2020-2021
is and A committed to providing our with foods and products for healthy living.
To promote more
ways of living. who choose to participate in a community that embraces cooperative principles in an atmosphere of and for
Through the Years .........4 A Message from our Board of Directors .........6 A Note from our CCO......7 Co-op Owners ................8 Committees of the Board .......................9 Our Staff .....................12 High Quality and Affordable ...........14 Stay Local ....................16 Fair Trade, B-Corps, & Humanely Raised .....18 Community Action ......19 Free Food Fridges & Our Edible Garden .......22 Planet .........................24 Profits .........................26
Honest
January Weight Food Co-op begins as a bulk foods buying club, started by a group of about 20 friends and neighbors who wanted access to then-unusual ingredients like whole wheat flour.
Photo fo Gai in central av produce dep
Memb approv to a lar at 484 Avenu outgro Quail S locatio
The club, then the first of its kind in Albany, operated out of Sharon and Gary Goldberg’s basement. They called themselves The Honest Weight (No Springs) Food Cooperative, a slogan borrowed from the Toledo Scale Company.
Honest Weight purchases the Quail Street building.
April 29th
The group incorporates as Honest Weight Food Cooperative, adopting a new organizational structure. The store relocated to an 800 square-foot rented storefront at 112 Quail Street. The Co-op opens to the public.
Honest Weight starts hiring its first employees, including Bob Linn, who just celebrated 41 years with HWFC!
August 1st
1976 1977 1980
1982
1995
Today
il ave pt.
ber-owners ve the move rger store 4 Central ue, having own the Street on.
A remodel adding 3,000 square feet begins, resulting in a strong increase in sales growth year after year for the next decade.
Membership votes to purchase the land and building at 100 Watervliet Avenue.
January Co-op 25th owners vote 187-17 in favor of the new store’s design. The new 30,000-square-foot building will meet the requirements to be designated a “green” building by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Membership votes overwhelmingly to authorize the removal of the existing building and build a new one, to be constructed with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. An August groundbreaking kicks off construction.
June
We are so proud to be celebrating 45 years as Albany's community-owned grocery store. With 10,434 owners and 180 employees, we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic with flexibility and ingenuity. Supporting local farmers, producers, makers, community activists, friends, and neighbors proved to be more important than ever. We look forward to spending the next 45 years & beyond with you!
The new
June 19th store
opens. Its features include improved parking (with a porous parking lot) and expanded amenities, including a teaching kitchen for cooking classes and a multi-use community room.
2007 2008 2009 2013
2021
A message from our
Board of Directors
ur first order of business must be to extend our deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Honest Weight's employees. FY 2020-21 was one of the Co-op's most challenging years in our 45-year history. COVID-19 presented a constant threat; yet, our staff persevered. Your dedication carried us through, and we are grateful. We also want to thank member-owners who braved the pandemic and continued to invest time. Many of you logged hours far in excess of your usual commitment, and then donated hours to MOs who were forced to stay home due to their own or loved ones' needs. You embody the cooperative spirit.
The Membership Committee launched the HWFC Book Group in March--another highlight that brightened our way during the pandemic. Be sure to join one, even if you haven't read the book. You won't be disappointed! As we look back over this past year, we see a Co-op that pulled together and took care of each other. And that's what a cooperative is all about. Cooperatively, Your Board of Directors
Janet Sorell
Mollie Lampi
Jack Mahoney
Avery Cotton
Warren Hamilton
Gregor Wynnyczuk
Rebecca Dinhofer
Kim Kaiser
President
Vice-President
All of our committees quickly adapted to the demands of meeting remotely and never missed a beat. We want to give a shout-out to a few of them. Never content to say, "good enough," the Elections & Nominations Committee (ENC) examined and perfected our remote Membership Meeting process throughout the year. Thanks to the ENC, the MOs who helped, and those who attended and gave valuable feedback, we continued to gather at Membership Meetings to connect with each other and govern our Co-op. A significant highlight of FY 2020-21 began last July when the Board created the Anti-Racism Committee (ARC). The ARC's purpose is to expose and eradicate racial biases in our policies and practices, and help us actively support an anti-racist agenda. We hope you took the opportunity to uncover your own prejudices by taking the Implicit Bias Training. Be on the lookout for more opportunities to expand your awareness about being anti-racist.
Treasurer
Secretary
ur
A message from o
Chief Cooperative Officer Rick Mausert ast year when I wrote this message, we were feeling the full impacts of the Coronavirus Pandemic. A year later, we are still working our way through these trying times. As an essential business, we quickly recognized that we would be tasked with a whole new set of challenges going forward. We worked and continue to work as a team to navigate and support each other along with our broader community. I continue to deeply appreciate and be amazed by the efforts of our staff and member-owners working through this most difficult time. We have all done our best to keep the Co-op’s team safe, keep the community fed, and keep our financial health intact. Looking forward, Honest Weight is in a very solid position to serve the Capital Region for another 45 years and beyond. This year, we generated over $17,000,000 in purchases to help support our suppliers. Our emphasis continues to be on supporting local farmers, producers, and changemakers. In the midst of COVID, we expanded our community impact in significant ways. Our neighbors at the Food Pantries benefited from $17,000 raised during our annual register drive. We contributed fresh and healthy food to the Free Food Fridges weekly (some grown right here on premises in our new Edible Gardens). We donated $3,000 to the Community Loan Fund, and dozens more impactful local not-for-profits benefitted from the Co-op’s donations and contributions
throughout the year. We should ALL spend some time to let the facts which are highlighted throughout this report sink in. There are real people behind each of the organizations listed within this report. Both working to help and being helped by Honest Weight. Just let it sink in and feel good about the important role we play here at Honest Weight, not only as a community-owned-and-operated grocer, but as a community hub and a supporter of what is right. As I write this, I have 22 working days before my official retirement date. Thank you all for the last five years, both to those that have supported me and to those that have challenged me. I have given you my best and wish you all the best. Be well. Cooperatively,
People Planet Profit
10,434 Honest Weight owners
228
1,1O2 new owners
owners who complete time investments as member-owners
44,223 hours of time invested by member-owners*
$100
cost of an ownership interest
116 2,93O Co-op owners who are also employees
Hours donated to the hours bank by owners since March 2020 when the pandemic started
Co-op
Owners
9
member-owners who served as Board Members
235
member-owner rides in the Bike to Work Program
*Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen a significant decrease in owner time investments. The co-op offered a Double Hours Incentive for on-site owners from March through July 2020, and then 1.5x Hours Incentive from August 2020 through June 2021, totaling 31,261 incentivized hours.
We asked our ten committees what accomplishments they're most proud of this year. Here's what they had to say.
Anti-Racism Committee
Purpose: To explore ways for HWFC to actively and consistently support an anti-racist agenda. They can be reached at AntiRacism@honestweight.coop • Created a committee and organizational process from scratch, and worked to build a positive and productive committee environment grounded in trust, in an effort to have unpracticed conversations about race and racism. Made 2 subcommittees to double our approach and success. Began to discuss how to best bring in new committee members.
Communications Committee
Serves to provide information about the Co-op to member-owners. The Committee publishes the monthly Membership newsletter, Honest Slate. They can be reached at CommunicationComm@honestweight.coop • Comprehensive coverage: Honest Slate continued serving HWFC. We prioritized governance news and store updates, published committee contributions, and promoted collaboration among all Honest Weight stakeholders: member-owners, the Board and its committees, staff, departments, and Managers.
• Dug in deep on the characteristics of white supremacy culture and on building a committee culture that strives to challenge those attributes. • Challenged staff and member-owners to take part in a virtual Implicit Bias Training to better understand how implicit bias impacts how we view and engage in our communities and the world. member-owners were offered member hours, staff were given paid time. Promoted the Capital Region 21 Day Equity Challenge to encourage the HWFC to learn more about race and social justice.
• Enlightening essays: New and guest writers shared heartfelt perspectives on coping with the pandemic, practicing gratitude, and expressing appreciation for responsive and timely Co-op initiatives, from curbside service to Zoom training. • Interesting interviews: We spoke in depth with member-owners, Board Directors, and staff, highlighting their involvement with and aspirations for HWFC. • Channeling change: Our reporters covered social justice, food security, and environmental sustainability. Thanks to
• The HR Subcommittee analyzed hiring data and reviewed HWFC’s hiring and human resources processes, and began to assess where improvements are needed in terms of racial equity. • Antiracism Journey Work Subcommittee has been charged with exploring and recommending anti-racist training for the Board of Directors, all employees and member-owners. We researched best practices for how to engage organizations in anti-racism work, and secured funding for & started the process of recommending anti-racist training for HWFC.
input from store personnel and fellow committees, we examined challenges from systemic racism to plastic reduction and solar energy. • Pride in process: The committee continued to utilize the power of democratic discourse at monthly meetings. We consistently arrived at articulate answers, with solutions and plans reflecting every voice at the table. Our core team of 6–8 member-owners remained dedicated, enthusiastic, and genial as we cycled through monthly publishing.
Elections and Nominations Committee
Serves to find and review nominees for the Governance Review Council and the Board of Directors. They can be reached at, ElectionsComm@honestweight.coop Nominating and Voting Guide: • Substantially updated the Nominations and Voting Guide (formerly “Manual’) to make it more useful for member-owners. Board and GRC Elections:
• Prepared and published HWFC elected
position candidate information forms, received completed candidate forms, and communicated with candidates before and after elections.
Environment Committee
Serves to promote and highlight ways environmental stewardship and initiatives are enacted by HWFC; to develop and support environmental actions that are consistent with the Co-op's Mission; and to be the point of contact for environmental questions and ideas from the Co-op community. They can be reached at EnvironmentComm@honestweight.coop
• Wrote governance service articles for
the Honest Slate publication Facilitated multiple Meet-the-Candidate sessions for Board and GRC elections Conducted elections at Membership Meetings. Voting Facilitation:
• Prepared ballots for voting on items
put before the membership for four Membership Meetings.
• Prioritized electronic ballot use at
Membership Meetings in order to promote COVID-19 safety for member-owners and staff, saving on resources and allowing additional time for Board nominees to decide if they wanted to run for the Board.
develop for HWFC was built and brought online. Numerous Honest Weight shoppers also signed up for solar energy delivery to their homes as part of this initiative. • Continued work with management on improving the store's environmental air quality. This work began as part of our previous energy efficiency initiatives and became critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Completion of the Co-op's transition to solar energy for its electricity supply. The photovoltaic (solar) energy system we worked with store management and a solar supplier to
• Development of Zero Waste (ZW) educational initiatives, including presentations and materials for
Honest Arts Committee
• The show “Renewal”, which was
The Honest Arts Committee aspires to engage imagination, stimulate conversation, and strengthen connections in the store and community by coordinating, promoting, and encouraging arts in the Co-op. They can be reached at HonestArtsCommittee@honestweight.coop • Due to the pandemic, the decision was
made to shift to virtual shows, with a link on the HW website to increase visibility. Although this change in format affected our mission to enhance the physical environment of HWFC, it was necessary to adjust to the needs and health of all who worked and shopped at the store.
• Oversaw the safe vote counting
process on all votes of the membership and dramatically decreased paper usage during the process as well. Refined ballot preparation process:
• Set an earlier submission time
for final ballot language to ENC from stakeholders in order to improve accuracy.
• Added floor nominations to the
ballots in real time at Membership Meetings, creating a more timely and informative process for member-owners and greatly reducing ballot counting time for Board and GRC elections.
discussion with the wider Co-op community about ZW in our personal lives, in our communities, and at our Co-op. • Partnership with the Membership Committee for a July 2021 book discussion on Jennie Romer's new book Can I Recycle This? • Development of a proposal that was approved by the Board for creation of an 'environment manual' to guide environmental policies and action at HWFC.
• The Honest Arts committee is designed to present uplifting and currently working with the adminishopeful images, was shown virtually on tration to create a mural in the the HW website for several months. Teaching Kitchen. This is an exciting project, as the mural must be designed so that when half of the room is closed • Our next virtual exhibit was “BLM”. off, each half of the mural still reads as The Board had recently put out a a complete image. notification regarding the position of HWFC to stand against racism, and our show picked up the theme. Works • We lost our dear friend and commitof art were juried on artistic merit, tee member, Richard Clandorf, in July. with the caveat that they may be Richard contributed immeasurably to provocative. Some of the photographs the character and discussions in the in this exhibit were later hung in the HA committee. His absence is felt hallway gallery, prompting reactions deeply by all committee members. and conversations about content and communications.
Membership Committee
Serves to promote member-owner participation in the Co-op, preserve the rights and roles of member-owners, and search for solutions to member-owner issues and concerns. They can be reached at MembershipComm@honestweight.coop. • The Membership Committee continued outreach to senior member-owners to check on their wellbeing during the pandemic and also conducted outreach to member-owners on returning to time investments at the store.
Nutrition and Education Committee
Serves to provide educational materials related to food issues. They can be reached at NutritionComm@honestweight.coop • We worked closely with the managers of meat and specialty food departments to create an updated meat chart to inform shoppers about animal husbandry practices of our meat and poultry suppliers. This effort was in support of the updated Meat Standards that the Membership voted for in January 2020.
Personnel Committee
Serves to provide policy research and proposals to the board regarding all staffing issues at the Co-op, specifically including the maintenance of a current employee manual which is available to all staff members. They can be reached at PersonnelComm@honestweight.coop.
Bylaws Panel
Serves to evaluate the merits of proposed Bylaws changes and to draft proposed amendments for consideration and possible approval by the Membership. They can be reached at BLP@honestweight.coop.
Finance Committee
Serves to keep the Board and member-owners informed of the Co-op’s financial condition. They can be reached at financecomm@honestweight.coop.
• The Committee presented changes to the Member-Owner Manual to the Membership who overwhelmingly voted for approval. • The Membership Committee began the very successful bi-monthly Book Discussion Group and collaborated with other committees to co-facilitate and choose books of note for the Membership. • The Membership Committee continued to monitor and conduct orientations for
• To ensure that all merchandise in our store is in compliance with the standards set by the FPM, our members continue to scrutinize products for ingredients that are listed in What HWFC Shall Not Knowingly Sell and for those that contain GMOs. We are working with the management to rectify any out of compliance situations.
people becoming new owners or member-owners. Orientations continued to be conducted by Zoom with a brief window where in person sessions were conducted. • The Membership Committee continued to support efforts to conduct the regular Membership Meeting in spite of the pandemic. Committee Members participated in virtual check-in and gave feedback on the meeting structure.
propose changes and additions to the membership. • Each month the NEC proposes a topic for an article “Food for Thought” in the Honest Slate on nutrition or education topics, and one or more members research and write the article.
• We regularly review new additives and practices used in the food and cosmetic industries to evaluate whether any need to be discussed in the FPM. When we find it necessary, we research these and
• Implemented new approach to modifying policies in regards to employee benefits by getting staff feedback before submitting changes to the Board. • Researched and added the Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence policy.
Governance Review Council
The purpose of the Governance Review Council ("GRC") is to promote good governance, which in the context of HWFC means encouraging robust democratic, cooperative processes and structures in order to facilitate fair and open decision-making at all levels of HWFC. They can be reached at GRC@honestweight.coop.
• Continually amended the Employee Manual to comply with updated regulations regarding sick time and FMLA leave. • Clarified verbiage throughout the Employee Manual for clarification and coherence.
18O 9O 75 114 5.22 employees of Honest Weight,
of whom are
Full-Time.
employees of 5 years or more.
employees earning a living wage or greater
years of service, on average
$16.59
average hourly rate
1,O71 116 41 staff rides in our
Bike to Work Program
Staff
employees who are also owners
years of Bob Linn
When a global pandemic strikes, you are only as good as the people you have working for you. Honest Weight was fortunate to have dedicated staff that continued to show up and pitch in, in whatever capacity needed. Whether it was cashiering, stocking, cleaning, you name it, Co-op staff did it all! As a retail store, we were lucky. Our employees know that working here means people will have access to quality food and that we can continue to be a force for good in the greater community. What we do is essential on every level.
10 years STAFF MILESTONES Over of service
Bob Linn
41
Bulk
Years
Tom Gillespie
16
Grocery
Years
Didi Wolberg
12
Front End Years
Michael Ferrandino Front End
Elyse Bryan
(Missing from Photo)
24
Years
16
Front End
Years
Ron Royne
11
Front End
Years
David Aube Grocery
Michael Natcharian
23
Years
16
Food Service Years
Joe Mikrut Freezer
11
Years
Russell Ziemba
19
Freezer
Years
Katie Centanni
16
Front End Years
Yevette Buddeau
11
Membership Years
Ken Runquist
(Missing from Photo)
18
Leigh Nowicki
18
Finance
Years
13
Michele Savage
13
IT
Years
Amy Ellis
10
Antoniewicz
Cheese
Dave Filkins
Years
Community Years Action
Front End Years
Cathy Kitchen
10
Years
Giuseppe Marra
17
Grocery
Years
Brian Peters
12
Maintenance Years
Matthew Davidson
(Missing from Photo)
Produce
10
Years
High Quality & Affordable
This year we focused on bringing affordable to life. We relaunched our "Eating Good on the Cheap" program, promoting ways to eat healthy foods at low prices. We added over 200 everyday low price items to our popular Co+op Basics program, including local eggs, local apples, all Honest Weight Vitamins & Minerals, and so much more! As a result of these efforts, and in large part due to increased SNAP participation nation-wide, our SNAP shopper numbers rose to the highest in co-op history, at over $450,000. In the coming year, we are excited to introduce the Double Up Food Bucks program, which allows SNAP cardholders to get double their money on fresh produce!
Total Dollars
% of Total Store Sales
t’s right there in the first line of our mission statement: “affordable, high quality natural foods and products for healthy living.” Our Bulk Department and Co-op Basics program are both a big part of meeting that goal of keeping the Co-op affordable and accessible to as many people as possible. We began 46 years ago as a bulk buying club, and still think of Bulk as our flagship department. It’s a great way for shoppers to take advantage of lower prices every day, in part because Bulk foods use less packaging, processing, and labor, which saves money.
The following are ingredients that Co-op Membership has decided not to sell because they contradict the principles of health for people and the planet on which the Co-op was founded. Artificial Food Coloring
And then there’s our Co+op Basics everyday low-priced program. We carry over 783 organic and all-natural Co+op Basics items across all departments. We combine our buying power with other co-ops across the country to offer super low prices on these staples, many of which are priced below suggested retail value.
Artificial Preservatives and Additives BHA
(Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
BHT
(Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
Nitrites and Propionates Parabens PFCs
(Perfluorinated Compounds)
PFOA
(Perfluorooctanoic Acid)
A Closer Look at Saving with Bulk Have you ever needed a teaspoon of spice for a recipe and ended up buying a bottle of something that lingered in the back of your cupboard for years? We’ve all been there! This is where the beauty of Honest Weight’s Bulk Department shines through. Buy just a little, or a lot. Get just what you need, or stock up. Keep it fresh, affordable, and (if you bring your own jars) plastic-free.
Organic Curry
Potassium Sorbate Potassium Bromate Sodium Benzoate Potassium Benzoate Aspartame
$2.70
for a tablespoon of 10 herbs and spices Ground Organic Black Pepper
Compared to:
PTFE
(Teflon)
Calcium Benzoate
Take a look at the cost savings: Organic Fennel Seed
PFOS
(Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid)
(Nutrasweet)
Saccharin
(Sweet N’ Low)
Sucralose (Splenda)
Products from Cows that are given Growth Hormones High Fructose Corn Syrup
Granulated Organic Garlic
Whole Organic Cinnamon Sticks
Star Anise
Hydrogenated Oil (Trans Fat)
Inhumane Products Tobacco
Whole All Spice
GMO Farmed Fish Seafood on the Seafood Watch Avoid List
$92.70 for 10 jars from .7-4 oz.
Herbs de Provence
Tarragon
Cream of Tartar
To view our full Food and Product Manual, visit:
HonestWeight.coop/banned
We work with over local farms and
285 319 4,200 local producers
OVER
local products stocked on a regular basis
$510,741
in produce purchased from local farms this year
16%
THAT’S A
OVER
increase from last year!
42
local artisan cheesemakers & creameries whose products are sold at Honest Weight
OVER
50
varieties of delicious New York grown apples available throughout the autumn harvest
OVER
Stay
Local
60
local bakeries, farms roasteries, and restaurants whose products and ingredients are used by our in-house kitchen
180
local people employed by Honest Weight
Skin Deep Naturals ctavia Maxwell has always enjoyed creating skin and hair care products for her friends and family. In 2014, she launched Skin Deep Naturals and introduced her first commercial brand, The Body Butter. Made of shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and arrowroot powder, it remains her most popular, “most loved” offering. Over the past five years, Maxwell’s home-based business has expanded in many other directions. Featuring natural, raw, and organic ingredients and only natural preservatives, her line now includes soaps, lotions, deodorants, hair cream, hair growth serum, body scrubs, and makeup. Many of these items can be found in the Co-op’s Wellness Department.
hair. Frequently, she hears, “My skin feels so much softer” and “My hair is fuller and healthier since using the hair growth serum.” Maxwell plans to collaborate with other small businesses and entrepreneurs through participation in Central District Management. This is an Albany-based initiative of S.T.E.A.M. Garden, an innovative, multi-use tech start-up and learning lab. She is particularly interested in working with local black women who operate similar businesses.
Troy, NY
According to Maxwell, what started off almost accidentally has grown into a business, selling products online and at more than ten different locations throughout the Capital District. Men and women love her products because of their high quality, and because they produce fast results in improving the health and appearance of skin and
s m r a F a m a M ’ in v Lo agic is happening on just 2 acres in Amsterdam, NY. Huge yields of over 250 specialty vegetables, herbs, and flowers are growing without any tilling or disruption of the soil aggregate. This style of farming allows for sequestering of carbon and puts it back into the soil, keeping it healthy. This is the way nature intended things to grow and farmers Matthew and Corinne are happy to work with this “perfect design.” Amsterdam, NY
It also helps the soil absorb and hold water. The summer of 2020 was incredibly dry, 2021 was incredibly wet. While other farmers dealt with the effects of those variables, Lovin’ Mama’s soil remained intact and yields were strong. With Corinne’s family history of homesteading and Matthew’s degree in Eco Agriculture (regenerative agriculture, soil science, and organic farming), the couple began Lovin’ Mama Farm in California on leased land. They now work a portion of Matthew's 110-acre family farm in Amsterdam, which includes a conservation easement, 2 miles of hiking trail, a greenhouse full of micro greens, and plenty of room for the chickens to roam! A mainstay at local farmer’s markets, Lovin’ Mama adapted quickly when COVID hit. They were grateful to be a part of the Honest Weight community, which was pivoting at the same time, looking for local sources to help mitigate supply chain disruptions. These relationships are priceless and indeed critical in our ever-changing world. Corinne says she and Matthew deeply value how the Co-op prioritizes local, organic, and regenerative farming. And we appreciate Lovin’ Mama’s stewardship of this earth. That’s a lot of Lovin’!
Fair Trade
New Communities Pecans Albany, GA
We were thrilled to welcome New Communities Fair Trade Pecans to our Bulk Department this year via their partnership with Equal Exchange. New Communities has worked for more than 40 years to empower Black families and advocate for social justice. For Black farmers in the U.S., land ownership is tied to freedom, but systemic racial discrimination has pushed many out of agriculture. With a long and storied history of incredibly tenacious farmers that can’t be judiciously captured in this space
B-Corp Americans and King ArthurFlour (first known as Henry Wood & Co.) have been baking together since 1790. This 100% employee-owned company “inspire(s) connections and community through the joy of baking” and is the ultimate resource for anyone interested in learning. King Arthur is a founding B-Corp, which means that they actively use the power of business as a force for social and environmental good. They contract with farmers, millers, and suppliers with continued commitment toward sustainable practices and use responsibly sourced non-GMO wheat
(but is so worth learning), they have created a unique space meant to serve as a catalyst for the individual growth of Black farmers. Purchased by New Communities Inc. in 2011, the Cypress Pond Plantation is a place where the land is farmed and minds are nurtured on property that was once owned by the largest slaveholder in Georgia. Part of New Communities’ mission is to support, train, and help Black farmers with racial healing. For more information, visit www.newcommunitiesinc.com
King Arthur Flour Norwich, VT
that is grown and milled in the U.S. Well-known for their “never bleached” guarantee, you may not realize all of the amazing things they do behind the scenes. They are solar-powered, offer their employees stock options and reimbursement for carpooling to work, and donate all of the excess baked goods from their café and classrooms to local hunger relief efforts. Excess food scraps even go to local farms for composting. It’s truly a full-circle operation! The COVID-19 Pandemic saw a huge resurgence in home baking with King Arthur Flour (and every other brand) flying off of our shelves and out of the
Humanely Raised
bulk bins at an astounding pace. We are proud to work with this outstanding local (Norwich, Vermont) vendor with such a strong commitment to both people and planet. Just like us.
Gammelgarden Creamery
In 2004, Stina Kutzer received a birthday gift that changed her life. Her husband brought home a beautiful Jersey calf named Babette who quickly became part of the extended family. When you interact closely with animals every day, Stina says you get to know all of their personality traits and fun qualities. And you begin to see them as the individuals that they are. For Gammelgarden Creamery, which Stina started with her sister Marta Willet in 2010, it’s important that the cows live the most natural life
Pownal, VT
possible. That means that 24/7 they come and go as they please, enjoy the elements, have cozy shelter, and access to high-quality grass and hay in the pasture. We think that’s what makes their products uniquely delicious! They are deeply committed to the health and comfort of each of their cows, just like they would be for other family members–including end-of-life care. Babette, who retired a couple of years ago, passed on to the big green pasture in the sky over the summer. Our condolences to Stina and the Gammelgarden family.
Community
Action
Honest Weight was happy to be a part of many local garden projects. We became a member of the newly-formed Kids Garden Network – an informal group of gardens that created learning opportunities for kids in the City of Albany. The Co-op provided donations of money and/or plants to each unique garden in the network: The Vegetable Project's gardens at Myers Middle School and Albany High School The Friendship Garden of the Delaware Community School Giffen Memorial Elementary School AVillage Inc.'s Innovation Block Program gardens
Montessori Magnet Elementary School Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST) Albany School of Humanities (ASH) Arbor Hill Elementary School Tivoli Preserve The Radix Center
The Co-op also offered support (mostly in the form of seeds and plant starts) to lots of new and existing gardens that expanded during the pandemic including: Falcon Farms at Albany High School Albany City Farm
5th Graders @ New Scotland Elementary School create a garden
Collard City Growers Gabi’s Garden @ The Free School Justice & Affinity Community Garden (184 Third Street)
Castleton Public Library Capital Roots
Soul Fire in the City
FOCUS Churches of Albany
Wildflower’s Communal Vegetable Garden
Tivoli Lake Preserve & Farm
r Own Voices Pride Cupcakes for In Ou
Buy a Sandwich, Give two Sandwiches We love when staff have great ideas…this program is the brainchild of Anastasia in Bakery. A simple pay-it-forward opportunity for shoppers to buy a sandwich for someone in need. We double that number at the end of each quarter, roll up our sleeves and make some sandwiches! The first batch of 120 wraps were delivered to 6 of the Free Food Fridges, the second of 200 went to Sidewalk Warriors in Troy (these were accompanied by a pesto pasta salad made with the garlic scapes from the Community Edible Garden!).
Our bakers made dozens of beautiful, swirly, colorful cupcakes for Pride Month with ALL OF THE PROCEEDS going to our friends at In Our Own Voices (IOOV). This incredible org works for and ensures the physical, mental, spiritual, political, cultural & economic survival and growth of the local LGBTQ POC community. Our shoppers bought a whooping 171 single cupcakes and 39 6-packs which translated into a $477.23 donation to IOOV!
The Year of the Edible Garden Gardening was all the rage over the past year – it provided a safe way to socialize, do something meaningful for the community, and nourish COVID-weary souls who watched with hope as tiny plants grew and flourished.
s Market Washington Park Farmer' The Co-op is happy to be an Annual Seasonal Sponsor of the Washington Park Farmer’s Market which runs every Saturday in August and September. This hyper-local, festive market brings farms, mom and pop businesses, and healthy living together to help strengthen connections in the community. We spread the love and samples to all – including four-legged family members visiting the market with dog treats and special canine-focused giveaways.
Curbside
Our Curbside Shopping program continued to provide vulnerable members of our community the healthy, fresh food they needed without ever entering the Co-op. Assisted by a small crew of Curbside Shoppers (member-owners) and supported by staff, this mission-driven initiative offered a valuable service for members and frequent shoppers.
e have long wanted to bring more color and vibrancy to the outdoor space around the Co-op. This past summer, the incredibly planned Native Pollinator Garden hit it’s stride and bloomed with a happy buoyancy much needed after a long winter. The Community Edible Gardens, our “All Are Welcome” mural and painted bike lockers helped create even more visual interest. But the most impactful (and largest) addition is the 100-foot mural imagined, created, and painted by a group of neighborhood kids who participated in an Amplified Voices project here at the store in July. Led by local artists, Jade Warrick and Eugene O’Neill, Amplified Voices is a collaborative partnership with Albany Barn, YouthFX, poet D. Collin, artist Rae Frasier, and Jammella Anderson of Free Food Fridge Albany. Their goal is to give young BIPOC individuals a platform to learn and grow through artistic expression. The group of eight youth spent the week at Honest Weight, touring the store, learning about what we do in and around the community, discussing the relationship between art and nature, and exploring their own experiences with art, nature, and food. Guided by mentors, they created a story that evolved into a vision for what the mural would look like. The result is a stunning representation of a young woman’s journey to bring the essential element of water to her community. There was a significant level of excitement and energy around the project as they created, painted and signed their artwork with their names and a unique symbolic stencil. The feedback from the Honest Weight community who enjoyed the newly enhanced view from our garden patio has been overwhelmingly positive. “It’s just beautiful,” said Amy Ellis. “We’re super excited so see all the color their creativity added to our outdoor space.” If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, please take some time to view it when you're here next! We also want to gratefully acknowledge the sponsorship of our partners, Nordic Naturals, Nine Pin Cider, and RAD Soap Co. who helped make this beautiful project possible.
Amplified
Voices Mural
n August 2020, Jammella Anderson plugged the first Free Food Fridge (FFFA) in just outside of the Free School on Elm St. in Albany. Honest Weight was there to help unload it and fill it up with loads of fresh, healthy food. One year, 3 cities, 7 (and counting!) fridges, a Time Magazine cover, and countless individual and community partners later, the Free Food Fridges are providing all sorts of food, fruits, vegetables, prepared meals, and even flowers to people in food deserts throughout the Capital District. With no strings or stigma attached. Unlike other food support programs, any one can access the contents of the fridges at any time. In the spirit of community, people are encouraged to take what they need and leave some for others. “Everyone should have access to food without jumping through hoops or having to prove they are impoverished,” says Jammella. The food that goes in each fridge is fresh – it isn’t left-over, expired, or damaged. All of the food is specifically purchased or made for fridge delivery. Every week on Wednesday and Thursday, several member-owners drop off or come in to prepare meals that are delivered by Amy Ellis (or other staff when needed). The meals are made intentionally, taking into consideration things like the weather and what’s seasonally available. And that included an abundance of hand-picked harvest from the Community Edible Gardens! Neighbors, local stores, friends, farms, and family have all participated in preparing food, filling, cleaning, donating money, painting, and supporting FFFA. The local community involvement with this project has been a beacon of inspiration during what has been a challenging and divisive year. It’s AMAZING what we can do together! We are so proud of our involvement with this project and encourage you to get involved or learn more about this innovative project at freefoodfridgealbany.com
Free Food
Fridge Albany
Community Edible Gardens
nspired by similar gardens popping up all over the world to help increase food security, the spring of 2021 saw the first planting of the Co-op’s new Community Edible Gardens. The basic premise was to use some of our available space to grow food for anyone who wants or needs it, creating a garden where people can come and harvest freely, no strings attached. It’s another way to get free, whole foods into the hands of individuals without shame or stigma. A garden planted with the sole intention to nourish people who need to be fed. Anyone who eats is welcome! Honestly, we weren’t sure what would happen or if the plants would yield much at all. With fingers crossed, we planted and waited. After a few weeks of watering and whispered encouragement, things began to grow in a way we couldn’t have even dreamed of. Soon, we were harvesting lettuce, herbs, garlic and the Teaching Kitchen was filled with the scent of fresh walnut pesto. We made prepared meals for the Free Food Fridges(FFF) – pesto pasta, sandwiches with crisp lettuce – and bagged the excess to distribute as well. Our member-owners who cook for the FFFs would “shop” in the gardens first before getting supplies from the store. To our surprise, the lettuce kept growing back (no matter how much we trimmed it!) and all of the pole bean seedlings exploded, vigorously climbing trellises and yielding copious amounts of Kentucky Wonder, Dragon Tongue, Blue Lake, and Rattlesnake, alongside bush bean plants. The tomatoes, well, they decided to take over and produce fruit as if they knew what they had been planted for! Every couple of days, we were collecting freshly picked produce and delivering it to whomever could use it. Joseph’s House, Street Soldiers, the Free Food Fridges, staff, and shoppers have all benefitted from the gardens. Staff would look for ripe strawberries on their breaks, or enjoy a tomato warmed by the sun. Nothing went to waste. We sprinkled in some color and natural pest control with dwarf zinnias, sunflowers, nasturtiums, marigolds, coleus, and new guinea impatients. The “Bean Screen” by the patio was home to a family of Preying Mantis, and all of the gardens were busy with pollinators. People had lots of questions about what was going on, regularly stopping to inquire, make suggestions, help harvest, or compliment how “alive” and “vibrant” the Co-op looked. Little kids were amazed to see that strawberries didn’t grow in a plastic box, but right out of the center of a flower. Lots of great conversations happened and important connections were made around the gardens this year. Long a wish of Community Relations Specialist, Amy Ellis, and planned (during many sleepless COVID anxiety-ridden nights) by Education & Engagement Specialist, Deanna Beyer, the Community Edible Gardens was tended by a small (and mighty) group of member-owners who helped love this project into life. We are so grateful for their efforts! We’ll be preparing to put the beds to sleep soon, but next years’ garden plan is already in the works, along with an exciting expansion…until we grow again!
t e n a l P
Part of our Mission is to promote equitable, participatory, and ecologically sustainable ways of living. These aren’t just words – we have walked the walk for 45 years strong. From composting our foods scraps, to holding community recycling collection days, providing EV chargers in our parking lot, supplying regular techno trash recycling, and planting native gardens, we’re actively contributing and always looking for ways to do more. Here’s a glimpse into some great initiatives we launched this year.
Honest Weight Goes
Community Solar
ack in November 2020, we announced a partnership with locally-owned Bullrock Solar to support the construction on a brand-new solar farm in Castelton, NY and offered our community members the opportunity to join us. We are thrilled to say that we are now 100% Community Solar energy-powered and were blown away by the enthusiastic community response! In fact, the initial project was so successful that we’ve decided to continue our partnership with Bullrock into 2021. Work is now underway for several new solar farms throughout upstate NY – Scotia and Saratoga are up next! You might be wondering, “What exactly is Community Solar?” Community Solar is unique in that the power generation system derives its energy from a large number of solar collection panels. These “solar farms” are typically located on large, remote tracts of open land. The electricity generated on these farms is channeled directly into the area’s power grid, allowing it to be used by anyone once they subscribe to a community solar program. It’s kind of like a “solar farm share.” This collaboration is the result of a member-driven initiative to shift the co-op toward more sustainable energy sources, reduced carbon emissions, and the protection of our planet. Honest Weight’s Environment Committee spent time carefully reviewing and vetting a number of local solar providers. They eventually made the recommendation to move forward with Bullrock Solar, one of the most experienced and respected solar companies in the Northeast with deep New York roots.
tunned to learn that most glass in Albany County isn’t actually getting recycled, the Co-op community made the launch of an ambitious glass recycling pilot program a huge success this past year. Zero Waste Capital District asked us to host several collection bins on site for clear glass. The content of the bins is collected and transported to Tomra in Schenectady by Foodscraps 360, a local compost pick up service, which is volunteering to transport the glass free of charge. Tomra passes the glass on to Strategic Materials in Connecticut, which sells processed glass to a facility in Delmar. Piggy-backing on an existing transportation pathway between Connecticut, Delmar, and Schenectady, we added our glass to what was already being picked up daily. So simple and effective!
We Recycled Glass
in a CLEAR Way! Four Seasons Produce e buy as much local produce as we can, but for things we can’t grow here in the Northeast (think all of your favorite Equal Exchange avos and bananas, Lady Moon greens and berries), we rely on Four Seasons Produce – a true Sustainability Superstar! Four Seasons is truly committed to the environment and actively reducing their impact on it. According to a 2020 report, they’ve reduced their water usage by over 3.1 million gallons, natural gas usage by 56%, energy use by 47%, and waste by an incredible 80% (reductions from highest 12-month periods recorded). In 2020 alone, their waste diversion rate was 93%, which means 8.1 million pounds of waste recycled or produced into energy. Pretty impressive!
We count on participants to ensure that the correct type of glass makes it into the bins with no contamination by other materials. That means only clear glass from non-deposit containers with minimal food residue, no lids or plastic rings attached, no colored glass, no dishware or cookware, no metal, and no plastic The bins are located by the bike lockers on the side of the building and are clearly marked with signage. We hope this initiative can serve as a model for grass-roots activism to enact positive change and make progress on otherwise intractable problems.
Good Bye
Enviro Tokens,
Hello
fter 6 years, a total of $55,651 donated to local nonprofit organizations (as of May 2021) and 1,112862 paper bags saved, Honest Weight is tossing in the wooden coin. We are retiring our very successful Enviro Tokens run and launching a new round-up-your-change program! Starting October 1st, when you’re finishing up at the register, you’ll have the opportunity to round up your change to help make a difference. Each month we'll feature a local organization and give them all of the donations received during that time, matching the first $500 each month. “I’m excited about the launch of this new program. It will allow all of our shoppers to participate if they choose, allowing them to give when and what they can, to support small local nonprofit organizations doing incredible work right here in our community” say Amy Ellis, Honest Weight’s Community Relations Specialist. The change was inspired by similar and extraordinarily successful programs at other co-ops with the intention of having a bigger impact on these valuable programs.
Profits *(FY 20-21 financials are preliminary)
Average Weekly Customer Count
9,211
$28,488,962 $621,12O
Average Basket Size
$59.28
Total Sales
Net Income
Average Daily Sales
$78,052
Post-COVID
Throughout COVID, the co-op experienced all-time lows and highs. The week ending 3/15/20, 14,640 customers come through our doors, an all-time high. Only two weeks later, we had only 7,170, an all-time low in this building. This year has shown us that the lows and highs of COVID are far from over.
Original financing in 2014 to build the new store:
expected to be fully paid off in 2027