Co-op News | September 2015 by North Coast Co-op

CO-OP NEWS A Publication of the North Coast Co-op • Sept. 2015

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

Local Food Month p. 2

Special Election Section • Fall Cooking Classes

pp. 5-9

Special Insert

CO-OP NEWS

Co-op Grocery Exhibit at Discovery Museum

Issue 81 | SEPTEMBER 2015 www.northcoast.coop co-opnews@northcoast.coop EDITOR Melanie Bettenhausen Marketing & Membership Director (707) 502-3555 ext. 132 melanieb@northcoast.coop

or more than a decade, the Co-op has had a miniature grocery store exhibit at the Redwood Discovery Museum in Eureka. When the museum announced that they would be moving to a new spot, the Co-op stepped up to help them create a new exhibit, including: new plastic fruits and veggies; new canned goods; new kids’ shopping carts; new kids’ aprons; new shelving and display bins; new reusable shopping bags and more. The Discovery Museum was able to purchase a new register thanks to a grant from CalFresh. The grand re-opening took place on Saturday, July 11. We are thankful for the efforts of many in our community to make a healthy and educational shopping experience a reality for so many children! Discovery Museum hours and rates can be found at www.discovery-museum.org.

GRAPHICS & COORDINATION Zev Smith-Danford Graphic Design Coordinator (707) 502-3555 ext. 120 zevsmithdanford@northcoast.coop 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

New shelving and display bins were constructed by Joe Ducket of Turtle Mountain Designs. Joe provided his service at a significantly reduced cost to the Co-op, as well as assembled the shopping carts and did whatever else was needed. Photo by Kelli Reese

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

The storefront was painted by local artist Ronni Duncan. Here Cheryl Svehla and son Greyson enjoy filling a cart. Photo by Julie Branson Photography

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

Avi Landry, granddaughter of Human Resources Director Lisa Landry and daughter of Warehouse Coordinator Emmanuel Landry, represented Co-op Kids at the grand re-opening. Photo by Emmanuel Landry

HUMAN RESOURCES Lisa Landry (707) 826-8670 ext. 127 lisalandr y@nor thcoast.coop New plastic fruits and vegetables and other toy food items were donated by the Co-op. Here Madeline Branson enjoys being silly—notice her cart is filled with crabs! Photo by Julie Branson Photography

ACCOUNTING Kelli Costa (707) 502-3555 ext. 138 kcosta@nor thcoast.coop 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.

Also at the Discovery Museum is a new kitchen exhibit where kids learn to make healthy meals (all fake of course) using the “groceries” they “purchased” at the Co-op exhibit, made from the vegetables they “grew” in the garden exhibit. This is all part of the museum’s efforts to provide farm-to-table education, made possible in part by a grant from our Co-op Community Fund (CCF). Photo by Discovery Museum

INSIDE SEPTEMBER 2015

2 Local Food Month

13 Northcoast Regional Land Trust

3 Bean Free Zucchini Hummus

3 Annual Membership Meeting

14 Nearly Local Days at Humboldt Senior Resource Center

4 From the Board of Directors

15 Volunteer at Pumpkin Patch 15 Community Partners

5-9 SPECIAL ELECTION SECTION 10 Pinto Bean Salad

15 Reference Guide

11 Co-op’s Environmental Responsibility 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.

SPECIAL INSERT

11 Coastal Clean Up Day 12 National Preparedness Month 12 Member Survey

Fall 2015 Cooking Class Schedule

| LOCAL FOOD MONTH |

Take the Eat Local Challenge

Ivy Matheny Outreach and Operations Coordinator North Coast Growers’ Association Farmers Market

he North Coast Growers’ Association in partnership with the North Coast Co-op challenge you to up your game in eating delicious, fresh, Humboldt-grown food in the month of September for the annual Eat Local Challenge. Many of us choose to buy local products regularly, but how many of us have made meals cooked entirely with locally grown or raised ingredients? This free and fun Eat Local Chal-

lenge invites you to take your passion for eating local even further by choosing a Challenge Level that goes beyond your daily choices and above all makes you think about where your food comes from. Support your friends and neighbors who work hard to grow high quality foods for you and your family while enjoying the health benefits of eating the freshest food available. Visit the Co-op and look for “Local” shelf tags for products processed locally. If you are challenging yourself to a meal with all local ingredients, we encourage you to take a look at the product labels themselves or the manufacturer’s website to see if the sourced ingredients were grown locally as well. Check the produce and meat department tags for raised locally. At the North Coast Growers’ Association farmers’ markets, know that all the fresh food available comes from farms within Humboldt County. To take part in the free Eat Local Chal-

lenge, simply visit the farmers’ market info booth in Arcata, Eureka or McKinleyville, or a Co-op customer service desk, and choose your “challenge level”. You will be given a free button and a commemorative pledge card. The Eat Local Challenge is a fun way to jump into all the activities planned for Local Food Month. While you are eating Humboldt-grown food, why not take the opportunity to visit local farms, go to food tastings, and attend workshops and film screenings along with some of the many other events that Local Food Month has to offer? Celebrate the culmination of the 2015 Eat Local Challenge with a Pop-up Picnic on the Plaza during the Arcata Plaza Farmers’ Market on Saturday, September 26 from 9am-2pm. Bring a picnic blanket and your favorite Eat Local Challenge picnic meal, or find a tasty local treat at the market. Please, no chairs/tables/glass/

September is Local Food Month! • Tours • Dinners • Tastings • Festivals •

Workshops • Movie Nights •

nce again, it is time to celebrate that which nourishes us--locally produced food. The 9th Annual Local Food Month is a county-wide celebration of local food, local farmers, and local abundance, intended to raise awareness of agriculture and healthy food systems in Humboldt County. Throughout September, a series of events provide opportunities to enjoy and learn about local foods and the people who produce them. Many of the events are free. Each event brings people together to share food and fun in support of Humboldt County agriculture. Many food and farm events are already scheduled throughout the county for Local Food Month, including farm tours, workshops, picnics and film screenings. Local Food Month is a project of community members and organizations with a passion for local food and farming, sponsored by the following businesses and organizations: • California Alliance of Family Farmers- Redwood Coast Chapter • Food for People • Locally Delicious • North Coast Co-op • North Coast Growers’ Association Farmers’ Markets

dogs/smoking allowed. More information about the Eat Local Challenge and the North Coast Growers’ Association farmers’ markets can be found at humfarm.org or by calling (707) 441-9999.

Challenge Levels

RELAXED One local meal per week. LIFESTYLE One local meal per day. EXTREME Local food for every meal, with a few exceptions for locally produced foods HARDCORE Local food for every meal, with no exceptions

#eatlocalchallenge

The City of Eureka is set to accept the following proclamation at their meeting on September 1: In recognition of Local Food Month September 2015 WHEREAS, Humboldt County is renowned for its local dairies, grass-fed beef, and fresh fruits and vegetables; is recognized as a progressive farming epicenter; and is home to emergent artisan products crafted by local entrepreneurs; and WHEREAS, family farmers are a cornerstone of our communities— trusted providers of nutritious food, stewards of our precious natural resources, and essential contributors to our local economy; and WHEREAS, the unsurpassed quality of fresh, locally grown and raised food is highly valued in our community; and WHEREAS, Eureka residents support the economic success of local family farmers, recognizing that the farmers’ survival is integral to the preservation of open space and paramount to the health and wellbeing of the community; and WHEREAS, September’s Local Food Month promotes and celebrates all aspects of the food system within Humboldt County.

Visit www.localfoodmonth.org for a complete listing of events, updated daily. Printed schedules are available at many local businesses and organizations including the North Coast Co-ops as well as various Humboldt County farmers’ market info booths.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Eureka hereby proclaims September 2015 as LOCAL FOOD MONTH in Eureka, and urges all community members to join in a month-long celebration of local food and farming. The Council members wish to express sincere gratitude to the region’s family farmers on behalf of their constituents.

www.northcoast.coop

| LOCAL PRODUCE RECIPE |

Bean-Free Zucchini Hummus Featuring Zucchini from Pierce Family Farm

By Brenda Harper, Consumer Education Coordinator & Jolie Harvey, Outreach Assistant

quash are divided into two groups, summer and winter; summer because they are eaten early in an immature state and winter because when they are ripe with a good hard shell, they will last well into winter when stored in a temperate (50° F to 55° F), dry place. Zucchini is a summer squash with a thin, edible green skin, creamy white flesh and soft seeds. Shaped somewhat like a cucumber, it can vary from just 4 or 5 inches to a foot in length, with a diameter up to 2 inches. A versatile food you can eat raw or cooked and even use in baked goods. It is naturally low in calories and a good source of vitamins A and C, the mineral potassium and dietary fiber. Zucchini can be grilled, steamed, boiled, sautéed, fried or used in stir fry recipes. They mix well with onions, tomatoes and okra in vegetable medleys. Here is a hummus recipe using raw zucchini, especially good for those who are avoiding legumes. This hummus can be used as a spread or a dip.

Ingredients • 1 cup diced zucchini (makes 1 cup) • 1/3 cup tahini • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (1 lemon)

• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced • ¼ teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

Directions 1. Combine all of the ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth and creamy. 2. Adjust seasoning to taste. Sprinkle with cumin, if desired. Serve chilled with crackers or veggies such as carrots, sweet peppers or cucumbers. 3. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to make more than one cup. Make extra to freeze!

Photo by Zev Smith-Danford

Sat., October 17, 2015 3:30-7:00pm

at the Arcata Community Center

Open to Members Only

Look for Ticket Information, Kid Zone Details, and more in the October Co-op News 3

CO-OP NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2015

| FROM THE BOARD |

Recap of August Board of Directors Meeting

ith nine candidates running for the board of directors, seven board directors, several staff members and visiting member-owners, it was a packed room at the Co-op Community Kitchen in Eureka for our Candidate Forum and August board meeting. We started with the Candidate Forum, giving each candidate an opportunity to answer questions asked by the moderator Cheri Strong, board member and Nominating Committee Chair. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 1.5 minutes each in an effort to ensure each candidate had equal time to respond. Regardless of the questions, candidates made it clear that they are each deeply invested in and dedicated to the Co-op’s mission and cooperative principles, as well as the sustainability

Skilled Facilitators Needed We need facilitators for our Open Space Discussion Forum at this year’s Annual Membership Meeting on October 17 at the Arcata Community Center. Legible handwriting and charting experience preferred. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Membership Coordinator Bella Waters at bellawaters@ northcoast.coop or (707) 382-3109 by September 20.

Policies and Procedures Committee. The motion was put forth and passed with consensus. The Nominating Committee Chair Cheri Strong reported on two committee meetings and recommended that the committee charter be approved, with minor changes. The motion passed with consensus. The General Manager Task Force update was given by Director Kate Lancaster, reporting on the Special Executive Session and reviewing the next steps for the General Manager evaluation. A summary and recommendation will be presented to the Board at their September meeting. Kate said the process has gone very smoothly. General Manager Kelli Reese reviewed her August report, highlighting earthquake insurance options and noting how Humboldt County’s low unemployment rate is leading to challenges in filling vacant positions. The General Manager’s Report was approved with consensus. The Member Comment period included feedback on membership composition, patronage refunds and Fair Share employee members, and a thank you for all of the committee and board work that has been done. Overall the meeting went smoothly with opportunities for all to participate and voice opinions. Laughing and camaraderie could be felt around the room. I will miss this aspect of being on the Board (my term is up and I will not be running again), and wish the candidates the best of luck in their campaigning efforts.

Member Survey Win a $

The Co-op Has Investment Shares Available!

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 to dividends declared by the Board of Directors. Class C shares are limited to members of the Co-op, who are Fair Share members (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. If you’re interested in investing in your Co-op, please contact Membership Coordinator Bella Waters for more information:

25 gift card!

(707) 502-3555 ext. 135 bellawaters@northcoast.coop

Q: What would enhance the value of your North Coast Co-op membership?



Fred Moore Board Director

of the organization long into the future. The candidates in attendance were: Mary Ella Anderson, Colin Fiske, Laura Kurtz, Kate Lancaster, Tim McDermond, Katie Niday and Mitch Trachtenberg. Candidates unable to attend were Leah Stamper and Chris Copple, who submitted responses to the questions which were read aloud by the moderator during the forum. The board meeting itself went quickly and ended before the hour allotted. No discussions were put forth during the member comment period. The agenda was approved, along with the July meeting minutes. The board president gave her report with an appreciation for the increased participation on committees and thanked board members for staying longer at the Special Executive Session (General Manager Evaluation) during the prior week. The Policies and Procedures Committee Chair, Dave Feral, reported that the Committee’s recommended revision to bylaws Section 4.13 Voting of Memberships (so future paper ballots and online voting systems are congruent) will not be brought to the Board this month as it was sent to legal counsel, who reviewed it and now the Committee needs to discuss the revisions. Dave asked for feedback from the Employee Directors on employee membership composition so it could be discussed at the next Policies and Procedures Committee meeting. The Member Action Committee reporter, Mary Ella Anderson, relayed that the Committee recommended that the Board pass the task of finalizing the Committee Chair Job Description to the

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: SEPT. 30

www.northcoast.coop

| ELECTION 2015 |

ELECTION SECTION 2015 Voting ends Oct. 14 at 5pm

Use Your Voice, VOTE T

ELECTION SECTION

INDEX

p. 5 p. 6-9

Employee Director Candidate Statement General Board Candidate Statements

p. 9

Voting Guide

p. 9

Official Ballot



(2015-2018) include: competition, health insurance costs, involvement within our local foodshed, refurbishments to the Arcata store, revitalization of the Eureka store, union negotiations, valuation of membership… that’s just for starters. The nine candidates represent a variety of viewpoints. Candidate statements are included in this election guide. A brief video of each of the candidates is available online at www.northcoast.coop. In order to make informed decisions I hope you’ll take the time to look at and listen to these. Please take the time to cast your ballot. The election starts on September 1 and all ballots must be received by 5pm on October 14. The results will be announced at the Annual Membership Meeting on October 17. There are ballot boxes located near the entrance of both stores. Ballots can also be mailed in to North Coast Co-op, ATTN: Membership Coordinator, 811 I St., Arcata, CA 95521. We Own It! So, let’s all do our part and get out the vote. I hope to see you at the Annual Membership Meeting in October. ■

Employee Director Candidate Jeremy Cotton

In January Employee Director Kelly Boehms left her position at the Co-op, leaving a board seat open. The Board held an employee election to fill the vacant seat for the rest of her term (ending October 2016). In April 2015 employee Jeremy Cotton was elected by the employeemembers, approved by the Board to fill the vacant seat, and now requires member-owner ratification. Below is Jeremy’s candidate statment from April 2015: I have been employed by the North Coast Co-op since Oct. 2013, and have been in my current position in the Cheese Department since Aug. 2014. My duties consist of: keeping the shelves stocked, cleaned, and faced; cutting and wrapping various cheeses and packaging other perishable goods; and having extensive knowledge of our products in order to give outstanding customer service. I studied Music Education at Humboldt State University, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and a K-12 Single Subject Teaching Credential. After serving for 55

he election for two open seats on the Co-op’s Board of Directors is on. Every person who is a memberowner as of September 2 can vote in the election. I sincerely hope many people vote, including you. There are nine candidates running Cheri Strong this year; more than in recent memory. Nominating Committee This is a chance for Chair you to influence the course of the Co-op into the future. It’s the board’s role to guide the Co-op from thirty-thousand feet above. We have many stake holders; our community is a big tent. Now is the time for members to begin thinking about what they want our Co-op to be. Topics board members might encounter this term

CO-OP NEWS SPECIAL ELECTION • AUGUST SECTION 20152015

over a year in the StraightUp AmeriCorps program, I persevered as a music teacher for six years in various Humboldt communities, such as Ferndale, Arcata, and Fortuna. During that time, I acted as chairperson for several music festivals in our community and attended continuing education conferences and activities within the state. In the last two years of my teaching career, it became clear that I needed to reevaluate my vocational choice, and already having a passion for the culinary arts, I decided to dedicate my time and attention to learning about local and natural foods. Since making this decision, I have gained extensive knowledge about meat, prepared foods, and cheese in a natural food store setting. While focused in these areas, I continue to learn as much as I can about every department in the store. While at HSU, I was substantially involved with the Marching Lumberjacks. In 2002, I was elected Axe Major (band leader) and had a fruitful term of teaching, conducting, and performing a unique style of music. Being Axe meant that I had to command the band in an artistic and musical sense as a student leader. It also meant I attended weekly council meetings governed by the Associated Students. After graduation, I continued

an active role as a member of the HSU Marching Lumberjacks Alumni Association. I currently assume the official role of part-time Instructor for this organization, a paid position at the University. I have established the proficiency that enables me to be a valuable member of the Board of Directors for the Co-op. These skills include: creating and managing schedules; assessing problems and executing tough decisions; organizing large groups of people; planning trips, events, and festivals; following procedures and filling out paperwork; creating and updating databases; fundraising and creating/maintaining a budget; and solving sudden problems through creative improvisation. My greatest strength is my ability to listen and build relationships within a community of peers. I surmise that the Board’s opportunities are limited only by the imaginations of its individual members. Furthermore, I envision that while in this position I will embrace the opportunity to effectively act as a liaison between the Board and my fellow employees. Any challenges the Co-op faces in the future can be mitigated with clear communication between each other, our members, and our community. ■

| ELECTION 2015 |

Statements from General Board Candidates Mary Ella Anderson

I joined the Co-op Member Action Committee (MAC) during the bylaws change controversy and have been attending board meetings as well. The MAC group works by consensus and includes all opinions in its deliberations. This is in sharp contrast to the way the

board currently works. If I were elected to the board, I would work for a more inclusive, egalitarian and cooperative process on the board as well. I believe that the co-operative model builds strong communities and is the best alternative to vulture capitalism. The Co-op is more than a grocery store and its mission is greater than making a profit. Member-owners are the largest component of the Co-op structure. Currently,

Chris Copple After graduating from HSU in 1974 I worked for North Coast Co-op and then managed two employee owned cleaning service co-ops until retirement in 2014. I served on North Coast Co-op’s board and many committees at various times up to the present. I serve currently on the board of a local housing co-operative. These activities provide business, co-op and board experience relevant to the North Coast Co-op board. I seek a board seat at this time because I am worried about the future of our stores in a changing food retail environment. We operate now as a specialty food retailer. Our natural food and quality product focus allows us to generate margins far above grocery store norms. We are willing to pay a premium for quality food sold by a co-op. The extra funds from these margins do not end up back with the co-op shareholders. Instead they are used to pay the expenses of a ‘stakeholder’ or interest group style of co-op. The Five Year Strategic Plan is where the priorities of our co-op are clearly stated. Although a mass of inclusive language obscures the fact, it is clear that the primary beneficiaries of the co-op’s activities will continue to be local suppliers, various community interests, and most of all, employees. The Plan favors the employees by failing to include any mention of the extremely high personnel costs as an area for change or even discussion. The share buying, shopping members are often mentioned but they benefit mainly through focus on the other, interest group type stakeholders. Lower prices and market share are not priorities. That said, it is also true that the plan states a clear, shared co-op identity and direction. It is consistently implemented through many policies and practices.

Members are largely in tune with this plan. The cooperative principles are not violated, (nor would they be by a more customer- centered plan). So what’s the problem? The problem is that the stratospheric, specialty store margins supporting this interest group type co-op are soon to end. Natural and organic food is becoming standard. Grocery chains and Wall Street investors are developing store formats to feature healthy, natural, even local products front and center. These chains can offer their own private label organic goods for less. Costco offers 8-packs of organic items for less than our store’s cost in the door! Safeway and others have (and promote) direct, local supplier relationships just like we do. Already co-ops nationwide, even with an energetic development effort, are losing market share. We are protected somewhat by Humboldt’s isolation and by our faithful, if aging membership. But big changes are coming to food retailing. We will not escape for 10 more years. If the Co-op is to survive another 40 years it must shift to a sharp focus on the member-owners as shoppers. We need a new strategic plan that points to compelling value and excellent service for the customers and shareholders. Health, education, environmental balance and fairness are all good; and it does take a village. But as a consumer-owned grocery store the Co-op needs to embrace these values in the context of serving customers well, not as ends in themselves. This will be a wrenching change for our Co-op – a lot of shouting and we may not make it. But it is a necessary change. Please do not vote for me unless you agree. Our Co-op has had a 15 year run of good boards and competent management. We have many committed employees. They have listened, they have planned, they are executing. Well done. But the future will not be like the past. We must change to survive. ■

members rarely attend board meetings or even the Annual Membership Meeting. I would work to make it easier for members to become involved in the Co-op and encourage those of modest means to become more active in Co-op activities. I am semi-retired, working part-time as a caregiver after spending many years as a journalist and writer. Over my long life I have helped found a recycling center, day care center, an anti-nuclear

energy group, served on several boards, including the Supervisory Committee of the Community Credit Union. I was in the California Senior Legislature for four years, a member of the Senior Action Coalition and the Advisory Committee of the Area One Agency on Aging. As well as being on the MAC, I am currently a member of the Humboldt County Mobile Home Owners Coalition. ■

Colin Fiske One of the first things I did when I moved to Humboldt County four years ago was to join the Co-op. Soon afterward, I began to attend Board meetings regularly, both to advocate for causes I cared about and to observe the Board at work. Recently I have become even more involved, serving on both the Board’s Member Action Committee and Policies & Procedures Committee. When I’m not at Co-op meetings, I work as a researcher, writer and jack-ofall-trades for progressive non-profits and labor unions, and I volunteer for various causes. I also manage a large garden, growing vegetables, fruits, beans and grains for my wife and myself and taking care of our house, land, dog, cat and ducks. I am a member of the Humboldt Permaculture Guild’s Steering Committee, and I was one of the primary organizers of last year’s successful GMO Free Humboldt/Measure P initiative. I’m involved in the Co-op because I believe deeply in the cooperative principles and in the potential of the Co-op to catalyze positive change in our local economy and community. My vision for the Co-op is based on the following key ideas: 1. Member Participation. Member ownership and democratic member control are two of the key elements that distinguish cooperatives. The Co-op is supposed to reflect our goals, our values and our interests, rather than singlemindedly pursuing profits like many other businesses. Cooperatives like ours

are meant to be a force for change! But this potential can’t be realized without meaningful member participation. I believe the Co-op needs more member participation opportunities—and members need to step up and participate! 2. Environmental and Social Responsibility. The Co-op has often been a leader in these areas, but there is much more to be done. We must continue to make progress in areas as varied as reducing packaging, improving labor relations, and sourcing products responsibly. 3. A Local Economy. Localization of the economy helps ensure that we know where products come from and how they were produced, minimizes the environmental impacts of freight transportation, and keeps money circulating in our communities. The Co-op already supports many local farmers and other producers, but I believe more should be done to fill in the gaps in local production of goods and services. 4. A Cooperative Economy. The Co-op can’t single-handedly transform our local economy and foodshed. However, I believe there is great potential for the Co-op to foster the establishment and growth of other local producer, consumer, and employee-owned cooperatives, with great mutual benefit. I participated in the Co-op’s last Strategic Planning process, and I believe that my vision aligns well with the 20142018 Strategic Plan. If you elect me to the Board, I will continue to work hard to promote the goals of the Strategic Plan and the elements of my vision for our Co-op. If you share these goals and this vision, I hope you’ll give me your vote. ■

Vote by Oct. 14 at 5pm! Don’t forget to vote!

| ELECTION 2015 |

Laura Kurtz When I first moved to Humboldt County eight years ago I had tunnel vision, I was underwhelmed. All I could see was what wasn’t here. I remember when a friend took me to the Co-op for the first time. She ranted and raved about how great the local selection was, the bulk section, the natural wellness section, and the list goes on. I didn’t get it. I saw a grocery store. Wow, how life changes… My Humboldt history has included moving from various smaller rentals in Arcata while I was a student earning my Bachelor of Science at HSU to eventually moving out to Freshwater, which eight years ago, would have made me cry. Now, however, when I leave the office where I sell cut flowers, I look forward to getting my hands dirty in both the kitchen and garden. We are fortunate to live on land where we can raise some of our own meat, grow a good amount of our own fruits, vegetables, and flowers, collect eggs, and explore other self-sustaining opportunities. Like I said, wow, how life changed for me! For all the things I can’t do myself, I lean on the Co-op. The Co-op is a pillar in our community. Not just because you are guaranteed to see familiar faces each visit but because of the knowledge you can gain.

Eight years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to do half (and that’s a generous half) of the gardening and cooking I can do now. Since my first walk through, I have come to thrive on the abundant local products, knowing where my food comes from, and understanding that in season means— more than just lack of carbon footprint, it means it tastes better, a lot better! I love that you can buy your starts and seeds at the Co-op for all the DIYers and aspiring DIY-ers out there! One of the things I’d love to see in the Coop’s future is the end product of those starts, people sharing tips on their gardening experiences, pictures of their bounty in the peak of the seasons, to share the encouragement for other members to join in on the magic, on a large or even the small patio or kitchen window scale. Humboldt County is growing, whether we like it or not, it’s happening. I aspire to take the next step and grow with the Co-op. I don’t just want to support the Co-op as a shopper; I want to support all of the Co-op employees, the local farmers, the bakers, the florists, all local suppliers that have supported my growth throughout the last almost decade. The cooperative spirit means everyone has a voice. I want to hear the voices, advocate for the voices, and join the voices. Vote for me and you’ll be backing your own voice with my heart and spirit. ■

Tim McDermond When running for a position it is only fair that the candidate should present both their vision and a brief statement of who they are. First the vision. The Co-op has presented itself to the community as a health food store and reaches out to teach our children the benefit of good nutrition while providing a source to meet their needs for quality goods. I agree whole heartily with this position. Equally important to me is for the Co-op to function as an endeavor in a way as to improve the health of our community. By stressing the purchasing of local goods and providing good living wage jobs, the cycle of sending our income out of the area to enrich others can be reversed. A growing economy can

be enhanced while working to control the damage to our ecology. This I believe is the spirit of the founders of the Co-op. As to who I am. I am an old customer but new member. I am however not new to working on boards. For the last decade I have been the President of the Humboldt County Public Employees Union. I am currently serving also as the President of the Central Labor Council of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. As part of my duties I serve on the Humboldt County Central Democratic Committee as an Ex Officio member and Council 57 of the American Federation State County and Municipal Employees. In the past I served on the boards of Arcata Community Access Television and Shake the Bard theatre group. As to my interests, for the past 20 years I have been a technical volunteer with KEET. I have done some acting

Kate Lancaster Hello, my name is Kate Lancaster and it has been a pleasure and honor to serve as a North Coast Co-op board member for the last three years. I’ve enjoyed working with the other board members and Co-op employees and getting to know fellow members. During that time, I have served as Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee, on the General Manager Evaluation Task Force, on the Nomination Committee, the Sustainability Committee and participated in the strategic planning process and retreats. In each of these roles I’ve helped formalize and clean up policies so we’re more consistent and so our actions are in alignment with Cooperative Principles and with the Co-op’s 2014-2018 Strategic Plan. I am on the faculty at Humboldt State University, School of Business, where I teach accounting and sustainable business at the undergraduate and graduate level. In my mind, the way the two are related is that both measure impact and reflect an organizations’ values. My Ph.D. is in accounting, my dissertation was on environmental disclosures and I taught for 10 years for a private MBA school that was one of the first in the country to offer an integrated sustainable business degree. It was there that I became deeply immersed in sustainable business practices. In part because of my involvement with the Co-op, our MBA students have worked on several projects for the Co-op, and several members of the management team have visited classes. Learning about the cooperative model has exposed our students to more egalitarian business with the local groups and write when able in multiple formats. I am employed by Humboldt County as a Medical Coverage Analyst where I have worked for nearly twenty years. I graduated from Oregon State University in Liberal Studies and spent two years in post-baccalaureate studies concentrating in Chemistry and Computer Science. You could say I have a great interest in knowledge of many forms. In conclusion, I believe I have kept an open mind in the past and will keep working to understand a problem before working for the solution. I have a great deal of experience to bring to this position, and hope you will allow me to do so. ■

North Coast Co-op has a seven member board of directors, with two of those positions dedicated to employee members. One employee seat needs to be ratified, and two other open seats need to be filled. See p. 9 for voting instructions and the full list of candidates. 77

SPECIAL ELECTION SECTION 2015

models. I’m proud of the small role I’ve had in supporting a strong town-gown relationship. As a Co-op Board Director I have a responsibility to all member-owners. With over 15,000 members, including almost 200 employees, and multiple suppliers, there are many different perspectives. While it’s not always easy, I do my best to consider and balance the interests of all stakeholder groups. I have a very strong belief that all our decisions should consider the triple bottom line impact (economic, environmental, and social). Because of my accounting background, I know the Co-op must be financially viable if we want to accomplish the goals outlined in the strategic plan. With my understanding of sustainable business, I’m excited about the ways the Co-op can expand our impact. If re-elected, I will continue to support the development of our 20-year Statement of Sustainability (one of the goals in the Strategic Plan) and the creation of the Co-op’s Sustainability Report and support and enhance the health of our Co-op. What else would I like you to know about me? I am a life-long learner and educator who likes to get her hands dirty. My husband, housemate and I are expanding our understanding of permaculture principals – we collect rainwater, grow, and raise chickens for eggs, are learning to be beekeepers, and are learning to grow our own food. I have a profound respect and appreciation for all farmers who grow healthy soils that produce wholesome food – it’s hard work! As one of our members so eloquently put it at the last meeting, “What we eat is who we are.” I’m so thankful I can shop at the Co-op. ■

Get to Know the Candidates

View candidate statements on

www.youtube.com/ thenorthcoastcoop

| ELECTION 2015 |

Katie Niday I am thrilled to run for the North Coast Co-op board of directors. I possess a strong understanding of nonprofit structure, budget management, accounting principles, and marketing. I enjoy working with diverse groups of people; and always try to make decisions without sacrificing integrity. A common theme throughout my professional history is working with boards at organizations dedicated to education, conservation and social justice. These experiences helped me to gain awareness of the commitments required in all aspects of life to be a successful board member and I am eager and prepared to make that commitment to the members of the North Coast Co-op. I have earned degrees in nonprofit business and sociology from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. It was there, nestled in the heart of Appalachia, that my eyes were opened to sustainable farming practices and the impact they have on the environment and communities they serve. During my time at Warren Wilson, I worked for several organizations, including Dogwood Alliance, and Pisgah Legal Services in addition to attending classes and earning my degrees; I developed a passion for organic, local food, hard work and above all, environmental stewardship. After graduating, I moved to Sonoma, CA to work as the fundraising, and marketing director/interim volunteer

Leah Stamper

coordinator for Pets Lifeline of Sonoma, CA. The following year I fell in love and moved to Burnt Ranch. The Arcata Co-op became an unexpected and integral part of my life. Fast forward 4 years, I am married with two beautiful daughters, Joani Mae and Nora Briar. I currently work as the Payroll and Accounting Technician for the Burnt Ranch School District, and am an active member of our small community. I believe that the economic viability of small farmers is directly correlated to a region’s overall quality of life. As Humboldt and Trinity Counties grow and change over the coming years, the Co-op has an opportunity to position itself as a leader. I believe that supporting local farmers and vendors is critical to our success and retaining our identity in the future. By being a great place to work and an excellent place to shop, the Co-op will continue to evolve and grow while strengthening our local economy. And finally, in a rural area such as this, it is important to nurture the places where people find community; for me the Co-op is that place. To quote my fellow Warren Wilson alumni, Tony Earley, “That I cannot provide for [my daughters] the world they deserve is for me a source of low grade, but chronic, sorrow.” Dedicating myself to this place is an attempt for me to make a small but mighty impression on the well-being of this community and the individuals and families of which it consists. ■

Leah Stamper

I was born and raised in Humboldt County and have lived here nearly my entire adult life. I have a Bachelor of Arts from Humboldt State in Child Development. I recently graduated from nursing school and will be working at a local hospital beginning in August. I have been passionate about food and food issues for as long as I can remember. I was an enthusiastic cook and food advocate throughout my childhood, and later spent several years working at a local, organic bakery. I now run the Humboldt County Traditional Foods group and help connect people with local farmers and nutrient dense foods. I am also a Master Food Preserver and offer workshops to help community members learn how to preserve food through canning, dehydrating, freezing, fermenting and more. Last year I was part of the team that ran the successful GMO Free Humboldt campaign. I joined the Co-op shortly after I turned 18, and the Co-op has supported me in many ways in the years since. They have provided a meeting space for the Traditional Foods group as well as for the GMO Free Humboldt group. They have helped me to source unique ingredients and sold my surplus duck eggs when I just couldn’t eat them all. Through my time both as a member of the Co-op and a community member, I have come to appreciate how much the Co-op has to offer our com-

munity. Many of my friends have been Co-op employees at one time or another and have valued it as a supportive and respectful employer. However, it is the Co-op’s leadership in environmental and social issues which is the primary reason it has always been my food store of choice. I’m running for the Board now as a way to give back to the Co-op which has done so much for me and my community, and to support the Co-op’s continuing efforts in a variety of areas. As a member of the Co-op Board I would especially work to support the Co-op in three primary aspects of its Mission: Consumer Education: It was through the Co-op that I became informed about many of the issues I advocate for today. I believe consumer education is a powerful tool to help get more people involved in supporting the Co-op and it’s mission. Community Building: The Co-op’s support of its employees and of local farmers and food producers is key to its mission and to its success as a business. I believe the Co-op must go even further and continue to be a leader in these areas. Environmental Responsibility: From encouraging customers to bring their own bags to the wide selection of fairly traded products, the Co-op has already done a lot to promote environmental responsibility. I would like to see us go even further to reduce waste and promote environmental accountability through all Co-op operations. I look forward to further serving my community by promoting these and other issues on the Co-op Board of Directors. ■



All ballots due by October 14 at 5 pm Return your ballot to the provided ballot boxes available in both store locations. Be sure to fold your ballot in thirds along the guides to retain anonymity.

Thank You for

Voting!

You can also put your ballot in an envelope and mail it to:

Attn. Membership Coordinator North Coast Co-op 811 I Street Arcata, CA 95521

Don’t forget to vote!

| ELECTION 2015 |

Mitch Trachtenberg When I moved to Humboldt about 20 years ago, one of the first things I did was sign up for the Co-op. I’d been a member of the food co-op in my old neighborhood, and remember being surprised that I wasn’t supposed to sign up for work shifts. I believe that the North Coast Co-op plays and needs to play an important role in our local economy, and will serve increasingly as a model for other businesses that operate in our area. I’d like to help sustain it into the

future and help it flourish. I’m a graduate of MIT, have run my own business, and currently serve on the board of directors of the Humboldt County Election Transparency Project. In the ‘80s and early ‘90s, I contracted my services training software engineers worldwide in new technologies, initially for the Open Software Foundation and later for companies like IBM, Silicon Graphics and Bell Northern Research. For a couple of years, some time ago, I coordinated the “Farmers’ Market AIDS project,” in which volunteers picked up food donations at the Arcata Farmer’s Market and distributed them to people living

with AIDS and other illnesses. I have a great admiration for our local farmers and, like them, I’m willing to work hard for the things that I believe in. My current job is as Data Manager for Area 1 Agency on Aging. I am a decent writer and try to analyze issues beyond the surface. I’d hope to contribute a good understanding of computers and technology, as well as some understanding of business. In return, I’d hope to learn more about non-profit management challenges from the members, staff, and board of the Co-op, and to contribute to its future. ■

Voting Guide Member-owners can cast their ballots from Sept. 1 thru Oct. 14 at 5pm Votes will be considered valid if all of the following apply: 1. M embership with the North Coast Co-op is current as of September 2*, 2015. 2. V otes per ballot cannot exceed the number of open seats.

Policies and Procedures: • In the event that more than one otherwise valid ballot is cast by the same membership but by a different name on the membership, the vote of the majority will bind all. • Electioneering will not be allowed within 25 feet of the ballot boxes at the stores.

3. Ballots must include the member-owner’s name written legibly, their membership number and their signature.

• Ballot boxes are located near the front entrance in each store. • Ballots may be dropped off at ballot boxes in either the Arcata or Eureka store or mailed to the address shown on the back of the ballot. All mailed ballots must be received by 5pm on October 14.

4. W rite-in candidates must be current member-owner’s of the North Coast Co-op and agree to candidate requirements (list available at Voting Table). 5. A ll ballots, including mailed ballots, are to be received by 5pm on October 14.

• For a vote to be valid a quorum must be met, which is 250 or 5 percent of the membership (whichever is lesser) casting valid ballots. • The candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected, with the exception of the Employee Director. The Employee Director must be ratified by a majority of the membership. The Nominating Committee will count the ballots on October 15 and notify the membership with in-store signs within 2 days and at the Annual Membership Meeting on Oct. 17. * Based on Bylaw Section 4.13(c) Membership, the date for determining eligibility to vote is forty-five (45) days before the date of the meeting. Since the Annual Membership Meeting is October 17, September 2 is this year’s date of record.



ALL BALLOTS DUE BY OCT. 14 AT 5 PM

OFFICIAL BALLOT Please read the voting guidelines above and vote in both categories. All three lines below must be filled out and legible in order for this ballot to be valid.

Member Number (Required)

Signature (Required)

Fold this section in second.

(Printed Clearly, Required)

Director Seat. Vote for two candidates in this section. More than two votes in this section, write-in or not, will invalidate this ballot.

Chris Copple

2. There is one open Employee Director seat. Employee Director must be ratified by the membership during the general election. Affirm (yes) or reject (no) the candidate nominated by employee members during the employee election.

Jeremy Cotton

 YES

Fold this section in first to retain anonymity.

Full Name

Mary Ella Anderson

1. There are two open Board

Colin Fiske Laura Kurtz Kate Lancaster Tim McDermond Katie Niday Leah Stamper Mitch Trachtenberg Write-in: Write-in:

CO-OP NEWS SPECIAL ELECTION • AUGUST SECTION 20152015

          

| COOK & SAVE |

COOK & SAVE

Pinto Bean Salad

By Brenda Harper, Consumer Education Coordinator & Jolie Harvey, Outreach Assistant

ried beans are an inexpensive and tasty protein that can add variety to your menu. Although canned beans may be convenient, they can be flavorless and mushy compared to beans cooked from scratch. Dried beans cost approximately one fourth the cost of canned beans therefore cooking dry beans can save money. Rather than relying on canned beans for quick weeknight meals, why not cook big batches of your favorite dry beans and freeze them in can-sized amounts (1½ cups). You’ll always have perfectly cooked beans on hand that are ready to thaw for dinner. You won’t have to worry about added sodium and you can even season them the way you want. If you’re new to the cooking beans game, you might be thinking it’s not worth all the work. But there’s not much to it at all! Once you get a rhythm down, you’ll be whizzing through the process. All it takes is a little planning ahead for a time to soak the beans and a time to cook them. Try it for yourself and then try making this Pinto Bean Salad. Photos by Zev Smith-Danford

Ingredients

(makes 4 side-dish servings)

• 1½ cups cooked pinto beans, cooled or defrosted • 4-5 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar (or use any mild white vinegar) • 1 avocado • 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice (lemon can be substituted) • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, or 2 medium tomatoes (1/2 pound) • ½ cup red onion • ½ cup cilantro • 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil, or a bit more • black pepper and sea salt to taste

Cooking Dried Beans

Directions 1. Blot beans dry with a towel, place in a bowl and toss with vinegar. Let beans marinate in the vinegar while you prepare the other ingredients. 2. Cut avocado into ½-inch pieces and place in small bowl. Toss with lime juice. Chop tomatoes, or if using cherry tomatoes, cut in half. 3. Finely chop red onion and cilantro. Mix onions and cilantro into marinating beans. Use a large spoon to gently fold in avocado and tomato. Drizzle olive oil over salad and season to taste with black pepper and sea salt, and gently toss again. Serve immediately, at room temperature. Tip: This could also be made with other types of beans such as black beans or red beans.

CO-OP SPECIALS Ingredients

Bulk Organic Pinto Beans

$1.69per lb

$9.6925.4 oz

Freezing Cooked Beans

Sort and Rinse Beans. Throw away any that are 1. To freeze cooked beans for later use, drain the cooking discolored or shriveled. Remove pebbles and other liquid (can be saved to be debris. used in soup) and immerse them in cold water until cool Soak Beans. This allows the dried beans to and then drain well. absorb water, which begins to dissolve the starches that cause intestinal discomfort. Put dried beans in 2. Label quart sized baggies large pan. Cover beans with 3 times their volume with the type of bean, amount of water. Bring to a boil, boil for 2 minutes, remove and date. from heat, cover and let stand 1-2 hours. 3. Place 1½ cups of cooked beans in each baggie. By Cook. Place rinsed, soaked beans in a large pan. cooking 2 pounds of pinto Cover beans with water and bring to a boil. Reduce beans (4 cups dry beans) you heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occawill get 8 baggies containing sionally and adding water as necessary. Beans are 1½ cups of beans, which is done when they can be mashed easily between two equivalent to 8 cans (15 oz) fingers or with a fork (1-2 hours). Cooking times of beans. can vary depending on the age of the bean.

Napa Valley Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4. Lay the baggies flat on a tray to freeze. 5. When a recipe calls for a can of pinto beans let the beans thaw in the refrigerator or place the sealed bag in a large bowl of warm water for a quick-thaw.

4 www.northcoast.coop

| CO-OP NEWS |

Co-op’s Dedicated to Promoting Environmental Responsibility

Brenda Harper Consumer Education Coordinator

ne of the best things about the Co-op is that it is a leader in our community for sustainable business practices, meaning the Co-op has a triple bottom line: people, planet, profit. From its efforts to reduce paper bag use (in addition to never having plastic bags at check out) to being voted Best Green Friendly Business, the Co-op is dedicated to not only being “green”, but also to promoting environmental responsibility. Here is a look at what the Co-op has been up to lately. Sustainability Committee The North Coast Co-op Board of Directors tasked our General Manager with forming an operational, staff-driven Sustainability

Committee in order to fulfill our strategic plan goal to Promote Environmental Responsibility. The committee is incorporating staff and member-owner input as it conducts its business. Current committee members are: Melanie Bettenhausen, Kash Boodjeh, Bo Boyanov, Maggie Gainer, Brenda Harper, Kate Lancaster, Kelli Reese, Alex Stillman, and Steve Suttell. The Co-op’s Sustainability Committee met on July 6 to review the initial draft of the Co-op’s sustainability report, the Zero Waste packaging audit proposal and the Sustainable Food Trade Association membership option. The committee met again on August 10 to work on their pending presentation to the board and staff. The committee’s next meeting will be on Monday, September 28 from 2-3:30pm at the Ten Pin warehouse conference room. The committee will continue its work on a statement of sustainability. Zero Waste Packaging Audit The North Coast Co-op has contracted with Zero Waste Humboldt to conduct a packaging audit of our deli and bakery packaging. This first round includes 10 items that will be researched, focusing on the composition of the packaging, how it

breaks down, and where it ultimately goes at end of the waste cycle (Ukiah, Marin, China?). Once the audit is done, our Prepared Foods teams will have a criteriabased tool they can use to rank priorities in purchasing in regards to packaging. Eventually, we will have a tool to use in all of our in-house packaging decisions. Ultimately, the Co-op will be able to influence packaging that is used by vendors. Sustainable Food Trade Association We have joined the Sustainable Food Trade Association (SFTA) and now have access to a support network of other cooperatives, including natural foods and producer co-ops to help move us forward in our sustainability efforts. According to SFTA “Building a sustainable company doesn’t stop at regenerative systems theory, process mapping, or how to identify and prioritize areas for sustainability improvement. Implementation of sustainability initiatives is frequently the most difficult step; you must make the case for sustainability to leadership, calculate Return on Investment, and engage employees in the implementation process. You have to analyze and improve the success of your strategic planning through reporting systems.” We are happy to report that we have already begun measuring and reporting our sustainability efforts

through a program called Co+efficient. Co+efficient Data Collection The North Coast Co-op joined Co+efficient in October 2014. Co+efficient is a sustainability program developed by National Co-op Grocers (NCG). This software measures our sustainable impact by collecting data on sales, energy usage, recycling, buying policies, labor practices, and social giving. Through our participating in Co+efficient, we will be able to assess areas for growth and take part in opportunities to create more sustainable business practices. The program also helps us to evaluate our triple bottom line impacts (people, planet and profit). Information collected through Co+efficient will be used to create an annual Sustainability Report in concert with the Sustainable Food Trade Association. I am proud of the work the Co-op has been doing and am happy to answer any questions you may have about our sustainability efforts. I can be reached at brendaharper@northcoast.coop or (707) 502-3555 x 123.

SAVE THE DATE

Volunteer for Coastal Cleanup! Coastal Cleanup Day 2015 takes place on Saturday, September 19th from 9am to noon The North Coast Co-op will have a cleanup crew at the Mad River Slough at HWY 255/Samoa Blvd. Join the Co-op cleanup crew for a morning of cooperative work! It’s a fun time! Final for newsletter Sandwiches from the deli will be provided. We’ll meet in front of the Arcata store at 8:45am to fill out sandwich orders. The sandwiches will be ready for pick up after the cleanup. Mark your calendars now! Contact Brenda Harper at (707) 502-3555 x 123. or brendaharper@northcoast.coop to join the crew and for more information. 11

CO-OP NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2015

| CO-OP COMMUNITY |

Preparing for Something We Hope Never Happens

Steve DeMarino Manager of Assest Protection Additional contribution by Alisha Stafford Assistant Merchandiser

eptember is National Preparedness Month. In keeping with the theme, we want to let you know that your Co-op has several ways that we can help you with preparing for a disaster. Supplies, containers, and education are all things you can find here at your Co-op to help you and/ or your family prepare for something we hope never happens—natural disaster. We can provide you with some simple things, such as your favorite canned foods, and a basic can opener. In the event of a major disaster it may be days before regu-

lar service is available again. Having food that is edible whether or not you have a heat source should be a key ingredient in your disaster planning. Canned goods, such as soups, chili, vegetables, and fruit will last a year or more in your emergency kit. Although they may not last as long, other foods to consider are items that can be easily prepared on a camp stove; for instance, quinoa, polenta, rice, or dry pastas. Salt and pepper keep for lengthy periods in well-sealed containers, as well as some dried spices, such as thyme. Other food items to consider are nuts and hard cheeses to grab at the time of an emergency. These can be good for up to a week. Trail mixes can be good to have too, as they can provide good nutrients and energy when you have little ability to cook or are travelling to a safe location. Your water supply is just as important, and we have many containers for safe water consumption, as well as charcoal water filters to help with the quality of the water that you drink. In any emergency/disaster situation a good first aid kit can help your family when things break down. Arnica Gel and Calendula Gel are good for two years or more, and they can help with a variety of burns and other skin irritations. We also carry bandages

to help with cuts, abrasions, and other injuries. Some items to consider if you have children: infant formula, some special foods such as treats, banana chips, or other dried fruit. To help you as well as your kids, lights and entertainment should be considered. Coloring books, crayons and paper are all key items to occupy minds and hands, and possibly even make the power outage or other emergency somewhat fun. Candles, LED flashlights and hurricane lanterns are all things that can help light up the room. Be sure to have an extra supply of batteries on hand as well. Both of our stores offer a large variety of candles and batteries. In your kit, it is recommended that you include extra cash, as it is likely that ATM’s will be down, and most information infrastructure could be unavailable as well. If your data is in the “cloud” it is generally going to be safe, but having a back-up for critical things such as business or personal finances is defi-

nitely a good plan. A physical hard drive in a fire safe should survive most things, or even a simple flash drive can save many pictures or other key digital information that you want to keep handy. If you are interested in further preparing for emergencies, and just for your own education, the Co-op Community Kitchens offer classes in basic food preserving.* We are also partnering with other stores to provide lists of items that we don’t have so you can fill out your disaster kit. Check out the box below to learn more about preparing for a disaster and then let the Co-op help you get it all together. Stay safe. Be prepared. *see our Cooking Class Schedule at www.northcoast.coop

Learn how to prepare for a natural disaster at: Red Cross Survival Kit List www.redcross.org/prepare/location/ home-family/get-kit Ready Campaign www.ready.gov/ FEMA Plan & Prepare www.fema.gov/plan-prepare FEMA Community Emergency Response Teams www.fema.gov/community-emergencyresponse-teams/ CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/ disasters/index.asp

our members giveaway

Boiron Basket Giveaway

ou never know when you are going to get a scratch or bruise, so having certain items on hand before it happens can help you on the road to recovery! Did you know that Calendula can be great for cuts, scrapes and even minor burns? Arnica can do wonders for bruises in addition to helping alleviate muscle pain and stiffness. These are just two of the items that have been generously donated by Boiron. We are helping people prepare for disasters this month, and this basket

can help fill your emergency kit, your car or your medicine cabinet. If you are a member-owner, be sure to enter at customer service in either store for a chance to win!

Enter to win at Customer Service in either Co-op location. Deadline to enter: September 30, 2015.

www.northcoast.coop

| CO-OP COMMUNITY |

Cows, Crops, Cattails and Coho: Conserving This Place We Call Home and housed. We believe that finding this Land Trust is to protect wild and working balance is possible because we have helped land forever, standing alongside our local it happen — the Northcoast Regional Land agricultural producers and building bridges Trust has worked with private landowners across cultural and political divides. The to forever protect more than 25,000 acres North Coast is a place that demands the of working farms, ranches, and forests and best we can give, because it provides us so is currently working on conserving nearly much—our healthy food, our crystal-clean water, our livelihood, even our inspiration. 30,000 more acres locally. We understand that people are often Often, we frame environmental issues as “us versus them,” because that’s an easy not connected to a place without a story the first time you narrative to understand caught a Steeland communicate. It’s The Northcoast Regional head trout on a hard, complex, and emotionally demandLand Trust believes that wild river or the memories of haring work to engage by working across Sarah Pilkington vesting your own with people of differperceived boundaries, vegetables from a ent backgrounds and Outreach and Development we can protect the land family garden. We find common ground. Director work to ensure that Since our humble we love and bolster the beginnings in 2000, the economy that keeps us fed, the next generation of stewards get out was over 60. Combine this demographic Northcoast Regional clothed, and housed. on the land and shift with the extremely high demand for Land Trust has worked learn about their 40-acre parcels on the North Coast, and to build bridges you can see that there is the potential for a between agriculture and the environment, environment so that they can build their lot of the land that makes our area special and to encourage and value the diversity own story around it, because people only to be cut up and damaged over the next 20 of opinion among all of our stakeholders. protect what they love. If this is the kind of work that inspires years. That is not the kind of story about Our board is filled with local agricultural land that we want to tell our children. producers, whose healthy foods fill your you, join us. The Northcoast Regional grocery basket—from Lee Land Trust has many program areas, so Mora’s Humboldt Grass-fed whether your passion is about conservBeef to Clif Clendenen’s ing open and scenic places, working on multi-generational apples, planning and land use issues, or educating from Jill Hackett’s lamb pro- youth, we are dedicated to it all. One fun duced at Ferndale Farms to way to see how the Northcoast Regional Blake Alexandre’s pasture- Land Trust world joins together is by comraised eggs produced by the ing to our Annual Celebration-- known as Alexandre Kids. Know your “Boots and Birkenstocks”-- on October 10 farmer? That’s the first step. at the Fortuna River Lodge. This is a big The next step is working side and beautiful event that celebrates the wild by side with your farmer to and the working – where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate one protect the land we all love. In a recent survey that of the things we have in common: our love was completed by many for the land. For more information about Co-op shoppers, respondents this event, other Northcoast Regional Land Students from Six Rivers Charter School participating in NRLT’s Biological Monitoring Program at Freshwater Farms Reserve. indicated that the top social Trust activities, or to get involved, go to issue that the North Coast www.ncrlt.org or call the office at (707) Fortunately, there is another way. The Co-op should champion is supporting local, 822-2242. A special thanks to the North Northcoast Regional Land Trust believes sustainable agriculture. This is one of the Coast Co-op for being such a wonderful that by working across perceived boundar- reasons that the Co-op and the Northcoast community partner and for understanding ies, we can protect the land we love and bol- Regional Land Trust collaborate. Put sim- the complexities and importance of conster the economy that keeps us fed, clothed, ply, the work of the Northcoast Regional serving this place we call home.

“

Michael Cipra Northcoast Regional Land Trust Executive Director We’re lucky. We live in a place where salmon still spawn in our streams. We’re surrounded by rich forests of coastal redwood, Douglas fir, and black oak. We swim with our families in crystal-clear rivers and walk with friends along miles of stunning coastline. We’re also incredibly fortunate to live in a place with an abundance of locally-produced, healthy food. The Northcoast Regional Land Trust is proud to be a non-profit partner of the North Coast Co-op, because we believe that the production of healthy, local, and sustainable food is intimately linked with protecting the land and water we love. Every day we work with private landowners to establish conservation agreements that keep our region’s working farms, forests, and ranches intact. This approach protects wildlife habitat while supporting agricultural production. The threats to local agriculture and ecological health are real. A 2010 survey of agricultural landowners in Humboldt County found that 65% have no succession plan in place for conveying land to the next generation. These landowners represent 130,000 acres of intact agricultural land that produce food and fiber for our families and prime habitat for wildlife. And, the average age of respondents in this survey

“

Located in Petrolia, this gorgeous view of 1,532 acres was protected through conservation easements in 2008.

Photos provided by Northcoast Regional Land Trust

CO-OP NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2015

| CO-OP COMMUNITY |

“Nearly Local” Days at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center Thanks to a grant from the Cooperative Community Fund

Barbara Walser Director of Nutrition & Activities at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center

Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, Garden Veggies, Romaine Strawberry Salad, Garlic Bread, and Baked Apple. Humboldt Senior Resource Center is committed to ensuring the best possible quality of life for seniors, their caregivers and their families. We support and encourage independence, dignity and well-being for all older adults in our community through a comprehensive array of health, nutrition and educational services as well as opportunities for friendship and social interaction. Our programs include Redwood Coast PACE, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly; Adult Day Health and Alzheimer’s Services, a state-licensed therapeutic day program; senior dining centers in Arcata, Eureka and Fortuna; Home Delivered Meals; the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP), which provides care management services for frail elders; and the monthly Senior News newspaper. We also have numerous volunteer opportunities. For more information, call (707) 443-9747 or email hsrc@humsenior.org, or visit at www.humsenior.org.

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.

here is a renewed interest in eating foods grown locally. We all know how much better those strawberries taste when they are picked and eaten when ripe! Produce grown locally can make it to the dinner plate much more quickly with a very tasty result. Thanks to a grant from the North Coast Co-op’s Cooperative Community Fund, the Humboldt Senior Resource Center has had the opportunity to bring three locally fresh meals to our Dining Centers and our Home Delivered Meals participants over the course of three months. We serve produce grown right here in Humboldt County, along with local cheese, local beef, locally made bread and more, on these “Nearly Local” days. Join us as we enjoy the next lunch of flavorful, local foods on Tuesday, September 22. On the menu:

For more information, contact Bella Waters at (707) 502-3555 ext 135 or bellawaters@northcoast.coop

RSVP!

The Humboldt Senior Resource Center has three Dining Centers. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday. Everyone is welcome and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. For people who are 60 and better there is a $3.50 suggested donation; for those under 60 there is a $6.00 fee. Reservations are encouraged--please call: Arcata (707) 825-2027 Eureka (707) 442-1181 Fortuna (707) 725-6245

Volunteers Needed for the Co-op’s 29th Annual Pumpkin Patch! The Co-op coordinates with a local farmer to provide area schools with fun and educational field trips to an organic pumpkin patch. We need some help with directing cars into the parking lot field and assisting with daily set-up and monitoring Pumpkin Patch guests.

Dates needed: Wed., September 30 thru Fri., October 2 and Mon., October 5 thru Fri., October 9 from 8:30am – 12 noon.

e’d love for you to keep us updated on any address changes so that we can be in touch with important Co-op information such as patronage refunds, Co-op happenings and member-owner opportunities. Moved out of the area and won’t be shopping at the Co-op for a while? We’d be happy to refund your membership and you’re welcome to rejoin should you return to the area. To update your information or request a refund on your membership, contact our Membership Coordinator at (707) 382-3109 or email membership@northcoast.coop

Contact Brenda Harper to volunteer one or more days at the Pumpkin Patch (707) 382-3103 or brendaharper@northcoast.coop.

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FALL 2015

Pick up your copy of the fall cooking class schedule in stores or see it online • www.northcoast.coop 䌀

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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 Sep 1 General Election starts. Return your completed ballots by mail or deliver to ballot boxes in either store location. See pp. 5-9 Oct 14 General Election ends. All ballots must be received by 5pm on this day to be counted. Oct 17 3:30-7pm Annual Membership Meeting, Arcata (see p. 3) Board of Directors Meetings Sept 3 • 6-8pm Co-op Community Kitchen, Arcata Oct 17 • 3:30-7pm Annual Membership Meeting, Arcata. Save the date! Facilitators needed (see p. 4) Nov 5 • 6-8pm Co-op Community Kitchen, Eureka

Policies and Procedures Committee Meeting Sept 9 • 3-5pm Ten Pin Warehouse Conference Room, 793 K St, Arcata. Finance Committee This Committee meets quarterly. No meeting scheduled at this time. Member Action Committee Meeting Sept 16 • 6-8pm Co-op Community Kitchen, Eureka Nominating Committee Meeting Oct 15 • 3:30-5:30pm Ten Pin Conference Room, 793 K St, Arcata. Ballots will be counted (see p. 9).

Co-op Events

Sep 5 • Wine Tasting during Arts Alive between 6-8:30pm in Co-op Community Kitchen at our Eureka store. Sample wines and cheeses served by knowledgeable Co-op staff, only $10 per person. Must be 21 or older. Pre-registration is recommended. More info at www.northcoast.coop/stores.htm#Kitchen.

Co-op Sponsored Events

September is Local Food Month! (see p. 2) Sep 7 I Block Party, 30th annual. A fundraiser for Arcata’s sister city, Camoapa, Nicaragua. Family friendly all ages event that goes from 12pm to 6pm on I Street between 10th and 11th in Arcata. More info at www.facebook.com/sistercityproject Sep 19 California Coastal Cleanup Day, hosted by the Northcoast Environmental Center. Help clean up our beaches, rivers, bay and estuaries by joining the Co-op’s team (see p. 11). More info at www.yournec.org/coastalcleanup/ coastalcleanupday

Deadlines

Sep 30 Member Surveys due (see p. 4) Sep 30 We Love Our Members Giveaway entries due (see p. 12) Nov 1 CCF grant applications due (see p. 14)