Teens Teach program. As the garden’s committee chair Emily Bishton says, “It’s really been a community effort to keep this garden going!” 

PCC’s $1,000 award allows the Children’s Garden to build new garden infrastructure that will provide easier access for young children, as well as greatly expanded year-round growing opportunities and better irrigation. As the gardens expand, they’ll be able to add to the produce already donated to the North Helpline Food Bank and the park’s low-income residents.


Puget Sound Blood Center drives

  • Wednesday, September 3, PCC Office, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 3, Fremont PCC, 3:30 to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 10, View Ridge PCC, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Friday, September 12, West Seattle PCC, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Help save lives by donating blood! We’re hosting the Puget Sound Blood Center Mobile at some PCC locations to help stock the blood supply. Learn more about donating here.


Tilth Harvest Fair

  • Saturday, September 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Meridian Park, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N.

Participate in this fun, hands-on community festival with workshops, cooking demonstrations and fun activities for all ages. Eat tasty food and enjoy live music with friends and family. Enjoy a seed swap, cider pressing and DIY herb crowns. Kids can participate in crafts in the children’s garden. The PCC TasteMobile will be there sampling in-season produce and grilling corn-on-the-cob. Take part in the parade at noon and see a puppet show. Seattle Tilth’s Harvest Fair is free and open to the public, with voluntary donations accepted at the entrances. For more information, visit Seattle Tilth.


Women of Wonder Run

  • Sunday, September 7, 8 a.m.
    Green Lake Park (at the promenade next
    to the community center)

The second annual Women of Wonder Run will take place at Green Lake Park. This women-only event consists of a 10K run/walk, a 5K run/walk, the free PCC Healthy Kids Little Wonders Run (for boys and girls 10 and younger) and more. There’ll be great food and fun at the finisher line festival area, including free fruit and a chocolate brownie from PCC. The finish line festival area also will have a wine and mimosa garden for those 21 and older.

Kids participating in the PCC Healthy Kids Little Wonders Run will receive a bib number to wear, a finisher ribbon at the finish line, and a special treat provided by PCC. For more info see promotionevents.com.


Bicycle Sunday

  • Sunday, September 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Enjoy the freedom to bike or walk with the whole family along Lake Washington Boulevard. The street will be closed to motorized traffic south of Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park’s entrance. Find PCC along the route for a quick, healthy energy boost. More dates and links to helpful cycling information can be found at seattle.gov


Alaffia bike drives

  • Saturday, September 27, Edmonds PCC 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 28, Seward Park PCC 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We’re collecting bikes as part of Alaffia’s Bicycles for Education program, which distributes bicycles to students in Togo, West Africa. You can donate functioning, adult-size bicycles at two of our stores. To learn more about Alaffia and its bike program, visit Alaffia.


2014 Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival

  • Saturday, September 27, 1 to 5 p.m.
    Seattle Design Center, 5701 Sixth Ave. S.

Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival is a premier cheese festival that celebrates artisan and farmstead cheeses made in Washington. The festival is a benefit for the Cascade Harvest Coalition. More than 20 Washington cheesmakers plus local breweries, wineries and other artisan producers will show their wares. PCC will share suggestions for pairing your cheese with some local hard ciders. The event is 21+. To purchase tickets go to washingtonartisancheese.com.


Feast with Friends

  • Tuesday September 30, 6 to 9 p.m.
    Palace Ballroom, 2100 Fifth Ave., Seattle

Futurewise works throughout Washington to create healthy, livable communities, protect our working farmlands, forests and waterways, and ensure a better quality of life for present and future generations. Feast with Friends is Futurewise’s signature benefit event, bringing Washington wineries, farms and local top chefs together to celebrate Washington’s rich agricultural bounty. For more information visit futurewise.org.


Rewards of Fair Trade

  • Saturday, October 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Greenlake Village PCC patio
  • Sunday, October 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Issaquah PCC patio

PCC is proud to host two fantastic events featuring Fair Trade products. Speak to vendors who can tell the impactful stories behind Fair Trade and sample Fair Trade coffees, teas and chocolates. 

Also in this issue

The Assault Against Organics

The media recently has published several high-profile articles challenging the superiority of organics. They're spreading wrong information and misrepresenting the truth. What's behind the attacks?

Soil & Sea: reports from our producers

Learn about Washington's expected record apple crop, the impacts of a raging wildfire season on Northwest agriculture, and drones spying on farms!

News bites, September 2014

NOSB lawsuit, Organic in restaurants?, Air pollution hurts bees, and more