Newsletter June Colour 2011

The Board wish to inform members that

membership will increase on 1st July 2011.

Annual membership will be $32.50

Six Months membership will be $16.25

The Co-op may be a small place but it has the ability to create big changes on the planet through our buying choices. It also provides the community with a place to reconnect with wholefoods as we go about buying our groceries.

The lifestyle choices we make matter greatly.  In the past decade or so it has become clearer just what an impact our choices have made on the planet.  Whether we choose to buy our food at a food cooperative, farmers market, small corner store, green grocer or large multi-national corporation has an impact on the planet, people and animals along the way. The choice of that impact to some extent comes back to us as consumers to choose as best we can with the information we have.

Many issues influence, how, why and when we buy our food. Finances, culture, ethics, location, time, education and our own personal reality influence our decisions and we all try to do the best we can with the resources we have. Whether you do all your shopping at the Co-op or buy a few items now and again, it sends a positive message to producers. It’s a way to vote with your dollar and create change within society by supporting ethical producers and industries.

Buying the most ethical foods and products and indeed not buying unnecessary ‘things’ requires the consumer to do research and educate ourselves.  Just because something is ‘organic’ doesn’t make it green.  Some questions to consider: Where was it grown? How were the people, animals, environment involved in the production of that product treated? What state did the growing and making of the product leave the environment in? What’s the life cycle of the product? Has it got excess packaging? How did it get here? How does the business operate that sells that product? Are the workers paid fairly and treated well? Is the information about the product transparent? There are plenty of broader ethics to consider when buying that apple or loaf of bread.

Considering these kinds of questions and re-thinking what we buy means we can decide where our money goes and what type of industries we support. Is buying that big family block of mass produced chocolate the best option? Could I buy the small block of fair trade organic chocolate and eat less but know that I’m supporting a fair system?  Also avoiding out of season fruits and vegetables  can be another way to save money and expand your awareness of other fruits and vegetables.

Here’s a list of tips for Co op shopping and some budget savvy ideas to eating great whole foods.

- Become a member if not already. Get to know the Co-op and the world of product codes [PLU], jars bags etc can look a little overwhelming, it’s pretty straight forward once you get in the swing of it, if unsure ask the co op staff.

-Take a shopping list and budget stick to it!

-If possible do a weekly shop: no little trips here and there as it tends to be more costly because it’s harder to keep track of.

-If you don’t have access to transport is there a friend, neighbour, family member who could  help you with transport for your shopping? For those with less mobility Blue Mountains Community transport is a great community service that offers transport. You could contact them to see if they could help out.

-Always get a receipt: check how much items were and use this to make a record at home or on your jars e.g. 200g cashews cost $3 for future budgeting.

-Use reusable jars and containers: these are better for the environment as they have a long lifespan and save you having to unpack bags – when you get home simply stack your jars.

-Wonderful Wednesdays: there is an ‘angel’ on this day – an extra staff member between 10am- 1pm who can assist you with your shopping. Wednesday is also the day seniors can shop at members prices.

-Buy seasonal fruits and vegetables and local where available: these are generally fresher and less expensive.

-Grow some of your own food or become involved in one of the local community garden groups: if health or physical ability limits what you can do in your own backyard why not create a working bee or see if a willing garden lover would like to help you create a veggie patch and reap the awards of vegetables and fruit together.

-Allow enough time to shop: shopping in our rush culture can be another thing to fit in. Slow down. Can you reschedule the time you shop to give yourself more time? Slowing down gives you the pleasure to select foods with mindfulness and care, that will nourish yourself and your family.

-Shopping with children: Slowing down is particularly important when shopping with children so they can enjoy the experience too. What a wonderful way to learn about food in the surrounds of the Food Co-op. Take breaks as needed when shopping with young children. Your basket won’t run away. A snack break and some focused attention is often all young children need to get back to the task of filling jars. As children grow your little helpers will be much appreciated in helping choose the best vegetables, fill jars and to help you remember to not take the whole experience too seriously .

-Bulk discount: when possible buy big bags of flour, box of soy milk etc as this gives you an additional 10% discount off. Ask Co-op staff which items this applies to.

-Volunteer at the food co op: to give you the 20% volly discount. If you haven’t volunteered at the Co-op before ask the staff for details. All current members are welcome to volunteer.

-Compare the prices: the bulk price can look a little daunting.  Keeping a record will allow you to see that Star Anise at $40 a kg for example only cost you 65c for 6 whole stars, compare apples with apples and you’ll soon find the idea that the Co-op is too expensive is an outdated myth. Prices are often the same or less than other shops. Some items may be more expensive compared to a large chain store but it’s worth asking what we are not paying for. Keep in mind questions such as “Where did it come from?” “Is it in season?”  “Are workers paid fairly?” etc.

Buying good wholesome food is an investment in your health and the planet for the future.

Suggested reading: All titles are available at Blue Mountains City Library.

Ecological Intelligence -how knowing the hidden impacts of what we buy can change everything- Daniel Goleman

The Ethics of What we Eat by Peter Singer and Jim Mason

The Life you can save- Acting now to end world poverty – Peter Singer

The Legacy by David Suzuki

The Green Guide by David Suzuki

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Co-op Newsletter

Here’s the latest newsletter in PDF form here for you to download.  In the shop there is a laminated colour copy for you to read, or grab a recycled paper copy to take home.