CO-OP NEWS A Publication of the North Coast Co-op • Oct. 2015
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Co-op News North Coast Co-op 811 I Street Arcata, CA 95521
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Eureka, CA 95501 Permit No 327
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RSVP by Oct. 13 See p. 1
Special Insert: ANNUAL REPORT Co-op accomplisments and financial information for FY2015
Don’t Forget to Vote in the Co-op Board of Directors Election by Oct. 14 p. 5
CO-OP NEWS Issue 82 | OCTOBER 2015 www.northcoast.coop co-opnews@northcoast.coop
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EDITOR Melanie Bettenhausen Marketing & Membership Director (707) 502-3555 ext. 132 melanieb@northcoast.coop
October 17, 3:30-7:00pm
GRAPHICS & COORDINATION Zev Smith-Danford Graphic Design Coordinator (707) 502-3555 ext. 120 zevsmithdanford@northcoast.coop
(doors open at 3pm)
Alenya Felts Marketing & Graphics Assistant (707) 502-3555 ext. 129 alenyafelts@northcoast.coop ARCATA LOCATION 811 I St., Arcata • (707) 822-5947 Open daily: 6 am to 9 pm Kevin Waters, Store Manager kevinwaters@nor thcoast.coop EUREKA LOCATION 25 4th St., Eureka • (707) 443-6027 Open Daily: 6 am to 9 pm Toby Massey, Store Manager tobymassey@nor thcoast.coop COOPERATIVE OFFICES 811 I St., Arcata GENERAL MANAGER Kelli Reese (707) 502-3555 ext. 124 kellireese@nor thcoast.coop MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Bella Waters (707) 502-3555 ext. 135 bellawaters@nor thcoast.coop
at the Arcata Community Center
HUMAN RESOURCES Lisa Landry (707) 826-8670 ext. 127 lisalandr y@nor thcoast.coop
321 Community Park Way
RSVP for this free member-owner only event by October 13
ACCOUNTING Kelli Costa (707) 502-3555 ext. 138 kcosta@nor thcoast.coop
RSVP at Customer Service in Arcata or Eureka or by calling Membership Coordinator Bella Waters (707) 382-3109 (RSVPs help our Prepared Foods Team know how much food to make. Member-owners of the Co-op will not be turned away if they did not RSVP.)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeremy Cotton, Dave Feral, Kate Lancaster, Fred Moore, Cheri Strong, Steve Suttell, Jessica Unmack board@northcoast.coop THE COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES: Voluntary & Open Membership Democratic Member Control Member Economic Participation Autonomy & Independence Education, Training & Information Cooperation Among Cooperatives Concern for Community The Co-op does not officially endorse the services or products of any paid advertiser. All articles, columns and letters are the expressed opinion of the author and not the Co-op News.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters must include your name, address, member #, and telephone #. Letters should be kept to a maximum of 250 words and may be edited. We regret that we may not be able to publish all letters due to limited space. Email your letters to co-opnews@northcoast.coop or send them to: Co-op News, 811 I Street, Arcata, CA 95521. Deadline for letters is the 10th of each month.
INSIDE
2 Annual Membership Meeting
9 Financials
3 Co-op Month
9 Board Meeting Recap
3 Coastal Cleanup
10 Local Produce Recipe
4 Member Giveaway
11 Community Partners
4 Member Survey
5 Buy in Bulk
5 Vote by Oct. 14
6 Autumn Quinoa Salad
7 Giant Pumpkin Contest
8 Co-op Pumpkin Patch
11 Reference Guide
Special Insert:
Annual Report 2014-2015
| ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING | By Melanie Bettenhausen, Marketing & Membership Director
Co-op Annual Membership Meeting W
e are super excited about the activities planned for our 42nd Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, October 17 from 3:30-7pm at the Arcata Community Center! Please RSVP for this free member-owner only event by October 13 so we can make enough food for everyone. No member-owner will be turned away if they do not pre-register, but we want ensure that no one goes hungry! RSVP at Customer Service in Arcata or Eureka or by calling Membership Coordinator Bella Waters at (707) 382-3109. Some of you may be wondering what the Annual Membership Meeting will be like, so below is a summary of the day’s events. There is always a chance that we will get off schedule, but below is what we estimate will happen. At any time throughout the afternoon/evening, children may be dropped off in the Kids Activity Room (see below for more details). Please indicate your desire to use the Kids Activity Room when you RSVP for the Annual Membership Meeting. Summary of Events 3:00 – Doors will be open for memberowners to sign-in, find a table and grab a drink and/or snack. 3:30 – The Board of Directors will facilitate a brief meeting, including a short report on the year’s activities, election results, and “open mic” session. This is an opportunity for member-owners to address the Board and fellow Co-op member-owners. 4:15 – Guest Speaker Julie Layshock, chemist, toxicologist, HSU Lecturer and Zero Waste Humboldt board member will talk about packaging materials and how they break down in the environment (see Julie’s bio this page). There will be time for member-owners to ask questions. 5:00 – Board Director Dave Feral will introduce Open Space Discussion Forum technique (see more this page) and determine table topics before food is served. 5:15 – Heavy appetizers and soup will be provided by the Co-op’s Deli, as well as sweets from the Bakery, for memberowners to enjoy during the Open Space Discussion Forum. This is an opportunity for member-owners to engage other member-owners in solution-oriented conversation, or to just enjoy a meal, wine and beer. 6:30 – Groups will report out on key points from the discussion tables. 6:45 – Closing comments from around the room will be heard. Open Space Technology Open Space Discussion Forum* means exactly what the words imply—open space and time for a group to do its busi-
ness on a blank slate. The leader provides a focal point for direction and does not control the minute-by-minute plan of action. Open Space has several principles: • The people who come are the right people. • What happens is the only thing that could have. • Whenever it starts is the right time. • When it is over, it is over. In order to keep the conversations flowing and on topic, we will use the “Law of Two Feet”--every individual has two feet, and must be prepared to use them. Responsibility for a successful outcome in any Open Space event resides with each participant individually. Everyone can and must make a difference. If that is not true in a given situation, they, and they alone, must take responsibility to use their two feet to move on to a new place where they can make a difference. By word or gesture, indicate that you have nothing further to contribute, wish the group well, and move to another table. Expectations are critical. Be prepared to be positively surprised. Those who come with a list of intended outcomes will be frustrated and may miss positive and useful things. Outcomes should generate new ideas, solutions and perspectives for positive activity within our Co-op. For the purposes of our Annual Membership Meeting, we will be limiting the amount of time for the Discussion Forum, but not because we don’t want to hear from all of you. We are, by necessity, limited to a block of time in order to honor everyone’s busy lives. The conversations that are started at our Annual Membership Meeting, however, do not need to end there; they can and should continue on in the community. As well, the overarching theme of Zero Waste should not be limited to one meeting, but should be a topic that is discussed on a daily basis. We look forward to hearing what you all have to say! Zero Waste and Zero Waste Humboldt Zero Waste is a philosophy that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused. No trash is sent to landfills and incinerators. Zero Waste maximizes recycling, minimizes waste, reduces consumption and ensures that products are made to be reused, repaired or recycled back into nature or the marketplace. Zero Waste Humboldt is an organization formed in 2011 with a mission to develop waste prevention, reduction, reuse and recyling solutions for the residents, businesses, community-based organizations, and government agencies of Humboldt County. You may have seen them at the North Country Fair and other local festivals, wearing vests and helping fairgoers find the right place for their trash…
and of course encouraging people to reuse. North Coast Co-op recently contracted with Zero Waste Humboldt to conduct a packaging audit in our Prepared Foods Department. The results of that study will go to the Co-op’s Sustainability Committee and then to the Board of Directors to determine any actions that may be taken as a result. We are thankful for the work that Zero Waste Humboldt is doing in our community. Guest Speaker We are thrilled to have Julie Layshock as our guest speaker. Not only is Julie an expert in her field, but she is an active member-owner of North Coast Co-op. Julie has joined co-ops wherever she has lived and believes in the cooperative business model. In addition to being our guest speaker, Julie was one of the researchers for our packaging audit through Zero Waste Humboldt, of which she is also a board member. Julie has been gracious with her time, attending Member Action Committee meetings as she can, in order to answer questions and engage member-owners in the conversation of reuse—her number one recommended method of packaging. We look forward to hearing her scientific explanation of packaging and its impact on our environment. Kids Activity Room and SCRAP Humboldt In order to allow adults to participate in the Open Space Discussion Forum without too much distraction, we have contracted with SCRAP Humboldt to engage kids in activities involving reuse. SCRAP Humboldt is a nonprofit organization based in Arcata. Its mission is to inspire reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing education programs and affordable materials to the community. SCRAP Humboldt staff will provide childcare (ages 4 & up) and educational activities from 3-7pm (parents will need to fill out a release form). Space is limited to 25 kids at any given time, so please indicate your desire to use the Kids Activity Room when you RSVP for the Annual Membership Meeting. Reuse and You As a part of our Zero Waste educational efforts, we will be raffling off reusable container sets during the Annual Membership Meeting. We also encourage attendees to bring their own (clean) re-usable food containers from home in case there are leftovers (there are always leftovers). We look forward to seeing all of you at our Annual Membership Meeting! Please RSVP by October 13 so we can provide enough food. ■
Guest Speaker
Julie Layshock Environmental Chemist & Toxicologist Dr. Layshock teaches chemistry at Humboldt State University and is also an active board member at Zero Waste Humboldt. Before moving to Humboldt in 2013, she was a Principal Research Scientist at Battelle and a Post Doc at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Much of her work involves chemical contaminant monitoring and assessment of human exposure routes. Her research studies have included air quality monitoring, pesticide toxicity testing, analysis of chemicals in personal care products, and environmental forensics. She also enjoys talking about trash. Recent advocacy work includes food packaging analysis and education concerning “green” plastics and the chemistry of plastics. Her community activities range from organization of beach cleanups to judging science fairs. Julie Layshock currently lives in Arcata and is an active member-owner of the North Coast Co-op.
*www.openspaceworld.com www.northcoast.coop
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| CO-OP MONTH |
October is Co-op Month!
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hen it comes to “buying local,” cooperative businesses stand out. That’s because cooperatives are locally grown by everyday people who join together to solve a problem or meet a need. Did you know the co-ops in your community are owned and democratically controlled by people just like you? Adaptable and time tested, cooperatives are everywhere and operate in every industry including agriculture, energy, financial services, food retail and distribution, health care, child care, insurance, housing, purchasing and shared services, telecommunications, and more. While many businesses are strictly motivated by profit, cooperatives exist first and foremost to deliver quality goods and services to their members. Revenues and returned to the co-op’s member-owners in the form of enhanced services or dividend checks. Education is one of the seven principles that guide all cooperatives, so members are encouraged to actively participate in setting policies and making decisions for their coop. From attending an annual meeting to serving on the co-op’s board of directors, people who belong to cooperatives can
have a real stake in their economic destiny. Here are some things you can do to promote co-ops: •
Support your community and local jobs by choosing to shop co-op businesses and brands (see p. 4).
•
Seek out co-op brands the next time you’re in the grocery store, need a loan, have an empty gas tank, are working on your home, or pick up the news.
•
Take ownership by finding a cooperative solution to meet a need facing your community.
•
Take ownership by serving on a co-op committee or running for the board of directors.
•
Take ownership by taking advantage of the many services provided to you as a member-owner of a cooperative.
•
Take ownership by sharing with others the unique qualities of cooperatives and inviting them to explore the benefits of joining you as a member-owner.
Note: Thanks go to www.cooperativenetwork. coop for providing the article and information about co-ops to be shared cooperatively.
Thousands of Pounds of Trash Removed By Brenda Harper, Consumer Education Coordinator
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he North Coast Co-op’s all-volunteer crew scoured the area around the Mad River Slough Bridge on HWY 255, as well as a pullout near Jackson Ranch Road in Arcata, on Coastal Cleanup Day September 19, 2015. In cooperation with the California Coastal Commission, the Northcoast Environmental Center (NEC) organized cleanup crews to remove trash and recyclables from our beaches, rivers, estuaries and bay (NEC organized the first ever Coastal Cleanup Day). North Coast Co-op is a sponsor for the event and has had a cleanup crew the last eight years. The dumping of ashtrays along the roadway was evident by the large num-
bers of cigarette butts that were picked up by all crew members. Along with pieces of plastic and disposable cups, we removed approximately 3,000 pounds of trash. Most of the trash was from the pullout off HWY 255 where we removed seven tires, six TVs, many pieces of broken furniture, window frames and bagged household trash. There were mattresses, children’s toys and a gigantic rolled up rug that took many people to heave into the truck. We thank the many volunteers, including Co-op employees and memberowners, who came out and didn’t quit until the job was done (they were even prepared to go back and do more)!
The
Seven
voluntary open
Democratic & membership MemberControl ME MB E R E C O N O M I C P A R T I C I P AT I O N autonomy & independence EDUCATION, T R A I N I N G ,
& INFORMATION
Cooperation among cooperatives CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY
Back row: Dustin Wiesner, New Xiong, Hope Botelho, Suzanne Paz-Swagert, Jay Swagert, Phoenix Swagert, Summer Vanselow. Front row: Nicole Smart, Jon Rogers, Brenda Harper, Carrie Newman, Terrence Dahlin
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CO-OP NEWS • OCTOBER 2015
| CO-OP MEMBER-OWNERS |
We
our members giveaway The Co-op Has Investment Shares Available!
Co-op Month Giveaway Did you know that October is National Co-op month? We thought it would be fun for this month’s member giveaway to include items from vendors who are also co-ops! One lucky member will receive some fabulous nut butters from Once Again. These nut butters can be eaten alone, or enjoyed with some chocolate from Equal Exchange. Looking to spice things up a bit? Enjoy some great seasoning mixes from Simply Organic for a tasty dinner. After a hard day, indulge yourself with some great bath products from Aura Cacia. To start your morning off right, we are also including 5 pounds of coffee from Equal Exchange – your choice of either our 40th Anniversary Blend, or Humjoldt. Be sure to enter at Customer Service in either store for a chance to win.
About Investing in the Co-op The North Coast Co-op offers its Fair Share members the opportunity to purchase preferred non-voting shares of stock, also known as Class C shares. Ownership of these preferred shares entitles members-owners to dividends declared by the Board of Directors. Class C shares are limited to member-owners of the Co-op who are Fair Share member-owners (owning $300 in B shares). C shares are sold in $10 increments and are currently earning a 2.00% APR on whole C shares ($10 increments) with no fixed terms.
Enter to win at Customer Service in either Co-op location. Deadline to enter: October 31
Member Survey
If you’re interested in investing in your Co-op, please contact Membership Coordinator Bella Waters for more information:
25 gift card!
Win a $
Q: What percent of your groceries do you buy in your own reusable bags and/or containers that you’ve brought with you from home (not including bags at the register)?
(707) 502-3555 ext. 135 bellawaters@northcoast.coop
For more detailed information about C Shares, pick up a “Investing in Your Co-op FAQ” brochure at Customer Service.
Member Name: Member #:
Phone #:
Detach this entry form and return it to the Member Survey box located near Customer Service at either store location. Be sure to include your name, contact information, and member number so that we can contact you if your entry is drawn. You can also send your ideas to co-opnews@ northcoast.coop with “Member Survey” in the subject line. Must be a member to enter. Co-op employees and their families are not eligible to win.
DEADLINE TO ENTER: OCT. 31
www.northcoast.coop
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| CO-OP COMMUNITY |
Buying in Bulk Saves Money and Reduces Packaging
Brenda Harper Consumer Education Coordinator
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s more of us are watching our budgets, buying in bulk is a great option for savings at the Co-op. You can find practically any ingredient in bulk bins these days: grains, flours, pasta, beans, cereals, trail mixes, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, tea, coffee, herbs, spices, soaps and even pet treats. Buying in bulk doesn’t mean you
Spend Less On average 89% less on natural & organic foods when buying in bulk.
t ’ n t! o D rge Fo
have to buy large quantities; it means that you can buy as much or as little as you need with reduced packaging and cost. While shopping in stores you may have noticed that items in larger packaging with greater quantity typically cost less per unit than their smaller counterparts. The bulk bins are filled from even larger bags making the cost per unit even less. When buying from the bulk bins you’re not paying for individual packaging, labeling and advertising, which makes the items even less expensive in comparison. In other words, you get more product for your money. Not only can you save money by purchasing items in bulk, but it’s better for the environment. You can drastically cut down on the amount of packaging waste you create. A lot of plastic, cardboard, glass, bags, boxes, shrink-wrap, bottles and more goes into the packaging of grocery store products. That can add up to quite a bit of trash after the product is used. Even though some packaging may be recyclable, it still demands high amounts of energy and
resources to be broken down. When shopping the bulk bins consider using refillable containers. The Co-op has many containers for sale that can be used for your bulk items. You can even refill your clean containers from home. How to Buy in Bulk Before filling your empty containers, use the digital scale provided in the Bulk Department to find out its tare (empty) weight. Write the tare weight on the container so when you get to the register with filled containers, you pay only for the weight of the product itself. You’ll also need to be sure to write down the product lookup number (PLU) of the item you have chosen so the checkout clerk will know what item to charge you for. There are glass measuring cups available that allow you purchase exactly the amount you need for a recipe. Use the 2-cup measuring cup with the gravityfed bins and slowly move the lever down to eliminate spillage (ask a clerk for assistance if you are new to this). Buying exactly what you need for a recipe
Buy Only What You Need Less food waste and lower food costs.
allows you to save money and reduce the amount of clutter in your cabinet(s). National Bulk Foods Week is October 11-17. The Bulk is Green Council (BIG) is a research and advocacy organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of buying in the bulk department. Celebrate by taking some time to check out all the choices that are available at the North Coast Co-op.
Joel Bradfield in the Arcata Bulk Department Ask our friendly and knowledegable employees in the Bulk Department for assistance or for bulk buying advice.
Use Less Resources Divert packaging waste from entering landfills.
VOTE
Board of Directors Election 2 0 1 5 by 5pm, October 14! 5
CO-OP NEWS • OCTOBER 2015
Find election materials and ballot in the Sept. issue of the Co-op News, in stores or online, or at the voting stations located at each store location.
| COOK & SAVE |
COOK & SAVE
By Brenda Harper, Consumer Education Coordinator & Jolie Harvey, Outreach Coordinator
Autumn Quinoa Salad Q
uinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is a quick-cooking, glutenfree “whole grain”. Quinoa is considered a pseudo whole
grain--it is actually the seed of a beet relative, but cooked and served like a whole grain. Quinoa grows in a rainbow of colors, but the most commonly available are red, black and white. Taste and nutrition are similar among the colors. White quinoa tends to cook up fluffier, while red and black quinoas have a crunchier texture and the grains don’t stick together as much. This superfood is an excellent source of protein and fiber, as well as B vitamins and vitamin E and the minerals iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese and magnesium. Stock up on quinoa now while it’s on sale in the bulk department (see p.5 on how to shop in Bulk).
Ingredients (serves 4)
• • • • •
1 cup quinoa, uncooked 1 ½ cups water 1 large apple, diced 1 cup pecans, chopped ½ cup cranberries, dried
Dressing • 2 Tablespoons olive oil • 2 Tablespoons maple syrup • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon • salt and pepper to taste
Directions 1. Bring 1½ cups water to boil in a saucepan. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and add in the quinoa. Cover and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff the quinoa with a fork. 2. Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and add to cooled quinoa. Mix the apple, pecans and cranberries into the quinoa. 3. Serve warm or chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
CO-OP SPECIALS California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil
$7.9916.9 oz
Bulk Organic Red Quinoa
$3.49per lb
Find more Co-op Specials tucked inside this issue of the Co-op News!
Photos by Zev Smith-Danford
www.northcoast.coop
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| CO-OP COMMUNITY |
* Two winners will be chosen in each store—one in the kid category (12 & under) and one in the adult category (over 12). Ties will be broken by random drawing. Employees and their families are not eligible to enter.
Come into either store location this October to guess the weight of the giant pumpkin, grown organically by a local farmer.
Those who guess closest to the pumpkin’s actual weight will win a $50 gift card!*
Please do not attempt to pick up the pumpkin on display, near the entry at each store.
Apply for a
CCF Grant Local non-profit groups have until November 1, 2015 to mail in proposals for the Cooperative Community Fund (CCF) 2015 grant funding cycle. Grants will range from $300-$2,000 for projects that address at least one of the three following areas: Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security (defined as access to a safe supply of quality food to all aspects of a community), and Food Nutrition and Education. Visit www.northcoast.coop for Granting Guidelines or pick them up at Customer Service in either store.
For more information, contact Bella Waters at (707) 502-3555 ext 135 or bellawaters@northcoast.coop 7
CO-OP NEWS • OCTOBER 2015
| CO-OP COMMUNITY |
Co-op Pumpkin Patch Turns 29! T
By Brenda Harper, Consumer Education Coordinator
his year the Co-op is sponsoring its 29th Annual Pumpkin Patch. Since 1987 the Co-op has partnered with a local farmer to provide an educational field trip for school groups. The kids get to pick out their own pumpkin from the field and learn about some aspect of organic farming. The Co-op covers the cost of the kids’ pumpkins. This year is The International Year of Soil and people worldwide are learning about the importance of soil, therefore this year’s educational theme for the Pumpkin Patch field trip is soil. Soil is one of the most important natural resources on the planet! Together with sunlight, air and water it provides the basis for life today. Soil is a complex mix of weathered rock, air, water, and countless microorganisms. It is what allows us to grow our food. The nutrients in our
diets come from plants growing in soil or from animals that eat plants. The healthier the soil the more nutrients are present and available for the plants, therefore producing more nutritious food. Soil health is the basis for many organic practices. The kids will learn about farming methods such as cover crops that help protect the soil. The Pumpkin Patch is at the Arcata Bottoms location of organic Warren Creek Farms on Mad River Road. School reservations have already been made for this year and our event is full, but you and your family and friends can visit the farm during the times listed below to have your very own pumpkin patch experience. The pumpkins won’t be free, but the farm is beautiful and the hay covered paths that wind through the sunflowers and pumpkins are an experience not to be missed!
Visit the Warren Creek Farm Pumpkin Patch Oct. 1-Oct. 23 Weekday hours: 1 pm - 5 pm Weekend hours: 9 am - 5 pm
Oct. 24-Oct. 31 Weekends & weekday hours: 9 am - 5 pm
Directions to the Patch: Take the Giuntoli Lane exit off of US Highway 101. Go west toward Mad River Hospital, but turn right on Heindon Road. Turn left onto Miller Lane, then right onto Mad River Road. Follow the signs toward Mad River Beach. Warren Creek Farm is on the right— 1171 Mad River Road. For more information call (707) 822-6017.
Co-op Donates More Than $900 to Pollinator Conservsation Efforts Article Adapted from National Co+op Grocers
T
he North Coast Co-op’s Grocery Department Heads and Merchandising staff attended the National Co+op Grocers Convergence Conference in July in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where the theme was “People. Planet. Product.” Co-op staff from around the country explored the environmental, social and economic challenges co-ops, farmers and manufacturers face while producing food and consumer goods for a rapidly changing world. The Convergence attendees learned about industry trends, shared ideas about operational practices that support improvement in co-op stores and celebrated being “stronger together” as members of the National Co+op Grocers. National Co+op Grocers (NCG) helps unify food co-ops in order to optimize operational and marketing resources, strengthen purchasing power, and ultimately offer more value to food co-op shoppers everywhere. A collaborative donation of $64,425 from NCG and 36 industry partners, including $937.50 from North Coast Co-op’s purchase of 1,525 cases of product from United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), was
given to the Xerces Society to support their ongoing “Bring Back the Pollinators” campaign. The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat (www.xerces.org). The Bring Back the Pollinators campaign is aimed at educating individuals and organizations on the four simple steps to protect pollinators and their habitats: (1) grow a variety of pollinator-friendly flowers; (2) protect and provide nesting sites and caterpillar host plants; (3) avoid using pesticides, especially insecticides and (4) talk with community members about the importance of pollinators and their habitats. Pollinators are necessary for the production of more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species, including more than 100 crops in the United States alone. The Xerces Society’s work is essential in protecting this keystone of our food system. North Coast Co-op is proud to have been able to contribute funds for pollinators and is thankful to NCG for providing the opportunity! www.northcoast.coop
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| CO-OP NEWS |
Financial Review Quarter 1, F Y16 By Kelli Costa
North Coast Cooperative, Inc. Unaudited Financial Statements
Chief Financial Officer
T
he first quarter was busy with sales of $8,507,211. The Arcata store sales were 9.03% above last year and finished out 6.58% better than budgeted. The Eureka store sales were nearly flat coming in at .47% lower than last year’s sales and fell short of their budget by 2.97%. We are staying on track for our expenses such as payroll and general operating costs compared to the budget with some categories being lower than budgeted. In a summary our combined store sales were higher than budget by $220,726 and our expenses were higher than budget by a very minimal variance of $2,380. Our net income for the end of the quarter came in with a profit of $234,688 compared to last year’s first quarter end net income of $225,533. That’s a 4.06% increase in net income. We also have recovered well from our year end and are focusing on keeping sales and service up. We have completed our year-end audit; please look for all that information in the Annual Report tucked inside this issue of the Co-op News. Last year the Co-op fell short of making a profit, but overall it was a good year for North Coast Co-op. It will be great to see so many of you at the Annual Membership Meeting on October 17. It’s always a great event and as usual the food should be exceptional. Warmest regards, Kelli Costa
Balance Sheet Income Statement Quarter Ending June 27, 2015 Quarter Ending June 27, 2015 Qtr 1, Fiscal Year 2016 Qtr 1, Fiscal Year 2016 Qtr 1 Qtr 1 FY 2016 FY 2016 Assets: NET SALES REVENUE 8,507,211 Cost of Goods Sold 5,364,862 Current Assets 3,313,486 Property & Equipment 2,565,954 GROSS MARGIN 3,142,349 Other Assets 393,421 Total Assets 6,272,861 Payroll Expense 1,584,627 Payroll Taxes 129,071 Liabilities: Personnel Expenses & Benefits 352,397 General & Admin Expense 424,376 Current Liabilities 1,931,179 Occupancy Expense 426,737 Long Term Liabilities 21,000 Total Liabilities 1,925,179 Total operating expenses 2,917,208 Member Equity: Other Income (expense) (9,547) Current Owner Shares 3,292,238 Retained Earnings 1,028,444 NET INCOME (LOSS) 234,688 Total Member Equity 4,320,682 Total Liabilities & Equity 6,272,861
Recap of September Board of Directors Meeting
Jeremy Cotton Employee Director
G
reetings Co-op member-owners! This is the monthly board meeting review. The most recent started like most meetings except that two board fixtures said their final farewells - facilitator John Woolley and board director Fred Moore. You two shall be missed, and we wish you the very best! During the Member Comments portion, board candidate Colin Fiske apologized for any consternation he may have created by modifying the Code of Ethics he was to sign in order to run in the up-
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CO-OP NEWS • OCTOBER 2015
coming election for a board seat. Despite his concerns about the wording of the code, he didn’t want to jeopardize his candidacy or that of any other nominee. Some members supported this stance. Other member comments included: an objection to the recommendation on handling votes from jointly shared membership; an objection to the creation of a paid facilitator position; and a commendation for the Nominating Committee for standing up to “questionable documents”. Next, the Board voted to forego executive session, and the minutes from the last board meeting were reviewed and accepted. Board President Jessica Unmack called on the directors to volunteer at the Annual Membership Meeting in October. She also discussed a possible board training next March. The discussion of utilizing a board facilitator continued, with the option of having the President choose whether or not they want an outside facilitator. A motion was passed to send the revised document “Board President and Meeting Facilitator Responsibilities in Conducting Meetings of the Board” to the Policies and Procedures Committee for review. President Unmack proposed that the Board have a special session before the next executive session to solidify the vision and future of
the Board, which was approved with a decision of 4-3. In the Finance Committee report, the following motions from Chair Kate Lancaster were approved: to accept the Fiscal Year 2015 audit; to approve the C share dividend rate (whole shares) to continue current interest rate of 2.00% APR for quarter ending December 26, 2015; to increase the C share dividend payout threshold from $20 to $50 for FY16 and revisit “auto reinvest” at the February meeting; to accept the August 17, 2015 Finance Committee minutes; and to accept Chris Copple as member-at-large for another one year term ending September 2016 on the Finance Committee, unless he’s elected to the Board in which he is no longer a member-at-large. For the Policies and Procedures Committee, Chair Dave Feral reviewed the August meeting. The following motions were approved: to send draft bylaws section 4.13 to Member Action Committee for review; to include the Fair Share definition in the Board Policy Manual and also recommend that work be done on an additional section in the bylaws that links the bylaws to the Board Policy Manual, therefore empowering the Board Policy Manual; and to approve the August 12, 2015 Policies and
Procedures Committee minutes. Member Roger reviewed the Member Action Committee August meeting and highlighted the reoccurring discussion of senior discount, how more members can be involved and participate in the store, yet not making it difficult for members to participate. He asked the Board to think about potential volunteer opportunities for members. Nominating Committee Chair Cheri Strong informed that all nine candidates’ video statements had been posted online. There was discussion about the viability of the contested Code of Ethics, and a modified version of the document was accepted and signed. All candidates have been recognized by the Nominating Committee, and this is going to be an exciting election. Good luck, nominees! Finally, General Manager Kelli Reese reported that both stores were doing well, and especially wanted to highlight that the Co-op was one of the only operational stores in Humboldt County during the internet outage. She thanked the IT department for their exceptional work. Great job, guys! By the way, in case you haven’t heard: The North Coast Co-op has been voted Best Grocery Store by the North Coast Journal readers (see p. 3).
| LOCAL PRODUCE RECIPE | By Brenda Harper, Consumer Education Coordinator & Jolie Harvey, Outreach Coordinator
Baked Sweet Onions Featuring Walla Walla Onions from Earthly Edibles
sweet onion is a variety of onion that is not pungent. Their mildness is at tributable to their low sulfur content and high water content when compared to other onion varieties. A French soldier who settled in Washington State around 1900 brought sweet onion seeds from the island of Corsica. By selecting and reseeding onions from each year’s crop that possessed sweetness, jumbo size and round shape, the Walla Walla was developed. Onions are low in calories, fat and sodium and contain quercetin, allicin and other compounds that boost the immune system and may help prevent certain cancers. They also contain generous amounts of B vitamins and vitamin C. Baked sweet onions make for a novel side dish.
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Ingredients (serves 4) 4 sweet onions (medium), such as Walla Walla 2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4 small fresh rosemary sprigs 4 fresh thyme sprigs 1/3 cup water
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Peel onions, leaving the root ends intact. (Cut a thin slice from the root ends, if needed, so onion stands upright.) 3. Cut 4 crosswise slits ¼-inch deep in the top of each onion. Place onions, cut side up, in a 9-inch baking dish. 4. In a small bowl combine oil and vinegar. Spoon into slits in onions. Let onions stand 15 minutes. 5. Top each onion with 1 rosemary sprig and 1 thyme sprig. Pour water into baking dish. 6. Bake onions, uncovered, 45 minutes to 1 hour or until onions are very tender. Serve warm. Photos by Zev Smith-Danford
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Co-op News Reference Guide Board of Directors Activities
Co-op members are invited to attend board and committee meetings. Find meeting agendas, minutes, and election material at www.northcoast.coop/about.htm. Board of Directors Election Oct 14 General Election ends. All ballots must be received by 5pm on this day to be counted. (see p. 5) Oct 17 • 3:30-7pm Annual Membership Meeting, Arcata (see p. 2)
Finance Committee Nov 12 • 5:30-7:30pm Ten Pin Warehouse Conference Room, 793 K St, Arcata. Member Action Committee Meeting Oct 19 • 6-8pm Co-op Community Kitchen, Arcata Nominating Committee Meeting Oct 15 • 3:30-5:30pm Ten Pin Conference Room, 793 K St, Arcata. Ballots will be counted (see p. 5). Oct 27 • 1:15-3pm Ten Pin Conference Room, 793 K St, Arcata.
Board of Directors Meetings Oct 17 • 3:30-7pm Annual Membership Meeting, Arcata. (see p. 2) Nov 5 • 6-8pm Co-op Community Kitchen, Eureka Dec 3 • 6-8pm Co-op Community Kitchen, Arcata
Co-op Events
Policies & Procedures Committee Meeting Oct 14 • 3-5pm Ten Pin Warehouse Conference Room, 793 K St, Arcata.
Oct 17 • Co-op Annual Membership Meeting at the Arcata Community Center, 321 Community Park Way, Arcata. Doors open at 3pm and event is free to Co-op member-owners. Please RSVP by Oct 13. See p. 2.
Sep 30-Oct 2 & Oct 5-9 • Pumpkin Patch at Warren Creek Farm, Arcata. Nearly 3,800 local school children will be visiting the Pumpkin Patch to learn about soil. Plus, each child gets a free pumpkin courtesy of the Co-op. (Registration is closed)
Co-op Sponsored Events Oct 3 • Pastels on the Plaza to benefit Northcoast Children’s Services. View artwork on the Plaza in Arcata all day. The Co-op will be there with a square done by an in-house artist. More info at www.ncsheadstart.org/events/227-2/. Oct 10 • Boots & Birkenstocks annual celebration dinner and auction, hosted by and benefiting the Northcoast Regional Land Trust, 5pm at the River Lodge, Fortuna. Open bar, appetizers and dinner, plus live music and auction. Tickets prices and info at www.ncrlt.org.
Deadlines
Oct 14 Election ballots due by 5pm (see p. 5) Oct 31 Member Surveys due (see p. 4) Oct 31 We Love Our Members Giveaway entries due (see p. 4) Oct 31 Guess the Weight of the Giant Pumpkin entries due (see p.7) Nov 1 CCF grant applications due (see p. 7)