A Record numBer of MOs turned out for HWFC’s remote Regular Membership Meeting on June 29. The gathering was executed flawlessly, drawing compliments from attendees as we listened, learned, and exercised our right to vote.
Questions about the budget took front and center stage, including the document’s accessibility for MOs prior to final approval. All agreed on the need for improvement. Asked why the budget can not be publicly available, CLM Peter Waldmann responded that if details about our most unique aspects (such as Bulk—the busiest department of its kind in the entire nation) became available to our competitors, it could hurt business.
GRC reported on yearly tasks, addressing concerns about senior staff and Board actions. “The last year or two have been a bit tumultuous,” said GRC co-chair Cindee Herrick, citing contracts and changes in senior paid positions. “It’s not surprising that...GRC became the place for last resort. Issues came from community member concerns.”
GRC now hopes to address discount/purchasing issues and reexamine thresholds for unbudgeted cumulative major expenses. Discussion referenced the MO discount system, store coupons, and limits for any unbudgeted cumulative major expenses.
Several attendees suggested educational forums and info sessions for further discussion of thresholds and discounts. Treasurer Steve Golub acknowledged the need to better educate Membership about the budget. “We’re equal to the big stores here. Let’s stay that way!”
Published monthly by the Communications Committee to promote transparency, report without bias, and sustain community.
Member-Owners and Owners joined us at our June 2025 HWFC Membership Meeting! Member-Owners voted on the proposed amendments to the Food & Product Manual and HWFC’s 2026 budget. Thank you to all who joined us.
Please note: data recorded from “non-confidential” votes by phone or Survey Monkey are used only for the election/voting/counting process for April 2025 and will not be “data-mined” or used for any other purpose in the future.
Amendments to the Food & Product Manual
219 valid ballots were cast.
207 or (94.5%) of respondents voted in favor, 6 (2.19%) of respondents voted against, and 6 (2.19%) abstained.
2026 Budget
220 valid ballots were cast.
206 (93.6%) of respondents voted in favor, 5 (2.2%) voted against, and 9 (4.0%) abstained.
Thank you to all who joined us and helped to make this meeting a success, and for your ongoing support and participation! In Partnership and Affinity, The Honest Weight Board of Directors
SLRP shared news of its recent gatherings with committee members [pg. 2].
DEI’s Kaori Chen reported on microaggression education, amplifying more voices, and reaching local organizations to make our Coop “successful, inclusive, and welcoming.”
NEC’s Bob Ross informed the Membership that the proposed FPM changes mainly concerned wording. Glyphosate, carrageenan, GMO and organic products were discussed, along with the need for clear language surrounding FPM policies. Would a “watchlist” help or hinder the process?
“Honest
Weight is thriving!”
—Peter Waldmann
Management reported that HWFC now has a full Marketing team; a new Controller is expected to be announced in July. Peter thanked staff members for effective management during the transition: “Our overall goal is to invest in our cooperative to improve customer, Member-Owner, stakeholder, and employee satisfaction.”
“Why I’m Thankful for the Co-op” is on pg. 7.
Tariffs are expected to impact our bottom line this year, affecting items from bananas to steel and aluminum, affecting each department differently.
Major expenses anticipated for capital improvements include parking lot repaving. Management proposed hiring a third-party cleaning service—for deep cleaning after hours to focus on restrooms, floors, and ceilings—prompting both support and suggestions for keeping that in-house.
Strategic and Long-Range Planning Committee Gears Up to Create Honest Weight’s Vision for the Future
Taking the initiative in matters of long-term importance to HWFC and its Membership, the Strategic and LongRange Planning Committee (SLRP*) hosted two late June Zooms to hone in on Honest Weight’s goals for the future.
Each governance group was invited to send a representative. June 19’s gathering drew 6 participants, while 10 MOs attended a second session offered June 22.
All MOs are welcome at SLRP meetings to learn and contribute to our collective vision.
Elaine Hills, who also serves as a co-chair of the Environment Committee (EC), introduced herself as SLRP chair, following a term served by Steve Golub. All present were invited to introduce themselves and recap their roles at the Co-op, and the meeting atmosphere became convivial.
Discussion ranged from how we as MOs and committee representatives might become involved in SLRP to examining systemic Coop community problems as we try “to bring all the pieces of the Co-op together.”
If you’ve heard of SLRP before, indeed, such a committee first formed several years ago. Its initial scope centered on data collected from a survey done in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin. Governance leaders intend to retrieve more information from that survey.
Performed through NCG, the survey was administered to 38 co-ops nationwide. Over 1200 people commented; Elaine has been analyzing comments.
Some raised the idea of revisiting reasons why MOs/shoppers might have left, with conversation reflecting various viewpoints on collecting information from the departed. One active MO reported raising this when serving on the Board, concerned that U Wisc surveys were missing info of importance.
“We’re only surveying current shoppers, not those who have left deliberately,” it was pointed out. People of color have reported negative experiences, revealing a whole category of customers who feel disenfranchised--ranging from shoppers to individuals highly active in governance.
“I would love to figure out a way to reach those people and survey them, because many had valid concerns,” stated the MO.
“I’m assuming people at U Wisc. don’t know anything about the Co-op.”
—an MO
Candid reporting about unpleasant customer experiences reflecting racism gave the group insight into the need to address systemic challenges. One participant described being asked where they were from. “It means something different if you’re the only person who looks like you,” they said, adding, “this kind of experience is not easily sharable.”
The group concurred that we have a responsibility to “keep going back” and not turn a blind eye to the Co-op’s more uncomfortable aspects.
“So much is broken even in a good place like the Co-op. I think it’s a reflection of the world.” —Elaine Hills
Tam shared that the Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) will table in-store to help shoppers save money, learn how to shop bulk, and more.
Staff has also expressed a need for exit interviews, according to Elaine. Could the same apply to shoppers? MOs already have a way to share feedback when returning their share, so some insight is gleaned that way.
CLM Peter Waldmann attends SLRP meetings and has proposed key points, Elaine added. “Looking forward, we have additional aims beyond the survey,” she said. “We often meet highly motivated new MOs…who have the Co-op in their heart.”
If committees have ideas but lack a way to
SLRP’s mission is to collaborate with ARC, DEI, Finance, Membership, management, & staff to envision where we want to be in 1–3 years from now.
“Our top priority is customer service. The Front End wants everyone to have a really great experience.”
—Kristin Fischetti
What should our Co-op’s goals be?
Ask your committee and colleagues.
Governance groups, Member-Owners, and Owners can bring ideas to SLRP for consideration.
“30-60-90-Day” Action Plan: Third 30 Days:
In the final phase of my first 90 days, I led collaborative strategy sessions. We reviewed feedback gathered during the first two months and used that information to inform our departmental strategic planning.
This process culminated in creating our fiscal budget for 2026, during which we worked closely with our store leadership. Together, we outlined actionable steps to achieve our objectives.
Additionally, this phase involved identifying potential partnerships and resources to help us realize our goals.
I am excited to work with everyone to maintain a thriving community at Honest Weight Food Co-op and to contribute to our mission of promoting affordable, healthy living, while also focusing on our triple bottom line: People, Planet, and Profit.
Peter Waldmann, Cooperative Leadership Manager PeterWaldmann@honestweight.coop
Honest Slate
A Fun & Flexible Way to Invest Time Gardening at HWFC:
story and photos by Robin
D. Schatz
On a sunny Saturday morning, Myra Fedyniak, clad in an orchid-hued sun hat, bright blue long-sleeved shirt, and shocking pink leggings, looked as colorful as the flowers she carefully tended in the densely planted bed outside HWFC.
Myra is just one of nine MOs who dedicate themselves to the seasonal task of planting, weeding, and otherwise maintaining the Coop’s beautiful gardens. Although Myra has also invested time in Grocery, she much prefers being outdoors. She is the mastermind behind the colorful tulip display that graces the Co-op every spring, planning all the colors and the design.
“I like to be outside and doing anything active,” she said. “If I can get my hours for sitting outside, I’m not going to say no.” In her day job, Myra runs three grant programs in the Office of Climate Change at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Investing time as an HWFC gardener has its challenges—heat, bugs, and weather among them—but it’s well worth it, MO gardeners told Honest Slate
They cite their love of gardening, the camaraderie of other gardeners, and the flexibility of the role—they can put in their hours whenever it’s convenient, although most of
them come on Saturday mornings or Tuesday evenings in the summer. They keep in touch through their own Facebook page.
Many members of the group are certified Master Gardeners. The rigorous national program trains volunteer gardeners to work with their local Cooperative Extension offices to share their expertise with the community.
Nancy Scott, who has been an MO for at least 20 years, has worked in sampling and Deli. As a Master Gardener in Rensselaer County, she does a lot of volunteer gardening work in the area.
“I like to have my hands in the dirt, what can I say?” said Nancy. “It’s kind of my way to relax and not think about all the crazy things going on in the world. I can accomplish something, weed, and it looks better.”
Linda Coolen, who is a Massachusetts Master Gardener, raises goats on her hobby farm and directs the after-school program at the Albany JCC (Jewish Community Center). She finds the flexibility of the gardening team particularly appealing with her busy lifestyle. “Unlike when I worked in Grocery on a 2 to 4 pm shift, in the garden you can make your own schedule,” she said. Generally, she said, Member-Owners garden about 7 to 10 hours a month.
Located on parking lot islands and along the sides and back of the store, Honest Weight’s gardens feature many native plants and a constantly changing seasonal display.
The model for their gardening philosophy is New York City’s High Line, a 1.4-mile-long public park of native plants built on an old elevated rail line in Manhattan.
The Co-op’s tulips and irises have finished blooming, but a profusion of milkweed, echinacea, verbena, butterfly weed, and wild strawberries, among others, have taken their place.
Ann Walton tutors with the literacy volunteers of Rensselaer County and has a Capital Roots plot in Albany’s South End for growing her own vegetables and flowers. In addition to the more typical gardening experience of other MOs, Ann completed a program at the New York Botanical Garden in horticultural therapy.
Although the group lacks a formal leader, gardeners say that Beth Meer is the one that makes all the decisions about what to plant—except for Myra’s tulips—and she also trains new gardeners. (Honest Slate was unable to reach her for this article.)
Ann advises newbie gardeners to initially garden at a time when there are veteran gardeners around to show them the ropes. “It’s a small group, a very friendly group,” says Ann. “Sometimes we get together for lunch.”
The gardening group welcomes new MOs to join! For more information, email memberservices @honestweight.coop or call 518.482.2667 x104.
TagBack Recycling Program Arrives at Honest Weight
by Diana Duffy
Ever feel frustrated by how little can be recycled after visiting Honest Weight, or any food store, from the wire ties around greens, to those tabs that seal plastic bags?
So many of those bits that hold, contain, or seal food end up in our landfills. Even a trip to HW’s bountiful produce department can leave a buyer wondering what to do with the wire wraps around greens. (I’m one member with a drawer full of those.)
Good news: one company is working to recycle those pesky packaging bits we see every day with their program, TagBack. Have you seen the TagBack station in the store?
What IS TagBack?
TagBack is a program hosted by Bedford Industries, a company that makes a range of ties and tags found on food products. Bedford Industries designs, manufactures and distributes tag and tie products for the produce, bakery, coffee and medical markets.
With TagBack, Bedford will accept mailedback tags and ties to be upcycled by Bedford at their headquarters in Minnesota. The new material is processed to make plastic lumber. Information and videos on their process can be found at https://www. tagback.com/.
When did TagBack start?
TagBack was launched by Bedford Industries in 2020. The TagBack stations at the Co-op landed here this summer as the Coop joins a current list of 287 “in-store” locations in the US.
Can we put any tags and ties into the bin?
“Products don’t have to have the TagBack logo on them,” said Katie Larson, Bedford’s VP of Sales and Marketing. “This may not
mean that all tags and ties will be upcycled by Bedford, however. They may dispose of unusable tags at their discretion. More information on what’s accepted is at https:// www.tagback.com/
Who pays to ship the box back to TagBack?
Boxes in the store stay in the store. Contents within can be shipped in smaller containers back to Bedford Industries; HW is responsible only for return postage. “Just empty the contents (of the box) in the envelope/box of your choice and return so the box can be used again and again.”
So, what’s the good news here?
HW’s participation in TagBack is optional. “TagBack was brought to our attention by Sandy Arnold of Pleasant Valley Farm while… working with her to create tags for her greens to better market them in store,” Produce Manager Brendan Kelly reported. “The decision to move forward with TagBack was rather easy as it addressed a recycling gap and represented minimal cost.”
Customers may notice the logo already printed on some of Honest Weight’s regular supplier tags such as Lady Moon Farms and Pleasant Valley. We also carry Cal-Organic (mostly in the off season).
However, the program is not limited to TagBack branded products; any twist ties, rubber band ties, and bread tags can be upcycled.
Two TagBack drop-off stations are in the store: one in Produce, currently beside the bananas, and one next to the ATM near the exit.
Two Drop-off stations
for shoppers are located in the store: one in Produce, currently beside the bananas, and one next to the ATM near the exit.
Joining TagBack helps us better fulfill our mission.
“Honest Weight is always looking for opportunities to divert waste from landfills towards more environmentally sustainable solutions,” Brendan stated. “Joining TagBack helps us better fulfill our mission of reducing waste and supporting Mother Earth.”
Bedford’s website offers instructions for collecting and returning produce closures:
• Growers can place a “Recycle this tag at TagBack.com” mark on their produce tags to encourage consumer participation.
• At retail, TagBack bins can be placed alongside other recycling bins
• In-home, consumers can mail their own collected produce ties and tags directly to Bedford in addition to returning them to participating stores.
As of June, 2025, TagBack tallied over 285 in-store locations, including numerous customers in New York State and throughout the greater Northeast.
The company tracks data on its waste diversion rates, keeping a cumulative total of number of pounds returned by year. Here’s a video of the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm5K_R7UI5A.
Bedford Industries designs, develops, manufactures and distributes tag and tie products for the produce, bakery, coffee, and medical markets.
Unfinished Business at UNFI: HWFC Handles Hiccup
Co-op Manages Continued Access to Goods Despite Industry Hack
by Brendan Byrne & Carol Ostrow
Over the last several weeks, HWFC shoppers may have noticed that some shelves were unusually bare.
Accompanying signs identified the cause as one of the Co-op’s main suppliers having “network issues.” Honest Slate was curious as to the root cause of the disruption, so we did a little digging.
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) is one of the largest grocery distributors in the nation. Like many other grocery stores, from widespread chains to mom-and-pop locations, HWFC relies on UNFI for many items such as those sold under our generic instore brand name, Field Day.
On June 5, UNFI noticed unauthorized activities on its servers and shut them down. Since grocery distribution logistics are highly computerized, this meant a severe disruption in service. HWFC was one of over 30,000 grocery stores affected, including Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
Experts assume a ransomware cyberattack similar to one that struck national outfits Food Lion and Stop & Shop in 2024.
UNFI stated June 15 that it was receiving and delivering orders to grocery customers across North America and had made significant progress toward safely restoring systems. Although still experiencing issues, UNFI reported further progress to regain full functionality June 17 .*
We discovered that UNFI is not our only option when store managers successfully turned to alternative distribution channels. HWFC used workarounds to keep certain items on the shelves, such as ordering from other distributors. In some cases, items were replaced by similar products that also adhere to HWFC’s Food and Product Manual (FPM).
Grocery buyer David Aube, a longtime employee at Honest Weight, described the Coop’s stocking strategy, reporting that HWFC has successfully relied on several alternate distributors during this period to avoid empty-looking aisles.
“We
didn’t want the shelves to look like we were going out of business.”
—David Aube, Grocery Buyer
HWFC’s alternate distribution sources to date include KeHE, Chex, & Rainforest.
• KeHE, a specialty organic bulk distributor headquartered in Illinois, has 19 locations throughout North America.
• Third-generation family-owned Chex is a specialty and natural food distributor based in Massachusetts since 1965.
• East Coast–based Rainforest has served retailers and suppliers in 22 U.S. states since 2012.
Additionally, some regular orders from existing vendors were increased to maintain stock. For example, David shared, we are currently obtaining more chocolate than usual from Equal Exchange, which also supplies Honest Weight with packaged and bulk coffee (and is itself a cooperative, based in Massachusetts).
*UNFI released a statement on July 1 that the cyberincident is now contained.
The Fragility of Our Local Food System— and the Opportunity Before
Us
by Jared Niemela
Recent technological failures at our main grocery distributor have revealed how fragile our global food system is. Over recent decades, food production has become centralized in a few monocultured, extractive, fossil-fueled farms and factories, then trucked, flown, or shipped through a militarized and similarly consolidated distribution network. This has made the food system predictable and efficient, but at a cost: we’ve lost the resilience that comes with direct connection between the growing of food and the eating of food.
I don’t know who grew the oats in my kids’ cereal or the olives used to make our olive
oil—and that matters. Instead of a reciprocal relationship between myself and local producers, I depend on a small number of corporations and the federal government to decide what gets grown, processed, and sold. That’s not resilience—that’s risk; the failure of a single company threatens my very sustenance.
In nature, strong systems are built on diversity and interdependence. A single tree thrives only in relationship with thousands of other organisms. Our food network lacks this kind of diversity. Without many webs of small, collaborative producers and consumers, our system has become top-heavy—like a bean plant grown in darkness: tall, and ready to topple when the wind blows.
We’ve already seen signs of collapse. Remember the empty egg shelves a few months back? Remember the 10 deaths, 60 hospitalizations, and 7.2 million pounds of recalled meat from a national producer last year, or the 11 million pounds of meat recalled from another national producer in 2023? What about the drought in California that had our shelves in New York looking pretty sparse?
The basic point is quite simple: when the next global corporation fails to deliver the groceries, or the next war cuts off our fuel supply, where will our cooking oil, meat products, spices, sweeteners, nuts, and seeds come from? Do we have the local infrastructure to feed our community when this international system can’t keep the food flowing?
Do you have a s e c r e t S t r a t e g y
for shopping at the Co-op? We asked some friends to share their favorite tips for getting the best experience and value from the Bulk and Produce sections, hot bar, and checkout.
• Don’t shop while hungry.
• Remember to bring bags in from the car.
• Bring old cardboard boxes in to donate.
• Check the cull box.
• Check out all the donated bulk containers (bottles) before looking at bulk items.
• Check the clearance shelves.
• Make sure to look at the sales flyer.
• Frontload your heavier, durable items on the conveyor belt to make bagging or boxing easier.
• If you’re picky about how your items are packed, skip the bagging help.
• Hang on to nice jars and bottles that can serve as bulk containers (and remember to bring them from home). If you don’t use them yourself, you can always donate them.
• Check your refrigerator and cupboards before leaving home to reduce the chance of duplicating something you already have or forgetting something important.
• Use a shopping list (we put ours on a whiteboard on the refrigerator and take a photo before we leave).
• If you’re not getting too many items, consider using a green shopping basket.
• Be sure to write the code down for the bulk foods. “I was a newbie and got to the self-checkout register and kept everyone waiting.”
• You have options for bulk PLUs: write on a clipboard, label with a yellow sticky tag, or photograph the numbers.
• Plan a flexible menu and shop the sales.
• Try adding up the price of items while shopping to lessen sticker shock.
• Bring your own Sharpie to mark PLU numbers on brown paper bags.
• Even if you have no specific reason, check out the housewares and gift sections for interesting items—they can come in handy for host, birthday, and holiday gifts.
• Be sure to pick up a bouquet of locally sourced blooms on your way in. You’re supporting local farms and adding vibrance and cheer to your table and home.
• Get the ratatouille (I had it there once, and it was excellent. I had skipped lunch and ate it in my car in the parking lot). I also love roasted salted fava beans to go with your favorite cheeseboard.
• Use the Co-op’s sides for Thanksgiving.
• Do your shopping, then buy dinner at the buffet bar to save having to cook that night (for those with limited energy in a day).
“ I can’t walk out without buying something precooked. It always smells delicious.”
• Do as much shopping as possible around the store perimeter. Less-healthy processed food tends to live in middle aisles.
—Irene Kim, with thanks to Carie M., Dave R., Luke B., & Chandra W. for their contributions.
Book Club to Meet Did You Know?
Thurs., July 17 • 6–7:30pm
In the Community Room Come talk, snack, connect!
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
“As an immigrant who came to the West, El Akkad believed that it promised freedom. But in the past twenty years, reporting on the War on Terror, Ferguson, climate change, Black Lives Matter protests, and more, and watching the unmitigated
slaughter in Gaza, El Akkad has come to the conclusion that much of what the West promises is a lie. This book is for all the people who want something better.”
Books are available at Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza at 20% off for HWFC book club readers.
Audio books and ebooks at Bookshop.org. Member Services has loaner copies. Email memberservices@honestweight.coop for more info.
Join us on the third Thursday of every other month. Hope to see you there!
• Nothing sold in food prep is GMO.
• Tom’s Rapid Relief Sensitive toothpaste does not contain carrageenan.
• Management has added to Board training.
• Department contact information is on the MO Opportunity web page.
• The Controller job is a direct report to the CLM and a “dotted line” report to the Board, allowing the BoD access to financials.
• Setting discounts is up to Membership. For example, senior/student and SNAP discounts were Membership-approved decisions.
Q & A Q & A SUGGESTION BOX
Suggestion Box answers are provided by our Honest Weight managers and departments.
Q: I wanted to recognize Kyle. He said he worked in the cooking area. He was so helpful finding vegan stuff for my recipe. He went over and above to help me. He is one in a million.
A: We agree, one in a million.
Q: Eddie in the kitchen is always polite, helpful, and resourceful.
A: Thank you so much! We love him as well!
Q: Josh and Jenna in Wellness are so knowledgeable and GREAT!!
A: We appreciate your positive feedback. We will enthusiastically share this with them.
Q: Cereal milk latte?! What genius thought of that?!
A: Bea thought of that and it will be out on the summer Juice and Java menu.
Q: Korean BBQ kettle chips where?
A: As of now, kettle Korean BBQ chips are unavailable to us. We’re researching and will continue to look for it.
Q: Please be sure you have a WARM vegetarian sandwich daily. You don’t make roast veggies anymore. L
A: We try to offer vegetarian sandwiches as much as possible.
Q: Vegan egg salad sandwiches please!
A: We just started making vegan egg salad and have plenty available.
Q: Bea made the best matcha latte!! BUSSIN!
A: Thanks for taking the time for your kind words!
Q: Can you please bring back the sweet potato salad? J Thank you. J
A: We’ll bring that back with the fall rotation.
Q: Cheddar ale soup = ♥ ♥
A: We’re glad you liked the house-made cheddar ale soup.
Q: You run out of tofu/quinoa in the prepared section very frequently. Perhaps you should make it more regularly.
A: It is one of our most popular items. We make it very regularly.
Q: Re: Once Again organic peanut butter (crunchy). We are looking for the unsalted, unsweetened, crunchy version, but it is of-
ten out of stock. Can it be kept in stock on a regular basis? Thank you.
A: We carry every Once Again peanut butter that’s available to us.
[Honest Slate also recommends looking into the Bulk Department’s plentiful selection of peanut butter.]
Q: The gardens are fabulous!
A: Thanks so much! It would not be possible without our awesome MOs investing their time in them! [See more on the HWFC gardening group, page 3.]
Q: Jovial brand gf lasagna noodles. J
Q: Rummo GF spaghetti. Can we order?
A: We’ll look into it. Our set in that area is rather tight. We will have to figure out how to fit them in.
Q: Please consider closing down hot bar/ salad @6:30pm. Full-time working folk with no time for cooking would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
A: We will share this with the Deli crew. Please check out our Grab n Go options for quick and easy-to-reheat meals. J
continued from page 1
“Thankful for the Co-op...”
Attendees articulated appreciation in the “Why I’m Thankful for the Co-op” segment:
“I appreciate the Co-op’s open support of eliminating racism.”
“We find a wide plethora of grocery items we wouldn’t find anywhere else with a limited diet.”
“How plugged in the Co-op is to the local community.”
“Being surrounded by people that care about eating good food and where it comes from.”
“The wonderful cooks and bakers; the hot bar never disappoints..”
“The level of kindness going on in the store especially in a world where kindness is lacking.”
“All behind the scenes making this meeting possible, who make the Co-op work.”
“To work and [belong to] a place where my individuality and uniqueness are celebrated.”
“The gardeners outside & for the beauty they have created. It’s a visual treat.” [see behind the scenes on page 3!]
“ This meeting has been the most succinct, efficient, on-time Member Meeting I have attended. Thank you, great job!!!”
“ This has been so well organized. It is the best meeting to date. Having a single person calling on the raised hands and another maintaining time was fantastic.”
“ Thank you so much to the amazing staff, each one presenting excellence.”
“ Thanks to everyone. Good structure to the meeting, well managed and informative. Our first meeting and it was well worth the time.”
Honest Slate
B o a r d Decisions
At June 17, 2025’s meeting, the Board:
• Approved the proposed FY 2026 annual budget as revised during the meeting; recommended forwarding to Membership for a vote.
During July 1, 2025’s HWFC Board of Directors meeting, the Board:
• Approved the June 3, 2025, Board of Director meeting minutes as presented.
• Approved the June 17, 2025, Board of Director meeting minutes as presented.
• Affirmed the decision made on 6/17/25 to revise the Controller job description, changing the title from Finance Controller to Controller and the starting annual salary range from $70–90K to $80–105K.
• Affirmed June 17 decision to upgrade our Grocery Democracy webinar licensing to an unlimited organization–wide license, making it available to HWFC Owners, MOs, and staff, at the additional cost of $250.
• Accepted Lactation Policy language for the Employee Manual as submitted. Text will completely replace the nursing mothers policy currently in the manual.
• Appointed Erin Martin to the Finance Committee, filling the empty seat left by Warren Hamilton’s resignation.
•Accepted the Membership Committee’s 2025–2026 work plan as submitted.
• Adjourned 9:02pm at the conclusion of the Executive Session.
Board Hosts Extra MidMonth Budget Meeting
Continuing a now months-long trend of high Zoom meeting participation, a total of 63 attended a second public Board of Directors meeting last month via Zoom on Tuesday, June 17, at 6pm.
The meeting, open to all MOs, included the Board of Directors, management, and staff who convened to review Honest Weight’s annual budget.
CLM Peter Waldmann expressed excitement about HWFC’s future and conveyed appreciation for the Board’s patience and diligence as the budget took shape over the past few weeks. It was first submitted to the Board on May 19.
HWFC Coffeehouse Open Mic
Mon., July 21, 6:30–8:30pm
HWFC’s café fills with music every 3rd Monday of the month. It’s open to Co-op and community members alike.
Join us for an evening with local performers and artists. Performer sign-in starts at 6pm. All family-friendly performances are welcome!
Editors & Contributors
Cara Benson
David Bulnes
Brendan Byrne
Stephanie Conde
Diana Duffy
Elisa Grimm
Don Kennison Irene Kim Jared Niemela
Carol Ostrow
Karen Roth
Robin Schatz
Janet Sorell
Peter Waldmann
july 2O 25
honestslate@honestweight.coop
Contact with questions, comments, or ideas.
Submissions Policy
• Maximum article length is 800 words.
• Material is published at the discretion of the Honest Slate team.
• Only signed work is accepted. Items are edited for length, grammar, & style.
• We may consider unsolicited material but encourage submitting ideas first.
• Letters to the Editor do not require preapproval.
“Identifying with HWFC drives
customer loyalty.”
Peter Waldmann, CLM
“I’m pleased to report that we have the collective IQ, leadership, and vision to succeed,” he told participants, emphasizing the importance of the Co-op’s mission.
Acknowledging that while budgets are speculative, they are a fiscal commitment, Peter described how numbers took shape in coordination with store leadership—with whom he held a total of 27 meetings—and with a third party accounting team to perform analysis. He also identified an overall goal to invest in building, IT, and margin infrastructures.
“I love the concept of a ‘budget as a moral document’ and think it can be a tool for us, HWFC, to do a selfinventory.” an MO at June 17’s meeting
White Affinity Group Meetings
Third Thursdays 6:30–7:45pm via Zoom
This is a group meant for white folks to work on eliminating racism and white supremacy. Join us as we share thoughts, feelings, successes, and mistakes in a warm, friendly, and nonjudgmental atmosphere.
Contact Tam for the Zoom link at Listeningpartnerships@gmail.com
Statement of Purpose:
Honest Slate is a platform for HWFC Membership, Staff, Management, and Governance: promoting transparency, reporting news without bias, and sustaining community.
Honest Slate articles are for informational purposes and are not intended to diagnose or treat disease. Opinions expressed in Honest Slate do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Honest Slate or Honest Weight Food Co-op.
A summary of preliminary committee reports submitted to the Board of Directors (BOD) for its July 1, 2025, meeting. See Board Meeting packet for details. Board-approved committee reports are posted on HWFC’s website. Our committees help to run Honest Weight. See if there is a committee for you.
by Stephanie Conde
Anti-Racism Committee (ARC)
∙ Moving forward implementing extensive work plan.
∙ Readying to table at Co-op; awaiting approval of “Ways to Save” flyer.
∙ Preparing to visit community meeting places and discuss how to save when shopping HWFC.
∙ Gathering information about Anti-Racism Trainings we can offer. The search for training that fits HWFC’s needs may take time, but working on it.
∙ Looking at website and working with managers to organize information making it easier for potential vendors to sell products.
∙ Met with Strategic and Long-Range Planning Committee.
∙ Starting work on new work plan.
∙ Requested BOD approval of Ways to Save flyer in order to move forward with tabling.
∙ Requested BOD approval for location of Spanish translation of completed Double Up Food Bucks flyer.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC)
∙ Discussed work plan. Each DEIC member is reviewing existing work plan. Want to make work plan more accessible to everyone.
∙ Continued discussing educational video-making project that can be included in cashier training. Front Desk Manager and Marketing Manager to be consulted.
∙ Discussed outreach to support local organizations that work with youth.
Elections & Nominations Committee (ENC)
∙ Discussed and completed planning and preparation for June RMM. ENC tasks, timelines and resources were confirmed through June 30 vote.
∙ Discussed BOD Election Process Improvements. Members met with Kristin Fischetti
to discuss application process for prospective BOD members. As someone who went through the process, Kristin found some things challenging and wanted to provide feedback to ENC in the spirit of improvement (e.g., process instructions are embedded in a lengthy document that was more drawn out than needed).
Kristin offered suggestions and ideas: looking toward 2026 BOD election with an eye toward website consolidation (with help from Marketing Manager); retooling process information to make applying easier; providing prospective BOD member info to MOs (it isn’t easy to find and Meet-the-Candidates sessions aren’t working too well)—perhaps pictures of candidates with their application responses in the store; recording MTC session for those who can’t attend; &or seeking other communication channels (in addition to website and email) to appeal to all Co-op generations.
∙ Initial discussion of ENC 2025–26 work plan for next fiscal year. Unsure of need to produce goals with milestones at all. Requested BOD advise whether it will produce a template for work plan submissions.
Nutrition & Education Committee (NEC)
∙ Discussed process to deal with items out of compliance with Food and Product Manual (FPM).
∙ Discussed removal of cassava flour products that do not meet FPM guidelines.
∙ Discussed report on feedback from tabling sessions.
∙ Discussed rewrite to clarify process for items out of FPM compliance.
Personnel Committee (PC)
∙ Discussed work plan. ∙ Continued Problem Solving Guide discussion.
∙ Discussed 6th and 7th Day Pay/Exempt Employees Duties Test for Department Heads.
∙ Discussed Values and Code of Conduct.
∙ Requested BOD review proposed changes to Employee Manual on Lactation Policy, allowing employees to express breast milk for their child (from infancy to 3 years of age) pursuant to Section 206-c of New York Labor Law. HWFC’s Lactation Space is nearly done and awaiting art.
Communications Committee (CC)
∙ Reviewed July Honest Slate, planned August’s issue.
∙ Discussed strategic and long-range planning (SLRP), compassionate communication (NVC—non-violent communication), inclusivity, & Servant Leadership potential.
∙ Next copy deadline July 24. Next publishing date is Aug. 8.
Dear Member-Owners and Owners, Membership Manager Sharon Lastique, on leave since late March, has resigned her position. We appreciate the effort and strengths Sharon brought to the role of Membership Manager and her enthusiasm for our Membership. We all wish her well.
We also extend our gratitude to Karen Roth, who is serving as temporary Membership Manager, and Janet Sorell, who is filling in as Membership Administrative Assistant, after the tragic passing of Jonny Puglia.
The Membership Manager and administrative support for the Membership program are essential roles in the co-op’s governance structure, and the Board anticipates that both positions will be posted in the near future. We will keep the HWFC community informed.
Thank you for your ongoing support and participation.
In Partnership and Affinity, HWFC Board of Directors
This message was sent to Honest Weight community members via Constant Contact on June 28, 2025.
10 Honest Slate
memBer-owner
Greetings, HWFC MOs and Owners, and welcome summer and sandals...but not while investing time at the Co-op. Please remember that closed-toed shoes are required while on shift at the store, regardless of the department you are investing time in.
We had a loss this month directly impacting the ability of Member Services to meet your needs. Jonny Puglia, our Membership Administrative Assistant, passed away in mid-June. A Gofundme has been set up for a celebration of Jonny’s life slated for mid-July. [Donations close on July 9, Jonny’s birthday.] Click here to visit the page for details when they become available. Thanks to Janet Sorell, who is helping Member Services to get our work done.
We gave 3 orientations in June, welcoming 37 new Owners for a total of 218 new Owners in the first 6 months of 2025. We lack dates for July orientations at this time as Jonny was scheduling orientations, but the Membership Committee’s Orientation
The Last Goodbye
It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to an integral team member, Jonny Puglia. Last fall, when Honest Weight was seeking a dynamic person to provide support in Member Services, Jonny appeared. It was clear from his résumé that he had a plethora of skills that would be a major asset, and his Servant Leadership mindset was evident at our first meeting. I was thrilled to ask Jonny to join the team!
Jonny’s blend of high IQ & EQ and positive attitude made him a joy to work with. No matter the task, be it creating event flyers, designing new feedback forms, tech support, or providing excellent customer service to our members, Jonny was always ready to serve with a smile.
We shared much laughter and a few tears, all while he carried a heavy load.
Jonny founded Thrivr, “a space to empower young adults affected by cancer through the power of storytelling and connection.” Visit Thriveoversurvive.org to learn more.
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subcommittee will address this moving forward (in line with the committee charge in Bylaw 463.3, stating that the Membership Committee shall be responsible for Owner orientation).
Reminder
for all MOs currently investing time instore: we will celebrate the season with a July 10 staff/MO appreciation BBQ! To RSVP click here
Member-Owners with time to help with setup and cleanup, please sign up here by 5:30pm Tues., July 8. We‘ll have a dessert potluck, so dig out those recipes and remember to include a label with all ingredients! Sign up here by 5pm on July 9 so we know how many desserts to expect!
A final farewell to Sharon Lastique who resigned as Membership Manager after a recent leave of absence. Her work for the
Some of Jonny’s passions were forecasting weather, storm chasing, volunteering, traveling, and quality time with his siblings and parents.
On the subject of goodbyes, I wish to thank the staff of Honest Weight, the MOs, and Owners I had the pleasure of working with for the past year as Membership Manager. I truly enjoyed supporting committees to facilitate event production and projects. I felt a great sense of accomplishment in streamlining new Member-Owner orientations, reducing the session length from 3 hours to 90 minutes.
As a direct result of shorter orientations and consistent outreach, we had a 30% increase in new Members year over year. We created new time investment opportunities that led to increased Member engagement.
Working with the Membership Committee to create monthly Membership socials was exciting as momentum built; more Mem-
Membership as part of the Member Services Team will be missed, especially in engaging members in social events and working with committees.
Immediate MO Time Investment Needs
•Front End
Our Front End manager is taking a well-deserved vacation, so please stop by the service desk to see what is available this month or call 518-482-2667 ext. 270.
•Front of House, Food Service
3-hour shifts are available: duties include prep for Front of House, packing for our Grab n Go wall, cleaning, sandwich making, etc. Email DanH@honestweight.coop.
•Housekeeping
Assisting housekeeping staff several shifts available but especially on the evenings of Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 7–10pm. Email KarlBraun@honestweight.coop.
bers attended each month, and some of the “old Co-op” vibe, that pre-pandemic energy, began to reemerge. Many Members expressed great joy at being able to congregate in person. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wrote a pivotal report in 2023, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” to point to the science that has proven a major determinant of health is the strength of our social connections.
As we approach the 50th anniversary of Honest Weight, may we remember our roots as a buyers club for families seeking access to clean local organic foods. From a group of 20 families, we have grown to more than 10,000 Members and over 900 Member-Owners.
The world feels more than a little scary right now; division and discord seem to be the norm. Now more than ever we must remember our humanity and let our mission guide the way forward: “People, Planet, Profit.”
