OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FOOD COOP

Established 1973

Volume OO, Number 14 September 8, 2020 August General Meeting New Directions for the Old Stone House Approves Temporary Markup Increase

By Christopher Cox t the fourth General Meeting conduct- Aed via video, members voted in favor of a temporary increase in the standard mark- up applied to all products sold at the Coop, responding to the sharp drop in overall reve- nue during the pandemic. The meeting, held at 7:15 p.m. on August 25, was attended by

451 member-owners. They voted 368 to 63 to PHOTOS BY CAROLINE MARDOK increase the markup from 21 to 25 percent, though individual members will be able to opt By Frank Haberle out of the price increase. ong before there was a Park Slope Food Coop (or a Park Receiving Coordinator Margie Lempert, LSlope neighborhood, or for that matter, any “Slope” at all) who presented the plan for the increase along there was the Old Stone House. In 1699, Dutch settlers built with General Coordinator Joseph Szladek, a little stone farmhouse by a marsh, on land that had been argued that the increase could be implement- occupied and used by the Lenape tribe for thousands of years. ed immediately, which would help reduce the In August 1776, during the Battle of Long Island, a key battle in

Coop’s losses, currently averaging $85,000 a ILLUSTRATION BY CATY BARTHOLOMEW the American Revolutionary War, this small building became week. Unlike other strategies to limit losses, the focal point of the battle, changing hands between the such as reintroducing member labor, or poten- costs this year—mostly due to the suspension British and the Americans several times, as the Continental tial ways of raising revenue, such as increas- of member labor, which required the hiring of army slipped over the Gowanus. Later, the building became ing the number of shoppers allowed inside at dozens of new paid employees. According to the clubhouse of the original Dodgers; was buried as one time, an increase in the markup wouldn’t Holtz, with the approximately $4 million in part of the re-grading of the current neighborhood; and was need to be reversed if a second wave of Covid- cash the Coop now has on hand, “We’ll be out then reconstructed, along with the surrounding Washington 19 hits City. “It’s a pandemic-proof of money by around May 1.” Park, as a WPA project during the 1930s. idea,” Lempert said. Margie Lempert, who also serves as the The Old Stone House (OSH) and the park, located between Also discussed during the meeting was the Coop’s meat buyer, presented the case for Third and Fourth Streets and Fourth and Fifth Avenues, have possible return of member labor on a volun- increasing the markup. She began by noting evolved, like the neighborhood itself, over the last thirty tary basis. During the General Coordinators’ that of the $85,000 the Coop is losing weekly, years, to meet the needs and interests of a diverse communi- reports, Ann Herpel presented a plan for a approximately $68,000 is the result of reduced ty. Before the Covid-19 crisis closed its doors, children from phased return of certain work slots, starting on sales. (In previous years, the Coop had a mod- surrounding schools visited the old building to learn about September 21, and beginning with those that est weekly profit.) Lempert forecasted that both the battle and the Revolution. Upstairs, people of all could be done outdoors. Members would get increasing the markup to 25 percent, and ages gathered for small concerts and readings, community FTOP credit for any shifts they worked. Later slightly increasing sales volume by expand- meetings, and crafting classes. Summer months saw daytime in the meeting, Rachel Porter, a member of the ing the hours the Coop is open, and allowing soccer games and evening concerts, as well as movies and Loans Committee, spoke about her proposal more people in the store, would cut that loss to plays on the west side of the park. On the east side of the (which was on the agenda), to return to almost $34,000 a week. “Reducing our loss in this way park, children and parents played and relaxed on the beau- all member labor immediately. extends our financial runway into late spring tifully sculpted playground. All around the park’s perimeter 2022,” she said. “By this time, the pandemic are magnificent plantings and gardens, Temporary Markup Increase should be over. “ the product of a 15-year permaculture The debate over increasing prices to keep Lempert and Szladek’s proposal comes with project that returned native plants and the Coop solvent for a longer period of time a sunset clause: the markup will revert to 21 trees to a place where they flourished was occasionally heated, as one group argued percent when full member labor returns, or long before European settlers. for the financial necessity of the move, while when the Coop has begun breaking even on a As a non-profit organization, OSH finds others saw in the price increase an abandon- weekly basis. Members will also have the right ways to best serve the current educational, ment of the Coop’s commitment to affordabil- to opt out of the price increase, no questions cultural, and social needs of the commu- ity—a concern only heightened by the rise in asked, by notifying the member office. All EBT nity, while also paying tribute to the full unemployment and other economic hardships recipients among the membership will auto- and complete history of the place where it during the pandemic. matically pay the lower markup rate. stands. “People in the community see OSH As a prelude to the discussion, members Lempert concluded by calling an increased as a small building dedicated solely to were given insight into just how dire the Coop’s markup the “most reliable approach we have. commemorating its role in the Revolution, finances have become. Joe Holtz, the Coop’s Right away, we get a benefit from introducing but they don’t necessarily know that we are a conservancy, caring general manager and treasurer, presented a a markup. We can introduce it quickly without for the surrounding Washington Park and JJ Byrne playground. preliminary financial statement that showed a additional labor being required.” The average We have a range of offerings, designed to bring the community decline in total sales of more than $6 million, bill, Szladek added, would still be considerably together,” said Kim Maier, Executive Director for the last sixteen and more than $550,000 in additional labor CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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August GM Member Christina Chala argued The final vote was lopsided, with 86 quickly as possible. “Our culture of CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 that the membership shouldn’t con- percent voting in favor of the increase. cooperation,” she said, “is eroded sider raising prices during this crisis. “I (The new markup is planned to go into without member labor.” She contin- cheaper than Whole Foods or Fresh think this is really out of touch for the effect on October 5, as long as the opt- ued,“It is fundamental to our model. Direct. (A $100 spend at the Coop Coop,” she said. The opt-out system out system is working by then.) We are not the Park Slope Food Coop would now cost $103.30.) put an additional burden on already without member labor. Our mission Most of the comments that followed stressed people, she continued, argu- The Return of Volunteer statement specifies member labor the presentation were in support of the ing that the Coop should be making it Member Labor in its first sentence.” She noted that proposal. Jan Fogel, who is retired from easier for its members at this moment, The final 45 minutes of the general the General Coordinator’s plan to member labor, praised the inclusion of not more difficult. Chala argued that meeting was devoted to the question wait until January, or later, to phase the ability to opt out. “I hope the Coop there were other ways to increase rev- of restarting the member-labor pro- in some work slots, such as those in decides to do this,” she said, “because enue and cut weekly losses. gram on a voluntary basis. In Herpel’s the basement requiring close contact we should save the Coop.” Elizabeth Chala was joined in her dissent presentation at the beginning of the in a confined space, would move too Eakin, a squad leader on the Receiv- by Joe Holtz, who argued that raising meeting, she noted that the transition slowly. It was a route, she argued, to ing Committee, asked whether mem- prices, while the unemployment rate to paid labor had achieved its prima- making the Park Slope Food Coop bers’ privacy would be protected if they is so high, was wrong. Chala and Holtz ry goal of reducing infections. There the “fancy food coop.” opted out, and Lempert and Szladek both thought that the price increase has been no known case of Covid-19 Comments on Porter’s presenta- assured her that it would. Checkout went against the spirit of cooperation, among the paid staff at the Coop. She tion were passionate, both for and workers, for example, wouldn’t know which promised low prices in return for also cited a survey of the member- against. However, in a letter pub- which markup rate a member was collective labor. Holtz argued that we ship, which showed that 80 percent lished in this issue of the Gazette, paying. They estimated that five to six shouldn’t “stray from our model, which of the members felt safe at the Coop. Porter announced she is rescinding percent of members would opt out of is working so well.” Ingrid Dudek, who is on the Receiving her proposal and will not bring it to the higher rate. Several members also Ralph Engelman, who has been a Committee, called the Coop “the saf- a vote. offered support for the possibility of member since 1981, agreed, adding est place in Brooklyn.” The meeting ended with a vote opting in to even higher markup rates, that the bar set by the sunset clause Porter’s presentation was a force- from the Board of Directors to although that was not made a part of was too high. “I think this will be a per- ful argument in favor of return- approve the membership vote for a the proposal. manent increase,” he said. ing members to their work slots as markup increase. n

Old Stone own colonies, name them, flowers, with the goal of cre- “We donate the food we grow CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 discover what kinds of natural ating a permaculture garden to several community refriger- resources they have,” Maggie using varieties native to the ator pop-ups that have been years. “OSH and the sur- explained. “Then they impose American Northeast. Claudia operating around the neigh- rounding grounds are a lot taxation, pilfer from each retired from OSH two years borhood since the Covid cri- like a town square—a place other, and pay each other for ago. This March, Sam Lewis, sis began,” Sam says. “I drop in the heart of Brooklyn protection. Finally, they are a native New Yorker, start- off a load of tomatoes or egg- where people from all walks introduced to the ideas of ed his new job as Director plant, and when I go back the of life get to know each other democracy. Representation of Gardens—just before the next day, they’re gone.” Sam is as neighbors. During the and justice become more park closed. also working on a project with pandemic and this summer real. They learn how elections “The permaculture gardens young people from the Ali

of social unrest, preserving PHOTOS BY CAROLINE MARDOK work.” In the fall, OSH staff that Claudia developed here Forney Center’s LEAP intern- this space is more important are preparing to make this are just unbelievable,” Sam ship program. than ever.” but when you take a closer program an online offering for said. “There are medicinal The Coop has collaborated OSH has reopened, by look, we learn that when the remote learning. and native plants. You look with OSH on composting for appointment, for pods of up original building was built in OSH is also exploring how around the park, and you are years. Members collect and to six; and has installed a new 1699, Brooklyn was already to create a unique learning surrounded by an edible food deliver sawdust and scraps contemporary art exhibit, a remarkably diverse place. pod that will be made afford- forest in the middle of the “Brooklyn Utopias: 2020.” The While the native Lenape had able for children and families city, designed in layers—a exhibit explores how Brook- been pushed back by aggres- with fewer resources, includ- canopy of persimmon and lyn has continued to change sive Dutch settlers, they had ing the children of essential pear and fruit trees, a middle over the past decade—while been coming to this place for workers. The children will layer of raspberries, goose- acknowledging Brooklyn’s at least ten centuries. At the be working outside for the berries, blueberries, and past, present, and future— time this building was cre- entirety of the program— agastache. This was all Clau- by inviting artists to present ated, 40% of Brooklyn’s resi- planting and digging and dia’s work. The challenge for contrasting visions of an ideal dents were of African descent. learning about the gardens. me is to preserve the amazing from the Coop to the com- Brooklyn. The work can also Women played a huge role Other resources for families gardens Claudia designed, posting bins for their work be seen on the OSH website. in these settlements, but are offered through OSH include while also introducing more slot. This work has been sus- often overlooked in the tell- new online crafting programs flowering plants—to bring pended while member labor Re-Setting Education ing of the stories of places like for kids. different colors and tex- is on hiatus. Sam emphasized Programs: The Whole these.” A curriculum develop- tures—so that people visit- that Coop members inter- Story ment project currently under- ing the park are surrounded ested in bringing their home The Covid-19 pandemic way, entitled “Crossroads by beautiful colors.” food scraps for composting and social unrest of the last 1702,” will educate local stu- One project Sam has would be most welcome, as six months have only rein- dents and visitors by telling already taken on is the devel- would any volunteers to work forced OSH’s commitment to the stories of all the people opment of an untended gar- on the gardens and plantings inclusive, civic-minded pro- who have lived in this place. den space along Fifth Avenue. teams. Volunteers work Tues- gramming. This begins with To build young people’s “There was only a patch of days and Thursdays. Members teaching history. “The Covid understanding of civic edu- dirt behind a locked gate,” should contact Sam directly crisis and the closing of our cation and responsibility, Washington Park’s Sam explains. “Working with for more information on com- park and building for safe- OSH educators will deliver Permaculture Plantings volunteers, we turned it into posting and volunteering: ty reasons gave us a chance the Democracy Project to sev- and Gardens a shade garden with a pic- [email protected]. n to hit ‘re-set,’” said Maggie enth graders in schools across For fifteen years, Park nic table, surrounded by Weber, Director of Education. Brooklyn. The semester-long Slope Food Coop member native plants including those For more information on events and “OSH has always been trying residency uses dramatic play and neighborhood gardening the Lenape would recog- activities at The Old Stone House, to make our work relevant to help seventh graders learn legend Claudia Joseph com- nize.” Sam is working on the please visit the website: https:// to the whole Brooklyn com- the events that led up to the mitted herself to being the food-producing part of the theoldstonehouse.org. munity. We are traditional- American Revolution. “The gardener of Washington Park. garden, with an eye toward ly a Revolutionary War site, middle schoolers create their She put in trees, plants, and providing for people in need.

Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY June 30, 2020 3 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY September 8, 2020 3

PROPOSAL TO ments suggested that my meeting said that the Chair AN INVITATION plants that grow on our land. REINSTATE motives for wanting to committee members are not We invite you to bring a MEMBER LABOR restore member labor were receiving work credit. He also HELLO EVERYONE, picnic basket. There is plenty political. One person explic- noted that they are working I am part of Rockycorner. of space in our “outdoor liv- WILL NOT GO TO A itly said I was “screaming like more than average to make org, a cohousing community ing room” to organize some VOTE Trump’s girlfriend.” Ouch. the GM happen. I think that in Connecticut, and a long- fun activities and games for Without trotting out my pro- the Coop should grant work time PSFC member. Quite all ages. DEAR COOP gressive bona fides, I assert credit to members who pro- a few of us at Rocky Corner If you have a portable COMMUNITY, that people can legitimately vide essential functions, are also members of the instrument, feel free to At the August GM I tried to disagree on which precau- such as running the GM and PSFC, and we would like to bring it along. The musically present a proposal to restore tions are science-based and the Linewaiters’ Gazette. For invite the Coop community inclined among us are always voluntary member labor for which are fear-based. Con- essential functions we should and their families to events ready for a jam session! discussion. The response to trary to comments during the not depend on members’ will- that we are planning on our Since these events are my presentation was so over- meeting, I had thought a lot ingness to donate their time. property and the surround- very much weather-depen- whelmingly negative that I about the issue, discussed it Finally, I had request- ing area in rural Connecticut. dent and can not therefore have decided not to request a with other Coop stakehold- ed that my presentation be A Special Event for PSFC be scheduled far in advance, vote. But I do want to address ers (staff and members), made available, but I don’t members & families: the we invite you to check a few points as they bear on and spent considerable time think that happened. Unfortu- Rocky Corner Cohousing our website regularly for the state of our Coop. reviewing health research nately, because my time was community is planning some updates: www.rockycorner. First, although the Gener- and guidelines. I was moti- cut short and I had technical foraging and herb walks / org/events. We only ask that al Coordinators knew about vated entirely by caring difficulties with my Zoom hikes on some of the nice you dress appropriately for my proposal and I had writ- about the cooperative model connection, the presentation weather weekends we have a walk/hike (sturdy shoes ten to them about the matter and financial viability. I am was rushed, and I could not left in this summer/early and long pants!) and bring a several times, and although I concerned that liberals are introduce myself, respond to fall. We would like to extend smile to the event! have had a cooperative rela- becoming as reactionary as questions, or provide clarifi- a special invitation to the All of us at Rocky Corner tionship with them for many the right. I hope we are not cations. I am a public school members of the Park Slope Cohousing look forward to years, including as Commit- going to meet disagreement special ed teacher; I used to Food Coop and their families welcoming our friends at the tee Chair on the Loan Com- with disparagement, either be a social scientist; I have to come and spend a day in PSFC to these events and to mittee, they did not tell me within our Coop or in the been a member of the Coop rural Connecticut with us. celebrate outdoor living with that they intended to present broader community. I tried for about 25 years, and I was Social distancing is easy all of you. the return to member labor to present as coherently the chair of the Revolving at Rocky Corner; our prop- Be sure to RSVP for the as an apparent fait accom- as I could, within the lim- Loan Committee. If anyone is erty is situated on 33 acres event of your choice by pli, during their report at the its of the Zoom meeting, a interested, here is the link to of mostly farmland and is emailing info@rockycorner. beginning of the GM. I believe response to whatever con- the presentation: adjacent to a hiking trail that org a few days before the that there had been no earlier cerns I could anticipate. I https://docs.google.com/ leads down to Lake Cham- event so we can plan appro- public proposal from the GCs don’t think anyone should presentation/d/1UdZdpi- berlain, Connecticut’s larg- priately for the ages and to restore member labor. Had be dismissed or mocked jqqvhxaK_06NJrTyqeOM- est reservoir. abilities of attendees. Rocky the GCs informed me of their for suggesting alternative 8jAvnQSeablaLblKc/ We have a few knowledge- Corner is a respectful and intentions, I would have with- approaches. That does not edit?usp=sharing able members ready to guide inclusive community and drawn my proposal. strengthen us, it weakens us. In Cooperation, us as we forage and identi- ALL ARE WELCOME! Second, several com- Third, the Chair of the Rachel Porter fy the herbs and edible wild Lori Schumann

COORDINATOR’S CORNER

By the Bulk Coordinator only scoop bins. Items will be organized Bread, pastry, spelt, rye, and Wheat bran was discontinued, irst, I want to thank every- Now that this phase is alphabetically, as they were AP flours, as well as cornmeal, because it does not sell much. Fone for being supportive, complete, and all bulk items originally. are now available in two- or Salt in bulk was also discon- cooperative, and patient, except those in the silos are We have replaced items five-pound bags, from the tinued, as salt at a similar regarding the changes in the bagged, movement through that we are unable to bag same mills that provided us price point is available among bulk aisle. the bulk aisle is quicker. ourselves, such as flour and with those items in bulk. the baking goods in Aisle 2. As you may have seen, All bulk items that were sugar, with a retail packaged Sugar is available from UNFI. Food processing will bag we installed new shelves in temporarily moved to Aisle 3 equivalent of relatively simi- Tri-color pasta is now being nutritional yeast, in-shell pea- Aisle 2, instead of having are back in their original place. lar price range. offered for sale in Aisle 5. nuts, and sesame sticks. n

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RECIPE Garlic-Marinated Zucchini (Concia) PHOTO BY VALERIE TRUCCHIA

By Leah Koenig his dish hails from Rome’s ancient Jewish community, Twhich dates back 2,000 years. The recipe makes delicious use of summer’s zucchini abundance and highlights a hallmark technique of Roman Jewish cooking: frying vegetables in oil. Although the zucchini is fried before it is marinated in a mix of chopped basil, parsley, garlic, and a glug of red wine vinegar, the This Issue Prepared by: final dish is complex and bright, rather than stodgy or heavy. I Editor (development): Walecia Konrad first tried concia at a restaurant in Rome’s historic Jewish ghetto neighborhood over a decade ago, and haven’t ever forgotten the Reporters: Christopher Cox experience. Frank Haberle Recipe adapted slightly from Modern Jewish Cooking by Leah Koenig, Leah Koenig ©2015, Chronicle Books. Art Director (development): Deborah Urra Illustrator: Valerie Trucchia

Photographer: Caroline Mardok Thumbnails: Becky Cassidy

Photoshop: Fanny Gotschall The following serves four. ILLUSTRATION BY VALERIE TRUCCHIA Art Director (production): Midori Nakamura Ingredients • 2 lbs. zucchini, trimmed and cut into ¼-inch thick planks Web Publishing: Diana Quick • Kosher salt Editor (production): Nancy Rosenberg • 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil STATEMENT ON THE • ¼ cup red wine vinegar • Freshly ground black pepper COOPERATIVE IDENTITY DEFINITION Place the zucchini in a colander, sprinkle with about 1 Tbsp. A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united salt, and toss with your hands to coat. Let stand for 30 minutes, voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural then rinse well and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels. Stir needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically together the basil, parsley, and garlic in a small bowl and set controlled enterprise. aside. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan set over medium heat. VALUES Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, Working in batches, fry the zucchini, turning once, until softened democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their and lightly browned on both sides, about 6 minutes total. Trans- founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of fer half of the zucchini to a shallow ceramic, glass, or Pyrex (not honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. metal) baking dish, and top with half of the herb mixture and half of the vinegar. Taste and season lightly with salt to taste PRINCIPLES (zucchini should already be salty), and pepper. Repeat with the The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put remaining zucchini, herbs, and vinegar. their values into practice. The International Cooperative Alliance Let stand at room temperature, basting occasionally with the adopted the revised Statement on the Cooperative Identity in 1995. juices in the baking dish, for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours, They are as follows: 1. Voluntary and Open Membership before serving. Serve at room temperature. Store leftovers, cov- 2. Democratic Member Control ered, in the refrigerator. n 3. Member Economic Participation 4. Autonomy and Independence 5. Education, Training and Information 6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives 7. Concern for Community

Reference: ica.coop

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