Honest Weight Coop Scoop: Spring 2024

committed to providing our with A and for foods and products for healthy living. who choose to participate in a community that embraces cooperative principles in an atmosphere of To promote more ways of living.

shopping at the Quail St. Honest Weight location. She wears many hats: educator, writer, artist, musician, property manager, advocate, volunteer. She loves being part of the Coop Scoop team!

Ruth Ann Smalley

Pat Ellis has been a shopper at HWFC for years and became a member a year ago. She enjoys participating in the creative energy of the Scoop’s editorial team and is excited about contributing more in the future.

Letter from an Editor

By Ruth Ann Smalley

With warmer weather, most of us are eager to get outside to enjoy our neighborhoods and parks, work in the garden, and just generally celebrate the return of sunlight and longer days. So, we’ve focused this issue on tips and tools for making the most of the season. These range from encouraging you to plant onions, start (or amp up) your compost pile, or head out for a walk and a picnic.

For me, a couple of phrases in the articles really stand out as representative of the Co-op spirit—in “Compost Now,” Richard Daley celebrates “low tech ways we can make a big difference,” and in “Ticked Off,” Colie Collen notes that “small measures can go a long way.” This quarter’s articles bear out the simple wisdom of these statements!

Setting out for a walk is just about the most low tech thing you can do. Plus, you’ll find many more interesting views than you can see from a car or bus, even in familiar places. We’ve included a sampling of sights—small and large—that you may encounter as you turn a corner in the Capital District.

So many of the amazing local resources we’re featuring grew from the amazing, low tech ingredient of people power. Nearby Tivoli park is a testament to the combined efforts of people (and sheep!) in rehabilitating a beautiful urban landscape. Colie’s article covers its history and the many opportunities for learning and enjoyment there. All of the Be the Change organizations for the current 3 months have also made a huge difference, through people coming together to help others. Our Producer Profile shows how the team at Flowering Sun has even grown itself into a workers’ cooperative and ecology center. You’ll be inspired by all these origin stories!

Along with planting, composting, and implementing tick precautions, making informed choices about fruits and vegetables is another small measure that can go a long way. Dr. Mad shares how you can use the Environmental Working Group’s “Clean Fifteen” and “Dirty Dozen” lists to help make your produce purchasing decisions easier.

And finally, co-operating itself makes many good changes possible: you can take small but significant measures for the environment by bringing in old paint for recycling as we partner with Green Sheen, or by participating in our other Earth Day related events. So, we hope you’ll get outside, and while you’re out, come by the store for events, provisions, and community. Your small measures keep us going!

book, Capitalist Humanitarianism, is available from www.dukeupress.edu/capitalist-humanitarianism

Mathew Bradley is our Layout Editor. He has been the Lead Designer at Honest new store. Outside he enjoys writing band, tending to his garden, and training his English Cocker Spaniel, Cricket, for field work.

Anastasia

PhD, is our Content Editor. An educator and writer, with a 4-digit Co-op member number from the early 90s, Ruth Ann offers wellness, writing, and creativity coaching through her practice at www.vibrant-energies.com or www.ruthannsmalley.com.

Lucia Hulsether is a teacher and based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her first

Natalie Criscione remembers

lOl

By Deanna Beyer

What is a Co-op?

If you’re new to Honest Weight, you might be wondering what makes us different from any other grocery store. There are lots of things, but probably the biggest is that we’re a community-owned co-op!

By Lucia Hulsether

Seven Co-op Principles lOl

What comes to mind when you think of Honest Weight? Is it the bulk section? A local product you can’t get elsewhere? The events put on by local artists and teachers? As central as these offerings are to our Co-op’s identity, they are not the core.

The heart of “who we are” is in the 7 Cooperative Principles that we embrace in alignment with the International Cooperative Alliance. Here’s a quick digest:

AAPI Heritage 518 Month invited Honest Weight to help celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Find out more about the events going on throughout the month of May on their website: https://aapiheritage518.com/about/

Voluntary and Open Membership

Everyone is welcome to join. We don’t discriminate.

Democratic Member Control

Co-op decisions are made by Co-op members. Unlike typical capitalist corporations run by small boards seeking to maximize shareholder profit, co-ops empower members with an equal say over the organization’s direction.

Member Economic Participation

All members contribute equitably to the capital of the Co-operative. For example, you join Honest Weight by investing in a $100 membership share. Then, through elected representatives and sometimes direct votes, members participate in other economic decisions–from how to allocate surpluses to new capital projects.

Salad, Hot Bar, and Cafe are Back, with

Autonomy and Independence

Co-ops are autonomous and controlled by their members–and this holds even when they enter into partnerships with outside organizations.

Education, Training, and Information

Co-ops help their members learn and develop, both for the benefit of the people involved and for the health of the organization as a whole.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

We seek out partnerships with other Co-ops and, in so doing, help the movement grow.

Concern for Community

October

Co-ops seek the sustainable development of their communities through initiatives accepted by their members.

Whether you are a routine shopper, a longtime member-owner, or a local person looking to get involved in your community, you can feel confident that Honest Weight is much more than a grocery store with great products. At its best, it is a project to establish democracy, autonomy, and shared value in our communities–something we need now as much as ever.

Chef Min opened Son of Egg inspired by her love of making food with love for her sons and their friends. Chef Min and Justin from Son of Egg will join us on April 23rd at May 9th at 1PM* to teach us

Korean recipes made with love, great ingredients and flavor to nourish your family and community.

May 7th

April 23rd & May 9th

Mei-Yee from Baba Duck will be here to reach us about the history of vegetarianism in Chinese culture and explore Chinese ingredients, flavors and techniques in this hands-on dumpling workshop!

* Each of these workshops require registration and a $5 nonrefundable reservation fee; upon attendance, registrants will receive a $5 HWFC Gift Card. As always, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds— please email education@honestweight.coop for a fee waiver or registration help!

What could be fresher than all of your favorite produce arriving daily from local farms? (could we include a couple of relevant farm names here?It’s growing season and we’ve got farm-fresh fruits and veggies from all over the area. So, whether you’re looking for nNon-GMO sweet corn, crisp cucumbers, or super juicy, tiny strawberries, we’ve got you covered! Be sure to check out all the beautiful new arrivals next time you’re here.

Profile Producer

Corner

By Pat Sahr

Melanie’s Favorite Date-Sweetened Fruit Smoothie

Flowering Sun

Ellenville, NY

By Melanie Pores

IIn Ayurveda, the 5000year- old “science of life,”, the emerging heat and humidity of the early summer can be challenging, especially to individuals with a “Pitta” constitution like myself, who tend to overheat and dehydrate easily.

As the temperature and humidity rise in the surrounding environment, the body is also experiencesing a surge in temperature and beginsning to accumulate moisture internally. People of all constitutions in this season need to be mindful of fluid intake and electrolyte balance.

n 2017, Alexander (Z) Hackney and his wife Sara Philkill purchased a homestead in Ellenville, New York. With a small community of like-minded individuals, they first focused on producing organic vegetables for their family and for the neighboring local community. By 2019, they had established an organic mushroom growing farm which started expanding at an exponential rate. The folks at Flowering Sun have focused on producing high quality, organic, culinary mushrooms. They are grown and packed in a controlled indoor environment which allows for consistent year round crops of fresh mushrooms for wholesale customers and the mushroom CSA. Along with garden produce, herbs, and trees, the mushrooms are shipped to multiple businesses from Albany to New York City.

To this end, I thought you might enjoy here is a healthy blended fruit recipe, that you can either enjoy as a yummy drink or easily pour it into an ice pop tray and place in your freezer to help keep you hydrated. It’s a healthy, and delicious way to attend to your body's thirst, as soon as it arises, and to restore your body’s electrolyte balance.

2 cups fresh greens (e.g, kale, spinach, or a mixture of greens)

Know Your Mushrooms!

1 1/2 cups coconut milk

1 cup

1 cup soaked overnight summer fruit (e.g, blueberries, blackberries, chunks of mango)

Blue Oysters

ground flaxseed

1-2 scoops protein powder (pea protein powder for vegans)

Owing so much to the community that birthed this vision, Flowering Sun Ecology Center began to restructure their business model to be a fully-operational workers’ cooperative that would allow all who plug into Flowering Sun the opportunity for business ownership, creativity, freedom, and financial reward!

I hope you will enjoy my simple recipe for a date sweetened fruit smoothie.

Together with Daniel Kanda and Samuel Newman-Plotnick, the team now operates Flowering Sun Ecology Center where, in cooperation with the earth, they are rediscovering how to build a better future for us all. The vision is to create an educational center where people can visit, learn, and “Live in Harmony with the Earth”. Through the disciplines of research, experimentation and seed saving, they are committed to preserving sacred traditions and biodiversity to benefit future generations and to be in service to a healthy, sustainable humanity.

are a good source of many vitamins, minerals and a polymer called chitin that promotes healthy gut bacteria. They have a mild, savory flavor well-suited for braising, sautéing, roasting, frying, grilling, and stir-frying.

cinnamon

vanilla extract

1 -2 Tbsp (e.g, coconut butter, coconut oil, avocado or almond butter or other nut or seed butter)

Shitakes

have many medicinal benefits and can also be used in cooking to bring a savory umami flavor.

Pour coconut water/ or coconut milk, and unsweetened almond milk, filling a high-speed blender to the 2 1/2 cup mark for 2 quarts of smoothie. Add the greens.

Honest Weight carries several varieties of mushrooms from Flowering Sun, including Blue Oyster, Shiitake, Royal Trumpet, Maitake, Golden Oyster and Lion’s Mane.

Flowering Sun Mushrooms can be found in the produce section of the Co-op. Learn more about these magical mushrooms at floweringsun.org , and feel free to email the team at floweringsunecology@gmail.com if you have any questions. They are very happy to speak with you. The Produce Manager at the store will also be glad to answer any questions.

2. Start blending on low and, as greens start to break down, increase to medium speed until completely broken down and smooth, approximately 45-60 seconds.

Lion’s Mane

has properties which make it especially good for brain health. In the culinary world, it has a unique texture which closely resembles seafood.

3. Add in soaked dates and cooling summer fruit.

4. Add ground flaxseed, protein powder, and cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

Pat Sahr has been a member of the Co-op since 2005. She contributes to the Coop Scoop as the writer of the Producer Profiles. Sahr says, "Its a pleasure being part of the Honest Weight family, and I've especially enjoyed communicating with the various producers whose products are sold at the Co-op!"

5. Add 1 to 2 Tbsp healthy fat. Blend until smooth.

Royal Trumpets

6. Serve immediately or pour in an ice pop tray and freeze. Enjoy!

have a wonderful savory taste, a firm, meaty texture, and a long shelf life. Chefs in some of the country's finest restaurants have remarked on their versatility.

ABy Pat Ellis

re you looking for ideas for a picnic basket to take on your leisurely stroll to a local destination? Or maybe something for your day out enjoying beautiful natural areas we are fortunate enough to have within a short distance?

First, be sure to check out Melanie’s article on “Healthy Snacks”. They would be an easy, and yummy addition to bring along. Whatever snacks you choose to fill your basket with, you’ll want to keep them fresh, so you’ll require a food wrap. Our suggestion is Bee’s Wrap.

CBee’s Wrap (1) was founded by Sarah Kaeck with the intention of making food storage sustainable while cutting down on the use of plastics. She creatively looked to bees for her inspiration and wasn’t disappointed. Sarah developed a method of infusing organic cotton with a blend of beeswax, plant oil, and tree resin. This process created a durable yet pliable beeswax food wrap that is easily cleaned and reusable. The product comes in various forms from wraps to snack packs.

An excellent use for your Bee’s wrap presents itself when you take along some Jake’s Cheese. Our cheese experts at HWFC recommend a hard cheese such as Cheddar or Gouda for picnic baskets; Jake’s is among their top recommendations. Jake’s Gouda (2) is handmade in Upstate NY, but has its roots in Holland. It’s turned daily on pine planks to ensure uniform age and perfection for at least sixty days, and it’s covered with a cream coating instead of a wax seal. Both Jake’s Gouda and Cheddar cheeses are raw milk cheeses – no high temp pasteurization here. The results? One of New York’s finest!

animal protein when they traveled, exercised, or worked. 100% grass fed meat is the standard for the various products. Epic products are available in beef, chicken, venison and salmon varieties. Boasting of a protein content ranging from 8 to 11 grams, they make a conveniently portable and resealable snack you can share or enjoy throughout the day.

No basket would be complete without some sweet treat. HWFC’s Produce Department has a great selection of fruits that will travel well. If fruit is not enough to satisfy your sweet desires, consider Chocolove’s bars and Mini’s. They offer a variety in chocolate intensity as well as a few treats for non-chocolate folks (if there are any!).

Taking your canine best friend on your outing is something that, for many of us, adds to the pleasure of the day. So let’s pack a special treat for them to enjoy. Consider bringing along some Y-Not Dog Cookies (4), manufactured in the Adirondacks. Y-Not contains only real ingredients! For example, their blueberry and maple dog cookies use real blueberries and real maple syrup, and any coloring is from natural sources! There are no fillers or preservatives. They come in seven varieties, including Strawberry Banana, Peanut Butter and Pumpkin.

Now that we have satisfied our appetites we need to consider some practical recommendations. Our warmer winter is expected to cause an increase in the tick population. That means we need to be vigilant in our protective measures. Rad Soap Co. (5) makes a natural insect repellent that deters ticks, mosquitoes and other annoying pests. You can find it in the wellness section at HWFC along with a Tick Twister by O’Tom (6), for ease of removal if you get unlucky. You can further Increase your knowledge and protection by reading Colie’s article “Ticked Off” in this issue.

Epic Bites (3) make a great companion for your cheese. These bites are Paleo and Keto friendly as well as gluten free. They were developed by founders Taylor and Katie Forrest to provide a nutrient dense

Last, but far from least, be sure to include some protective sunscreen. HWFC has several brands for you to choose from, including Alba (7). Alba is a plant based, environmentally-friendly sunscreen that comes in several forms, offering a product for each family member.

Whenever you decide to explore—be it for a few hours or an all day trip—enjoy your companions (or your solitude) while you let the beautiful outdoors revitalize your body and your soul!

By Natalie Criscione

Friends of Camp Little Notch

ries? Does it include an image of an Adirondack lake with sunsets that feed your soul? Do you revisit it in your mind and heart when your life needs an escape? Do you still visit it in person?

If you answered yes to those questions, I must ask this: Are you connected to Friends of Camp Little Notch? “It’s the most beautiful place on earth to me,” says Jennifer Lescovich, the President of the Board of Directors, whose lifelong affiliation with the camp began when she was young and the camp was still affiliated with the Girl Scouts of America. For Lescovich, the camp was where she discovered her sense of self-esteem, met her best friends, and developed outdoor skills and an appreciation for nature.

Through campers’ stories of experiences and friendships that date back to 1939, when the camp was first established, the 400+ acre wooded area has come to represent a place of resilience, change, and devotion. Women who spent their summers coming of age on the shores of this small Adirondack lake remain as dedicated to the camp now as they were in their youth.

calls to mind the famous Margaret Mead quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.” What occurred in the years following the camp’s closure reads more like a novel than something that actually happened. Yet, it did happen. The alumni—those thoughtful and committed individuals—came together and, as crazy as it sounds, decided to buy the camp. Their road to ownership was not without its bumps, or, more accurately, its boulders. Battling investors, a destructive fire, mischievous beavers, skeptics, and more, they continued to overcome obstacles until at last, in March of 2015, they were the sole owners of the camp.

Today, Camp Little Notch resembles the camp it once was with its platform tents, camp songs, games, lake activities, and space to unplug, but, as an independent camp it has also further evolved into something that uniquely represents today’s young women. The board is dedicated to making the camp experience available to all, both through scholarships and by actively promoting equality and inclusion. “While the heart of the program was

” For Lescovich, the camp was where she discovered her sense of self-esteem, met her best friends, and developed outdoor skills and an appreciation for nature.

of Directors Vice President, “and we are purposely inviting in and supporting people who have been systematically excluded in the past.”

You’re thinking, what a great place, I wish I were a young person—I would go there. Well, what are you waiting for? “Even co-op shoppers and members can contribute,” says Kelly. There is a place for you at camp. You could volunteer during the spring or fall Stewards Weekends, attend the Open House on June 1st, come for Open Camping, or donate money to help a young person attend camp. You will meet people that you “probably never would have met otherwise,” says Lescovich. It’s a chance to expand your world, meet friends, and discover something in yourself that will light your way. Visit the website for more information: https://www.camplittlenotch.org/

During the month of April as you pay for your groceries at Honest Weight, say “YES” to the question, would you like to round up to the nearest dollar. Together, we will change the world.

By Anastasia Rodgers

By Colie Collen

”Under Kim Tateo’s guidance, these high schoolers garden, maintain trails, manage huge community compost piles, tend to the animals there, and create their own projects.

”

experience the beautiful and awe-inspiring. They stand to lose a very important part of what it is to be human.”

Unfortunately, just a few months after founding the organization, Yusuf passed away very suddenly. But the energy he’d put toward the Preserve continued and expanded—the the City of Albany, which had completed a Community Visioning process by October 2014, started clearing trails, and the Water Department day-lit a stream that runs through the Preserve, opening up what had been an underground culvert and bringing it back above ground. The Visioning process focused on the spread of phragmites and other invasive species (which Kim prefers to call “plants in question,” a phrase I love). The growth of these plants in question had greatly reduced the original reservoir, which had been dammed in 1850.

YOUTH INTERNS

And Brother Yusuf’s work with youth continued as well—the Internship program at Tivoli now employs 8 high school students year-round (a new cohort begins this spring) with preference given to BIPOC youth from the neighborhood. Under Kim Tateo’s guidance, these high schoolers garden, maintain trails, manage huge community compost piles, tend to the animals there, and create their own projects. On May 12th of this year, the youth will lead a park cleanup and highlight their experiences in a presentation to the public called “Tivoli Together.” Some few will stay on as Program Stewards as new interns begin, passing on the skills they’ve gained during their first year at Tivoli.

SHEEP

”Though the sheep are getting older, they’re all in good health. “They’re essentially working pets,” Kim says, “just living their lives.”

committed to providing our with A and foods and products for healthy living.

”

who choose to participate in a community that embraces cooperative principles in an atmosphere of

An important part of the Tivoli Preserve ecosystem has to do with the small flock of sheep that graze there. As previously mentioned, phragmites and other problem plants were taking up an increasing amount of space and pushing out previously-existing plants, as well as swallowing up the lake. In 2016, as part of the Visioning process, the

City began working with Professor Gary S. Kleppel, who owned a farm and helped the city begin the grazing project in the Preserve. The original flock is still a vital part of the Preserve to this day, with a robust crew of volun teers caring for them throughout the year.

In 2019, the City of Albany formalized its relationship with the freshly-found ed nonprofit Friends of Tivoli Lake Preserve & Farm, Inc., via a license agreement. There are now nineteen sheep and three guard alpacas on the Preserve. Most of the sheep are 8-10 years old. In winter, they’re cozy in the barn at Normanskill Farm. In Spring, they feast on fresh grass there, have a professional shearing, and their wool is sent off to be cleaned and turned into roving and yarn. This year, some of that wool will be made into dog leashes. (Keep your eyes out for a future fundraiser involving those.)

Though the sheep are getting older, they’re all in good health. “We constant ly learn from the flock, the land, and nature’s cycles and are grateful to have them as tools for environmental educa tion,” Kim says. Five of them are moved every May to Governor’s Island in NYC, where they graze to control the spread of mugwort. Those handful return to join the flock in October as the season winds down.

And at Tivoli, the sheep arrive in July to begin their phragmites work. Over the years, the spread of phragmites has been stunted and slowed—it’s shorter now, and confined to a smaller area. Although it will never be entirely eradicated, this method is showing real success.

While the sheep are beautiful, visitors are encouraged not to pet or feed them, and not to touch their fencing. They are working animals, and things outside their routine can harm their health. A handful of spaces may be available while they are at Tivoli (mid-July-October) for “sheep sitting.” This information will be posted on the Tivoli website.

CURRENT AND FUTURE PROGRAMS

As the 2024 season begins, the Friends of Tivoli goals include increased and improved trail signage, working with the city to install an ADA-compliant trail leading into a fishing pier, and instituting the second phase of the Visioning plan, which involves restoration of the lake.

And in the meantime, incredible programs abound:

Guided walks or group visits in the Preserve happen at least twice a week: Check the online calendar for more information and to sign up for

at Tivoli Preserve. Mark your calendars for June 1st, a fun celebration of Nature Bus at Tivoli. More info and schedules regarding the bus can be found at www.cdta.org.

The Flax Program, which began last year thanks to Dan Kelly’s excitment/expertise, accepts a limited number of participants to see the process through from seed to thread: sowing a patch of flax, tending, processing, and eventually using it to make thread which can be woven into garments. Applications for that program (which begins in late March) can be found online.

days are often garden days; the Tivoli calendar is updated regularly.

Compost collection: Anyone can drop off scraps at the Tivoli garden, which are turned into rich compost and used in their gardens. Information about how to drop off and what can be included is on their website.

More workshops are forthcoming. If you’re interested in teaching/leading/working at Tivoli, Kim’s best advice is that you come volunteer and meet the space, sheep, and people who make the whole thing work.

League of Women

Voters of Albany County May

By Natalie Criscione

Ihave a superpower. Perhaps you do too. It’s called a VOTE. And though it might seem to be dormant most of the time, shining forth now and then on an Election Day as you cast a ballot in local, statewide, or national elections, its essence is actually accessible to you everyday and anytime.

Whenever you choose to EDUCATE yourself you are flexing your superpower. The more you know, the stronger you become. Think of this practice as food for your brain. And, there is more! A further doorway to your vast superpower, the one that not only requires your full attention, but needs it, is ENGAGEMENT. Think of engagement as immersion and awareness. It is the antithesis of apathy. The opposite of ignorance. Engagement is a trait that is demanded of citizens who desire to live in a free country. It involves education, observation, and understanding. It involves civil discussion, transparency, and truth. And, to be completely honest, in order for it to be fully realized, it needs YOU!

Enter The League of Women Voters of Albany County (LWVAC), a volunteer-run organization that is part of its much larger statewide and national namesake (originally founded by 1920 Chicago suffragists shortly before women won the right to vote). The LWVAC is, as its website states, “a non-partisan grassroots organization, [that] encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences

public policy through education and advocacy.” Don’t be fooled by the name however, the League of Women Voters is not just for women but for ALL who care about their government, their community, their society. It is for someone like you, Coop Scoop reader!

You might find yourself asking: How can I become stronger through education and engagement? That is exactly the kind of question that unleashes your superpower! The LWVAC provides the tools you need to get started. Some of those tools can be found amidst their vast voter registration drives happening in schools, colleges, community gatherings, and even grocery stores throughout Albany County; you can not only register to vote, but pick up a pocket-sized copy of the US Constitution too! Other tools involve public forums where you can meet candidates and ask questions. Furthermore, through programs that partner with other organizations, the LWVAC provides tools for citizens to become discerning critics in this age of mis- and dis-information. Still other tools involve the league’s in-depth analysis into public policy and consequent advocacy. The bottom line is that the LWVAC gives you the information you need to make your own informed choices. “We do not ever support a candidate or political party,” says Patricia Sibilia, the current Treasurer and former President of the LWVAC. “We just want voters to be educated and engaged.”

Sibilia has come to understand education and engagement first hand

through her many years of membership with the LWVAC and its various committees, which have included, among other things: naturalization ceremonies, poll reporting, and voter services. She has seen the positive results and witnessed the importance of an actively educated and engaged citizenry. Through her work with the League’s “observer corps,” for example, in which government is literally observed in real time and in person, Sibilia and others advocated for “new legislation to put in an independent redistricting commission,” something that was even more impactful for her personally as she became one of the commissioners. And, she has many more such testaments to her years of involvement.

If you’re interested in learning more about the League of Women Voters of Albany County, volunteering your time, or making a donation, visit their website at lwvalbany.org. For an in-depth look at races in your area, the League provides access to a voter guide at vote411.org where you can explore upcoming ballot issues, view a sample ballot, and “meet” candidates who, as Sibilia says, “represent themselves in their own words.”

During the month of May as you pay for your groceries at Honest Weight, flex your superpowers and say YES to the question “Would you like to round up to the nearest dollar.”

Choosing Produce:

Organic or Conventional?

By Dr. Madeline

The produce department of the Honest Weight Food Co-op (HWFC) is my favorite! The freshness abounds as we bask in the color of nourishing fruits and vegetables. “Hmmm,” I wonder, “do I choose the bag of organic apples or the non-organic?” Choosing organic means they won’t contain biologically harmful pesticides, but the conventional (non-organic) bag usually costs less. Is there a middle ground? I know the HWFC also sells produce from local farms which may not hold the organic label, however, these local farms use safe agricultural practices and I want to support our local farmers. How can I make the best choice for my body, my pocket book, and my planet?

Then I remember how a Coop Scoop reader reached out to me and shared his handy list from the Environmental Working Group (EWG—https://www.ewg.org/). I encourage each reader to learn from the information on their website. Below I’ll summarize some of their wonderful work and how we can apply that to our HWFC shopping.

Each year, the EWG uses data from close to 45,000 samples of the 46 most popular fruits and vegetables tested by the USDA and the FDA for 245 pesticides. Yikes! Are you as astounded as I am that there are that many pesticides to test for? Let’s see how they do it.

In the testing labs, each conventional vegetable or fruit is first handled as one would at home. So, vegetables and fruits are washed and if the fruit has a peel, the peel is taken off and the inside fruit is tested. There are several criteria used in the testing, including percentages of type and number of pesticides found, average number of pesticides found on a sample, maximum number of pesticides found on one sample as well as total number of pesticides detected on one particular crop. Accruing data from all of the criteria, the EWG compiles and publishes categorical lists to help us make informed shopping choices.

The EWG’s “The Clean 15”-list contains conventional fruits and vegetables that consistently have few to no harmful pesticides on them. In this group 70% of samples had no detectable pesticides on them with avocados and sweet corn (both fresh and frozen) being the cleanest conventional products. For fruits and vegetables in this category, if I need to tighten my purse strings, I can choose the conventional version and feel confident that I’m still keeping my body happy and not overloading it with harmful chemicals. In addition to avocados and sweet corn, other safe conventional produce on this list include pineap-

ple, onions, sweet potatoes, cabbage, and mangos. Keep in mind that there still may be pesticides on these conventional vegetables and fruits, but no more than 3, from the 245 tested pesticides, per sample.

Conversely, the EWG also lists their “Dirty Dozen”: twelve produce items that are loaded with toxins! For items on this list, your body will thank you for choosing organic because there is a growing body of scientific literature that suggests that exposure and/or consumption of pesticide laden foods may increase the probability of developing a variety of human diseases and conditions such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, asthma, and even ADHD.

And then the EWG has a middle section. This gives the shopper some wiggle room. These foods are not completely filled with toxins, but they are also not completely clean. So you can check your budget and make an informed decision on whether you want to choose organic or conventional on those middle ground items like, lettuce, blueberries, tangerines, summer squash and green beans. Keeping a list handy in your wallet or on your phone can help you make the best choices. The list changes each year, so be sure to check in and update your shopping patterns.

If you are pregnant or looking to have children, I would recommend that you check out the section on the EWG’s site that also includes data from Harvard researchers on pesticides that negatively impact fertility. The combination of these data gives an even more accurate view of anatomical developmental pesticide impact. For instance, while there are high pesticide residues that negatively affect fertility in apples, apple sauce, and tomatoes, there is low to moderate pesticide residue in apple juice and tomato sauce. Knowing these subtleties while shopping can help you choose wisely for our next generation.

Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables is paramount for a healthy diet. These guides created by the EWG can help us navigate the produce section and purchase the most pesticide free form of these foods. This is important because scientific studies show that pesticides harm the nervous system, gut microbiome, block hormone signaling, and have been linked to some cancers.

In addition, pesticides that contain neonicotinoids harm pollinators. In 2022, this pesticide class was specifically found on greens. Neonicotinoids especially interfere with the honey bees' ability to find their way back to the hive. When bees don’t come home, the colony dies. So when we choose foods with no-to-fewer pesticides, we are also helping the wonderful bees find their way home.

As for me, I’m choosing a few organic apples as well as a bag of non-organic apples from our local Knights Orchard. Our informed and thoughtful choices keep our bodies, local communities and the earth we walk on together in harmony. I hope you have been empowered by this information and enjoy the bounty of nourishment presented to you by the HWFC’s produce department.

The Mad Health Doc has a Ph.D. in molecular cellular and developmental biology. She works at a local college where she teaches in the biology department specializing in Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Nutrition. When not at work, she can be found with her awesome family (which includes a flock of chickens). Have a question or a suggestion for a future topic? Email: MadHealthDoc@gmail.com

The 2024 Dirty Dozen List:

Choose Organic or Biodynamic Substitutes for This Gang, When Possible

Strawberries

Spinach

Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens

Peaches

Pears

Bell & Hot Peppers

Ticked O

By Colie Collen

Spring is here and it’s TICK TIME, everybody. We’re all familiar with the little (tiny!) buggers and the threat they pose, but small measures can go a long way in preventing Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses. Here’s some necessary info from the New York Department of Health. (Please see the website at the bottom of this article for more comprehensive info from DOH.)

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick. Not all deer ticks carry Lyme, but many do, and the tick population has increased dramatically in the last decade. In New York, we have deer, dog, and Lone Star ticks. Only deer ticks carry Lyme, but the other species can also cause less-common infections; it’s always good to protect ourselves.

A deer tick is a tiny arachnid that lives in shady, moist areas close to the ground. They cannot jump or fly, and

only end up on humans when we brush up directly against grasses, shrubs, and brush. Then they climb to a protected area (groin, armpit, etc) and bite. Amazingly, they inject a numbing chemical with their bite, which makes humans unaware of having been bitten, thereby increasing the tick’s chance of a good meal and the human’s chance of getting Lyme disease.

The best course of protection against ticks & Lyme is preventing contact in the first place. Here are some tips:

Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily.

Wear enclosed shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants.

Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors.

Consider using insect repellent.

Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails. Walk in the center of trails. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas.

Avoid sitting directly on the ground or on stone walls.

Keep long hair tied back, especially when gardening.

Bathe or shower as soon as possible after going indoors (preferably

within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that may be on you.

Do a final, full-body tick check at the end of the day (also check children and pets), and remove ticks promptly.

If you do have a tick embedded, don’t panic. Congratulate yourself for encountering the out of doors! Here’s how to remove it:

Use a pair of pointed tweezers to grasp the tick by the head or mouth parts right where they enter the skin. DO NOT grasp the tick by the body.

Pull firmly and steadily outward. DO NOT jerk or twist the tick.

Place the tick in a small container of rubbing alcohol to kill it.

Clean the bite wound with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.

Monitor the site of the bite for the next 30 days for the appearance of a rash. If you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately.

Now that it’s off of you, watch yourself. Symptoms of potential Lyme include:

A rash at or near the site of the bite, circular and red, sometimes known as a “bulls-eye rash.” It can appear between 3 days and one month after the bite, but it usually not painful or itchy.

A fever is sometimes present, as is muscle stiffness, joint pain, and general fatigue

As Lyme disease progresses, fatigue can worsen, and tingling in the arms and legs

If left entirely untreated, severe symptoms can include severe headaches, painful arthritis, swelling of the joints, and heart and central nervous system problems.

If symptoms of Lyme are caught early, and the patient is treated with antibiotics, a speedy recovery is likely. Untreated Lyme, however, can become much more difficult to manage.

Good luck out there, everyone! Stay safe and have fun. For More Info Visit: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/fact_sheet.htm

Grow Your Own Onions

By Erin Sheehan

Growing your own onions (and green onions) using onion sets takes very little space and is easy. Sets are dormant bulbs that were grown in the previous year. You can find them in bulk starting in mid-Spring near the Co-op entrance, next to the shopping carts.

Onion sets can be planted outdoors in the spring as soon as the ground can be worked. They thrive in full sun and well-drained, rich soil. Onions are heavy feeders, so consider adding compost and manure to your plot before planting. Plant the sets directly into the ground about one inch deep with the root side pointing downward, about two inches apart. Keep the plot regularly watered, but avoid over watering as onions are prone to rotting, especially as you get closer to harvest time. Once the sets reach about six inches high, you can thin them to about four to five inches apart and use the green onions for recipes that call for scallions.

I recommend succession planting if you just want to grow green onions. Every week in spring and early summer just add a few in where you have space to replace those you have already harvested. This strategy won’t work later in the summer as onions are daylight sensitive and will not grow as the daylight hours start to wane in August.

Sets being grown for onions (not green onions) should be harvested after about 80 days. Keep an eye out: when about 75 percent of the foliage has turned brown and shriveled, your onions are ready. Carefully pull or dig them up and remove excess soil. Lay them out to cure in a dry, well-ventilated location away from direct sunlight. I use an old door screen propped up on a few bricks. About two or three weeks after harvesting, when the necks and outer skin are completely dry, trim away the roots and leave a one-inch section of stem at the neck. They can be stored in mesh bags and hung in a dark, cool place for several months.

By Natalie Criscione

The question ‘What does it mean to be a good neighbor?’ is a simple rather than controversial question. If asked, you will likely say that good neighbors check in on each other, offer a ride now and then, provide extra food during hard times, and make themselves available. It’s pretty simple. (Fred Rogers taught us well!) I had a friend once who told me that the secret to having good neighbors is being a good neighbor. It did not seem like much of a secret to me and it’s not a secret to Community Caregivers, an organization that has been serving neighbors for over 30 years. Founded in 1994 by three friends from Altamont who recognized a need, Community Caregivers has grown into a large network of neighbors helping neighbors. It’s that simple. Their mission is to “…enable individuals of all ages to maintain their independence, dignity and quality of life within their homes and communities.” This includes helping people with some of their “basic needs like transportation to medical appointments and the grocery store which allows them to live more independently in their own homes,” says Petra Malitz, the Director of Development.

Through partnerships with The Food Pantries for the Capital District, Alzheimer’s Association, Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York, Unity House, Albany Med, and others, Community Caregivers provides aid to those in need through-

” I had a friend once who told me that the secret to having good neighbors is being a good neighbor. It did not seem like much of a secret to me and it’s not a secret to Community Caregivers…

out Albany and Rensselaer counties. Volunteers are screened and trained. Through an on-line portal they volunteer for as many hours as they can work each week. Often the volunteers and neighbors “develop a friendship” which extends beyond a standard food delivery or medical appointment and may include such things as an added trip “to the library or even lunch out,” says Malitz. And, all the services are provided at no cost to the neighbors.

Who are the neighbors, you may ask? That too is a simple question that encompasses a broad demographic: those in need are neighbors. There is the 98-year-old woman who lives alone and needs grocery deliveries. There is the blind couple who need help reading their mail. There is the young man recovering from injuries who needs a ride to his therapies. There is the woman who needs someone to sit with her husband who has Alzheimer’s while she goes to a doctor’s appointment. There is the elderly woman whose prescriptions are picked up and delivered to her because she does not have adequate transportation. There are individuals with Multiple Sclerosis or Cerebral Palsy who need assistance. There are others who endure exhausting chemotherapy or dialysis procedures and welcome the kindness of volunteers who are there to help them. And the list goes on.

In 2022, Community Caregivers aided over 700 individuals, which

included nearly 8,500 services. That is a large neighborhood! And, it’s growing. “Since Covid, needs have increased by about 25%,” says Malitz, “and Food Pantry deliveries have gone up exponentially.”

Finding ways to build and strengthen community is also part of the Caregivers commitment. During the early days of Covid they added a program of “reassurance calls” in which volunteers make weekly phone calls to check on neighbors. Another program, “Lunchtime Chats,” is a twice weekly group conference call which gives neighbors a chance to come together over the phone to listen to and share thoughts about a scheduled speaker. There are even programs like the Memory Loss Support Group which offers a space for caregivers to share their experiences and get advice about day to day challenges and medical choices involved with living with a loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s.

With such a vast reach, there is always a need for more volunteers. Visit the website (https://www.communitycaregivers.org/) to learn more about how you can volunteer, become a neighbor, or contribute. And, during the month of June, when asked “Would you like to round up to the nearest dollar for Community Caregivers” say yes. It’s one of many ways you can be a good neighbor!

NOTE: If you have stained or damaged

Self Checkout (SCO)

Questions and Answers

By Morgaen Hansen

Our fabulous Front End Manager Morgaen is here to help demystify our new Self Checkout Lanes! We know the road to change can be bumpy, but through our collective cooperative efforts, we believe SCO will help Honest Weight continue to grow and expand, while maintaining our core values and mission.

Q: Will my discount still work at Self Checkout (SCO)?

A: Of course! You will need to know your member number or have your card on you, but all discounts – member, staff, senior, student, and vendor – work at SCO.

Q: Why are we doing this? It doesn’t seem very “Co-op”y of us.

A: SCOs can definitely be part of a thriving Co-op! That’s our plan for Honest Weight. We visited City Market/Onion River Co-op in Burlington recently, where they have a great SCO system set up. In fact, their initial rollout was so successful, they expanded it within the first year!

Here at Honest Weight, we’re doing this for a few reasons. We’re hoping that by reducing long lines, we will accommodate more customers, increase sales, and help the Co-op thrive.

We are also making space for folks who don’t enjoy the chatty vibe in our Front End. Sometimes customers have had a bad day, or are feeling anxious, or are in a big hurry. And we want EVERYONE, even those who don’t feel like talking with a cashier, to feel welcome. Hopefully, customers will feel like they can stop by on their way to work, or their 30 minute lunch break, or their way home, without a wait or interaction.

Q: Is anyone losing their job or having hours cut because of SCO?

A: Absolutely not! Unlike some other stores that install SCO primarily to save on labor costs, we at the Co-op are doing it so our customers can have more options at checkout. Simple as that. We have a Chat Checkout, which is an

intentionally slower/social experience; we have 6 traditional registers; and now we have SCO for those who prefer it. You will still see your favorite staff and member-owner cashiers behind the registers and the Service Desk, just as always.

Q: Can I buy bulk at SCO?

A: Yes! Bulk is at the heart of the Co-op, so you can shop Bulk at the Co-op, with a few important notes:

• You have to know your PLUs, as Bulk items cannot be looked up at SCO.

• Right now, customers are unable to use their own self-tared jars at SCO. We’re working hard on a fix for this, but for the moment, anyone using jars that were tared at the Service Desk will need to use a traditional register.

Q: What about theft?

A: The Co-op does unfortunately see its fair share of theft. However, it’s important to keep in mind that most theft takes place out in the aisles, not at the registers. We have multiple layers of theft prevention in place at the SCO lanes, and they will always be attended by a staff person. We do not expect to see an increase in theft of products.

Q: I keep reading that other stores are closing their SCOs, why are we now adding them?

A: Well, we can’t speak for other stores, but there’s a dedicated team of staff and member-owners who are making careful, conscientious decisions to make OUR SCO here at Honest Weight just the best experience possible!

Q: I have no interest in using an SCO lane, ever.

A: No problem! We are still staffing the same number of traditional lanes, we simply replaced the express with SCO.

Q: I’ve never used an SCO before, is it hard?

A: Not at all! There’s a small learning curve, but it’s pretty self-explanatory when you follow the prompts on the screen. And remember, if you ever get stuck or feel overwhelmed, there’s a Shopper’s Assistant just a few feet away who can help you!

Q: What hours will the SCO be open?

A: We aim to have them open during all normal business hours, from 8am to 9pm daily, but that may change once we see how often they are utilized.

Q: Will SCO ever be the only option for ringing out?

A: Definitely not! If we only have one person who shows up to the Front End in the morning, they will open a traditional lane. Traditional lanes will take priority over SCO at all times.

Corner

Healthy Snacks and Cooling/Refreshing/Hydrating Beverages for Spending Time in Nature and for Road Trips

By Melanie Pores

According to Ayurveda, the ancient traditional medical system of India, spending time outside in nature, immersed in the natural beauty of our surroundings is a wonderful way for us to recenter our body, mind, and spirit. In traditional Japanese culture, this concept, called “Shinrin-yoku”, or Forest bathing.

Research suggests that walking in the woods, or simply looking at forest landscapes, helps to measurably reduce cortisol. Spending time in nature, along with eating and drinking cooling foods, is an excellent way to help alleviate excess body heat.

If you’re looking for some healthy, easily-prepared snacks to enjoy while you’re out enjoying nature or planning for summer road trips, you could prepare a healthy Trail Mix by mixing 1 cup each of pepitas and sunflower seeds with 1/2 cup each of Lily's Dark Chocolate stevia-sweetened chips and raisins.

Hummus can be a great healthy warm weather snack that is simple to make by combining 1 (15 oz) can of your favorite legume, such as chickpeas, black beans, black-eyed peas, etc. with 1/4 cup of a seed butter like tahini or sunflower seed butter, or nut butter like almond butter, with 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice and 1 or 2 minced garlic cloves. Then blend thoroughly in a high speed blender or food processor. Enjoy your homemade hummus served with celery and carrot sticks.

For a cooling, hydrating drink, prepare a simple limeade by squirting the juice from half of a fresh lime into some cool water and sweetening it with some liquid stevia to taste. Another option might be to infuse water with some of your favorite fruits like watermelon, berries, or mango; add liquid stevia if you like your infused fruit water a bit sweeter. Coconut water and room temperature mint tea with a twist of lime are also cooling beverages.

Energy bites can be helpful in replenishing your energy and are simple to make. A variety of recipes variations for preparing energy bites can be found at the following website:

https://nutritionheartbeat.com/sports-nutrition/energy-bites-recipes#:~:text=These%20ener gy%20bites%20can%20serve,practice% 20or%20tournaments%20or%20events.

Melanie Pores is a retired bilingual educator, an HWFC member since 1978, and the facilitator of HWFC’s Spanish Conversation Group since 2015, currently on Zoom, Fridays 10am to noon.

Compost Now!

By Richard Daley

The simple act of composting gives us all the opportunity to help heal the natural world. With the impending ecological crisis facing our species, actions that bring us a bit closer to our ancestors’ shared agrarian roots is a sacred undertaking. To claim responsibility for the organic waste we generate in this world is honorable, and one of the key components of a truly regenerative future.

In our hyper-connected, technological world, it is unreasonable to claim we all should go back to the land, or that we all should be farmers. However, it is not unreasonable to believe in the possibility of channeling our innate connection to the natural world toward ideas that may guide us all toward a better future.

We are provided so many ways in which we as consumers can purchase something to allegedly help the environment. I won’t even waste your time listing them in this article, because I am sure many green things come to mind. What we are not sold, or educated on, are the low-tech ways that we can make a big difference.

Composting is a very simple change in behavior, and the process is quite easy to understand, even for young kids! Why? Because it isn’t fancy science stuff. Sure, there are processes that can be defined by science and quantified into some peer-reviewed content. But how about we just leave that to academics? Most of us are operating in the world as regular

Why & How Should I Compost?

Did you know that food waste accounts for approximately 20% of our household trash? Composting keeps organics out of landfills, reduces waste, and puts valuable nutrients back into our food cycle.

When food scraps end up in landfills, they emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. By composting in your backyard, you are diverting the waste from the landfill and reducing your carbon footprint.

Composting is the process of recycling organic waste through decomposition. It's a simple process that results in a nutrient-rich dirt-like material that can be used to enrich the soil in houseplants, gardens, parks, and anywhere the soil needs improvement.

people with responsibilities and limited time; what I want to instill in your mind, reader, is that there is nothing esoteric about composting. It is simple, easy, fun, and rewarding!

Another factor nobody wants is a landfill or incineration facility opening up behind their house, next to the school their children attend, or quite honestly anywhere close to them. Since organic compostable material makes up a huge portion of landfill waste, there is a very simple solution: diverting organic waste from landfills by composting it at home reduces both the speed at which current landfills become full, and reduces the rate at which new landfills are created.

Here in Albany, we have many community resources to learn about composting. Organizations like the Radix Center for Ecological Sustainability are doing great work around community compost collection with zero-emission bicycles (see https://radixcenter.org/get-involved/231-2/) . The City of Albany is also taking part in this movement through their Albany Composts initiative. Check out their website to learn more about local home pick up services; drop off options at the Radix Center and Tivoli Preserve; or the composting bins and instructions that are available for Albany city residents: https://albanynyrecycles.com/albany-composts/).

So even if you are not inclined to compost yourself, there are plenty of organizations in the community including the Tivoli Preserve that are willing to help: https://www.zerowastecd.org/composting/community-compost-sites

If you are looking to learn more about composting, please consider one of our upcoming community events. You can learn about the simple process and how you can get started on your very own composting journey!

The recipe for a backyard compost pile is quite simple. All you need is carbon, nitrogen, and water. That's it.

• Nitrogen sources, a.k.a "Greens": Fruit and Veggie Scraps, egg shells, nut shells, coffee grounds.

• Carbon sources a.k.a. "Browns": Added to the pile in the form of sawdust and fine wood chips from untreated wood, straw, shredded paper cardboard, and fallen leaves. No pesticides, please!

• Water should be adequete for most of the year. However, if your pile seems drier than a wrung-out sponge, give it some water.

Ideally, you want a layer of Greens followed by a layer of Browns that is at least double the amount of the layer of Greens. You would continue this layering throughout the process of building your compost pile. When your pile heats up, you can turn it, but it's unnecessary. An unturned static pile will decompose, although not as quickly.

If your backyard compost bin gets completely filled, you can create a secondary pile. Your secondary pile should be placed in a space at least three feet long and three feet wide. To avoid pests, you should choose to contain your secondary pile in an additional plastic bin, metal fencing or a homemade wooden compost bin.

COMPOST!

DON’T COMPOST!

Richard Daley Founder of Sunray Sustainabiliy and a professional working in the field of environmental sustainability and ecological design as an educator and consultant. Email him at: info@sunraysustainability.com