Committee Corner

from August Honest Slate 2020

Enviro Tokens News

August 2O20 HWFC Meeting Summaries

This article provides a summary of preliminary committee reports submitted to the Board of Directors for August 4, 2020’s Board meeting. See the Board meeting packet for details. Full Board-approved committee reports are posted on HWFC’s website.

Communications Committee (CC)

∙ Hard copies of Honest Slate are available in-store (entryway racks and committee bulletin board). ∙ Solicited and published material from various Staff regarding Black Lives Matter (BLM); front-page and additional coverage will be included in July’s Honest Slate. Reached out to all Committees and newly elected Board members for readership updates, input or response to questions (heard back from one new Board member). Honest Slate routinely welcomes occasional or regular guest writers. ∙ August marks completion of two full years publishing Honest Slate (24 issues), a stable team of seven, and regular submissions. ∙ Following Honest Slate’s July coverage of the Cottontail Housing Co-op start-up, its founder reported reader inquiries.

Membership Committee (MC)

∙ Online and in-person new Member orientations are under way. Subcommittee continues to standardize new format and procedures. Website updated to share current orientation options for prospective Owners/MOs. ∙ In response to CC’s request for Bulletin Board display area for Honest Slate, MC voted to suggest CC use their portion of the All Committee Bulletin Board. ∙ Continuing work drafting updated 2020 work plan; to be completed in August. ∙ Discussed Board’s new Anti-Racism Committee initiative, which will include MO Manual review . ∙ Cara B. accepted nomination/approval for another three-month term as MC Chair. Increased sales and a loan/grant from the SBA’s Payroll Protection Program (PPP) let HWFC meet financial goals with no layoffs.

Environment Committee (EC)

∙ Continued examining energy conservation opportunities for HWFC, including review of Bullrock/High Peaks community solar contract and analysis of HWFC’s utility bill. ∙ Further researched development of online Zero Waste presentation for Membership (what Zero Waste is; examples of homes, businesses, and communities that have moved toward fully implementing Zero Waste practices; and practical Zero Waste steps for individuals and communities. ∙ Due to Covid19-related time and meeting challenges, draft work plan has not been completed. Hope to have plan ready by Sept. or Oct. · The Environment Committee submitted a letter directly to the Board regarding a recent change in hand soap stocked in HWFC bathrooms. Concerns included whether the product met FPM standards. [Ed. Note: HWFC’s Environmental Services Manager responded to the committee.]

Honest Arts Committee (HAC)

∙ Committee juried entries for Virtual “Renewal” Art Show. Three to five pieces will be rotated through digital exhibit each week for 5 weeks (hashtag #HWFCRenewal). ∙ Call for art for virtual “Black Lives Matter” Art Show scheduled for Aug. 4 release; jurying of submissions by Aug. 22.

Finance Committee (FC)

∙ CFO Erin Martin noted year-end report will be ready in a few weeks. Increased sales in last two months and loan/grant from Small Business Administration’s Payroll Protection Program (PPP) has allowed HWFC to meet its financial goals. Final numbers available in a few weeks will reflect profit. Annual Inventory was completed without any issues. Annual Audit will be done in early August with two FC members and CFO Martin. by Stephanie Conde ∙ Discussed concerns about closing Food Service buffet at HWFC and Empire State Plaza (ESP). Had significant financial losses but did not lay off any employees. Currently no date to resume full service buffets at Co-op or ESP. Food Service losses amounted to $83,000; actual loss of income was $33,000. Fortunately, OGS returned rent paid in advance for ESP site. Plans to work with College of Saint Rose are on hold. ∙ Committee vote passed FC 2021 Budget unanimously. ∙ Reviewed 2020 work plan. Since no changes were recommended, same work plan will be employed for 2021. ∙ Held brief discussion on need for strategic/long-range planning. FC wants process to begin. Previously requested Board ask each HWFC committee to select one or two members to serve with Board and other Member-Owners (MOs) to develop process and schedule. Board liaison suggested: more complete plan be made by FC (unclear why Board was reluctant to allow FC full organizational control), and presenting plan to get long-range planning started would be okay (as Board has been busier and would welcome plan from FC).

Elections and Nominations Committee (ENC)

∙ Debriefed election process of virtual June Membership Meeting. Will reach out to Janis Adams on her suggestion to improve ballot format. In response to several MOs trying to submit ballots for others during collection at Co-op, discussed ballot collectors’ responsibilities; decided they are not really different from those of ballot box holders at in-person Membership Meetings. At collection tables, we remind MOs (with minimum signage) that ballots can

Natural Flavors

continued from page 5

Flavors labeled “organic flavors” or “organic natural flavors” are even more strictly regulated, consisting almost entirely of organic ingredients; the latter may contain a small amount of natural flavor as well.

As an organization, EWG (plus many like-minded communities, individuals, local farmers, and organizations including HWFC) promotes the belief that people have a right to know what’s in their food and that food companies should be regulated to make full disclosure of all their ingredients. Processed food makers should not manipulate flavors that increase cravings and encourage people to eat unhealthy foods. continued from page 6 only be cast by voter and no one else. To address anticipated challenges posed as technical difficulties arise, all ENC members will be prepared to fill in for each other during future virtual meetings. Will solidify process for candidates nominated from floor, especially in relation to conflicts of interest and liquor license requirements. ∙ After June Membership Meeting, participants were invited to complete a brief survey about their experience of the virtual meeting (not about election process but about virtual meeting). Sharon Matthews was unavailable so couldn’t provide survey results during ENC meeting. Discussed whether survey was initiated by ENC or Board and whether it is ENC’s responsibility. Will follow up with Sharon on survey results and then present to Board. ∙ Voting Handbook will detail election management process. ENC members now have access to Voting Handbook via Google Docs and formulated a plan to complete it. Plan What then is the fundamental difference between natural and artificial flavors? Research indicates that the bottom line is cost.

People have a right to know what’s in their food.

Food manufacturers spend a great amount of time and money in the search for the chemical sources of natural flavorings, the costs of which are then passed on to consumers. Often, though, as compared to less expensive artificial flavorings, they are neither safer nor significantly better in quality.

According to the author, the best sources of natural flavor would be items from your own spice rack, squeezing fresh lemon or lime, or infusing a variety of fresh fruits in water and recipes, salads and/or baking, for example. So many whole food options to choose from! to schedule annual review to keep Voting Handbook as current/accurate as possible going forward. ∙ No current ENC member is able to take full responsibility as Chair. Instead Karen Roth, Lieta Washington, and Paula McKeough will work collectively and make decisions as a team. All three names will be added to HWFC website. All emails to ENC Chair should be sent to electionscomm@ honestweight.coop. ∙ Will email GRC to ask if they’d like ENC’s help to plan GRC election (with July 24 reply deadline). If so, ENC will start planning discussions at August meeting.

Governance Review Council (GRC)

∙ Reviewed notice for June 28 Regular Membership Meeting; will advise Board Administrator that notice is acceptable. ∙ Prepared (and suggested corrections to) slide presentation for June Membership Meeting. Submitted presentation to Board Administrator for inclusion at June 28 Membership Meeting. ∙ GRC representative to Bylaws Panel resigned; unanimously passed motion for Carolynn to become GRC rep to Bylaws Panel. Will inform Board Administrator and Bylaws Panel of Carolynn’s appointment.

Food makers should not manipulate flavors to increase cravings.

Research is always important to know exactly what you are getting. Find out more with these links:

https://foodrevolution.org/blog/natural-flavors/ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/natural-flavors http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/the-flavor-rundown-natural-vs-artificial-flavors/ https://www.livestrong.com/article/13726163-what-are-natural-flavors-and-artificial-flavors/ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/01/well/eat/ are-natural-flavors-really-natural.html

Paula Jacobus is a Certified Health Coach with a passion for helping others achieve a whole, green, and healthy lifestyle—encouraging choices to satisfy and fuel the body