Leah Penniman’s contributions stretch far beyond the borders of her own Soul Fire Farm. Penniman, author of the recent book “Farming While Black,” has trained countless new farmers of color and inspired people of all backgrounds to work toward equality in agriculture.
Former Whidbey Island farm manager Melony Edwards tells us how farming became her calling, and what she has learned engaging with other black farmers in the Northwest: “I did not find farming, rather it was always within me; my ancestors simply reminded me of my heritage and called me back to my roots.”
For 27 years, Trudy Bialic worked toward quality foods, environmental goals and legislative priorities for PCC. As she prepared to retire, we discussed how she became an advocate for sustainable foods, the successes she’s seen and the struggles that remain.
To make pints of Parfait Ice Cream for PCC’s freezer cases, pastry chef Adria Shimada starts with eggs and milk and cream at her certified dairy rather than using a prepackaged base. She harvests mint from her own garden beds. “You don’t have to use industrial practices, even in big volumes,” she said.
When can milk be labeled as organic? Local dairy farmers say a gap in the rules governing organic milk is creating a dire situation that could cause some to lose their farms.
Hungry children often fall behind when summer interrupts their access to school food programs. Here are some resources to find meals for children over the summer break, and ways to support the programs trying to stop that slide.
PCC was hard at work in Olympia this legislative session. From orcas to sustainable farms, here’s a snapshot of our efforts, along with a report from the National Organic Standards Board meeting in Seattle.
Learn some tips for enjoying peak-season stone fruits and try out a fabulous recipe for Grilled Pluots with Bianca Cheese and Toasted Hazelnuts.
A new beer will benefit Long Live The Kings, a nonprofit working to restore wild salmon and steelhead. The IPA, Pike King of Cascadia, is part of a new partnership between Pike Brewing Company and PCC.
Watchdog thank you • Meatless Mondays • Humanely killed fish • Chicken fat questions • Rebates for deliveries? • Better storage options
Major pesticide ban • Salmon-Safe city • Denmark leads organics • Additive linked to diabetes • Sugar labeling exemption • Local foods update • School lunch debt • Organic agriculture center thrives • FDA tests berries • Oat milk sales soar • Almond crops increasing • Maine packaging ban
The U.S. recycling system is under immense pressure. Here’s how Seattle is meeting the challenge — and how we can all do better.
PCC has become the first grocery store in the world to pursue Living Building Challenge (LBC) Petal Certification, the world’s most rigorous green building standard.
Summer Food Drive • Ballard SeafoodFest • Summer Fest • Cinema Under the Stars • Farm Fest Tilth Urban Farm and Wetlands • Parkadilly • Columbia City Farmers Market Zucchini Race • July customer service star • August customer service star
Look for some much-requested new products in PCC’s health and body care departments, and details on renovations and other changes.
A task force has been working for more than a year to consider evolving our current member benefits. The joint task force of the PCC Board of Trustees and PCC management anticipates the work will be complete and a new member benefit rolled out by Jan. 1, 2020.
May board meeting • Next board meeting
