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.
SeptemBer 2O21
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667
honestslate@honestweight.coop • https://www.honestweight.coop/
Chief Cooperative Officer Bids Farewell “It’s Time to ‘Close the Chapter’” What first brought you to Honest Weight? Rick worked for the Golub Corporation’s Price Chopper for 40 years as a purchasing director. When he was laid off along with several others there in April 2016 and heard that HWFC was seeking a CCO, he applied. Honest Weight offered him the CCO position following his second interview.
pandemic induced unforeseen challenges (“I never would have dreamed of this”), Covid failed to hasten his departure; if anything, he said, it sustained him. “We did well working through it and continue to…When you are in a leadership position, it’s not easy. It can be draining anywhere, not just here. Member-Owners and staff depend on you to lead [them] through.”
He did look at other positions, including one involving purchasing for Albany Med and another with Rivers Casino, then in the planning stage; but a future with HWFC took the lead once he received a firm offer.
“Honest Weight is now much more of a relevant household name.” Proving Potential In his first 18 months at HWFC, we were able to take steps to refinance the business and consolidate loans. This put us on the path toward cutting through what he continued on page 3
“We are a different retailer.”
Did you foresee a specific time frame for your work here? Nothing was etched in stone; “I take it as it comes.” While the
honestslate@honestweight.coop
1. Rick did not consider working anywhere else when the CCO position became available. 2. During a power outage, Rick slept in the café one night. 3. Rick is from the same area that the store occupies. 4. Rick’s favorite department is Wellness. 5. The first item on Rick’s bucket list is climbing the Himalayas. Answers appear on page 3.
Managing the Pandemic During the past year and a half, Rick reported, we had to make ongoing decisions with the safety of all in mind. To keep sales steady, HWFC took the same measures as did conventional stores to stay open such as establishing senior shopping hours and implementing Instacart delivery services.
Additionally, Marketing and Membership instituted our unique style of curbside shopping. It grew organically and would not have happened in a conventional store, according to our CCO. “We put it together quickly, with [staff] redirecting their energies to make it happen.” Staff playing a critical role included Education & Engagement Specialist Deanna Beyer, Community Relations Specialist Amy Ellis, and Membership Manager Yevette Buddeau along with trained Member-Owners who were recruited to help.
True or False?
CONTENTS
Rick Mausert What were your successes as CCO? “Driving results on the business side of operations and cutting expenses.” When Rick arrived in 2016, we were in transition between management systems. Previously a 3-person “leadership team” had been in charge; at that time, he noted, operations needed a way to “set up guide rails.” Additionally, during his tenure, legal fees were reduced 70–80%. (Earlier, habitual and frequent queries to the Co-op’s attorneys drove up excessive billable hours.) “A focus on all expense lines is key in helping to deliver budgeted results.”
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Run: GRC Candidacy Open ........ 2 Art Walk Event .......................... 2 August Coupon Stats ................ 2 Play a Part in the ENC!............... 4 Hand Dryers Save $................... 4 Lowering Lectin Risks................ 5 Q&A........................................... 6 September Board Decisions...... 8 Committee Corner..................... 9 Co-Opportunities..................... 10 https://www.honestweight.coop/
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September 2021
Honest Slate
Governance Review Council (GRC) Is Looking for Candidates! How are you feeling these days? See if any of these questions resonate with you.
and written communication skills, and a commitment to active participation are encouraged to apply.
• Do you miss Co-op interaction due to the ongoing pandemic? • Are you interested in engaging with a small group of people who seek to af firm cooperative processes to ensure the Co-op’s long-term existence? • Have you considered securing invest ment hours in a new, fulfilling way?
MOs are also encouraged to review the information provided on the Nomination Form, available online at the HWFC Elections Page, or at the customer service desk starting September 16. If interested in running for an open seat, complete and submit the Nomination Form by 8pm on Oct. 1 for publication on the Board of Directors in-store bulletin board as well as the Elections Page of the HWFC website!
If you answered “yes” to any or all of the above, you may be interested in running for an open GRC seat. Voters will elect 2 GRC members at the Oct. 24, 2021, Membership Meeting.
In addition, you may participate in two Meet the Candidates forums prior to the election. If you miss the Oct. 1 deadline, you may still submit your completed form on or before 8pm on Oct. 23, 2021. Nominations may also be made from the floor during the Membership Meeting.
What does the GRC do? Some highlights: • Advises, supports, and analyzes HWFC’s policies, governance procedures, and other Bylaws-related matters.
All GRC responsibilities are listed in the HWFC Bylaws document, Section 470.2.
Interested candidates should review the HWFC Bylaws for further information. The Governance Review Council meets monthly on the second Monday at 7pm. If elected, any investment hours you spend formally supporting the GRC as a Member-Owner will count toward your store discount.
To qualify to run for office, Member-Owners (MOs) must be in good standing and familiar with HWFC values and goals. Those with HWFC committee experience, familiarity with governance topics, good verbal
Now may be the right time for you to learn more about the GRC and heed the call to become more involved with governance and cooperative practices. We hope to hear from you!
• Promotes good governance by encouraging robust democratic, cooperative processes to facilitate fair and open decision making at all levels within the Co-op.
Field & Fork Network To increase public accessibility to healthy food, Honest Weight is working with Buffalo-based Field and Fork Network. It is the sole organization behind the rollout of Double Up Food Bucks (a federal program) for all of New York State; debut is expected late in the year. “Field & Fork Network is a food and farming organization that connects communities to innovative solutions that foster a sustainable food system,” the group states.
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Double Up Food Bucks Coming to HWFC “Get more fruits and vegetables when you spend your SNAP EBT Card dollars at participating locations. It’s easy with Double Up Food Bucks! For example, if you spend $10 from your SNAP EBT Card at a participating farmers market, mobile market, farm stand, small retail location, corner store, or grocery store, we give you another $10 to buy fresh fruits and veggies grown in New York State,” according to Double Up’s website.
Albany Mural Walking Tour! Capital Walls is a public art endeavor by Albany Center Gallery in partnership with Albany Barn, ParkAlbany, and Downtown Albany BID that seeks to inspire community with uplifting, educational, or thought-provoking works of art for the public.
On Wed., Sept. 15 from 6–7:30pm, you can enjoy a private walking tour of Albany’s Capital Walls murals—exclusively for Honest Weight staff and Member-Owners! This 16-mural tour is hosted by the Albany Barn. Space is limited and is on a firstcome, first-served basis. To RSVP please email Amy Ellis at amy@ honestweight.coop. You will receive an email confirming your attendance; more details will follow once your RSVP is confirmed.
August Owner Appreciation Giveaway Coupon Results: Membership and Marketing collaborated on our recent month-long Ownership appreciation reward with 4 weeks of giveaways in August, totaling 3,555 redemptions (yielding an average of 888.8 redemptions per item).
FREE FREE FREE FREE
Free Item:
# redemptions
Ithaca Hummus (10 oz.)
812
Local Pasture Raised Eggs (doz.)
930
Once Again Peanut Butter (16 oz.) 911 RAD Soap Bar (1)
892
Marketing reports: “We are very happy with the results and [are] tentatively planning a similar campaign for January. Interestingly, the eggs (the only non-vegan item and the least expensive item) had the strongest redemption!”—Alex Mytelka
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
September 2021
CCO Bids Farewell to HWFC continued from page 1
termed “the financial fog.” We succeeded not only in bringing the Co-op back to economic stability after a period of flux, but also by visibly increasing its positive impact on the immediate community.
Honest Weight’s outreach endeavors over the last 5 years include supporting Capital District Food Pantries and Free Fridge Albany program, building raised garden beds, and involving local artists in outdoor mural projects. Tangible improvements such as murals and expanded outdoor gardens were carefully cultivated. The concept for edible gardening first arose about 5 years ago, but the team waited until the business could support it operationally to initiate it; if we had launched the program any earlier we would have had to finance it.
“Every once in a while you may reinvent your role.” Another outcome Rick saw manifested was that of people growing into their positions as management provided tools and support while encouraging independence. True or False? Answers from pg. 1: 1. Rick did not consider working any where else when the CCO position became available. False: he had 3 interviews at Rivers Casino. 2. During a power outage, Rick slept in the café one night. True: “I kept hoping the power would come back on.” 3. Rick is from the same area that the store occupies. True: he grew up nearby in Albany, and has also lived in Schenectady and Niskayuna. 4. Rick’s favorite department is Wellness. False: he cited Bulk as his go-to destina tion. “Bulk food is something we own.” 5. The first item on Rick’s bucket list is climbing the Himalayas. False: he has set his sights on relaxing and thinking about what to do next.
Honest Slate Rick also credits the Marketing Department with creating structural consistency and heightening HWFC’s visibility, sometimes with actions as basic as inserting simple maps into ads. “Honest Weight is now much more of a relevant household name.”
Abundant Potential
“At Honest Weight we do a very good job filling the need to provide fresh healthy food, working with local suppliers and with our profits support many not-forprofits in our community. We should focus and take time to celebrate all the good that we have done and continue to do. My best to the future of the Co-op.”
—Rick Mausert, Honest Weight Food Co-op Chief Cooperative Officer (CCO), 2016–2021 Solvable challenges Rick reported occasionally stepping back to reflect on differences of opinion—often passionate—in order to weave varying viewpoints into a final solution. “I tried to do more homework and vet others’ ideas,” he shared.
“The challenge is in the pricing. We need to educate people on the value of healthy food.” Acknowledging that not everyone can afford the Co-op’s prices, Rick also sought ways to boost shopping accessibility. The store will soon initiate Double Up Food Bucks in conjunction with Buffalo-based Field and Fork Network as a step in this direction (see page 2 for details). “I like the Bulk section; Produce has great deals. Some items, like kale salad, I had never tried before. The bakery does a wonderful job, and our Plants Department is the best in this region.” Entertaining Expansion Though future avenues lie with his successor, Rick envisions another venue as part of a strategic plan. [Ed. note: Any decision on a new store would require Membership approval.] Our Empire State Plaza satellite location was already open when he arrived, but it was during his tenure that it became
3 profitable. Maria College just opened on Aug. 25. “It is my hope this will be a nice addition to HWFC,” Rick stated. Learn more about the Maria College expansion at October’s Regular Membership Meeting, when Marketing Director Alex Mytelka will present an update. “I hope people understand this: when you’re in charge, you never really get time off. I can’t not look at email. You don’t shut off.” For himself and Operations Director Stephen Quickenton—both retail veterans—24/7 availability comes with the job.
“The store may close at 9pm, but things can still happen.” Some things don’t change: he is “still pushing shopping carts around the parking lot, just like when I was 16.” What’s ahead? Focused on “finishing strong,” Rick intends to remain a Member-Owner here and may join the Niskayuna Co-op as well, as he knows people there and has advised them in the past. He hopes that any future positions will be part time and in the Not-forProfit world. What strikes Rick as exemplary or unique about HWFC staff? “Many look at their roles not just as jobs but as fulfilling a higher purpose.” —Carol Ostrow Did You Know? Deeply involved in community affairs, Rick: • served as president of the board of directors for Bethesda House, a group focused on homeless shelters, and still serves on its financial committee. • was involved in Capital District area Junior Achievement (JA) programs to reach area youth. • taught economics through JA at Schenectady High School as a volunteer, instructing students on how to shop, read price stickers to find value, and compare name brands with store brands. • supported Special Olympics, ARC, and other special needs and social justice initiatives. • volunteered at the regional food bank.
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
September 2021
Member-Owners Wanted on Elections and Nominations Committee (ENC)
Serve the Co-op on a committee while getting your hours in! Bylaws 461.1 says the ENC’s role is • coordinating a collaborative election process; • recruiting, and assisting the Member- ship in the recruitment of Member Owners to serve on the Board and on the GRC; • developing ballot and accurate counting procedures; and • preparing and signing the vote certification. There’s lots of fun and collaboration in all this, plus all the focus it takes to produce and revise ENC voting and election ballots, plans and documents. The ENC also main-
tains the Nominating and Voting Guide for MOs to reference. Visit an ENC meeting! The Elections and Nominations Committee meets every second Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm via Zoom. MO visitors are welcome at HWFC committee meetings, and will receive hours for committee meeting attendance if they join the committee as a committee member. Zoom links for governance meetings can be found on the website under the ownership tab. Questions? To connect, email the ENC at electionscomm@honestweight.coop. Hope to see you there!
Hand Dryers Relieve Paper Towel Drain Readers responded to last month’s installation of restroom hand dryers at our store (see Q&A, page 7). We reached out to Operations Director Stephen Quickenton to learn how management and department teams arrived at the decision to make the switch from paper towels. • Can you describe how the decision to use hand dryers in the Co-op’s restrooms was reached and the timeline leading up to it? The topic has come up several times over the last couple of years among us. The decision was reached due to a variety of factors, the tipping point being that paper towels are the top cause for backed-up commercial toilets. We had two instances this year when drains backed up throughout the store including prep sinks...and all bathrooms. We had no bathrooms available to use in the store...had to have porta potties delivered, and were using neighboring businesses’ bathrooms. • How did it fit into the budget? Did it come from a contingency allowance? This is part of our planned capital expenditures for the current fiscal year, and the topic has been discussed at Board meetings. We requested quotes in March...and installed the machines in August.
• Will it save money? We expect to reduce both our paper towel use and budget by about half. Spending on plumbing has been significant due to drain backups, and it is our hope and expectation that this will help. Each dryer uses an estimated $40 worth of energy each year. Eventually the dryers will pay for themselves. • Does it replace hand paper towels completely? What was done with leftovers? The hand dryers replaced the paper towels completely in the bathrooms. All departments with hand wash sinks (Food Service, Produce, Bulk, Cheese, Meat) will still use paper towels. We are not concerned with paper towels going down the drain in those departments. Leftover paper towels were used by other departments. • Did you consider other brands of this product type? Only in our initial search, but we quickly settled on the Dyson brand. • What sort of maintenance will the dryers require, and is there a warranty or service contract for repairs if needed? Very minimal maintenance. The dryers come with a manufacturer’s warranty and we can also
Did you know? Honest Weight has installed a little library box at the Watervliet Avenue entrance.
reach out to the electricians who installed them for support, if needed. The HEPA filters the dryers come with are recommended to be changed every 5 to 7 years. Due to COVID, however, we may change earlier. The Dyson dryers are considered clean and safe and are expected to create cost savings for HWFC. The unit’s air knife technology lowers environmental impact significantly compared to paper towel usage.
Paper towel manufacture, delivery, and waste disposal add up to a significant carbon footprint increase: • habitat and timber deforestation • extra water, chemicals in processing • carbon emissions from delivery • non-recyclable waste “Paper towels need restocking and disposal, create mess, and [result in] blockages. Many hand dryers are energy-hungry and... expensive to run,” according to Dyson. Hand dryers using air knife technology and a power-dense digital motor are less expensive to operate; additionally, air knife hand dryers’ HEPA filters capture 99.95% of particles, including bacteria and viruses, Dyson reported.
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
September 2021
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Honest Slate
Food for Thought : Reducing Lectin Problems by Joyce Chicoine, Nutrition and Education Committee
What are lectins? Lectins are proteins that help protect plants from insects and other predators. Gluten is one type of lectin that is found in several types of grains, but there are others. Even gluten-free grains, such as corn and rice, contain other types of lectins. Lectins are also prevalent in legumes (beans) and nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, etc.). They are found to a lesser degree in nuts and seeds.
How are lectins harmful? Normally when we digest proteins, they are broken down into amino acids to make them easier to digest. However, lectins are different because of their molecular structure. They are able to bind to carbohydrates and often do not get broken down properly. Then they attach to cells in the intestine where nutrients are supposed to be absorbed into the body. This results in “intestinal permeability,” or “leaky gut syndrome.” When this occurs, partially digested food and harmful bacteria are able to enter the bloodstream. This can ultimately result in higher inflammation, poor absorption of essential nutrients, and a host of auto-immune conditions. Authors and advocates of ancestral diets Loren Cordain (The Paleo Diet) and Mark Sisson (The Primal Blueprint) recommend that people avoid foods that contain lectins, at least on a trial basis. Sisson writes, “I remain of the opinion that lectins are problematic for most, if not all, people on some level. I am particularly concerned about those with mild subclinical inflammatory reactions to lectin ingestion” (p. 283). Dr. Steven Gundry (author of The Plant Paradox) agrees. According to Gundry, lectins are “plant toxins that should not be eaten. They cause damage and inflammation to the body.” The Autoimmune Protocol Diet (AIP) is similar to the Paleo and Primal diets, but goes one step further by completely eliminating nightshades.
Lectin-rich foods comprise legumes, nuts, grains, fruits, and nightshade vegetables, including: • Beans • Peanuts • Lentils • Peas • Soy • Tomatoes • Potatoes • Barley • Eggplant • Fruits • Wheat • Rice
Are lectins all bad? You may be thinking, “What about all the healthy vegans out there that eat grains and legumes every day? Lectins can’t be all bad, can they?” Actually, there are people who maintain that lectins are not all bad. Ocean Roberts (CEO of the Food Revolution Network) wrote in his blog that lectins are actually beneficial in small amounts. He referenced a 2017 report that lectins were actually being used experimentally in the treatment of cancers of the digestive tract. He pointed out that lectins slow down digestion, which in turn lowers glycemic index (a good thing if you want to keep your blood sugar level down). He also reminded us that foods that contain lectins also contain beneficial nutrients, such as protein, fiber, B vitamins, minerals, and lycopene (in tomatoes).
Is everyone sensitive to lectins? How can you tell if you are? Clearly, not everyone reacts to lectins the same way. Some people are more sensitive than others. People with digestive issues (such as Crohn’s disease or IBS), as well as people with autoimmune disorders (such as arthritis or lupus), could be the most sensitive to lectins. Another author, Dr. Amy Myers (The Thyroid Connection), sees a strong link between autoimmune thyroid disorders and lectin sensitivity. To determine if lectins are a problem for you, experts (such as Dr. Myers) recommend totally eliminating them from the diet for 4 weeks. Observe if symptoms disappear. Then reintroduce the foods, one at a time, to see if the symptoms return.
How can you reduce the negative effects of lectins without avoiding them entirely? If you think that you are moderately sensitive to lectins, there are ways to reduce their negative effects and make them easier to digest, so that you can still enjoy them. • Take steps to heal your gut. One way to do this is to totally avoid high-lectin foods for a while, so that the intestines can heal. Another thing that you can do is restore the balance of beneficial bacteria, either by consuming fermented foods and drinks or by taking pre- and pro-biotic supplements, which are sold in the Co-op’s Wellness Dept. Fermenting foods also helps break down the proteins, making them easier to digest. • Understand that there are other lectins besides gluten. Maybe you already tried going gluten-free and you did not notice any difference. Did you avoid other lectins as well? Were you still eating gluten-free grains, such as rice or corn? How about legumes? Dairy? Try avoiding all of these potentially problematic foods for a few weeks and see how you feel. • Remove peelings and seeds of certain fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes. According to Dr. Gundry, this is where the lectins are the most concentrated. • Soak legumes, grains, and nuts before using them. This helps because lectins are water soluble and are often most concentrated on the outside of food. Dried beans must be soaked for several hours before cooking. Soaking grains, such as oats or barley, before cooking them makes them more nutritious and easier to digest. Put grains in a container, cover with water, and let sit 4–8 hours or overnight. Then discard the water, rinse thoroughly, and cook. The same can be done with raw nuts (from the Co-op’s Bulk Dept.), but instead of continued on page 7
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
Suggestion Box
Q&A
Q: More keto options. A: We’ll have our kitchen managers do some research to bring some more delicious keto options to you. We will continue to expand our keto offerings in our Grocery Department as well. Q: Please make a way for people not online to do Implicit Bias Training. There seems to be Implicit Bias against people not online! A: People who want or need to take the Implicit Bias Training may schedule a time to take it at the Co-op. Credit hours were offered during August only, but anyone who wants to take it who needs access to online services may schedule a time to come into the Co-op with Stephenq@honestweight. coop, stephaniepidgeon@honestweight. coop, or our Member Manager Yevette at memberservices@honestweight.coop. Q: Can you get Nine Pin Cider sparkling apple juice—0% alcohol? It’s so good. Thanks! A: We’ll look into its availability through our distributors. Q: Some of the produce prices are outrageous! Blueberries, $8.00 a pint? This is blueberry season. No-spray is nothing special. Blueberries don’t require any attention. I’m a member who can’t afford to shop here. A: We have a plethora of options for blueberries. We support our local farmers by paying the prices they set. Q. Hands-free bathroom sink and soap, please. A. We’ll be working on adding more handsfree devices to our bathrooms in the future. Q: Elkay water dispenser is running slow… A: Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will change the filters. Q. I love the hand dryers in the bathroom. Great way to reduce paper waste. A. We’re also very excited about the hand dryers! Thank you for sharing your feedback.
September 2021
Q: Not loving the hand dryers in the bathroom. Lots of fecal contaminants in air & last step of proper hand washing is drying using a towel. I get it’s ecologically friendly, but pandemically? Not so much. L A: Thank you for your concern. We selected the Dyson Air Blade for a number of reasons including its HEPA filter that removes 99.95% of microscopic particles [see article, page 4.]
tigation, from the top down. If any of our employees were involved, they will be held accountable.”]
Q: Why are so many plants still full price this late in the grow season & when they don’t often look healthy? [received 8-14] A: We have been keeping up with culling and regularly restock 3x a week. We’re surprised to hear this as we’ve received more compliments this year than any other of the past 5 years about how good the plants look.
Q. Could we consider adding a “Do not leave car idling” sign outside? Or alternatively could a few solar car ports be constructed? Or more trees added for shade? Thank you! A. We know that it’s not ideal but there are some circumstances where people need to keep a/c going for people or pets to stay safe in the heat or the extreme cold in winter. Solar car ports were explored as an option but [are] not feasible. Our trees do continue to grow.
Q: Why do we sell Dr. Mercola products when he is the leading spreader of misinformation on COVID and vaccines on social media? A: We carry Dr. Mercola products because they are well formulated, and people are asking for them. We encourage shoppers to make their own informed purchasing decisions. Q: HWFC TV YOUTUBE Channel for ODD & UNUSUAL foods etc. A: We have a link to our YouTube channel on our Instagram Honest Weight Food Coop on Instagram (linktree/hwfc). Q. Why are we still selling Plainville? I spend my $ here because I believe in the values of Co-op—where are the values? Animal abuse is a deal breaker. Please stop carrying their products immediately. A. We are closely monitoring the Plainville situation and communicating directly with Plainville and with its local distributor Fancy Foods. [Editors’ note: Plainville Farms, which sells turkey products, has issued the following statement on its website: “You may have seen the horrific video of animal abuse that is being circulated in the news and online. What is shown is horrific, despicable and goes against everything this company stands for. It’s important for incidents like this to come to light, and we have already launched an internal inves-
Q. I wish I could buy from Honest Weight sunflower seeds in shells as it was before for years. A. Unfortunately, our distributor has discontinued carrying sunflower seeds in the shell.
Q: Has HWFC thought about decreased, optional, or waived membership fees for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, & POC in efforts to fight systemic racism, oppression, reflect the diversity of the neighborhood & remove economic barriers that marginalize groups within our food system? A: This is something that we are very interested in doing. We’re further exploring a type of solidarity share program as a future goal. Q. How long until HW makes membership more financially accessible to low income & BIPOC folk? (I’m aware there are payment plans that increase the total price of membership but that seems to penalize those who have less money.) A. This is something that we are actively pursuing and trying to make a reality. Please stay tuned for more details. Q. Thank you for not playing music in the store. A. Thank you for your feedback. continued on page 7
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
September 2021 These pictures tell a story! To beautify the parking lot wall, Amplified Voices collaborated with Honest Weight. Check it out when you’re at the store.
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Honest Slate
food for thought continued from page 5
cooking after soaking, put them in a food dehydrator or spread out on a cookie sheet in a warm oven to dry out completely before storing in a sealed container. • Use a pressure cooker to cook vegetables or beans that contain lectins. Soak, change the water a couple of times, and then cook according to pressure cooker directions. • Choose Co-op products that have been prepared and packaged to minimize the effect of lectins. This can save a lot of time and still protect you from lectins. Canned beans from brands such as Eden are low-sodium, already soaked, and ready to use in your favorite recipes. Look for canned tomato products with peelings and seeds already HWFC does not provide medical advice. Please check with a health care practitioner before treating any condition. See pg. 8 for all policies and full disclaimer.
“The word ‘lectin’ comes from the Latin ‘legere,’ meaning ‘to select.’ They select the carbohydrates to which they bind... lectins are a bit like the bumps and holes in Lego blocks.” —Food Revolution Network
removed. Ezekiel bread products (in the frozen section) are made with sprouted grains. Not everyone is highly sensitive to lectins. To find out if you are, try totally eliminating high-lectin foods for 4 weeks and see if you feel better. If you choose to include foods with lectin in your diet, a little planning and special preparation can help you to minimize their negative effects.
coming next month:
all about apples
Q: The Co-op continues to disappoint me this year. I have seen HWFC commodify an endangered plant (ramps), hide my suggestion to implement sliding scale membership for BIPOC as anti-racist co-ops have done, and now punish all of your paying customers by denying a $3 product because HWFC is so passionately anti-theft. The management team here values white supremacy capitalism over community and it shows.
Your previous question from Oct. 2020 was answered [but] because of the pandemic, our bulletin board was not available to post answers for much of the year. Your suggestion and answer were published in Dec. 2020’s Honest Slate. We’re still very interested in offering a solidarity share program and will work to explore this option. We are aware of the $3 product you are referencing. We are indeed anti-theft, but it is not our intention to deny anyone any products. All are welcome at the Co-op. We strive to be an inclusive community. If you have any feedback as to how we can do better, please let us know.
A: The ramps we carry are not the same as those that have endangered status. The variety Burdickii is listed as endangered in NYS but those we do carry are primarily harvested by local farms in the Hudson Valley. Our Food and Product Manual is subject to update by Membership. Feel free to email the Nutrition Committee at nutritioncomm@honestweight.coop.
Q: Very disappointed that the Co-op would take such a childish and petty response to someone shoplifting cilantro seeds. To take these seeds away from everyone just because someone didn’t pay is ridiculous. A: Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We have removed the Post-It™ note and we continue to explore the best way to move forward.
Suggestion Box continued from page 6
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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September 2021
Honest Slate
Board decisions The HWFC Board of Directors approved the following at the 6pm Aug. 31 Board Meeting: The following decisions were made: • The Board approved, until the next meeting of the Board of Directors, 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 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. • On-site Committee meetings are suspended until the next meeting of the Board of Directors. • On-site orientations are suspended until the next meeting of the Board of Directors. • On-site tabling (both indoor and outdoor) is suspended until the next meeting of the Board of Directors. • The Notice of the October 24, 2021 Regular Membership Meeting was approved as edited. • The Membership Manager job description was approved as edited.
How to Stay Involved In this past year-plus, we have found ourselves compromising on so many regular activities, including time investment at the store. Here are some easy ways for you to contribute any time:
Editors & Contributors Yevette Buddeau David Bulnes Joyce Chicoine Stephanie Conde Erin Donahue Elisa Grimm Lynn Huntington
Don Kennison Paula McKeough Alex Mytelka Carol Ostrow Stephen Quickenton Janet Sorell Tyler Varese
• Bring your own bags (of course) and ask your cashier to donate your bag credits to the EnviroTokens program (through October, when we’ll adopt a new initiative—stay tuned!).
• When checking out your purchase, use an HWFC gift card, cash or check instead of a credit/debit card. The store will save on fee amounts.
Collectively, small gestures add up to big results for our community. Let’s keep giving back!
• Drop off extra canned goods in the food pantry bin located by the store exit.
Many of our committees are currently looking for additional Member-Owners to join and help strengthen our organization. You can attend from home and all are welcome! For information visit our website using the links shown to the right.
lEttEr to the ed i to rs I really enjoyed and learned a lot reading the “Untangle the Maze” article. Thank you!—Peter McGowan Ed.: You are so welcome! That’s great to hear. Thanks, Peter! Did You Know? Honest Weight recently hired a safety and security professional to join our management team.
SeptemBer 2O21
• Leave suggestions for our Membership and community at the front desk Suggestion Box.
Submissions Policy for articles & contributions:
• Preferred maximum length is 800 words. • Material is published at the discretion of the Honest Slate team. • Only signed work is accepted; items are edited for length, grammar & style. We may consider unsolicited material but encourage submitting ideas first. Letters to the Editors do not require preapproval.
Contact honestslate@honestweight.coop with questions, comments, or article suggestions.
To learn more about Honest Weight Food Co-op committees, visit https://www.honestweight.coop/page/ committees-of-the-board-14.html
To attend HWFC Zoom meetings, visit our website here.
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 list below, the Finance Department urges you to contact the Co-op at your earliest convenience: finance@honestweight.coop. Hank Adams Nishi Beharry Timothy J. Cowper Stephen Dornbush Gillian Eastwood
Eva Foitzik Laurel Holden Maria Kuhsel Emily Mowel Mark Pranys
Lily Ringler Elias Saifan Kimberly Truitt Kenneth Windstein
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 ©2021 Honest Weight Food Coop; 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
September 2021
COMMITTEE C O R N E R
Preliminary committee reports submitted for the Board of Directors’ August 31, 2021, meeting. See meeting packet for details. Full Board-approved committee reports are posted on HWFC’s website.
by Stephanie Conde Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) ∙ As of Aug. 16, 42 Member-Owners (MOs) and 31 Staff took Implicit Bias Training. ∙ ARC supporting next book discussion. ∙ Requested BOD: (1) allow ARC to be first on agenda for committee times; and (2) provide advice on moving forward to create affinity spaces (process/protocol, etc.). Environment Committee (EC) ∙ Reached out to Yevette as first step in plan to launch zero waste presentation and initiatives. One suggestion is working with marketing to expound on our 8th statement of conscience (waste reduction) noted on HWFC website. ∙ Discussed new Food Donations and food waste law taking effect in the new year. EC willing to help/support those working out details of how to best implement law. Waste Audit results can be consulted for suggestions or contributions. ∙ Discussed plans to accomplish Manual updates by area of focus, including action steps to begin research. ∙ Photovoltaic system of Community Solar is up and running. August billing cycle should reflect credits for HWFC store and residential customers. ∙ Working with management on options for cooling units; continue to analyze utility bills and review changes over last year. ∙ Requested BOD’s permission to collaborate with marketing and management to help develop in-store zero waste initiative. Elections & Nominations Committee (ENC) ∙ Discussed development of posters to advertise elections in Honest Slate and possibly in store. ∙ BOD is considering tabling outside HWFC for now (due to COVID resurgence). Requested BOD advise on tabling days/times decisions. ∙ Readying Annual Report for submission by Aug. 16. ∙ Reviewed assignments and identified common draft document for review/editing of ENC/Voting Handbook procedures. ∙ Initial planning underway for Oct. 24 GRC election.
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Nutrition and Education Committee (NEC) ∙ Preparing article for September’s Honest Slate on lectins in foods and how they affect health (see page 5). Communications Committee (CC) ∙ Updating policy language to reflect formatting preferences for article drafts; providing disclaimers as needed. ∙ Emailed poster design samples to ENC and Membership Committee to encourage continued discussion of how updating the Membership “brand” could attract attention, support Membership engagement around elections, and encourage attendance at regular Membership Meetings. ∙ Copy deadline for October issue is Sept. 25. Next Honest Slate publishing dates are Sept. 9 and Oct. 7. Sales and Fiscal Performance (for 1 month ending July 31, 2021) · Ordinary Income decreased $74,243 or 72% to $28,283 vs. $102,525 last year ($8,745 or 24% under budgeted amount of $37,028). · Net Income decreased $57,749 or 86% from $66,966 (last year) to $9,218 ($7,045 or 57% under budgeted $16,263). · EBITDA decreased by $78,520 to $54,207 vs. $132,727 last year (under budgeted $63,143 by $8,936). · Total Expenses were up $45,832 or 5.4% from $848,706 last year to $894,538 (under budgeted $928,014 by $33,477 or 3.61%). · Costs of Goods were down $85,345 or
5.89% at $1,364,287 vs. $1,449,632 last year (under budgeted $1,458,182 by $93,895 or 6.44%). · Overall Gross Profit was down $28,411 or 2.99% at $922,820 vs. $951,231 last year (under budgeted $965,042 by $42,222 or 4.37%). Gross Margin was 40.35% vs. 39.6% last year (under budgeted 40%). Membership Committee (MC) · Continued senior MO outreach to check on well-being during pandemic. Conducted outreach to Member-Owners (MOs) on returning to time investments in store. · Presented Member-Owner Manual changes to Membership; Membership’s vote overwhelmingly approved changes. · Began successful bimonthly Book Discussion Group. Collaborated with other committees to co-facilitate and choose books of note for Membership. · Continued monitoring and conducting orientations for people becoming new Members or MOs. Orientations continue to be conducted via Zoom (during a brief window some in-person sessions were conducted). · Continued support of effort to conduct Regular Membership Meetings despite pandemic. Participated in virtual check-in; gave feedback on meeting structure. · CCO position has been reposted; MC will screen and potentially interview applicants. · Need for additional MC members posted in Honest Slate and will be posted on bulletin board.
Membership Committee Seeks New Members The Membership Committee (MC) currently meets virtually every second Monday. Do you have time, talent, and desire to be on the Membership Committee? This committee needs MOs in good standing who can • collaborate to promote an equitable Co-op • follow through and complete monthly items • attend MC and Regular Membership Meetings Email address below if interested in earning hours as a Membership Committee member. You can visit with the committee to ask questions or one of us can review with you what we do!
MembershipComm@honestweight.coop
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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Co-opportunities: by Yevette Buddeau,
Membership Manager (MM) Here we are coming up on another quarter turn of the circle—heading into fall and harvest time. I love the fall and the break in humidity, as well as the cooler nights. To be honest, each seasonal change brings me awe and wonderment mixed with excitement. This one brings great weather for a nonmotorized vehicle commute, too! Hey Member-Owners: are you aware that we started an eco-commuter program for MOs in mid-2019? You can benefit as well as save precious resources and our planet! Member-Owners who sign up as eco-commuters earn .25 hours per trip, up to 1 hour per month, added to their time bank by not commuting to their MO shifts in a personal (motorized) vehicle. Common ways to commute for eco commuters are busing, biking, or using any pedestrian method. Email Yevette at memberservices@honestweight. coop with any questions or to sign up. We also have a staff program for biking to work; reach out to AlexisD@honestweight.coop to sign up if you’re staff who rides a bike to work and still needs to sign up as a biker. Another great autumn experience at the Co-op is planting tulip bulbs. So fun! Keep your eye out for dates for planting parties outside in the garden beds. Dates TBD, but we’re looking at a couple of Saturdays in late October and early November to get our ton of flower bulbs planted in the garden beds. The energy and camaraderie during these planting parties are always superb, and we plan to have some snacks this year to nourish the gardeners. We’ll post more definitive details as the dates get closer. We hope to see some new faces and add to our garden group community! Speaking of October, we have all the autumn governance engagement events coming up to get ready for. We’ll have our next Membership Meeting on October 24, plus the Call for Candidates, and then elections for the Governance Review Council (GRC).
September 2021
mEMBER-oWNER Announcements
Think about who you know who would be great as a GRC member—maybe it’s you! The guidelines for what the GRC is tasked with are delineated in the Bylaws section 470. Check it out! While the word “bylaws” fails to elicit feelings of joy and excitement in some, the HWFC Bylaws happen to be a super accessible way to see exactly what the roles of different groups at the Co-op are—from staff to management to governance to floor MOs.
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MEETING Our Next Membership Meeting is Sunday, October 24 at 6pm. Watch for announcements!
Get involved! In order to vote at the October 24 Membership Meeting, all MO hours and payments have to be up to date as of the end of the day on September 30. The same goes for GRC candidates; in order to be eligible to run for the GRC the MO has to have hours and payments up to date as of September 30. If you’re sick at all, stay home. We may all have times when we figure our scratchy throat or sniffly nose is an allergy or common occurrence for us, but it’s better to just stay home if any symptoms are present. This is precautionary, but it’s also communally considerate since nobody wants to wonder about a coworker’s or co-MO’s symptoms. It’s a very uneasy time for runny noses and such… Our MO hours bank is still up and running so if you think you may be short for the month then don’t hesitate to reach out to memberservices@honestweight.coop. On my end, it’s easiest to process requests
Interested in joining Honest Weight Food Co-op’s Team as an Employee? Check out our Employment Page. about hours or donations if they come in by the 25th of the month, but I’ll do my best to accommodate all requests in a super timely fashion so don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions. Looking for a way to get your hours in September? The Bakery is looking for MOs who can come in weekly for early morning help from 6–9 am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Contact AnastasiaRodgers@honestweight.coop to sign up. The Meat and Seafood Department is looking for MOs to come in weekly for general customer service and shelf straightening in the evening from 5 or 6pm until 9pm. Contact Stephenq@honestweight.coop to sign up. There has been a recent change of department manager in our Cheese and Specialty Foods Department; you may now contact JustinHardecker@honestweight.coop for all inquiries about MO time investment opportunities in the Cheese Department. For general openings and contact information for HWFC departments and time investments, check out the Member-Owner opportunities page on the website. We also have a unique request from a Member-Owner this month. We’re seeking someone who is familiar with macrobiotic cooking and can talk with an MO in need. There may be some consulting or even cooking involved, but the first step would be to contact Yevette at memberservices@ honestweight.coop to connect with the macrobiotically curious Member-Owner. Memorial for John Lynch Sept. 25 There will be an indoor/outdoor memorial service for long-time Produce staffer and Co-op member John Lynch to remember and celebrate his life on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 2–7pm at the Albany Barn and the Ten Broeck Mansion Gardens.
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
