SummerHonesttoSmallanEveryoneCanBeActivistStepsBigChange:PluggingIntoActivismwithWeight’sWebsiteBrain-FriendlySmoothieActiontoCall ∙ August 2022 Coop Scoop A FREE publication from Honest Weight
committed to providing our with A and for foods and products for healthy living. who choose to participate in a community that embraces cooperative principles in an atmosphere of To promote more ways of living. Store
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andis Open to All
Glass Recycling Pilot Zero Waste Capital ambitious Glass Recycling the Co-op, to ensure recycled rather than make it successful, we throwing clear glass home, bring it to the Co-op. Coop Scoop 2 Can Regenerative Agriculture Heal Our Food System? Joy HappeningsCOVIDduringatthe Co-op Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod By Ruth Ann Smalley By Rebecca Angel By Rebecca Angel nonummy nibh euismod Meet Stephanie, Caleb, and their new baby Nora! 10 By Melanie Pores Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer 13 Double Up Food Bucks! By Deanna Beyer Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer 14 EdibleIncredibleGardens By Deanna Beyer Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer 3 What is a Co-op By Deanna Beyer Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer 4 FreshWhat’s By Deanna Beyer Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer 4 Skin NaturalsDeep By Pat Sahr Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer 9 5 Fresh News! Fresh RecipieNews!CornerCo-op 101 Producer Profile Melanie’s FruitDate-SweetenedFavoriteSmoothie Coop Scoop AUGUST 2022 2 Small Steps to Big Change: Plugging Into Activism with Honest Weight's Website Happenings at the Co-op When injustice feels all-overwhelming, taking even one positive action can go a long way. From resource-preservation to nonprofit involvement, the coop can help you find a place to start. By Ruth Ann Smalley The Joys of Bulk Oats By Ruth Ann Smalley With the global wheat supply in question, oats are a versatile and delicious alternative. 11 Be the Change: The Fresh Air Fund By Natalie Criscione 13 By Deanna Beyer 14 By Pat Sahr andClassesUpcomingEvents3 What Greenwashing?is By Melanie Pores 4 FarmsSchoharie6 SummerBrain-FriendlySmoothie By Lucia Hulsether 12 7 Co-op 101 Recipe Corner FreshWhat’s Producer Profile By Deanna Beyer Honest to Goodness Cover Photo: Jessica Podraza Illustrations: Jane Welch ISSN 2473-6155 (print) • ISSN 2473-6163 (online) The Coop Scoop is for informational purposes only, and not intended as medical or health advice. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. The views of our guest writers do not necessarily reflect those of Honest Weight, and we do not take responsibility for them. Be Sure to Check Our New Coop Scoop Blog! www.HonestWeight.coop/Scoop We Want to Hear From You! From the Archives: How Do You Pronounce “Coop Scoop”? Five Staff Picks Check Them Out Here! From the Archives: The Poetry of the Night
Finally, since the Co-op is fundamen tally about FOOD, you can take immedi ate action in that regard by perusing Ruth Ann’s tips for cooking with bulk oats, and a recipe for “Summertime Brain-Friendly Smoothie” by Melanie Pores. Plus, Deanna Beyer’s monthly, mouth-watering column “What’s Fresh.”
A is a catalogerretiredat the New York State Library, where she worked for over 35 years. She wrote a 10-year blog called “Typo of the Day for Librarians” and has been a Co-op member since the 1980s. Rebecca Angel has been a part of Honest Weight for twenty years and is Managing Editor of the Coop Scoop. When not at the co-op, Rebecca is a teacher, musician, and currentlywriter,working on a memoir about her experience with Cushing’s Syndrome. www.RebeccaAngel.com his English Cocker Spaniel, Cricket, for field work. Smalley PhD, is our Content Editor. An educator and writer, with a 4-digit wellness,RuthfrommemberCo-opnumbertheearly90s,Annofferswriting, her practice at www.vibrant-energies.com or www.ruthannsmalley.com.lovesbeingpartoftheCoop Scoop team! based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her first book, www.dukeupress.edu/capitalist-humanitarianismUniversityfromisHumanitarianism,CapitalistforthcomingDukePress.
andUpcomingClassesEvents ithout a lot of fanfare, our educational programming began opening up in March of 2022. We took one step at a time and slowly began adding new classes, offerings, and events to the schedule. While it is by no means “full” yet, we’re pleased
In this issue of the Coop Scoop, entitled “Heal,” Rebecca Angel writes about her own experience with healing heartburn; Melanie Pores makes what’s good for you also taste good with her delicious Date-Sweetened Smoothie recipe; Ruth Ann Smalley gets to the root of things with an article on Regenerative Agriculture; and [etc.]. We’re hoping that all of the articles and information contained herein will contribute to helping all of us on our personal journeys toward renewed health
But obviously, I’m not the only one who’s been struggling with such issues—wheth er for oneself or one’s family members, friends, or colleagues; whether Covid-re lated or not; whether serious or routine. It’s enough to make you downright sick, and often quite desperate and depressed to boot. People have been afraid to make or keep their medical appointments, to go in for testing, or to even be around other afflicted people. Mental and emotional illnesses have been exacerbated and are sadly on the rise. But there are also a lot of resources available online right now, and there’s hope that we can finally beat the Virus and deal with whatever else might be currently ailing us.
Check out a full list of classe here: HonestWeight.coop/Education
3 CALL
EditorfromLetteran TO ACTION
his has been a rather fraught year for me and not just for the obvious Covid-related reasons. I’ve also learned that I have two different physical disorders, one fairly common for people my age and the other one far less common. I made the first discovery right at the beginning of the pandemic and the other
EditorfromLetteran
Fresh News!
Honest EditorsRuthAnn
W NEWS to once again have a monthly calendar of unique opportunities for everyone. (Our educational classes are open to the public!) If you haven’t checked out the schedule, be sure to visit the website or stop by the chalkboard in the Deli. August will bring our second Clothing Swap (see website for details); Crystal Sound Healing; Around the World Cuisine for Kids: MOROCCO!; Pressed Flowers Adult Art Class; DIY Mason Jar Candles; Recycling 101; another fabulous wellness presentation by Dr. Rhiannon; weekly Spanish Conversation; and Knit & Stitch; among others!
In this issue, Ruth Ann Smalley outlines opportunities for action on HWFC’s website: from how to save money and make ethical choices, to ways to support local charities and minority businesses, to all of the Co-op commit tees you can join. Catherine Jura inter views member-owner and former board president Paul Tick, a notable “think globally, act locally” activist and publish er of “News from the Neighborhood.”
Alongside this print issue of the Coop Scoop, please check out more content on the Fresh News blog on the Honest Weight website. It’s put together by our team and we’re excited to share store news, recipes, and articles for more inspiration to take action!
Coop Scoop
lthough the hot, humid weather of August (the so-called “dogs days of summer”) often makes us feel lethargic and disinclined to physi cal activity, certain factors right now are pushing many toward our Coop Scoop theme this month: “Call to Action.” Whether it’s educating folks on dealing with the ongoing pandemic;
Lucia Hulsether defines the term “greenwashing” (the failure of purport edly eco-friendly companies to “walk the walk”) and then walks us through how Honest Weight protects its shoppers from this insidious marketing practice.
By Carol Reid
Pat Sahr profiles the popular Schoha rie Valley Farms, which sells its products at both the Co-op and its own physical site; and Natalie Criscione writes about the Fresh Air Fund, which has been providing summertime nature escapes for NYC kids since 1877. And don’t forget to check out our classes and other events in “Honest to Goodness” this month.
ty and doctor visits and various new health regimens I’ve had to adopt due to these sudden revelations has greatly intensified my personal yearlong ordeal.
By Carol Reid We’ve started with a modest plan that includes some of the “easier” plants to grow (including: lettuces, tomatoes, zucchini squash, pole beans, peppers, and various herbs) and hope to expand our planting based on what works (or doesn’t) this T
Please note that while many classes are still free, we have begun requiring a deposit for some classes (which is returned in the form of a gift card when you attend the event) and some are donation classes (where the money goes to a local charity). This change has helped us ensure good attendance for our teachers who work so hard to prepare for these classes. We hope you can join us sometime soon!
Just follow these simple steps: What could be fresher than all of your favorite produce arriving daily from local farms? (could we include a couple of relevant farm names here?It’s growing season and we’ve got farm-fresh fruits and veggies from all over the area. So, whether you’re looking for nNon-GMO sweet corn, crisp cucumbers, or super juicy, tiny strawberries, we’ve got you covered! Be sure to check out all the beautiful new arrivals next time you’re here.
By Lucia Hulsether
By Deanna Beyer lOl
• Locate the collection bins near our bike lockers
If you’re new to Honest Weight, you might be wondering what makes us different from any other grocery store. There are lots of things, but probably the biggest is that we’re a community-owned co-op!
What Greenwashing?is
Call for Co-op Photos!
Salad, Hot Bar, and Cafe are Back, with
• Only place clear, clean glass in the bins
LocalSeasonalProduce
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What is a Co-op?
ustainable, eco-friendly, organic, natural: these are only some of the labels used to signal a commitment to environmental responsibility. As the movement to stop global warming grows, more companies claim to have embraced climate-friendly practices. But how many of them walk their talk? How does the everyday consumer know who to trust?
• Make sure to remove both the lids and little plastic rings (labels are ok)
ILLUSTRATION BY VERONICA FIGUEROA FERNANDEZ 4
Greenwashing is a marketing ploy in which companies pretend to be allies of the planet while veiling a destruc tive environmental record. Activist Jay Westerveld coined the term in 1986 when Chevron Oil spent $1 million on a series of commercials featuring its employees caring for sea turtles and nurturing butterfly gardens—all while it defied clean air laws and dumped toxic waste into wildlife preserves behind the scenes.
5 PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL
Paul organizes articles with the hope that readers will “deepen and broaden” their views of current issues on politics, the environment, and threats to democracy. He also discusses the need for civil discourse: “It’s very difficult to make progress on climate and democracy when we are fighting among ourselves.”
”
The tagline for the newsletter states: “The neighborhood is where the grass roots grow, where action for a better world begins. Your activism nourishes the roots.” Paul explained: “The no-cost newsletter includes a brief introduction, links to often-missed news items of the week, a calendar of events, environmental tips, suggested actions for a better world, and lots more.” He is “really fed” by his work on the newsletter and says it is a “labor of love.” You can sign up by contacting him at tick.paul@gmail.com.
Paul started the Delmar Farmers Market in 2009 to support local farmers and craftspeople as well as to educate folks about the environment. The market has 60 vendors, yet maintains an intimate and fun atmosphere. Whether you support a farmers market, a CSA, and/or the Co-op, you are supporting them all because they “all have similar missions we need to support,” says Paul. “Things change slowly but, if not for our action, there would be little change at all. There's plenty more to change and it can get done only if we all work together.”
O
Founder of the Delmar Farmers Market
anEveryoneCanBeActivist
By Catherine Jura TICK
Publisher of News From the Neighborhood: Inspiring Local Activists For Global Good News From the Neighborhood began in 2003 as an email organizing folks around the Iraq war. It eventually became a newsletter that now reaches over 1,600 activists and elected officials each weekend. Paul’s intention is to keep folks “inspired … hopeful and active.”
”Theneighborhood is where the grass roots grow, where action for a better world begins. Your activism nourishes the roots.
Catherine Jura has had a 40 year love affair with food and the people who bring it to us. She enjoys the outdoors, reading, people, and laughing. She has been a member-own er for eight years. ne of life’s mysteries is how we get to be who we are: when is it innate and when do outside influences help chart the course of our life? To reflect on this question, we can learn from the lives of fellow community members–people like environmental activist and coop member-owner Paul Tick. His life is a great example of how an everyday person's dreams can evolve into someone with great capacity to make change. When Paul was in the fourth grade he wrote an essay expressing his interest in being president of the United Nations. In sixth grade he supported the Vietnam War; in ninth grade he attended a Pete Seeger concert and had a sudden realization that the war was wrong; and by tenth grade he skipped school to protest. Paul remembers his environmental activism starting when he walked one mile to school with news papers under his arm—the only way to recycle them. So who is Paul Tick today?
Former Co-op Board President Paul and his wife moved to Albany in 1988 and joined Honest Weight the next morning. Initially he stocked shelves and kept the bulletin board organized (the store did not have computers yet) which was the way folks communicated. In 1993 Paul was elected to the Board and eventually became President. During his tenure the store moved from Quail St. to Central Ave., got its first computerized cash registers, and moved its focus to small and local businesses. Finances were reorganized with a focus on creating a sustainable Co-op. Paul remembers this time “as a mixture of great fun and grueling work as even co-op people often have difficulty with change.” Paul obviously does not shy away from being in the thick of things. His time on the Board concluded in 1999; he is still a Co-op member.
ProducerProfile
Pat Sahr has been a member of the Co-op since 2005. She contributes to the Coop Scoop as the writer of the Producer Profiles. Sahr says, "It’s a pleasure being part of the Honest Weight family, and I've especially enjoyed communicating with the various producers whose products are sold at the Co-op!"
As time went on, farmers expanded their production to include flax, broom corn, and other crops that were important to the colonies. By the mid-1800s, the cultivation of hops had made the valley famous. For approximately 29 years, the Ball family has owned and operated Schoharie Valley Farms, located at 5605 State Rd. 30 in Schoharie, NY. In contrast to the simple farms of early Schoharie history, this 21st-century operation features 200 acres of various fruits and vegetables. Its growing season runs from early spring, with the appearance of spinach and asparagus, to late fall crops of apples, pumpkins, and winter squash. Produce, local dairy products, eggs, and specialty items are sold in the farm’s large store, the Carrot Barn. The property also includes greenhouses and a cafe. SVF greenhouses are in operation year-round, beginning the season with spring bulbs, bedding plants, vegetable plants, summer annuals, and perennials, and ending with hardy mums and poinsettias. Many of these are sold in the outdoor garden center at Honest Weight, and the conventionally grown vegetables can be found throughout the year in the Produce Department.Popularattractions at the farm are the bakery and cafe. Within the bakery kitchen, farm-grown carrots go into making the delicious traditional carrot cakes, carrot cookies, and carrot brownies. In the cafe, the farm’s own fresh produce and local bread and cheeses are featured in signature sandwiches and salads. Soups from scratch using local meats are available as well.
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Farms is part of a farming tradition that goes back to Colonial times. Drawn by some of the richest soil in the new country, Dutch and German settlers came to the valley in the early 1700s. They produced abundant wheat crops, and the region eventually became known as the “Breadbasket of the American Revolution.”
Schoharie, NY
Look for the Schoharie Valley Farms label in the store, and learn more about this producer at SchoharieValleyFarms.com
S 651Dental.Com651 Delaware Ave. Albany, NY 12209 De ntal We lln ess o f Alban y Bio lo g ic De nti st ry Mercury-free, Mercury-safe amalgam removal by IAOMT protocol. Laser assisted periodontal treatments, Ozone Therapy, Biocompatible materials, Implant placement, Extractions using L-PRF Fax: 518.427.7346 Rob er t He rz og , DDS, FAGD, IB DM Laser Dentistry TRA DI T IO NA L, B IO LOGI C & HOLIS TI C DE NT IST RY Coop Scoop AUGUST 2022
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“importantverythatyoudoit.”ISmallSteps to Big Change:
What you do may seem insignificant. But it is
8PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA PODRAZA keep a button featuring this Gandhi quote on my dresser. It helps me in moments when I doubt that what I do matters much to our tumultuous world. Here’s how I interpret it: a sense of agency is fundamental to our mental health. We need to feel we have a leading role in our own lives—that we are active participants, not spectators or victims. When we do something, no matter how small, we are reminded that we do have power and can make choices. And that can energize us even more. That’s where I like to remem ber another quote, this time from Charles Dickens: “A very little key will open a very heavy door.” Small actions can become the key that has an outsized opening effect. When we feel helpless in the face of so many injustices or unstoppable events, we risk shutting down. Compassion fatigue and empathy exhaustion can also drop us into despair. But in my experience, choosing even one small action that feels like a positive change can provide the starting point for rising back up. I’m not suggesting this is a strate gy for people who lack basic resourc es or are struggling with extreme physical or mental health conditions. Survival may be taking up every bit of energy they possess. Putting one foot in front of the other every day is a heroic action in itself. In fact, that may count as the seemingly insignifi cant thing Gandhi felt was so import ant to do—do the things that keep you alive. Anything else may be tooButmuch.ifyou are interested in exercis ing agency on behalf of someone or something else—the environment, our community, others in need—read on to see how Honest Weight can help. In my 30 years as a member, the Co-op has offered me countless resources and avenues for action. The website alone offers a virtual clearinghouse of information. Spending even a little bit of time there will open a very large door.
Plugging Into Activism with Honest Weight's Website
By Ruth Ann Smalley
find an organization you’d like to supportSeeingfurther.themany ways folks are out there making good things happen can really boost your spirits! Follow the link on this page to the new Be the Change program, introduced after Enviro Tokens retired. When you take the opportunity to round up at the register, you support a list of great, local nonprofits. The results have already been amazing! You are Here That last click lands you in the menu options under About, for loads more resources. You can find out about all things cooperative-related.
What is a community-owned co-op? It’s a grocery store owned by its members, usually the people who shop here. These are the people who coopera tively manage and control the business.
Knowledge is Power We’re still just hanging out with items under the Shopping Honest Weight heading, and whew, you’ll find such an information trove to help you take action! This includes actions the store is already helping you take, such as screening out the products from The Banned List. This group of non-beneficial ingredients
What is on offer? We believe everyone in our community should have access to affordable, high-quality, natural foods and products for healthy living. So we offer things like Co+op Basics (a line of over 450 high-quality foods and house hold items) at Everyday Low Prices. We
9advantage
PHOTOGRAPHYtionBY SERAFINA MARX
of sales that generally range from $2-$5 off. A recent sale in Bulk even offered a savings of $11 per pound on pine nuts! Subscribing to the Co-op Newsletter will make sure this information lands conveniently in your email inbox. Great coupons are often included, such as the recent $15 off for Independence Day. Dig a little deeper into this menu item and you’ll find out how to get a dollar to dollar match (up to $20 a day) on fresh produce with Double Up Food Bucks if you are a SNAP shopper. Plus, information under Stay Local explains how with every Co-op shopping trip, you help money stay in the community. For example, that Independence Day coupon directed $1 from every purchase to Hudson Valley Planned Parenthood.
And all profits from the recent Pride Cupcake sale went to the Albany Damian Center.
The membership makes all kinds of decisions, including what foods and products are on the shelf, and what standards those products and their producers have to meet (think growing practices, clean ingredients, etc.). At Honest Weight, we’ve got about 14,000 members. Who can shop here? Everyone is welcome: anyone can shop at the co-op. If you decide to become a member, you’ll purchase a “share” of the co-op, become eligible for lots of additional discounts on products, and have voting rights on decisions that affect the store. Honest Weight member-owners can choose to invest their time at the store, serve on one of our committees, or work with a program, in order to receive a bigger discount (up to 24%) on their groceries.
Anti-Racism Committee: AntiRacism@HonestWeight.coop Honest Arts Committee: HonestArtsCommittee@HonestWeight.coop
Environment Committee: EnvironmentComm@HonestWeight.coop
www.HonestWeight.coopCENTRALAVE 90 WATERVLIETAVEEXT LIVINGSTONINDUSTRIALPARKRDAVEWATERVLIETAVEGRANTAVE KINGAVE EVERETTRD NSEW
Speaking of committees, that’s another way to become active! Jump on over to the Ownership column for even more information—especially a list of Committees of the Board From nutrition to the environment, governance, and more, there are many great options for members to join in and make a difference. It's been a whirlwind tour and there’s still more on the site! I hope you’ll explore, and find inspiration for whatever action feels doable and brings you joy. I wrote my children’s book, Sheila Says We’re Weird, to illustrate how children can take action at home. From gardening and line-drying laundry, to mending clothes, using water bottles, and biking instead of driving, it's mostly simple stuff that can even be fun. And it isn’t as though everyone has to do all of these things to make a difference. One grown-up reader told me they felt guilty about “not doing any of those things in the book.” But then it came out that they had purchased a hybrid car. My response: “Ok, that’s the action that you’re taking. Not all of us can do that. No guilt trips!” I’ll leave you with that encourage ment. No guilt trips. I know you’ll find something you CAN do. And it is most important that you do it.
10Coop Scoop PHOTOGRAPHY
Take Direct Action By Committee!
DIDKNOW?YOU
committed to providing our A and for foods and products for healthy who choose to participate a community that embraces cooperative principles in an atmosphere of To andpromotewaystois BY ISHANT MISHRA
Are you passionate about the environment? Food? Fair work spaces? Are you a member of the Honest Weight food co-op? You can take action in our store! All member-owners are invited to join a committee on various topics that keep Honest Weight..well, honest! Here is a partial list of how you can jump in and be part of our store and community in a meaningful way.
“ ”
Joining A
Nutrition and Education Committee: NutritionComm@HonestWeight.coop See our website for more committees and ways to be part of the action at the Co-op!
There’s also a list of Black-owned businesses and organizations, educa tional resources related to racial justice, and information about the Co-op’s Anti-Racism Committee under the Black Lives Matter tab.
Some of the simplest choices—the ones that save you time and money—can free up more of your resources for other forms of activism. Our committees play an active role inthe store. For instance, the Nutritionand Education committee monitorsdevelopments in the food and cosmeticindustries, assessing practices andingredients to be sure they are inalignment with our buying policies.
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The Joys of Bulk Oats
1. Mix dry ingredients, then stir in liquids. You can add a little more oil and syrup if the mix seems too dry.
2. Spread on a sheet pan, and bake at 225 for 1 hour, 45 minutes. It’s easy to add goodies, such as 1 Tbsp hemp seeds for a buttery effect, or nuts and other seeds for more variety. If so, you may need to increase the oil and syrup.
3. Add raisins or other dried fruit later, so they don’t harden while baking. See other tasty oat recipes on our Coop Scoop Blog found at:
W ith world wheat supplies in question, and jumpy investors creating market blips, things feel a little dicey right now. No one is suggesting panic buying of grains—or anything else—because we know that never helps. However, I’d like to share how having a bulk supply of a versatile staple on hand can help increase feelings of calm in uncertain times. I’ve never been a well-stocked pantry type. So, when pandemic conditions forced me to stop popping into the Co-op every few days, I had a steep learning curve. By around New Year’s of 2021, I resolved to take a simple action and try a new purchase. Though it felt a bit wild and daring, I special-ordered a 25 lb bag of organic rolled oats. We eat a lot of oatmeal, overnight oats, and muesli, and we make lots of granola. I’d been sweeping the internet for oat-re lated recipes and saw many I wanted to try: homemade oat milk, oat cakes, and savory chickpea oat crackers were all on myThelist.ever-friendly Bob from Bulk met me at the entrance, where he helped me transfer my big bag o’ oats off of his cart and into my car. For whatever reason, our two cats were deliriously happy to meet this new addition to the family. They promptly stomped all over the bag, mashing and nudging it with their noses, while I tried to find more adequate storage. But my relief set in almost immediately. If we ever got low on groceries, heck, we would always have oatmeal! Needless to say, we used up the whole bag (even though we never made oat milk). A great source of fiber, oats can also be incorporated into your smoothie, or ground up for use in veggie burgers and a whole bunch of other things! I’ve included some recipe links in the Resource pages. What follows is a super-basic granola recipe that we created for our kids, who have nut allergies.
¾ cup raw pumpkin seeds
CALL TO ACTION11 Nut-freeSimple,HonestWeight.coop/ScoopCrispy,Granola
¾ cup raw sunflower seeds
By Ruth Ann Smalley
3 cups rolled oats
⅓ cup sunflower oil ¼ cup maple syrup
Fresh News!
Brain-FriendlySummertimeSmoothie
2 tsp raw cacao powder or carob powder
1 cup almond or non-dairy milk of choice
www.HonestWeight.coopLIVINGSTONAVE S committed to providing foods andcooperativewhoproductschooseacommunity 14 Double Up Food Bucks!
n a hot summer day, I’m always looking for a drink that is cooling, yummy, and refreshing. Blueberries, raw cacao, almond milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and dates all contain nutrients that increase during long hot days. Carob powder, found in the bulk department, is a healthy, caffeine-free substitute that can be used in place of raw cacao. It is naturally sweet and high in fiber and antioxidants.
DIDKNOW?YOU
1 tsp vanilla extract or ½ tsp almond extract ½ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground cardamom ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg 2 Tbsp soaked, pitted, chopped dates (I like Tierra Farms Date Pieces w/Oat Flour, found in the bulk department)
Our produce department carries fresh blueberries and strawberries all summer from local farmers! Watch for glimpses of raspberries, black berries, wild blueberries (Maine) and even huskcherries!
O
1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries
By Deanna Beyer
By Melanie Pores
Double Up Food Bucks is a nation wide fruit and vegetable incentive program, servicing millions of SNAP users, active in 20+ states at over 800 farmers markets, CSAs, farm stands, mobile markets, and grocery stores. The program gives shoppers $1 for every $1 spent with SNAP, so you can purchase even more produce. A match of up to $20 a day could mean $40 for healthy foods. Why is this important? Because too many people don’t have access, even with government aid, to the amount of healthy food needed to support fami lies. Sign up is free and the dollars never expire. In New York State, Double Up has contributed to 1.1 million pounds of healthy food sales to over 24,000 customers, at more than 130 sites spanning 23 counties. Visit our Service Desk to sign up and go to honestweight.coop for more information on the program.
12 Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Enjoy!
“My host brother is like a brother to me…we are that close…Tommy and I literally grew up together,” says TJ who continues to stay in close contact with his host family. This month at Honest Weight when you say “yes” to rounding up to the nearest dollar, you too become part of a larger family. If you would like more information about the Fresh Air Fund, visit their website at https://fre shair.org/.
13 PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE FRESH AIR FUND
By Natalie Criscione
13 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEB PERELMAN“Would you like to round up to the nearest dollar to support The Fresh Air Fund?” That is the question you will hear in August each time you check out at the register—your opportuni ty to “Be the Change.” Maybe you’re rounding up just a few pennies or maybe 99 of them, but your change becomes part of the total, thou sands of dollars each month, that Honest Weight donates to a nonprofit organization.
Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided opportunities free of charge for children living in New York City’s underserved communities. These children get to experience the outdoors, explore academic and career paths, connect with new friends, gain life enhancing and leadership skills, and have experiences that transform their lives. Lisa Gitelson, The Fresh Air Fund’s new CEO, is passionate about providing avenues for children and young people to reach their full potential: “The stron ger our youth are, the stronger we all are,” she said in a May interview with NYN Media, which reports on non-profits. In addition to a variety of summer and year-round opportunities, which include sleep-away camps at the Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, day programs in NYC, teen programs focused on school and work readiness, and outdoor experiences for fami lies, there are also opportunities for children to live with a host family on the East Coast. As one explores the testimonials of children and adults whose lives have been changed because of The Fresh Air Fund, the theme of “family” is repeated again and again. Children often visit the same host family every year, or annually attend one of the camps at the Sharpe Reservation.“Myhostfamily had the amazing gift to meet me where I was…. My host parents…along with their children and grandchildren became my second family,” said Evelyn Del Cerro, an alum nus.Briana, an engineering student, attends college near her host family and her University of Pennsylvania mentors, all of whom provide her with the confidence gained from knowing that someone you trust and love is nearby.
14 This new arrival to our Cheese & Specialty Department is a tangy, mild but full-flavored aromat designed for cheese connoisseurs. Known as Die Zarte Klere in Switzerland, this raw cow’s
andReferencesResources 15 CALLTOACTION Recipe Corner: The Joys of Bulk Oats By Ruth Ann Smalley May 2022 Coop Scoop: Melanie’s Vegan Gluten-Free Sweet Spice Oatmeal Cookies https://issuu.com/honestweightfoodcoop/docs/coopscoop_may2022_final_digital Oats | The Nutrition Source | Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/oats/ Scottish Oat Cakes (like Walkers Highland Oatcakes) Gluten-free & vegan option https://www.powerhungry.com/2011/10/scottish-oat-cakes-like-walkers-highland-oatcakes/ Crispy Crunchy Chickpea and Oat Crackers - My Kids Lick The Bowl https://mykidslickthebowl.com/chickpea-oat-crackers/ Op-ed: Food Price Spikes Are About Much More than Ukraine | Civil Eats https://civileats.com/2022/05/16/op-ed-food-price-spikes-are-about-much-more-than-ukraine/ Be the Change: The Fresh Air Fund By Natalie Criscione https://nynmedia.com/content/meet-fresh-air-funds-new-ceohttps://freshair.org/fresh-perspectives/freshairforever-fresh-air-alumni-share-inspiring-stories/https://freshair.org/fresh-perspectives/https://freshair.org/ Co-op lOl: Greenwashing By Natalie Criscione ness/2016/aug/20/greenwashing-environmentalism-lies-companieshttps://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-busi-https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/11/15/the-great-organic-food-fraudhttps://www.honestweight.coop/page/the-banned-list-335.htmlhttps://www.honestweight.coop/page/annual-reports-211.htmlhttps://www.honestweight.coop/page/our-mission-8.html#EnvironmentWithgreatinformationcomesgreatresources.PleasecheckouttheselinkstofindoutmorefromourCoopScooparticles.
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