OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP
Established 1973
Volume II, Number 26 December 25, 2014 50 Very, Very Important Coop Confronts Mexican Produce Worker Abuses Facts About the Food Coop By Allison Pennell ’ve learned a LOT during Imy multi-year tenure as a reporter for the Linewaiters’ Gazette. And because it’s the most wonderful time of the year, I’m sharing a compendi- um of my favorite factoids to be swilled with your organic soy-based eggnog and glu- ten-free matzo ball soup this holiday season. Thank me later. PHOTO BY KEVIN RYAN In no particular order… The Coop buys a lot of produce from Mexico in the winter. 1. There was a time back somewhere in the 1980s By Hayley Gorenberg not free to leave. Some when a giant carrot on he Los Angeles Times’ were actually held against the shopping floor wall T in-depth series expos- their will and beaten if they advertised the member- ing work conditions for tried to escape. Others ship goal of one thousand farm laborers in Mexi- were in effect kept in labor members. co triggered challenging camps. As the LA Times 2. Joe Holtz did NOT attend reflections and creative reported, “Some camp Woodstock. ILLUSTRATION BY ROD MORISSON strategies from General bosses illegally withhold 3. The Food Coop hosted a Coordinator Allen Zimmer- wages to prevent workers member workshop titled 7. The Food Coop once ten-free foods, it would man, PSFC produce buyer from leaving during peak “And When I Die: The Musi- threatened to sue Bar- solve a lot of problems.” for 20 years. He says yes, harvest periods.” At half cal! A Funeral Planning neys New York for calling 10. Jazz Hands—aka twinkling the Coop carries some pro- the 30 camps visited, the Cabaret.” themselves Barneys “Co- and/or silent applause— duce from Mexico. More on Times reported workers 4. The PSFC produces some Op,” a flagrant violation has been around for over that in a moment. could not leave because 30,000+ gallons of food of New York’s Coopera- 20 years. The 18-month investi- their pay was withheld or scraps per year, which go to tive Corporations Law, 11. The recession of 2007- gation in nine Mexican they owed money to the local gardens and parks in which restricts the use 2008—and introduction states found that workers company store. Red Hook and Park Slope of the term “coop” to of debit card use—drove picking produce often were CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 for composting. cooperative businesses. a surge in Coop mem- 5. Until the mid 90s it was not A General Meeting voted bership. It rose to a high against the rules to hire down the lawsuit pro- of 16,450 in the spring The December General Meeting somebody to work your posal in 2010. of 2012 before the Gen- Is Canceled shift for you. A neurosci- 8. Coop member, renowned eral Coordinators slowed The General Meeting of the Park Slope Food Coop is typically entist now, then 14-year- direct democracy scholar down the rate of mem- held on the last Tuesday of each month. The December General old Matthew Malter Cohen and hijacker of GMs, bership growth. Now it’s Meeting, however, has been canceled. had a successful business Albert Solomon, ran around 16,000. The January General Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 27, pimping himself and his unsuccessfully for a seat 12. The recent renovation and at 7:00 p.m. at MS 51, 350 Fifth Ave., between Fourth and Fifth friends for shifts at $15 a on the Coop Board of expansion of the shopping Sts. Enter on Fourth St. cul-de-sac. The Fourth St. entrance is pop. Directors many times. floor increased the num- handicap-accessible. 6. Coop sales are expected to 9. Overheard at the Coop: ber of checkouts by around For more information about the GM and about Coop exceed $49 million in 2014. “If they put arsenic in glu- CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 governance, please see the center of this issue.
Fri, Jan 2 • Film Night: Portrait of Wally 7:00 p.m. IN THIS ISSUE Tue, Jan 6 • Agenda Committee Meeting 8:00 p.m. Puzzle ...... 2 Fri, Jan 9 • See What the PAFCU Offers 4:00-6:00 p.m. Brooklyn Ex-Pat Brings the Spirit of the PSFC to Berlin ...... 4 Coop Fun Committee Report...... 6 Fri, Jan 9 • Wordsprouts: Classifieds ...... 9 Event New Poetry for a New Year 7:00 p.m. Coop Calendar, Governance Information, Mission Statement . . . . 9 Sat, Jan 10 • See What the PAFCU Offers 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Calendar of Events ...... 10 Letters to the Editor...... 12 Highlights Sat, Jan 10 • Auditions For Our Animal Welfare Committee Report...... 14 Coop Kids’ Variety Show 2–5 p.m. Coordinator’s Corner ...... 15 Look for additional information about these and other events in this issue. Community Calendar, Exciting Workslot Opportunities. . . . . 15 2 December 25, 2014 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
50 Facts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 30% and has cut down on all the time we spend ‘’line waiting.’’ 13. Joe Holtz is most likely to cheat on the Food Coop with Key Food. Q: When you have to go beyond the hallowed walls of the PSFC for some groceries, where of free-ranging boneless pretentious, self-righteous do you go? A: Key Food. chicken breasts per week, Obama worshippers that I feel like I’m in spacious- which means it sells on is the borough of Brooklyn ness heaven when I go to average $2,656 of chicken writ large.” get my two items. I also breast per square foot 31. Noted vegan author and might go to the Associated every month. Park Slope resident Jona- on 5th near Union. 27. There is a beer aficio- than Safran Foer has never 14. A member once tried to nado shift at the Food been a member of the Park
return a cooked chicken ILLUSTRATION BY ROD MORISSON Coop. Other odd jobs: Slope Food Coop. because it was too rubbery. bike valet, food tour 32. At 14, your kids can start 15. In 2011, a Coop member 17. Number of weddings, State farmers each week. guide, mop cleaner, bul- working your shifts for devoted to watching Cas- brisses, bar mitzvahs, 20. The Coop bought its first letin board manager, coin you… with a work permit tle was hustling to finish a quincinieras held on the property for $50,000 in counter, coupon proces- of course. shift to get home in time shopping floor of the Food 1980: the amount you’d ser, launderer. 33. Joe Holtz’s former doctor for his episode and acci- Coop: zero. But the Coop be lucky to buy a parking 28. Overheard at the Coop: retired in 2004 to become a dentally locked three fellow did host one ad hoc wed- spot at the nearby garage “I’m from the beer squad. farmer. Ken Jaffe left med- members in the Coop. The ding: upstairs, with Kristo- these days. I’m here to help.” icine and the city to start fire department was called pher Marx officiating. 21. The New York Times film and 29. The feedback binders at the Slope Farms in Meredith, in to cut the lock. 18. There are actual ghostwrit- social critic (and Coop food front of the shopping floor NY, which supplies a good 16. At any given time, a quarter ers for some of those BDS processing worker) A.O. hold 50 pages of hand- share of the beef sold at of all working Coop mem- section Gazette letters. Scott envisions a movie written notes including the Coop. bers owe makeups. Most 19. The PSFC buys two cows, about the Food Coop as “a requests for free Wi-Fi, a DJ 34. John Turturro is scared shifts owed: a daunting four pigs, four lambs and slow, sad, Neo-realist fable squad, fresh fish, with 40% of the Food Coop. Cathy 34!!!—all according to sold 1,280 pounds of whole involving cheese.” But he of notes agitating for bet- Borowitz Turturro: “My 2012 data. chicken from New York really thinks it should be a ter chairs because people’s husband doesn’t come workplace sitcom like The butts are delicate and need from a family of male gro- Office or, alternately, a com- cushioning. A staffer reads cery shoppers. He’s offered petitive reality show. them all. to push the cart home. 22. The PSFC turns over inven- 30. Most of the Food Coop’s I think he is a little afraid tory about 74 times per mean reviews on Yelp are of the Food Coop.” John year. In effect, we sell out from people pissed they Turturro: “It’s that whole our entire store’s worth of couldn’t get in without thing about having to wait inventory every five days. joining. Murray R. from on that line and then you 23. Members have launched Brooklyn takes first prize: have to pay and then you an ad hoc campaign to cre- “for those who think that have to bag it and you have ate a dog-care shift. aisles packed with smelly to wait on the other line 24. Joe Holtz was both the first leftists, tiles [sic] on which to get checked. For certain and third paid employee of various locally sourced people it’s like the men- the Food Coop. Apparently, argula [sic] races to see tal block of ‘I’ve joined a he took a leave of absence which can rot quickest and commune.’ I can’t do it. I and somebody took his Levitan-like public service don’t know. I just think it’s place for a few months. announcements denounc- a mental block.” All from a ing fracking, gender roles, Gazette interview. Members have launched an individual liberty and 35. The Food Coop website is ad hoc campaign to create a everything else that Franz being redesigned by Coop dog-care shift. Fanion and Howard Zinn members who are New York
ILLUSTRATION BY ROD MORISSON hate, this is for you. If you Times staffers. think civilization summited 36. The Food Coop is a tourist 25. Blue Ribbon Excuse For [sic] in the 1903s, when Sta- destination. Missing A Shift: A Coop lin was starving millions 37. The Food Coop officially X Out member’s wife came in of Ukrainians to death in has 30,000 members. very apologetic about her pursuit of socialist utopia, Around half of them are Sometimes you can remove a single letter from a word to get a new word. husband being unable to you’ll feel right home hear. absentee owners who For example, if you remove the third letter from SUPPER, you get SUPER. You make his shift and needing Progressives ARE fascists no longer have shopping will find nine more of these pairs in this puzzle. In each line below, the first clue describes the larger word. If you remove the letter that goes into the circled to do a makeup because and fifteen minutes inside rights but technically still spot, you get a word described by the second clue. After you’ve solved all of they were in the weeds. The this hellhole will demon- own a piece of the PSFC. these, you will find an additional pair from the circled letters. husband, Shaun Donovan strtate [sic] the truth of this The actual numbers: 16,258 CLUES ANSWERS had to go to a meeting in proposition. A blot on the active participating mem- “Ocean’s ”; Like Legolas Washington, DC. Turned body politic, and the an bers; 14,500 non-partici- out it was his confirmation aggregatete [sic] of nasty, pating member owners Saying; Hurt hearing to become Secre- Kneecap; Rice dish tary of Housing and Urban Visitor; Strong wind Development, which he Wood finish; Disappear served as from 2009-2014. Having assets; Having debts 26. The Coop’s sales per square Smart; Salty foot of selling space are 14 times the national aver- Recover; Wild age for supermarkets. The Puzzle author: Lars W. Roe. For answers, see page xx.15. meat section, for instance, sells close to 1,000 pounds
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY December 25, 2014 3
Coop Confronts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Get more details from: www.graphics.latimes.com/ product-of-mexico-camps/ And though workers sought the camps to make a living, earning the equiv- alent of $8-$12 daily that is often entirely withheld until the end of the three-month harvest season, the Times found that “laborers often go deep in debt paying inflated prices for necessities at
company stores. Some are PHOTO BY ANA GALLO reduced to scavenging for food when their credit is cut trimmed so the fruit will With that reality as his off. It’s common for laborers arrive unblemished in U.S. previously established base, to head home penniless at supermarkets.” Zimmerman welcomed the the end of a harvest.” And some of that beau- LA Times series as impe- tus “pushing us further in a direction we’re already going.” That direction includes prioritizing local produce, small family farms and reducing the PSFC car- bon footprint by cutting 38. The Coop sells a case of been a member of the transportation distances. produce every minute. PSFC. Thus, once winter cold sets 39. Retirement rates at the 46. According to recent num- in, the Coop prioritizes pro- PSFC have jumped from bers—every day $700 duce from Florida over pro- 379 out of 16,000 in 2013… worth of goods goes miss- duce from California, and to 425 today. ing from Coop shelves. 40. Overheard at the FC: “Is 47. Badge of Honor for being there a brain function sec- Excused from a Shift: a tion in the vitamin and member called to let the supplements aisle?” office know that she would 41. According to 2013 data, need to miss a shift… 16% of the Food Coop because a member of her membership turns over family would be at the each year, with around White House… accepting 2,600 members quitting the Medal of Freedom. and about the same num- 48. Overhead at the Coop: “A ber joining. gentle reminder to please
The physical conditions were wretched. “Many farm laborers are essentially trapped for months at a time
ILLUSTRATION BY ROD MORISSON in rat-infested camps, often without beds and sometimes 42. Office workers used to ser- not leave your babies and without functioning toilets or enade each other with an strollers unattended in the a reliable water supply.” operatic aria written by a middle of an aisle.” And to those who ask guy named Vinny, a former 49. There is a member named whether any standards or
Membership Coordinator Willy Appelman who regulations exist, the Times PHOTOS BY KEVIN RYAN and titled: “I’m Suspended, has a YouTube channel responded, “major U.S. com- and I Don’t Know and I devoted to reenactments panies have done little to tiful fruit does, indeed, produce from California over Don’t Know Why.” of hilarious loudspeaker enforce social responsibility reach the Coop—especially produce from Mexico. 43. In addition to serving as announcements he’s heard guidelines that call for basic in winter. Without buying For those who react to Deputy Managing Editor such as “Will Indigo’s worker protections such as from Mexico and countries the Times’ expose by seek- at the Daily News, Coop mother please come to clean housing and fair pay in South and Central Amer- ing to avoid Mexican pro- member Gersh Kuntzman childcare; Indigo’s mother: practices.” ica, “people would be sur- duce, the Coop’s compliance is also at work on a new childcare NOW!” and “Hey, The Times remarked that prised how little food they’d with “COOL” (country of ori- play called Murder at the where would I find ethically “[t]he contrast between the be eating that came out of gin labeling) allows them to Food Coop. killed wheat-free vegan treatment of produce and of the ground a week ago,” choose other sources. COOL 44. Coop sales numbers fluc- Peking Duck?” people is stark. In immac- said Zimmerman. “They’d reveals that some “Hawaiian” tuate—but the all time 50. There used to be a life- ulate greenhouses, labor- be amazed how little choice ginger comes from China, and high in sales was around guard chair on the shop- ers are ordered to use hand they have. California isn’t that carelessly labeled “Hol- $1.1 million dollars the ping floor to keep watch sanitizers and schooled in the answer in the winter. We land” peppers and tomatoes week before Thanksgiving for shoplifting but nobody how to pamper the produce. can make informed choices, may have a provenance differ- 2014. wanted to do the fink shift They’re required to keep but we’re not going to boy- ent from what one expects. 45. Chuck Schumer has never so the Coop got rid of it. ■ their fingernails carefully cott a country.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com 4 December 25, 2014 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Ex-Pat Brings the Spirit of the PSFC to Berlin By Taigi Smith sometimes looked down or environmental scene hen Kathryn Werntz upon. The idea is that the in NYC. I then realized it Wmoved to Berlin sev- state should be taking care was time for much bigger eral years ago, she missed of people’s needs. The idea change. I came here based the PSFC so much that of doing “menial” work, no on a deep attraction and she started her own food matter how meaningful, appreciation of German cooperative. She talked to seemed beyond compre- culture and wanting to live me about the challenges hension to many. in a country where environ- of starting the Dickes Bee We have about 40 active mentalism runs deep. Coop. While Kathryn has members and maybe been in Berlin for several another 20 who show up How long were you a years, she still remains a once in a while. We’ve member of the PSFC? proud member of the PSFC cycled through at least I signed up fall 2001. I and is doing her best to another 60 members. was skeptical at first—the bring the spirit of the Coop We have moved the entire idea was quite new
to her current home. coop four times, and for to me and all the rest- PHOTOS BY JESS KAMENS less energy and hotheads Dickes Bee sells its own jam. almost put me off—but as soon as I did my first few move in that direction, it jars and then decide how shifts and met more lev- still seems people here in much you want on-site. el-headed people and felt Germany who have never We also get bread, beer the comfortably communal, worked in a coop have and fruit juices from local, but non-commune vibe, I a hard time grasping the and sometimes locally was sold. I have since left concept. I have worked in sourced companies. Addi- the country “for good”, but a “true” coop in my mind, tionally, we have a pretty couldn´t bring myself to that is, a working member- diverse assortment of leave PSFC, so, I am on a ship and a closed one— dried goods. For exam- long hiatus. this is much more dynamic ple, we get coffee from a than a blind buying club women’s coop in Hondu- Were you inspired by which is essentially what I ras. The coffee is roasted your time at the Park find in Berlin and all over by a “social justice” Slope Food Coop? Germany. roaster in Hamburg. We I was 100% inspired by PSFC. Everything from the model, to logistics, to thinking about what I would want to do differ- ently… it all influenced me. I continue to sing the praises of PSFC and I am very clear to members, vis- Kathryn Werntz, PSFC member and founder of the Dickes itors and reporters that the Bee Coop in Berlin. Coop is what has inspired me. I made a few trips back Tell me about your three months it was oper- to the PSFC and tearfully food cooperative. ating out of my hallway! told a few employees what When did you start it The room we now rent is an impact the PSFC had on and why? this funky multi-purpose me—not only in terms of Dickes Bee printed materials. As soon as I got to Berlin, room that also has a small operating a coop, but the I started looking for a food “bar.” It is part of a type reasons behind having one. What items do you sell were blocked from track- coop, but after 1½ years of of communal living situa- What may be different is at the Dickes Bee Coop? ing down the exact farmer searching, and unable to tion that exists in Berlin— we get to know each of our We have weekly choices of our figs from Turkey— afford the farmers’ mar- where the building itself is farmers personally. That is, of local fruits and veg- then we had a long conver- ket prices, I decided to a coop of sorts. It has two at least one of our mem- gies—and sometimes sation about if we should launch my own food coop. courtyards and a general bers has information and a nuts—from about 20 dif- still buy them or not. We I explicitly remember hov- feeling of “in progress” in connection to each one of ferent farms. You order on decided to purchase the ering longingly over a every way. There are typ- our farmers. weekends online. We sell figs because they are so bunch of leafy dark greens ically art installations in Even after explaining other things like yogurt popular and most of us and lamenting over being the room we rent. There’s how the PSFC works and out of huge tubs. You must would just buy them in the unable to afford it. also a communal kitchen after instituting things to bring your own refillable local organic shop anyway. In February 2011, I where some residents run For things like cleaners, posted an ad asking if any- an informal cooking service with the exception of some one was interested in start- for the nearby preschools, bulk organic dishwashing ing a coop and outlined a so we leave one another soap, we encourage peo- few ideas I had. About 15 any little leftover goodies. ple to make their own and people came to the first There’s also an adjoining share recipes and ideas on meeting. From there, I held studio/theatre space that this and other make-your- several more meetings, we sometimes rent out to own or make-from-scratch where I asked questions do special events. ideas. and tried to set ground We sometimes have rules for what would later What made you move super special products become our “constitution” to Berlin? depending on seasons and of sorts. I decided to quit my connection of members. The Dickes Bee Coop PhD on international food We now have amaaaaazing was really, really hard to security in May of 2009 in bulk olive oil from Italy, start. The idea of volun- order to get back to having and when they’re in sea- teerism is not nearly as direct impact. Then I spent son, I organize mangoes popular in Germany as it a few months trying to work from Senegal. In the past, is in the USA. In fact, it is my way back into the food Noodles we have had a local organic
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY December 25, 2014 5 chef who would make Mayan methods, but with in the end, appreciated the ready-to-eat meals. chocolate from Ecuador difficulty of trying to grow and mangoes from Burkina organic asparagus and felt How is your Faso and maté from Brazil. good about the farm’s other cooperative structured? In this case, we are in touch produce which is organic, Are your members with the entire value chain. so we wanted to support required to work for According to our phi- them. food or is this more of losophy, not every product a CSA model? or farm must be organic, In your opinion, how I work with another coor- fair-trade, or certified in important is locally dinator to run the Dickes any way. We have a series sourced food? Bee Coop. He is also our of questions we answer I think locally sourced IT wizard and coordinates before buying a product, food is the key to nour- ishing our bodies, minds, souls and soils! Not to say that I think all of our food
or products or services or PHOTOS BY JESS KAMENS neighbors should be locally Weekly choices of fruit and vegetables. sourced—there is a ben- efit to moving all of these are obsessed with this idea Have you met other around the world through of everything being “bio”— Brooklynites living some global markets, but that is, organic. They are in Berlin? What having locally sourced food also quite proud of their about other (former) has the potential to impact world-renowned “Demeter” members of the PSFC? our lives in so many ways. certification and I guess There are puh-lenty of I think most important they should be. From what I Brooklynites living in Ber- to emphasize, is how nour- can tell, Demeter seems to lin and many of them go ishing it is for our bodies embody much of permacul- back and forth (artists or and our spirits to have ture tenets. I am not sure musicians, mostly). I try some connection to the how much the average Ger- to steer clear of American land, even if it’s a once-a- man thinks beyond these hangouts and meet-ups, Shopping at Dickes Bee is reminiscent to the early days of year open farm day where certification schemes or though over the years have the PSFC. how much they are influ- allowed a few in as close enced when the media friends.... those who mostly pick-up and banking logis- smears one of them. have left the USA for good tics. I still oversee the There’s a recent push and know why. I have met entire vision, the coordina- by Germany and the EU at least five former PSFC tion of members, product to allow GMO products in. members, and each time, research, farmer contact, There is plenty of uproar the discussions with them and the education and and discussion about that. about PSFC and what I am advocacy and partner activ- We Americans living here trying to do with the Dickes ities. We are constantly in are also not happy about Bee Coop completely rein- flux on how to decentral- it either. We thought we vigorate me. ize tasks and share infor- were “safe” here in GMO- mation. We use Facebook, free land and where so What do you miss most Google docs, and our pri- many chemicals allowed about the PSFC? vate online food ordering in the USA are not allowed Hmm, you mean besides system to communicate here. the fantastic use of the PA and assign tasks. system? Asking do we have Each member is required Germans are obsessed this, have you seen this, to work about three hours with this idea of can you substitute x for y, per month. This was some- everything being “bio”— anyone going there? what based on PSFC model I miss the heated dis- and what people seemed that is, organic. cussions and the constant willing to give. During the dynamism that seemed first two years, we tracked to seep into me by being all the hours it took us How is your food surrounded by a bunch of to do things and what cooperative different people who care enough we wanted to do. We had than the PSFC? to give two hours and 45 everyone log their hours. We want to know our minutes of their life every Eventually, that became farmer, and possibly the month to a good cause and too much to handle and entire value chain, for would splatter the stairwell now everyone works on an every product—and per- with all sorts of ideas to honor system. sonally. We also still do stretch my mind. ■ not offer meat, and our Where does your Goat-milking field trip. few dairy products took us coop’s food come from? years to finally source and All of the fresh products and while official certifica- you go pet the goat that agree upon. We also are come from mostly farm- tion is on that list, we have makes your cheese. nowhere near the level of ers and farm cooperatives more questions about envi- organization and strength within a 1½-hour drive from ronmental, social and eco- How do Berliners’ ideas of PSFC! Also, sadly, we us. Some of our fresh goods nomic sustainability which and relationship with still do not have bins for come from several organic interest us. And when we locally sourced food bulk items. My intention farms within the Berlin have big questions, we go differ from those of is to make Dickes Bee as city limits. Throughout visit the farm first. Americans? much like PSFC as possi- the year, we have products “Spargel,” or asparagus, Germans are so used to ble, though it will always from probably about 20-25 is the pride of Germans their local farmers markets, be Berlin style, that is, different small farms, of and has a culture in and of that I am not sure how much closer to the farmers, eons which 10 or so we have vis- itself. Before deciding to they think about it. What more relaxed, and with ited. Our chocolate is man- buy non-organic Spargel, I can say is disappointing requisite revolutionary ufactured using ancient we went for a farm visit and from Germans is that they attitude and piercings.
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com 6 December 25, 2014 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
MEMBER SUBMISSION
Dear Membership conflict that is has occu- to meet and it comes down to boycott Israel, as well as pied Gazette space for so to earth. work against the boycott, By Jesse Rosenfeld are mirrored by thousands long. I still call for those I also call upon all mem- sacrifice the letters for a quating Jews with Nazis. of others in the Coop, who find it compelling to bership to reject the “Isra- few issues and agree to EDivision instead of mainly those that years ago hold a regular monthly el-Palestine” label from now meet? cooperation. Demoniza- voted against boycotting meeting to discuss the on, because a simple glance I await your spirit of tion instead of dialogue. Israel. I can safely count complexity of the Mid- at the newspapers show cooperation and compro- Mirroring the world’s con- even tens of thousands dle East conflict. There is how the region’s widely mise. I hope I don’t wait flicts instead of working who stand against such val- ample meeting room, time, variant and historical long, because the longer together towards alternate ues, those that found the and space at the PSFC to issues steer the I-P conflict, you ignore a call to com- visions. discussion so unrelated to accomplish this and those not the other way around. promise and sacrifice only Are these “our” values at Coop business that they that meet should agree to Please show your rejection demonstrates how long you the Coop? These values are didn’t show up to vote. drop letter writing during of that anachronistic label ignore a call to compro- repellent and do not speak I called last issue for this time. It may seem like by saying so in print. mise and sacrifice. in my name, and I can say productive solutions to pie-in-the-sky, but all it Can anyone who regu- It’s time to change the definitively that my views discuss the Middle East takes is for people to agree larly writes letters who call conversation. ■ FUN COMMITTEE REPORT
Park Slope Food Coop Fun Committee rather playing pool), pub and healthy baked goods, and nights (singing traditional the DJs music was eclectic By Martha Siegel this so that they will ask me little routine. I tell them songs, co-sponsored with and funky. The atmosphere very time I shop at the the same question. When that I’m on the Fun Commit- Pinewoods), spoken- was informal and homey, and ECoop and walk to my car I answer, they stop in their tee, and again, they stop in word events, crafts shows, it felt like we were all there for with a Walker, I introduce tracks and say “What?” I their tracks. “What’s that?” Valentine’s card-making the same reason—to dance myself then ask the Walker repeat my answer, “1973.” they ask. I explain that it’s a events, band nights and have fun! his or her name and when They usually reply, “I wasn’t committee that has been in featuring Coop musicians, When I joined the Fun they joined the Coop. I do even born yet!” I enjoy this existence since the found- contra dances, other types Committee we held a few of dances, singles events, dance events with live music, fun and games, potluck but they were never as well lunches in Prospect Park, attended as the parties from adult variety shows and the the ’80s and ’90s. Now my annual Kids’ Variety Shows wish for our committee is (since 2004). We’re always to bring back dance events brainstorming to invent where everyone in our Coop events to attract a wide community can come to variety of participants. We share food, dance and have a even welcome suggestions funky good time! from Coop members. When we plan an event we publicize it in the Gazette Musicians, and our poster designer hangs a beautiful, eye- Artists & catching poster on the wall behind the cashiers. But Writers the big question is do Coop By Dalienne Majors members see these posters joined the Fun Committee and announcements in the Iin 2005. The Committee
PHOTO BY DALIENNE MAJORS Gazette? If they do, are they meets once per month to International Folk Dance Night, Fun Committee Event, Dec. 7, 2014. lured to come to the event? I plan events and assign jobs am personally disappointed for each member to fulfill. ing of the Coop except that every time we produce an The events are created and it used to be called The event that is under-attended. produced using the Com- Fundraising Committee. It makes me question the mittee members’ individual Now we just raise “fun,” to purpose of our committee. talents. Musicians organize which they reply, “I’ve never So, after reading this the Children’s Variety Show, heard of it.” And that’s when article, I hope you will take Pub Night and Band Night; I get sad. The purpose of note of our efforts and visual artists prepare event our committee is to create notice the publicity and posters and host Valentine’s community, and if members participate at our events! Day card making; writers don’t know we exist and The Coop is not just a food host readings; and recent- don’t know what we do, it store; it’s a community. ly an International Folk defeats the purpose of our Dance Night brought 50 committee. And that’s why Coop members together to I’m writing this article. Parties! learn dances from around Since the early days of By Sarah Safford the world. The variety of the the Coop, we have produced y favorite events were Committee’s events keeps auctions, every-five-years Mthe dance parties. I us involved in the PSFC’s birthday parties for the Coop, remember these from before diverse community and we music festivals featuring over I was on the committee continue to thrive with the 100 talented Coop musicians (when it was still called the energy that it creates. ■ and attracting over 1,000 Fundraising committee), and audience members (1983- I felt happy to be supporting To learn more about the Fun Com- 87), chamber music concerts, a good cause while dancing mittee and its events, check out our potluck suppers, game the night away. These were blog on the Coop’s website. If you nights, poker nights, pool potlucks with wonderfully have an idea for a fun event, please parties (not swimming but diverse casseroles, salads e-mail: [email protected].
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY December 25, 2014 7
MEMBER SUBMISSION
Is This Your Coop? sense of people-hood that on the editorial policy, opportunity to provide a pre- causes us to have concern while pro-BDS letters with pared rebuttal. Nonetheless, By Barbara Mazor all economic decisions, is for the physical well-being worse violations were per- the proposal was soundly he Consumers’ Coop- a matter of benefits out- of Jews everywhere, includ- mitted. We were personally defeated by more than 60% Terative of Berkeley, weighing disadvantages. ing the 49% of our people attacked in the Gazette and of the voters at that meet- a food co-op, operated The main benefit, of course, who live in Israel. We are we were not notified and ing. We thought that would from 1939 to 1988. At its is the low prices. But gone feeling increasingly margin- provided with the opportu- be the end of it and life could peak, it had over 100,000 are the days when the Coop alized and have to wonder if nity to respond in the same return to normal. members and operated was the only source for we can still answer “yes” to issue. When we pointed No. That was not to be. 12 supermarkets with $83 health food products and the question “Do I want to out the anti-Jewish racism The BDS crowd continues million in sales. A number local or organic produce. be part of this?” of the BDS movement, our to regularly submit letters. of factors contributed to Now we have Whole Foods, Nearly six years ago complaints were flippantly In the last few months the its collapse. There was a Union Markets, green mar- the subject of BDS was dismissed as “trying to sti- level of vitriol has risen to series of bad financial and kets and other food coops. introduced during open fle discussion of Israel.” The unacceptable levels. Even managerial decisions that Also gone are the days comments at the General irony and racism of that in the face of our reasoned may or may not have been when the store was tiny and Meeting. Two years later a statement is stunning. counter-arguments, the surmountable. In addition, you knew not only every- BDS proposal was added Nearly three years ago, Gazette editors continue to the sense of community one on your squad, but also to the agenda lists. Despite the Coop spent thousands display a shocking insensi- necessary to sustain the the people who regularly our protests that this initia- of dollars to provide a Gen- tivity. At a time when we see business was undermined shopped during your shift. tive was detrimental to the eral Meeting to vote on a BDS supporters assaulting by endless political infight- There is also the advantage Coop community, the Coop proposal to run a referen- Jewish students at Amer- ing. This revolved mainly of the sense of community, felt that the proposal had to dum on joining the BDS ican college campuses, around the endorsement the idea of being part of an follow the course of Coop movement. At that meet- when anti-Semitic graffiti of consumer boycotts. The alternative way of shopping “democracy.” We identified ing, we were treated to a is a regular occurrence in CCB lost the loyalty of its and running a business. It the lies and distortions multi-media hate-fest of Brooklyn, when local syna- customer base, its mem- is the affirmative answer to published in the pro-BDS lies and distortions. Despite gogues feel a need to post bers. It is a cautionary the question “Do I want to letters. They were ignored, the extraordinary nature guards outside, we have to tale for all PSFC members, be a part of this?” that sus- and the editors continued of the meeting and well- ask ourselves “Is the Coop, but especially for those tains us as Coop members. to publish the same lies, known dissent, the Chair too, becoming a hostile entrusted with the well-be- There are a number of us calling them “opinions.” We Committee felt it appropri- environment for us?” ing of PSFC. who are Israelis and/or Jews saw our letters to the Gazette ate to follow standard pro- Ask yourself: “Is this how Coop membership, like whose identity includes a rejected for infringement cedure, and denied us the I want my Coop to be?” ■
Coop Confronts thought, but not very much challenging “organic protec- He believes the Coop trade produce into the sup- worse than I imagine the tionists” pressing to label should “spend every pro- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 ply stream. His strategies life of a farm laborer may be genetically modified foods, duce penny” supporting include pressing distribu- While Zimmerman can anywhere. I think there’s no Zimmerman opined that the small family farms and tors to foster relationships fairly easily tell produce magic answer, and I don’t Coop has moved past such fairly traded produce, and with fair trade sources, so distributors that members want members to fear that debates, and that members making those sources sus- that other buyers, aside don’t want to see labels from the Coop will buy from Mex- have settled the question tainable. So in recent days, from PSFC, have access to the growers covered in the ico. The Coop can learn for themselves many years following the LA Times them and can help build ago: the Coop sources foods series, which gave him demand. “If we can get it organically as much as pos- “motive and opportunity,” into the supply stream, sible. “It is now accepted Zimmerman has rededi- that gets fair trade produce here that we want the cated the Coop to actively on a list of produce for cleanest and safest food.” pursuing getting more fair thousands of stores.” ■ The Coop’s newer focus is “working toward sustainabil- ity, and organic is a piece of that.”
“I picked strawberries for an hour once, and I’d rather die than do it for another five minutes.”
PHOTO BY KEVIN RYAN —Allen Zimmerman, Shelf signs in the produce aisle display country of origin. General Coordinator and produce buyer LA Times article, he knows names of the targeted farms the expose did not target with the worst records. We’ll Mexico because that’s the make choices with our eyes But Zimmerman urges single locale where worker open.” But ultimately, he that PSFC ought not sit on abuse prevails. “Agriculture acknowledged, “I don’t think supposed laurels. “We can isn’t free of exploitation just I’m going to give members walk around feeling like we because you’ve avoided the much comfort with this.” do a lot of good, but we target of the LA Times.” Recognizing not only don’t spend a lot of time Zimmerman harbors no the likelihood of low-wage wondering how we can do illusions about the treat- worker abuse, but also the better.” Zimmerman has set ment of farm workers in the fact that farm labor is hard his sights on improving the U.S., either. “I picked straw- labor, regardless, the Coop Coop’s practices and ampli- berries for an hour once, has increased its purchase fying its impact. With the and I’d rather die than do it of fair-trade products. onset of freezing weather, for another five minutes,” he Coop bananas are sourced “it is the perfect time to see said. So while he lauded the nearly 100% fair trade. And if we can be more careful Times’ series, he concluded, while the Wall Street Journal about what we get from far “It’s probably worse than I recently published an article away,” he said.
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com 8 December 25, 2014 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
COOP HOURS Friday, January 16, 8:00 p.m. Office Hours: Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Shopping Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00* p.m. Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 10:00* p.m. Sunday 6:00 a.m. to 7:30* p.m. * Shoppers must be on a checkout line 15 minutes after closing time. Childcare Hours: Monday through Sunday Jenny Hill & Liquid Horn. Jenny Hill presents an evening of 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. music inspired by Brazil, Africa, and American jazz, featuring Telephone: Todd Isler on drums and percussion, Jerome Harris on bass, 718-622-0560 Debbie Deane on vocals, and Stefan Bauer on vibes. Jenny Hill, saxophonist and flautist, is currently working with the Web address: Easy Star All-Stars, Denis Leary and the Enablers, and leads www.foodcoop.com her own jazz group, Liquid Horn. Bill Milkowski of Jazz Times calls her “an accomplished composer-arranger and first-rate soloist, with some bold playing on tenor, soprano and flute. Highly recommended.”
Tomas Rodriguez has a unique repertoire for the solo guitar based in the folkloric music of Galicia, Spain, of his ancestors, coupled with little-known and unique arrangements of the music of the African kora and touching on contemporary flamenco. Rodriguez’ own compositions, emerging from these diverse musical inspirations, include original choros, Venezuelan waltzes and The Linewaiters’ Gazette is published biweekly by the Park Slope Christian Science Monitor Food Coop, Inc., 782 Union Street, Brooklyn, New York 11215. flamenco granainas. Critic Norman Weinstein ( ) wrote, “Rodriguez plays with a passionate originality, with an individual Opinions expressed here may be solely the views of the writer. The touch, drawing from the musical heart of the Latin world. The folk and classi- Gazette will not knowingly publish articles that are racist, sexist or cal traditions of Spain and South America are richly evident in his playing, but otherwise discriminatory. he transmutes them into a sound clearly, fervently his own.” He is joined by Jerome Harris (bass), Barry Kornhauser (bass, cello) and Urbano Sanchez The Gazette welcomes Coop-related articles and letters from mem- (percussion) and possibly a few surprise guests. bers. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES www.ProspectConcerts.tumblr.com All submissions must include author’s name and phone number and conform to the following guidelines. Editors will reject letters and 53 Prospect Park West [at 2nd Street] • $10 • 8pm [doors open at 7:45] articles that are illegible or too long. Submission deadlines appear Performers are Park Slope Food Coop members and receive Coop workslot credit. in the Coop Calendar opposite. Booking: Bev Grant, 718-788-3741 Letters: Maximum 500 words. All letters will be printed if they conform to the guidelines above. The Anonymity and Fairness policies appear on the letters page in most issues. This Issue Prepared By: Voluntary Articles: Maximum 750 words. Editors will reject articles that are essentially just advertisements for member businesses and Coordinating Editors: Erik Lewis services. 2%452. 0/,)#9 Stephanie Golden Committee Reports: Maximum 1,000 words. I]Z 8dde hig^kZh id 2%15)2%$ &/2 !.9 2%452. Editors (development): Wally Conrad `ZZeeg^XZhadl[dgdjg &#I]ZEV^Y">c";jaagZXZ^eiBJHI Editor-Writer Guidelines: Except for letters to the editor, which bZbWZgh]^e# B^c^" WZegZhZciZY# Tom Moore are published without editing but are subject to the Gazette letters b^o^c\ i]Z Vbdjci d[ '#GZijgchbjhiWZ]VcYaZY policy regarding length, anonymity, respect and fairness, all gZijgcZY bZgX]VcY^hZ Reporters: Hayley Gorenberg l^i]^c(%YVnhd[ejgX]VhZ# submissions to the Linewaiters’ Gazette will be reviewed and, if ^h dcZ lVn lZ Yd i]^h# Allison Pennell necessary, edited by the editor. In their review, editors are guid- >[ ndj cZZY id bV`Z V ed by the Gazette’s Fairness and Anonymity policies as well as gZijgc! eaZVhZ \d id i]Z #!. ) %8#(!.'% -9 )4%- Taigi Smith standard editorial practices of grammatical review, separation 'cY;addgHZgk^XZ9Zh`# Cd!lZYdcdiÆZmX]Vc\ZÇ^iZbh# of fact from opinion, attribution of factual statements, and rudi- NdjbjhigZijgci]ZbZgX]VcY^hZ Art Director (development): Mike Miranda VcYgZ"ejgX]VhZl]VindjcZZY# mentary fact checking. Writers are responsible for the factual Illustrators: Rod Morrison content of their stories. Editors must make a reasonable effort to contact and communicate with writers regarding any proposed Cathy Wassylenko editorial changes. Writers must make a reasonable effort to #!. ) 2%452. -9 )4%- Photographer: Lisa Cohen respond to and be available to editors to confer about their arti- EgdYjXZ 7ja` ^cXa#8dde"WV\\ZYWja` cles. If there is no response after a reasonable effort to contact 8]ZZhZ HZVhdcVa=da^YVn>iZbh Kevin Ryan the writer, an editor, at her or his discretion, may make editorial 7dd`h HeZX^VaDgYZgh .%6%2 Thumbnails: Sarah Lang-Wiehart changes to a submission without conferring with the writer. 8VaZcYVgh GZ[g^\ZgViZYHjeeaZbZcih 2%452.!",% ?j^XZgh D^ah Photoshop: Adam Segal Submissions on Paper: Typed or very legibly handwritten and Hjh]^ 6WjnZg^hVkV^aVWaZYjg^c\i]ZlZZ`" placed in the wallpocket labeled “Editor” on the second floor at the YVnhidY^hXjhhndjgXdcXZgch# Art Director (production): Phan Nguyen base of the ramp. 2%452.!",% Desktop Publishing: Maxwell Taylor Digital Submissions: We welcome digital submissions. The GZ[g^\ZgViZY
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY December 25, 2014 9
CLASSIFIEDS
BED & BREAKFAST mas! Call 347-581-1380. E-mail Guccione, 718-596-4184, also at doing the finest prep & finish SERVICES-HEALTH HOUSE ON 3RD ST. B+B. Par- [email protected]. www.tguccionelaw.com. work. Mesh & skim coating. All DAILY PSYCHOLOGICAL TIPS lor floor thru apt. Sleeps 4. Wi-fi, work guaranteed. Call Fred Becker for weight loss, cancer manage- kitchenette, deck, 12’ ceilings, EXPRESS MOVES. One flat @ 347-661-6634. ment, anxiety and parenting. private bath. Visit our website, SERVICES price for the entire move! No DrHaber.com. facebook.com/ houseon3st.com, or call us, 718- AVAILABLE deceptive hourly estimates! NEED AN ELECTRICIAN Call drsandrahaber. 788-7171. Enjoy modern comfort ATTORNEY—Personal Injury Careful, experienced mover. Art Cabrera of Horizon, Est. in true Park Slope style. Grandpar- Emphasis—36 years experi- Everything quilt padded. No 1983, original coop member ents are our specialty. ence in all aspects of injury law. extra charge for wardrobes #225 and electrician. Res- Individual attention provided and packing tape. Specialist in idential specialist. Rewiring, for entire case. Free phone or walkups. Thousands of satisfied new circuitry. Add a switch or MERCHANDISE office consultations. Prompt, customers. Great Coop refer- rewire your whole home. Trou- NONCOMMERCIAL courteous communications. ences. 718-670-7071. bleshooting specialist, fans, FOR SALE: Beautiful black leath- 24-year Park Slope Food Coop low voltage, bells and rewir- er women’s attache case, Nook, member; Park Slope resident; PAINTING, PLASTERING & ing light fixtures. Call 718- 7-day cruise for two to Baha- downtown Brooklyn office. Tom WALLPAPERING. Over 25 yrs of 965-0327 or call 646-239-5197. All About the COOP CALENDAR General Meeting Our Governing Structure New Member Orientations General Meeting Info From our inception in 1973 to the present, the open Attending an Orientation is the first step toward TUE, JANUARY 6 monthly General Meetings have been at the center of Coop membership. Pre-registration is required for AGENDA SUBMISSIONS: 8:00 p.m. all of the three weekly New Member Orientations. the Coop’s decision-making process. Since the Coop To pre-register, visit foodcoop.com or contact the Submissions will be considered for the January incorporated in 1977, we have been legally required to Membership Office. Visit in person or call 718-622- 27 General Meeting. have a Board of Directors. The Coop continued the tradi- 0560 during office hours. tion of General Meetings by requiring the Board to have Have questions about Orientation? Please visit TUE, JANUARY 27 open meetings and to receive the advice of the members www.foodcoop.com and look at the “Join the Coop” GENERAL MEETING: 7:00 p.m. at General Meetings. The Board of Directors, which is page for answers to frequently asked questions. required to act legally and responsibly, has approved almost every General Meeting decision at the end of The Coop on the Internet Gazette Deadlines every General Meeting. Board members are elected at www.foodcoop.com Letters & Voluntary Articles: the Annual Meeting in June. Copies of the Coop’s bylaws Jan. 8 issue: 12:00 p.m., Mon, December 29 are available online at foodcoop.com, in the literature The Coop on Cable TV Jan. 22 issue: 12:00 p.m., Mon, January 12 rack in the elevator lobby and at every General Meeting. Inside the Park Slope Food Coop FRIDAYS 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Channels: 56 (Time- CLASSIFIED ADS DEADLINE: Warner), 69 (CableVision), 84 (RCN), 44 (Verizon), and Next Meeting: Tuesday, live streaming on the Web: www.bricartsmedia.org/ Jan. 8 issue: 7:00 p.m., Wed, December 31 community-media/bcat-tv-network. Jan. 22 issue: 7:00 p.m., Wed, January 14 January 27, 7:00 p.m. The General Meeting is held on the last Tuesday of each month. Attend a GM Park Slope Food Coop Location and Receive Work Credit Mission Statement MS 51, 350 Fifth Ave., between Fourth and Fifth Sts. Enter on Fourth St. cul-de-sac. Fourth St. entrance is Since the Coop’s inception in 1973, the General The Park Slope Food Coop is a mem- handicap-accessible. Meeting has been our decision-making body. At ber-owned and operated food store—an the General Meeting (GM) members gather to make alternative to commercial profit-oriented decisions and set Coop policy. The General-Meeting- business. As members, we contribute our How to Place an Item for-workslot-credit program was created to increase labor: working together builds trust participation in the Coop’s decision-making process. through cooperation and teamwork and on the Agenda Following is an outline of the program. For full details, see enables us to keep prices as low as pos- If you have something you’d like discussed at a General the instruction sheets by the sign-up board. sible within the context of our values Meeting, please complete a submission form for the • Advance Sign-up required: and principles. Only members may shop, Agenda Committee. Forms are available in the litera- To be eligible for workslot credit, you must add your and we share responsibilities and bene- ture rack in the elevator lobby and at General Meetings. name to the sign-up sheet in the elevator lobby or sign fits equally. We strive to be a responsible Instructions and helpful information on how to submit an item appear on the submission form. The Agenda up online at foodcoop.com. The sign-ups sheet is available and ethical employer and neighbor. We all month long, except for the day of the meeting when you Committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month are a buying agent for our members and have until 5 p.m. to sign up. On the day of the meeting, the to plan the agenda for the GM held on the last Tuesday not a selling agent for any industry. We sign-up sheet is kept in the Membership Office. of the month. If you have a question, please call Ann Some restrictions to this program do apply. Please are a part of and support the coopera- Herpel at the coop. see below for details. tive movement. We offer a diversity of products with an emphasis on organ- • Two GM attendance credits per year: Meeting Format Each member may take advantage of the GM-for- ic, minimally pro-cessed and healthful workslot-credit program two times per calendar year. foods. We seek to avoid products that Warm Up (7:00 p.m.) • Eligible Squads: depend on the exploitation of others. We • Submit Open Forum items Shopping, Receiving/Stocking, Food Processing, support non-toxic, sustainable agriculture. • Explore meeting literature Office, Maintenance, Inventory, Construction, and FTOP We respect the environment. We strive Open Forum (7:15 p.m.) Open Forum is a time for committees. (Some Committees are omitted because to reduce the impact of our lifestyles on members to bring brief items to the General Meeting. covering absent members is too difficult.) the world we share with other species and If an item is more than brief, it can be submitted to the • Attend the entire GM: future generations. We prefer to buy from Agenda Committee as an item for a future GM. In order to earn workslot credit you must be present local, earth-friendly producers. We recycle. Reports (7:30 p.m.) • Financial Report • Coordinators’ for the entire meeting. We try to lead by example, educating our- Report • Committee Reports • Signing in at the Meeting: selves and others about health and nutri- Agenda (8:00 p.m.) The agenda is posted at the Coop After the meeting, the Workslot Credit Attendance tion, cooperation and the environment. We Community Corner and may also appear elsewhere in Sheet will be available for signing in. are committed to diversity and equality. this issue. • Being Absent from the GM: We oppose discrimination in any form. We Wrap Up (9:30-9:45) (unless there is a vote to extend It is possible to cancel without penalty. We do ask that strive to make the Coop welcoming and the meeting) • Meeting evaluation • Board of Directors you remove your name if you know cannot attend. Please accessible to all and to respect the opin- vote • Announcements, etc. do not call the Membership Office with GM cancellations. ions, needs and concerns of every member.
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com 10 December 25, 2014 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
dec 30 Learn to Read Your Labels jan 9 Wordsprouts: tue 7 pm fri 7 pm New Poetry for a New Year Reading labels on your food can be tricky. What does “all-natural,” “USDA- Join us for an evening with three Brooklyn poets, reading organic,” “GMO-free,” “gluten-free” mean? Learn to read your products and some of their new poems, and discussing writing poetry. the meaning of ingredients. Having the knowledge gives you the choice of what Taylor Mali is one of the most well-known poets to have you buy. This presentation will define the different food labels and teach you WORDSPROUTS emerged from the poetry slam movement and one of the how to read your produce and packaged food labels. Learn how to read your original poets to appear on the HBO series “Def Poetry cosmetics and how to have a safe kitchen and bathroom for you and your fam- Jam.” A four-time National Poetry Slam champion, he is the author of two collec- ily. Coop member Arianna Sertoli is a health coach certified from the Integral tions of poetry and a book of essays, What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Institute of Nutrition, is a yoga teacher certified at Yoga Works and Bend & Job in the World. Susan Brennan’s poems appear in various publications. Her chap- Bloom, and is an advocate for Beautycounter cosmetics. She is from Italy and book, numinous, is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press. Drunken Oasis, her full- moved to the United States 11 years ago. length book of poems, is published by Rattapallax Press. She co-wrote Vegas—Based on a True Story, which premiered in competition at the 2008 Venice and 2009 Tribeca Film Festivals, and wrote the script for the award-winning, million-plus-hits Web series, Verse, a poetry murder mystery. Caitlin Grace McDonnell’s chapbook of jan 2 poems, Dreaming the Tree, was published by Belladonna Press in 2003 and her Film Night: Portrait of Wally first full-length book, Looking for Small Animals, was published by Nauset Press in fri 7 pm 2013. Her poems and book reviews have been published in JMWW, Washington Portrait of Wally chronicles the 13-year court battle Square, Chronogram and others periodicals. over the restitution from the Austrian government and The Leopold Museum to the Bondi family for the war time theft of art work by Egon Schiele. The “Wally” jan 10 case brought the story of Nazi art looting into the See What the PAFCU Offers open, eventually forcing museums in Europe and the sat 10 am–12:30 pm U.S. to search their own collections for suspect objects. Many museums Representatives from People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union will be at the Park ended up returning art to Jewish families who had abandoned hope until Slope Food Coop in the Meeting Room to sign up members for credit union “Wally” showed that institutions could be held accountable for holding prop- membership. Learn about: $5 minimum savings balance; loans starting at erty stolen during the Holocaust. Cinematographer, two-time Emmy-award 2.99%; holiday club account; debit/Visa cards; mobile/text message banking; winner and Food Coop member Samuel Henriques will be in attendance for a no-fee checking; Internet banking; kids’ accounts; vacation club accounts. Any brief Q & A after the screening. new member to open an account, any existing member to add a PAFCU product, To book a Film Night, contact Gabriel Rhodes, [email protected]. or any member to refer a new member to the credit union will be entered to win a Drive Away Vacation Package. Stop by for a chance to win a surprise gift.
jan 10 Auditions For Our jan 6 sat 2–5 pm tue 8 pm Agenda Committee Meeting Coop Kids’ Variety Show Coop members ages 4-18 may audition on Saturday, January 10, The Committee reviews pending agenda items and cre- 2-5 p.m. or Sunday, January 18, 12-3 p.m. in the Coop sec- ates the agenda for future General Meetings. Drop by ond-floor meeting room. To reserve an audition spot contact and talk with committee members face-to-face Martha Siegel, 718-965-3916, [email protected]. You between 8:00 and 8:15 p.m. Before submitting an must audition to be in the show. Polished act not required for item, read “How to Develop an Agenda Item for the audition; we can help you polish it. Singers and other musicians, General Meeting” and fill out the General Meeting Agenda Item Submission poets, jugglers, stand-up comics, rappers, dancers, magicians, gymnasts, etc. Form, both available from the Membership Office or at foodcoop.com. (no lip-syncing please). Performance date is Saturday, March 7. New show time The next General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 7 p.m., is 5 p.m. at the Old First Church. We look forward to hearing from you! at MS 51, 350 Fifth Ave., between Fourth and Fifth Sts. Another audition takes place on Sunday, January 18, 12-3 p.m. No General Meeting will be held in December. Performance date is Saturday, March 7, 5 p.m., at Old First Church.
jan 9 jan 13 Safe Food Committee Film Night: fri 4–6 pm See What the PAFCU Offers tue 7 pm The Story of Seeds Representatives from People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union will be at the Open Sesame: The Story of Seeds. A film by Coop Park Slope Food Coop in the Meeting Room to sign up members for credit member Sean Kaminsky. Most people don’t know that union membership. Learn about: $5 minimum savings balance; loans start- one of the world’s most precious resources is at risk. ing at 2.99%; holiday club account; debit/Visa cards; mobile/text message Seeds provide the basis for everything from fabric, to banking; no-fee checking; Internet banking; kids’ accounts; vacation club food, to fuels. Seeds are as essential to life as the air accounts. Any new member to open an account, any existing member to add we breathe or water we drink. Over the past 100 years, seeds have steadily a PAFCU product, or any member to refer a new member to the credit union shifted from being common heritage to sovereign property. Large corporations will be entered to win a Drive Away Vacation Package. Stop by for a chance are stealing seed varieties from under us by slowly patenting them. Corporate- to win a surprise gift. owned seeds now account for 82% of the worldwide market. This groundbreak- Representatives from the PAFCU will also meet at the Coop on January 10. ing film will help others learn what is at stake and what can be done.
For more information on these and other events, visit the Coop’s website: foodcoop.com All events take place at the Park Slope Food Coop unless otherwise noted. Nonmembers are welcome to attend workshops. Views expressed by the presenter do not necessarily represent the Park Slope Food Coop.
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY December 25, 2014 11
and riding her bicycle to the Food Coop. Menu includes: omega-3 citrus tapenade; jan 16 Jenny Hill & Liquid Horn, creamy parsnip and cauliflower soup; rich dairy-free hot cocoa. fri 8 pm ASL interpreter may be available upon advance request. If you would like to request an Tomas Rodriguez ASL interpreter, please contact Ginger Jung in the Membership Office by January 8. Jenny Hill presents an evening of Materials fee: $4. Food classes are coordinated by Coop member Susan Baldassano. music inspired by Brazil, Africa, and American jazz, featuring Todd Isler on drums and percussion, jan 24 Qi Gong Health Practices to Jerome Harris on bass, Debbie sat 2 pm Deane on vocals, and Stefan Bauer on vibes. Jenny Hill, Rehab Neck/Shoulder Pain saxophonist and flautist, is currently working with the Easy This two-hour class will introduce attendees to the fundamental principles of prac- Star All-Stars, Denis Leary and the Enablers, and leads her ticing Qi Gong and will cover several simple exercises that can be practiced at home own jazz group, Liquid Horn. Bill Milkowski of Jazz Times to increase mobility and range of motion in the neck and shoulders and to reduce calls her “an accomplished composer-arranger and first- aches and pains from old injuries or general stiffness. Participants will learn general rate soloist, with some bold playing on tenor, soprano and exercises to support neck and shoulder wellness as well as have the opportunity to flute. Highly recommended.” Tomas Rodriguez has a discuss specific neck and shoulder injuries and learn exercises geared to help heal unique repertoire for the solo guitar based in the folkloric the people taking the class. Coop member Adam Wasserman has been studying and music of Galicia, Spain, of his ancestors, coupled with lit- practicing Qi Gong for more than 10 years. In addition to practicing Qi Gong, he tle-known and unique arrangements of the music of the studies and teaches a martial art known as Ba Gua Zhang, has an acupuncture prac- African kora and touching on contemporary flamenco. tice in Park Slope and teaches Qi Gong and Chinese massage at the Pacific College Rodriguez’ own compositions, emerging from these diverse musical inspirations, or Oriental Medicine. Adam has been a member at the Coop for more than two years include original choros, Venezuelan waltzes and flamenco granainas. Critic and is looking forward to sharing his knowledge with the community. Norman Weinstein (Christian Science Monitor) wrote, “Rodriguez plays with a pas- sionate originality, with an individual touch, drawing from the musical heart of the Latin world. The folk and classical traditions of Spain and South America are rich- jan 27 ly evident in his playing, but he transmutes them into a sound clearly, fervently his PSFC JAN General Meeting own.” He is joined by Jerome Harris (bass), Barry Kornhauser (bass, cello) and tue 7 pm Urbano Sanchez (percussion) and possibly a few surprise guests. Meeting Agenda to be announced. For information on Concert takes place at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park how to place an item on the Agenda, please see the West (at 2nd St.), $10, doors open at 7:45. Prospect Concerts is a monthly musical center pages of the Linewaiters’ Gazette. The Agenda fundraising partnership of the Coop and the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture. Committee minutes and the status of pending agenda items are available in the Coop office. Meeting loca- tion: MS 51, 350 Fifth Ave., between Fourth and Fifth Sts. Enter on Fourth jan 18 Auditions For Our St. cul-de-sac. Fourth St. entrance is handicap-accessible. sun 12–3 pm Coop Kids’ Variety Show Coop members ages 4-18 may audition on Saturday, January 10, jan 30 Cheese Class 2-5 p.m. or Sunday, January 18, 12-3 p.m. in the Coop sec- fri 7 pm ond-floor meeting room. To reserve an audition spot contact We invite Coop members to learn more about the wonderful cheeses the Coop has Martha Siegel, 718-965-3916, [email protected]. You to offer. Guest speaker will be Cara Warren, highlighting the Coop’s newest ven- must audition to be in the show. Polished act not required for dor, Crown Finish Caves, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Cara is the cheese manager audition; we can help you polish it. Singers and other musicians, and buyer at Greene Grape Provisions, overseeing a cheese case inventory with at poets, jugglers, stand-up comics, rappers, dancers, magicians, gymnasts, etc. least 200 different cheeses, working directly with small farms to purchase small- (no lip-syncing please). Performance date is Saturday, March 7. New show time batch cheeses and organizing and maintaining a charcuterie selection. She’s is 5 p.m. at the Old First Church. We look forward to hearing from you! visited Crown Finish Caves to increase her knowledge of affinage—the craft of Performance date is Saturday, March 7, 5 p.m., at Old First Church. aging cheese. She has trained numerous mongers in the art of fresh mozzarella making and has schooled many future generations of mongers in their knowledge of cheese, storage, cutting and wrapping. This workshop is brought to you by Coop Food Class: member Aaron Kirtz, who has worked in the cheese industry since 2003, and jan 22 sells cheese to the Coop via Forever Cheese. Aaron actually got his job through thu 7:30 pm the Coop, where as a Food Processor he met many cheeses and then members of Women, Food and Desire Forever Cheese, who hired him for a sales position. Eating to answer your cravings. Chef Alexandra Jamieson will discuss her latest book, Women, Food and Desire, which addresses cravings and how to listen to our bodies for a health- jan 31 ier fuller life. Books will be available for sale at this class. Chef Exercises for Brain Mastery Alex, CHHC, AADP, is a best-selling author, functional nutri- sat 1 pm tion coach, detox expert, professionally trained healthy gourmet chef, and “cravings Brain Body Mastery combines the age-old brain-training technologies of juggling, whisperer.” She has been seen on Oprah, Martha Stewart Living, CNN, Fox News, USA physical agility training, thinking games, and mindfulness. The exercises enhance Today and People magazine. Alex was the co-star and co-creator of the Oscar-nominated focus, memory, and creativity, while integrating the mind-body, leading to better documentary Super Size Me and The Great American Detox Diet and offers remarkably balance and physical coordination too. While they’re beneficial for humans of sane—and tasty—advice on how to detox, live healthfully and feel fantastic. Her books all ages, this workshop is geared mostly toward adults. Presented by Coop mem- Vegan Living For Dummies and Vegan Cooking For Dummies offer plant-based advice to ber David Wolovsky, an educational innovator and certified Positive Psychology anyone who wants to eat healthier. She lives in Brooklyn, where she juggles, somewhat Practitioner. He has brought Brain Body Mastery to humans of all ages, from kids gracefully, raising her eight-year-old son, running her company AlexandraJamieson.com, to senior citizens. Find out more by visiting his website at www.effortwise.com. still to come feb 3 Agenda Committee Meeting feb 6 Film Night
feb 5 Food Class feb 7 Valentine Card Making
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com 12 December 25, 2014 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
CHEESE QUESTIONS are currently working to post more have a bike valet, why can’t we to themselves under a single Many people adopt a mac- AND ANSWERS information about cheeses that we have a vitamin/supplement consistent form of their name, robiotic diet to recover from sell and hope to have something special order committee? which would then be the serious illness or cancer. Eden TO THE EDITOR: available by Spring 2015. We had Helen McHayle only form in which the name is also the only company who I’m not sure to whom to planned to have the information appears in the Gazette indexes. proclaims its cans are BPA- direct this question but my available on the cheese labels them- P.S.: If you would like the free, another reason I buy their daughter is a vegetarian and selves, but it will likely end up being NO MORE SPLIT PDF files of the Gazette indexes products. she has just discovered that a constantly updated list due to the HEADS! (an index of article titles and The personal conse- most cheeses contain “rennet” changing suppliers that the Coop a subject index, covering all quences for me if this reso- an enzyme that comes from uses to maintain stock and price. MEMBERS, issues from 1995 to the pres- lution goes through are that the kidneys of a calf. Some In Cooperation, I make the indexes to ent), send me an e-mail at my weekly food bill would just cheeses use a vegetarian type Yuri and Britt the Linewaiters’ Gazette. In an [email protected]. about double, and it would of renin. Here is a list: www. index, people’s names are a Len Neufeld double my shopping time, as cheese.joyousliving.com/ persistent problem because I’d now have to go to Whole CheeseListBrand.aspx VITAMIN SPECIAL they often show up in different Foods for everything I nor- Would it be possible for ORDERS forms, resulting in split heads EDEN FOODS mally get at the Coop. the Coop to identify vegetar- (so called because they give The Coop carries many vari- ian cheeses? MESSAGE: the indexer a splitting head- DEAR GAZETTE: eties of hummus. A boycott Eric Sloan Please reconsider spe- ache)—for example, my name Regarding the move for us against Israel would not neg- cial ordering vitamins and might appear as a heading in to join the Eden Foods boycott. atively impact on any constit- ANSWERS FROM supplements. I don’t expect an index under any of the fol- A steady chorus of anti-BDS uency losing their basic food- THE COOP’S CHEESE the “vitamin person” to be lowing forms: letters has loudly proclaimed stuffs. People can live without DEPARTMENT: solely responsible for search- Neufeld, Leonard that we are in the business of Soda Stream machines and ing out new products. They Neufeld, Len food, not politics, that we have imported hummus. People Most cheeses actually contain come from member requests. Neufeld, Lenny no business getting involved cannot live without basic food- “microbial rennet” (an enzyme Two items I first had special Neufeld, L. in boycotts. So how is the call stuffs. The Coop can’t have it made from fermented mold or fun- ordered through the Coop— A person using the index to boycott Eden not a call to both ways. We can’t prohibit a gus extract) and are vegetarian one a multi vitamin the other would have no way of knowing get involved in politics? This is referendum on BDS by saying friendly. Secondly, animal rennet a calcium combination— whether these all refer to the deeply inconsistent. we must stay out of politics, but is derived from the stomach lin- continue to be permanently same person. The BDS vote and many let- then vote to boycott Eden. ing of immature animals. The two stocked. As far as the extra I’m asking all members ters to the Gazette evidence that Cooperatively yours, cheeses that the Coop carries reg- work of placing special orders, who submit articles or letters many members are apparently Carol Lipton ularly that contain animal-derived isn’t that an opportunity for to the Gazette to always sign not repelled by the murders of EDITOR’S NOTE: Coop staff rennet are Gruyere and Comte. We a new committee. If we can their submissions and refer over 2,000 people, the entire says there was no GM discussion neighborhoods reduced to rub- about the Coop boycotting Eden. ADDITIONAL NEW POLICIES ON ble, the bombing of universities, Writing a letter was discussed. LETTERS AND MEMBER SUBMISSIONS UN shelters, and schools, and a country laid waste and held cap- EDEN FOODS In the interest of promoting civil discourse and upholding Letters and member submissions must be mainly (that is tive. Nor is the Coop troubled by the main purpose of letter and member submissions to the 75% or more) original writing, and the opinion of the writer. the international protests against DRAFT LETTER Linewaiters’ Gazette, the Editorial Board of the Gazette has Submissions that are essentially cut-and-paste, pass-along Soda Stream, for its exploitation created additional policies for “Letters to the Editor” and writing from other publications will be rejected, and the of Palestinian workers, and its TO THE EDITORS: member submissions: writer asked to re-submit with original writing. support for the IDF’s policies. The draft letter to Eden Letters and member submissions cannot contain gratu- Punctuation and Formatting Disclaimer: We’re totally OK with that, Foods in the 12/11/14 Gazette itous personalization—that is, needlessly identifying a Coop Because of typesetting-software limitations and the because of a higher good— seems to me beautifully member and directing the substance of the letter/article compressed schedule of producing each Linewaiters’ our right as consumers to con- nuanced and written, except to him or her, as in a polemical debate. Letters and articles Gazette issue, there is no guarantee that special formatting, tinue buying our Soda Stream that it becomes didactic. I dis- should deal mainly with ideas and not persons. Letter/article including boldface, italics and underlining, will be repro- machines, our cous cous, and agree strongly with the point of writers will be asked to reword their submissions in accor- duced accurately. our imported hummus free of the letter, but am putting that dance with this guideline. —The Editors, Linewaiters’ Gazette the intrusion of “politics.” aside to comment on text. But somehow we are up in The letter claims to speak arms and incensed that one for “the concerns of our mem- LETTERS POLICY company’s discriminatory ber-owners,” “the membership We welcome letters from members. Submission dead- Fairness health insurance policy dictates of the PSFC,” “On behalf of our lines appear in the Coop Calendar. All letters will be In order to provide fair, comprehensive, factual coverage: that we speak out, make our 16,200 members.” This is an printed if they conform to the published guidelines. We 1. The Gazette will not publish hearsay—that is, alle- voices known, and punish them exaggeration because a vote by will not knowingly publish articles which are racist, sexist gations not based on the author’s first-hand observation. by removing our dollars from the entire membership was not or otherwise discriminatory 2. Nor will we publish accusations that are not specific their income stream. conducted. Many members, The maximum length for letters is 500 words. Letters or are not substantiated by factual assertions. And lest we not forget—the like me, cannot attend a GM must include your name and phone number and be typed 3. Copies of submissions that make substantive accu- Coop published an article on on a Tuesday night because of or very legibly handwritten. Editors will reject letters that sations against specific individuals will be given to those the horrific reality of cashew work and/or distance. The small are illegible or too long. persons to enable them to write a response, and both sub- production in Africa and Asia, percentage of members that You may submit on paper, typed or very legibly hand- missions and response will be published simultaneously. that is on a par with “conflict attends a GM may be represen- written, or via email to [email protected] This means that the original submission may not appear diamonds,” which includes tative in this instance, but that or on disk. until the issue after the one for which it was submitted. cashews we sell. Did mem- is unknown. “Strong sentiment” The above applies to both articles and letters. The only bers vote to boycott cashews? at the GM favored one position, Anonymity exceptions will be articles by Gazette reporters which will Not an ounce of indignity for and no strong counter-position Unattributed letters will not be published unless be required to include the response within the article itself. African child labor: We’ve still seems to have been presented. the Gazette knows the identity of the writer, and there- got our Dr. Cow cheese, bulk Can the letter be corrected to fore must be signed when submitted (giving phone Respect cashews, and cashew butter, reflect that this was a vote of the number). Such letters will be published only where a Letters must not be personally derogatory or insult- and all’s right with the world. GM rather than the membership? reason is given to the editor as to why public identi- ing, even when strongly criticizing an individual member’s I have been following a mac- There are references toward fication of the writer would impose an unfair burden actions. Letter writers must refer to other people with robiotic diet since 1987. Eden’s the end of the letter to “all of embarrassment or difficulty. Such letters must respect, refrain from calling someone by a nickname that the entire inventory serves people aspects of [a woman’s] health relate to Coop issues and avoid any non-constructive, person never uses himself or herself, and refrain from com- in the macrobiotic community, care and reproductive manage- non-cooperative language. paring other people to odious figures like Hitler or Idi Amin. a fact that is apparently lost on ment,” “birth control coverage,” those supporting the boycott. “healthcare decisions,” “quality
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY December 25, 2014 13
health insurance.” In this con- text, these expressions beg the use of civilians by terrorist BDS; ACTION IN of Palestinian organizations, question and are euphemisms. BDS/MIDDLE EAST groups as a violation of inter- BRAZIL in 2005, to pressure Israel to “Control” and “reproductive national humanitarian law. change its policies that vio- management” are directed not BDS: A GROUP The resolution states: MEMBERS: late international norms, vio- toward a woman’s health nor LETTER “The U.S. Congress stood BDS is a protest vote late human rights protection birth, but toward the destruc- resolved in condemnation of against Israel’s violent pol- for Palestinians, policies with- tion of the health of another DEAR GAZETTE, the despicable actions of the icies directly impacting the out any semblance of justice human life within her. The undersigned 73 mem- terrorist group, Hamas, and lives of Palestinians living in for Palestinian people. These “health” euphemisms bers oppose the continued its use of children, women, the West Bank, East Jerusa- In Early December, the Bra- for abortion are particularly use of Coop funds for the and men as human shields.” lem and Gaza where Israel zilian state of Rio Grande do inappropriate considering that promotion and distribution The bipartisan Congres- is the military occupying Sul canceled its contract with conditions in the abortion of BDS and other anti-Israel sional resolution was based power. Israel’s indiscrimi- the Israeli weapons company, industry generally are so atro- rhetoric in the Linewaiters’ on the Senate’s version nate violence against the Pal- Elbit Systems, to develop a cious that facilities are being Gazette and at the General coauthored by Senators Ted estinians, perpetrated at a major aerospace research cen- closed by the dozens across the Meeting. Cruz (R-Texas), Kirsten Gilli- frenzied pace, continuously ter for military and commercial country, so that some states are To add your name, send brand (D-NY) and Joe Man- shocks the world. purposes. The explanations close to having none. an e-mail to morehummus@ chin, and the House version The Swiss government, cited were cuts in federal fund- Regardless of conditions, gmail.com. coauthored by Ted Deutch defying pressure from the US ing and strong protests over it is arguable how such proce- Anita Aboulafia, Rhudi (D-Fla), and Ileana Ros-Leht- and Israel, called for a short Elbit’s role in the oppression dures affect women’s health. Andreolli, Maurice Appel- inen (R-Fla). conference of signatories of Palestinians. Elbit installed I am amazed when those baum, Eva Aridjis, Roberta The House version (196) of the Fourth Geneva surveillance technology in the who can empathize with pro- Arnold, Steven Berke, Dan- included a statement prais- Convention, on December separation/apartheid wall in found trauma often suffered ielle Bernstein, Esther Ber- ing Israel for going to 17, to discuss the situation the West Bank. Elbit tested by women who have had mis- nstein, Shalmon Bernstein, “extraordinary lengths this in the West Bank, East Jeru- new drone models used carriages or lost fetuses in Ruth Bolletino, Alan Brown, summer in Gaza to protect salem and the Gaza Stip. In against Gaza during Operation accidents, cannot give women Art Brown, Matthew Brown, innocent civilian lives,” and April, the State of Palestine Protective Shield, killing over permission to feel, and sup- Eta Chaya Brummel, Michael blasting Hamas for “plac- signed the convention. The 1,200 civilians in the summer. port women through, suf- Brummel, Darrin Cabot, ing the Palestinian peo- Fourth Geneva Convention The groups opposed to the fering extreme trauma and Nathalie Cabot, Henny ple directly in harm’s way of 1949 deals with protecting deal included Brazil’s major stress, sometimes delayed, Chanina, Dana Dasch, Mike by using them as human civilian populations under trade union federation, World after terminating their off- Epstein, Arthur Finn, Carol shields, and placing its rock- occupation or in combat March of Women, local student spring by their own choice. Freeman, Yoav Gal, Frieda ets near densely populated zones. An occupying power groups, political parties and Therefore, can the letter Givon, Yokhai Givon, Felicia areas and near schools, hos- must protect the civil rights the Palestinian group, Stop the be directed toward ACA/HHS Glucksman, Sybil Graziano, pitals and mosques.” and the property of the occu- Wall, based in Rio Grande do compliance and access to legal Naftali Hanau, Devorah Senator Cruz said, “The pied civilian population. Pro- Sul since 2013. It is noteworthy reproductive services (e.g., Hershkop, Esther Hertzel, Senate has sent a united sig- hibit the settlement of the that the cancellation, a major abortion), rather than health? Constantine Kaniklidis, G. nal that we denounce Hamas’ occupying power’s citizens in victory for BDS, followed a A letter writer accuses Evelyn Lampart, Corrine barbaric tactics and unequiv- the occupied areas and pro- twelve-year investment by Bra- Eden’s President of considering Lang, Harvey Lang, David ocally support Israel’s right hibit collective punishment zil of tens of millions of dollars women “less than fully human Leveson, Margaret Leveson, to self-defense.” against the occupied people. with Elbit including drones beings”. As a man, he doesn’t Chana Lew, Sylvia Lowen- The resolution calls on Israel, the US, Canada and used to quash protests lead- get to say what makes women thal, Diana Maislen, Ramon the international community Australia were expected to ing up to the 2014 World Cup. fully human. But what does Maislen, Avishay Mazor, Bar- to condemn Hamas’s use of boycott the conference. (Charlotte Silver, www.bds- Eden’s President object to? bara Mazor, Juliet Milkens, human shields, and places In a Haaretz article prior movement.net) Making the freedom of con- Sally Minker, Alex Musayev, responsibility for rockets to the summit, it was sur- Mary Buchwald science affirmation quoted in the Marjorie Ordene, Jan Orzeck, attacks from Gaza against mised that there would be Brooklyn For Peace draft, Eden’s President objects to Rodger Parsons, Robert Israel on Hamas and other no decision to establish an PSFC members for BDS the ACA/HHS mandate as vastly Porter, Saul D. Raw, Jeffrey terrorist groups. It also con- international mechanism to www.psfcbds.wordpress.com “discriminatory.” “Illogical, incon- Rickin, Lila Rieman, Michael demns the UN Human Rights monitor implementation of sistent” exemptions include, Rieman, Meir Rosenberger, Council‘s biased resolution the Geneva Convention in the for instance, “McDonald’s Inc. Mirele Rosenberger, Jesse establishing a commission occupied Palestinian territo- BDS and 166 unions,” small employ- Rosenfeld, Dorothy Rosens- of inquiry into Israel’s Gaza ries (oPt). What is expected ers, individuals of certain faiths weig, Matthew Roth, Irvin operation. is an intensification of inter- MEMBERS: (but not others), and Federal Schonfeld, Rivkah Siegel, Hamas was also con- national criticism of Israel’s Could we drop this sub- employees (“hypocritical”). He Chaya Silberberg, Alan Silver, demned by the U.S. and the policies, particularly the set- ject? The facts and counter notes that Eden’s comprehen- Renee Silver, Nancy Spital- European Union, among tlements. So once again, this facts, accusations, misrep- sive employee benefits package nick, Malkah Spitalny, Israel others, for using Palestinian ‘tempest in a teapot’ brews resentations, selective rep- does not cover “lifestyle drugs” Spitalny, Marion Stein, Ron civilians as human shields impunity for Israel. resentations, etc. are going generally, an insurance industry Stein, Ruth Steinberg, Alan and firing thousands of By way of contrast, the BDS round and round and round classification including contra- Tobias, Rabbi Jerry Weider, rockets into Israeli popu- movement aims to disrupt, and it is becoming increas- ceptives, Viagra, smoking cessa- Fran Weiner, Itta Werdiger. lation centers before and to obstruct Israel’s policies, ingly tiresome to read the tion and weight control drugs, Barbara Mazor during last summer’s Gaza halting ‘business as usual’ by comments or try to ignore etc. (Press Release, web site, More Hummus Please conflict. applying economic pressure them. I don’t think anybody 4/25/13) stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com (www.congress.gov/ against companies benefit- is denying the holocaust and A reasonable position. bill/113th-congress/ ing economically from Israel’s I don’t think one can accuse This illustrates the risk of senate-resolution/526) illegal policies in the oPt. They the Palestinians of having bringing partisan political A HOLIDAY (https://www.congress. include Israeli companies, been responsible for it. And I debates into the Coop—not MESSAGE FOR BDS gov/bill/113th-congress/ companies providing equip- leave it at that. because they are political, as the TO MEMBERS AND house-concurrent-resolu- ment, resources including But please, do change same letter writer alleges, but tion/107) financial that facilitate Israel’s the subject; lets concentrate precisely because they are par- EDITORS: (www.foreignaffairs. illegal actions in the oPt. Col- our efforts and energies on tisan, divisive, and unresolved Both Houses of Congress, house.gov/press-release/ lective action underpins the our own, homegrown prob- and therefore any position must unanimously and with no congress-condemns-hamas- global BDS solidarity move- lems—heaven knows there profoundly misrepresent a large objection, have passed a res- use-human-shields) ment, a non-violent tactic are plenty. number of members. olution condemning Hamas’ Ruth Bolletino initiated by a large coalition Ruth Marchese Daniel Marshall
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com 14 December 25, 2014 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
ANIMAL WELFARE COMMITTEE REPORT The Five Freedoms for Animals—Plus One for Coop Members By Kama Einhorn, Freedom from thirst and things. And yet, 98% of the ani- farming settings, the animal for buyers’ guides to eggs Animal Welfare Committee hunger: by ready access to mals most Americans eat won’t welfare practices of the Coop’s and milk (and soon, chicken he welfare of animals fresh water and a diet to main- see any of these freedoms. vendors vary significantly. So and beef). Each compre- Tinvolved in food produc- tain full health and vigor. What’s happening in modern an important task of the Ani- hensively researched guide tion has been a major concern Freedom from discomfort: industrial farming is something mal Welfare Committee is to details the practices of each for many since the beginning of by providing an appropriate Old MacDonald would never leverage another precious and of our vendors. our industrialized food system. environment including shelter recognize. fragile freedom—the freedom And write to us with your Coop members are, of course, and a comfortable resting area. While the Coop’s meat, of information. thoughts at psfcanimals@ no exception. The Coop’s Ani- Freedom from pain, injury, dairy, and eggs generally come Check out the Animal gmail.com or visit our Facebook mal Welfare Committee seeks and disease: by prevention or from animals more well-treated Welfare Committee’s blog at page (Park Slope Food Coop to address these concerns by rapid diagnosis and treatment. than most in intensive factory psfcanimals.blogspot.com Animal Welfare Committee). ■ educating and providing facts Freedom to express nor- to our fellow Coop members mal behavior: by providing about what’s happening on the sufficient space, proper facil- farms from which our animal ities and company of the ani- products originate. mal’s own kind. In the 1960s, as factory Freedom from fear and farming became increas- distress: by ensuring con- ingly standard practice in the ditions and treatment which UK, the British government avoid mental suffering. commissioned an inves- It seems quite simple and tigation into the welfare of reasonable. The Five Free- “intensively farmed animals.” doms describe the world that Soon after, they created the all animals (including humans) Farm Animal Welfare Coun- should live in—and you can cil, which developed a set of even count them on one hand. guidelines now known in the If Old MacDonald really did animal welfare movement as have a farm once, surely that’s the Five Freedoms: how he would have organized
Coop Job Opening: To Submit Classified or Display Ads: Ads may be placed on behalf of Coop members only. Clas- Part-time Repairs/Maintenance sified ads are prepaid at $15 per insertion, display ads at $30. (Classified ads in the “Merchandise–Non-commercial” cate- Receiving Coordinator gory are free.) All ads must be written on a submission form. Classified ads may be up to 315 characters and spaces. Display Description: ads must be camera-ready and business card size (2” x 3.5” The Coop is hiring a part-time Receiving Coordinator to focus on maintenance and repairs. Schedule horizontal). will include Sunday evening and one weekday to be determined. Submission forms are available in a wallpocket near the The position entails general Coop facilities upkeep in coordination with other staff. Candidates should elevator in the entrance lobby. have demonstrated experience in several of the following: • Electrical including circuits, lighting, and small motors • Plumbing including copper pipes, pvc pipes, bathroom fi xtures, and pumps • Carpentry including building repairs and painting • Mechanical duties including product assembly and installations • Sourcing, ordering and picking up supplies from local vendors • Interfacing or sourcing with outside contractors • Keeping maintenance records, planning maintenance schedules and documenting procedures This Receiving Coordinator will also supervise member-labor to deep clean areas of the Coop including refrigerated cases, coolers, and back yard on Sunday evening; and provide support to the Sunday evening maintenance Squad Leaders and squads to keep the store clean and well maintained. The ideal candidate will be highly energetic, organized, and a reliable, responsible self-starter who is able to cooperate with a diverse group of co-workers and members. This position requires an ability to prioritize tasks, teach/explain procedures, delegate work and give feedback. Candidates should be able to lift or move up to 50 lbs. and work in cold environments.
Hours: Approx. 16 hours in 2 days, Sundays 4 p.m.-12 a.m. plus another weekday to be determined. The Coop is looking for candidates who strongly desire a part-time schedule for the foreseeable future. Ability to occasionally work another shift during the week is a plus.
Wages: $26.24/hour.
Benefits: This position offers New York City mandated sick pay only.
Prerequisite: Must be a current member of the Park Slope Food Coop for at least one year immediately prior to application.
How to Apply: E-mail your resumé and cover letter to [email protected]. Please put “Maintenance” in the subject fi eld. Applicants will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of their materials. Please do not call the Membership Offi ce to check on the status of your application. Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position has been fi lled. If you applied to a previous Coop job offering, please re-submit your materials.
We are seeking an applicant pool that reflects the diversity of the Coop’s membership.
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY December 25, 2014 15
COORDINATOR’S CORNER
Fracked Food? Consumer Reactions In addition to concern for ucts from our shelves pro- the environment, our food duced by a company that By Joseph Holtz, includes a strong commit- about whether the grass fed cooperative (as well as many was ignoring a ruling by the General Manager ment to being a good envi- cows we buy were drinking others) has historically been National Labor Relations e are a retail food ronmental citizen. contaminated water and a leader in supporting local Board. Over 100 hundred Wcooperative that is As members of the Pride breathing the air fowled agriculture, and in protect- other stores followed. owned by our 16,200 mem- of New York program we by numerous enormous ing the safety of consum- The same will happen ber/owners who spent over have taken our responsibil- trucks that will support the ers, in supporting efforts to with food from fracked $49 million dollars at the ity to buy New York State hydrofracking process and improve safety and fair ben- areas. That food will be Coop last year. Every year, produced food very seri- the process itself. I guaran- efits for workers. avoided by many, many we purchase millions of ously. But no one thinking tee that our members will For example, just a few stores. Please do not be dollars of New York State clearly would think for a not want the fruits and veg- years ago, we were the short sighted. Ban fracking produced agricultural prod- minute that hydrofracking gies that come from farms first store to remove prod- now, please! ■ ucts that we make a con- will not quickly destroy that in an industrial area. What certed effort to do because commitment. about the dairy products COMMUNITY CALENDAR of our commitment to NYS As New Yorkers, yes and the beer etc.? They will farmers. even though we are urban ask their employees to look Community calendar listings are free. More than four years ago New Yorkers, we want to elsewhere, and we will. Please submit your event listing in 50 words or less to we voted to support a state- preserve New York State Will we be alone? Abso- [email protected]. wide ban on hydrofrack- farms. Please insure that lutely not, many stores will Submission deadlines are the same as for classified ads. ing. Our mission statement we are not wondering follow. Please refer to the Coop Calendar in the center of this issue. ✮ EXCITING WORKSLOT OPPORTUNITIES ✮ FRI, JAN 16 SUN, JAN 18 another task. This is a task- and detail-ori- 1:00 p.m. New Yorker Magazine 4 p.m. BPL Chamber Players Receiving Produce Discussion Group. A discussion present: The Enso Quartet. Mau- ented job, ideal for someone who likes Monday-Friday, 5 to 7:30 a.m. group for devoted readers of the reen Nelson violin, John Marcus working independently and is pro-active. The Coop is looking for members to work in New Yorker magazine is forming, violin, Melissa Reardon viola, the produce area. Responsibilities include: Please speak to Alex in the Membership and will meet monthly begin- Richard Belcher, cello at the lifting boxes, unloading deliveries, stacking Office or contact him at alex_marquez@ ning in January. Responsibility Dr. S. Stevan Dweck Center for boxes in the basement. You should be will- psfc.coop if you are interested. for selecting the readings will Contemporary Culture Central ing to get or have wet hands while you are rotate among group members, Library. 10 Grand Army Plaza, working. Boxes usually weigh between 2-20 and includes fiction, non-fiction, BKLYN. Admission Free. lbs., a few may weigh up to 50 lbs. poetry, Talk of the Town and, of course, cartoons. Central Library, Office Set-up Grand Army Plaza. For info: email Monday, 6 to 8:30 a.m. [email protected]. Need an early riser with lots of energy to do a variety of physical tasks including: set- ting up tables and chairs, buying food and The Coop will be closing early for shopping at supplies, labeling and putting away food Laundry and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, and supplies, recycling, washing dishes Toy Cleaning so that we can conduct our annual and making coffee. Sound like your dream Friday, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Coop-wide inventory. come true? This job might be for you. This workslot has two responsibilities. Please speak to Adriana or Cynthia in the You will load laundry into dryer, fold it Some shifts will be affected, others will not. Membership Office for more information. and redistribute it around the Coop. While Please help inform our membership the laundry is washing/drying, you will clean toys in the childcare room. You will about this early closing by telling your be working with a partner on these tasks. Coop housemates and friends. Please contact Annette or Jana in the Members whose shifts are affected by the closing will be contacted by the Membership Office. Membership Office for further information. Vitamin Assistant Saturday, 6 to 8:45 p.m. Store Equipment Are you a detail-oriented worker who can X Out Cleaning work independently and in a busy envi- Wednesday, 6 to 8 a.m. ronment? The Coop’s vitamin buyer needs Answer The Coop is looking for members to clean you to help her check in orders, organize the checkout area of the store. It entails the vitamin supply area in the basement cleaning the scales at each checkout and and on the shopping floor, label vitamins E L E V E N vacuuming around the base of the check- and supplements, and other related tasks. M A X I M out station as well as sweeping and occa- If you are interested in this workslot, sionally mopping. You will work under the please contact the Membership Office for P A T E L L A supervision of a staff person. more information. Check Office Supplies General Meeting Set-Up G U E S T Thursday, 8:30 to 11:00 p.m. Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. V A R N I S H This workslot is responsible for restock- Adaptable, physically energetic, team ing supplies at desks in all offices on the workers with excellent attendance need- O W N I N G Coop’s second floor, at checkout lanes, ed to help set up and break down the entrance desks and the cashier stations. space where the General Meeting is held. B R A I N Y Some light maintenance, such as light Contact Adriana Becerra, Membership cleaning of desktops and phones, is Coordinator, [email protected]. S A L V A G E
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com 16 December 25, 2014 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
L=6I H7:>C< 8DAA:8I:9/ CDLNDJ86C 1) Plastic sandwich bags G:8N8A:BDG: and small plastic bulk bags (NOT large roll or shopping bags) The Environmental Committee is promoting L=:C: 2) Baby food pouches & a new partnership between the PSFC and January 24th caps (any brand) IZggV8nXaZ, an innovative recycling company that transforms hard to recycle 2pm - 4pm 3) Cereal bag liners waste into new products- keeping more (plastic liners from cereal, February 28th crackers, bulk cereal bags, and waste out of landfills. similar liners) 2pm - 4pm We will be presenting a proposal for 4) Energy bar wrappers discussion at the January General Meeting (any brand) and holding preliminary collections in L=:G:/ January and February. In front of the Coop 5) Snack bag wrappers or inside if the (seaweed snacks not included) Save up your eligible waste for upcoming collection dates. weather is frigid. 6) Brita water filters and components FJ:HI>DCH/ [email protected]
NOTE: No need to clean, A:6GCBDG:: www.terracycle.com Park Slope Food Coop [dl_hedc[djWb rinse, or remove stickers. Xdbb^iiZZ
EAJH/ Plastic sandwich bags and small plastic bulk bags
Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com