Community News since 1971 Index: Volume 37 • Number 6 & 7 June-July 2008 Recipe: Iced Tea 4 Reducing Bathroom Packaging 5 Green Party Planning 6 Food Conspiracy Co-op Sustainable Living: Cooking Co-ops 7 Misting Essences 11 Fossil Fools 12 rGBH Update 13 Community News Co-op will close at 6 p.m. Fri., 7/4 Sat., June 28 is Member Appreciation Day! Happy 4th of July! G enerally Members, get 10% OFF on all purchases over $25 Speaking How Local Can You Go? By Torey Ligon, Outreach Coordinator Food Conspiracy Co-op Although “local” is a buzzword used by many to host an Eat Local retailers, Food Conspiracy has for years cultivated by Ben Kuzma, America Challenge truly reciprocal, long-term relationships with lo- General Manager cal growers and producers, offering its shoppers a convenient connection to fresh and delicious food in September of the highest quality. Eat Local America celebrates ith a little more than half of our our dedication and commitment to local food for fiscal year behind us, bulk depart- consumers and our suppliers. W ment sales are up almost 14% over the same period last year. I believe National Challenge Underway that this trend will continue because lately, ant to eat more local foods, but curi- shoppers have been looking for ways to extend ous just how local you can go? Food Conspiracy is joining nearly 70 other natural their food buying power. Many have discov- W Food Conspiracy Co-op is hosting an “Eat Local food co-ops coast-to-coast in Eat Local America. All are members ered that one way to get more out of their food America” challenge in September and inviting the Tucson community to of National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA)—a business services budget is to buy their basic ingredients from try to consume 80 percent of their diets (or four out of every five meals) cooperative representing nearly 110 retail food co-ops nationwide. our bulk department and prepare their meals from food grown or produced locally. Since peak harvest time varies throughout the nation, the challenge at home more often. The challenge will take place over two weeks in September, a time duration may vary from a one-week to one-month period, depending where One of the better values in our store is when many local farms will be in harvest mode. It’s honor system-based; people and stores reside. the bulk herb/spice/tea section. I can tell when those wishing to participate will simply sign a large poster at Food Con- Beginning June 1, food lovers can learn about all participating Eat a new person is shopping this section because spiracy Co-op and try their best. Local America initiatives at www.eatlocalamerica.coop. what seems to be a high price per pound listed At Food Conspiracy Co-op, we define local food as anything from Eat Local America is not your typical challenge. Because it is framed on the jar prompts them to ration out a tiny Southern Arizona, which includes many farms between Tucson and the around each region’s peak harvest times, length and timing varies for each amount of product into a bag or container. They border as well as a number of growers in the Willcox area. We even have co-op, as does the definition of “local.” The Eat Local America challenge are often pleasantly surprised at the check out a few local suppliers from as far away as Queen Creek, Arizona, which celebrates the uniqueness of our regional food supplies, as well as a collective stand to find that the total purchase price for the is about 100 miles away. During the Eat Local America Challenge and and emerging passion for eating more local, organic foods. amount they selected comes to just 37 cents! throughout the year, we call attention to local food on our shelves with There are other great deals and time savers special Local signs that include the above local logo. In our produce section, More About Eating Local in the bulk department like the instant refried all local items include the name of the farm where they were grown, the beans, organic rice or fresh ground peanut but- name of the grower who runs that farm, and the number of miles from Although we’re holding this challenge during peak season for fresh ter. A report on National Public Radio today the farm to the Co-op. produce, we hope to educate our shoppers that it’s possible—and not too said that farmers usually plant more peanuts difficult—to eat local food year-round, especially here in Tucson. Fruit and during recessionary times because it is a low cost vegetables can be preserved until the next harvest season, via canning, freezing protein source. The report also mentioned that Why Eat Local? and dehydrating. But don’t think local is limited to produce. Food Conspiracy China won’t be selling any of their peanut crops There are many benefits to eating local food. It’s good for the economy, Co-op is the go-to source for local dairy products, including milk and artisan abroad this year. The organic peanuts that we because money from each transaction stays in the region. It connects com- cheese, as well as meat and baked goods, like artisan breads. We are especially sell in our bulk department and our organic rice munity members to the people who produce their food, while helping to pleased to announce that we now carry all natural, grass-fed, local beef from are domestically grown, mostly in California support endangered family farms. the 47 Ranch in McNeal, Arizona, run by Dennis and Deb Moroney. (and with rice prices going up around the country, Plus, since food doesn’t travel far from where it’s produced, eating local For more information on Eat Local America, contact Torey Ligon our member-only sale on rice last month of 96 also helps protect the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions. at [email protected], or by phone at 624-4821. Look for the cents per pound was an especially great value). Local food is more nutritious and simply tastes better, because it’s often August issue of Community News for more information about joining US farmers produce more rice than this nation harvested or processed the same day it arrives at the Co-op. the challenge. The End cont. on p. 15 Food Conspiracy Co-op PRSRTD STD 412 N. Fourth Ave. • Tucson, AZ 85705 U.S. Postage PAID Tucson, AZ Permit #821 June & July 2008 • Food Conspiracy Co-op — Community News • Page 1 FOOD CONSPIRacY Food Conspiracy C ommUNITY Co-op CO-OP Member-Owned Since 1971 CONNECTIONS Statement of Cooperative Identity Store Hours: A cooperative is an autonomous association of Open Daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. people united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspira- by Torey Ligon, Food Conspiracy tions through a jointly owned and democrati- Outreach Coordinator Cooperative cally controlled enterprise. 412 N. 4th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705 Tel: 520-624-4821 • Fax: 520-792-2703 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.foodconspiracy.coop T his summer, I may not go on a vaca- tion. Oh, I’ll surely take some time off from work—it’s hard to let the slow Tucson summer Food Conspiracy Co-op pass by without at least a few days off—but I don’t know if I’ll go anywhere when I do take off. After all, there are so Community News many things I’ve never done, right here in Southern, Arizona. Food Conspiracy Values 1. We adhere to the internationally recognized Editor: Lisa Stage There are hikes I’ve never taken, bike rides I’ve never gone on, restaurants I’ve never been to, movie theaters I haven’t sat in, museums I’ve never visited, and Rochdale Principles. Managing Editor: Torey Ligon 2. We promote whole, natural, organic, and [email protected] friends that I never seem to have time to have dinner with. Better yet, there are recipes I’ve never tested, projects I still haven’t started, seeds I’ve forgotten chemical-free products with minimal packaging. Art Director: Bettina Mills to plant, movies I haven’t rented, and friends I never seem to have time to chat with on the phone. 3. We value openness, honesty, and integrity Contributors: Geoff Baker, de Vie, This summer seems to be a perfect summer for a vacation in my living room, so to speak. with each other and the community. Ben Kuzma, Anna Lambert, Torey Ligon, As a person with many friends and relatives in distant places, who’s lived in many states 4. We seek, through cooperative effort, to pro- Deborah Mayaan, George Milan, and visited even more, for years, my instant response to time off has been to go somewhere and vide a humane, fulfilling environment in which Joelle Novey, Nancy Pfoutz see someone. Last summer, in my two weeks off, I visited five states on the East Coast and saw to work and shop. a total of 27 friends and relatives; so much for relaxing and recouping from a stressful spring 5. We promote social justice, encouraging and Next Deadline: July 5th of work. respecting diversity. This summer I think I’m going to try something new. I may take a week off for a movie 6. We strive for a sustainable, healthy ecology, Articles about health or nutrition are for infor- marathon, or try to build the bike trailer that I’ve been imagining in my head.