On a beautiful late summer day, my geezer friends and I decided to tour some other cooperative food stores in our region. Having a long association and deep passion for our beloved Honest Weight, we were interested in how other co-ops were doing, and how they functioned.
Our tour included Chatham’s Real Food Market Co-op, Great Barrington’s Berkshire Food Co-op, and the Wild Oats Market in Williamstown. Without a specific agenda in mind, we were interested in the layouts of the stores, the variety of product availability,
and the extent to which staff were paid or members were able to participate in the operations of each organization.
Our first stop was Chatham Real Food Market on Church Street in Chatham, NY. A small store, it’s reminiscent of something between HWFC’s Quail Street location and its historical next step onto Central Avenue. The store is well-kept and offers, on a smaller scale than Honest Weight, a variety of food products including produce, a bulk section, a café, and a limited offering of plants. We spoke to some folks working in the café and stocking shelves to learn that most staff there are employees. While owners have some opportunity to participate in store operations,
we were told (unofficially) that there are currently only two active participants (which we would call Member-Owners). Real Food is open to everyone and adheres to the same Seven Cooperative Principles as Honest Weight.
· Voluntary and Open Membership
· Democratic Member Control
· Members’ Economic Participation
· Autonomy and Independence
· Education, Training, and Information
· Cooperation Among Cooperatives
· Concern for Community
Building Cooperative Power Across New York: Reflections from 2025’s NYS Cooperative Summit
On October 4, 2025, cooperators from across New York State gathered in Albany, NY, for the New York Cooperative Summit, a day of collaboration, learning, and movement building. This year’s theme, “Cooperative Resilience: Cultivating a Statewide Movement for Economic Democracy,” drew more than 150 participants to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center for panels, workshops, and community discussions about the future of cooperatives in New York.
The day’s 12 workshops were organized into 3 categories:
1. Building statewide democracy
2. How co-ops are meeting material needs of their communities
3. Technical assistance
Ryan Rose (Controller), Kristin Fischetti (Board Member, Front End Floor Manager), and Michael Rosenthal (Member-Owner) attended a number of these sessions and reported on their experiences for Honest Slate.
in Albany
Learning from Local Cooperative Ecosystems
Panelists Johan Matthews of the Cooperative Fund of the Northeast, Mike Zak of Cooperation Buffalo, Angela DeFelice of Coop Hudson Valley, and Frank Cetera of the Democracy at Work Institute shared stories from their respective regions, describing how cooperatives grow best when rooted in place and supported by local finance partners, regional training hubs, and peer networks that nurture community trust.
Emerging as a central theme was the importance of the solidarity economy—a broader framework that includes cooperatives but also encompasses community land trusts, mutual aid networks, credit unions, and other democratic, community-based enterprises. While cooperatives focus on shared ownership within a business, the solidarity economy aims to reorganize economic life around cooperation, equity, and sustainability rather than profit maximization.
Panelists urged attendees to see these approaches as complementary rather than competing. As Mike Zak put it, “If we focus only on cooperative businesses, we risk missing the larger picture—the networks of care and collective survival that make cooperatives possible in the first place.”
All ballots at October’s RMM passed and 1 Member-Owner was elected to the GRC. See Vote Results, page 10.
2 Honest Slate November 2025
NYS Cooperative Summit
continued from page 1
This wider view, also called a “movement of movements,” connects food co-ops, worker co-ops, and housing co-ops to local grassroots initiatives tackling climate justice, racial equity, and community wealth building.
One idea that resonated deeply with Ryan: “Build cooperation before building a cooperative.” The panel reminded everyone that before bylaws and balance sheets, what truly sustains the cooperative movement is solidarity itself.
Unstuck: How to Negotiate the Power of Mental Models to Manage Conflict, Resolve Disputes
At another workshop that morning, panelist Bathabile K.S. Mthombeni, J.D, M.S.LOD, PCC (Founder & Principal of Untangled Resolutions), shared their knowledge of mental models and communication strategies.
The workshop focused on how mental models allow humans to make quick decisions; yet differences in mental models can create resistance and anxiety among individuals. Instead of trying to change another person’s mind or mental model, Bathabile proposes a method of nonviolent communication that includes understanding and expressing one’s own observations, feelings, needs, and requests. Bathabile explained that feelings are indications of your needs that have or have not been met. We must ask ourselves, “What do I need to change the way I feel?”
Bethabile closed the workshop with one last important message: Be specific and positive to communicate a request: say “please do this” instead of “please don’t do this.”
Meeting the Moment: Cooperative Resilience in Tumultuous Times
Panelist Michael Heubusch, Organizational Culture and Education Director at Cooperation Buffalo, spoke on cooperative principle 6: Cooperation Among Co-ops.
The workshop began by referencing historical evidence that co-ops are adaptable and resilient. Co-ops strengthen communities by keeping money in the local economy. Breakout groups discussed how existing co-ops can better cooperate with one another.
“Our work in Albany is part of a larger story....”
Kristin met with folks from an artist co-op in Philadelphia and a consulting worker co-op in New York City. They came up with ideas on how their co-op can be more cooperative among co-ops:
• Sell items made by co-ops and local vendors
• Make co-ops recipients of rounding up programs
• Sponsor or offer free services to other local co-ops
• Share resources, knowledge, and best practices
• Create a local network of co-ops
• Organize days to visit other co-ops to understand their organization
• Work with local not-for-profits to address community needs
• Create or participate in mutual aid
Building Cooperative Policy and Ecosystems at Scale
That afternoon, Ryan attended a workshop examining how statewide and national efforts can expand cooperative infrastructure. Presenters from organizations such as the New Economy Project, ICA Group, and the Working World discussed legislative campaigns, employee–ownership conversions, and state-level advocacy models from other parts of the country. The takeaway was clear: long-term success for cooperatives depends not just on great businesses but on supportive policy and public understanding.
Effective Cooperative Meeting Facilitation
Panelist Emily Terrana, Worker Owner at Rose Jade Consulting Co-op, spoke about how to execute effective meetings, from planning to follow-up. Emily explained that formal meetings should not be report-backs, work sessions, handouts, or conflict mediations. She used Halloween-themed descriptors to explain how to address types of participants who may hinder meetings, such as zombies (who slow down progress), vampires (who suck the energy out of the group), and ghosts (who are not really there).
Attendees broke out into groups and developed action plans on how to deal with each type of meeting hindrance, sharing their results. Kristin appreciated that, if an attendee did not want to participate in a breakout section, they could simply pass. She had never been to an event where attendees have the explicit autonomy to not participate!
Toward a Statewide Cooperative Advocacy Network
The day closed with an emergent breakout session exploring how to form a NYS cooperative advocacy coalition. Participants voiced strong interest in creating a unified statewide body that could coordinate education, public policy, and resources across sectors from food co-ops and housing coops to worker-owned businesses. Plans were made to continue this momentum into the coming months to coalesce around a statewide policy agenda.
To end the day, the summit’s keynote conversation between Melissa Marquez, CEO of Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union, and India Walton, of Cooperation Buffalo and Rose Jade Consulting, tied it all together by asserting that cooperation is not just an economic model but a social practice rooted in equity, empathy, and shared ownership.
Cooperation is rooted in equity, empathy, and shared ownership.
Taking part in the Cooperative Summit was both service and solidarity, nourishing fellow cooperators while learning from their innovation and passion. The event reaffirmed that our work in Albany is part of a larger international and statewide story of cooperation, resilience, and democratic enterprise.
With October being Co-op Month, and the UN declaring 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, this event was a powerful moment to highlight the strength and potential of our movement.
To learn more or get involved in next year’s summit, visit https://newyorkcooperative. org/2025-summit
---Ryan Rose, Kristin Fischetti, & Michael Rosenthal
November 2025 Honest Slate
HWFC’s Repair Café Breathes New Life into Old Things, Spares Landfills
by Robin D. Schatz
Tattered shorts; conked-out window fans; ailing lamps and computers that have seen better days. An antique rocker with a cracked runner; a broken string of beads.
These were just some of the beloved but nonfunctional items brought to the Co-op’s second Repair Café Oct. 11. Dozens of hopeful attendees huddled with repair coaches stationed at long tables in the Community Room. One in-demand coach named David sharpened knives and scissors outdoors.
“These great repair coaches volunteer their time to repair things for free and keep them out of the landfill,” said Mimi Fahy, event and program manager at Historic Albany Foundation. The foundation’s Tool Library co-sponsored October’s Repair Café as well as another held last spring. This library, the only one of its kind in the Capital Region, lends out 789 tools to its members and holds free repair workshops. Albany County Land Bank was also a sponsor.
Repair Cafés provide a valuable service to the community in more ways than one. They not only save people money but also provide expertise that’s often difficult to find, particularly when it comes to fixing small appliances. Those who are able are encouraged to make a donation.
The local events are part of a growing worldwide Repair Café movement, founded in Amsterdam in 2010 by journalist Martine Postma, to combat our throwaway culture.
In addition to fixing these treasured old things, Repair Cafés encourage self-reliance. The coaches instruct the owners of the objects as they fix them, so they might handle a repair by themselves in the future.
At the event, volunteer Tara, stationed at her sewing machine, helped a young man with a pile of clothes that needed mending. He was thrilled that his threadbare shorts were now usable thanks to Tara’s patch job. She even taught him how to sew on a button. “Sewing on a button is one of the most rudimentary of skills,” said Tara, who used to work in the garment industry.
Coach Doreen tackled a broken beaded necklace which had belonged to participant Mary Beth’s mother. Doreen restrung the delicate blue and white beads on new beading wire and added an extender to adjust the length. Thrilled, Mary Beth put on the necklace and showed it off.
Sentimental attachment also led Margaret to seek help for her broken brass floor lamp that she found at her parents’ old house in Delmar. She just didn’t have the heart to throw it away, and she couldn’t find an electrician to fix it. Although she now lives in Hilton Head, S.C., she was visiting the area and heard about the Coop’s Repair Café. Repair coach Chris put in two new parts and rewired the fixture. Margaret gladly gave a $5 donation.
An engineer by day, Chris attended his first Repair Café in Rhinebeck in 2013 and got hooked. He has now participated in more than 100 repair events as a coach. “I like fixing things and helping people,” he said.
When he completed the repair, Chris instructed Margaret to turn on the lamp: the repair was a success. “Yay!” exclaimed Margaret. “Let there be light!” Everyone clapped.
Although October’s Repair Café team successfully restored 57 items, 7 proved to be unfixable by the coaches, according to Mimi. At the spring event, coaches successfully repaired 31 items and failed to fix only 4.
Jonathan, both an MO and an associate in Meat and Seafood, brought in an old Victrola record player he got for free from a Buy Nothing group. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t turn on at all. He had hoped he could give it to his daughter, but it could not be fixed. He shrugged it off and said he would have to discard it.
There are now more than 3,000 Repair Cafés worldwide, according to Postma’s international Repair Café Foundation.
Among the disappointed was my husband Michael, who brought an antique Appalachian vine rocker we’d bought decades ago in a dusty Cape May, NJ antique shop (The owner told me, “You belong with this chair,” and I couldn’t resist buying it.) Sadly, it’s been stored in our garage for years because of a big crack in one runner.
While the coach lacked the wooden dowel he needed to repair it, he gave Michael a quick tutorial on what to buy and do. And if that method didn’t work, he gave him another option: make a template of the existing runner and cut out a new one from a piece of wood. One way or another, I’m mildly hopeful that one day in the not too distant future, I’ll be happily rocking away once again in my prized chair.
To find an upcoming Repair Café near you, go to Repair Café Hudson Valley (https:// www.repaircafehv.org) or the international foundation, https://www.repaircafe.org
Regional Co-ops
continued from page 1
Real Food started in 2009 and appears to be a thriving, community-focused organization. Its vision statement focuses on many of the ideas that HWFC continues to build upon; the market is an outlet for the products of our local farms and kitchens, providing education about Columbia County agriculture, and promoting a more localized food system.
Our next stop on this tour d’Co-ops was the Berkshire Food Co-op (BFC) in downtown Great Barrington, MA. Larger than Chatham Real Food, it’s closer in size to HWFC’s previous Central Avenue store, housed in a relatively new building with apartments on the floor above. Offering a full product array, similar in variety and scope to HWFC’s, this co-op features a considerable bulk section and some plants, but neither at a level comparable to Honest Weight’s.
BFC also provides a substantial patio, where we enjoyed offerings from their in-store café during our sunny day visit. We were told that members are prohibited from participating in store operation, so the facility is operated completely by paid staff. The town of Great Barrington has embraced BFC since its beginning in 1981, making it nearly as long-lived as HWFC! BFC is well-organized and clean with an almost commercial feel, compared to Honest Weight’s more homey atmosphere, but that may be due to our admittedly subjective love and commit-
Member-Owners Enliven Aisles With Co-op Month Giveaways
A sprinkling of samplers were spread among aisles & along endcaps on Sunday, Oct. 19, at HWFC’s “Celebrate Co-op Month” event featuring activities and conversations in the Community Room.
Honest Slate took a little tour of our tablers, meeting some dedicated MOs and vendors.
Jean Gerbini was stationed by the Bulk Department offering samples of “Orgin” nuts from bulk vendor Gatherers. Jean’s son Sandro owns the company, which has sold products at Honest Weight (its first customer)
ment to Honest Weight tainting our objectivity!
Third on our itinerary was Wild Oats Market (WOM) in Williamstown, MA, also subscribing to the Seven Cooperative Principles and serving northern Berkshire County since 1982. Housed in a clean, bright, modern facility, it has much the same feel as the Berkshire Food Co-op. WOM features a wide range of products including a fairly large bulk section, extensive produce, and health and wellness section, with a strong commitment to local products.
WOM’s “Every Penny Counts” program is virtually the same as Honest Weight’s “Be the Change,” contributing thousands of dollars annually to local folks in need. This store is operated by paid staff only. Membership brings periodic savings opportunities as well as voting and participation in co-op governance—benefits and rights shared by all the cooperatives we visited as well as our own. One manager gave us a tour of the facility, and it appeared well organized, with nearly as much space both on the retail floor and behind the scenes as we have at Honest Weight. If you get a chance, stop by. It’s a coop worth a visit!
What were our takeaways from wondering and wandering within these 3 nearby co-ops? Each is a hub of healthy food and community-focused intentions. The most noticeable and important differences between Honest Weight and these stores are
for 14 years and vends at over a dozen local venues. You can also find Gatherer’s goods at NY State Welcome Centers as part of a “Taste NY” series, where its products are marketed as “NYBS.” Fun fact: Gatherer’s granola was first sold at the Delmar Farmers Market.
Of 3 types of Equal Exchange chocolate on offer, orange-infused (65% cacao) was the most popular, according to MO Michael Degnan, who teaches classes about marketing and helps facilitate Death Café* regularly.
Ben Miller presided over Upstate Elevator’s table with varied CBD beverages. An MO since 2019, Ben has also invested time in the Bakery and Produce Departments.
the volume of products and sales, and the level of participation in store operation. Honest Weight is relatively further along in its development, and offers considerably broader variety in many departments. This may stem from the size of each co-op’s surrounding community: whereas Honest Weight draws participation from the whole Capital District, each store we visited draws from a smaller population.
Participation is where Honest Weight stands out. We typically have 1,000 HWFC Member-Owners who participate monthly in a myriad of ways in order to receive discounts ranging from 2% for Owners who don’t participate, to 8% discounts for Member-Owners who invest time monthly, to a 24% discount for MOs who participate weekly.
In my experience as a former Board member at HWFC, our commitment to owner participation is what makes the biggest difference. By being in the store for more reasons than just to shop, we become members of this wonderful community as we deepen our relationships to one another and develop a sense that our Co-op feels welcoming because we invest our time, our efforts, and our passion here. Although not a total surprise, it was a delight to rediscover what an amazing community we belong to, and to appreciate the collective efforts of so many to allow us to become the treasure that is Honest Weight Food Cooperative today. Each time I walk through the doors, the feeling I get is, “It’s good to be home.”
French Mimolette cheese beckoned from the dairy area with Marc Violette. A dual status member, Marc works as paid staff weekly and has been an MO since 2013.
Finally, it took two MOs to dole out seasonal “Monster-Ade” servings near the Deli: Jessica, who teaches barre classes for HWFC, and Kim, a newer MO who has already invested time with Grocery, Dairy, and the Front End.
Thanks to all for sharing samples and spirit!
*A Death Cafe is where folks eat cake, drink tea, and discuss death with no fixed agenda, objectives, or themes; it is not a grief counseling session.
Q & A Q & A SUGGESTION BOX
Suggestion Box answers are provided by our Honest Weight managers and departments.
Q: Can you start supplying cheese curds from Argyle Cheese Farmer please?
A: We have no plans to bring in Argyle cheese curds, but we do have local cheese curds available from Meier’s Artisan Cheeses.
Q: Bread lady keeps coming up with great ideas to put on shelf.
A: Yes, Catherine is an innovator! Absolutely! She strives to bring in exciting new items & is always on the lookout.
Q: Would you please print more Honest Slates? They’re always “out” when I come to the shop. Too long to read on the screen—paper version is appreciated! Thanks.
A: Yes. We’ll print more. If you’re here during normal business hours, we can print more. Feel free to ask.
Q: Bring back Tree Hugger gumballs please!
A: We’re trying to find an alternative source for Tree Hugger gumballs as they were discontinued by our usual distributor.
Q: “Bulk reduced—organic muesli” This product is wonderful. You should try stocking it regularly!! Maybe that was the sender’s intention! Who knows?? A happy accident!
A: We would be happy to order New England Naturals Organic Muesli as a special order.
Q: You sell unsliced whole loaves of bread. Can the Deli Dept. purchase a slicer so people can buy the whole loaf breads?
A: We have no plans to bring a slicer into our kitchen.
Q: Could we please stock Royo bread (bagels) please? They’re from Brooklyn.
A: We do not carry Royo due to the use of the preservative calcium propionate, which is on our list of banned ingredients.
Q: Please order Le Fermière chestnut yogurt (might be a seasonal item). Thanks.
A: Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Our chill buyer will be sourcing it and will bring it in if it’s available.
Q: Still looking for bulk Israeli couscous. Where is it?
A: Yes, we are still looking for a source for Israeli couscous. We could use a brand name to help in our search. We currently have Canadian.
This 7-ingredient recipe comes together in 5 minutes and serves 4. It’s best to refrigerate for an hour or so before serving.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup chia seeds
3/4 cup milk of your choice, daIry or plant based (I used whole milk)
1/4 cup espresso or very strong coffee
1/4 cup cacao powder
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 medium–sized avocados
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Q: Could you please mark the bulk chocolate chip containers with the % of cacao they contain? Thank you!
A: Not every brand indicates the percentage of cacao for us to include on the label. We do include it when possible.
Q: Please put chocolate PB cups in containers, bulk dispensers not working due to size. TY!
A: We will be stocking those in containers on the endcap in addition to the bulk dispenser.
Q: Can we get Harmless Harvest Sparkling Coconut H2O?
A: We have no space at this time. If you want to order a case of 6, please contact Christian, our chill buyer.
Q: Soft tofu pls! ♥ (I frequently check and never see it.)
A: Our “silken” tofu should fit the bill for you.
Q: Really need masking tape dispensers in the Bulk section. The small yellow tabs don’t work on paper bags and twisty flags don’t work on paper bags. Guido’s in Great Barrington, MA is a great model.
Q: Really could use masking tape or something in the Bulk section for paper bags.
A: We’ll see what we can make available on the floor for bag sealing tape. Please feel free to ask a Bulk worker for tape if you do not see a suitable sealant.
Directions:
In the bowl of a food processor, add chia seeds, milk, espresso, and maple syrup. Pulse once or twice and let sit for a minute or so. Add the avocados, vanilla, and salt and blend until smooth and creamy. If desired, divide into 4 servings (I used small glass jars but glasses or ramekins would work well too) and refrigerate. Best if eaten within 2 days. Chances are it won’t last that long!
—Submitted by Nina Martinson, NEC
High in fiber, flavonoids, healthy fats, and protein, this no-guilt pudding is both delicious and, as far as desserts go, nutritious.
Chia seeds, which can be found in the first aisle of the Bulk section, contain fiber, protein, omega 3 fats, and numerous minerals.
Unsweetened cacao powder (I used Navitas Organics, found in the protein powder aisle at HWFC) is high in flavonoids, which reduce inflammation and improve blood flow.
High in monounsaturated fats, avocados help to lower LDL cholesterol and also contain lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health as well as potassium.
Meet Our Marketing Manager!
Hello! I’m Erika Lopez, and I’m thrilled to serve as your new(ish) Marketing Manager at Honest Weight Food Co-op.
Since joining this May, I’ve been eager to share a bit about my journey and how I found my way to this wonderful community-focused store.
Born and raised in Northern California in a rural and agriculturally rich area, I grew up playing with my brothers and cousins in pear and walnut orchards and was raised to appreciate the hard work and many hands that go into producing the food that we all rely on.
About 12 years ago, I moved to New York’s Capital Region. My then-husband and I decided to relocate to be closer to his family in East Greenbush when our son, Miles, was around 4. Miles is now 16 and has a delightful 2-year-old sister, Wren. I’ve since remarried my amazing husband, Heath, and we’re happily settled in Green Island. I’m currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in communications and media at Empire State University, on track to graduate at the end of 2026.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in various roles, gathering experiences in customer service and beyond. My career path has taken me through over 7 years as a barista and shift manager for small and large coffee companies, more than 5 years in bakeries as a baker and cake decorator, and 3 years in hospitality, where
I climbed from a front desk role to director of sales. In 2018, I shifted gears, leaving my hospitality position at a Hilton-branded hotel to seek mission-driven work.
Roles at the Carey Institute for Global Good, the National Homelessness Law Center, and the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund and its Center for Protest Law and Litigation were incredibly rewarding. They allowed me to challenge societal norms and unfair systems, and to contribute to impactful causes, though they also led to the familiar burnout experienced by many in the nonprofit sector.
Joining the team at Honest Weight felt like a serendipitous step. As a regular customer of the hot bar and coffee offerings during my years at the hotel, I was already in love with the Co-op’s atmosphere, food quality, and just about every item offered by the mercantile category. The Marketing Manager position perfectly aligned with my skills and values: worker co-op, which I had been excitedly learning about since 2016 (check), mission-driven (check), service- and community-minded (check, check)! During my first months here at Honest Weight, I’ve been inspired by my colleagues’ passion for health, wellness, and community service. Working alongside such smart and mission-focused individuals has been truly exciting!
As I settle further into my role, I hope to bring a sense of transparency and cooperation to my marketing approach. I bring years of experience in storytelling and messaging
Environment Committee Tours Compost Station
by Diana Duffy
Digging into Honest Weight’s organic waste composting journey, EC members, friends, and family toured the Bethlehem Compost Facility—where our food scraps end up—to learn about compost processing Oct. 15.
about the economic systems that govern our lives, seeing some thriving while others struggle to make ends meet. Success is not only working to grow the Co-op’s sales and brand recognition, but expanding our customer and member base to more closely reflect our community, growing our network of Member-Owners who will represent the Coop through outreach and educational programming, and supporting the growers and producers of the amazing products that our shoppers rely on to live their healthiest lives.
As a true believer in worker co-ops, I invite any and all Members who want to be involved in marketing efforts to reach out to me with your ideas and feedback. We are stronger when we work together, and while I often feel I have good ideas, I also know that good ideas are made better through peer review and input!
Looking forward, I’m excited about the growth within our department. We’re planning to add a full-time Outreach Specialist soon and hope to hire a part-time graphic designer after the new year. There will also be opportunities for more MOs to become brand ambassadors, educators, and event planners. If you’re interested in helping with events through the holiday season or planning our 50th anniversary party, please reach out.
I’m incredibly grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received at Honest Weight. Thank you all for making this community gem such a special place. I feel truly lucky to be here!
—Erika Lopez erikalopez@honestweight.coop
Honest Weight partners with FoodScraps360 to transport compost to the site. The group’s up-close encounter with the process may help minimize the contamination rate so fewer bags of compost end up as “trash,” missing the chance to ever become compost.
Left, a FoodScraps360 truck unloads roughly one ton of food scraps collected at the Bethlehem site.
Committee members connect with compost in its final stages, a process taking months and reaching temperatures of up to 170º F.
Notes & Quotes
from Oct. 26’s RMM
(Regular Membership Meeting)
Products, people, and perseverance headlined participation in the RMM’s gratitude segment (aka “We are grateful for the Co-op because…”)
• The Bulk Department and its free glass jar program earned kudos, with one MO sharing that she has refilled her peanut butter and olive oil jars for years. “It’s nice not to throw out containers.”
• A staff member compared wearing their new HWFC zip-up hoodie to “wearing a hug.”
• Praise also resounded for the hot bar’s culinary diversity (“It’s great to try food from different cultures”).
• Departments, managers, customers, and staff garnered compliments. Bulk received kudos from several MOs during the “grateful” section.
“HWFC’s distinctive business practice sets us apart from our competition.”
CLM Peter Waldmann congratulated Assistant Grocery Manager Georgia Sullivan, now with HWFC for over 30 years: “Few have the depth of commitment that you do.” He also introduced Dylan (Meat and Seafood Manager), Ryan (Controller), and Erika (Marketing Manager) to the Membership.
HWFC Coffeehouse Open Mic
Mon., Nov. 17 6:30–8:30pm
HWFC’s café is filled with song, music, and readings every 3rd Monday! Coffeehouse Open Mic Night is open and free to Co-op Members and the general public alike.
When we come together through music, song, stories, and fun, we reflect and regenerate our connectedness, our unity, and our capacity to create a space in which expressions of our talents, soulfulness, and unique vision are supported and valued—needed in our lives, our community, and our world.
Please join us for an evening featuring local performers and artists. Performer sign-in starts at 6pm. All types of family-friendly performances are welcome!
Emphasizing that “everyone is equally important,” Peter expressed thanks to MOs, who “enlighten our experience…When staff and MOs get together we can do anything.”
“The human experience is absolutely off the charts. We’re thriving.”
MO Saul Rigberg explained a petition brought by himself and two other MOs regarding the Food and Product Manual (FPM)’s Section 7: What HWFC Strives to Avoid.
It was emphasized that this petition was neither about products* nor FPM’s Section 8 (products deemed harmful by scientists). Rather, because over time MOs discovered products that include ingredients on the “avoid” list, the MOs talked to buyers, management, GRC and NEC members, and other MOs in an effort to clarify the interpretation.
Nutrition and Education Committee chair Bob Ross reported that NEC has been working on this for 4 months.
Wellness staff cited toothpaste among products containing controversial ingredients. Carrageenan is found in numerous varieties, but we also carry many types without it. “A big part of our job is to answer questions and find options for customers…[and] there are plenty of alternatives,” they said, adding that if scientific evidence is lacking, there is no strong rationale for banning the product. “It’s not about not liking a product...We also strive to inform and provide alternatives.”
Book Club Reminder:
Thurs, Nov. 20 at 6pm • Community Room Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry by Austin Frerick
“In this eye-opening debut study, Frerick, an agricultural policy fellow at Yale University, reveals the ill-gained stranglehold that a handful of companies have on America’s food economy…It’s a disquieting critique of private monopolization of public necessities.” —Publishers Weekly, starred
Did You Know?
• This year Honest Weight ranked among the nation’s top 5 co-ops for volume, selling 500,000 items in July alone.
• 20 months remained as of Oct. 31 until the building mortgage is paid and we are debt free.
• U.S. Co-ops experience an average growth of 7–8%. HWFC is currently at 15%.
Fluoride-containing items have outsold non-fluoride products since August 2023, according to Wellness Department Manager Joshua Nichols.
It was further pointed out that we also have products considered ultra processed, such as chips, crackers and other snack foods, frozen dinners, etc. Not all ultra processed foods are intrinsically unhealthy. This is why good research—and our NEC—are important.
“We do our best to be a filter, but the informed consumer is important in this model.”
—Peter Waldmann, CLM
*the Nutrition and Education Committee (NEC) is the proper channel for product discussion. Customers with product concerns may fill out a form at the Front End customer service desk.
Here are links to two author interviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxu6f8iW0Cg (12 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=02B0rCgJPPU (1 hour)
Books are available at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza at 20% off for HWFC Book Club readers (you do not have to be an HWFC member). Audio books are available via the Book House or at Bookshop. org. Loaner copies are also available for Members. Email memberservices@honestweight.coop
Join us for snacks, conversation, and connection. Tracy Frisch of the Environment Committee will lead the discussion.
Honest Slate 8
B o a r d Decisions
At the Nov. 11, 2025, HWFC Board of Directors meeting, the Board:
• Revised the Nov. 11, 2025, Board meeting agenda by adding a Board work item to appoint a Board Director between the first and second board work items on the existing agenda.
• Approved the Oct. 7, 2025, Board of Directors Meeting Minutes as submitted.
• Affirmed the decision made on Oct. 21, 2025, to approve the “10 in 10” incentive program for pre-holiday MO time investment proposed by Member Services.
• Appointed HWFC Member-Owner Hilary Yeager as an HWFC Board Director to begin immediately after the adjournment of the Nov. 11, 2025, Board of Directors meeting, to fill the seat being vacated by resigning Director Steve Golub. As dictated in the Bylaws, this appointment will end in April 2026 when the Board election is held.
• Appointed Hilary Yeager as HWFC Board Treasurer to begin immediately after the adjournment of the Nov. 11, 2025, Board of Directors meeting, to fill the Executive Officer position being vacated by Steve Golub. As dictated in the Bylaws, this appointment will end in April 2026 when the Board election is held.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:17 pm.
message from the Board
The HWFC Board of Directors is very pleased to announce the recent response HWFC is making amidst the Federal SNAP funding lapse. CLM Peter Waldmann approached the Board with ideas for an initiative crafted by Honest Weight management in response to the news that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding was interrupted due to the government shutdown. The Board reviewed the initiative and together with Peter and his team a plan came together. SNAP is a critical resource for millions of Americans and cessation of funding for this program threatens the food security of families in our own community and across the nation.
Here in Albany County, over 30,000 people rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table. Approximately 40% of all SNAP participants are children whose well-being is directly impacted by this funding lapse. With this vital safety net in jeopardy, local emergency food providers like The Food Pantries for the Capital Region anticipate a dramatic surge in demand that they are not equipped to handle alone.
To help address the growing public need, HWFC is implementing a 3-point response:
Direct Donation: We are making an immediate $10,000 donation to The Food Pantries for the Capital Region to support their efforts in serving more families.
In-Store Food Drive: Coming soon at every
register, customers can purchase pre-assembled bags of shelf-stable goods. These bags will be delivered directly to homebound individuals and other vulnerable community members who cannot easily access food pantries.
Sustained Fundraising: Beginning November 1, one-third of all proceeds from our “Be the Change” fundraising initiative will benefit The Food Pantries. For as long as SNAP remains unfunded, Honest Weight will also contribute an additional $1,000 per month to this fund.
We have also implemented internal programs to help Honest Weight staff affected by these devastating funding delays, including offering free daily meals, a donation drive, and gift cards for those in need of up to $200 in November to use in the store.
Member Services is exploring opportunities for HWFC membership to be involved in assisting our community during this time of increased and special need. Please watch for more news and updates to the Membership this month.
During difficult times, we feel grateful for HWFC staff, Member-Owners, and leadership acting cooperatively to support each other and our community. Thank you, as always, for your participation and for being an important part of the HWFC cooperative effort.
In Partnership and Affinity, The HWFC Board of Directors | Nov. 7, 2025
novemBer 2O 25
Editors & Contributors
Cara Benson
David Bulnes
Brendan Byrne
Julie Cohen
Stephanie Conde
Diana Duffy
Kristin Fischetti
Elisa Grimm
Don Kennison
Irene Kim
Nina Martinson
Carol Ostrow
Neil Rice
Anastasia Rodgers
Ryan Rose
Michael Rosenthal
Karen Roth
Robin Schatz
Janet Sorell
honestslate@honestweight.coop Contact with questions, comments, 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.
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 November 11, 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
Nutrition & Education Committee (NEC)
∙ Discussed search for out-of-compliance items in store.
∙ Discussed changes to Food and Product Manual (FPM) Section 7.
∙ Drafted introduction to Section 7.
∙ Reviewed petition regarding “Strive to Avoid,” prepared response.
∙ Spoke at RMM about petition and plans for committee to address issues.
Membership Committee (MC)
∙ Reviewed in-store bulletin boards.
∙ Reviewed Guidance for Visitors for website.
∙ Reviewed MC description on website.
∙ Reviewed current process of new Owner signup for orientation.
Anti-Racism Committee (ARC)
∙ Discussed kinds of trainings to offer HWFC.
∙ Discussed refining onboarding policy.
∙ Discussed setting dates for tabling; agreed on tabling topic.
∙ Organized dates for trainings discussion.
∙ Discussed having a video night for all committees at HWFC on subject of racism.
∙ Requested that BOD grant permission to schedule an evening potluck/video showing at HWFC for all committees on racism. Requested that BOD consider whether Anti-Racism trainings done at Co-op need to be mandatory for employees, Board and/ or MOs. Requested information on money allocated for anti-racism trainings. Requested permission to hold a “Listening Table” where we pose the question: “What would your life be like without racism?” and then listen with respect to peoples’ responses.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (DEIC)
∙ Discussed how DEIC could be involved in Free Food Fridge in HWFC’s parking lot. Community event on Mon., Nov. 17, to prepare meals to fill up Free Food Fridge.
Strategic & Long-Range Planning Committee (SLRPC)
∙ Resources to carry out wide-ranging SLRPC goals limited.
∙ Remedy is required to resolve technological issues common to Co-op–assigned committee email addresses. Elaine advised that BOD is working on this; proposes committees set up dedicated gmail addresses to increase chance of receiving emails. Committees could also use a dedicated gmail account to leverage Google Drive tools for storing committee work. These could be passed along among chairpersons over time. Google Group lists could also be used for committee-wide discussions/announcements to improve internal communications.
∙ Discussed challenges of a growing customer base, such as the learning curve that can come with HWFC shopping (especially PLUs, reusable containers). A long-standing goal has been to help diversify Co-op shoppers and members by age and culture. We have new competitors coming to the area and should refine how we capture and retain shoppers and also highlight our strengths. Discussed possibility of dedicated positions to welcome shoppers and guide them into all things HWFC. Discussed past HWFC community activities that seemed to draw people to the store. With these factors in mind and HWFC’s 50th anniversary coming up, we aim to include new Marketing head Erika to a future meeting.
∙ Requested BOD approval to create dedicated gmail address for SLRP that can be posted to HWFC site in place of current HWFC domain emails for committees that are not in use.
Bylaws Panel (BLP)
∙ Held first of two information sessions on proposed changes to Bylaws at regular monthly meeting with 2nd session Oct. 18. BLP members attended each session; information presented to several in attendance.
∙ Oct. 18 session discussion included RMM vote; difference between vote for GRC members and proposed Bylaws changes.
Governance Review Council (GRC)
∙ Reviewed BOD meeting. Monitoring ballot count for RMM meeting. Routine business.
Personnel Committee (PC)
∙ Shared update on additional PC members—welcome and onboarding/access tasks.
∙ Shared update on review of Peer Review Training Work—near completion, discourse on scope and hours of training. Awaiting Policy Feedback. Awaiting Staff Representative Positions.
∙ Shared update on Policy Review & Guidance—bridge of service.
∙ Awaiting Problem Solving Questions or Additions for next Personnel Meeting from BOD. Problem Solving Policy submitted July 31, 2025. Problem Solving Policy—Synopsis, submitted Aug. 18, 2025. Addendum— Arbitration, submitted Sept. 12, 2025.
Elections & Nominations Committee (ENC)
∙ Discussed final preparation for October RMM and GRC Election and remaining open tasks. Captured action items for followup. Receiving timely ballot verbiage continues to be a challenge. Plans to meet in person on Oct. 1 to more formally document multivote cross check for eligibility process were unexpectedly cancelled.
∙ Prioritizing suggested election improvements. Last month ENC informed BOD that there is inconsistency in fingerprinting newly-elected Board Directors for liquor license in that not all Directors are required to submit. In September’s report, we asked BOD to ensure that BOD manual and website would be updated accordingly (to represent only the President, Treasurer and Secretary as required for fingerprinting). ENC was asked to allow BOD one month to discuss and provide feedback/guidance. Requested BOD provide update on liquor license language that we can use consistently.
Communications Committee (CC)
∙ Reviewed November’s Honest Slate material and planned December’s issue. Email honestslate@honestweight.coop
∙ Next copy deadline is Nov. 20; next publishing dates are Nov. 14 and Dec. 5.
10 Honest Slate
memBer-owner C o - o p p o r t u n i t
Greetings Honest Weight Community. What a fun month this has been with 3 orientations, 30 new Owners, and Member-Owners answering the call—both for unique events and to support our rights as MOs at the Oct. 26 Regular Membership Meeting (RMM).
October was National Co-op Month. The HWFC community celebrated with in-store sampling, pumpkin & face painting, crafts, and informational tables on Oct. 19.
Many Member-Owners stepped up when the call went out (only 2 days before the event) and one was so inspired by Alan McClintock’s in-person orientation on Sat., Oct. 18, that they joined that day and invested time at Sunday’s event sampling apples in produce!
Almost 3 dozen Member-Owners supported October’s virtual RMM beforehand (preparing the script, presentations, ballots, and
Vote Results from October’s RMM
We were pleased to have 234 Member-Owners join us at the Oct. 26 remote HWFC Regular Membership Meeting! Thank you to all who participated.
Please note: data recorded from “nonconfidential” votes by phone or Survey Monkey were used only for October 2025’s election/voting/vote-counting process and will not be “data-mined” or used for any other future purpose.
Vote 1: Bylaws Changes
Ballot #1: Bylaws changes for this ballot: Salary and Wage Increases, Bonuses Proposed Change: 420.6
Total # of ballots cast on this resolution: 174 Of these ballots: 145 approved the resolution; 14 rejected the resolution; 15 preferred not to vote on this issue.
• The resolution was approved by 83% of Members casting ballots and passed.
checking folks in), during (reading the voting charge, posting ballot link, taking phone votes, letting folks back into the meeting who got lost in cyberspace), and after (collecting paper ballots, processing and certifying the votes, and entering attendance and voting hours for over 200 MOs). Truly a cooperative effort!
Halloween brought another event with MOs supporting the Marketing Department’s spooktacular plans from 1–6pm. Setup, trick-or-treat tables in nearly every department, and cleanup were fully maintained by Member-Owners. Nothing scary about that!
November is upon us. It’s one of our busiest months in the store, so we are repeating our “10 in 10” incentive. Any Member-Owner who invests 10 hours in the 10 days leading up to Thanksgiving (11/17–11/26) will be entered in a drawing for 1 of 3 $50 Co-op gift cards.
Ballot #2: Salary and Wage Increases, Bonuses Proposed New: 420.7
Total # of ballots cast: 174
134 approved the resolution; 22 rejected the resolution; 18 preferred not to vote on this issue.
• Approved by 77% of Members casting ballots and passed.
Ballot #3: Salary and Wage Increases, Bonuses Proposed New: 420.8
Total # of ballots cast: 174 139 approved; 17 rejected; 18 abstained.
• Approved by 80% and passed.
Ballot #4: Salary and Wage Increases
Renumbering: Current 500–500.4 to 500.1, 500.1(a), 500.1(b), 500.1(c), 500.2
Total # of ballots cast: 174 150 approved; 7 rejected; 17 abstained.
• Approved by 86%, passed.
Extra parking lot help is also needed, so please email MorgaenHansen@ honestweight.coop or stop by the service desk to sign up for a shift.
Since this is an incentive to help the Co-op run smoothly during the holiday rush, we ask that you pick up shifts in departments you’re familiar with. Reach out to the manager of the department you do hours in to set up your schedule. If you’re a new or returning Owner, contact memberservices@honestweight.coop and we’ll find a place for you to help out with the holiday rush and to help keep our hardworking staff sane!
Keep up that attitude of gratitude. —Karen, Temporary Membership Manager
Ballot #5: Salary and Wage Increases, Bonuses Proposed New: 500.3
Total # of ballots cast: 174
135 approved; 16 rejected; 23 abstained.
• Approved by 78%, passed.
Ballot #6: Salary and Wage Increases, Bonuses Proposed New: 500.4
Total # of ballots cast: 174
140 approved; 15 rejected; 19 abstained.
• Approved by 80%, passed.
Vote 2: Election for 1 seat on the Governance Review Council (GRC) 174 valid ballots cast.
A candidate must achieve 25% of votes cast to be elected. Sam Raj was elected to the GRC with 155 votes (89% of ballots cast).
Thank you to all who joined us and helped to make this meeting a success! In Partnership and Affinity, Honest Weight Board of Directors
