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, September 2017

The dirt cure

What I have learned is that ultimately, it all begins with dirt. Dirt means exposure to microbes, eating fresh food from healthy soil, and spending time in nature…If you feel wonderful when you’re gardening or hiking, it may be in part because Mycobacterium vaccae, a soil microbe that enters your body through your nasal tract or small cuts in your skin, boosts serotonin to levels similar to those from antidepressant medications, such as Prozac.

What I have learned is that ultimately, it all begins with dirt. Dirt means exposure to microbes, eating fresh food from healthy soil, and spending time in nature…If you feel wonderful when you’re gardening or hiking, it may be in part because Mycobacterium vaccae, a soil microbe that enters your body through your nasal tract or small cuts in your skin, boosts serotonin to levels similar to those from antidepressant medications, such as Prozac.

Good and clean

Is your soap made with 70 percent organic ingredients? Made by a local company with more than 100 beehives? Is the company a B Corp? Is the palm oil from a traceable source approved by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)? Do you get all this and more for only $3? If you’re using the PCC-brand bar soap, then the answer is a resounding yes!

Is your soap made with 70 percent organic ingredients? Made by a local company with more than 100 beehives? Is the company a B Corp? Is the palm oil from a traceable source approved by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)? Do you get all this and more for only $3? If you’re using the PCC-brand bar soap, then the answer is a resounding yes!

Will we see nutrition info on menus?

PCC recently submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration regarding the delay of rules that would require restaurants to provide nutrition information for consumers. After reviewing more than 130,000 comments, the FDA has announced plans to move forward with menu labeling – starting in May 2018.

PCC recently submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration regarding the delay of rules that would require restaurants to provide nutrition information for consumers. After reviewing more than 130,000 comments, the FDA has announced plans to move forward with menu labeling – starting in May 2018.

Nutritionists’ picks

What’s in store: From Honeycrisp apples, Organic Flavor Grenade pluots to Organic Keitt mangoes to name just a few, PCC has the best varieties of local, organic produce at the peak of ripeness. Also don’t miss our nutritionists’ picks!

What’s in store: From Honeycrisp apples, Organic Flavor Grenade pluots to Organic Keitt mangoes to name just a few, PCC has the best varieties of local, organic produce at the peak of ripeness. Also don’t miss our nutritionists’ picks!

PCC exclusives

Great wine has a sense of place — terroir — and at PCC, we’re committed to bringing the flavor of that place straight to your wineglass.

Great wine has a sense of place — terroir — and at PCC, we’re committed to bringing the flavor of that place straight to your wineglass.

Easy, flavor-packed PCC Cooks recipes

On Saturday, September 16, some of our talented PCC Cooks class instructors will be cooking up a storm at PCC’s Community Fair, held at all 10 PCC stores. Here are a few recipes from their cooking demos that will show shoppers and members how to prepare easy, delicious recipes using top-notch PCC ingredients.

On Saturday, September 16, some of our talented PCC Cooks class instructors will be cooking up a storm at PCC’s Community Fair, held at all 10 PCC stores. Here are a few recipes from their cooking demos that will show shoppers and members how to prepare easy, delicious recipes using top-notch PCC ingredients.

Save the date

The PCC community is core to who we are as a co-op. From our farmers and ranchers to our store staff and members, like you, the relationships we share are what connect us all.

The PCC community is core to who we are as a co-op. From our farmers and ranchers to our store staff and members, like you, the relationships we share are what connect us all.

Letters to the editor

The Dirty Dozen? · Grilling and chilling · Kefir · Labeling added sugar · Dairy-free, soy-free desserts · Trans fat in buttermilk? · Excellent service

The Dirty Dozen? · Grilling and chilling · Kefir · Labeling added sugar · Dairy-free, soy-free desserts · Trans fat in buttermilk? · Excellent service

News bites

Artificial sweeteners · Sugar linked to depression · Fracking and human health · Whidbey water quality? · Coal goes solar! · Phthalates in mac ‘n cheese? · Chemical collusion with regulators · Lead in baby food · “Natural” cheese lawsuit · Organic chickens live longer

Artificial sweeteners · Sugar linked to depression · Fracking and human health · Whidbey water quality? · Coal goes solar! · Phthalates in mac ‘n cheese? · Chemical collusion with regulators · Lead in baby food · “Natural” cheese lawsuit · Organic chickens live longer

Soil & Sea: reports from our producers

Learn about Washington’s expanding organic apple industry, PCC honey vendor, GloryBee, and how many tomatoes today have lost key elements that make them taste like tomatoes.

Learn about Washington’s expanding organic apple industry, PCC honey vendor, GloryBee, and how many tomatoes today have lost key elements that make them taste like tomatoes.

Your co-op community

Food bank packaging parties, Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival, Women of Wonder Run, and more.

Food bank packaging parties, Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival, Women of Wonder Run, and more.

PCC Board of Trustees report

New Regular Board Meeting Schedule · New Standing Board Committees · Audit and Finance · Governance and Membership · Social and Environmental · Management Development and Compensation · Contact the Board

New Regular Board Meeting Schedule · New Standing Board Committees · Audit and Finance · Governance and Membership · Social and Environmental · Management Development and Compensation · Contact the Board

Sound Consumer, September 2017