Our co-op community, March 2018

This article was originally published in March 2018

PCC supports our community through partnerships, sponsorships, events and donations. If you have an upcoming event that you would like us to support, please visit pccmarkets.com/sustainability/socially-responsible.

Empowering children with celiac disease

PCC nutrition educator Nick Rose collaborated with Seattle Children’s gastroenterology nurse practitioner and celiac support group coordinator, Helene Law, to create a hands-on, gluten-free cooking class for kids with celiac disease. The class helped the kids develop basic food preparation skills and discover new produce items.

Dr. Dale Lee, director of the Celiac Disease Program at Seattle Children’s, co-taught the class with Rose. “We really appreciate PCC for hosting this event and creating an environment for the kids with celiac disease to learn more about food in a supportive setting. The class was an opportunity for the kids to see their disease in a really positive light!”

PCC community grants

We are pleased to announce that our community grants program is growing! In previous years, PCC awarded one $2,000 grant each quarter to an outstanding community organization. Beginning this year, we will be awarding two $4,000 grants each quarter — one to an environmental organization and another to an organization focused on social issues. Visit pccmarkets.com/sustainability/grants to learn more about the program.

2018 Q1 Grant winners

Environmental

The first environmental grant recipient this year is Stewardship Partners, a Puget Sound conservation organization that engages people to become caretakers of the land and water. This nonprofit collaborates with multiple stakeholders to protect and restore our region’s ecosystems. Stewardship Partners has assisted more than 200 landowners, community groups and businesses in various watersheds around Washington state to implement environmental restoration and sustainable resource management projects.

PCC’s grant provides Stewardship Partners with the funds to hire an experienced Salmon-Safe Rural Program Manager to recruit and certify three new farms as Salmon-Safe. The program manager will work with farms, conduct certification assessments, and provide support to newly certified Salmon-Safe farmers. Read more about Stewardship Partners at: stewardshippartners.org.

Social

2018’s first social grant recipient is Farms for Life, dedicated to serving people in transition, supporting local farmers, and protecting agricultural lands. Farms for Life buys fresh surplus produce from sustainable farms and donates it to local community agencies supporting low-income populations and people living in transition with limited access to healthy food. Farms for Life participants include individuals managing mental illness, families experiencing homelessness and poverty, and senior citizens struggling with food insecurity.

This grant will provide funds to Farms for Life to purchase produce for the 2018 season, June through October. Learn more about Farms for Life at farms4life.org.

Store highlight

PCC Fremont and the 2018 Grilled Cheese Grand Prix

Friday, March 30, 6 – 11 p.m.

Saturday, March 31, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 5 – 10 p.m.

Magnuson Park Hangar 30
6310 NE 74th St.
Seattle, WA 98115

PCC Fremont is the official Tomato Soup Sponsor for the 2018 Grilled Cheese Grand Prix. Join us for top-notch grilled cheese sandwiches and delicious tomato soup served by PCC Fremont staff. Net proceeds go to The World is Fun, a nonprofit that builds community through fun volunteer opportunities. Friday and Saturday evening sessions are 21+. Saturday’s 11 a.m. — 4 p.m. session is family friendly with free admission for children 12 and under. Tickets range from $25 for general admission to $55 for VIP access.

Visit gcgrandprix.com/registry for more information.

PCC Cooks

March is a time of transition. We are entering spring while also accounting for the last vestiges of winter. We can help you with a menu makeover to celebrate this seasonal adjustment. Registration opens on February 27 for a new round of spring cooking classes starting in April.

We also have many great classes with space still available in March to get you over the hump! We would love to be a part of your meal restructuring with 30-Minute Weeknight Meals. Get inspired with new recipes in An Evening to Impress and learn new tricks with How to Salt or All About Pie. Step into spring by escaping to new territories in Italy by the Sea or Moroccan Medley.

March customer service star

Doug Yaple, deli helper clerk, Greenlake Village

Doug is exceptional with customers and has a knack for remembering their names, personal orders and even allergies. Doug comes in every day with a positive attitude that is infectious among the staff. He sets the example and tone for those around him and is a strong force behind the success of our deli.

Thanks, Doug, for all you do!

Also in this issue

Made by hand: Female producers remain true to themselves

PCC has a symbiotic relationship with the companies that source food and other products for us. We wanted to know how female producers handle growing pains, so we reached out to several who have been growing right along with us.

Producer Partnerships

Alaffia Sustainable Skin Care – Empowering Women in Togo. Alaffia is one of only two Fair for Life certified body care organizations in the nation. In addition to creating amazing products, the company supports a wide range of Empowerment Projects, including several education-based projects, maternal health, eyeglasses and reforestation.