Honest
SLATE
Honest Weight Food Co-op’s Community Newsletter for Membership • Staff • Governance • Management Published monthly by the Communications Committee to promote transparency, report without bias, and sustain community.
June 2O20 Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667
honestslate@honestweight.coop • https://www.honestweight.coop/
The Reinvented Craftsman “Unrepentant Boomer” is how MO Jay
Schaffer tags himself on Instagram, but don’t let that fool you. He’s actually a rather friendly folk-blues guitarist, occasional activist, and—as of this month—a brand-new Honest Weight pottery vendor. Here’s how that happened. Browsing household items at the store recently, Jay noticed ceramics imported from overseas on our shelves. Thinking the Co-op should have more locally handcrafted products, he told Honest Slate: “It occurred in a flash—my stuff belongs there!” He immediately obtained contact information from the service desk and emailed photos to the Mercantile Department’s Emily Collins. Next, he upped his technological game. Self-described as social-media averse (“I have no PC or laptop, just a phone”), this old-school craftsman managed the online application process. Emily asked him what a fair wholesale figure would be; they quickly arrived at a feasible price point.
Supporting our rich membership skills base reflects the Co-op’s mission to sustain community. Now you can find Jay’s mugs on the endcap adjoining the spice and boxed tea aisle facing bulk coffee beans. If you are a Member-Owner with full discount, a handcrafted mug made by Jay will run you just over $12—plus, you’ll know the story for free. Jay first acquired pottery experience at SUNY Fredonia, where “I realized I had skills, signed up for [University of Albany] continuing studies, and fell in love with it.” He went from student to studio assistant, learning both mechanics and aesthetics.
honestslate@honestweight.coop
This lifelong Albany resident has shopped at HWFC “since brown rice was invented.” When after 40 years of loyal patronage Jay finally joined the Co-op earlier this year, he recalls that a Bulk Department associate told him “it’s about time!” “Customer service is my number one job.”
Not all glazes in the store are on donuts. All items are microwave/dishwasher safe, lead free, and ovenproof.
Now a weekly MO for the Grocery Department, Jay cites helping shoppers as a top priority of his time investment, noting that his department orientation stressed customer service as coming first. If you’re shopping on a Sunday afternoon and contemplating choices in the Center Store, you just might meet this versatile, reinvented craftsman. continued on page 2
Now retired from a corporate services and legal supplies company, Jay recently revitalized his business to focus on studio work. Having previously sold wares locally at the Daily Grind and Romeo’s Gifts (both on Lark Street) among other venues, Jay’s ceramics remain primarily functional: mugs, honey pots, and vases. Current products gravitate toward one of two main color schemes in blues and browns. Jay describes one style as a Jackson Pollock–like splatter (“like subatomic particles colliding”) while the other features a two-tone dip: a bicolor design with base and body in complementary hues reminiscent of vintage earthenware. “Every firing is an experiment. It’s magic.” Of his craft, Jay spoke of the perennial element of chance, expressing delight in the randomness of glazing. “It’s magic—you heat [the kiln] to 2200 degrees and hope it comes out all right!” While always striving for consistency, he points out that each product is unique.
If you are a local artisan interested in becoming an Honest Weight vendor, see our application online.
CONTENTS Step Into Service.................. 2, 12 Sandwich Service Returns!......... 2 Managing Meeting Methods..... 3 MOs Crucial to Store Success.... 4 Q&A............................................ 6 Food for Thought........................7 Committee Corner.................... 8 How Appreciation Looks........... 9 Board Decisions, Letters.......... 10 Meetings Virtually Rock........... 11 Co-Opportunities..................... 12 https://www.honestweight.coop/
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Honest Slate
Reinvented Craftsman continued from page 1
About the potter: • grows garlic and herbs • does 98% of his Co-op shopping in bulk • obtained a U.S. Budokai karate black belt at age 45 • claims to be the original Jay-Z (his middle name is Zalman) • plans to perform at HWFC’s Coffeehouse monthly open mic when it reopens • also hand builds sculptures with elephant, dragon, and chevron designs Supporting Local Crafters “I’m fully in support of more crafts people having more products for sale,” Jay told Honest Slate. “Yes, it’s primarily a food store, but it’s owned by a community. Whether ceramics, glass, various graphic designs, jewelry, or fabric, that would be quite appropriate—other potters, too!” If you are a local artisan interested in becoming an Honest Weight vendor, see our online application. —Carol Ostrow
Member-Owners: Help Ensure the Co-op’s Future! The COVID-19 pandemic and the need to continue social distancing required that changes be made to the manner in which the next Membership Meeting is conducted. The regular Membership Meeting originally scheduled for April 26 and rescheduled last month to May 31, has again been rescheduled to June 28, 2020, as a remote meeting only. Member-Owners can call in or log in using their computer. A call-in number and meeting access details will be shared in the Notice of Membership Meeting coming out June 18. MOs who participated in May 31’s Practice Membership Meeting will be familiar with June 28 sign-in details as they were used for May’s practice session as well. Whether or not you participated in the practice meeting, please mark your calendars—and join the June 28 Membership Meeting by phone or by computer. HWFC needs every qualified Member-Owner* to exercise their governance responsibilities and vote in this year’s elections. Voting to fill Board vacancies and to approve the budget will occur over three days following the meeting at HWFC; details will be included in the Notice and on Ballots to be sent with the Notice.
Still Cooking: Sandwiches Are Back! New Items, Juice and Java Now Here! Food Service Manager Dan Hurlbut has sent word that the Bakery and Kitchen are “alive and well!”
“Catering is still up and running,” Dan
wrote recently. In efforts to adapt to our current health scenario, the Co-op kitchen crew has created new meal components for shoppers to supplement their regular shopping.
New menu possibilities include vegan,
gluten free, and/or paleo choices such as jalapeño lime seitan, blackstrap molasses BBQ tofu, and Carolina gold BBQ chicken, as well as new sauces including smoky corn and black bean salsa, red Thai curry, mango chipotle, and coconut lime chili.
June 2020
Craving sandwiches? Dan wants to shout
out “from the rooftops” that sandwiches are once again available at the made-to-order station—along with a soup selection, as well as Juice and Java.
What else is new? Bottled on-site House Made dressings and summertime teas.
Food Service will also begin offering a limited variety of sliced deli meats at the grab-andgo section in addition to cold cuts sliced to order. Finally, watch for news coming soon about Bakery plans. “There is no sincerer love than the love of food.”
Speaking of Board vacancies, HWFC needs dedicated Member-Owners to run for office and help fill the seven vacancies on the HWFC Board this year. Maybe this is the year you are ready to run as a Board candidate! Nomination Forms will be available when the nomination period opens June 1. For your name to appear on the ballot, you must submit a completed Nomination Form no later than June 14 at 8 pm. Nomination Forms are available online or at the Customer Service desk. Participating in Co-op governance as a Board Member may be “just the ticket” if you are interested in working with other Board Members and the Co-op community to further the Co-op’s goals of promoting fair employment practices while providing affordable, high quality natural foods and products for healthy living. Our mission is to promote more equitable, participatory and ecologically sustainable ways of living. Serving on the Board is an incredible opportunity to help shape how our grocery store works today and how to ensure its success for the future. Board service brings with it legal obligations and demands on your time that need to be carefully considered as well. In addition to attending Board meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 6 pm, Board members serve as Board liaison to at least one Co-op committee and attend that committee’s monthly meetings. Board members also attend regularly scheduled working meetings of the Board and four regular Membership Meetings. Please consider stepping up into Board service to help our Co-op continue to thrive. And don’t forget to vote!
*Voting qualification requires Mem-
ber-Owners to be up-to-date on time-investments as of the end of March, April or May. Three qualification windows are available because the April meeting was postponed to May and then again to June. All fees related to your ownership in HWFC also need to be up to date.
—George Bernard Shaw
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
June 2020
In an historic moment , Honest Weight Food Co-op’s Board of Directors convened a practice remote Membership Meeting for the first time Sunday, May 31. Approximately 120 Member-Owners attended by phone and/or computer. A hardworking cluster of cooperators handled complicated logistics for this event—not only just to make it happen, but also to orient MOs to the newness of meeting virtually, provide instructions, address questions, and learn what works and what needs tweaking: all in preparation for the equally historic first-ever “real” remote Membership Meeting on June 28, when important HWFC business will include Elections of new members to the Board.
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Honest Slate Many MOs may have questions about the platform as well as content (Honest Weight Membership Meetings traditionally feature lively discussion and honor many voices and viewpoints). To help MOs understand all changes required by the global health crisis of COVID-19, Board Secretary Avery Cotton summed up all that happened [below] in the days and weeks leading up to these alternative gathering venues.
eration resulted in decisions intentionally designed to be as inclusive as possible. The Board and its committees acknowledge that not all MOs have equal access to technology; herewith is an introduction to what surely will be a living FAQ document as we cope with restrictions brought on by the world pandemic.
It’s even possible that meeting vir-
tually will save time and allow greater attendance for those living farther away or lacking transportation. Honest Slate joins ... our Board and committees in encouraging each of you to consider participatWe hope this helps readers recognize ing in governance by attending our June the immense amount of work that has meeting; and be assured that clear, degone into the upcoming June 28 meeting. tailed instructions will precede this firstHours of planning and thoughtful consid- of-its-kind event!—CO
Behind the Scenes
[see commentary, page 11]
Managing Membership Meetings in a Pandemic 10 help sessions marked the week leading up to May 31’s Practice Meeting. ○ Why not meet in person?
○ Why this particular platform?
such as a parking lot or drive-in, as having a physical meeting would retain many of the characteristics/processes that we normally have. However, we had a number of issues with finding a place close enough to the Co-op so that: •getting to the venue wouldn’t create an unreasonable burden (some people bike/ bus, but carpooling won’t allow people to social distance); •there would be enough room for people to adequately social distance; •people could easily communicate with the speaker during the meeting, and see/ hear all information presented.
•Shifting to online meetings presented certain new issues. The platform chosen for Board meetings posed challenges for dealing with all online issues simultaneously.
We tried to find an alternate, large physical space to meet
○ Conclusion: a physical meeting seemed impossible given the pandemic.
Once we decided to explore other
options, maintaining all desired aspects of a meeting became the challenge.
We looked into various online meeting options.
•Of 10 platforms investigated, most were unable to meet all criteria. •Zoom proved to be the one option that preserves all critical features and resolves issues that other platforms could not.
○ What about equal access? •Not everyone has a reliable internet connection, so people must be able to connect to the meeting by landline phone only (some people have a phone with sole internet access only via library computers, and libraries are currently closed). •Since every MO needs two-way communication during the meeting, Zoom allows phone callers to “raise hand” for questions or comments just like other participants.
Online Meeting Requirements: We must be able to... •protect user privacy by using a check-in process to safeguard personal information (Zoom efficiently blocks phone numbers and allows check-in via a “breakout room” separately from other participants.) •send participants meeting information via online info or in-store pickup •preserve meeting security while keeping process uncomplicated •let people practice to make sure that the directions given work for them •have a workable administrative side •allow multiple people to present while maintaining social distance •know who has questions and maintain a queue while preventing background noise Having 100–200 people all unmuted simultaneously would make hearing the presenter difficult; we will use a “raise hand” function. •distribute ballots to eligible voters; use a process to collect/count ballots that doesn’t compromise the integrity of the vote, and simultaneously preserves voters’ right to anonymity.
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
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June 2020
Honest Slate
Pandemic Reveals Value of MO Time Investment
Member-Owner Help Proves Vital in Crisis
by Tracy Frisch Honest Weight Produce Manager Brendan Kelly recently related that the pandemic drives home how much Member-Owners contribute to his department’s daily operations. With fewer members doing shifts, he explained, Staff have been very busy. Our exchange prompted this article.
Member-Owner Coordinator (MOC)
Yevette Buddeau closely monitors MO activity. Her data show that MOs’ in-store time investments fell precipitously from March to April. In March, 614 MOs invested time in-store; in April, only 309 did. Pre-pandemic, some 1,000 MOs were active on a monthly basis, according to Yevette—which does not actually mean that a thousand different people were making an in-store time investment every month. In many cases, one person in a household makes the time investment for all adults in the household. Not only are fewer MOs doing shifts but “at times we have had a good amount of Staff out, too,” Yevette noted. Despite this dramatic reduction in contributed hours, together Co-op Employees and our larger community have managed to keep Honest Weight functioning.
Making Choices “It’s been really impressive the way everyone who’s coming in has been pulling together. Many people have been doing more than normal,” she said. Another thing that’s heartening at present is that the Co-op has been respecting individuals’ choices. “Everyone has been doing what they think is right,” Yevette related. “Some people are taking a leave. Some Staff are working at home.” As the Capital District considers reopening, she added, “We want to gradually grow Member-Owner participation back to a safe, very productive level.”
Front End manager Katie Centanni re-
ported that the Front End has been significantly affected by changes brought by the pandemic. “We do rely a lot on [MO time investment]. We had close to 25 cashiers that took leave when the pandemic started,” Katie said. When a number of MOs stepped back from cashiering, the department faced “a crunch for a while.” “Others have really stepped up. The folks who have continued to invest their time have been hugely instrumental in keeping it going—especially some folks who have been willing to come in for the 6 am shift,” Katie explained. What’s more, two MO cashiers have been doing more than one shift a week!
How our Front End has weathered the crisis is a testament to the Co-op’s resilience. It’s a reassuring story of people pitching in to fill the need. As the number of new cases in the region subsides, MO cashiers have begun coming back. Katie advises all MOs who are ready to resume their time investment in the Coop to give notice so the manager can work everyone into the schedule.
Bulk, like other departments, has experienced a drop in Member-Owner hours, according to its longtime manager Tom Gillespie, who just became Grocery Manager in May. Normally, MOs perform a number of tasks in Bulk, including bagging, cleaning, and stocking spices. “A lot of our life-experienced Member-Owners filled these roles, but because of [risk factors] they decided to stop working in the store” during the pandemic, Tom said.
“Our Member-Owner heroes are working very hard.”—Tom Gillespie “Threat or no threat, for them to come in and work as hard as they have makes the Co-op special,” Tom said thoughtfully. “Some Member-Owners now are even doing long shifts on multiple days a week.” He described one such MO as a younger person who is “just really dedicated and loves to be here.”
Beyond Bulk & Bagging Beyond filling bulk bins, bagging raisins, and cleaning, the dip in Member-Owner hours has also left another hole, as “a lot of Member-Owners take on the customer assistance role,” Tom explained. “They are always so helpful. Without these Member-Owners, a lot of [Staff] time is taken up helping customers,” Tom said appreciatively. Doing all the customer assistance “can be a stressor for Employees,” he said, because they also have many other responsibilities.
The pandemic has also brought
new customers to Honest Weight, increasing customer assistance needs. Some come looking for items that they can’t find in the supermarket. For instance, yeast sales have been off the charts. “This week a paid Staff person showed people where to find the yeast twice in a single shift. It used to be very rare that someone asked us to show them the yeast,” Tom noted.
continued on page 5
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
June 2020
Time Investment continued from page 4
Produce Displays Adaptation Brendan Kelly, who celebrated his 5-year anniversary as Produce Manager in April, described some of the dramatic impacts that the Coronavirus outbreak has had on his department.
The idea that most MOs are retired is incorrect. In March, Gov. Cuomo’s Matilda’s Law guidelines stating people over age 70 should stay home went into effect. This proved the turning point for many MOs in Produce who either were older adults themselves or were concerned for older adults in their household. This affected many Co-op MOs, although our MOC Yevette said the idea that most Member-Owners are retired is incorrect. MO time investment has dropped by about 75 percent, from around 80 hours a week to closer to 20 hours per week. Before the pandemic, Produce would have 30 people scheduled for weekly shifts with another 4 or 5 doing biweekly or monthly shifts. A few others would come in unscheduled.
Honest Slate four or five regulars in Produce go work in Plants for the next four months. “Produce is one of the more flexible departments, compared to the Front End, though we’re less flexible than Grocery,” Brendan explained. For example, some produce like avocados can be stacked higher in the morning and get by without much attention for the rest of the day. Departments with more rigid requirements, like staffing a cash register, require precise scheduling. Produce sales are still up for this time of year. “People are not going to restaurants,” he pointed out. “And normally as people go on vacation and start going to farmers’ markets, Produce sales drop.” But even without COVID-19, “this spring would still have been weird because of how cold it [was].” “In March we had two unprecedented weeks of sales growth, with greater than 30 percent year-over-year growth during the panic,” Brendan shared. “Sales spiked. People favored root vegetables—things like potatoes, garlic, and beets. They didn’t stock up on highly perishable produce that you can’t store.”
5 But Brendan knows that Produce is peculiar in its staffing needs. “When sales spike, like around the holidays, we don’t double Staff,” he said; that’s because an enormous amount of work goes into maintaining slow-moving displays. “That’s how Produce scales up over the holidays, when Produce at Honest Weight has twice the normal sales. Of course, there’s a ton of work that goes into planning,” he explained. “As the Produce team has developed and improved its planning, ramping up for the holidays has gone more smoothly.”
Some tasks depend solely on Member-Owners. “With COVID-19, we also dropped certain items that are labor-intensive. We’re not doing the half-pound spinach bags. There’s really just no one to do it. If it were Staff doing it, it wouldn’t remain cost-effective at $1.99,” added Brendan. “We can only offer a product like that because of MO time investment,” he noted further. “In-house cut fruits and spiralized vegetables are a full-time job and have also been temporarily suspended.” The department hopes to restart the program soon, with help from Food Service.
“It’s a new normal,” according to Bren-
On top of the MO shortage, “Every week, I’ve consistently been down 60 to 100 hours in Staff. I’m definitely working harder,” Brendan said. This is true, he noted, with both Produce and Plant’s Staff, spanning many shifts and responsibilities. There’s no one primary reason for people’s departure; Staff and MOs have been self-quarantining or absent for various reasons.
“Though Produce sales are way up, we’re doing the same amount of lettuce and leafy greens.” This is critical as greens are labor-intensive—they need to be washed, trimmed, soaked, and twist tied.
Normally, Brendan said, “The member program [in Produce] would ebb and flow. In late Spring, we may have almost too many Member-Owners, but then things would take care of themselves naturally.” Every March, as Produce sales begin to slow, planting season kicks in, and
“When sales are slow, we do a lot of culling and refreshing. Sorting takes a long time because it’s detail-oriented. When things are flying, you can dump boxes and just move on to the next thing. So we can maintain higher sales per labor hour without exhausting ourselves.”
The pandemic has been a boon to Produce sales at Honest Weight.
dan. “Some things aren’t as needed or desirable. It’s been more important to prioritize abundance on the floor. There’s still... an increased interest in hardier things. We’re selling more cabbages, Brussels sprouts, and potatoes. These are easier to stock.” Our Produce Manager is anticipating the return of more Member-Owners. “I assume it will be gradual as we ramp up to bringing things back,” Brendan said, “and we can feel more comfortable having more people in the prep area. Younger people who are less at risk of serious complications for COVID-19 have been the first to return.”
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
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Honest Slate
Q&A From this Month’s
Suggestion Box
Q: Please make more Snickerdoodle cake with espresso buttercream. đ&#x;˜ƒ A: We will definitely make the Snickerdoodle cake with espresso buttercream again. Q: Hello Honest Weight. Can you please place Honest Slate in the hallway where the other magazines are and where everyone can see it? A friend just joined and she couldn’t find it. Thanks! A: We are planning to stock our monthly community newsletter in the entry/exit vestibule. Watch for Honest Slate’s new location on our newsstands, coming soon! Q: Please rearrange sanitizers at the entrance to be closer to the door & the carts & not blocking the flyer counter. We have to load up carts before reaching sanitizer. A: We know that there is no ideal place to put the sanitizers and wipes at our entrance that does not cause a bottleneck. We feel that where they are now is our best option.
Q: Could someone make an announcement about one-way aisles? Please and Thank You! A: We cover the one-way aisles in our standard announcement. Q: Please restock Ayala’s Lavender Mint Water and the maple whiskey butter (near the eggs). đ&#x;’› Also the coconut macaroon bars (bakery) are great. A: We’re doing our best to keep Ayala’s Lavender Mint Water in stock. We’ll keep ordering the maple whiskey butter and we hope to receive more soon. We’re happy to hear that you like the coconut macaroon bars. We’ll make more soon. Q: Have GF wraps instead of or alternative to Saratoga GF Bakery rolls at the sandwich bar. They have a long shelf life, too. A: We’ve found that GF wraps fall apart and are not suitable for food service production. Q: Thanks for carrying Kashi Peanut Peanut Butter Granola Bars!! Thanks. A: We’re glad to keep them stocked. We’re in this with you.
June 2020
“We’re in this with you.� Q: Why doesn’t the Wellness Department have a sneeze guard? A: We have not yet seen the need to install a guard in Wellness as the workers often assist customers on the sales floor. Q: Can the Meat Department wrap “tongue� in paper wrap, not plastic? ASAP. A: Our tongue arrives wrapped in plastic. To open the package would decrease its shelf life. Q: Organic chocolate/peanut butter tofu or avocado cheesecake. A: We have made avocado cheesecakes. Chocolate/peanut butter sounds interesting. We’ll see what we can do. Q: Please carry organic Eden Soy Carob. Used to carry. A: Thank you for reminding us of our Central Avenue store. Although Eden Soy still makes carob soy milk, our distributor discontinued it long ago.
Q: Is it possible to place a hand sanitizing station near the exit? A: We do not see the need to place one by the exit. There are more wipes by the Meat Department and a sanitizing station by our restrooms. Q: Deanna was amazing doing curbside pickup. Cheerful, funny, picked out amazing items. Thank you. A: Cool. We do appreciate her flair. We’ll be sure to share this with her. It will make her day! We’re here with you! Q: Gentleman in the cheese area was so patient with a client!! A: That’s wonderful! We appreciate the fortitude of our workers as well. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Q: Irving is wonderful! So helpful and kind. Thank you. đ&#x;˜ƒ A: That’s nice! Thanks very much. We appreciate the feedback. Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
June 2020
Food for Thought by Joyce Chicoine, Nutrition and Education Committee
Turmeric is an orange-colored spice produced from the roots of the turmeric plant and is one of the main ingredients in Southeast Asian cuisines. Botanically related to ginger, in its whole raw form turmeric even looks like ginger root, save for its distinctive color. In addition to its popular culinary use, practitioners of the ancient Indian healing system Ayurveda have treated people’s symptoms with turmeric for thousands of years. Turmeric has been used to treat inflammation in a wide variety of ailments including diabetes, headaches, and arthritis, as well as various skin conditions. Well-known integrative medicine specialist Dr. Andrew Weil mentioned turmeric in a video discussion about potential “ways to boost the immune system” during the present pandemic. Alongside its properties as an anti-inflammatory, turmeric’s potential benefits include antioxidant and anticoagulant properties, acting as a digestive agent, and providing minor pain relief. The Best Way to Take Turmeric Curcumin is the active component of turmeric. In capsule form, curcumin extract is sometimes recommended as a dietary supplement; however, it is generally understood that more might be gained from adding turmeric as an ingredient in recipes. Its flavor is akin to ginger, considered earthy and slightly bitter like mustard or horseradish. For those who don’t like the taste of turmeric and still want the potential benefits, extracts are an option.
Following these guidelines may boost turmeric’s effectiveness. •Cook turmeric (whether in root form or ground powder) to break down its fiber for easier absorption by the body. •Turmeric is not water soluble but is fat soluble, so it is best to cook it with a healthy fat or oil.
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Honest Slate
•It is recommended that turmeric be taken with freshly ground black pepper, which (via its chief component piperine) increases the amount of time that turmeric is active in your body. •Some argue that more benefit is to be gained from using turmeric in its powdered form. One easy way to prepare turmeric is to make a golden paste by cooking with water and oil and adding ground pepper. Golden paste can be stored in a sealed container in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It can also be frozen in individual servings. Simply add the desired amount to recipes, mix with tea, or add to scrambled eggs.
Turmeric
Takes a Turn One specialist “loves turmeric...but stopped short of recommending it as a treatment.” When I learned that I have a blood disease called polycythemia vera, I became further interested in turmeric’s potential as an anticoagulant. After extensive research and consultation with hematology and oncology specialists, plus some holistic healers, I agreed to conventional medical treatment. However, I did not want to give up turmeric, so I researched whether I could use both. I consulted with each of my doctors. Most had no knowledge of turmeric. One specialist told me that some patients are able to take turmeric along with conventional meds with no problems. A hematologist/oncologist told me enthusiastically that he loves turmeric, uses it a lot in his cooking, and has taken it himself. He didn’t see a problem with me adding it to my diet but stopped short of recommending it as a treatment. I have continued to take turmeric but I also keep a close eye on my blood count and watch for signs of unexplained bruising.
In its natural form, turmeric resembles ginger root. My Experience with Turmeric I first became interested in turmeric because I’d heard of its anti-inflammatory properties and wished to reduce arthritic pain and inflammation. I had already experienced improvement by avoiding certain problem foods. A blood test called CRP (C-Reactive protein) showed that my inflammation had gone from “high” to “moderate.” After being persuaded that turmeric might reduce inflammation, I added it to my diet and the next time my CRP was checked, it was down to “low risk.”
Additional Information Turmeric is a popular supplement for which numerous online sources exist. I have obtained valuable information from a Facebook group called Turmeric User Group (TUG). It was started by an Australian veterinarian and biochemist named Doug English, who has studied turmeric and the most beneficial ways to use it. Other admins share links to additional information, including recipes and, importantly, a list of common medications and whether or not they are safe to take with turmeric.
HWFC does not provide medical advice. Please check with a health care practitioner before treating any condition.
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
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June 2020
Honest Slate
COMMITTEE C O R N E R June 2020
HWFC Meeting Summaries
This article provides a summary of preliminary committee reports submitted to the Board of Directors for the June 2, 2020, Board Meeting. See Board Meeting packet for details. Full Board-approved committee reports are posted on HWFC’s website.
C
ommittees continue to adjust their focus, work processes, and service to Member-Owners (MOs) and community in light of the global pandemic. Membership Committee (MC) ∙ Outreach to MOs during COVID-19. Called nearly 200 senior MOs to inform of curbside pickup and hours bank; overwhelmingly positive response. Common issues/ questions that arose: (1) many unaware they could invest time in store; (2) some unaware they could designate a shopper (Wednesday Senior Discount applies when using designated shopper); and (3) interest in Co-op delivery. Seeking Board input on delivery question. ∙ Discussed expanding phone outreach. New script would include: (1) investing time guidelines and opportunities; (2) designated shopper details; and (3) upcoming Membership Meetings. ∙ Possible Delivery Program. Hous ebound MOs have expressed interest. HWFC van currently not in use. Limit scope to MOs only? Will pursue conversation with MO Coordinator Yevette. ∙ Coffee House Open Mic via online platform. Cynthia and Roger consulted: (1) felt online platforms currently don’t work well; (2) will continue to experiment and notify us if a solution is found. Exploring YouTube videos/channel for general online community connection (will check with Deanna in Education). ∙ Online Orientations. Formed subcommittee and scheduled first meeting late May via online platform.
Environment Committee (EC) ∙ Assessing direction to take given constraints pandemic places on store and MOs’ lives. Focus currently on research toward virtual education for MOs on environment-related issues. ∙ Work continues on utility bill analysis, connecting with Management about electric supply to HWFC, and updates on community solar options. ∙ Reviewing 2019 work plan in preparation for creating 2020 work plan. Hope to complete 2020 workplan in June. ∙ Anyone wanting to join EC meetings on 2nd Monday of each month, please contact Meghan Breen. ∙ Surveying EC members to determine best time for regular conference call meetings (usual 6pm time conflicts with at-home dinnertime). ∙ Members noted missing community of Co-op and looking forward to being together again. Nutrition and Education Committee (NEC) ∙ Currently adopting changes to Meat and Poultry language suggested by Avery Cotton. ∙ 2020 work plan includes same initiatives as 2019 with minor adjustments. Provide regular articles for “Food for Thought” column in Honest Slate; identify products that don’t comply with Co-op’s Food & Product Manual (work with Management to ensure FPM guidelines are followed); and identify products containing GMOs (ensure labeling as specified in FPM). Communications Committee (CC) ∙ Discussed ways to educate membership on use of remote technology and related content. Considering Free Conference Call, Google Hangout, and Zoom as ways to remotely deliver approved workshops. Committee agreed to defer to MOs without full accessibility and will remain sensitive to those lacking technology capability. Will explore screen sharing options at our next committee meeting.
by Stephanie Conde
∙Approved signage and flyers designed to increase readership, support newsletter’s visibility (store and community), and recruit participation. ∙ Honest Slate will soon be available inside entry/exit lobby along with other publications (as well as on entranceway slat wall). Per Marketing Dept., copies will occupy racks owned by HWFC. Personnel Committee (PC) ∙ Employee Manual revision continues (time and attendance, legal requirements to be included, manual layout). ∙ Time Off for Voting. NYS Election Law allows registered voters who are paid employees time off (with pay) for voting in any election. Paid staff must notify their department manager at least 2 days before Election Day if work shift interferes with ability to vote and need time off to vote. HWFC will post current Election Law notice on HR/Staff Bulletin Board near breakroom at least 10 days before every applicable Election Day. ∙ Nursing Mothers’ Policy. NYS Labor Law requires HWFC provide employees reasonable breaks to express breast milk for up to 3-year-old child. Employees may use paid break, unpaid meal break, or clock out for additional break. Will provide refrigeration to store expressed milk; employees must store milk in closed and labeled containers and take home all milk at end of their day. Employees wishing to use this benefit should contact both Human Resource Dept. and their Manager. Considering a designated Lactation / Expressing Breast Milk Room or area (including chair, table/flat surface, continued on page 9
Honest Write what you know. Write what you want. Write what you like. Write Honest Slate.
SLATE
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
June 2020
COMMITTEE CORNER continued from page 8
outlet, window coverings, signage indicating room closed to public and staff). At no time will an employee choosing to express breast milk be discriminated against by HWFC employees, MOs, vendors, customers, or anyone affiliated with HWFC. ∙ Requested Board review Voting Policy and Nursing Mothers’ Policy for inclusion in Employee Manual. ∙ Approved legal updates to Employee Manual. Elections and Nominations Committee (ENC) ∙ Discussion of May 5 Board Meeting. Shared Board’s broad outline for holding online practice meeting in preparation for Regular Membership Meeting and Board elections scheduled for late June. Board approved June 1 opening of Nominations for Board Members. Subgroup of ENC members and Board members are developing protocols for voting using paper ballots collected at HWFC after remote meeting. ∙ Prepared for June meeting (including meeting protocols). Noted necessary scheduling adjustments in project list for virtual May practice run and virtual June Membership Meeting (new dates being added to Election tab of HWFC website and in Nomination Information Packet). Karen will provide Voting Charge at May practice and June Membership Meeting and will develop candidate questions for both meetings. Sara will help manage candidate Q&A. Lieta will prepare ballots for candidate election and budget approval. Barry, with Yevette’s help, will manage the count at both meetings. Discussed remote Meet the Candidates (MTC) for June’s Board candidates (no MTC will be held June 28); will finalize with Yevette. ∙ Mollie Lampi described her decision to resign from ENC to run for a Board seat in June 28 election; will submit resignation notice to ENC May 31. ENC will explore candidates for chair and may vote on this at next meeting. ∙ Tabled: (1) follow-up on Voting Handbook, and (2) new survey to follow up on October 2019 survey.
Honest Slate
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How Appreciation Looks Recently Co-op management provided a space online for community
members to leave feedback during the pandemic. Alex Mytelka thanked Staff for their “thoughtful, constructive, or just plain honest notes.â€? “Crowd sourced ideas‌have proven invaluable in keeping the Co-op running smoothly, safely, and (mostly) happily over the past few weeks,â€? said Alex.
Off the Charts*
Here’s a snapshot of keywords recorded in that space from previously submitted suggestions/questions.
*Please note: punctuation was not included on this graphic, but for the record we counted 89 exclamation points (with one entry containing 21).
meeting poster *good: good care, good food, good spirits... “I want to thank the Honest Weight Food Co-op family for helping me live a better life‌.â€? đ&#x;™? “I don’t know what I would do without all of you. You are so important. đ&#x;˜‡â€?
This is one curve that we don’t want to flatten.
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
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June 2020
Honest Slate
Board Decisions The Board of Directors affirmed and approved the following decisions at the 6 pm HWFC Board Meeting of June 2, 2020:
The following decisions were affirmed: • Extend until the Board of Directors’ June meeting the suspension of the one-year service requirement and the requirement for a doctor’s note for those Employees with a personal illness to use the Leave Transfer Bank Policy with the modification that FFCRA eligible Employees are not eligible for the Leave Transfer Policy. • Point of Sale Coordinator job description. The following decisions were made: • Member-Owners investing time on the floor or in admin from March 16 until the next meeting of the Board of Directors are to receive double hours. • Until the next meeting of the Board of Di-
“...kudos to all!” I haven’t any experience from prior voting meetings but I’m guessing that this current climate is a logistical nightmare. As a rookie, I am incredibly impressed with how organized and respectful all communication has been. Kudos to all. I’ve been a [Member-Owner] in the store and outside in Plants for years. I am new to committee work...It’s ironic that I
rectors, Employees who are not absent due to COVID-19-related reasons may access sick time accruals without the need to supply a doctor’s note other than for compliance with applicable laws and regulations. • Extend until the next meeting of the Board of Directors the suspension of the one-year service requirement and the requirement for a doctor’s note for those Employees with a personal illness to use the Leave Transfer Bank Policy with the modification that FFCRA eligible Employees are not eligible for the Leave Transfer Policy. • The FY 2020–2021 Budget, as presented by the CFO and recommended by the Finance Committee, was recommended to the Membership for their approval at the June 28, 2020 Membership Meeting. • The Board approved the Nutrition & Education Committee 2020–2021 work plan as amended. • The Board approved including Time Off for Voting Policy to the Employee Manual as recommended by the Personnel Committee.
letters stepped in to the ENC just before elections and on the cusp of this crisis only to find that we’re handling it so kindly and with such consideration. I am so proud of our Co-op. —Sara Hendry Our little Co-op is a beautiful example of community. So excited to see all that is being done and how it’s being handled. Heartfelt kudos to all! —Stephanie Conde
J une 2O2o Submissions Policy: Editors & Contributors:
Yevette Buddeau Elisa Grimm Joyce Chicoine Dan Hurlbut Stephanie Conde Georgia Julius Avery Cotton Don Kennison Alexis DeLaTorre Carol Ostrow Erin Donahue Janet Sorell Tracy Frisch Tyler Varese Contact honestslate@honestweight.coop with questions, comments, or suggestions.
We welcome articles & contributions. • Preferred maximum length is 500 words. • Material is published at the discretion of the Honest Slate team. • Only signed work is accepted. • Items are edited for length, grammar, and style. We may consider unsolicited material but encourage individuals to submit ideas or outlines first. Letters to the Editors do not require preapproval.
• The Board approved including Nursing Mothers Policy to the Employee Manual as recommended by the Personnel Committee. • The Board added to the Personnel Committee work plan to review the Layoff Policy in the Employee Manual.* • On-site Committee meetings are suspended until the next meeting of the Board of Directors. • The Notice of the June 28 Regular Membership Meeting was approved as amended. *The Board and Management agree that there is currently no need to implement layoffs.
Management reports:
“The Times Union has noted HWFC’s exceptional use of advertising that stays on brand in relation to the ongoing changing COVID climate.”
DO WE OWE YOU? The Co-op has money waiting for a number of individuals whom we cannot locate. If you or anyone you know appears on the following list, the Finance Department urges you to contact the Co-op at your earliest convenience: finance@honestweight.coop. Gillian Eastwood Eva Foitzik Timothy J. Cowper Maria Kuhsel Oliver Holecek Stephen Dornbush
Hank Adams Alyssa Gallagher Estelle Fach Laurel Holden Druis Beasley Mark Pranys
Nishi Beharry Lily Ringler Joseph Gietl Kimberly Truitt Elias Saifan Timothy Long
Statement of Purpose:
Honest Slate is a platform for HWFC Membership, Staff, Management, and Governance: promoting transparency, reporting news without bias, and sustaining community. Honest Slate articles are for informational purposes and are not intended to diagnose or treat disease. Opinions expressed in Honest Slate do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Honest Slate or Honest Weight Food Co-op. All contents ©2020 Honest Weight Food Co-op; no material appearing in Honest Slate may be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of HWFC.
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
June 2020
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Honest Slate
Virtual Meetings Balance Podium Teleconferencing Equalizes Assembly Access
If you’re wondering how technology makes everything fair, keep reading. Amidst this time of upheaval, something wonderful has emerged for Honest Weight membership: audio equity!
Until recently, Board meetings and workshops have convened in our combination Community Room and Teaching Kitchen— the Co-op’s dedicated space for meetings and classes. Yes, there’s a lot to love about on-site meetings. Physical gatherings have always been a highlight of our community. It’s wonderful to see our fellow MOs and leaders in person and we may naturally feel that something is lost in this transition to virtual meetings. But for safety’s sake, we can’t meet in person for the time being and possibly for the foreseeable future; so we Member-Owners are faced with new ways to “attend” our important election/membership meetings as well as Board meetings.
because it is unfamiliar territory, those in governance are working hard to bring accessibility to all, complete with instructions and orientation. We ran several practice sessions to test our remote meeting technology.
meeting
instructions For all meetings: How to
• Self-train on our Zoom platform • Obtain nomination forms • Log in on June 28 • Check in • Connect with audio &or video • Participate with questions
Practice meetings saw many questions raised and answered. More questions will always remain, of course; but people rose to the occasion and took responsibility—deftly and graciously, for that matter. Working together, we recognized and rectified many potential glitches.
finally, the Board and its commit-
tees are now preparing to educate membership on how to access our important June 28 elections meeting. I for one am proud of our Co-op governance for handling the administrative and logistical sides of this crisis. But you know what’s even better?
There is no “back of the room.”
Whether listening on the phone or viewing and hearing at the computer—we can now hear (and see) each other equally. At least once during every typical in-person meeting, the call will come from the back of the room: “Please speak up, we can’t hear you!” Then people must raise their voices and/or turn around to project to the far corners. Repetition slows the meeting down. (No one has suggested megaphones yet, but you get the idea.)
budget sessions
will precede the June 28 Membership Meeting on:
•Wed. June 17 : 2–3pm •Tues. June 23 : 3–4pm •Thur. June 25 : 7–8pm
For instructions on participating remotely (phone Login info for budget sessions or online) go to HWFC’s Member-Owner meeting will be the same as both May’s webpage at https://www.honestweight.coop/ Practice Membership Meeting page/member-owner-meetings-22.html and June’s Membership Meeting.
May’s Membership Meeting was a practice run rather than a meeting conducting regular business. MOs attending the June 28 Regular Membership Meeting will vote on the budget and Board candidates.
up front And now? Everyone is able to see and hear equally. So there’s that!
It’s also possible that participation numbers will increase. MOs lacking transportation or mobility can see and hear our gatherings. Anyone lacking technology can attend via a landline telephone. A total of 23 people attended our June 2 Board meeting, a relatively high number. Over 100 MOs attended our May 31 practice meeting, easily reaching a virtual quorum.
Advantages are many. We can:
• raise our hands virtually to join a queue and ask questions efficiently • see and hear without straining to listen • participate in a nifty chat function without disrupting ongoing dialogue • take breaks to fetch Honest Weight snacks (munch while muted) • multitask without distracting fellow attendees What’s not to love about adaptation?
stay tuned for orientation materi-
als in the form of user-friendly instructions prior to our June 28 Membership Meeting and elections. Plan to participate in a new chapter of Honest Weight history—all in the comfort of your own home. —Carol Ostrow
To paraphrase Dylan’s eternal lyric, times are a-changin’ radically.
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
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Honest Slate
C o - o p p o r t u nities memBer-owner Announcements by Yevette Buddeau
Member-Owner Coordinator (MOC) Well, here we are in whatever place we are that is guaranteed to not be where we thought we’d be. In this regard we’re all the same and can feel connected regardless of details. The Co-op has been shifting and changing as we go. I want to offer my gratitude to all who are sticking with us as we make our way through these times. Those of you who continue to come in and help keep us afloat deserve some serious high fives—albeit from afar. Thank you. For those of us who have been here for years, I want to offer condolences and info on some longtimers who have passed on: Bill Frye was a longtime Member-Owner at both the Central Ave and Watervliet Ave stores; Kay Levine was a Member-Owner who has done hours at the
June 2020
Take a turn and bring your voice directly to the table.
Interested in joining Honest Weight Food Co-op’s Team as an Employee? Check out our Employment Page. Co-op since the Quail Street days and on up to the Watervliet Ave store, and Dennis Karius was a Member-Owner during the Central Ave. years. Take a moment and reflect on those who are no longer with us. As far as helping out in the store, we need help most in the Grocery Department right now. If you can come in for Grocery, reach out to Tom@honestweight.coop or Davidaube@honestweight.coop. If you are able to invest time in another store department then reach out to that department’s head listed on the website to set up shifts. Watch for health measure changes that will apply to all Staff and MOs as we conform to NYS regulations. Are you thinking of running for the Board? So many of us are so deeply affected by the Co-op—and many Staff and MOs have a lot to say.
Getting involved in governance at the Co-op is a way to play a big part in this cooperative business like nowhere else in the Capital Region. As time goes by, we get to see the personality of our Co-op through so many avenues and interactions—and service on the Board is one of the more interesting avenues. “...like nowhere else in the Capital Region.� Member-Owners who are still staying away for health or safety reasons: if you need assistance with hours to get you through until you come back, you can reach out to Yevette at memberservices@honestweight. coop. We are still requesting donations to the hours bank as well, and if you are able to donate please reach out to Yevette. Keep an eye out for details about the next Membership Meeting on June 28. The best place to see the most updated info is the Member-Owner Meetings page on HWFC’s website. Thank you so much to all who participated in the May 31 MM practice run—it was wonderful to see you all!
We’re a Bicycle-Friendly Business! HWFC Now Certified, Joins Nationwide League by Georgia Julius This spring, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Honest Weight Food Co-op with a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award, earning it a place alongside 1,366 businesses across the country contributing to the movement to build a more Bicycle Friendly America. By kicking off the new decade alongside 153 new and renewing BFBs, Honest Weight Food Co-op joins local businesses, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies in all 50 states and Washington, DC, in a commitment to transform American workplaces to be more welcoming to customers and employees who bike. “When places make it easier for people to choose to bike, they are building safer, stronger, and better connected communities. The League of American Bicyclists is thrilled when organizations like Honest
Weight Food Co-op join us in this movement to build a more Bicycle Friendly America. When more people are biking to work or shop, life is better for everyone,� said Executive Director Bill Nesper of the League of American Bicyclists.
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Part of Honest Weight’s mission as a cooperative is to educate on and bring awareness to topics surrounding sustainability and environmental issues. They encourage bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provide amenities such as covered bike lockers and incentives such as a Bicycle Commuter Benefit Program, which allows staff who bike to work to receive up to $240 each year.
“We try to highlight the things folks in our community can do to lessen our impact on the environment,� said Alexis DeLaTorre, Employment & Retention Specialist. “Anything we can do to encourage habit shifts around single-use plastics, bicycling or walking instead of driving, growing vegetable or pollinator gardens--it takes many people investing in these ideas and making these kinds of changes for the impact to spread.� Moving forward, Honest Weight Food Coop will have access to a variety of tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more bicycle-friendly. When employees bike, great things happen, including decreased carbon footprint, connection to community, and a vibrant, fun, and healthy work culture. To learn more about the BFB program, or to apply, visit www.bikeleague.org/business.
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop