Your co-op community, January 2015

This article was originally published in January 2015

Food bank packaging work parties

Help our partnering food banks by donating your time to pack our bulk foods into family-sized portions. Join us:

  • Monday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m.,
    Kirkland Hopelink Food Bank
  • Tuesday, January 13 at 7 p.m.,
    North Helpline Food Bank
  • Monday, January 19 at 7 p.m.,
    Westgate Chapel Food Bank
  • Monday, January 19 at 7 p.m.,
    Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank
  • Tuesday, January 20 at 7 p.m.,
    Rainier Valley Food Bank
  • Wednesday, January 21 at 7 p.m.,
    Family Works Food Bank
  • Wednesday, January 28 at 7 p.m.,
    University District Food Bank

For more information, including addresses and future dates, visit our PCC Food Bank Program section.


PCC Community Grant

Four times each year, PCC awards a $1,000 grant to a school or nonprofit that truly exemplifies the spirit of our local community. One year in, we are thrilled with the quality of work achieved by the varied organizations that won last year.

One grant application is all that’s necessary to qualify for any of the awards during the year. We’re open to many kinds of organizations, but there are a couple things to remember. First, we need the grant to go to a school or a nonprofit with official 501(c)(3) status. Also, we have a particular fondness for projects and programs that involve food, particularly those relating to education, nutrition or sustainability.

How to apply: We’ve made it easy. Find everything you need to know.


Feeding your immune system

Wednesday, January 7, 7 p.m., Redmond PCC

Naturopath Dr. Suzanne McMurry and PCC’s nutrition educator, Nick Rose, will discuss ways to pump up your immune system and prevent nasty colds and flus! Learn what foods and supplements offer the most benefit.


Woodland Park Zoo

Saturday, January 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PCC’s TasteMobile will be spending a day at the zoo! Come visit us across from the penguins, where we’ll be sampling out healthy treats for kids.


Long Live the Kings wine event

Saturday, January 17, 2 to 4 p.m.
Greenlake Village wine department

Come chat with Jacques White, Executive Director of Long Live the Kings, and Kay Simon and Clay Mackey of Chinook Wines. Learn about exciting work to restore wild salmon habitat, and how Chinook Wines and PCC are teaming up to help with a special wine project.


Mister Rogers’ Sweater Drive

January 12 through February 8

Help neighbors in need feel warm and cozy this winter by donating new or gently worn sweaters, coats and cold-weather accessories during KCTS 9’s annual drive. Fred Rogers began the sweater drive and inspired its spirit of generosity and neighborliness for six years before he passed away.

Last year’s drive collected 7,500 coats and sweaters for local families in need. Collection bins will be located at all PCC store locations or you can drop off your items at KCTS 9’s Seattle Center Studio. Donations will be distributed to Queen Anne Helpline, Wellspring Family Services and Northwest Center, serving Seattle and King County.


Kindiependent Rock Series

Mount Baker Community Club
2811 Mt. Rainier Drive S., Seattle

Kindiependent is “Seattle’s independent kids and family music scene” and features some of the best local children’s entertainment groups. Come rock out to two shows this month:

Johnny Bregar — Saturday, January 10, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Caspar Babypants — Saturday, January 24, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

PCC will be there to help kids put together fun, take-home treats. Learn more at kindiependent.com.


Blood drive

Friday, January 2, 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Redmond PCC, 11435 Avondale Rd. NE

Friday, January 2, 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Issaquah PCC, 1810 12th Ave. NW

Wednesday, January 21, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
PCC office, 4201 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle

Friday, January 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
West Seattle PCC, 2749 California Ave. SW
The Puget Sound Blood Center will be hosting blood drives at the above locations. Learn more about donating at psbc.org.


Verdant Community Wellness Center open house

Saturday, January 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Verdant Community Wellness Center
4710 196th St. SW, Lynnwood

Learn about the types of services that will be offered at this new center, while enjoying food demos, info about classes and kids activities. The PCC Taste Mobile will be there sampling foods for kids. Learn more at verdanthealth.org.


PCC Cooks

This January, combat the cold weather and post-holiday doldrums with a cozy night in a PCC kitchen! Take a vicarious voyage to another part of the world in demo classes like Thai Classics and Taking the Mystery out of Mexican Mole, or hands-on classes such as Russian Dumplings or Handmade Italian Gnocchi (with a twist!). Or, give your kitchen a little love with a Pantry Revamp – Chef Jackie will share her tips for pantry “must-haves” and provide you with 25 quick and easy meal ideas. Perfect for beginners in the kitchen, experienced cooks looking for new tips, and everyone in between. Pick up the PCC Cooks winter catalog at any PCC store, or visit PccCooks.com.

Do you love cooking and want to share your skills with others? PCC Cooks is accepting class proposals for our Summer 2015 schedule with classes in July, August and September. Find out more at PccCooks.com or call us at 206-545-7112. Proposals are due February 1.

Also in this issue

Seward Park PCC sold

The sale of the Seward Park land and 7,200 square foot Seward Park building enables PCC to open its new 25,000 square foot Columbia City store.

Saving the bees from pesticides linked to Colony Collapse

A growing body of research points to a class of pesticides called neonicotinoids as the main culprit causing CCD. Some cities and nations are banning neonics and garden retailers across the country are feeling pressure not to sell them.

Letters to the editor, January 2015

Healthful makeup at PCC, Driscoll’s berry boycott, BPA in food packaging, and more