Fresh News!

Lucia Hulsether is a teacher and writer currently based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her first book, Capitalist Humanitarianism, is forthcoming from Duke University Press. www.dukeupress.edu/capitalist-humanitarianism

Mathew Bradley is our Layout Editor. He has been the Lead Designer at Honest Weight since the new store. Outside he enjoys writing band, tending to his garden, and training his English Cocker Spaniel, Cricket, for field work.

Honest Weight Welcomes the 11th Free Food Fridge!

Almost three years ago, Jammella Anderson started a conversation to address food apartheid in the Capital District. The result of that conversation–and a whole lot of work by Jammella and their team–is The Albany Free Food Fridges! The fridges offer a 24/7, no questions asked, access point to food for anyone experiencing food insecurity. They are filled and funded through volunteers and collaborative community resourcing (see Scoop Nov/Dec 2021). Our own fridge has recently arrived, nestling among the wintery gardens, yearning for summer. Soon it will be painted in vibrant colors, like the network of other fridges throughout the Capital Region.

Then the sun finally moves back into hold, retiring the snow to muck. The warm glow assists the sleeping crocus flowers' growth and invite their beauty into view. Similarly in concept, we read about Ruby Silvious’s method of taking what most would consider trash and transforming it into fine art. A true visual ode to the earth: reuse!

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 and healing.

Let’s all sit back, feel the pages in our fingers as we turn the pages and feel the earth’s warmth wrap around us. Cheers!

Now, to answer the question buzzing around the co-op lately: How can individuals contribute to the fridge? The fridges have a volunteer program for cleaning and filling, and volunteers sign up for weekly/monthly time commitments visit freefoodfridgealbany.com to learn more. However, our fridge is a little unique! Anyone can take direct action while shopping at the Co-op, by buying anything from the shopping list below, and walking them right out to the fridge! Every little bit will help. Health code prohibits individuals from putting in any food in any of the fridges that they have been made or brought from home.

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

Acceptable Items

Produce: Hand Fruits (Apples, Bananas, Oranges), Fresh Vegetables (Carrots, Greens, Onions, Potatoes, Mushrooms)

Beverages/Dairy: Non Dairy Milk, Milk, Cheese Sticks, Single Serve Juices/Coffee/Iced Tea/Water, Eggs, Butter, Single Serve Yogurt (with a spoon!)

Deli:

Sliced Deli Meats & Cheeses, Pre-made Sandwiches and Salads (still sealed)

Freezer: Bread, Frozen Pizzas, Veggies, Fruit, Veggie Burgers & Meat Alternatives, Chicken Nuggets, Frozen Fish, French Fries, Ice Cream/Popsicles, TV Dinners

If you would like to donate money to the project, on a one-time or regular basis, you can help by signing up for the Free Food Fridge Patreon.

By Deanna Beyer