Honest Slate June 2019 by Honest Weight Food Co-op

Honest

SLATE

HWFC’s community newsletter

june 2019

Published monthly by the Communications Committee To promote transparency, report without bias, and sustain community among Membership • Staff • Management • Governance Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 honestslate@honestweight.coop • https://www.honestweight.coop/

Personnel Committee

seeks note taker

The Personnel Committee seeks a Member-

Owner to record meeting minutes who is attentive to detail and accuracy with working computer skills; proficient in document-creating programs (e.g. Microsoft Word); and able to commit to our schedule. Meetings are generally at 5:30 p.m. on 2nd and 4th Thursdays at the Co-op and run about two hours. On rare occasions additional meetings may be scheduled depending on workload. Candidates showing interest will be interviewed by the Personnel Committee and if selected will earn Member-Owner time investment credit for this service to HWFC. Interested candidates, email personnelcomm@honestweight.coop.

CONTENTS CBD Elevates HWFC Sales ...... 2 Winning Wheels! ................... 3 Reducing plastic bottles ......... 3 Energy Plan Generates Dialog.4 Winners Take the Cake! ........... 6 Committee Corner ................. 7 From the Board...................... 8 Do We Owe You? ................... 9 Local Pollinator Policy News .... 9 Call for Art.............................. 9 Q&A/Suggestion Box ........... 10 Apply Peace Liberally.............11 Board Decisions ................... 11 Care & Share: MO News ...... 12 Gallery Seeks Mementoes ... 12

honestslate@honestweight.coop

https://www.honestweight.coop/

Honest Slate

among the aisles:

Center-Store Trends

Honest Weight CBD Sales Reach Record High Our Honest Weight buyers are responsible for so much of what we love about the Co-op. Our first priority is obvious: keeping the shelves full so that all of our Owner and non-owner shoppers have an interesting and consistent assortment of products readily available to purchase. Without this, nothing else that we all love about the Co-op can exist. Once this first priority is satisfied on a day-to-day basis, our buyers take on the exciting role of being the Co-op’s trend spotters. In this twopart Honest Slate article, we’ll discuss center-store trends at Honest Weight. In this first half, I’ll cover the five-hundred-pound gorilla of trends—cannabidiol, or CBD. Next month, we’ll take a deeper dive into other center-store trends (and perhaps even some failed trends of the past) in an interview with one of the Co-op’s most renowned trend spotters, grocery buyer David Aube.

ated over $285,000 in sales of CBD products. Wow! In recent weeks, our CBD sales have averaged about $12k, with a notable majority of sales taking place on Wednesday (senior discount day) and Sunday (student discount day). For context, CBD now makes up about a quarter of the sales dollars of our entire Wellness Department, and is right on par with the sales dollars

As of May 2019, we learned that Honest Weight had the highest 52-week CBD sales for a single-location food co-op in the National Co-op Grocers, a business services cooperative that includes over 145 co-ops nationally! Since May 2018, we’ve gener-

by Alex Mytelka ganically and locally grown hemp that has been third party tested to verify both THC and CBD content. Retail prices vary drastically, starting at $6.99 for a trial pack, with most liquid extracts, capsules, and gummies in the $30 - $60 range, and some highly concentrated products priced in the $100 - $250 range. Each time we sell one of our highest potency and highest priced ($279.99) liquid extracts, I can’t help but think about how many bags of chips or granola bars the Co-op would have to sell to generate the same amount of revenue. Of our 198 CBD supplement products, one brand, Sunsoil (formerly Green Mountain CBD) of Hardwick, Vermont, makes up a stunning 50% of total sales dollars while representing only 6 individual products. Sunsoil’s 2018 hemp crop is among the first to obtain USDA Organic Certification. Our other 50% of sales are made up of a wide variety of brands, notably including Charlotte’s Web, CV Sciences, Upstate Elevator Supply Co., Green Gorilla, Green Earth Medicinals, and the Capital Region’s very own RAD CBD. If you’re interested in learning more about CBD as a dietary supplement, I’d implore you to hop online and explore any of these brands’ websites. Each is filled with volumes of information, including the latest research and development.

It’s rare that an industry experiences a

trend so game-changing as CBD has been for the natural foods industry. The 2018 Farm Bill defines “hemp” as “the plant Cannabis sativa and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers … growing or not, with a THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis.” Simultaneously, the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp and hemp-derived CBD from the Schedule I controlled substances list, clearly defining a previously gray area of retail sales. This bill opened the floodgates. In March 2019, both CVS and Walgreens announced their plans to introduce CBD supplements to their shelves within the year. There are volumes to be written about the efficacy and legalities surrounding CBD, but for now I’ll stick to how CBD is affecting the Co-op from a business perspective.

June 2019

In the coming weeks,

of our entire Bread Department in an average week. We are most definitely leading the pack, but we aren’t the only ones experiencing the boom. Corner stores, gas stations, vape shops, and cafes are all hopping on the bandwagon. That being said, it is co-ops and other independent natural foods retailers that consumers know they can trust for reputable and well-vetted CBD products.

As I write, our current CBD item count

is 224. Of these, 198 are supplements located on the center endcap next to the Wellness Help Desk. In curating our CBD supplement selection, we’ve prioritized or-

we’ll be installing a brand-new custom-built display case to replace the current shelving unit housing our CBD supplements. This should allow us to add roughly 50 new products, at which point I believe we’ll be at maximum capacity. Through the rest of 2019 and into 2020, I believe we’ll continue to see CBD expand out into other areas of the Co-op including foods and beverages. With the nearest recreational marijuana retailer located only 35 miles from HWFC’s doors in Pittsfield, and NYS legislation appearing to be near the top of Governor Cuomo’s to-do list, it is truly an interesting time to be alive, both for us and for the Cannabis plant!

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

Honest Slate

June 2019

Steps to Sustainability :

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Small Plastic Water Bottles Leave Store Peacefully Culprits exit without protest

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Honest Weight recently opted to stop carrying smaller-sized plastic water bottles. We will no longer stock bottled water in sizes under 1.5 liters. The new policy does not affect glass containers—“The decision we made was just regarding plastic,” Grocery Manager Alex Mytelka confirmed—nor does it impact other beverages. Not every single plastic bottle in the store is coming off the shelves—only bottled water in lesser sizes—but it remains a significant step towards sustainability among our aisles.

“We’ll be lowering the price of Just Water from $1.29 to 99 cents soon, and hopefully doing some off-shelf promotions,” Alex added.

“This decision reflects well on our

Mission Statement, Statements of Conscience, what we promote and why we try so hard to

This 100% recyclable container is made mostly from paper; the cap is made from sugarcane. www.justwater. com/.

promote bulk purchases.” —Nutrition & Education Committee

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Co-op already carries several viable alternatives to plastic bottle units such as “Boxed Water” (Boxed Water Is Better LLC); and “Just Water,” which Alex considers an even better option. “I would really like to push ‘Just Water’ as our ‘flagship’ small packaged water, a local boxed water from Glens Falls, NY,” Alex wrote. “They are a truly inspiring company doing so much for the environment at large and for the community of Glens Falls. Check out their website, lots of great info: https://wwwjustwater.com/ourcommunity/.”

Here’s the official language used on in-store signage:

“HWFC will not knowingly sell plastic bottled water in sizes < 1.5 liters, excluding specialty, flavored, or sparkling water. HWFC will make a concerted effort to encourage the use of environmentally friendly reusable water bottles.”

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equal spokes:

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This article is reprinted from the HWFC staff newsletter with thanks to Morgaen Hansen. Statistics are based on CDTC data.

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This year a total of 678 people registered in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties. Altogether participants rode 6,732 bicycle miles, conserved 270 gallons of fuel, prevented 2.7 tons of CO₂ from being released, and burned about 310,700 calories.

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22% of our staff, so we took the prizes for largest team and highest participation rate in Albany County!

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Our team of 43 riders represented

Congrats to all on this win for our community, and thanks to everyone who participated! Way to go, Capital Region!

has officially taken first place in two of the four categories for Albany County in the Capital District Transportation Committee CDTC Bike to Work Week Challenge!

The chart to the right shows a breakdown of Honest Weight’s own eco-cycling team stats. Look for trophies and signage arriving soon at the Service Desk!

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and Honest Weight

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results are in

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%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% “WE WON, WE WON,

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WE WON !!!”

2019 HWFC Employees: Participants.... 43

Miles biked.... 244.8 Gas saved ....

10 gallons

Calories burned.... 11,300

CO2 averted... 200 lbs

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Based on these figures: gas provides 25 mpg; 600 calories are burned for every 13 miles biked; and 20 lbs. of CO2 are saved for every gallon of gas not used.

A similar program has begun for Member-Owners. To participate, contact Yevette at memberservices@honestweight.coop.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

Honest Slate

Should Honest Weight Buy a Diesel Generator? By Tracy Frisch, Environment Committee Chair

Our Committee Board liaison and longtime Grocery Department employee Russell Ziemba shared in March that CCO Rick Mausert was looking into buying a diesel generator for store power outage use— possibly a committee concern since such a generator would burn fossil fuel.

Environment Committee members

researched environmentally sound alternatives in April. We concluded that an emergency backup power system makes sense, but that the choice must align with Honest Weight’s values. We strongly believe the Co-op should avoid purchasing an unnecessarily large system. Dan Spilman, who is an energy conservation engineer, joined the committee to offer expertise in identifying ways to reduce our kilowatt load—precisely the work he performs for universities, hospitals and commercial buildings—and to scale the selected system to the smallest size for energy and cost savings. Since moving to Watervliet Avenue in June 2013, the Co-op has experienced at least 4 outages*. Rick Mausert has stated that any power outage lasting over a half-hour has a major impact on our business. In May, Rick provided a loss spreadsheet from an actual outage plus projected losses from a hypothetical 3-day outage, listing a generator cost of $180,000 (though subsequent estimates dropped to under $100,000). Rick wants to order a generator as soon as possible in part because the store is new enough that we currently don’t have other impending large capital expenses. We say, let’s slow down enough to carefully assess whether there are other feasible options that are more compatible with our mission. *Two of our power outages were 3-4 hours (resulting in unanticipated store closure and loss of business, though no reported product loss); and two lasted about 12 hours (with considerable product spoilage).

How should the Co-op find the right backup system to match our needs and values? This purchase gives us an opportunity to practice our sustainability values and act in keeping with our mission—within a triple bottom-line framework and with awareness of climate crisis and pollution dangers.

Were you aware of the generator issue? Discard assumptions; explore all options Under a mission-driven approach, the first step should be discovery: what are our backup power options? We can obtain free technical assistance in navigating the array of choices from the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA). With renewable energy technologies advancing rapidly and prices falling, let’s discard old assumptions. Several state- and utility-sponsored incentives help electric consumers to generate renewable energy, reducing fossil fuel dependence. NYSERDA offers energy storage incentives for emergency backup power.

Utilize resident experts Backup power oversight is decidedly an area where Honest Weight can leverage its unique advantage: the expertise of MOs willing to help find the best solution. Let’s invite them to assist HWFC in this process. Do we need a new framework to stay aligned with our values? Ideally, the Co-op should refer to the HWFC Mission and Statements of Conscience to formulate a project’s big-picture mission-related set of questions at the outset; and use this framework when researching capital projects and other large acquisitions. We currently lack a mechanism to keep decisions in sync with our mission and we may be unaware of proposals until decisions are imminent. Why not establish an internal process loosely based on New York’s State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Act?

June 2019 “The spirit of inclusive decision-making requires informed consent of more than just the Board and Management.” —Governance Review Council

Under this type of framework, Membership would receive notification about substantial proposals of environmental or social significance just as they are beginning development. If enough interest were expressed, a scoping session could then air issues and alternatives out in the open. Subsequently, the Board could direct Management to work with relevant committees or individuals with professional expertise—of whom there are many—to explore issues and consider alternatives.

Batteries vs. generators: pros and cons Batteries can be charged and discharged many times over. Newly-developed battery types are longer-lasting, more reliable, and less hazardous than previously. One challenge of batteries is price, though subsidies are available. Secondly, it would not be cost-effective to purchase sufficient batteries to power the Co-op for many hours. Using battery backup would also require a way to produce energy that recharges the batteries—perhaps a much smaller generator, with or without rooftop solar panels. The biggest downside of a diesel generator is the long-term commitment to burning fossil fuel—in this case diesel from petroleum. Caterpillar recommends against using biodiesel on the grounds that it damages the storage tank. Natural gas generators burn cleaner, but reportedly cost more. A quote obtained by Rick priced an equivalent natural gas generator at $108,000 more than the diesel model priced at $84,000, plus the cost of a sound-minimizing enclosure or docking station. The diesel generator currently under consideration burns 670 gallons of diesel in 24 hours. Such a generator effectively operates as a mini fossil fuel power plant: although it is a combustion engine, it’s far more polluting and excessively loud. NYSERDA-experienced MO Peter Savio ob-

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

June 2019

We sought answers: • What is the history of power outages at Honest Weight? Do they indicate a need for a power backup system?

• What financial incentives from government or utility-sponsored programs for a power backup system, with or without a renewable energy component, might be appropriate?

• Does Honest Weight have codified competitive bid and transparency requirements • Are there options other than purchasing for how Management selects vendors for a generator that might be feasible, or even large service contracts or capital purchases? preferable, financially and environmentally? Should they? • How can we reduce the kilowatt load that • What do other food co-ops do for backup a backup system would have to support? power? served: “Diesel generators can be appropriate today under limited or controlled conditions, but costs and emissions...are far, far higher than grid-supplied power.” He encouraged research, comparison-shopping, emissions awareness, and alertness to hidden costs and maintenance. How much can we reduce the amount of backup power needed? Whenever you size an energy installation—like a solar (photovoltaic) array, battery backup system or generator—to provide electricity, fiscal and environmental sense dictates first assessing electric usage and identifying ways to minimize electric needs. Implementing conservation measures up front can allow considerable reduction in the size of the energy unit required, which can save a lot of money.

How small a generator can power HWFC? Rick met with CFO Erin Martin, Caterpillar sales rep Ryan Hill, two Environment Committee members and and EC advisor Peter Savio on May 13. Dan and Peter suggested a common technological fix to let the Coop operate with a much smaller generator than the one under consideration: since the store’s biggest power draw occurs when all refrigeration compressors kick on at once, they recommended a control panel activating compressors one by one in a staggered sequence, reducing the peak load. Dan explained how using monitoring equipment is necessary to determine the exact load of individual equipment, as well as the entire store. He offered to monitor Honest Weight’s actual power usage overall and for refrigeration over a period of time, as he does for clients.

Could rooftop solar panels work? Ideally, the Co-op would start sourcing power from solar energy. Solar panels alone wouldn’t be an adequate backup solution. They don’t charge at all in the dark or as well in low light or inclement weather. Our power needs exceed the number of solar panels that could be installed on the roof. Coupled with batteries, solar might make more sense. Solar panels could help keep batteries charged and ready, and help re-charge them when the sun is out. A hybrid system of batteries, solar panels, and small generator might be a great solution. We should explore details and available subsidies and come up with ballpark cost estimates.

A hybrid system of batteries, solar panels, and small generator might work. June’s Membership Meeting agenda will include a separate capital expenditure vote. Membership should discuss and vote on large, controversial capital expenses. In May, the Governance Review Council (GRC) requested the Board and Management to seek Membership input regarding plans to purchase a new backup generator for the store: “While we acknowledge that this may be a Board/Management decision, the spirit of inclusive decision-making requires informed consent of more than just the Board and Management. We therefore request that a fact-based assessment regarding the options the Co-op has re [this] purchase be shared with Membership prior to making the final decision regarding the kind of power the new generator will use.” In May the Board directed the CCO and Environment Committee to work together

Additional options: •Utility curtailment programs •Monitoring peak usage electronically •Minimizing electric load during outages

on the generator decision. At the June 11 Board meeting, the Board approved our proposal to conduct an energy assessment at the Co-op and to explore backup power systems, possibly for purchase with our capital budget expenditure if approved by the Membership this month. More recently GRC Chair Jim Kaufman suggested that the current 1% of operating budget trigger (Bylaws 100.5) requiring a Membership vote may need to decrease, since that percentage was conceived when our operating budget was considerably lower. To keep the same 1% trigger gives Management a broader right to make purchasing decisions without Membership input than was originally intended. We will vote on the Co-op’s annual budget at the June 23 Membership Meeting. Due to concerns that including a capital expense in the annual budget could cause Membership to reject the budget as a whole, management opted to present the capital budget (which includes the generator) for a separate vote. The procurement process should be transparent. Greater oversight should be employed and multiple bids obtained in writing for such a large capital purchase. Bids or proposals should then be made available to the Board and, where applicable, to a committee for oversight. That seems to be a necessary safeguard for the Membership and mission.

The Environment Committee supports the purchase of a backup power system, but that system must align with our values.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

June 2019

Honest Slate

Honest Weight Rounds Up Staff, Member-Owners for BBQ Celebration photos by Avery Cotton & Alexis DeLaTorre

Over 200 people came to our May 30 Staff and Member-Owner Appreciation BBQ. The tremendously impressive spread for the cake contest included 21 entries. Thank you to all for making it a 1st place memorable event! —Yevette Buddeau

cakes!

Cake Contest Results: Mid-Day Winners $15 1st place

Evening Winners

Gaylla’s Candied Carrot Cake $10 2nd place Didi’s Blueberry Lemon Cake $5 3rd place Maggie B’s Almond Cake with Rhubarb Sauce

$15 1st place

Stephen P’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake $10 2nd place Lynn H’s Paleo Carrot Cake $5 3rd place Jillian P’s Geode Cake

1st

place

Gaylla’s candied carrot cake is in the back lefthand corner with walnuts encircling the bottom half and orange candied carrot curls on top.

Jillian P’s Geode Cake.

Stephen P’s peanut butter chocolate cake.

Joan W, Amy H and Selena W anchor the check-in table. below, L-R:

Lieta W, Myra F, Janis A & Natasha H

above, L-R: Rich N,

Stephen P, Paul B, Bob L, and Ann N

217attendees!

above, L-R: Jim M, Doug (facing away), Virginia O, Warren H, Janet S, and Peggy D

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

June 2019

Honest Slate

COMMITTEE C O R N E R This article provides a summary of preliminary committee reports submitted to the Board of Directors for the June 11, 2019 Board meeting (rescheduled from June 5). See the Board meeting packet for details. Full committee reports are routinely posted and available on the HWFC website upon Board approval.

HWFC Meeting Summaries Finance Committee (FC) •HWFC is approx. 3% ahead of FY18/19 in sales, expected to exceed $28 million in gross sales; Cooperative Fund of New England loan paid in full May 15; Al Tech Trust Fund loan to be paid down $230k this Sept. •FY19/20 budget process underway. Projections include 2.4% Sales increase (to $28,978,352) and 6.3% Total Operating Expenses increase (to $11,143,964). •Exploring low-income shopper discounts; details (amount, budget impact, implementation) TBD. •Developed FC’s 2019/20 Work Plan. MO Services Report (as of May 31, 2019) •HWFC now has 12,588 Owners. •1,027 active MOs contributed 7,175 hours. •HWFC now has 135 Owner Employees and 69 Non-Owner Employees. Governance Review Council (GRC) •Reviewed GRC meeting Rules of Conduct. •Discussed decisionmaking process for proposed diesel generator purchase, environmental mission, alternative choices. •Considered benefit of possible revision of Bylaws 330.5e to decrease trigger for Member-Owner approval of unbudgeted major expenses (currently, 1% of annual operating budget is $25 million, so up to $250K can be purchased without MO approval). •Discussed challenge of meeting Bylaws requirement to have paid Staff and MOs on Personnel Committee for input from all stakeholders in light of recent absences. •Requested Board consider developing recommendations for Elections and Nominations moderators. •Will ask ENC to consider implementing a letter of interest for when a non-present person is nominated from the floor to avoid uninterested nominees siphoning votes from candidates required to receive 25% of vote for Board or GRC seats.

by Stephanie Conde

Bylaws Panel (from report for March 2019) •In response to Board’s request, the Panel recommends amending Bylaws 410.3(c) to include the definition of “supervisor” from the National Labor Relations Act. In essence, a supervisor would be defined as having authority, in the interest of the employer, to hire, discharge, promote, discipline or recommend action in regard to subordinates, etc.; supervisors would be defined as exercising independent judgment, not merely completing routine and/or clerical duties. Personnel Committee (PC) •Continuing Employee Manual’s disciplinary process revision. Communications Committee (CC) •Will present at June Membership Meeting. Membership Committee (MC) •Discussed previous MO Dinners and May 30 Staff/MO BBQ. •Becca is the new Board Liaison. •Carol Ostrow (Communications Committee) discussed committee collaboration. •Approved publication updates to Member-Owner Manual; requested that Board present for vote during June General Membership Meeting (adding wording describing the 65 or older discount; changing HWFC publication titles to generic wording; revising wording on MO investment opportunities for new members, and using “time investment” instead of “help” for MO hours). Nutrition and Education Committee (NEC) •Editing FPM at request of management and Meat Department to revise current 250-mile meat sourcing radius. •Will use NEC Educates initiative to contribute articles to Honest Slate, including nutritional information; additives and preservatives; and “What HWFC Shall Not Knowingly Sell” and why.

7 Environment Committee (EC) •Welcomed new EC members and others who voiced interest. •Supports purchasing backup power system (aligned with HWFC values, Mission Statement, triple bottom line) to avoid power outage-associated costs. Will perfom energy conservation assessment to maximize efficiency, reduce system cost. Will employ open decision-making and transparency to Board and Membership; requiring competitive bids, cost reviews and environmental impacts. •Viewed NYSERDA PowerPoint presentation on solar communities for Honest Weight, spurring new interest in moving the Co-op toward solar energy. •Continues work toward Zero Waste, including: (1) scheduling waste audit on the Co-op’s ESP concession stand; (2) authoring articles on reducing waste in produce department and on plastics; (3) preparation for zero waste workshops; (4) seeking to participate with Management in waste and recyclables services proposals; and (5) considering whether sustainability-related or triple bottom line-related criteria should be used to select contractors. Elections & Nominations Committee (ENC) •Reviewed Apr. 28 Board Election cycle: what went well (governance workshop, advertising call for candidates, deadline application extension, new online nomination form); opportunities for improvement (recruitment; stressing primacy of October and April Membership Meetings; too-long Membership Meeting; better identification of MOs with election night responsibilities; better meeting-wide election night rules communication; ballot box location, opening times; better new meeting space use; and better Q&A section management— timekeeping, increasing ENC membership to distribute tasks and ensure longterm committee viability). •Requested Board consider including brief inspiring invitation to MOs during Member Meeting welcome remarks to consider governance participation (committees and board). continued on page 8

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

Honest Slate On another note, I would like to take the opportunity to commend Management, Staff and our Membership for their continued commitment to Honest Weight. The role of Management at the Co-op is not an easy one; yet, time after time, I witness their genuine regard for the Co-op’s mission. Staff and Member-Owners alike, who commit their time and share their knowledge and skills, equally contribute to the Co-op’s success and make the shopping experience at Honest Weight an absolute pleasure. A friend of mine commented recently that everyone she encountered while shopping at the Co-op treated her like a friend. Indeed, the Co-op is a special place.

From the Board As a newly elected member of the Board of Directors at Honest Weight Food Co-op, I would like to thank Member-Owners for affording me the opportunity to participate in Co-op governance. I am looking forward to working with other Directors—on behalf of membership and in partnership with management and staff—to sustain and further our Co-op’s mission. Admittedly, I have a huge learning curve with respect to our finances; and truth be told, an even larger one with respect to knowing exactly what makes a co-op function as it should. Still, I remain enthusiastic as I believe the Honest Weight Food Co-op has a long tradition of being a community robust with talented people eager to share themselves with others. I am honored to be a part of it!

My goal for the next two years is to help

move our community beyond any challenges of the past to ensure all of our Co-op parts are working together in synergy. We have so many amazing things to accomplish together, which I trust can be done according to our mission and the triple bottom line of People-Planet-Profit; moreover, to each and all of our benefit.

As a Director, I will be serving as the Board liaison to the Honest Arts Committee, which is dedicated to promoting art throughout the store. Perhaps you have visited the gallery just past the deli. If not, it’s always worthwhile to take a look at the art work hung on the walls of the gallery, which changes theme periodically. Look forward to a juried show this summer entitled Rhythm; and if you are an artist, keep an eye out for a call for entry of your work… coming soon!

I am very accessible, so please feel free to reach out, introduce yourself, share comments or concerns. As always, Board meetings are the first Tuesday of every month in the Community Room. All are welcome, and I strongly encourage your active participation. –Virginia O’Brien

Suibmissions Policy We welcome articles & contributions. Maximum length for contributions is 500 words. Material is published at the discretion of the Honest Slate team; only signed work is accepted. Items are subject to editing for length, grammar and style. Material deemed controversial in nature shall be reviewed before publishing. Writers must substantiate claims with facts and avoid inflammatory language; articles regarded as harmful to individuals will be returned to the writer for non-personal rephrasing.

Articles relating to HWFC policies and practices will be referred to the appropriate individual or body prior to publication. We will consider unsolicited material but encourage individuals to submit ideas or outlines first. Letters to the Editors do not require approval. Spontaneously submitted articles are not guaranteed for time investment or acceptance and are subject to the same editing practices as assigned work. Contact honestslate@honestweight.coop with questions, comments or suggestions.

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HWFC

Meeting Summaries

by Stephanie Conde

continued from page 7

Honest Arts Committee (HAC) •Seeks Board input on a budget (currently, no budget exists for HAC). •Hosted interim art show opening (photos of Copper Canyon Mexico area). •Selected entries for and hosted Green show opening reception. •Will seek Staff artwork for interim July 1-15 show. •Issued call for art June 3 for juried show “Rhythm” (opening July 28). •Working to improve art show entry form and expand reach (email galleries and college art departments, enhance social media use). •Seeking larger art pieces (at least 24” x 36”) for store display. •Improving shoppers’ awareness of gallery (possibly periodic front end announcements, asking cashiers/greeters to inform shoppers, announcement at Membership Meetings). •Collecting photos, articles and other memorabilia about Honest Weight for framing and installing as a short show periodically (printing and framing expenses TBD.) •Requested the Board grant permission: (1) for HAC to establish its own social media accounts (FaceBook and Instagram), (2) to spend $200 from the Membership account to prepare and frame historical photos and articles; and (3) to direct Membership Meeting facilitators to mention the gallery at the beginning and end of each Membership Meeting.

Statement of Purpose: Honest Slate is a platform for HWFC Membership, Staff, Management and Governance: promoting transparency, reporting news without bias and sustaining community.

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Stephanie Conde Avery Cotton Erin Donahue Susan Flack

Elisa Grimm Annette Kramer Carol Ostrow Janet Sorell

Yevette Buddeau Nicole Collins Alexis DeLaTorre Tracy Frisch Morgaen Hansen

Grace Nichols Virginia O’Brien Lorraine Orsini Olivia Pettit John van Bladel

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June editors

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contriibutors Thanks to all Alex Mytelka

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June 2019

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 ©2019 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

Honest Slate

June 2019

Albany County Becomes

PollinatorFriendly Story and photo by Grace Nichols

On May 13, 2019, Save the Pine Bush,

Environmental Advocates of New York, Radix Ecological Sustainability Center, beekeepers, farmers, tahe League of Women Voters, the Working Family Party, the Upper Hudson Greens, The Biodiversity Working Group and many other activists, joined the author and 6 county legislators who sponsored the resolution to speak out for a policy to address insect declines. Legislators passed it and The Pollinator-Friendly County Resolution took effect as soon as County Executive Dan McCoy signed it into law the following week.

The Honest Arts Committee is now accepting painting, drawing, prints, photography and mixed media entries. We are interested in all 2-dimensional works to hang in our store’s hallway gallery. This call for art is open to anyone and everyone— Co-op Member-Owners, Owners, Staff AND the Public. Send in your entries by: Monday, June 24, 2019 Email us at HonestArtsCommittee@ honestweight.coop for instructions or fill out our entry form, located on Honest Weight Co-op’s website under the Membership Menu.

Butterflies, bees,

wasps, moths, dragonflies, damselflies, dung beetles, in particular, and flying insects collectively, are experiencing massive declines across biological taxa, resulting in a 45 percent decline in total flying insects in North America. Insectivorous bird numbers have dropped 33 percent. This is a threat to agriculture. More broadly, it threatens the food chain, as insects are an important food source for many species.

Our Resolution requires the county to

plant native host and nectar plants along the side of county roads, in county parks and along the rail trail. It encourages conservation easements and requires a review of any pesticide use, to phase out the worst ones; it requires the county to inform citizens as to where to buy plants and seeds uncontaminated with neonicotinoid pesticides—which wipe out insects—and how to get organic produce; it also requires the county to publish lists of appropriate plants to host butterfly and moth eggs, and plants to feed nectar and pollen-eating organisms. A special thank-you goes to County Legislator Doug Bullock who introduced and carried this Resolution through the process; and Lynne Lekakis, Rick Touchette, Bill Reinhardt, Chris Higgins and Joanne Cunningham who co-sponsored.

Our efforts were timely as the week before our resolution was passed, the United Nations issued a report declaring that one million of an estimated eight million species on planet earth are either extinct or expected to go extinct quite soon. Leading causes of these extinctions are habitat loss, pesticide use and the absence of appropriate native plants -- in addition to climate change and invasive species. We can address some of these problems with local actions like this one to protect biodiversity.

Albany

is now an undisputed leader in invertebrate conservation in the state of New York. But we want other counties to compete with us and pass even stronger biodiversity protections in this mass extinction crisis. For technical assistance in passing a similar measure in your county, please contact Grace Nichols, mtnsbluegreen@gmail.com. Link to Resolution: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MTqgWOWoFp8OrbHfUI7FONJ31l0Kepu0xH9bYwQHMYE/edit?usp=sharing

For a list of local butterfly food and nectar plants, see: http://nababutterfly.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/upstate-New-York-butterfly-garden-guide.pdf

The Co-op has money waiting for a number of

individuals who we cannot find. 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 at: finance@honestweight.coop. Elias Saifan Druis Beasley Joseph Gietl Shavon Taylor Nishi Beharry Lauren Holden Kimberly Truitt Gillian Eastwood Mark Pranys Elizabeth Yoquint Eva Foitzik Lily Ringler Daren Zal

Unclaimed

Funds

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

Q &A

From the Suggestion Box Don’t see your comment here? Check the bulletin board in the café. Q: Kcassandra in Housekeeping is the best! So hardworking and always a kind word for anyone & everyone. You’re lucky to have her! A: We know! Thanks for noticing. We also appreciate the grace with which she completes her tasks. Q: Peggy showed great customer service skills when asked to help find a product even though works in housekeeping. Thanks for help. A: We’re not surprised. Thank you for noticing and taking the time to let us know about your experience. Q: I really like how there are no self-check outs. Keep the real people! Keep it personal! A: Thank you for your input! We also like people! Q: Could u please put paper bags by the produce so we can pack it in paper rather than plastic? Thx. A: We know that the paper bags do run out during the day. We try to make them widely available in a couple of sizes. They are stocked near the apples, onions, potatoes and mushrooms among other locations. Q: Briteny is a conscientious excellent cashier. Because she looks at tare weights for each bag and she is calm. A: Right on! We agree. Q: What disposal category do the muffin cups go in? A: They are compostable. We use unbleached paper from “If You Care” on our muffins. Q: Vegetarian Quiches A: We do make meatless quiches with eggs and dairy products. We’ve found true vegan quiches to be too time-consuming to be a practical offering.

Honest Slate

June 2019

Q: Thank you to Krishan in the kitchen, who went out of his way to prepare more scrambled eggs for me when they were out + I was hungry.  A: We’re always happy to help fill hungry stomachs. We appreciate Krishan and his helpful nature. Q: Today I was in the café. An older woman was using a computer, very absorbed. Mark (our maintenance guru) was straightening + cleaning… I witnessed him, taking the woman’s cup + filling it w/water. She was very appreciative + all smiles. We work with some of the most kind, awesome, lovely people in the world. Mark is one!!!  A: Wow! Thanks for noticing. We’re very happy he is here. Q: Gumbo on the Hot Bar was SO good! A: We’re very glad that you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to let us know you liked it. Q: Can you put signs by the soups + hot bar items to indicate level of spiciness? Thanks. A: We do label spicy foods n the hot bar when they are at a level of spiciness that goes beyond mild. Q: Thanks for putting Curry Cashew Tofu on the salad bar. Great idea! A: Thanks for thanking us! We’re glad to offer Curry Cashew Tofu for your enjoyment. Q: WHY! SAME FOOD ON HOT BAR

ERY MONDAY???

EV-

Q: Monday, 9:25 a.m.: The whole Co-op smells like bacon. It’s kinda gross. A: Bacon is one of those products with a distinctive smell. Monday morning is our scheduled time to cook it. We’re sorry about grossing you out. Q: Vegan lasagna @ the Hot Bar? Thx! A: We’ve made Vegan Lasagna in the past and will work it into our future menus. Q: How about emailing receipts instead of paper? A: This remains a long term goal of ours. There is no practical way to do this with our current system because we need receipts for refunds. Q: Consider creating a paid membership for non-NY residents. A: Your suggestion has been forwarded to our Board of Directors. Q: Occasional prepared items adhering to A.I.P (autoimmune protocol diet). A: You may find that many of our paleo items may meet your dietary needs. Q: SO cool + wonderful HWFC carries SERVV items!! Please keep it up. A: We’re excited about them too! Please carry a fat free pasta sauce (preferably organic) A: Traditional tomato sauces typically known as “marinara” sauces are usually fat-free. Please let us know if you seek another specific variety of pasta sauce.

Q: How come very Monday has been the same hot bar food for 1+ month? Thanks! A: Our meatless Monday menu is on a bi-weekly rotation. We change the recipes every two months. Q: Why can’t you make corn muffins w/o gluten + butter? So that we who have food allergies can have them! A: We have made vegan muffins with no added gluten in the past and will continue to make them on occasion. Please feel free to order a dozen through our catering program.

Don’t see what you want in our bakery cases? You can order gluten/dairy-free muffins via HWFC’s catering program.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

Honest Slate

June 2019

Compassionate Communication Guidelines

Come to the

Coffeehouse Open Mic Wednesday June 17 7-9 p.m. in the HWFC Cafe Performance signup at 6:30 p.m.

A family-friendly event Every 3rd Wednesday of the month

Board Meeting Decisions HWFC’s Board of Directors approved the following at the 6 p.m. Board Meeting June 11, 2018: • The FY 2019-2020 Budget, as presented by the CFO and recommended by the Finance Committee, was recommended to the Membership for their approval at the June 23, 2019 Membership Meeting. • The Board accepted the proposal submitted by Human Resources to track changes in employee’ budgeted hours. • The Board asked the Environment Committee to update their workplan to include an Energy Assessment exploring backup power systems with pricing. • The Board accepted the proposed changes to the Member-Owner Manual as recommended by the Membership Committee to be submitted for approval at the June 23, 2019 Membership Meeting. •The Notice of the June 23, 2019 Membership Meeting was approved.

Staff member John van Bladel asked Honest Slate to publish the following peace initiative material as a way to reach out to Membership and Staff for feedback on how we might integrate these precepts into our Co-op. Please take a look, visit listed resources and email John with ideas. All contact information is below. The Building Peace Initiative in which John participates strives to raise awareness and support the study and practice of peace as a discipline and as the preferred option for coexisting sustainably. 1. Do no harm. We are committed to preserving all life through practicing nonviolence, understanding, and compassion while promoting peaceful methods of resolving conflicts. 2. Compassion as the basis for our actions: We will seek to reduce the suffering of others whenever possible. 3. Listen deeply with the express intent of understanding other’s perspectives. 4. Listen without judgment. There are many diverse perspectives in this world. Be open to other’s perspectives and seek to understand rather than argue. 5. Speak kindly and respectfully in a manner that fosters respectful dialogue. Being aware of the power of words we will communicate honestly in a manner that fosters understanding and compromise. 6. Be inclusive. Excluding people based on race, gender, socioeconomic status or ideology causes a great deal of misunderstanding and suffering. Seek to engage others whenever possible. 7. Appreciate others. Focus on the positive and let people know you appreciate their efforts even if your perceptions differ. 8. Dialogue instead of gossip. Make a genuine attempt to communicate and resolve conflicts directly with each other. 9. Apologize sincerely. Set an example, repair injured feelings, and get the conversation moving forward again. 10. Practice appropriate assertion. Develop a well-informed voice and understand your right to be heard. 11. Be proactive instead of reactive: Set the tone for our interactions with others. 12. Support each other to reach our full potential.

“Do your best to practice compassionate listening. Do not listen for the sole purpose of judging, criticizing, or analyzing. Listen only to help the other person express himself...”—Thich Nhat Hanh Visit us on Facebook at: “The Building Peace Initiative” Website – Blog and Podcasts: youwantapeaceofmeonline.com Contact: buildingpeaceinitiative@gmail.com or john.vanbladel@fmcc.edu Twitter: @buildingpeacei1

Developed with the Oshkosh Civility Project (Wisconsin) and a network of affiliated campusand community-based efforts. Principles are derived from the “Speak Your Peace” model originally based on Choosing Civility by Dr. P.M. Forni, “The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings” from Blue Cliff Monastery, and discussion with the Fulton-Montgomery Community College Think Peace Club. Material courtesy of https:// youwantapeaceofmeonline.com/2019/02/10/ the-building-peace-initiative-mission-andcompassionate-communication-guidelines/.

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 2019

Memiber-Owner Announcements FF-M TA

Cake &

BBQ !

great big BBQ event with many staff and Member-Owners sitting down together to share the meal and the stories; what a wonderful way to celebrate our appreciation together. Many thanks to all the outrageously beautiful cakes we had for our cake contest as part of the BBQ—it was a truly impressive showing of talent! Plus an extra special thank-you to Stephen Piorkowski from the Bakery for always stepping up and helping out with such joy and enthusiasm when the Co-op has food-based events—everyone’s contributions matter and are appreciated, but today’s shout-out goes to Stephen P for ALWAYS taking it up a notch.

BQ• S

Our next membership meeting is 6 p.m. June 23 at the Ramada Hotel across from the Co-op. We hope to see you there! For questions about voting eligibility contact memberservices@honestweight.coop. All Owners and Member-Owners who attend the meeting will receive 2 hours of credit regardless of voting status. This is one way that the Co-op encourages Member-Owners to remain informed and participate in our vibrant community. Be on the lookout for info on our website and at the customer service desk about the Annual Budget and proposed Member-Owner Manual revisions to be voted on at this meeting. In keeping with our intentions to limit waste where possible, please bring your coffee mug with you to the Co-op when you come for a beverage. Announce that you’re using your own mug at the register and you’ll get fifteen cents off of the bill; hooray for saving money and creating less waste! Plus, thank you to all of the BBQ

WNER

We ended May with a

BER -

attendees who brought their own dishes and utensils—this is always an option for our food gatherings. Give it a try for the dessert potluck before the June 23 Membership Meeting.

•B

Care to

Honest Slate

We need Member-Owner help in the store! Current needs include Courtesy Clerk help on Saturdays and Sundays after 11 a.m. The Front End needs trained cashiers for Saturday evening and Sunday morning shifts. Food service needs prep help on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for preparing the next day’s entrees. For food service time-investment, kitchen experience and the ability to lift 50 lbs. are a plus; and organizational skills and attention to detail are a necessity. Please remember that closed-toe shoes are required for everyone on shift at the Co-op. Even though the weather is beautiful outside, please make sure you have the proper foot attire or you will be asked to clock out and miss out on your hours. Safety first! Are you a lover of recipes and books? Maybe gardening tips as well? Send in typed recipes, tips and/or book recommendations, complete with your name as the contributor, and we’ll see if we get enough to create a community page on the website where Member-Owners can share their love for food and information! The Co-op could receive submissions regularly from YOU and post them on the website monthly: one more way to reinforce our connections with one another and work together to co-create a positive cooperative that we’re all proud to be part of. Send feedback and submissions to Yevette at memberservices@honestweight.coop.

Interested in joining the Honest Weight Food Co-op Team as an Employee? Check out our Employment Page.

Are you a long-time Member-Owner and/or shopper of the HWFC? Do you have photos or documents from the time when the Co-op was located on Quail Street or Central Avenue? The Honest Arts Committee would like to make copies of documents you have from years ago that have to do with our store to show on our Gallery Walls. If you have any images or records, please reach us at HonestArtsCommittee@ honestweight.coop

The Honest Arts Committee aspires to engage imagination, stimulate conversation, and strengthen connection in the store and community by coordinating, promoting, and encouraging arts in the Co-op. For more information about Honest Arts, contact us at HonestArtsCommittee@ honestweight.coop

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop