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OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP
Established 1973
Volume HH, Number 7 April 4, 2013 March Meeting Highlights Cell Phones While Working: Candidates for Election, Explores Is It Time For a Policy? Response to LICH Closing By Frank Haberle Deena began by encouraging members to osted in MS 51’s cavernous auditorium, a read her statement in the Gazette. “After consid- Hsparsely-attended March 19 General ering the content of the Gazette and the content Meeting featured presentations by two of the of conversations with other members,” she stat- four candidates for ed, “a main concern the upcoming Board is clearly the cost of election; a vote on food.” Deena also the re-election of spoke of concerns members of the Dis- about quality of life ciplinary Commit- and the need to cre- tee; and a discussion ate an environment on whether the Coop that is right for all of should take an us. She asked every- active role in efforts one in the meeting to
to prevent the consider what our BERNSTEIN LYNN BY ILLUSTRATION impending closing needs are, and how of Long Island Col- we can create the By Ed Levy call, text, tweet or email. And lege and Interfaith quality of life we oting the ubiquity of going fast are the days when Hospitals. These need at a price we NSmartphones, tablets you can come home and plead three main agenda can afford. and iwhatnots, George Jones that you lost the shopping list items followed Coor- Zoey told the story writes for the Raycon News and that’s why you forgot the dinator reports cov- of how she joined the Network that “people find it half and half. Now, if there’s no ering a range of Coop with her family hard to resist a personal more sharp cheddar in the end items, from the need when she was four assistant, day planner, media cap, you can instantly get for a new air condi- BY DEBORAH TINT ILLUSTRATION years old; she has player, web browser and link clearance from home to buy tioning system, to been a member for to almost every person in the Brie instead, and don’t for- the state of our produce, to the Coop’s posi- 23 years. She has a Masters Degree in Public their lives that fits inside a get the dish soap. tion on plastic bags. Health and has worked with 911 first responders single device they can slide and Sandy responders. She bikes daily to her job into their pockets.” On the Phone, On a Candidates for the Board of Directors in Flushing, Queens. She has helped farmer Ray Indeed. The paradox of per- Work Shift: Some In the upcoming Spring election, Coop Bradley at the Grand Army Plaza Farmers’ Mar- sonal digital assistants (PDAs), Examples and Reactions members will vote to fill two open positions ket for many years. Zoey cited the reasons she is however, is that they both con- But our Smartphones and for our Board. As explained by current Board interested in becoming a Board member. First, nect and separate us. You can iPods also encapsulate us in a member Bill Penner, the Coop has a six-mem- her many years within the Coop have helped her reach anyone anytime with a CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ber Board. Imani Q’ryn, a current Board mem- build a strong sense of what the Coop and its ber, is running for re-election. Three other members need. Secondly, as a younger person, Next General Meeting on April 30 candidates, Deena Hays, Zoey Laskaris and she feels able to represent the many young peo- The General Meeting of the Park Slope Food Coop is held on the Sara Matthews, are seeking election to the ple who are involved at the Coop. “The Coop is a last Tuesday of each month. The April General Meeting will be Board for the first time. very important place for me,” Zoey said. “It is on Tuesday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m. at MS 51, 350 Fifth Ave., Two candidates, Deena Hays and Zoey ingrained in me.” between Fourth and Fifth Sts. Enter on Fourth St. cul-de-sac. Laskaris, presented. Imani Q’ryn was away on The questions opened with Jesse Rosenfeld, The Fourth St. entrance is handicap-accessible. business, but sent a representative to answer Coop Secretary, asking the candidates to clarify The agenda is in this Gazette, on the Coop website at questions. Sara Matthews was not in atten- the responsibilities of the Board. “We need to www.foodcoop.com and available as a flier in the entryway of dance. Deena and Zoey were invited to speak address what is important to us,” Deena the Coop. For more information about the GM and about Coop to the members before answering questions. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 governance, please see the center of this issue.
Thu, Apr 4• Food Class: IN THIS ISSUE Cherry Blossom–Inspired Dishes 7:30 p.m. Meet the Gazette Reporters and Editors...... 4 Coop Fri, Apr 5• Film Night: My Brooklyn 7:00 p.m. Environmental Committee Report, Puzzle ...... 5 Tue, Apr 9• Safe Food Committee Film Night: Brooklyn Food Coalition, From the Archives ...... 6 Event The Botany of Desire 7:00 p.m. Safe Food Committee Report...... 7 Coop Calendar, Governance Information, Mission Statement. . . 9 Highlights Fri, Apr 12• Wordsprouts: Group Reading: Calendar of Events ...... 10 To Mark National Poetry Month 7:00 p.m. Letters to the Editor ...... 12 Candidates for Board of Directors ...... 14 Look for additional information about these and other events in this issue. Classifieds ...... 15 4.4.13 pgs 1-16_Layout 1 4/3/13 10:30 PM Page 2
2 April 4, 2013 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
March GM agement role. Zoey respond- Paul Van Horn of the CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ed, “As a member, my opin- Disciplinary Committee ions matter. As a Board spoke briefly of the responded. “What products member, my opinions do not responsibilities of the does the Coop need and what matter. My vote as a Board Disciplinary Commit- does the Coop need to do to member will be in response to tee—“to make sure the achieve that? As individuals, what people say. I do not see rules are enforced”— we need to consider our food this as an activist role.” Deena before presenting three choices. Are we just buying referred to a passage from the current members of the food? Are we concerned about Coop’s bylaws: ‘the Coordina- committee who he fracking? Sandy? Products tors will administer the affairs hoped the membership from Israel? How do we of the Coop as directed by the would reelect for a new engage in these issues? Are we Board.’ “This tells me you are term: Michelle Gior- governing ourselves well? We complying with the advice of dano, Jeff Goodman and need to be able to take the people in the meeting,” Grace Protos. Grace action.” Zoey pointed out that she said. “Is it a matter of edu- introduced herself as a being a Board member of the cating people? We need to member since 2004. “I’m
Coop is a work shift. “It is the agree on how we’re being gov- pleased with the work BY DEBORAH TINT ILLUSTRATION responsibility of Board mem- erned.” Deena will require we do,” she said. “I like bers to come to the meetings, each committee to report to that we attempt to do well by and an attending LICH emer- increased volume of patients to listen to what is happening, her. “I will need, first, a report Coop members and look at gency room physician. Saul and waiting times in those and to vote. As a Board mem- from each committee. What the Coop’s needs as a place of spoke to LICH’s 150 year his- emergency rooms, will cost ber, it is my role to heed the are you doing well, and what safety.” Michelle, a member tory of innovation and ser- lives and put enormous advice of the members.” as individuals do you need to for the last three years, stated vice to the community, and strain on other hospitals. A question from Tim Platt, do to govern yourselves as a that she looks forward to of the huge role it plays Carl and Saul’s request member of the Chair Commit- committee.” another term so she can con- today in providing medical for an immediate vote on tee, asked the candidates if tinue to advocate for mem- care not only to residents of the Coop taking action they felt the role of the Board Disciplinary Committee bers. The third candidate, Jeff, Brooklyn Heights and Cobble could not be met, as it was is an activist role, or a man- Election could not attend the meeting. Hill but to Red Hook Houses, on the agenda as a discus- The GM elected all three one of the City’s largest pub- sion item, not an item to be CORRECTION candidates. lic housing facilities. Today, brought to a vote. A straw Saul pointed out, LICH poll by the meeting chair A recent article citing a new novel by Linewaiters’ Gazette Action on LICH serves 200,000 people annu- showed the attending mem- editor Petra E. Lewis, referred to the title of her trilogy but Carl Biers, a Coop mem- ally, including 60,000 bers overwhelmingly in favor did not include the title of the individual first novel, which ber for the last 22 years, then through its emergency room. of having the Coop take is The Sons and Daughters of Ham, Book I: A Requiem. The arti- came forward to discuss the Saul gave the background of action. Many Coop members cle referenced purchasing the novel on amazon.com, need to help keep Long the economic struggles LICH got up to speak on behalf of where it will be available post-launch. However, at the Island College Hospital has faced in recent years and the great services they present time, pre-orders of Ms. Lewis' novel must be open. A local campaign is its problematic relationships received at LICH and the made at http://hamnovels.com/buy-the-book/. asking businesses to put with Continuum Health Care need to keep the facility posters in windows in sup- and then SUNY Downstate. open; one member, however, port of LICH; Carl’s request is As Saul stated, “If LICH’s relayed a horror story of to ask the Coop to adopt this emergency room closes, peo- being trapped with a med- policy, to have members sign ple will die.” The increased ical emergency in the hospi- a petition and to write a let- response time for ambu- tal for a week. Another ter of support. Carl then lances to travel to the com- questioned whether this was introduced Saul Melman, a munity and back to other a fight the Coop doesn’t Coop member of six years emergency rooms, and the need to take on right now. ■
The Fun Committee is looking for bands (various genres including rock, folk rock, funk, indie, etc.) to perform on June 1 at Freddy’s Back Room. Please contact Sarah Safford at [email protected] or drop off demo CD with Jason Weiner at the Coop. Deadline for submission is April 28.
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Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY April 4, 2013 3
Cell Phones mobile, having a personal Polly Thistlethwaite agreed, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 phone number that doesn’t “It doesn’t bother me at all. If change is a huge advantage. there’s a little gap in the very private world of music, Ann recalled once being action, I think it’s perfectly games, messages, news and asked to intervene with a okay to check an email.“ information, our ears sealed member who was on an ani- Todd Pigot: “I haven’t really off by buds. If you’ve been mated conference call during had much experience with waiting on line for 15 minutes, her work shift and refused to people doing that…maybe and finally made it to the end it, despite many requests. with a checkout person tex- chocolate and have been After heated exchanges with ting when no one is there, but standing there resisting the Ann and the squad leader, she other than that, I haven’t real- impulse to buy any, and you’re muted the phone, but contin- ly seen it.” just one shopper away from ued to listen. She asserted Others described how they checking out with your 15 that she had important busi- have seen workers using their (well, actually 18, but no one ness to conduct and wasn’t PDA’s. will ever find out) items, how going to let her shift get in the Kyoko Sagara said she has do you feel when the checkout way of it. noticed it. “There are people person who has just finished Another legendary case that are working in the aisles with a customer, instead of involved an office worker who that I see using their phones.” waving you over, puts his head was supposed to answer the Stephanie Vogel was clear
down and starts typing with Coop’s phone but spent most that she herself was not into it. BERNSTEIN LYNN BY ILLUSTRATION two thumbs? of the time talking on her “I do checkout and I don’t use Not that great, I bet. Some own. my phone when I’m working.” he doesn’t like it, but if it’s a the increased distraction members are bothered enough Ann’s advice to people Caroline Gabler-Brett agreed. guy, he doesn’t really care. exposes companies to poten- to leave messages for the coor- who feel they have vital busi- But eight or nine others Ruthie Kinch felt it depends tial liability. They suggest a dinators and squad leaders, or ness to attend to while were annoyed by the prac- entirely on how much and how number of guidelines: write letters to the Gazette they’re doing their shifts: tice—most citing people who often. “I think that if it’s some- 1. Be reasonable. For the about entrance and exit work- Please speak to your squad texted or used their phones thing important and it’s during sake of morale and personal ers who are too distracted by leader and arrange a makeup. when they were in roles that your shift then you might jot freedom, some sparing use of their handhelds; about the per- involved serving other mem- down a quick text, like you PDAs should be permitted. son who’s supposed to verify Member Opinions bers. One woman had an would answer a phone call, 2. They should not be used that you have three and only How do Coop members feel expanded view of the issue, but just sitting there texting at all around heavy machinery three bags when you leave the about the use of PDAs during saying she objected to unnec- the whole time that’s not the or in dangerous situations. store but is staring at the dis- work shifts? Some people we essary cell phone use from a way you do the job.” 3. They should not be used play on her phone while she surveyed informally while wait- health point of view, since our if you are driving during your runs the orange marker over ing on the checkout line appar- bodies were not meant to Sample Policy Guidelines shift. your receipt? About people ently didn’t notice it or feel as experience the constant low Legalzoom.com notes that 4. Out of respect for co-work- who leave the stocking of strongly about it as those levels of radiation they some companies have estab- ers’ privacy, camera phones shelves to their fellow squad wrote letters and left notes. emanate. And with a bold lished cell phone policies pri- should not be used at work. workers while they check out Jennifer Kuipers said, “I’ve indifference to political cor- marily for two reasons—their 5. Everyone should know the ball scores, the message had great checker outers not rectness a young man ven- increased use is costing them what the policy is. from their boss or the alternate using electronic devices. I’ve tured that if it’s a beautiful money, as employees devote Intrstng. Lts tlk mor abt side rules for tomorrow? never had a problem with this.” woman using the handheld, less time to their jobs, and ths. ■ General Coordinator Ann Herpel told the Gazette that while staff have been dis- cussing cell phone use by workers in the store since before the cell phone became smart, they haven’t yet come up with a plan for addressing it. Particularly among younger people, she pointed out, fre- quently checking a handheld for messages has become nor- mative. In fact, a Pew Research survey found that while the average adult sends 41 text messages per day, the average person between the ages of 18 and 24 sends 109.
“How do you feel when the checkout person who has just finished with a customer, instead of waving you over, puts his head down and starts typing with two thumbs?” Eighty percent of all human beings now own a cell phone, ! " with 327 million phones in the # # $%& ' ! (# ( # ") ( U.S. (this is greater than the ! # " * + !( + ",* -. &",( " !(+ ", ( U.S. population of 310 million, , /' ! "# ( ( . (' .( "+ "!( # as of June 2012). That number " (
is only growing. For many fam- ""('! ". + . ilies, maintaining both a cell phone and a landline is no & ( # 0+ &# ( " longer economical. And for 2 3 " # ( &1' (+&' 1' ! people who are themselves
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4 April 4, 2013 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY Meet the Linewaiters’ Gazette Reporters and Editors—Part One By Alison Rose Levy season so he can write about Pennell tends to the myriad Diane Aronson A member since 1993, Goren- agriculture, hang with farm- needs of her annoying but berg loves “the community of Taigi Smith ers and ask many questions. lovable family, including but interesting, quirky people who For Dentz, the Coop is a not limited to: walking the care about good food, social temple, where he worships dog, parking the car, teaching responsibility and the environ- once a week. He has prayed life skills, breaking up fights ment. I also appreciate the work at the dry food bin section for and eating organic bon-bons requirement that applies to all about seven years. On every and walking the dog. members, regardless of money. visit he bumps into friends. “The Coop has a very Few places remain where One favorite corner he likes gemütlich vibe. I like that they you’re not allowed to buy your to explore is the end aisle make us work together. Even way out of responsibilities; the opposite the chicken section. when I hate that,” says Pen- Coop is one.” The many Mediterranean nell. A member for almost a Gorenberg’s passions are specialty items always decade, for Pennell, “It always A member for 20 years civil rights, the environment intrigue him and make him comes as a pleasant surprise plus, Diane Aronson is a pro- and the arts. Interviewing A member for over a year, nostalgic for Spain, where his that I haven’t been fired and fessional wordsmith. Project Coop members who make Taigi Smith has been a pro- daughter and wife were born. my article hasn’t been run manager, copy chief, associ- music, or who work to keep fessional journalist for through a Cuisinart.” ate managing editor, free- New York’s water clean, “let’s almost 20 years, and current- Lily Rothman Her must have item? lance editor, she has worn me just be curious!” ly works for a major television Fennel. many different editing hats in Her staples: Fresh roasted network. A published author, the publishing world. unsalted mixed nuts from the she is the editor of an anthol- “I understand that for “Whether it’s a tense GM bulk bins. “Nut connoisseurs tell ogy, and her writing has many members, the Coop is vote or a crazy Sunday after- me they’re the best in the city.” appeared in The San Francisco primarily a store. But for me, noon at the Coop, we engage Chronicle, New York Newsday, with each other as comembers. Tom Matthews Essence and numerous literary it is essentially an experiment It’s fascinating bond,”says anthologies. in living, and the conversation Aronson. Whether writing “Why Folks Fly the Coop,” that tracks and shapes that Gazette articles or editing them, her most recent article, “ruf- ongoing process is Aronson loves the foodie/politi- fled a few feathers… and I also documented in the Gazette.” cal fusion. which she calls “a like writing service pieces like —Tom Matthews, blend of Saveur and Mother Jones. the recent piece on foods that A member since 2011, I’ve learned some delicious tips can help breastfeeding Rothman works for the enter- Gazette reporter about food and gained some women produce more milk. I tainment section of Time.com mind-changing perspectives could’ve never written that and Time Magazine. Her free- about the world where that story for my ‘day job.’ ” lance work has appeared in Alison Rose Levy food is grown and consumed.” Smith loves the kale, the Slate, the Washington Post, The Current staples are Yogi chai baked goods and the choco- Atlantic.com, The Villager, and green tea and chocolate-cov- late bars dusted with sea salt. The L Magazine, among other ered candied orange pieces. As the executive editor of “I’m addicted to the beauty outlets. Wine Spectator, (the largest-circu- aisle,” says Smith. Her The food-centric pieces “Few places remain where lation wine magazine in the daughter, Savannah, is a Rothman has written for the you’re not allowed to buy world, with 400,000 subscribers sucker for a good scone, Gazette have impacted her your way out of responsibili- and more than three million which when frozen “can keep own shopping habits. “I end readers), Thomas Matthews a teething baby entertained up taking my own advice, and ties; the Coop is one.” oversees a staff of 40 writers, edi- for hours.” gotten items I would have —Hayley Gorenberg, tors and art directors for both never thought to try before, Gazette reporter print and Internet operations, Brian Dentz like whole local sardines (not based in New York and Napa the kind in a can!) and quince Valley. He is the lead taster for paste.” A member for 15 years, Hayley Gorenberg the wines of Spain and one of Her favorite special Levy has covered the natural the magazine’s principal restau- things? Boucheron cheese health and food movements, rant reviewers and travel writers. and kumquats. and interviewed and written Matthews and his wife Sara, a books (including two New photographer, published A Vil- Allison Pennell York Times bestsellers) with lage in the Vineyards, an account of its leaders. In 2007, Levy their experiences in France. expanded her coverage to A member since the early policy and advocacy, and 1990s. Matthews “dislikes broke the story on fracking on stores of every kind and has the Huffington Post in 2009. avoided shopping at the Coop.” Brian started reporting for She currently reports on But he values the Coop as a two weekly newspapers cov- AlterNet and her radio pro- “community striving to embody ering the West Side of Man- gram, Connect the Dots. and uphold a set of principles, hattan, later working as a “After 9/11, seeing the Fresh out of college, Goren- that begin with cooperation, reporter for a daily newspa- diversity here soothed my berg won a journalism fellow- fairness and sustainability.” per in McComb, Mississippi. heart. The Coop is my local ship and later wrote for the “Writing for the Gazette Currently Dentz works as a Allison Pennell is a free- home base community and Associated Press and edited a allows me to explore this com- freelance television camera- lance writer/editor whose also my model for what can community newspaper. Want- munity, through the research I man, shooting news, docu- work has regularly appeared be. When I first came here, I ing to change the world, do for my articles, and to be mentary and reality TV. on F’d in Park Slope, iVillage, wondered why there was a Gorenberg went to law school, part of its ongoing process of Having the privilege to Babble, Parents, Brooklyn Breeder GMO Labeling committee. became a civil rights lawyer, self-understanding and self- write for the Gazette gives and RIP Nick Jr. Magazine, Now GMOs are part of my and now works as Deputy expression. I understand that Dentz the chance to pursue where she was a longtime beat.” Legal Director of Lambda for many members, the Coop subjects and issues he’s pas- feature writer and columnist. Staple foods: “The produce Legal, the nation’s oldest and is primarily a store. But for me, sionate about, giving him the She’s currently procrastinat- aisle is paradise. Where else largest national organization it is essentially an experiment excuse to talk with roof top ing about whether to start a can you get organic bitter dedicated to achieving the in living, and the conversation farmers and fermentation citywide online franchise for melon and okra—and civil rights of lesbians, gay that tracks and shapes that activists. Brian is looking for- snark and war stories called lychees (even though they’re men, bisexuals, transgender ongoing process is document- ward to this year’s growing Urbanistan. When not writing, not organic?”) people and people with HIV. ed in the Gazette.” ■
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Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY April 4, 2013 5
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE REPORT
again…[which] could greatly reduce the The May 28 Plastic Bag Vote: What It Is, What It Isn’t amount of plastic bags ending up in the waste By Regina Sandler-Phillips for store design and how our merchan- “Environmental Committee and stream.” t the General Meeting on Tuesday, dise is displayed. For example, the cur- other concerned Coop members will Most recently in the 3/7/12 Gazette, AMay 28, Coop members will be rent proliferation of plastic bag rolls continue to work with our General Brent Kramer observed: “Neither plastic asked to vote on the following pro- among such dry and naturally-enclosed Coordinators to…provide a wider produce bags nor reusable shopping bags posal: produce as avocadoes and onions range of light-weight reusable bags take up any room in a backpack or jacket To phase out the free distribution of sends a message that runs counter to for purchase.” pocket. Keep one there!” plastic roll bags on the Coop’s shopping our best educational efforts. Our Environmental Committee has Even if we occasionally forget to floor by 6 months from the date of the In the aisles where such plastic long been working to make a broader bring reusable bags, we all have choic- GM vote. Shoppers are welcome to reuse bags are distributed, if you look up, selection of reusable bags available es whenever we shop. Whatever bags plastic bags already taken from the Coop and you will see that vivid educational for purchase—including bags whose we use, when we pay for them, we elsewhere. Environmental Committee and signs have long been in place to tare weight is significantly less than accept responsibility for the cata- other concerned Coop members will continue encourage the use of reusable bags. the muslin bags currently on sale at strophic environmental costs of plas- to work with our General Coordinators to Unfortunately, since these signs—as the Coop. We look forward to contin- tic that are usually not passed along educate our membership, provide a wider well as the reusable bags available for ued cooperation in providing addi- to us as consumers. range of light-weight reusable bags for pur- purchase—are generally not at eye tional reusable bag options, and While we would all appreciate more chase, and determine the most equitable and level, they are almost always over- welcome the practical tips that have convenience in our shopping, the sustainable adjustments for weighing produce looked. been and continue to be shared by Coop has never been a “convenience and bulk products. “Environmental Committee and many members. store.” Our triple bottom line, with its The Environmental Committee has other concerned Coop members will At the General Meeting discussion commitment to people and the planet sponsored this proposal with the sup- continue to work with our General of this issue in May 2012, member as well as profits, is what makes the port of many concerned Coop mem- Coordinators to…determine the most questions reflected a general willing- sustainable difference. Help us to pro- bers, in ongoing dialogue with our equitable and sustainable adjust- ness to uphold our TBL over conve- tect it on May 28! ■ General Coordinators. We welcome ments for weighing produce and bulk nience and cost—with one member the growing awareness and discus- products.” even declaring that she “would be For more info about the proposal to phase sion of this issue in the Gazette, at Gen- Our computer checkout system can- thrilled to pay” for sustainable alterna- out the free distribution of plastic bag eral Meetings and elsewhere, and not currently accommodate more than tives to plastic bags. rolls, visit www.ecokvetch.blogspot.com/p/ want everyone to understand the one “tare weight”—i.e., the percentage Gazette articles and letters have phase-out-faq.html. issues at stake. deducted from the price of a bulk prod- reflected a similar trend. In “Are Coop We have sponsored this proposal uct to account for container weight. Shoppers Willing to Give Up Plastic to protect the Coop’s triple bottom From a TBL perspective, the most equi- Bags?” (5/3/12), the last word comes line. Our Mission Statement (see the table short-term solution may be to from new Coop member Liz King: “It’s Gazette reporters are seeking centerfold of every Gazette) and Envi- adjust the uniform tare weight to an hard to remember to bring [bags] from home. information for an article on ronmental Policy (see the Coop web- average weight of ALL bags—including But I’d be proud of myself for remembering to site) commit the Coop to what is plastic bags—used for bulk purchases. do it.” And member Tony Luchese in expanding the cooperative model to known as a “triple bottom line,” or In this way, the Coop and individual the 11/29/12 Gazette affirmed: “Plastic other food coops, businesses, and TBL. First introduced in the mid-1990s shoppers can share financial responsi- bags should continue to be made available, organizations. as an accounting framework to evalu- bility for the sustainability to which our but for purchase and not for “free.”…Hope- If you have any experience with this, or ate the sustainability of business ven- TBL has committed all of us. The six- fully, this will result in the shoppers using know of any studies, contact Ed Levy at tures, the TBL integrates concern for month phase-out period will facilitate fewer bags, and using the bags they’ve [email protected] the “three P’s” of Profits, People, and clarification of this and related issues. already purchased again and the Planet. In other words, the Coop is obligated in its bottom-line impact to balance financial success with social and environmental sustainability. Bread and Circuses The uncontrolled distribution of 2%452. 0/,)#9 2,579,520 never-biodegradable The first century Roman poet Juvenal first used the phrase “Bread and Cir- I]Z 8dde hig^kZh id 2%15)2%$ &/2 !.9 2%452. cuses” in lamenting the only-remaining cares of a population grown apa- plastic bags each year—7,067 each `ZZeeg^XZhadl[dgdjg &#I]ZEV^Y">c";jaagZXZ^eiBJHI thetic to politics and the place of Rome in the ancient world. It has come to bZbWZgh]^e# B^c^" day—violates the social and environ- WZegZhZciZY# be a common phrase describing the public’s interest in spectacle and satis- b^o^c\ i]Z Vbdjci d[ mental principles of our triple bot- '#GZijgchbjhiWZ]VcYaZY faction of base needs, and disinterest in culture, politics, or progress. gZijgcZY bZgX]VcY^hZ l^i]^c(%YVnhd[ejgX]VhZ# tom line. We urge all concerned Coop ^h dcZ lVn lZ Yd i]^h# Below is a list of breads and circus acts. Can you tell which is which? members to vote with us to uphold our >[ ndj cZZY id bV`Z V TBL and sustain the quality of life for gZijgc! eaZVhZ \d id i]Z #!. ) %8#(!.'% -9 )4%- Puran Poli all concerned, as per the language of 'cY;addgHZgk^XZ9Zh`# Cd!lZYdcdiÆZmX]Vc\ZÇ^iZbh# NdjbjhigZijgci]ZbZgX]VcY^hZ Corde Lisse our six-month phase-out proposal: VcYgZ"ejgX]VhZl]VindjcZZY# Columba Pasquale “Shoppers are welcome to reuse Roman Ladders plastic bags already taken from the Danish Pole Coop and elsewhere.” #!. ) 2%452. -9 )4%- Contrary to the language used by Bulkie Roll EgdYjXZ 7ja` ^cXa#8dde"WV\\ZYWja` French Sticks some detractors, this is NOT a “ban 8]ZZhZ HZVhdcVa=da^YVn>iZbh on plastic bags” at the Coop. It is an 7dd`h HeZX^VaDgYZgh .%6%2 Devil Sticks initiative to phase out their free distri- 8VaZcYVgh GZ[g^\ZgViZYHjeeaZbZcih 2%452.!",% Rolling Globe ?j^XZgh D^ah bution. Plastic bags will still be used Hjh]^ 6WjnZg^hVkV^aVWaZYjg^c\i]ZlZZ`" Appam Hoppers at the Coop, and will still be available YVnhidY^hXjhhndjgXdcXZgch# Diabolo for purchase. But be aware: every 2%452.!",% Puftaloon plastic bag we discard—even after GZ[g^\ZgViZY
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6 April 4, 2013 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
BROOKLYN FOOD COALITION Labor Activists and Community Residents: Join Us In a Rally to Support Golden Farm Supermarket Workers Saturday, April 6, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Church Ave. and Fourth St.
By Jean Weisman 338 RWDSU/UFCW. They are currently nized community meetings with Farm has filed a $3 million lawsuit n 2008, the workers at Golden Farm, negotiating a contract, demanding equipment for simultaneous transla- against the organizers of the boycott, Ian intermediate size super- raises above the minimum wage, paid tion. Numerous articles were pub- charging them with abusive demon- market in Kensington, filed a com- sick days, holidays, personal days and lished in the press about the struggles strations which have resulted in a 20% plaint with the New York State Depart- vacation days. of the Golden Farm Workers. loss of sales since the boycott started. ment of Labor because they weren’t New York Communities for Change According to PACER, the website One resident, Eleanor Rodgers, has receiving minimum wage or overtime played a critical role in organizing for the court docket, they recently won gone knocking on doors to get sup- pay. In 2011, after an article was pub- support for the workers. They have a settlement in back pay of $100,000 port from her neighbors and talks to lished about their working conditions, been demonstrating outside the store for 13 workers who filed a suit. other mothers in the playground. She the owner began to pay them mini- with community residents urging the According to Lucas Sanchez, an stated in the Daily News “We’re really mum wage, overtime pay and an extra owner to sign a new contract. They organizer for New York Communities fond of the shop, but we’re really hor- hour of pay after 10 hours. They con- leafleted in this diverse community for Change, they are currently support- rified to hear how badly the workers tacted New York Communities for with leaflets in English, Spanish, ing workers in 30 different stores are paid.” Change and the law firm Advocates Russian, Polish and Bangladeshi. throughout the city. Many of the work- According to Victor Hernandez for Justice and filed a lawsuit for back They talked to many residents who ers in the stores have successfully won Silva: “It’s an ugly feeling when some- pay. In May of 2012, a majority of the normally shop in the store and asked cases for back pay. The support they one is mistreated because he is Mexi- workers voted to join the union Local them to support a boycott. They orga- received from community residents, can, an immigrant. We don’t want to other organizations such as the Brook- harm the business. We all make our FROM THE ARCHIVES lyn Food Coalition and the unions has living there. We just want what Felix been critical to the success of their wanted: justice, a fair salary, a couple struggle. of days to go to the doctor, a day of Felix Trinidad, one of the leaders of rest if you are sick.” Finding the Right Look the struggle, died in July 2012 from In addition to supporting the he first issue of the Linewaiters’ Gazette came out on September 22, 1973. stomach cancer. He had pains in his struggle of the Golden Farm Work- TThe newsletter’s name came from the familiar reality that shopping at stomach which he thought were ers, the Brooklyn Food Coalition has the Coop meant waiting in line. Linewaiters’ editors solicited suggestions for ulcers that would heal with time. He supported a City Council resolution different newsletter names in the May 12, 1977, issue. The newsletter briefly didn’t have medical insurance or paid for a living wage, collective bargain- became the Coop Gazette but reverted to the original just three issues later. sick days so he continued to work. He ing and improved working condi- Our guess is that the lines were too damn long. finally went to a hospital when he tions for farm workers in New York The Linewaiters’ Gazette nameplate that is still used today first appeared in started spitting up blood after he lift- state, and better working conditions the September 18, 1983, issue. Prior to that, the nameplate went through a ed a milk crate. He is survived by his for restaurant workers and chicken number of changes, and some of the highlights are displayed here. wife and two children. After he died, workers. In order to have healthy Do you remember the early Linewaiters’ Gazette identity changes? Share community members raised money to food, workers must be able to have your stories and memories with the PSFC Archives Committee by e-mailing support his family. City Council mem- access to bathrooms, clean drinking [email protected]. ber Brad Lander (D-39th District) is water, safe and healthy working con- calling on the owner to negotiate a ditions and decent pay. We have contract with the workers and give encouraged members of the Coop back pay to Trinidad’s widow. He stat- and the Brooklyn Food Coalition to ed in the Daily News, “His low-income support the struggles of the work- The first issue was family has no other source of income; ers that produce the food that we handwritten and they’re surviving on contributions and eat. If you would like to work featured a simple donations. The right thing for Sonny with the Labor Committee of the handwritten Kim to do is to help them out.” Brooklyn Food Coalition and nameplate. According to an article in the Daily receive FTOP credit, contact us at News, Sonny Kim, the owner of Golden [email protected]. ■ The Coop has a new committee: The LWG issues from the first four months of 1977 Animal Welfare utilized a cornucopia-like nameplate. A subcommittee of the Environmental Committee. We brought you the informational flyer about the Coop's turkey and turkey-replacement products before Thanksgiving.
For three issues in You can look forward to more buyers’ guides 1977 LWG was to help decode the terms and symbols produc- briefly known as ers put on packaging to describe animal treatment or the Coop Gazette. whether a product was tested on animals.
For more information visit our blog at www.psfcanimals.blogspot.com/, where you can find out what Some of the we're planning and get information about products currently Spring issues on the shelves. We are excited to serve members' needs and from 1978 answer your questions about the welfare of animals and the featured a fun stairs masthead. sources of animal products the Coop sells.
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Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY April 4, 2013 7
SAFE FOOD COMMITTEE REPORT
Together, though, they illus- Plow-to-Plate Movie Series Presents: The Botany of Desire trate a larger and more philo- By Adam Rabiner separate chapters, each with Dutch elite. At its height, a well as the heart of a multi- sophical point that is not part he Botany of Desire, a film its own fascinating history. single rare type of tulip bulb billion dollar legal and illegal of the standard lexicon about Tbased on Michael Pol- For most of their history was worth as much as a global industry. the food system, namely that lan’s best-selling book of the apples were a bitter fruit, Grand Canal house (equiva- Potatoes are uniquely capa- some plants use us just as same name, finds common considered evil not just lent to a New York City 5th ble of feeding millions of peo- certainly as we use them. ground in four very different because Adam was tempted Avenue town house). The ple while taking up minimal Human beings may think we plants: apples, tulips, mari- by one (the Bible is actually bubble finally burst one day acreage. A farmer can feed his are in charge, believing, as juana and potatoes. Each, it vague on the particulars but when at auction no one bid family for a year by planting Genesis tells us, we are to seems, in its own unique it was more likely to have and the prices came crashing potatoes on a half-acre plot. replenish and subdue the way, has capitalized on a dif- been a pomegranate) but down. A flower bulb was once When in 1845 a fungus landed earth, having dominion over ferent thread of human because since the sweet again just a flower bulb. on Irish soil turning the pota- fish, fowl and every living desire to further its own evo- apple was a rarity, their pri- Despite this setback, tulips toes in the fields into a black thing that moveth upon the lutionary success. The apple mary use was to be distilled today comprise a large part of mush—the Great Potato earth. But Pollan makes a was able to spread beyond into alcoholic cider. Through the global demand for fresh Famine—one million people, clever and quite convincing its own humble origins in grafting man learned to pro- cut flowers. Today, as in the or an eighth of the country’s argument of a more Buddhist Kazakhstan in Central duce a consistently sweet 17th Century, tulips continue population, perished. nature. Humans do not sit Europe by appealing to fruit. With the help of a little to have their devotees and Each of these plants has a apart from the rest of God’s humans’ sweet tooth. The good PR and marketing (the many people make their liv- different story, and that of the creations. We are an integral potato overcame its isola- legend of Johnny Appleseed ing by breeding them to pro- potato, in particular, allows part of the web of life. ■ tion in South American who was actually a real per- duce new and exciting colors. Pollan to lecture on the because it’s an ideal food son and expressions like “an Cannabis, a lowly weed, fragility and dangers of The Botany of Desire will show staple and appealed to apple a day keeps the doctor was legal in America in the mono-cultures, as he has Tuesday, April 9, 7 p.m., Park Slope humans’ desire to control. away”) apples are now univer- 19th century, an ingredient in done in many other food- Food Coop, 782 Union St., 2nd Tulips succeeded beyond sally beloved. many a medicinal tincture. In related documentaries. floor. Refreshments will be served. their natural habitats in Tulipmania, one of the the early 20th century it was Central Asia because of their world’s first financial bub- mostly associated with the What Is That? How Do I Use It? aesthetic beauty and mari- bles, took place in Holland African American jazz scene juana proliferated because from 1634-1637. Tulips, an of New Orleans. It was not of its power to alter human exotic flower from a distant until the 1960s that its use Ask Me Questions consciousness. Pollan tells land were the thing to have in exploded. Today it’s one of each plant’s story in four your garden if you were a the most popular drugs, as About Coop Foods Mondays, April 8, 15 12 to 2:45 p.m. You can join in any time during a question-and-answer session ✤ Do you want your shift to operate more smoothly? on the shopping floor. ✤ Are there folks on your squad who seem to Look for tour leaders in produce aisle. irritate one another, and it’s difficult to see what the problem is? ✤ When a conflict occurs between shoppers during VALET BIKE PARKING your shift, what can you do to ease IS HERE the situation on the spot? ON SUNDAYS! ✤ Do you know what resources are available for people who want to follow up? Saturday, April 13 Saturday, May 11 Thursday, May 23 10:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. 10:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. 7–9 p.m. EveryEvery Sunday,Sunday, April 1–November7–November 18,24, The Park Slope Food Coop’s Diversity and Equality Committee is holding from 3:30–83:30-8 p.m., a series of workshops for Squad Leaders. The goal of the two-hour workshop Coop members can leave their bikes with is to increase awareness and understanding of diversity in the Coop. our valet parking service, which is like Through interactive discussions we will talk about the values of diversity, a coat check for bikes. Working members will how differences can create both collaboration and conflict and strategies check in and watch your bike for you. for dealing with issues of diversity. We will discuss conflicts that have arisen in the Coop, the findings Just drop off your bike, stroller, scooter or of the diversity survey and what you can do to make the Coop personal cart, do your shopping or your shift, a more welcoming place for all. and hop back on. Please call 888-922-COOP (2667) box 89 or send an e-mail to No locks, no worries, no theft. [email protected] (with “SL Training” in the subject line) to confirm your Service operates rain or shine. attendance and/or for more information. In either case, please tell us your Look for us in front of the yellow wall. name, Coop member number, contact information and the date you are (Note: no bike check-in after 7:30 p.m.) interested in attending. We will reply with a confirmation within a week.
Diversity and Equality Committee Valet bicycle parking at the Coop PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP is brought to you by the PSFC Workslot credit (make-up or FTOP) is available to those who attend. Shop & Cycle Committee.
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8 April 4, 2013 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
COOP HOURS Friday, Apr 19, 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–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: Anne Keating. The Village Voice raves, “Keating is a wise mix of Monday through Sunday Lucinda Williams songwriting, Gillian Welch guitar and a vocal 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. all her own…a cross between Willie Nelson and John Prine Telephone: and you don’t get any better than that.” Keating appeared live 718-622-0560 on the BBC Radio (UK) Bob Harris Show and has gone on to Web address: perform at leading festivals, playing on the bill with the likes www.foodcoop.com of John Hiatt, Dan Bern, Boris McCutcheon, and Shannon McNally. On her fourth and newest album, Water Tower View, Keating is at her best, delivering beautifully crafted songs.
Alexis Cuadrado and the Miles Away Band. Back by popular demand, after a stunning performance last season. Alexis is an award-winning jazz bassist and composer originally from The Linewaiters’ Gazette is published biweekly by the Park Slope Barcelona who has been a Brooklyn resident for the last 12 Food Coop, Inc., 782 Union Street, Brooklyn, New York 11215. years (and a PSFC member for 10!). For this special occasion, Opinions expressed here may be solely the views of the writer. The and with the support of a fantabulous 10-piece band made of Gazette will not knowingly publish articles that are racist, sexist, or oth- erwise discriminatory. PSFC member-musicians, he‘ll present a selection of pieces from the electric Miles Davis repertoire, bringing the jazz-funk The Gazette welcomes Coop-related articles, and letters from members. to the Prospect Concerts. Not to be missed! SUBMISSION GUIDELINES All submissions must include author’s name and phone number and www.ProspectConcerts.tumblr.com conform to the following guidelines. Editors will reject letters and articles that are illegible or too long. Submission deadlines appear 53 Prospect Park West [at 2nd Street] • $10 • 8pm [doors open at 7:45] in the Coop Calendar opposite. Performers are Park Slope Food Coop members and receive Coop workslot credit. 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 PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP 782 U i S B kl NY 11215 (b 6 h & 7 h A ) (718) 622 0560 policies appear on the letters page in most issues. Voluntary Articles: Maximum 750 words. Editors will reject articles that are essentially just advertisements for member businesses and Monthly on the... This Issue Prepared By: services. Second Saturday April 13 R Coordinating Editors: Stephanie Golden Committee Reports: Maximum 1,000 words. 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Erik Lewis Editor-Writer Guidelines: Except for letters to the editor, which Third Thursday Editors (development): Erik Lewis are published without editing but are subject to the Gazette letters April 18 E policy regarding length, anonymity, respect, and fairness, all 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Joan Minieri submissions to the Linewaiters' Gazette will be reviewed and if necessary edited by the editor. In their review, editors are guided Last Sunday Reporters: Frank Haberle by the Gazette's Fairness and Anonymity policies as well as stan- April 28 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. C Ed Levy dard editorial practices of grammatical review, separation of fact Alison Rose Levy from opinion, attribution of factual statements, and rudimentary On the sidewalk in front of the receiving fact checking. Writers are responsible for the factual content of area at the Coop. Art Director (development): Eva Schicker their stories. Editors must make a reasonable effort to contact Y and communicate with writers regarding any proposed editorial Illustrators: Lynn Bernstein changes. Writers must make a reasonable effort to respond to Deborah Tint and be available to editors to confer about their articles. If there PLASTIC S Traffic Manager: Barbara Knight is no response after a reasonable effort to contact the writer, an What plastics do we accept? editor, at her or his discretion, may make editorial changes to a Thumbnails: Kristin Lilley submission without conferring with the writer. Until further notice: #1 #6 Preproduction: Helena Boskovic Submissions on Paper: Typed or very legibly handwritten and • and type non-bottle shaped contain- L placed in the wallpocket labeled "Editor" on the second floor at the ers, transparent only, labels ok Photoshop: Terrance Carney base of the ramp. • Plastic film and bubble wrap, transparent Art Director (production): Dilhan Kushan Digital Submissions: We welcome digital submissions. Drop only, no colored or opaque, no labels I disks in the wallpocket described above. The email address for • #5 plastic cups, tubs, and specifically Desktop Publishing: Diana Quick submissions is [email protected]. Receipt of your marked caps and lids, very clean and dry Michael Walters submissions will be acknowledged on the deadline day. (discard any with paper labels, or cut off) N Oliver Yourke Classified & Display Ads: Ads may only be placed by and on behalf •NOTE: We are no longer accepting Editor (production): Lynn Goodman of Coop members. Classified ads are prepaid at $15 per insertion, #2 or #4 type plastics. business card ads at $30. (Ads in the “Merchandise–Non-commercial” Puzzle Master: Stuart Marquis PLASTIC MUST BE COMPLETELY CLEAN & DRY G category are free.) All ads must be written on a submission form Final Proofreader: Nancy Rosenberg (available in a wallpocket on the first floor near the elevator). Classi- We close up promptly. fied ads may be up to 315 characters and spaces. Display ads must Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the Index: Len Neufeld be camera-ready and business card size (2"x3.5"). collection end time to allow for inspection and sorting of your plastic. Advertisement: Eric Bishop Printed by: Tri-Star Offset, Maspeth, NY.
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Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY April 4, 2013 9
WELCOME!
A warm welcome to these new Coop members who have joined us in the last two weeks. We’re glad you’ve decided to be a part of our community.
Alexis Adams Natalie DeOliveira Ana Gordon-Loebl Margaret Mageau James Price Samantha Sleeper Dina(Diana) Turetsky Mahesha Anderson Joseph Dwyer Rodney Graham Douglas McCurry Blessing Marie Quine Susan Sloan Lisa Veyka Langstraat Benjamin English Jamie Hambrick Hallie McNeill Angelica Ramdhari Ada Smailbegovic Eleonora Vizzini Tobias Armborst Rachelle Faroul Chelsea Harris Jazmin Mena Kati Rediger Marek Sobolewski Hilary Wallis Erin Barnes Mark Flummerfelt Jess Hart Dawn Miller Oraia Reid Marta Sobolewski Stephanie Wan David Beasley Carlota Fluxa Van Delzen Jason Howey Lucienne Monfiston Allen Riley Chelsea Sprayregen Kate Warther Esther Blanchard Valerie Fogel Freyana Irani Arian Nakhaie Meredith Riley Christina Summers Evan Weiss Tanyia Brand-Jones Victorya Fogel Priya Jain Miles Orton Amelia Saddington Garth Swanson Katherine Whelan Michaelle Cadet Rita Foley Stephanie Jenkins Lindsay Owen John D. Samuel Isabella Tcheyan Tammi Williams Candace Carponter Giulio Fossati Prema Kelley Paul Owen Allan Schoening Michael Tcheyan Rachael Wilson Sharon Chandally David Frisco Henry Langstraat Noah Pedrini Alexandra Schwarz Georgeen Theodore Mette Christiansen Max Frumes David Laspina Carson Peterson Jennifer Shin Jim Thomson Barbara Cipriani Marc Ganzglass Arlee Leonard Angela Pisciotta Josh (John) Shirley Kristin Thoreson Daniel Cook Alysha Glenn Sara Livingston Neil Porter Anita Sidler O’Ganna Titus
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, APRIL 30 monthly General Meetings, to which all members are Coop membership. Pre-registration is required for GENERAL MEETING: 7:00 p.m. invited, have been at the center of the Coop’s decision- all of the three weekly New Member Orientations. To pre-register, visit foodcoop.com or contact the making process. Since the Coop incorporated in 1977, we Membership Office. Visit in person or call 718-622- TUE, MAY 7 have been legally required to have a Board of Directors. 0560 during office hours. AGENDA SUBMISSIONS: 8:00 p.m. The Coop continued the tradition of General Meetings by Have questions about Orientation? Please visit Submissions will be considered for the May 28 requiring the Board to have open meetings and to receive www.foodcoop.com and look at the “Join the Coop” the advice of the members at General Meetings. The General Meeting. page for answers to frequently asked questions. Board of Directors, which is required to act legally and responsibly, has approved almost every General Meeting The Coop on the Internet Gazette Deadlines decision at the end of every General Meeting. Board www.foodcoop.com LETTERS & VOLUNTARY ARTICLES: members are elected at the Annual Meeting in June. Apr 18 issue: 12:00 p.m., Mon, Apr 8 Copies of the Coop’s bylaws are available on the Coop The Coop on Cable TV May 2 issue: 12:00 p.m., Mon, Apr 22 Web site, foodcoop.com, at the Coop Community Corner Inside the Park Slope Food Coop FRIDAYS 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Channels: 56 (Time- and at every General Meeting. Warner), 69 (CableVision), 84 (RCN), 44 (Verizon), CLASSIFIED ADS DEADLINE: and live streaming on the Web: www.bricartsmedia.org/ Apr 18 issue: 7:00 p.m., Wed, Apr 10 Next Meeting: Tuesday, community-media/bcat-tv-network. May 2 issue: 7:00 p.m., Wed, Apr 24 April 30, 7:00 p.m. The General Meeting is held on the last Tuesday of each Attend a GM Park Slope Food Coop month. and Receive Work Credit Mission Statement Location Since the Coop’s inception in 1973, the General The Park Slope Food Coop is a mem- MS 51, 350 Fifth Ave., between Fourth and Fifth Sts. Meeting has been our decision-making body. At the ber-owned and operated food store—an Enter on Fourth St. cul-de-sac. Fourth St. entrance is General Meeting (GM) members gather to make alternative to commercial profit-oriented handicap-accessible. decisions and set Coop policy. The General-Meeting-for- business. As members, we contribute our workslot-credit program was created to increase labor: working together builds trust How to Place an Item participation in the Coop’s decision-making process. through cooperation and teamwork and Following is an outline of the program. For full details, see the instruction sheets by the sign-up board. enables us to keep prices as low as possi- on the Agenda ble within the context of our values and • Advance Sign-up required: If you have something you’d like discussed at a General To be eligible for workslot credit, you must add your principles. Only members may shop, and Meeting, please complete a submission form for the name to the sign-up sheet in the elevator lobby. The sign- we share responsibilities and benefits Agenda Committee. Forms are available on the Coop Web ups sheet is available all month long, except for the day of equally. We strive to be a responsible and site, foodcoop.com, in the rack near the Coop Community the meeting when you have until 5 p.m. to sign up. On the ethical employer and neighbor. We are a Corner bulletin board and at General Meetings. Instructions day of the meeting, the sign-up sheet is kept in the buying agent for our members and not a and helpful information on how to submit an item appear Membership Office. selling agent for any industry. We are a part on the submission form. The Agenda Committee meets on Some restrictions to this program do apply. Please see the first Tuesday of each month to plan the agenda for the below for details. of and support the cooperative movement. We offer a diversity of products with an GM held on the last Tuesday of the month. If you have a • Two GM attendance credits per year: question, please call Ann Herpel at the Coop. Each member may take advantage of the GM-for- emphasis on organic, minimally pro- workslot-credit program two times per calendar year. cessed and healthful foods. We seek to • Certain Squads not eligible: avoid products that depend on the Meeting Format Eligible: Shopping, Receiving/ Stocking, Food exploitation of others. We support non- Warm Up (7:00 p.m.) • Meet the Coordinators Processing, Office, Maintenance, Inventory, Construction, toxic, sustainable agriculture. We respect • Submit Open Forum items • Explore meeting literature and FTOP committees. (Some Committees are omitted the environment. We strive to reduce the Open Forum (7:15 p.m.) Open Forum is a time for because covering absent members is too difficult.) impact of our lifestyles on the world we members to bring brief items to the General Meeting. If • Attend the entire GM: share with other species and future genera- an item is more than brief, it can be submitted to the In order to earn workslot credit you must be present tions. We prefer to buy from local, earth- Agenda Committee as an item for a future GM. for the entire meeting. friendly producers. We recycle. We try to Reports (7:30 p.m.) • Financial Report • Coordinators’ • Signing in at the Meeting: lead by example, educating ourselves and Report • Committee Reports 1. After the meeting the Chair will provide the others about health and nutrition, coopera- Workslot Credit Attendance Sheet. Agenda (8:00 p.m.) The agenda is posted on the 2.Please also sign in the attendance book that is tion and the environment. We are com- Coop Web site, foodcoop.com, the Coop Community passed around during the meeting. mitted to diversity and equality. We Corner and may also appear elsewhere in this issue. • Being Absent from the GM: 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) • Board of Directors’ vote • Meeting evalua- you remove your name if you know cannot attend. Please accessible to all and to respect the opin- tion • Announcements, etc. do not call the Membership Office with GM cancellations. ions, needs and concerns of every member.
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10 April 4, 2013 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
its ability to transform patterns of tension and stress. Coop member Dan Cayer is a apr 4 Food Class: Cherry Blossom– nationally certified Alexander Technique teacher working in the field of pain, injury, and thu 7:30 pm stress. After a serious injury left him unable to work, or even carry out household tasks Inspired Dishes like cleaning dishes, he began studying the Alexander Technique. His return to health, It is big news when cherry blossoms bloom in southern Japan as well as his experience with the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of pain, in March. From late March to early April, Japan is covered in inspired him to help others. pink blossoms. Lots of people throw parties under the cherry Susan Baldassano, Coordinator blossoms in the parks into the wee hours of the night. They cel- ebrate with bento boxes and sake. Tonight, chef Hideyo Yamada will teach you how to make cherry blossom–inspired dishes in vegan- and gluten-free style. Hideyo is a chef apr 9 Safe Food Committee Film Night: instructor at the Natural Gourmet Institute, private chef and health counselor, special- tue 7 pm izing in pastry, sushi and Japanese food. She is a certified Holistic Health Counselor The Botany of Desire and graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and the Natural Gourmet Institute. Featuring Michael Pollan and based on his best-selling book, Menu includes: pink terrine with red cabbage and grapefruit; cherry-blossom potato The Botany of Desire, this film takes viewers on an eye-open- salad; asparagus buckwheat risotto; rhubarb sorbet. ing exploration of the human relationship with the plant world. ASL interpreter may be available upon advance request. Please contact Ginger Jung in The film shows how the apple, the tulip, marijuana and the the Membership Office by March 21 to make a request. potato have evolved to satisfy our yearnings. Materials fee: $4. Food classes are coordinated by Coop member Susan Baldassano.
apr 12 Wordsprouts: Group Reading: apr 5 fri 7 pm fri 7 pm Film Night: My Brooklyn To Mark National Poetry Month A film by Kelly Anderson and Allison Lirish Dean. Tina Chang, Brooklyn Poet Laureate, is the author of poetry Cosponsored by the Diversity and Equality Committee. My collections Half-Lit Houses and Of Gods & Strangers and co- Brooklyn follows director Kelly Anderson’s journey as a editor of the W.W. Norton anthology Language for a New Brooklyn gentrifier, to understand the forces reshaping her Century: Contemporary Poetry from the Middle East, Asia, neighborhood. The film documents the redevelopment of and Beyond. She teaches poetry at Sarah Lawrence College. Sarah Heller received Fulton Mall, a bustling African-American and Caribbean her BA from Bard College and her MFA in poetry from NYU. She teaches Creative commercial district that—despite its status as the third most profitable shopping Writing at Rutgers University, and was the Executive Director of the Authors League area in New York City—is maligned for its inability to appeal to the affluent resi- Fund from 2000-10. Her work has been published or is forthcoming in RealPoetik, dents who have come to live around it. As high-rise luxury housing and chain retail Painted Bride Quarterly, Pembroke Magazine, NextBook, The Temple/El Templo, replace a hundred small businesses, Anderson uncovers the web of global corpora- Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, The Tule Review, Thin Air, The Apocalypse tions, politicians and secretive public-private partnerships that drive seemingly nat- Anthology (Flying Guilliotine Press), Literary Companion to Shabbat (NextBook ural neighborhood change. The film’s ultimate question is increasingly relevant on a Press), and Hayloft. Suzanne Wise is the author of the poetry collection The global scale: who has a right to live in cities and determine their future? Anderson’s Kingdom of the Subjunctive. Her poetry can also be found in the anthology films include Never Enough, Every Mother’s Son (with Tami Gold), Making a Killing Legitimate Dangers: American Poets of the New Century and in the journals (with Tami Gold), Shift, and Out at Work (with Tami Gold). She is an Associate American Letters and Commentary, Bomb, Bone Bouquet, Catch Up, Green Professor of Media Studies at Hunter College and has received fellowships from the Mountains Review, Guernica, Ploughshares and elsewhere. NEA, NY State Council on the Arts and the Rockefeller Foundation. To book a Wordsprouts, contact Paula Bernstein, [email protected]. To book a Film Night, contact Faye Lederman, [email protected].
apr 6 Having Trouble apr 19 Anne Keating, Alexis Cuadrado sat 3 pm Getting Pregnant? fri 8 pm Anne Keating. The Village Voice raves, Nine sneaky causes of infertility and how to fix them. Learn how to resolve mystery “Keating is a wise mix of Lucinda infertility; eliminate toxins that impair fertility; make IVF and IUI work the first Williams songwriting, Gillian Welch gui- time; cook meals that help you get pregnant; and identify the foods and supple- tar and a vocal all her own…a cross ments that boost your fertility. See how to clear blocked tubes; normalize your between Willie Nelson and John Prine and you don’t get any bet- cycle; dissolve fibroids and cysts; do fertility acupressure at home; prevent miscar- ter than that.” Keating appeared live on the BBC Radio (UK) riage; and boost men’s sperm count and quality. Pre-registration suggested: to regis- Bob Harris Show and has gone on to perform at leading festivals, ter call (646) 483-4571 or e-mail [email protected]. Rebecca Curtis, playing on the bill with the likes of John Hiatt, Dan Bern, Boris M.A., M.F.A., HHC, AADP, is a certified holistic nutritionist and the founder of McCutcheon, and Shannon McNally. On her fourth and newest Green Gem Holistic Health. Mary Hart, M.S., L.Ac., is a nationally board-certified album, Water Tower View, Keating is at her best, delivering acupuncturist and the founder of Healing Heart Acupuncture. beautifully crafted songs. Alexis Cuadrado and the Miles Away Band. Back by popular demand, after a stunning performance last season. Alexis is an award-winning jazz bassist and compos- er originally from Barcelona who has been a Brooklyn resident apr 7 Relieving Chronic Pain with for the last 12 years (and a PSFC member for 10!). For this special occasion, and with sun 12 pm the support of a fantabulous 10-piece band made of PSFC member-musicians, he‘ll The Alexander Technique present a selection of pieces from the electric Miles Davis repertoire, bringing the jazz- Chronic pain can make a person feel like he or she is trapped in a tunnel with the walls funk to the Prospect Concerts. Not to be missed! closing in, just trying to get through the day. In this workshop, we will learn how to find Concert takes place at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West more freedom from pain triggers. The Alexander Technique is a nonmedical, nonsurgi- (at 2nd St.), $10, doors open at 7:45. Prospect Concerts is a monthly musical cal approach for improving coordination, balance, and vitality that has been taught for fundraising partnership of the Coop and the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture. more than 100 years. It is required curriculum at institutions like Juilliard because of To book a Prospect Concert event, contact Bev Grant, 718-788-3741. 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.
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apr 20 apr 30 sat 11 am Babywearing Talk & Try tue 6:30 pm Five Element Acupuncture You ask yourself: How do I babywear in a wrap or as a knapsack? There are so Living in harmony with the seasons is the foundation for health and longevity in Chinese many options, where do I begin? You ask us, “Why babywear?” It’s convenient: for medicine. This talk will explain the fundamentals of Chinese medicine theory and the five- getting around NYC and while traveling. It’s great for early stages of baby’s self- element tradition. How can we align ourselves and live in harmony with our environment regulation. Helps parents be mobile and get things done around the house or and the seasons? How can we learn from the virtues and challenges of each season? As we around town. For a very long time, people from all walks of life all over the world transition into Spring, we move from potential (water) into action (wood). Like everything babywear for good reason, so why not? You can have any parenting philosophy and green and growing, the energy of wood is what allows us to face everything and avoid noth- babywear. Bring your carrier! Try others’ carriers! Figure out how to safely carry ing as we rise up toward our highest goals. Wood is what helps us stretch out of contraction your baby in a (few) carrier(s). Learn to do different carries (wrap, SSC, mei-tai, into expansiveness with vision, flexibility, and purpose. There will be a talk, short medita- tandem-wear, toddler-wear, newborn-wear). Main speaker: Bianca Fehn, certified tion, discussion, and lots of great suggestions about how to enhance your health and well- babywearing educator and local store founder of Metro Minis. Workshop is moder- being during this season. Sarah Chase, MAcOM, and Martha Oatis, MAcOM, are grateful ated by Coop member Evonne Cho. Coop members and licensed acupuncturists/herbalists.
Food Drive to Benefit apr 30 apr 20-21 tue 7 pm PSFC APR General Meeting sat-sun 9 am–7 pm CHIPS Soup Kitchen Items will be taken up in the order given. Times in parentheses CHIPS Soup Kitchen, located at 4th Avenue and Sackett Street, is the recipient of are suggestions. More information on each item may be avail- much of our edible but unsaleable perishable food. They also need donations of able on the entrance table at the meeting. We ask members to nonperishable foods. This food will go to CHIPS to help them feed people in the please read the materials available between 7 and 7:15 p.m. neighborhood who are in need of a nutritious meal. Consider contributing nonperish- Meeting location: MS 51, 350 Fifth Ave., between Fourth and Fifth Sts. able foods and commercially packaged foods; canned fish; canned fruits and veg- Enter on Fourth St. cul-de-sac. Fourth St. entrance is handicap-accessible. etables; pasta sauce; pasta; pre-packaged rice; pre-packaged beans; canned beans; I. Member Arrival and Meeting Warm-Up canned soups; Parmalat milk; dry milk; peanut butter; cooking oil; or boxed raisins. II. Open Forum Give donations to the collection table outside the Coop. III. Coordinator and Committee Reports IV. Meeting Agenda Item #1: Personnel Committee Election (15 min) Election: Candidates for the Personnel Committee will be presented to the General apr 21 Meeting for election. —submitted by the Personnel Committee sun 12 pm It’s Your Funeral Item #2: Agenda Committee Election (15 min) Election: One candidate for the Agenda Committee will be presented to the General Planning for your own death now (as opposed to later) is a practice that can enable you Meeting for election. —submitted by the Agenda Committee to live in the moment, face your own mortality with courage—and create an end-of-life Item #3: Vote to Send Letter to Gov. Cuomo and Dr. Shah to Oppose Closing of LICH (30 min) service that reflects your values. The talk will cover how to plan a low-cost, back-to- Proposal: Vote to have PSFC send letter to Gov. Cuomo and Dr. Shah of NYS Department basics funeral or memorial service, as well as offer information on green cemeteries of Health opposing closure of Long Island College Hospital. —submitted by Saul Melman near New York City, cremation pros and cons, biodegradable urns, blended-faith/alter- Item #4: Review of New General Meeting Location (30 min) native ceremonies, and more. You’ll get a glimmer of what funerals of the future might Discussion: The General Coordinators will discuss the factors that led to the decision to look like—and leave with planning literature for yourself or for someone you love. Coop change the venue of the General Meeting and invite members to provide feedback on the member Amy Cunningham is a licensed funeral director at Greenwood Heights Funeral suitability of the new General Meeting location. —submitted by the General Coordinators & Cremation Services, Inc., a full-service funeral home on Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. V. Board of Directors Meeting VI. Wrap-Up. Includes member sign-in for workslot credit. For information on how to place an item on the Agenda, please see the center pages of apr 26-27 the Linewaiters’ Gazette. The Agenda Committee minutes and the status of pending fri-sat 11 am–6 pm Blood Drive agenda items are available in the Coop office. Fact: Less than 3% of the population donates blood, and 90% will use blood some time in their life. Presented in cooperation with New York Methodist Hospital. For fur- may 2 Food Class: An Evening with ther information about blood donation, call 718-780-3644. thu 7:30 pm Our Neighbor Chef Gautier Chef Jacques Gautier will share his experiences of running two suc- apr 28 cessful restaurants and will demonstrate three dishes from his Latin- sun 12 pm Parenting Through Divorce inspired menu at Palo Santo. Gautier not only lives on Union St., Susan Baldassano, Coordinator about a block from the Coop, he owns, operates and is the chef of Join two experienced child and family psychologists for a discussion on how to par- two wonderful restaurants on Union St.: Palo Santo and Fort Reno. Sustainability is an impor- ent through divorce. Learn how to address common concerns children have in a tant concept in both these restaurants. Organic waste from both restaurants gets composted, divorce and how to help your child manage the changes divorce brings. Topics will which helps grow his rooftop salad greens and other seasonal vegetables. Chef Gautier is a include speaking to your kids about the split, managing visits, resolving conflicts graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute and has worked in the renowned kitchens of Vong in about rules, dealing with new partners, and behavioral changes in your child. NYC and Azie in San Francisco. At age 20 he was invited to cook at the James Beard House, Parents of children of any age are welcome, feel free to bring specific questions or the youngest chef to have received such an honor. Menu includes: yellow plantains stewed in concerns. Dana Parchi, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in coconut milk; arroz verde (green rice) with shrimp; tender mustard greens. work with children and families. She has been a Coop member for eight years. ASL interpreter may be available upon advance request. Please contact Ginger Jung in Genevieve Rosenbaum, Ph.D., has 20 years of experience in hospitals and private the Membership Office by April 18 to make a request. practice working with children, adolescents and parents. Materials fee: $4. Food classes are coordinated by Coop member Susan Baldassano.
may 3 Film Night may 7 Agenda Committee Meeting
may 5 Reclaiming Legal Standing to Ban Fracking may 10 Wordsprouts
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12 April 4, 2013 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY
THE BOARD OF and avoid including in their candidate which unnecessarily simply re-affirmed sion of the GM is illegal or irresponsible, they DIRECTORS, REVISITED statements promises to regard the the essence of my letter: “The portion of should not ratify it” (http://www.food- general meeting as the highest deci- the Board of Directors meeting that is devoted coop.com/go.php?id=70). DEAR MEMBERS: sion-making body at the Coop, a mis- to receiving the advice of the members shall be Sylvia Lowenthal It’s unclear why the editors, or who- taken premise. Nor, in light of the known as the General Meeting”. This is pre- ever authored the additions, chose to facts, should the Gazette, in a section cisely what I had already said: Our ACCOUNTABILITY TO append notes to my last letter (total- entitled “The Role of the Board”, monthly meetings are Board of Direc- ing more than half-again the size of include the following inaccurate tors meetings, and the GM constitutes MEMBER CONCERNS the letter itself). Whatever the inten- statement: “From our inception in 1973 to only that part where members discuss tion, the notes, I believe, for the most the present the monthly General Meeting has and sometimes give advice to the Direc- DEAR MEMBERS: part only served to confuse the issues, been the decision-making body of the Coop.” tors, who then decide. I enjoyed reading Willow Lawson’s all of which stand as I stated them: This is not true. Second, as to Article VI, Section 4, GM report in the last issue. What a petty the General Meeting (GM) advises, the As to the specifics of the editors’ also appended to my letter, this idea that is to have a staff gift policy. If Board of Directors decides. And, addendum to my letter: ambiguously-worded clause unfortu- we need to think ahead for our growing accordingly, candidates should First, there was no need to quote nately only confuses the issue: “Except Coop, we should have our focus on all understand the duties of the Directors Article VI, Section 2 of the Coop Bylaws, as otherwise provided, all matters shall be our committees and making them decided by a majority vote of those present accountable to individual members’ LETTERS POLICY and voting.” This may give the appear- specific concerns. Right now they are ance that “a majority vote of those present not—they can ignore any inquiries or We welcome letters from members. Submission tual coverage: and voting” refers to the GM when, criticism that comes their way. The deadlines appear in the Coop Calendar. All let- 1. The Gazette will not publish hearsay—that based on Article VI, Section 2 (above), Chair Committee is a self-selected ters will be printed if they conform to the pub- is, allegations not based on the author's first- it must clearly refer to the board of group, not an elected body. Why is this lished guidelines. We will not knowingly publish hand observation. directors, since the word “decided” being tolerated in a growing Coop? articles which are racist, sexist or otherwise dis- 2. Nor will we publish accusations that are cannot refer to final authority by the Your fellow member, criminatory not specific or are not substantiated by factual GM, which it lacks. Thus, this clause Elizabeth Tobier The maximum length for letters is 500 assertions. neither clarifies nor contradicts the words. Letters must include your name and 3. Copies of submissions that make substan- fact that, as I wrote, the GM advises BOW & WOW phone number and be typed or very legibly tive accusations against specific individuals will and the directors decide. handwritten. Editors will reject letters that are be given to those persons to enable them to As to the relationship between My poor near-sighted terrier illegible or too long. write a response, and both submissions and NYS Cooperative Corporation Law Is forced to wear thick glasses You may submit on paper, typed or very legi- response will be published simultaneously. This (CCL) to Non-Profit Corporation Law And though he could be merrier bly handwritten, or via email to GazetteSubmis- means that the original submission may not (NPCL), the principle is that NPCL He’s adjusting as time passes. [email protected] or on disk. appear until the issue after the one for which it controls and applies everywhere No longer does he wonder was submitted. except where cooperative law over- Just who it is approaching Anonymity The above applies to both articles and letters. laps or explicitly states an exception. But recognizes pooches Unattributed letters will not be published The only exceptions will be articles by Gazette But CCL is silent as to the duties and Without requiring coaching. unless the Gazette knows the identity of the reporters which will be required to include the responsibilities of the Board of Direc- He’s made a host of friends writer, and therefore must be signed when sub- response within the article itself. tors, and hence these are governed Among the park brigade mitted (giving phone number). Such letters will exclusively by NPCL, and the latter, in Especially a hound be published only where a reason is given to the Respect conformance with general Business Who needs a hearing aid. editor as to why public identification of the Letters must not be personally derogatory or Corporation Law (BCL), assigns to the So now the mixed-breed buddies writer would impose an unfair burden of embar- insulting, even when strongly criticizing an indi- Board of Directors of any corporation Go romping in The Bronx rassment or difficulty. Such letters must relate vidual member's actions. Letter writers must the final decision authority on all With one on the lookout for autos, to Coop issues and avoid any non-constructive, refer to other people with respect, refrain from matters affecting the corporation. The other all ears for honks. non-cooperative language. calling someone by a nickname that the person I can do no better than to close by It’s closer than a marriage, never uses himself or herself, and refrain from again quoting the Coop attorney: Precluding the threat of divorce; Fairness comparing other people to odious figures like Directors “are legally bound to use their busi- The pair have forged an alliance In order to provide fair, comprehensive, fac- Hitler or Idi Amin. ness judgment and act in the best interests of That’s a canine tour de force. the corporation, and if they believe that a deci- Leon Freilich MEMBER SUBMISSION
prison industry by supporting sustainable alterna- And the Park Slope Food Coop can become a part Milk Not Jails tives. It provides a hopeful new model for how the of the Milk Not Jails solution. Several Coop mem- By Nikki Crook economic relationship between New York City and bers are involved in the broad Milk Not Jails initia- n March 31, 2013 the New York State Legisla- upstate New York might function. Instead of sending tive and hope to lead a discussion at an upcoming Oture will pass its budget for the year. Urban and enormous numbers of city residents to prison upstate General Meeting about how we, as consumers and rural politicians, Democrats and Republicans are and allowing our dollars to follow them, thereby cre- voters, can support Milk Not Jails. There are many wrestling with ways to meet the needs of residents ating prison-industry jobs, we could instead be buy- ways to do this. The Coop can purchase the Ronny- across a large state in another year with high unem- ing from small, non-industrialized farms, thus brook and Hawthorne Valley products that we ployment and insufficient revenue. What’s one sim- creating environmentally and socially responsible already stock, through Milk Not Jails. The Coop ple way the state can fix money that’s not even on upstate economic growth. In this way, we could relieve could pass a resolution to publicly endorse Milk Not the table? Release just one person from prison and the pressure on legislators to keep prisons full so that Jails, which adds 16,000 voices to their grassroots instantly save $70,000 per year. their constituents stay employed. agenda and encourages more farmers to get Currently, New York State has extremely harsh sen- In order to realize this vision, Milk Not Jails part- involved. Coop members could also agree to receive tencing laws that require judges to send people to ners with dairy farmers who publicly support its policy work credit for volunteering for Milk Not Jails. prison even if incarceration has been proven to be agenda, marketing and selling their products to urban The Milk Not Jails agenda fits right in with the ineffective as the go-to remedy. Recent studies about consumers through its non-profit distribution compa- Coop’s priorities: it supports a food distribution sys- the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk program demonstrate that ny. Milk Not Jails was started by a small collective of tem that prioritizes humans rights and safeguards the state wastes $75 million per year unlawfully Brooklynites who hope that this small-scale market- the environment, while providing consumers with arresting people carrying small amounts of marijua- ing and distribution effort can actually mobilize high-quality and healthy products. And it comes at na. Our currently criminal justice system sends pri- enough consumers and voters to boldly assert a new almost no cost to the Coop. We could be stocking marily urban residents to prison in rural prison towns. statewide agenda and transform the short-sighted precisely the same products while simultaneously 90% of New York’s prisons are in rural districts, where and dysfunctional ways New York tax dollars are supporting Milk Not Jails, and there is certainly they are often referred to as “the last factory in town.” invested. Their long-term vision is to turn this non- room within the Coop’s large and growing member- Milk Not Jails is a grassroots campaign aiming to profit distribution business into a worker- and pro- ship for a small amount of our Coop work to go to end upstate New York’s economic dependence on the ducer-owned cooperative of dairy farmers. Milk Not Jails. ■
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Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY April 4, 2013 13
BDS TOPICS: vote. Now the anti-BDS people are tions and several civil society groups duce. The siege of Gaza prevents proposing a super-majority for any issued an appeal to European soli- farmers from accessing basic equip- boycott. Despite the long letters darity networks, non-governmental ment and has made exports of fresh YES TO AN 80% arguing why, such a majority is sim- organizations and trade unions to produce almost impossible. This fur- ply an attempt to give a small call upon governments and super- ther benefits Israeli agricultural com- MAJORITY minority control over the outcome. markets to end trade with Israeli panies like Mehadrin and Hadaklaim. Look, let’s get it over with and export companies like Mehadrin and Sources: Michael Deas, Adam DEAR EDITOR: have a vote included with this Hadaklaim. The most effective way of Horowitz, Palestinian BDS National I write in favor of Jesse Rosenfeld’s Spring’s vote for the Board of Direc- doing this is to follow the lead of the Committee discussion topic at January’s General tors. And, as it has always been, a Co-Operative supermarket in the UK Mary Buchwald Meeting where he proposed that any simple majority wins. which decided in 2012 not to trade Brooklyn For Peace decision to boycott need 80% sup- Don Wiss with any company that sources pro- PSFC members for BDS port at a General Meeting not just a duce from Israel’s illegal settlements. www.psfcbds.wordpress.com simple majority. Boycotts are the EXTENDING A HAND These companies, in effect, are Coop’s most extreme weapon and financing Israeli violations of inter- AN OBNOXIOUS therefore should be used only when DEAR COOP MEMBERS: national law. They participate in an overwhelming majority of the At the January General Meeting, a Israel’s colonization of Palestinian LETTER: EDITORS, Coop supports them. It is not un- young Palestinian-American woman land by using stolen Palestinian WHERE WERE YOU? democratic to require super majori- spoke of her alienation by the Coop’s water and growing cash crops for According to the Gazette Letters ties to take action; amending the ‘No’ vote at Brooklyn Tech for an export markets in illegal settlements Policy, “Letters must not be person- constitution and ceasing filibusters Israeli goods boycott. While I have in the occupied Palestinian territory. ally derogatory or insulting, even in the Senate require more than a written several times of how a huge Many of the 40 European protests when strongly criticizing an individ- simple majority. Of course members percentage of members would feel targeted Mehadrin, a large Israeli ual member’s actions. Letter writers can simply personally boycott prod- alienated by a boycott of Israel, she export company that supplies citrus must refer to other people with ucts, companies or countries that has been feeling the flip side of this fruits, dates and other fresh produce respect...” they find offensive without making in her own way already for at least a to supermarkets across Europe val- A letter in the previous issue an official Coop decision on the boy- year. To this woman I write: I believe ued at two-thirds of Israel’s $2 billion clearly violates this. In it the writer cott. But when it comes to the you and in the sincerity of your annual agricultural exports to ridiculed Jesse Rosenfeld’s proposal Coop taking an official stance against words. So in the spirit of Passover Europe. As many as 60 percent of the that an 80/20 majority be required products this should be done by an and the spirit of cooperation, I illegal settlements in the Jordan Val- for any future boycott votes. overwhelming majority, else we risk implore you or any fellow Palestin- ley are heavily dependent on export- Although he didn’t refer to Mr. alienating nearly half the member- ian-American member, please join ing agricultural produce. This Rosenfeld by name, it is perfectly ship and fracturing our amazing me to get more Palestinian products thriving international trade with clear from recent Gazette articles, institution. on the shelves. I support empower- European markets is one of the main Letters to the Editor, and a GM dis- Sincerely ment—yours, and by extension, reasons Israel is discussing plans to cussion who his derision is directed Murray Lantner everyone’s. When even the founding increase the amount of land avail- at. I’m wondering why the letter was members disagree as to whether “the able to agricultural settlements in allowed to be published. NO TO AN 80% Coop is political”, the most produc- the valley by 130 percent. Apart from the nasty, tive road to empowerment here is Europe’s actions: a large demon- insulting tone, I’m also wondering MAJORITY purchasing power. stration outside Mehadrin’s Swiss what there is about the idea of a We could record our hunt for Pales- distribution center; the company 80/20 requirement that struck such a TO THE EDITOR: tinian products (Bay Ridge maybe?) was protested in a major fresh pro- deep nerve. Also, it’s easier to I thought the Feb. 21 issue of the on a blog, or in the LWG. Who knows, duce show in Berlin; more than 50 ridicule someone’s idea than to take Linewaiter was excellent and inspir- our efforts could even open our eyes French activists occupied (for an the trouble to mount a coherent ing, actually. to the other. No joke—my hand is hour) the customs office in Mont- argument against it. Personally, I find Mary Buch- extended to you in peace and cooper- pellier to protest the nearby port of The requirement for a supermajor- wald’s letters informative and edu- ation. For the record, this will be the Sete being used to import produce ity is hardly new, hardly “the ravings cational, and I thank her for her second time since the January GM from Mehadrin; protests were held of a joker” or “a piece of performance consistent contribution to the that I called for your attention. My first at supermarkets in more than 14 art,” to quote the letter writer— debate. attempt was inexplicably buried by other French cities, in Italy, Bel- unless, of course, he thinks that the I oppose requiring an 80% supra the editors on the last page of the gium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Ger- people who wrote the U.S. Constitu- majority on boycotts. Another name Gazette some time ago. many, Switzerland and the tion and bylaws of most corporations for that is “minority rule,” as in I look forward to your response, Netherlands; UK campaigners pick- (including PSFC) were kidding or act- Apartheid or the former Rhodesia. and anyone else’s. Please write to eted more than 35 stores of major ing when they adopted a supermajor- Democracy for Everyone, me at supermarket Sainsbury’s pressing it ity requirement for certain decisions. Ann Schneider [email protected]. to cut its ties with Mehadrin and All of them were well aware of the It’s time to change the conversa- EDOM, another Israeli company wisdom of having new, potentially LET’S VOTE tion. operating in the settlements. divisive measures approved by a very Jesse Rosenfeld West Bank actions: olive trees large majority. In view of the political, were planted on the land of social and financial cost to the Coop TO THE EDITOR: PROTESTS DEMAND Madama village to replace those cut as well as the emotional toll on many I only half pay attention to all the down by illegal settlers. Following members even after the boycott ref- letters on the BDS. But what is clear END TO TRADE WITH other actions, a conference on boy- erendum was defeated, the rationale to me, is the anti-BDS people are ISRAELI AGRICULTURAL cotting Israeli agricultural firms was for Mr. Rosenfeld’s idea and its mer- afraid of a vote, and afraid that they COMPANIES attended by hundreds of farmers its are as clear as his concern for the could lose. Hence roadblock after and activists on Monday. Coop community. roadblock. COOP MEMBERS: Gaza actions: Hundreds of farmers The letter is not amusing, clever First, the cost for a Coop wide On February 9, demonstrations and activists marched toward the or cool. Before the writer slams any vote was said to be too expensive, were held in Palestine and across 40 buffer zone near the border with other ideas, he would do well first and quoted at something like European cities to educate and Israel where regular attacks and to take the trouble to try to under- $25,000. This was ignoring that a protest against the booming agricul- incursions by the Israeli military stand them and the context from vote could be included along with tural trade with Israel that results in force farmers to abandon their land which they were conceived. He the vote for the Board of Directors the deliberate destruction of Pales- or take huge risks to tend to their might also consider exploring his for a minimal additional cost. Then, tinian farming. Part of launching this crops. They planted olive trees and need to ridicule people, particularly money is spent to rent an inconve- new global campaign, all the major rallied carrying banners calling for a those obviously well-intended. nient venue to have a vote to have a Palestinian agricultural organiza- boycott of Israeli agricultural pro- Ruth Bolletino
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14 April 4, 2013 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY Candidates for Board of Directors of the Park Slope Food Coop, Inc. Two, three-year terms on the Board are open. To vote you may use a proxy or attend the Food Coop Annual Meeting on June 25, 2013. Every member will receive a proxy package in the mail in. la te May You will have the opportunity to meet the candidates at the March 19 GM and also at the June 25 Annual Meeting. Candidate Statements (unedited and presented in alphabetical order):
Deena Hays to interact with those in attendance at the meeting needs it to be. I currently have a petition to the Unit- such the membership is able to draw the appropriate ed States Congress at http://deena-kristihaysworks- I am writing to ask you to elect conclusions for themselves as to if it is wise to offer foryou.webs.com/. Select the more option then me to the Park Slope Food Coop specific advice for acceptance. petition to Congress. It is my hope all members of Board of Directors. I am a long- Should the membership choose to offer the advice the PSFC will support the petition, sign it at the standing member of the Park much to the silent objection of the Board of Director, March 19, 2013 meeting, and make use of the semi- slope Food Coop and have in knowing myself and the Coop, could I comment or nars listed on the need-petition results page. We learned much listening to other ask a question to create an awareness that would need the Park Slope Food Coop to meet our needs. I members, observing work and have not otherwise occurred? Could I create a recog- need to know what my platform should be to meet shopping at the Coop and doing nition of what is unknown, unconsidered, or over- your needs. It is my hope through interacting with a work shift as I expect all mem- looked such a more wise course could be the membership at the meeting March 19, 2013 bers have. I ask for your vote considered? together we will determine how to decide what my because I have spent my life developing myself such It is my hope to talk with the membership and platform should be. to handle my life as a business. In my judgement design with them what is considered to be the plat- Thank you for your consideration and I hope to what is needed for the Board of Director position is form needed to make the Coop what the membership receive your vote! ■
Zoey Laskaris pational Health, I began to work as the director of a purchasing good food. three-year study monitoring the cardiovascular The Coop’s growing faction of young members At the ripe old age of five I made health effects among World Trade Center responders. need a representative who is closely connected with the conscious decision to join In conducting this job, I am foremost responsible for their ideas and who can carry on the torch. If you are the Food Coop. I worked the the ethical treatment of 6,000 individuals. Beyond a new Coop member who is excited to be part of the childcare shift, responsibly eat- this, the maintenance and statistical analysis of a Coop, but feels a lack of respect on account of your ing bagels and awaiting the flux of sensitive data and ensuring that we are in “new member” status—I will stand for you. The arrival of my mother who also compliance with the guidelines of our fiscal plan rest Coop’s large constituency of old-timers who have happened to be working shifts. I in my hands. I have had to practice a keen sense of earned a place of seniority by participating in the am approaching 28 years old foresight, organization, and decision-making when development of the Coop from its roots needs some- and I haven’t strayed far, I carrying out this position. I will apply this knowledge one to sit on the Board with an innate understanding became the co-squad leader of if given the opportunity to serve on the board. of its foundation—I will stand for you. I have grown my receiving shift three years ago and I still enjoy My personal life reflects my dedication to the val- up with the Coop, I am young, I have practice in mak- eating bagels. With the following statement I seek ues of the Coop. As an avid bicyclist, commuting 30 ing responsible decisions, and I have ideas of what your vote in the upcoming election as a candidate to miles a day year round, to and from my office in the Coop does well and how it can improve. Tired of serve on the Board of Directors. Queens, and as someone who loves to cook and advocating for the Coop and aiding people in under- The late Barry Commoner, a pioneer of environ- bake, I too cherish the availability and taste of excel- standing the Coop’s rules at dinner parties, I am mentalism and my close mentor, taught me to lent food. Beyond the Coop, I support local farmers moved to seek a formal position as a Board member respect voices of dissent, and when necessary, to that use organic growing practices as a worker and in order to help guide the resolutions that will form embody them. General Meetings are a platform currently a friendly helping hand at the Grand Army the Coop’s future. My candidacy is endorsed by the where a vast variety of opinions are expressed. As farmer’s market. Engaging in communities beyond General Coordinators and I have received encourage- Board member I will deeply consider the value in all the Coop with socially and environmentally con- ment to run from members of the Coop's community. of them before routinely honoring the voice of the scious behaviors not only spreads the ideals that the I would greatly appreciate your support in granting majority. Coop works hard to maintain, but it can show you me the opportunity to serve with the other members After earning an MPH in Environmental and Occu- that my dedication to those ideals goes far beyond already on the Coop’s Board. Thank you. ■
Sara Matthews ation and conflict resolution in a group setting, and I believe that the members’ opinions as voted at about how much work it really takes to make such an the General Meeting are paramount. However, if it In 1992 I was having dinner with ambitious dream come true. happened that decisions made by the General Meet- friends in Park Slope, and I Once the renovation was complete, I looked for a ing were illegal or irresponsible, I would not be in thought the mixed nuts they new work slot. I was fortunate to join the Sign Com- favor of ratifying them. were serving were delicious, mittee, where I have served as Co-Chair for a number I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia, where I among other things. They of years. Our group of graphic designers is working to earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from explained that the nuts had reduce visual chaos in the Coop, by upgrading the Georgia Tech. For over 20 years I have worked as a come from the Food Coop, and signs and communications all around the Coop. wine photographer, traveling to wine regions all over shortly thereafter, my husband Once again, the projects require a deep understand- the world. I have had seven books of my photography and I became members. ing of how the Coop works, and how to improve its published, and have done a number of solo exhibi- I had no idea what a wonder- functionality given the needs of its members and the tions of my work, most recently in Mendoza, Argenti- ful community I was joining. I originally worked FTOP structure of its organization. na. People I meet on my travels often ask me where in on the Receiving Committee’s early morning shift, During these two decades at the Coop, I have learned the world I would most like to live, since I have been lugging boxes of vegetables around in the basement about the physical spaces we inhabit, the goods we sell, fortunate enough to see so much of it. I can answer with Denney and some of the other great Receiving and the ins and outs of how the Coop operates on a honestly in one word: Brooklyn. I love my neighbor- Coordinators. daily basis. I have also had the opportunity to get to hood, my borough and my city, and the Food Coop is Later, around 2000, I worked as one of the design- know many of the Coordinators. I respect their work and one of the big reasons why. ers on the Renovation Committee, when we doubled our incredible Coop that they have helped to guide into I hope you will consider voting for me to become a the size of the Coop with a $1.5-million renovation almost 40 years of successful existence. Member of the Board of Directors of the Park Slope that transformed the physical space, and allowed us I believe in the mission of the Coop, where we Food Coop. I have been endorsed by the General to more than double our membership. Working on share responsibilities and cooperate with each other Coordinators and would be honored to serve on the this project taught me many valuable lessons— to achieve our goal of providing members with Board as your representative. ■ about the Coop’s needs and goals, about idea gener- wholesome, healthy food for their families. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
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Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY April 4, 2013 15
CLASSIFIEDS
BED & BREAKFAST price, please call Maggie at 718- references. 718-670-7071 783-2154, I charge $60.00. THE HOUSE ON 3rd ST. B&B-serv- PAINTING & WALLPAPERING - ing the Slope for over 20 yrs. Parlor ATTORNEY—Personal Injury Mesh & Plaster those cracked floor-thru apt. sleeps 5 in comfort Emphasis—34 years experience in walls & ceilings. Over 20 yrs expe- & privacy, queen bed, bath, double all aspects of injury law. Individual rience doing the finest prep & fin- living room, kitchenette, outdoor attention provided for entire case. ish work. One room or an entire deck. Visit our website at house- Free phone or office consulta- house. Free estimates. Fred Becker on3st.com. Click our FB link or call tions. Prompt, courteous commu- 718-853-0750 Jane at 718-788-7171. Ask about nications. 23-year Park Slope Food bargins for last minute bookings. Coop member; Park Slope resi- GARDENER: Is your yard a mess? Let us host you! dent; downtown Brooklyn office. Does your garden need sprucing Tom Guccione, 718-596-4184, also up? I can help! I’m skilled in gar- CLASSES/GROUPS at www.tguccionelaw.com. den maintenance, design, prun- ing, planting, windowboxes and ”LIFE CHANGES” SUPPORT GROUP more. BBG-trained. Organic prac- Every age brings change, challenge tices. Reasonable hourly rate. and opening. Process present and Coop member for 25+ years. past, explore what’s next, together. Nancy 718-788-3306 nancybrook- Facilitated by Margaret de Cruz, [email protected] wholistic bodymind therapist and mental health counselor. mrde- SERVICES [email protected]. 718-499-7258. HAIRCUTS HAIRCUTS HAIRCUTS. HEALTH margaretrosedecruz.blogspot.com. Color, high light, low lights in the convenience of your home or HOLISTIC DENTISTRY in Manhat- MERCHANDISE mine. Kids cuts $15.00, Adults tan (SOHO). Dr. Stephen R. Gold- NONCOMMERCIAL $35.00-$40.00. Call Leonora 718- berg provides comprehensive 857-2215 family dental care using non-mer- FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT BOX $40 cury fillings, crowns, dentures, Highly effective treatment for thorough cleanings, non-surgical depression, seasonal affective dis- gum treatments with minimal X- order and sleep regulation. rays. For a free initial exam in a Encased in beautiful wood frame. nutrition-oriented practice and for 10,000 Lux. 24” x 13h x 4.5w. Good insurance information, please call condition. Near food coop. 718- 212-505-5055. 638-0901. EXPRESS MOVES. One flat price BODY-MIND THERAPIES Relax SERVICES for the entire move! No deceptive and feel. Explore “stuck” places. AVAILABLE hourly estimates! Careful, experi- Therapeutic massage, mental enced mover. Everything quilt health counseling, healthy MADISON AVENUE HAIRCUTTER padded. No extra charge for lifestyle coaching, mindfulness is right around the corner from the wardrobes and packing tape. Spe- methods w/Margaret Rose de Cruz. food Co-op, so if you would like a cialist in walkups. Thousands of margaretrosedecruz.blogspot.com. really good haircut at a decent satisfied customers. Great Coop [email protected]. 718-499-7258. COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Community calendar listings are free. Please submit your event listing in 50 words or less to [email protected]. Submission deadlines are the same as for classified ads. Please refer to the Coop Calendar in the center of this issue. An asterisk (*) denotes a Coop member.
SAT, APR 6 if you can’t/no one turned away tance in Brooklyn 212-748-9829 Bread and Circuses Solution to perform or for childcare. Puran Poli - Sweet Indian bread 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Seed Swap & Cele- SUN, APR 7 bration: 8th Annual Educational SAT, APR 20 Corde Lisse - Acrobatics on a vertical rope & Community Festival. Gardeners 11 a.m. Sunday Platform: “Occu- Columba Pasquale - Dove-shaped Easter bread and gardeners-to-be share seeds, py Poetry” Join the Brooklyn 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Our Spring Civic Roman Ladders - Group acrobatics on a pair of ladders skills and seeding and transplant- Society for Ethical Culture’s Sweep will take place Saturday Danish Pole - Performance on a loosely fixed vertical pole ing info. GMO discussion. Pre- Writers Circle as they raise their on Fifth Ave. between Third and Bulkie Roll - Basic New England sandwich roll view a new film. OPEN SESAME: voices to stand-up, sit-in and Fourth Sts., in front of Old Stone French Sticks - Alternative name for Baguettes the Story of Seeds, Free. At The Old protest the tidal wave of eco- House/JJ Byrne Playground. Once Devil Sticks - Juggling of a baton by hand-held sticks Stone House 4th St. & 5th Ave. nomic forces threatening Brook- again, we look forward to having Rolling Globe - Balancing on a very large ball Information: www.permaculture- lyn’s long standing communities Food Coop volunteers at this Appam Hoppers - Bowl-shaped pancake of Sri Lanka exchange.org and traditions. Brooklyn Society event, bringing tools and carts. Diabolo - Juggling a spool on a taut string for Ethical Culture, 53 PPW @ Puftaloon - Australian fried scone 8-10:30 p.m. Peoples’ Voice Cafe: Second St.www.bsec.org. SUN, APR 21 Nudger - Long soft English roll Young Political Songwriters Bannock - Scottish quick bread Night: Sima Cunningham, Jacob FRI, APR 12 4 p.m. BPL Chamber Players: Jultagi - Korean tightrope walking Bernz, Arjuna Greist at the Com- Walsh Cooper Drucker Trio Injera - Spongy Ethiopian flatbread munity Church of NYUU 40 E. 35 6:30 p.m. Women’s Open Perfor- Eugene Drucker, violin; Roberta Bammy - Jamaican cassava flatbread St. Wheelchair-accessible. For mance and Poetry Event. Cooper, cello. Diane Walsh, piano. info call 212-787-3903 or see Women and trans folk only, at Admission is free; Dr. S. Stevan Risley - Juggling of one acrobat by another - with his feet www.peoplesvoicecafe.org. Sug- The Commons, 388 Atlantic Ave. Dweck Center for Contemporary Tissu - Act on a suspended fabric strip gested donation: $18 general/$10 $10-$20, supper provided. Mari- Culture at the Central Library 10 Lyra - Aerial hoop performance members/more if you choose, less posa, featured artist. Call Resis- Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn. Pretzel - Knot-shaped snack, OR a contortionist act
Classified advertising in the Linewaiters’ Gazette is available only to Coop members. Publication does not imply endorsement by the Coop.
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16 April 4, 2013 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY Candidates for Board of Directors of the Park Slope Food Coop, Inc.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14
Imani Q’ryn inform us about issues not only affecting the Coop cantly due to a change in the work slot credit policy, but the environment, our health, local farmers and Since being on the Chair Committee involves I was elected to the Board of even other countries to name but a few of the topics being at the General Meeting, which is also the Board Directors of the Food Coop that have been covered. It has hit home a number of Meeting, there is no conflict in my holding both of almost eight years ago. I am times that what we do, what we eat, has an impact on these positions. When I found out that there was a honored to have served in this the world. Each of us makes a difference. precedent of a Board member also being on the Chair capacity. Now, I respectfully I started going to the General Meetings about 11 Committee I decided to stay with the Chair Commit- seek your vote to allow me to years ago. Initially, I went for work slot credit and was tee. The Chair Committee is in need of new members continue in this position. surprised to discover that the meeting was small and my leaving could put a strain on the other mem- I’ve lived in Fort Greene for compared to the vast size of our membership and bers. If you have interest in being on the Chair Com- over 30 years. I'm a classically that the diversity which I saw while shopping at the mittee please let us know. trained singer and work as an Coop was not powerfully reflected in the meeting. I In closing, I have intimate experience with Coop independent real estate broker. My partner and I have thought to myself, “Here is the decision-making body policies, procedures and the workings of the Board lived together for 25 years and we have two cats. of the Coop and only a few members are making of Directors. I think our cooperative process works I joined the Coop in 1998 when I started eating these decisions and even fewer people of color. “ and as a Board member I respect the members’ organic food. I couldn't afford not to join! I love the I wondered, “What can I do to encourage greater deliberations and will strive to ensure that the Gen- Coop, its energy, the diversity of the membership, the diversity and participation in the meeting?” I live by eral Meeting remains the highest decision-making ideals of cooperation and democracy and above all the words of Gandhi who said, "Be the change you body in the Coop. I will also continue to encourage the beautiful food at unbelievable prices. The Coop is seek to see in the world." I decided to join the Chair diversity in the General Meeting as well as all a reflection of what's possible in the world. It's a priv- Committee soon after my first meeting. I have been aspects of the Coop. ilege to be a part of it. committed to making all people feel welcomed at the I welcome members to contact me by e-mail at I also serve as a member of the Chair Committee, meeting, being fair and open to all sides of an issue [email protected]. My candidacy has been which chairs the General Meeting on the last Tuesday and to being clear on the policies and how the meet- endorsed by the General Coordinators of the Coop of each month. For me one of the best parts of the ing is run. I am encouraged that in the last few years and I welcome that support. Please vote for me. General Meeting is the committee reports which our General Meeting attendance has grown signifi- Thank you for your consideration. ■
The Role of the Board members shall be known as the General Meet- The Election Process Members who have a current member- From our inception in 1973 to the present, the ing.... The members who gather to give advice to Each year the Coop must, by law, hold an ship as of Saturday, June 15, 2013, are eli- monthly General Meeting has been the deci- the directors may choose to vote in order to Annual Meeting. This is the only meeting gible to vote in the election of Directors sion-making body of the Coop. Since the express their support or opposition for any of the where proxies can be used. Those members at the Annual Meeting either in person or Coop incorporated in 1977, we have been issues that have come before the meeting.” who cannot attend the Annual Meeting may by proxy. legally required to have a board of Directors. The Board of Directors conducts a vote at be represented, if they wish, by a proxy. Proxy packets are mailed to members in The Bylaws of the Park Slope Food Coop state: the end of every General Meeting on whether If you submit a proxy but come to the late-May. If you do not receive a packet, pick “The portion of the Board of Directors meeting to accept the advice of the members as Annual Meeting in person, your proxy will be one up at the entrance desk or outside the that is devoted to receiving the advice of the expressed in their vote(s) during the GM. returned to you when you register. Membership Office. ■ MEMBER SUBMISSION
crass online competitive hunt, the donors have the Share and Share and Like: Yerdle Connects ability to find the best home for their shared items. Since yerdle launched on Black Friday of 2012, it has Your Friends, Making Sharing Easier recently added a mapping filter allowing users to limit By Barent Roth mass needed for sustained success. their search based on geography, making it easier for n the last few years there have been several start- So what is different about the new collaborative New Yorkers to find local goods from nearby friends. Iups attempting to make sharing your outgrown, consumption sharing start up yerdle? Friends. Today Our consumption patterns have to change. Espe- unwanted, seldom-used items easier. The latest the easiest way to reach a large enough pool to facili- cially when you consider Paul Hawken’s revelation in effort, yerdle.com, comes from Adam Werbach, for- tate sharing is through Facebook, so yerdle began by Natural Capitalism that only one percent of the total mer Sierra Club president, Andy Ruben, former signing in their users through the ubiquitous social North American materials flow ends up in products Chief Sustainability Officer at WalMart, and Carl network. The premise is simple, sharing items is sig- that are still being used within six months of their pur- Tashian, from the founding team of Zipcar. Earlier nificantly easier with your Facebook Friends (or your chase. We need to share—as kids we did it all the sharing efforts attempted to harness the Internet Friends of Friends) because of the built in screening time—in fact the Coop is a form a sharing services. community, aiming to fill the collaborative need left process. Sharing is based on trust so yerdle, a free ser- Sharing goods offers materials another cycle, reduc- open by Craigslist or FreeCycle. Sharing goods vice, starts the process with those people with whom ing both production demand and landfill waste, while reduces both waste and material demand while you already have a trusted connection. saving money. Sharing also helps us connect with our simultaneously building community and saving Yerdlers post items that they’re willing to give away community and for those with simple social media users money, yet none of the groundbreaking shar- or loan to their friends, and then friends select, or try skills, yerdle now offers the best chance yet for making ing companies had been able to generate the critical to nab, the things that they want. However, unlike a easy sharing a reality. ■ THANK YOU!
Thank you to the following members for referring friends who joined the Coop in the last four weeks.
Eliza A. Daniel D’Oca Angela Gius Charlotte Kaiser Emi Matsuyama Faye Richards Ward W. Aleksandr Allen Gosha Danilov Stephen R. Goldberg Emily Kay Sara Matthews Meredith Riley Paget Walker Madison Bailey Megan Davidson Adam Gonzales Alex Kendall Jared McGuire Janice Rodecap Winton Wedderburn Marisa Baumgartner Elizabeth Dickinson John Gordon Robina Khalid David McMahon Nancy Romer Kathryn Weselcouch Korby Benoit Etta Dixon Alison Hamburg Terri Kohler Kumiko Mitarai Sarah Scheffel Alessa B. Wircberg Jane Berentson Erika Doering Hazel Hankin Allison LaFave William Naess Eric Schoenfeld Daria Witt Patricia Black Melissa Dubbin Jean Hartig Destin Joy Layne Casey O’Shea Jules Skloot Ophra Wolf Sarah Burns Michael Dwyer Laure Henry Roberta Lee Tina Pamintuan Ashley Springer Alexandra Yannias Katherine Callahan Drew Elliott Jane Hodge Judith Loebl Jennifer Pawlitschek Luke Stern Jeremy Z. Ariana Cameron Kim Fisher Grant Huang Rita Loomba Johnatan Perez Christopher Stewart Tamara Zahaykevich Johanna Chambers Lewis Friedman Tania Kabakova Candice Martin Eleina Pomerants Nathan Storey Christopher Zei Ramon Cruz Leah Gilliam Rachel Kahan Nathasha Mashkevich Mike Ricca Molleen Theodore
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