OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FOOD COOP

Established 1973

Volume OO, Number 13 August 11, 2020 July GM Overwhelmingly Approves Checking in with Joe Holtz on Black Lives Matter Statement Coop Lifelines

“The Park Slope Food Coop unequivocally supports Black lives and the dismantling of all systems that propagate and empower

systemic . PHOTO BY ZACHARY SCHULMAN #BlackLivesMatter” Joe Holtz hopes we can find a way to expand the Coop’s hours from 77 per week to 112.

By Leila Darabi ix months into the COVID- S19 pandemic, the Coop is working on increasing store

ILLUSTRATION BY TOMMY KANE hours, allowing more members to shop at a time and other strategies to bring more cash Coop Finances, Temporary Markup in the door. General Coordinator Joe Strategy, Return to Member Labor Holtz described these efforts in an interview with the Gazette Also Explored in which he also shared an update on finances, delivery

By Frank Haberle and member labor. “Bringing LLUSTRATION BY JOHN DONOHUE oop members overwhelmingly approved back member labor is the most Ca statement of solidarity and support for important essential element of though the Member-Owner the Black Lives Matter movement at the July our Coop. It’s the most unique, Equity Investment Campaign, General Meeting after a number of members foundational, spiritual thing which encourages members expressed disappointment that it took so about our Coop,” said Holtz, to increase the investment long for the Coop to take a stand on such a who is also the Coop’s treasur- they made when joining the heartfelt issue. er and co-founder. Coop. Members can request “The Coop can do more to find our place Despite the financial chal- to get back any contribution to fight against racism,” said Jasmina Nikolov lenges of recent months, they make over $100 at any on the Zoom meeting that was attended by Holtz said the Coop has a time. The Coop will honor that 341 members. She said she was disappoint- healthy bank balance of $3.9 request within two weeks. ed that “we as a community could not come million. That’s about the Without the federal funds forward faster.” same amount that the Coop and the additional member In other business, Coop members debated had at the end of last year and investments, “we would be a staff plan to raise food prices as a temporary roughly tied with its highest down to $1.7 million in the measure for dealing with the financial stress cash level in history. In July of bank and that would be very created by the pandemic which is causing loss- 2019, the Coop’s cash balance frightening because we hav-

es of $95,000 per week. Also, Coop staff mem- PHOTO BY TOISHA TUCKER was $3.3 million. en’t changed the tools of burn,” bers presented General Coordinator reports on Coop member Toisha Tucker authored the Holtz said. the current financial situation and the volume Coop’s statement on solidarity with Black Member Investments and quality of fresh produce coming into the Lives Matter. and Loans Slumpless Summer Coop this season. But the Coop’s current bal- In other words, the Coop Stephanos, Rebecca Pristoop, and Hayley ance obscures the financial continues to incur increased The Vote on Black Lives Matter Gorenberg. The presenters began by express- challenges of recent months. expenses and make far fewer The Black Lives Matter statement passed ing their concerns that it has taken so long One reason the cash balance sales because of shorter hours with 260 of the members on Zoom voting for the Coop to make a statement of support is so high is that the Coop and restrictions on how many yes and 10 voting no. It said: “The Park Slope for the BLM movement. received $1.5 million in federal people can shop at a time. Pay- Food Coop unequivocally supports Black Tucker stated that 66 days had passed since funds through the Payroll Pro- roll expenses in particular are lives and the dismantling of all systems that the death of George Floyd, but in its social tection Program. While tech- up by $27,000 per week to cover propagate and empower systemic racism. media postings the Coop had not made any nically a loan, the Coop has minimum wage for the part- #BlackLivesMatter” mention of BLM that was not accompanied by applied and is eligible for the time labor hired to work while The statement was authored and present- reports on the Coop’s bottom line. “We needed loan to be forgiven in full. member labor is suspended. ed by Coop member Toisha Tucker with fel- to make a strong statement as an anticapitalist, Also, the Coop has received In the category of “temporary low Coop members Trish Tchume, Summer CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 $700,000 in contributions CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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July GM Black Lives Matter.” Coop’s reserves will be exhaust- at our greatest strength, our CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Elliot Hetterly thanked ed by May 2021,” she said. 17,000 members, and find a Tucker and added, “I support The Coop stopped using feasible way to get our mem- antiracist organization,” Tuck- your statement which is clear member labor out of health ber labor back on track?” er said. and brief. It should not be concerns. Reintroducing it Szladek’s response was: Stephanos, a member this hard. We need to approve would cut costs but it also “We all want member labor since 2007, added: “95% of this now, and there is much would increase risk, Lempert back, but we have to be pre- members voted in support more work to be done. This is said. “We have to reintroduce pared for uncertainty. What if of this statement in our June long overdue.” member labor gradually, given we have to pull it back again?” GM. It saddened me that the The proposed amendment the times. We are looking at a Coop leadership chose not was voted down, with 225 small 4% markup increase– to make a statement at that members voting no and 46 from 21% to 25%–to help meet time. The Coop needs to meet members voting yes. the gap,” she said. this moment.” Szladek added that “increas- Tchume stated, “I think it ing sales will reduce weekly is wrong that the approval of losses from $90,000 to $40,000. this statement has become We need a short-term strategy. such a process for the Coop. Reducing our weekly loss will Smaller stores had state- extend our financial runway.”

ments in May. It is deeply The proposed markup PHOTO BY ROD MORRISON upsetting that it has taken not would turn what is today a There’s a host of amazing products one but two of these meetings $50 shop into a $52 shop and in the produce aisle. to approve this statement.” a $100 shop into a $104 shop, Gorenberg, a 27-year mem- Szladek said. “We are discuss- Reports of the General ber of the Coop, added “I’m ing an exemption option for Coordinators saddened that we spent this people experiencing hardship. Prior to the agenda items, much time, that we failed to We are all more emotionally Eleanor Astrinsky provided a

use our mission statement, ILLUSTRATION BY TOMMY KANE invested here than a tradition- colorful report on the many and we deferred to processes. al grocery store,” he said. amazing products now avail- We chose structures that per- Temporarily Raising the The markup is a temporary able in the produce aisle, petuate racial harm. I think we Markup solution, to help cover the and Joe Holtz presented a need to do better.” The financial pressure on gap until we return to mem- preliminary financial report Members applauded the the Coop is partly resulting ber labor. “We want to include for the past 20 weeks of the efforts of Tucker and the other from increased costs for such a sunset clause,” Szladek fiscal year, compared with Coop members to create a things as protective equip- added, “where 90 days after the same period a year ago. clear and strong statement on ment and more paid workers. we return to member labor Sales are $5.2 million below behalf of the Coop. A resident Meanwhile revenues have this markup ends.” last year, while expenses are of Bedford-Stuyvesant, mem- dropped because of reduced The Coop’s current goal up $493,000, mostly from hir- ber Efe Osaren stated that “I hours and safety-related is to increase weekly sales ing temporary staff. This rep- was shocked that I was hearing restrictions on the number to $900,000.” Along with the resents a swing of $1,444,000 nothing from the Coop. It’s July of members who can shop at markup, we also think we from last year. 28. I started shopping at Green one time. can get more hours open and “This is not a good sit- Hill Coop because it supports To deal with this pressure, increase people on the shop- uation,” Holtz said. “If we Black people and Black lives Coop staff has proposed rais- ping floor. All 3 make sure we maintain weekly cash burn and the Black community. I ing the Coop’s markup from can make it through 2021,” of $90,000 a week we will appreciate you Tucker and Trish 21% to 25%. The proposal will Szladek said. lose all the money we have and Summer and Hayley.” be voted on at the August 25 Questions and comments by May 2021.” Paul Warren added: “I real- meeting. If it passes it would included member and long- Holtz also pointed out ly appreciate this statement. I have the effect of increasing a time staff member Janet Far- that we have more cash in was very disappointed that we shopping trip that would nor- rell, who said: “I am totally hand at the moment—$4 couldn’t adopt a statement mally cost $50 to $52. against raising the price 4% million, as opposed to the (in June.) This is a statement Two Coop staff members, because we haven’t tried any- $3 million we had last year, from the Coop to the world.” Receiving Coordinator Mar- thing else. I don’t think it’s thanks to the federal Pay- Eric Frumer said “thanks gie Lempert and General responsible to say ‘oh, let’s roll Protection Plan loan to the authors for this state- Coordinator Joe Szladek, pre- just get more money.’ “ of $1,454,000 and $689,000 ment, which puts us on the sented the markup increase in increased membership right side of history. The Coop proposal for discussion. “In investments we received can do more to find our place March, with the suspension from members. to fight against racism.” of member labor, hiring of “Had we not gotten the Maitefa Angaza, of the members as part-time staff [federal rescue money and Coop’s Diversity and Equi- and departure of several full- increased membership invest- ty Committee, proposed an time staff, the Coop lost 80% ments] we would have $2 mil- amended longer statement of its workforce overnight,” lion, not $4 million. I would that explored the Coop’s posi- Lempert explained. encourage members who tions on diversity and inclu- “At the same time, COVID- haven’t yet, to go to our web- sion. The amendment was 19 protocols required that we site and learn how to increase then discussed. reduce hours and limit shop- owner equity investment.” Tucker objected to the new ping to 35 members at one One member asked, “Does statement. “My statement is time. After the largest shop- this mean we will be out of

crafted for social media,” Tucker ping week in our history, with ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN DONOHUE business by May, 2021?” said. “The Coop needs to make sales over $1.6 million, we Holtz responded, “No. It an unequivocal statement that fell off a cliff,” Lempert said. George Olken stated: “We means we have a serious prob- we support Black Lives Matter. “Since then we’ve kept staff know that a small price raise lem and if we don’t increase This amendment is too broad a healthy, we’re up to 77 shop- will affect our lowest income shopping hours, and increase statement; it is a laundry list of ping hours weekly and our members. The Coop we love is people coming in to shop, and procedural stuff.” revenues are up to $750,000 going to be very different. Will get our members back to work- Marion Yuen, member a week.” this cause more vulnerable ing at the Coop—which is what since 1988, said: “I fully sup- But Lempert pointed out members to not shop?” makes our Coop feel unique port what Tucker has drafted. that “weekly losses of $95,000 Leah Schwartz asked: “This and special—we’re in trouble. The message needs to be loud per week aren’t sustainable. At markup doesn’t work for If we do these things, we can and clear, as Tucker had it: the current rate of losses, the everybody. Can we look back stay in business a long time.” n

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BOTH MEMBER bers who have transitioned, committee reports, on finan- and especially for those that are paying only minimum wage + SHOPPER, recovering from COVID-19, cial matters and general infor- use non-video means to attend. to the temporary staff, thus NOT EITHER/OR grieving losses, or struggling mation regarding the Coop. Again thanks to those that going back on our values to be to cover rent, food and other However the technology is worked hard on finding and an excellent employer. We are PSFC’s mission reads: “The necessities. It likely find Black not robust enough to allow for implementing a technological also jeopardizing our perma- Park Slope Food Coop is a and Brown members who have replacing the in-person discus- solution. As retired Network nent staff’s job security as our member-owned and operated not shopped recently residing sion and voting on proposals Engineers, we understand the financial condition worsens. food store …” in clusters/areas due to Brook- and issues. challenge. We just don’t believe I will propose that member At the 7/28 GM, members lyn’s segregated housing. While we were able to partici- that the current solution labor is returned to solve both were asked to be our Better • Since the PSFC process pate via Zoom video last month, supports the ideals of Coop problems. I will propose that Selves in considering and requires two GMs to approve a this month we were not able to democracy at this time. each area of labor is examined approving the Black Lives proposal, the audit should be sign on. Another person during In Cooperation, with key staff to make sure that Matter statement. Then, the started by a team of volunteer the meeting described the iden- Stewart Pravda and public health and safety proto- Coordinators asked us to con- members with pertinent skills tical problem we had, where Cathy Monblatt cols are established and easy to sider a markup increase to help and necessary staff support. Zoom did not accept our email follow; the protocols for check PSFC’s economic recovery. This • PSFC proactively uses its address and/or password. out and shopping will no doubt proposal felt like an austeri- vendor relationships and buy- Without the video we could MEMBER LABOR be different from receiving for ty measure asked of me as a ing power to join forces with not see the poll questions or DEAR MEMBERS, example. Initially, members shopper-customer. mutual-aid groups, pantries polls, and following the issues At the August General Meet- will still be able to shop with- We each are both a member and smaller food coops. By by voice only was more diffi- ing I hope to propose to restore out working and we will offer and a shopper. As “an alterna- leveraging PSFC capabilities, cult without seeing people and a modified, voluntary and tem- modest incentives to members tive to commercial profit-ori- we can expand collaborative their faces or even the simple porary member labor system. to bank work shift credits, for ented business,” our PSFC buying and allow fresher pro- name in a screen box. When it I had hoped that the General example, credit for 2 full shifts challenge is to hold and prac- duce to be more accessible. came time to vote, we were not Coordinators would do this, in the future for every 4 hour tice Both aspects vs. Either/ Black Lives Matter because able to vote in confidence on but since they have not, I hope shift worked voluntarily. I will Or. At the GM, a small yet sig- not everyone has mattered the phone, it was confusing to that we, the members and try to anticipate as many issues nificant symbol was that the under the euphemistic “All Lives determine if we were voting on owners of the Park Slope Food as I can in my presentation, but Coordinators remembered the Matter” approach to which the an amendment and how to cast Coop can convince them with the agenda item specifies that dollar amount of fresh MOEI business and institutional sides a Yes or No vote. For house- our collective vote. There are restoring member labor will recently infused into PSFC but of PSFC have often succumbed holds with a single computer two reasons that this is import- involve cooperative revision. not how many members/mem- too easily. However, PSFC has but multiple Coop members, ant to our Coop. First, the cur- My usual work slot is lead- ber-households made those too much history and potential only one member can vote and rent system of only paid labor ing the Loan Committee and in investments. for us to give up. Let’s actively not in private. is eroding our culture of coop- that capacity I regularly interact I cherish PSFC as a nug- work towards Both aspects in a We suggest that until a eration and turning our unique with groups wanting to start a get in our collective endeavor wholistic PSFC. robust viable solution is avail- Coop into a regular store with Coop using our model. I had towards Another Future that is Respectfully, able for people using video and/ all of the spoken and unspo- two such conversations this Possible. At a time when many Marion Yuen or voice to attend, that future ken alienation between staff week, one with a group in Con- are receiving packaged food meetings restrict the agenda to and customers that we have so necticut and another in upstate distribution, the psychological committee reports and oper- beautifully avoided for almost NY. I sent them each a couple and nutritional value of even a VOTING AT THE ational issues. Voting seems 50 years. Second, because we of videos that are on YouTube modicum of fresh produce can- ZOOM MEETING especially problematic using do not have member labor, we about our Coop. I urge you all not be overstated. So, when Thank you to the people who only a non-video connection. have hired a huge number of to look up these short videos Coordinator Joe S character- organized the Zoom General We urge the Coop to con- new, temporary staff and we to be reminded of how special ized the proposed markup as Meeting held on Tuesday, July tinue to explore how to hold still are not open for our full and functional our model is. affordable since folks are no 28, 2020. It is good to keep an a remote meeting while Covid hours, consequently we are Let’s bring it back. Please sign longer going to restaurants, I open forum so that Members restricts our physical atten- losing an incredible amount of up for the GM and consider vot- asked myself: How many mem- can be informed about opera- dance. But we firmly believe money each week—according ing to restore our model. bers who currently don’t shop tions at the Coop. This is a use- that this not a replacement for to Joe Holtz, our General Man- In Cooperation, at PSFC or shop infrequently ful tool to provide updates via attending and voting in-person ager, about $90,000/week. We Rachel Porter might be receiving boxed food distributions and/or standing STATEMENT ON THE This Issue Prepared by: in a food-pantry line? Money is critical for PSFC to COOPERATIVE IDENTITY Editor (development): Peter Grant operate as a store. At the same DEFINITION Reporters: Leila Darabi time, PSFC would have lost its A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united Peter Grant soul if certain members could voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural no longer come to the Coop or needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically Frank Haberle controlled enterprise. afford to shop in it. I am a Chinese-Asian Amer- Art Director (development): Rod Morrison ican, self-identified as POC. VALUES Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, Illustrators: John Donohue A member since 1988 and a democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their Park Slope resident for 18 years founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of Tommy Kane (until 2004), I have experienced honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. many phases of PSFC. Photographers: John Midgley Proposals: PRINCIPLES Zachary Schulman • Immediately re-institute The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put the member-labor arrangement their values into practice. The International Cooperative Alliance Thumbnails: Becky Cassidy in whatever manner feasible. adopted the revised Statement on the Cooperative Identity in 1995. Photoshop: Fanny Gotschall • The first order of business They are as follows: 1. Voluntary and Open Membership Art Director (production): Matthew Landfield should be an Audit (not a sur- 2. Democratic Member Control vey) to look into the well being 3. Member Economic Participation Web Publishing: Matthew Landfield of each member in each Squad/ 4. Autonomy and Independence Committee as well as unat- 5. Education, Training and Information tached members, prioritizing 6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives Editor (production): Nancy Rosenberg those who have not shopped 7. Concern for Community since early March. Reference: ica.coop Final Proofreader: Lisa Schorr • An Audit will show mem-

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Checking in Coop’s hours of operation. he worries about this clarify that the piece does not CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “Tweaks we have made to option, which he wrote mean the General Coordinators add a half hour of shopping about in the July 10 are opposed to the idea. here or there make a differ- Coordinators’ Corner “We have this unserved body ence,” Holtz said. “We’re going in the Gazette. The pro- of the membership,” Holtz to need [even] more hours. posed markup will be said. “We have not been fast to We used to have exactly 100 voted on at the August develop this delivery.” hours of shopping per week. meeting. The addition- Just before COVID-19, the Now we have 77 per week.” al markup would, for General Meeting approved Even if the Coop resumed its example, turn a $50 a pilot delivery program for pre-COVID-19 hours of opera- shop into a $52 shop. members with disabilities. But, tions “100 hours at less volume Our Coop is known due to member labor suspen- is still a problem.” Holtz said for excellent prices and sion, it has yet to launch. he hoped to find a way for the is premised on the idea Holtz noted that the Flatbush Coop to expand its hours to as that by working togeth- Food Coop has offered delivery many as 112 hours of operation er we can keep prices for years, and that delivery pro- per week. low. While an increase grams introduce new challenges Another strategy for increas- would possibly help us and labor needs.

LLUSTRATIONS BY JOHN DONOHUE ing revenue has been to allow financially, the concern “I recognize the efficiency of more shoppers in the store at To reduce labor costs, the Coop is is that it could be a bur- shoppers gathering their own good news,” Holtz shared that a given time. Since the Coop focused on bringing back member den on those members/ food, it’s the basis of why super- the Coop traditionally experi- reopened, 35 shoppers have labor, which is currently performed owners who can least markets were invented 100 ences a major drop off in sales been allowed to be inside at by hard-working temps like Jonathan afford it. years ago,” he said, referencing in July and August when many the same time. Landreth. Higher prices also the historic local market system New Yorkers leave town for By the time of publication, would be a risk to the Coop in where store clerks gathered summer vacations. “People this number has increased to assess people’s comfort a less obvious way. As our pric- items for shoppers and often seem to be staying in town,” to 38. Holtz stressed that any level with this idea. Holtz says es rise, some members could delivered them. That model, Holtz said. “As opposed to a increases to capacity would be he hopes that the expense of choose to shop elsewhere. Holtz underscores, included a week in mid-June when sales made slowly so that staff and hourly workers is temporary. Holtz would prefer to focus high cost of labor that led to were down $400,000 [from members could assess how But “as of this moment there’s on radically increasing the the self-service model of today. a comparable week the year safe they feel about the crowds. no date for reducing the temp Coop’s hours of operation, “When you don’t do that gath- before], we’re only down While an additional three shop- labor force,” Holtz said restoring member labor and ering of food, someone else has $200,000 per week in July.” pers at a time may not sound finding safe ways to allow to do it.” like much, by Holtz’s esti- more shoppers in the door— Holtz encouraged members More Open Hours and mates it could lead to an 8.5% including allowing more in at to submit delivery and curb- More People in the Store increase in sales every day. a time and finding ways, once side pickup ideas to the Gener- One “lifeline” that Holtz In other efforts to speed up inside, for shoppers to move al Meeting agenda. “It’s fine for says he and the other Gen- the flow of shopping and get through the store and check- members to tell [the General eral Coordinators have more shoppers in the door, out more efficiently. Coordinators] that though we focused on is increasing the the produce aisle now allows appreciate you, we really need 14 people at a time Delivery you to do this. Tell us more–not (seven per side) and When asked about delivery just through the Gazette, but at aisles two through and curbside pickup options, the General Meeting.” n seven, once limited Holtz said he isn’t opposed but to four shoppers, now that “the General Coordina- allow five at a time. tors have reasons why we hav- en’t done it yet, we’ve had our Member Labor hands full.” Another focus of Holtz referred to May 21 Holtz and the Gen- Coordinators’ Corner Gazette

PHOTOS BY ZACHARY SCHULMAN eral Coordinators’ is Raising prices article written by General Coor- Increases in shopper volume will be reducing labor costs The July General Meet- dinator Ann Herpel in which made slowly so that members and by bringing back mem- ing included a discussion of she laid out many of the chal- staff like Carline Aurelus can assess ber labor. They sent a increasing the Coop’s markup lenges of initiating a delivery how safe they feel. survey to members from 21% to 25%. Holtz says program. Holtz was quick to

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RECIPE Recipe for French Toast as Served at Le Succulent PHOTO BY PETER GRANT Mélanie Delcourt’s famous French toast has become a weekend staple at Le Succulent, her Fifth Avenue bistro.

By Peter Grant hen 2020 began, Mélanie and Xavier Delcourt had good Wreason to believe that they had finally achieved their dream of running a successful Park Slope restaurant. After a rave review in the Times, Le Succulent, a bis- tro on Fifth Avenue between 1st and 2nd streets, was packed with diners. “People would come and stand in line outside because we didn’t have enough space,” said Ms. Delcourt, a native of Cameroon who studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and special- izes in the fusion of French and West African cooking. Of course the pan- demic changed every- thing. Like most Park Slope restaurants, Le Succulent is strug- gling to survive with takeout and sidewalk tables. “Covid came in and shot me down,” she said.

French toast is one PHOTO BY JOHN MIDGLEY of Le Succulent’s Sat- Mélanie and Xavier Delcourt, urday and Sunday owners of Le Succulent bistro on brunch specialties. Fifth Avenue. Ms. Delcourt makes two types of brioche, one with butter and the other with olive oil, and says she prefers to make French toast using the olive oil brioche. Le Succulent serves French toast with a homemade com- pote. Diners often add syrup or confectioners sugar. Ms. Del- court said it was a favorite of her and Xavier’s four children when they were growing up. “Everything is house-made and handmade,” she said.

The following makes about four to six pieces depending on bread size.

Ingredients • 2.8 cups whole milk • 3 eggs • 1¾ oz. cane sugar • ¼ tsp. vanilla extract • 1/8 tsp. cinnamon • Brioche

Mix the milk, eggs and sugar, leave to infuse in the refrigerator for two hours. After two hours, add the remaining ingredients, mix well. Put the brioche in the mixture until the liquid is absorbed. Place it in a frying pan with a little butter over low heat until the brioche is golden brown, cooking for 3 minutes on each side. Serve with one fried egg and whipped cream. n

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