Your co-op community, October 2017

This article was originally published in October 2017

Ecotober celebration

Saturday, October 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bothell City Hall Plaza
18415 101st Ave. NE, Bothell

Get your Fall on at our annual Ecotober celebration! Bring the family for a fun day learning eco-friendly habits for healthier families and communities. Activities include a bike rodeo, costume showcase (bring or find gently-used costumes), community booths, fun kid’s activities, live music, and more! Visit www.bothellwa.gov/Ecotober for more information. This event is appropriate for all ages. Ecotober is presented in partnership with King County, City of Bothell and PCC. No registration required.

Pumpkin Decorating Party

Saturday, October 28

  • 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Bothell, Columbia City, Edmonds, Greenlake Village, Issaquah and Redmond PCC locations
  • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Greenlake Aurora PCC

    No tricks here, just treats! Kids 12 and younger can decorate their own pumpkin to take home. We’ll provide the pumpkins, craft materials, and a healthy snack to get the creative juices flowing.

Farm-to-School bagged apples

Now in our fifth year with this program, PCC is again partnering with Washington organic apple growers and Organically Grown Company — the Northwest’s premiere organic produce distributor — to fund farm-to-school education.

Proceeds from sales of 3-pound bags of organic Fuji apples, specially marked “Farm to School” will support programs on food and nutrition for children throughout the greater Seattle area. To date, more than $218,000 has been donated, with the 2016 harvest season the most successful yet, contributing more than $68,000 to local farm-to-school programs.

These fresh apples will appear in PCC’s produce departments this fall, timed with the harvest.

Food bank packaging parties

Help our partnering food banks by donating your time to package our bulk foods into family-sized portions.

Please visit pccmarkets.com/foodbank for upcoming Food Bank Packaging Party dates and preregistration.

Hurricane Harvey Relief

In the Pacific Northwest, this past summer will be remembered for the ash and smoke from record-breaking wildfires, a trend exacerbated by climate change. In the South and Eastern United States, communities experienced the effects of climate change from the forces of wind and water. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are indicative of the global threats from a changing climate, while the impacts on individuals and communities are immediate and pressing.

In response to Harvey, PCC donated $10,000 to Feeding Texas through a relief campaign arranged by National Co-Op Grocers. Feeding Texas is an umbrella organization that operates food banks across Texas and provides people with fresh food.

PCC also contributed $5,000 to a co-op in Houston, NuWaters Market, founded three years ago to provide members with fresh produce. During Hurricane Harvey, the co-op provided food to members on an honor system, regardless of their ability to pay. Their generosity is an example of how co-ops can play an important role in communities during times of need.

October customer service star

Liz Wilson, Night Crew Lead at Bothell – A behind-the-scenes unsung hero!

PCC Cooks

Here at PCC Cooks, October marks the first month of a brand-new quarter of classes — and we’re wholeheartedly embracing the season.

Head into your neighborhood PCC classroom where we’ll be cooking up steaming bowlfuls of French Soups and Stews; going beyond the basic bean-and-beef comfort food with an inventive Chili Cook-Off; and offering all manner of holiday prep know-how courses, such as Rule the Roast, Chocolate Truffles, and Grain-free Baking.

All-season technique classes, including Cheese Making, Pressure Cooking, Pasta Workshop, and Knife Skills also return this fall. Fans of international cuisine will enjoy a new selection of global menus from Thailand, Persia, Anatolia, Spain, Greece and more. Find class descriptions and dates at PccCooks.com.

Also in this issue

Soil & Sea: Reports from our producers

Farmers are planting more GMO sweet corn-on-the-cob than previously thought.

Organic at a crossroads

Organic is at a crossroads. It has become a $47 billion industry with a very good process in place for setting standards that are strong, consistent and meaningful. But U.S. production of organic food is not keeping pace with demand, which means more organic food is imported to fill the gap.

Letters to the editor, October 2017

Strong Organic Standards · Farmworkers, Regenerative Ag, Honey · Low Sugar Choices? · National Ge Labeling · Lead In Baby Food · Many “Meat” Alternatives