News from Community Food Co-op

Thanks to everyone who shopped on Saturday, January 15, our first Community Shopping Day of 2011. Because of you, the Co-op donated about $1,575 (2% of sales) to Amy's Place. That donation will help a lot of teens in our community!

Online Voting Available This Year

Starting February 18 through March 31, 2011

The annual election for the Co-op Board of Directions is coming up soon. Members will receive a mailing in mid-February outilning all the details on how, when, and where to vote. This year brings a new option to vote paper-free online. See the article on page 3 in our full February newsletter with information on this important election.

Test Your Garden for Herbicides

Wednesday, March 2, 6:30 pm,
Downtown Co-op

Free Event--Registration Requested

WSU Expert Colleen Burrows will present a class on what you need to know about herbicides before planting your garden this year. She'll provide infor-mation about the herbicide contamination in dairy-derived organic compost that happened in Whatcom County in 2010 and the impact it may have on your garden this year. Call 360-734-8158 to register for this free event.

Goodness Flows

Get free milk Feb milk your family and for a family in need.

The Got Milk campaign by a national milk processing trade group is offering a year's worth (52 coupons) of free milk (any brand). Coupons are good anywhere milk is sold. With the help of the hunger relief organization Feeding America, a family in need from your community will also get a coupon book so they can enjoy free milk for a year. Entries accepted through February 9. For more details and how to register, see www.whymilk.com.

Our Money Where Our Mouths Are

Ken Cook, Environmental Working Group President

Food and agriculture policy always comes down to money: how federal dollars will be prioritized and spent. If anyone needed reminders of this dynamic, the year 2010 provided at least two. The lesson to be drawn from both is very simple. If "civilians" (as in taxpayers) don't stand up in politically significant numbers to demand different priorities, the farm subsidy lobby and other vested interests will maintain their iron grip on spending for programs that those in the good food movement don't like. At the same time, the entrenched lobbies will slash or block the investments in healthy eating and conservation that sustainable farming advocates embrace. For the full story, see Environmental Working Group.

Local Artist's Cooperative Forming

Kirsten Lew and a small group of local artists in Bellingham are interested in creating an artist's cooperative. They are envisioning a place where artist's can have working studios, lofts to sell out of, and a rotating gallery space. They are interested in surveying the community to identify general needs and thoughts before moving forward with this project. Their survey is available at http://theartcoop.weebly.com. For information about Kirsten's art, see Sunflower Designz or contact Kirsten at kirsten777@comcast.net.

Tips on Picking a CSA Feb CSA

Check out this great YouTube video called, "Community Supported Agriculture: What to expect when you join a farm." For anyone considering joining a CSA for the first time, this video offers great advice, straight from CSA farmers themselves. They explain the risks and rewards of CSA membership and offer tips for picking a farm that's right for you.

Every year the Co-op compiles a list of local CSA farms that are published in our April newsletter, on our website, and available in-store at our service desks.

Proposed Changes for School Lunches

In January 2011 the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published their revised nutrition requirements for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs in the Federal Register. The proposed changes would increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat fluid milk and reduce the levels of sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, and calories in school meals. The guidelines do not address sugar content. For more details see the National Sustainable Agriculture blog.

Film--The World According to Monsanto

Sunday, February 20, 12 noon, Fairhaven College Auditorium

Shown as part of the Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival, this film is an investigation of the giant agricultural products company, Monsanto. The film reveals the effects of Roundup, bovine growth hormone, and genetically modified seeds and the tactics of a company intent on dominating world agriculture. A representative from the Co-op will have information at the filming about GMOs. For more information, see bhrff.webs.com.

GE Alfalfa Update from NCGA

On January 27, the USDA announced its decision to fully deregulate GE Alfalfa. National Cooperative Grocers Association is deeply disappointed with this decision and will continue to fight for protections for organic farmers and consumers. We encourage consumers to make their voices heard about USDA's decision by contacting their legislators. and to demonstrate their continued support for organics. This decision means that the work of organic farmers and others in the industry will be more challenging than ever. Iit is only through continued growth and increased market power that we can have a greater impact in Washington. Now is the time to support organic farmers. For more information, see www.strongertogether.coop, or UC Alfalfa Workgroup at Davis, or an action alert with the Food and Water Watch.

Upcoming Events

Board of Directors monthly meeting

Wednesday, February 9, 7 pm, Downtown Co-op Connection Building

Valentine's Day--stop by the Co-op for a sweet treat!

Monday, February 14

3rd Thursday Local Music Series: Sam Vogt & Zach Bauman

Thursday, February 17, 6-8 pm, Downtown Co-op Swan Cafe

Community Shopping Day: River Farm

Saturday, February 19, All day both stores

Member Affairs Committee monthly meeting

Wednesday, February 23, 5:15-7:15 pm, Cordata Co-op Roots Room

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