January 2026 Slate FINAL

Honest Weight Food Co-op’s Community Newsletter for Membership • Staff • Governance • Management

Honest

Published monthly by the Communications Committee to promote transparency, report without bias, and sustain community.

SLATE

j a n u a r y 2O2 6 Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667

honestslate@honestweight.coop • https://www.honestweight.coop/

10 New Year’s Resolutions for an MO

by Robin D. Schatz

It’s that time of year when we resolve to make major changes in our lives. In my case, it usually involves cutting out sugar, hitting the gym more often, and shopping less on Amazon.

Yes, it’s all about aspirations and good intentions. But the truth is, we’re not always so committed to our own pronouncements, and sometimes our resolutions are just not practical. Those cookies are just too tasty to pass up; I want to exercise but sometimes life gets in the way; I believe in shopping local but I live in a rural area, and sometimes there’s just no other way to get what I need quickly. Often, we abandon our resolutions before the snows have stopped.

So, for 2026, I’m crafting a new, achievable set of resolutions, all about being a better MO and taking full advantage of all Honest Weight has to offer. I want to fully appreciate our Co-op community, embrace our social and environmental missions, and partake of all the great healthy products and events that Honest Weight offers. I teamed up with my fellow Slate editors and writers to come up with this list. Adopt what speaks to you, or add your own resolutions. Hopefully, we can all be better MOs—together.

1. Avoid plastic like the plague. Instead

of grabbing those plastic bags in the produce department, why not bring your own cloth or mesh produce bags? Buy food packaged in glass jars or cans when feasible.

2. Buy more bulk products (do I really

need to buy boxes and boxes of tea bags?

Can I replenish my existing spice and oil bottles instead of going to the Grocery aisle?) and keep my reusable shopping bags and rehonestslate@honestweight.coop

fillable jars in the trunk, so I’m always ready for a grocery run.

3. Find new (and fun) ways to invest

time at the Co-op, such as giving out cheese samples. To see where help is needed most, check on the Co-op website or contact memberservices@honestweight.coop.

4. Attend at least one new committee

meeting a month just to see what they’re up to and whether it may be a fit. (The Communications Committee always welcomes visitors.)

5. Do go to Board and Membership meetings, and don’t forget to vote!

6.

Love a rutabaga. They’re big, lumpy, and downright homely, but I hear they actually are delicious. In fact, why not try a new food every month and learn how to cook it?

7. Remember to book free acupuncture,

massage, and reiki sessions for the coming month and take advantage of cooking classes, all offered by our wonderful MOs.

8. Don’t forget to bring my coffee card.

Instead of having a bunch of cards with one or two punches, I will resolve to keep it all on one. It’s amazing how quickly they add up and lead to a free, delicious coffee treat.

9. Recycle and compost more. Avoid

everything else—including, especially, takeout containers and plastic straws—when possible.

10. Smile and say thank you to your

fellow MOs, Co-op staff, and shoppers. A little appreciation goes a long way toward making us a more cohesive and caring community.

Community Cooking & Meal Share Mon., Jan. 12 • 11am–3pm in the Teaching Kitchen

The DEI Committee invites you to join the first Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee Community Cooking and Meal Share event! This nutritious, delicious vegan soup will be made without gluten. We welcome help in preparing the meal at 11am and then will open up the space for guests to enjoy a hot meal starting at 1pm (helping is not required to enjoy the meal!).

We hope to use this opportunity to hear your feelings, experiences, and thoughts on diversity, inclusion, and equity at the Co-op. At the end of the event, we will stock the Free Food Fridge!

Please choose your ticket (below) based on how you’d like to participate: • Cooking (please arrive by 11am) • Meal Time (1–2pm) • Cleanup (2–3pm) To share your thoughts or get involved, email DEIComm@honestweight.coop.

Sign-up via this Eventbrite page (walk-ins are also welcome!): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-cooking-meal-share-with-hwfc-dei-committee-tickets-1977716231487?aff=oddtdtcreator

CONTENTS Mushroom Merch Purged.............. 2 Book Club to Meet......................... 2 By the Bylaws.................................. 3 Maca..................................................4 Suggestion Box Q&A....................... 5 Board Decisions .............................. 6 Committee Corner ......................... 7 MO Announcements...................... 8 https://www.honestweight.coop/

2 Oyster Mushroom Kit Removed from Shelves When one Member-Owner alerted HWFC to a product considered environmentally consequential, Member Services and management responded immediately.

Biologist and MO Jennifer Dean contacted Member Services in early December regarding an HWFC product. She wrote: In the Produce area, there are a number of mushroom growing kits from North Spore. One of these, the golden oyster mushroom, is now recognized as an invasive species. It is escaping from cultivation and spreading rapidly through northern forests. This past summer I saw it really explode in the forests around Albany. A recent research article detailed how this introduced mushroom is outcompeting our native decomposers [Smithsonian Summary of research].

Would the Co-op be willing to stop selling this golden oyster mushroom kit?

The other species for sale are not known to be an issue. I am a biologist who deals with invasive species for my job, and I have heard from many natural resource stewards that this species is becoming a big problem.

Honest Slate

January 2026

Book Club to Tackle Plastic Problem * Author to Attend! * Thursday, Jan. 15 • 6pm in the Community Room

Exciting news! Author Judith Enck

will join us for Jan. 15th’s book club discussion of The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late.

“Plastic pollution has reached crisis proportions, and false solutions abound.

But as The Problem with Plastic shows, there are real solutions out there. And, fortunately, there are people like Judith Enck working to enact them.”

—Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize– winning author of The Sixth Extinction PLEASE NOTE: Books purchased at Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza are 20% off for Honest Weight Book Club readers (you need not be an HWFC member).

ed to arrive; loaner copies may be available.

Email memberservices@honestweight.coop.

Books were sold out at Book House as of mid-December, with more copies expect-

Link to an interview with lead author Judith Enck on Democracy Now

Join us for snacks, conversation, & connection!

Many thanks, Jennifer Dean After determining the product—while displayed in Produce—was actually a Mercantile item, Acting Membership Manager Karen Roth communicated these concerns to buyer Emily Collins. Emily read the referenced material and, together with Operations Manager Shawn Mack, decided to remove the remaining Golden Oyster kits from Co-op shelves and not to reorder them.

“This is an excellent example of how to request the removal of a product from HWFC shelves. It is respectfully worded, provides credible resources, and shares a willingness to discuss the topic further!” Karen shared.

Although displayed in Produce, the kit was sold by the Mercantile Department.

March’s book will be Budget Justice: May’s book is The AI Con: How to Fight On Building Grassroots Politics and Solidar- Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We ities by Celina Su. Celina will join us for this Want by Emily M. Bender, Alex Hanna. discussion!

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop

January 2026

By the Bylaws We are nearing the end of our series of articles on sections of the HWFC Bylaws, the dynamic document that defines the structure of our Co-op and how it functions based on the shared values on which HWFC was founded and continues to operate. The Bylaws and HWFC manuals, which are extensions of the Bylaws, ensure that we do what we say we will do in an open and honest manner.

We now review for you sections 500 and 501, regarding management and staff.

Section 500.1 of the Bylaws gives to management the responsibility for store operations under the ultimate supervision of the Board. Section 500 goes on to further describe additional management responsibilities.

Bylaw 500.1(a), in one short sentence, states what many Member-Owners would say is the most important Bylaw: it is the responsibility of store management to make maximum use of the time investment chosen by MOs. Honest Weight Food Co-op began in 1976 as a buying club that became a co-op; Member-Owners help in-store operations through time investment. By codifying management’s responsibility to ensure maximum use of Member-Owner time investment, MOs maintain an active role in operating the store we own and love.

Other management responsibilities include 500.1(b), the monthly financial report presented and reviewed at the monthly Board meeting. If you haven’t attended and participated in monthly Board meetings we strongly advise you to do so.

Our Board of Directors invests many hours in the oversight of HWFC. MO participation and feedback to the Board is essential for open governance and ensures robust discussion about many important issues, including financial ones.

Additionally, Bylaw 500.1(c) covers important management responsibilities for educating and orienting newly hired employees

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Honest Slate

Sections 500 and 501

on HWFC cooperative principles. Without this crucial component, a disconnect can occur between management, staff, and Member-Owners. This Bylaw reminds us all that we are not just a grocery store; we are trying to live by certain principles that guide our actions and decisions instead of just pursuing profits by whatever means. Yes, we are different!

Bylaws sections 500.3 and 500.4 are the newly amended Bylaws governing management’s role in proposing for Board approval salary or wage increases that exceed the range or are not related to an annual review.

Bonuses and other wage and salary adjustments may also be proposed to the Board based on the HWFC financial review.

HWFC management and staff work hard.

MOs, through the elected Board, want to ensure that our staff are treated fairly. This is done through management in conjunction with Board approval. In no way does this limit management’s role in recognizing staff’s good work.

Bylaw 501.1 states that terms and conditions of employment are described in the Employee Manual. This Bylaw also points out that employees who become Member-Owners can participate in the governance of HWFC— and many do!

Bylaw 501.2 states that employee fringe benefits include, but are not limited to, an employee discount that equates to the current discount for weekly time investment.

Finally, we go back to Bylaw 500.2, which gives management the responsibility of appointing 2 members to the Bylaws Panel.

Current management appointees are Julie Cohen and Margaret Vorih.

Join us for Coffee with the CLM

Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 12-1pm in the Community Room Held every 2nd Wednesday monthly

Immunity Broth Ingredients:

2 stalks celery 2 carrots ½ cup shiitake mushrooms 1 russet potato 1 yellow onion 1 sheet seaweed 1’’ piece fresh turmeric 1” piece fresh ginger 1 bay leaf 1/4 cup fresh parsley 1–2 Tbsp nutritional yeast Juice of 1 whole lemon 1/8 to 1/4 cup liquid aminos (Liquid aminos can be found in the baking aisle in many stores.)

Directions:

• Cut veggies (peel first if desired) into fairly large chunks.

• Place all ingredients in a pot with 3 to 4 cups of water and boil for 8–10 minutes.

• Turn heat down and cover; simmer for about one hour on low, then strain the vegetables from the broth to use in other dishes or put in your compost pile. Enjoy!

–Christi L Wright

As always, feel free to contact the BLP or attend a meeting on the third Wednesday of each month. See our page on HWFC’s website for more up-to-date information: https://www.honestweight.coop/ page/bylaws-panel-386.html.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop

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Honest Slate

Maca

A superfood, maca can be added to smoothies or drinks.

Erin Ethier is an Honest Weight MO, herbalist, farmer, business owner, and vendor in the Wellness Department.

Traditionally dried or roasted to make it more digestible, its roots were dried after harvest and stored for later use or made into a fermented beverage known as maca chicha and a porridge called mazamorra.

Raw maca can upset stomachs. Nowadays maca is gelatinized for commercial production, which is supposed to break down starches and make it more digestible.

High in protein, maca is perceived by some to be a nutrient-dense food source. It is rich in minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, zinc, and potassium. While not recommended for use while pregnant or breastfeeding, it is frequently used to support fertility. I have found it quite helpful with menopause symptoms.

by Erin Ethier For the next few months I will be writing about herbs focusing on women’s health during the perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause time periods in our lives because there isn’t enough attention in this area. I am starting with maca root because it can be used in all of these stages.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii or L. peruvianum) comes from South America, cultivated and grown mainly in the highlands of Peru. It is in the Brassica family and resembles a radish, with red, yellow, and black colors. Used traditionally as a food crop in Peru, it has become increasingly difficult to acquire, and prices have skyrocketed as demand has increased.

Considered a superfood, maca began circulating worldwide in the 1980s.. Its seeds were smuggled out of Peru into China at one point (it is illegal to transport seeds or whole roots out of Peru). China grows black maca in the Yunnan Province where the weather is like Peru’s. My research has suggested that maca coming out of China could be adulterated, so make sure you are buying Peruvian maca only. Red maca seems to be pricier than that of yellow and white maca, yet all are used interchangeably.

Tangy and moist, these not-too-sweet GF cranberry and orange muffins make for a delicious, no guilt treat. They come together quickly and take about 20 minutes to bake.

Ingredients

1½ cups almond flour ½ cup gluten-free flour 2 Tbsp ground toasted flaxseed 1½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 1 large egg ¼ cup avocado oil ½ cup maple syrup ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice Zest of 1 orange ½ cup chopped toasted pecans 1 cup chopped fresh cranberries

Considered an adaptogen, this herb has an affinity for the female reproductive tract and is used for hormone regulation. It contains isoflavones that potentially optimize estrogen levels.

Maca has been shown to help with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, energy fluctuation, sleep, mood, cognitive function, brain fog, and vaginal dryness, and for low libido for both men and women. It may help with discomfort, dryness, pain, and general libido.

Its normalizing and regulating effect on cortisol levels is sometimes good for depression and anxiety. It may help with diastolic blood pressure and has also been shown to help regulate appetite by decreasing food cravings.

January 2026

Dosage varies, but 2 to 3 grams daily of powdered maca root is considered appropriate. I find ¼ teaspoon to be enough and like to mix it with collagen and mushroom powders. On rare occasions, maca can be stimulating for some folks and disrupt sleep, so I recommend using it in the morning. The Co-op sells maca in powder form in the Bulk Dept. and in pill form in the Wellness supplement area.

Please contact your doctor, midwife, OB/ GYN, or herbalist before starting maca for medicinal purposes, especially females experiencing perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause symptoms.

HWFC does not provide medical advice.

Please check with a health care practitioner before treating any condition. See page 6 for policies and full disclaimer.

Cran-Orange Muffins Directions

• Preheat oven to 425º. Spray a 12-hole muffin tin with cooking spray.

• In a medium-size bowl, whisk together almond flour, GF flour, ground flaxseed, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

• In a small bowl whisk together egg, avocado oil, maple syrup, orange juice, and orange zest.

• Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients; mix until moist and blended.

• Mix in cranberries and pecans.

• Fill each muffin tin about ¾ full with batter. Bake at 425.º for 5’.

• Turn oven down to 350º and bake for an additional 15’ or so. Muffin tops should be lightly brown and an inserted toothpick should come out clean.

• Let cool for 5’, remove from tins, and finish cooling on a wire rack.

–Nina Martinson, NEC

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop

January 2026

Mac and cheese is now available on the Grab n Go wall.

SUGGESTION BOX

Q Q& &A A

Q. Could you please make more focaccia so it doesn’t run out in the afternoon? Also, you should package your mac and cheese.

It’s delicious! Thank you. J A. We make as much focaccia as production can handle. Our mac and cheese is now available on the Grab n Go wall.

Suggestion Box answers are provided by our Honest Weight managers and departments.

Q. We had to grab Thanksgiving sides from the Deli this year…WOW SO GOOD! We’re getting more next year!

A. Nice. We’re happy to hear that. We’ll let the culinary department know.

Q. What happened to Good Karma flaxmilk (unsweetened) with no protein? Many people are allergic to pea protein.

A. Good Karma now only offers their “milks” with protein added.

Q. Bob in Bulk is the BEST!! He is so knowledgeable and helpful, always very friendly, and kind. He is one of the main reasons I shop at the Co-op. What a pleasure to be greeted warmly and helped every week.

THANK YOU.♥ A. Bob will be in service to our Co-op community for 50 years when we celebrate our 50th anniversary!

Q. Big breakfast bowl is BUSSIN, BABY!!!

A. Perfect! We’re glad to hear it.

Q. Whole & pitted olives being mixed in olive bar…I broke a tooth.L A. Our specialty foods workers will happily package olives for you to ensure that all are pitted.

Q. Unit pricing on multi packs of Caboo bamboo products has been significantly miscalculated, making its cost per 100 sq. ft. Very misleading!

A. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

We’ll get it fixed.

Q. Please include various types of meat (besides chicken) in your buffet.

A. We do offer beef, pork, and fish when appropriate with the cuisine and when pricing allows.

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Honest Slate

Q. Please put more coffee in the coffee.

Weak & watery!

A. In the new year, we have a new blend from Capital City Coffee Roasters.

Q. The café whale is incredible! More sea life on the ceiling!

A. We love the whimsy Whaley brings to the store!

Q. Frozen vegan soft pretzels! J A. We have not seen any frozen vegan soft pretzels available to us. Do you have a specific brand in mind?

Q. Always make some broccoli salads without bacon (not healthy).

A. We do make it without bacon for some of our seasonal recipes. Please watch for it in the spring.

Q. How about making ½ sandwiches for some of the Grab n Go? If the whole ones ran out then…well…2 halves make a whole. J A. We will continue to offer only whole sandwiches at this time. We’re trying to reduce packaging.

Q. Pump bottle for agave @ coffee station.

Bottle is always sticky.

A. We can look into getting that one into a pump.

“Best food I’ve ever gotten!”

Q. Thank you Bakery Dept. for the specialty cookies at the coffee/juice counter. They are a real treat. And thank you for making some with wheat flour (I don’t like GF).J A. We’re glad that you appreciate the specialty cookies. Thank you very much!

Q. Mulled cider! (hot) A. We’ve tried it in the past and it was not selling well enough to continue it.

Q. C’mon Bulk, let’s get some coffee bags in store consistently.

A. Due to a vendor snafu, we went to another source and the situation is now remedied.

Q. Why don’t we sell more fair trade items like Ten Thousand Villages items for Christmas, instead of junk from China?

A. We carry a variety of fair trade products from many great companies. We’re placing another order for Ten Thousand Villages right now!

Q. The Sri Lankan chicken curry I ate from the hot bar was the best food I have ever gotten from the hot bar!!!

A. Thank you so much!

Q. Would love to see delicata squash, especially pre-chopped. (Note: Produce no longer pre-cuts veggies in-house.)

A. We’re still sourcing delicata squash from Brookford Farm in Canterbury, NH. When that runs out we’ll get what’s out there.

Q. The Deli’s small dip containers don’t close easily without making a mess. L Can we get the other containers back?

Q. Why is the dilly dip in messy containers?

Hard to reclose because your finger pushes into the dip.

A. We’re working on getting a better container with our paper company.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop

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Honest Slate

Boar d Decisions

Board Meeting Highlights

At the Jan. 6, 2025 HWFC Board of Directors meeting, the Board:

“Meteoric” was how CLM Peter Waldmann described successful year-end sales, reporting: “Last week was perhaps your best sales week of the year!”

• Affirmed the decision made Dec. 16, 2025 to approve Dec. 2, 2025’s Board meeting minutes as presented.

• Appointed Steve Golub as a member of the Finance Committee.

• Approved the Jan. 25, 2026 Regular Membership Meeting notice as revised during meeting discussion (see notice, page 8).

The meeting was adjourned at 10:19 pm.

One easy phone number links to our Zoom meetings.

YOY Improvements: • Overall sales: ...............↑17.49% • Average basket size: .... 7.08% • # of customers: ............ 9.72% Department sales compared to prior year: Chill . .................... ↑17.78% Grocery................. 18.84% Cheese . ............... 19.51% Seafood................ 23.98% (new record) Body care............. 24.82% In House Bakery... 25.01% Specialty............... 28.07% Mercantile ........... 34.88% (best in company)

January 2026

White Affinity Group Did you know that Honest Weight runs a monthly group dedicated to eliminating racism and white supremacy?

Meetings are on third Thursdays from 6:30-7:45pm on Zoom.

Join us as we share our thoughts, feelings, successes, and mistakes with each other in a warm, friendly and non-judgmental atmosphere.

Contact Tam for the link at Listeningpartnerships@gmail.com

HWFC Coffeehouse Open Mic Mon., Jan. 19 • 6:30–8:30pm

HWFC’s café fills with song, music, and readings every 3rd Monday! Coffeehouse Open Responding promptly to an MO’s question Mic Night is open and free to Co-op MemFind all meeting links on about the store couponing program, Mar- bers and the public alike.

HWFC's Zoom link page. keting Manager Erika Lopez shared that the When we come together through music, average basket size when redeeming $20-off song, stories, and fun, we reflect and regenDid You Know? coupons during the holiday week was $163— erate our connectedness, unity, and capacity well over the minimum $100 required for that to create a space in which expressions of our • 11,793 Owners belonged on 12-31-25. discount. talents, soulfulness, and unique vision are • 400 new Owners joined HWFC in 2025. supported and valued—needed in our lives, • 80 attended this month’s Board meeting. Member Services now has the support of a our community, and our world.

FT assistant. The permanent Membership • 13,724 customers shopped Manager position was posted with interviews Please join us for an evening featuring local during the holiday week. in progress and hiring expected by January’s performers and artists. Performer sign-in • $1.4 million worth of goods sold in end (Karen Roth serves as Acting Member- starts at 6pm. All types of family-friendly the 11 days leading up to the holidays. ship Manager). performances are welcome!

To join any HWFC Zoom meeting by phone:

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

j a n u a r y 2O2 6 honestslate@honestweight.coop

Contact with questions, comments, ideas.

Editors & Contributors Cara Benson David Bulnes Kaori Otera Chen Erin Ethier Elisa Grimm Catherine Holmes Don Kennison Irene Kim

Nina Martinson Carol Ostrow Anastasia Rodgers Karen Roth Robin Schatz Janet Sorell Christi Wright

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.

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.

All contents ©2026 Honest Weight Food Coop; no material appearing in Honest Slate may be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of HWFC.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop

January 2026

COMMITTEE C O R N E R A summary of preliminary committee reports submitted to the Board of Directors (BOD) for its January 6, 2026, 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.

Personnel Committee (PC) • Discussed problem solving policy review & guidance, clarification, further language.

• Reviewed questions from Board.

Communications Committee (CC) • Several MOs were unavailable this month so others covered their tasks.

• Request of Board: Discuss proofreading government documents.

• Next meeting Jan. 26.

Honest Slate 2026 calendar (all dates fall on Thursdays):

Copy is due on: Dec. 26, 2025 Jan. 22, 2026 Feb. 19 March 26 April 23 May 21 June 25 Aug. 20 Sept. 24 Oct. 22 Nov. 19 Dec. 24, 2026

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Honest Slate

to publish: January 2026 February March April May June July Sept.

Oct. Nov. Dec. 2026 Jan. 2027

Honest Arts Committee (HAC) • Current show: Anastasia’s sketch class participant work.

• Having shrunk to 3 MOs, the committee has decided to take a hiatus, regroup, and reflect upon its approach to fulfilling its mission statement.

Finance Committee (FC) • Discussed Operations & Financial Report.

• Cash management for investing the organization’s cash resources, including Employee Retention Credit received in 2025; favor low-risk options.

• Discussed recruitment for FC, Board Treasurer position. FC currently has 2 vacancies.

• Hilary Yeager requested Board to appoint Steve Golub as a committee member.

• Next meeting Jan. 27.

Membership Committee (MC) • Discussed bulletin boards, Ownership orientation needs, and MO Manual changes.

• Will host info session Sunday, Jan. 11 at noon regarding proposed addition of language to MO Manual concerning Emergency Hours Bank.

• MC has changed its schedule to 2nd Sundays at 11am as a hybrid meeting in the conference room and via Zoom.

• Next meeting Jan. 11.

Elections & Nominating Committee (ENC) • Welcomed new member Christi Wright.

• Work plan posted on website.

• Reviewed RMM tasks.

• Will support Staff Rep election.

• Discussed Board Election website update support, recruitment tools such as creating role descriptions, emphasizing DEI experience, clarifying needs.

• Noted need for better communication with Members.

• Next meeting Jan. 14.

Nutrition & Education Committee (NEC) • Continued Food and Product Manual (FPM) Section 7 revisions, developing introductions to both FPM and Section 7.

• Considering an article for Slate.

• Implemented co-chair position to divide duties and responsibilities.

• Next meeting Jan. 12.

Environment Committee (EC) • Developing suggestions for next Zero Waste movie night.

• Considering event on sustainable lawn care.

• Reviewing vendor outreach, grant funding opportunities; drafting RFP for seeking proposals from refrigerant companies.

• Obtaining info from companies offering carbon dioxide rack systems, propane stand-alone cases; will offer recommendations to HWFC management.

• Next meeting Jan. 19.

Governance groups regularly create and maintain manuals, reports, proposals, and other publications.

When your committee drafts or updates official HWFC governance documents, you can now follow guidance offered in our

Board-approved Style Guide

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ssmg55644gopkyhdylj04/Governance-Written-Communication-Style-Guide-01-24. pdf?rlkey=ffdlc7flqnkp2qyiwl2g177o2&dl=0.

This guide lists commonly used terms with preferred spelling and usage. HWFC presents more professionally when we communicate consistently.

As a living document, the guide is periodically updated. Please reach out with any questions or for more info:

CommunicationComm@honestweight.coop Comm Comm publishes Honest Slate and can provide editorial support to the Co-op.

Anti-Racism Committee Report (ARC) • Reviewed committee logistics, sub-committee reports.

• Members asked to re-read Guidelines for Visiting Guests, consider onboarding future members.

• Date set in January for committee-sponsored potluck and our own personal work on ending racism.

• Next meeting Jan. 19.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee (DEIC) • Prepared for first event, slated Jan. 12.

Staff helped with publicity via Eventbrite. see article, page 1.

• Next meeting Jan. 13.

Governance Review Council (GRC) • Approved November minutes.

• Report from December Board meeting.

• Discussed RMM preparation, Conflict Resolution Policy/Problem Solving Guide progress, Peer Review training.

• Next meeting Jan. 12.

Bylaws Panel (BLP) • Thanks to Beth (Board Admin) for Bylaws update. Reviewed edits; updated Bylaws now appear on the website.

• Discussed and submitted article for Honest Slate on Sections 500 and 501.

• Next meeting Jan. 21.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop

8 memBer-owner

Honest Slate

January 2026

C o - o p p o r t u n iti es

with Member Services

Greetings Honest Weight Community,

recent visit to another local store Happy New Year! My showed the contrast. At 8pm on a week-

We gave 3 orientations in December and welcomed 34 new Owners which brought us to an amazing 400 new Owners in 2025!

Most of these folks want to invest time in our Co-op. We look forward to getting creative to support all Owners who want to contribute time while maintaining our amazing grocery store and community.

The holiday period at the Co-op was incredibly busy and successful! The Member-Owners on shift and Member-Owners and Owners shopping in addition to our incredible staff made the shopping experience for all our customers so much richer than other stores!

night, no one was at the service desk or in the aisles to ask about where a product might be. I finally found someone who had to call for “the stocker.” After waiting for that person to come to the front of the store and walk me to the place I had already checked, it turned out they no longer carried it at that location. What a contrast to our Co-op.

Our second “10 in 10” tallied 28 Member-Owners investing 10 hours each on the floor in the 10 days before Christmas. Now, 3 of those MOs will be getting the call to say they won a $50 gift card before you read these words.

Notice of HWFC Regular Membership Meeting Sunday, January 25, 2026, 6pm (to be conducted remotely)

4–6pm Check-in • 6–7:45pm Membership Meeting Agenda Item Time Welcome.............................................................................................. 5' Member-Owners: “We’re thankful for the Co-op because…”............ 5' Open Discussion................................................................................... 10' Operational & Financial Update with Outreach Activities & “Plans for the Future” presentation .............................................. 20' Governance Review Council (GRC) Update: presentation....................... 5' Strategic & Long-Range Planning Committee Update: presentation.... 5' Anti-Racism Committee Update: presentation..................................... 5' Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee Update: presentation................ 5' Member Owner Rights & Responsibilities: Membership Committee presentation.................................................. 10' Member-Owner Manual Proposed Changes: Emergency Hours Bank presentation, Q&A and Vote....................... 20' Open Discussion................................................................................... 15'

In-person voting (Teaching Kitchen): Mon., Jan. 26 • 8am–6pm

Phone-only participant voting will commence (concurrently with online voting) when ballot boxes open. The meeting will adjourn Mon., Jan. 26, at 6pm upon the end of the voting period. Anyone with questions regarding voting eligibility may contact memberservices@honestweight.coop or call 518 -482-2667 x104.

On Jan. 25, 2026 we will have our first Regular Membership Meeting of the year. Please attend to hear operational updates, GRC/ committee updates, and a Membership Committee presentation with information on recent Membership Manual work, a refresher on Member rights and responsibilities, and a vote on adding language to the Manual detailing the Emergency Hours Bank! At least 951 owners are eligible to vote at this meeting. We hope you join us!

Thanks for all you do for our wonderful community, Karen and Valerie, Your Member Services team

Member-Owner Manual Pre-Meeting Information Session

Sunday, Jan. 11, 12–1pm via Zoom

Online meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81073676905 Phone Login information: Meeting ID: 810 7367 6905 Phone: 1 (929) 205 6099 OR Toll-free: 1 (833) 548 0282 Copies of the agenda will be available at the customer service desk at least 10 days prior to the meeting and posted on HWFC’s website. Remote phone/online voting instructions are posted on the Member-Owner meeting web page.

• For the best meeting experience please update to the latest version of Zoom before the Meeting: https://support.zoom.us/ hc/en-us/articles/201362233-Upgrading-Zoom-to-the-latest-version

• MOs are encouraged to connect to the meeting online (via laptop, computer, smartphone app, etc.) to best view presentation materials.

• Households with multiple Member-Owners are strongly encouraged to use separate devices when attending.

• Please mute the mic on all devices while waiting for the meeting to start.

• MOs checking in receive 2 hours for attendance.

• Those checking in between 4 and 5:30pm receive an additional 0.5 hour. We appreciate people checking in early.

• MOs who vote receive one additional time investment hour.

Governing the Co-op successfully relies on active Membership support and participation. We encourage you to get involved.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop