JULY EDITION 2015
AUGUST 2016 EDITION
Finding the Right Mix
How do we choose the products on our shelves? Your Co-op strives to meet the needs of as many Owners as possible. We offer choices to our shoppers by balancing Owner and shopper demands with our cooperative values and mission, which includes: serving our community by operating in a socially responsible and financially sound manner; providing a full selection of natural foods, quality products and necessities at basic prices; and promoting awareness about food, nutrition, health, and cooperative values. (Basics Bylaws, Article 1 section 1.2)
Over the years, the product mix at Basics has had to evolve to meet the needs of more Owners and shoppers while staying true to our mission.
As a cooperative, we believe you have the right to know how we make those choices. Here is what our purchasing guidelines look like today:
For example, in the 90’s the meat section was added to serve our non-vegetarian shoppers. In the early 2000’s gluten-free was added to our allergen-free options. In 2014 we brought in local and organic beer, wine and spirits.
Basics will give preference to products that meet the following standards: Grown or produced locally (In WI or within 100 miles) or regionally Certified organic Non-GMO The ever-changing marketplace, Cruelty free combined with continued changes in the Certified humane way our food is produced, ensure that Antibiotic and hormone free we will always be kept on our toes Fair trade regarding how to choose which products Naturally flavored or colored are on our shelves. Minimal/responsible packaging
Local Organic Broccoli Salad It’s local broccoli season! Enjoy this crisp, tender nutrition powerhouse in a sweet and savory summer salad.
Salad Ingredients
3 stalks/heads fresh local broccoli florets, chopped (optional: lightly steam before tossing in) ½ c dried cranberries ½ c roasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or pine nuts 1/2 red onion, chopped small 10 slices local bacon (crisp-fried, crumbled)
Dressing Ingredients
2 T. raw apple cider vinegar 1 c. mayo 1-2 T raw honey 2 T glycerin mixed with ¼ tsp stevia Optional: 1 T. fermented soy sauce (Tamari)
Prep: Combine dressing ingredients and whisk until blended. Toss with salad ingredients. Chill before serving, if you can wait for it!
By Deb Cyrel, CNC BHN. Deb will offer individual nutrition consultations at Basics from 6-8pm August 17 & September 21. To schedule an appointment, call (608)754-3925.
Welcome, New Julie Arend Debra Bader Thomas Bailey Collin Crain John Dumars Susan Elrod Trisha Fleming Demetrius Jones Sue Kilgore
Owners! Cynthia Kuester Shari Loback Judith Magnus Tamar Pardee Michael Schram Sara Thurmer Millie Veto Johnathan Woods
(cont’d) Meets the need of people on specialty diets, such as wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy free, vegan, etc. Requested by Basics Co-op Owners We will not knowingly carry products that contain or were produced with: Artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives Nitrates or nitrites Hydrogenated oils (trans fats) High fructose corn syrup MSG Antibiotics or growth hormones Animal testing Our Boycott Policy Basics does not directly participate in brand boycotts if the products meet our quality standards and are requested by Owners. We will, however, investigate whether or not we might replace a product or brand with a similar quality option from a company whose ethics and values align more closely with those of the Co-op. In a perfect world (and climate), we would all eat only local and organic foods. Basics realizes that for the majority of our shoppers, that is not practical and we need to meet a wider range of needs. We strive to offer choices to fit a wide variety of household budgets and lifestyles. As with every policy and procedure at your Co-op, these considerations are subject to revision and updated regularly. The most important variable to the mix is YOU – our customers! Please continue to let us know what products you want and don’t want at YOUR Co-op, verbally, via the suggestion box, and by voting with your dollars at the register!
August Staff Anniversary Phyllis - 3 years August 16
Did You Know? The New GMO Labeling Law On July 14, 2016, the U.S. Congress passed a bill which establishes a national system of mandatory GMO labeling.
How will foods containing GMOs be labeled? Known after the bill’s authors as the Roberts-Stabenow GMO labeling bill, this new law gives the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) two years to set up a federal system to regulate how foods containing GMOs will be labeled, and stipulates that product labels will be required to have one of the following three designations: 1. On-package written disclosure Clear, simple language such as “produced with genetic engineering” will appear near the ingredient panel. 2. On-package QR code Packaging can contain a QR code that shoppers can scan with a smartphone and be directed to a website to learn whether or not the product contains genetically engineered ingredients. Very small companies will be allowed to use a 1-800 number or web address in lieu of a QR code.
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3. On-package symbol Manufacturers can opt to display a symbol that is yet to be developed by USDA. What kinds of genetic engineering must be disclosed? USDA will have to determine which foods will be required to be labeled. New genetic engineering techniques are being developed all the time and many of them will be approved for use in food. Some examples of existing and emerging genetic engineering techniques include transgenic, RNA interference and CRISPR-CAS9. As passed, the law does not explicitly state which techniques will require disclosure. What's next? Basics will continue to advocate for a simple written label. Labeling advocates made every effort to inform lawmakers about the many reasons why QR codes (option 2, above) are often impractical, inconvenient or inaccessible for shoppers to use. We will continue to encourage manufacturers to print a clear disclosure on the package so that all people, whether they have access to a smartphone or not, can know at a glance whether a product contains genetically engineered ingredients. People who wish to avoid GMO foods can still look for the USDA Organic label. By law, certified organic foods are not permitted to be produced or include ingredients produced using genetic engineering. Adapted from http://strongertogether.coop/article/four-common-questions-aboutgmo-labeling-law. Find articles, recipes and more at strongertogether.coop!
New & Returning Grocery Culinary Cuts fresh cauliflower cauliettes Cal-organic rainbow carrots
Marukan organic rice vinegar Kitchen Accomplice smoke flavor stock concentrates Backroads maple pecan organic vegan paleo granola
Kleen Kanteen vacuum insulated food canisters
Pamela’s nonGMO sprouted gluten-free pancake mixes, paleo LitterFreeLunch boxes and canisters nut flour blend Simple Mills organic chocolate or vanilla frosting Kate’s meal bars Honest lemonades
Wellness Garden of Life Dr. Formulated organic fiber
Pet & Housewares
Mega Food Adult B-Centered, Multi-Healthy Bone, Calcium Magnesium & Potassium, GFT Chromium, Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc
CORE grain-free canned pet food
Mt. Mike’s men’s body & hair washes
Bhakti sparkling teas
Look for the signs!
Local harvest season is in full swing in the Produce Department!
broccoli - kale - collard greens - heirloom tomatoes sweet corn - eggplant - beans - zucchini & summer squash kohlrabi - cucumbers - more variety arriving every day!
August Events August Super Tuesday Sale Basics Co-op Owners enjoy 5+10% off regular-priced items storewide, the first Tuesday of the month! Not yet a Co-op Owner? Come in and get to know us – enjoy free samples and live demos from vendors and community partners throughout the store. Save 5% on regular-priced items.* 6am-8pm Tuesday, August 2 NEW! Individual Nutrition Consultations Maximize your health and well-being by making the best nutrition choices for your individual health goals and lifestyle. A one-on-one consultation with Deb Cyrel, certified holistic nutritional consultant and owner of Return to Health. Appointments will
be booked on a first-paid basis at Customer Service and are nonrefundable with less than 72 hours notice. Cost: Co-op Owners $30 / Gen. Public $50. 6-8pm Wednesday, August 17 Savor the Season with Peaches A peach-lover’s dream! Sample your favorite fuzzy stone fruits as well as other peach-flavored natural products that can be found throughout the store. Exclusive savings during the sampling, in honor of National Peach Month! 12-2pm Saturday, August 20 Shopping the Co-op on a Budget Are you a penny-pincher, a bargain hunter, or just looking to serve up healthy food on a tight budget? Co-op
shopping can meet your need to eat for cheap! Join us for a store tour with a focus on saving money at your Co-op. Pick up recipes, coupons and pointers to help you start saving right away! Free, please register by Sunday, August 28. Meets in front Lounge. 6-7pm Tuesday, August 30
*Excludes Shizen Sushi, Loon Lake Deli, consignment, party platters, gift boxes/baskets, alcohol, Owner investments.
To register for classes: call (608) 754-3925 or sign up at Customer Service.
Basics Co-op Board of Directors Jim Hutchinson
S. David Roang
Clarice Green
Dr. Carrie Kaiser
S.A. Welch
Please mail all Board correspondence to: Basics Board c/o Basics Cooperative, 1711 Lodge Drive Janesville, WI 53545 Letters to the Board will be opened at the next scheduled meeting.
Basics General Manager Lynnette Wirth gm@basicshealth.com
Connect With Us! Basics Cooperative 1711 Lodge Drive Janesville, WI 53545 (608) 754-3925 www.basicshealth.com Newsletter questions or comments? Amber Glass, basics4amber@gmail.com