The first issue of the Co-op's new publication, In Season,

will start arriving in mailboxes today. Included is the Owner Volume Discount Coupon, valid Feb. 1-15, as well as lots of great information about the Co-op, our staff, suppliers, classes, and much more. We hope you enjoy reading our new magazine.

Action Alert: Say NO to GE Salmon Now!

There is still time to help keep our waters free of Genetically Engineered salmon, aka FrankenFish. If we don't act soon, the first GE animal will be approved for human consumption. And, it won't be labeled, either.

Contact your Congressional representative and the FDA by February 25.

Learn more and join the No To GMO Fish campaign at the Center For Food Safety website.

The Co-op Board of Directors submitted six scoping comments for the Gateway Pacific Terminal project, requesting that the Environmental Impact Statement address any aspects of the project that could potentially impact the Co-op. Read all six comments on the homepage at our website.

By Claire Thompson

Conventional wisdom has it that the path to alleviating global hunger and poverty requires farming in the developing world to become more like agriculture in the U.S. But with American farmers now dealing with ever-more-frequent natural disasters and crippling drought, maybe it's time they learned from their counterparts in the Global South, who have been facing similar ecological challenges for at least a decade now.

Read the full story at the Grist website.

the Teamsters Strike

168 members of Teamsters Local 117 are on strike against the UNFI warehouse in Auburn WA. UNFI has hired 72 replacement workers. The union claims that UNFI has engaged in numerous unfair and illegal labor practices and filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board. UNFI claims to have made several good-faith offers to workers and to be negotiating in good faith.

The Co-op is continuing to accept deliveries from UNFI during the strike to avoid a high level of out-of-stock products. The Co-op supports fair labor practices, fair wages, and good working conditions for all workers but feels that the choice to buy goods distributed by UNFI during this labor dispute should remain with you.

In addition to distributing natural products, UNFI also owns several natural food brands: A. Vogel, Ah!laska, Field Day, Ines Rosales, Koyo, Mediterranean Organic, Natural Sea, Old Wessex, Rising Moon Organics, Woodstock, and Woodstock Farms. Look for shelf signs identifying products owned and distributed by UNFI.

Comment/contact UNFI via their website.

Contribute to a fund for striking workers.

Learn from the Experts at

Cloud Mountain Farm Center

Growing Apples and Pears: Saturday, Feb. 16 or Feb. 23, 10:30 am to noon.

Growing Stone Fruits - Cherries, Peaches, Plums and Apricots: Saturday, Feb. 23, 1:30 to 3 pm.

Learn about planting, growing, pruning, renovating older trees, and training techniques. Free, no registration required.

Winter Propagation - Grafting and Hardwood Cuttings: Saturday, Feb. 16, 1:30 to 3:30 pm.

Propagation of woody plants during the dormant season will be discussed and demonstrated. $30, register at www.cloudmountainfarmcenter.org or 360-966-5859.

What's To Love About Food Co-ops?

We all need an occasional reminder about why we love food co-ops and are proud to be co-op owners. This 2-minute video pretty much sums it up. Brush up on other Co-op FAQs and Facts, Co-op History, Common Co-op Myths, and even What is a Co-op? in the Co-op Difference tab at the Co+ops Stronger Together website.

The 13th annual BHRFF begins with a showing of Bidder 70 at the Pickford Film Center, on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 and 9 pm, along with a silent auction benefitting BHRFF. Films continue at a variety of venues through March 2.

Complete schedule details at Bellingham Human Right Film Festival website.

Pushing for GMO Labeling?

By Tom Laskawy

Since food companies collectively spent over $45 million to stop Prop 37, California's GMO labeling law, it's hard to believe that they - and Walmart in particular - would turn around and push for a federal GMO labeling standard. But a trickle of reports, aspects of which we've now confirmed, suggests just such a turnabout.

Read the entire story on the Grist website.

Board of Directors monthly meeting

Wednesday, February 13, 7 pm, Downtown Connection Building

Study and Engagement Topic: Organic Standards, 7-7:30 pm, owners welcome

3rd Thursday Local Music Series: Pretty Little Feet

Thursday, February 21, 6-8 pm, Downtown store deli

Community Shopping Day: Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Saturday, February 16, all day, both stores

Member Affairs Committee Meeting

Wednesday, February 27, 5:15 pm, Downtown Connection Building