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, January/February 2021 | Issue No. 561

Plant-Based “Burgers” Raise Meaty Issues

Modern meat substitutes expertly imitate the flavors and textures of hamburgers, sausages and other products. The cutting-edge new foods raise complex new problems even as they provide solutions for others.

Modern meat substitutes expertly imitate the flavors and textures of hamburgers, sausages and other products. The cutting-edge new foods raise complex new problems even as they provide solutions for others.

Pioneering Quinoa Research Fulfills Childhood Dream

Cedric Habiyaremye’s research into quinoa is providing new sources of nourishment and a success that’s rewarding personally as well as globally. “I know what it feels like to be hungry,” he said.

Cedric Habiyaremye’s research into quinoa is providing new sources of nourishment and a success that’s rewarding personally as well as globally. “I know what it feels like to be hungry,” he said.

Chinese Soul Food: Delighting in Vegetables

To cookbook author and cooking class instructor Hsiao-Ching Chou, “vegetables are life.” She shares her thoughts on Chinese cooking and a recipe for Seared Tofu with Baby Bok Choy.

To cookbook author and cooking class instructor Hsiao-Ching Chou, “vegetables are life.” She shares her thoughts on Chinese cooking and a recipe for Seared Tofu with Baby Bok Choy.

Are Canned Foods Now Safe from BPA?

A decade after angry parents, environmental advocates and health advocates demanded that the food industry remove the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) from the lining of metal cans, consumers continue to wonder whether packaging in canned foods poses a safety risk.

A decade after angry parents, environmental advocates and health advocates demanded that the food industry remove the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) from the lining of metal cans, consumers continue to wonder whether packaging in canned foods poses a safety risk.

New Ratings on Pesticide Risk

A study from Consumer Reports provides recommendations on which produce contains the most concerning pesticide residues. In most cases, the nonprofit recommends buying organics.

A study from Consumer Reports provides recommendations on which produce contains the most concerning pesticide residues. In most cases, the nonprofit recommends buying organics.

Plan Now for Years of Fruitful Harvests

For the most part, fruit gardening means you plant once and harvest almost forever. It may be dark and raining in the Pacific Northwest right now, but that’s the best time to figure out adding fruit trees, vines or plants into gardens of any size.

For the most part, fruit gardening means you plant once and harvest almost forever. It may be dark and raining in the Pacific Northwest right now, but that’s the best time to figure out adding fruit trees, vines or plants into gardens of any size.

Nutrition in The New Year

New year, new you? Our contributors from Bastyr University suggest a different approach to sustainable nutrition goals.

New year, new you? Our contributors from Bastyr University suggest a different approach to sustainable nutrition goals.

Making Local Food More Than a Cause

Despite the best intentions of the local food movement, local farms are still often treated like optional accessories to our food system rather than essential parts of our food supply. As we consider what larger policies and new systems can support small local farmers, we might consider a new argument for the movement.

Despite the best intentions of the local food movement, local farms are still often treated like optional accessories to our food system rather than essential parts of our food supply. As we consider what larger policies and new systems can support small local farmers, we might consider a new argument for the movement.

What Can We Expect in the Next Legislative Session?

The Washington State Legislature is set to begin its regular session on Jan. 11. While there will be very little that is “regular” about it, here is some information to keep in mind to stay informed and ready to participate.

The Washington State Legislature is set to begin its regular session on Jan. 11. While there will be very little that is “regular” about it, here is some information to keep in mind to stay informed and ready to participate.

PCC Ballard is World’s First Living Building Challenge Petal Certified Grocery Store

PCC’s Ballard store is the world’s first grocery store to earn Living Building Challenge (LBC) petal certification by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), considered the world’s most rigorous green building standard. Learn more about what that means and how it came about.

PCC’s Ballard store is the world’s first grocery store to earn Living Building Challenge (LBC) petal certification by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), considered the world’s most rigorous green building standard. Learn more about what that means and how it came about.

Story Updates

Updates to Sound Consumer coverage on refillable container rules, P-Patches, farmworker overtime pay and more.

Updates to Sound Consumer coverage on refillable container rules, P-Patches, farmworker overtime pay and more.

Our Co-op Community

Over the course of the COVID pandemic, PCC’s food bank partners have found flexible, creative ways to provide food to a growing customer base while keeping their volunteers safe.

Over the course of the COVID pandemic, PCC’s food bank partners have found flexible, creative ways to provide food to a growing customer base while keeping their volunteers safe.

New Solutions for Recycling

PCC has partnered with Ridwell, a new Seattle startup making it easy to recycle materials that aren’t typically accepted in curbside recycling bins.

PCC has partnered with Ridwell, a new Seattle startup making it easy to recycle materials that aren’t typically accepted in curbside recycling bins.

Letters to the Editor

Tomato importing issues  •  Oil-free foods  •  Chinook salmon policy  •  Pesticides in spinach

Tomato importing issues  •  Oil-free foods  •  Chinook salmon policy  •  Pesticides in spinach

News Bites

Youth soda consumption drops  •  Progress in perennial grains  •  Canning jar shortage  •  Hops fuel craft beers  •  New American Viticultural Area  •  Cosmetic chemicals ban  •  Chicken price fixing  •  Surplus food app  •  Palm products barred  •  Bullitt prize awarded  •  Paper bag ban  •  Organic grains grant  •  More organic apples  •  Candy check stand ban  •  Reduced egg inspections

Youth soda consumption drops  •  Progress in perennial grains  •  Canning jar shortage  •  Hops fuel craft beers  •  New American Viticultural Area  •  Cosmetic chemicals ban  •  Chicken price fixing  •  Surplus food app  •  Palm products barred  •  Bullitt prize awarded  •  Paper bag ban  •  Organic grains grant  •  More organic apples  •  Candy check stand ban  •  Reduced egg inspections

Sound Consumer, January/February 2021 | Issue No. 561