| Meating
Out More Often by Ben Birkett
Does going without meat mean going hungry? Are vegetarian meals boring? Isn’t it
hard to get enough protein? Is it safe for my kids? NO, No, no, and YES! When we consume a
balanced and diverse diet we give ourselves the best opportunity for healthy lives; and as
Americans, we have the most opportunities to choose a diverse and balanced diet.
By drawing upon the traditional diets of the many different cultures that make up our
American ancestry, we find countless recipes that do not rely on meat for flavor or
protein. Our best example comes from the original Americans, with a reliance on corn and
beans with plenty of chilies to provide the zest. So how about some black bean enchiladas?
Not so bad, and we can jazz that more with salsa, and improve the balance with avacado and
green salad splashed with cumin, peanut oil and lime juice dressing. Sounding better and
better, right?
There are many choices once one starts to look. Chinese and Japanese foods are obvious
choices as those cultures relied so heavily on beans, not just for protein but for calcium
as well. In fact, most beans are relatively high in both. If you think you don’t care
for such types of food consider that the noodle originated in China, and not in Italy. The
Italians simply adapted and modified the noodle to suit their tastes. This is exactly what
I suggest: Adapt any recipes you come across. For example cross a recipe you like using a
meat substitute such as veggie meatballs with your pasta sauce, or veggie patties,
(burgers), in place of chicken or veal when making a parmesana.
A proper diet is a serious issue and well worth the investment. Whether you and your
family eat meat or not, the balance and diversity of the diet matters most. I’ve
raised my daughters vegetarian, and they are healthy as can be. Case in point, my freshman
made the varsity tennis team. She has benefited most from the diversity built into her
vegetarian diet. What really enhances our diet is balance: Each meal plan includes grains,
legumes (beans), and vegetables. Fruits are our desserts and snacks. Truth be told, most
of the time our menu plan sounds, looks and tastes quite normal and sometimes, when
it’s a little exotic, its looks something you’d pay too much for at a fancy
restaurant.
Treat yourself and yours to something special and feel good about meating out more
often!
...Back to Top...
Getting
the Community Connections GMM Resource Guide
by Denise Contrucci
The General Membership Meeting (GMM) and Natural Products Show take place at the Dane
County Expo Center in Madison, Wisconsin on May 1, 1999. Everyone with a North Farm
Cooperative price list subscription will receive the Community Connections GMM Resource
Guide shortly after March 15, 1999. In the guide you’ll find out about special
workshops, exhibitors, exclusive show deals, the business meeting, hotel accommodations
and free Expo parking. Extra guides are available for ordering, stock number 10100, in the
March/April Price List, and will be delivered with regular orders after March 15, 1999.
...Back to Top...
Board
News: Elections
by Dottie Dykstra
Editor’s Note: This article was written the first week of January and sums up the
board election details available at that time.
The North Farm Board of Directors’ election for the 1999-2000 board year is well
underway. At this point, all incumbents for the open positions have indicated an interest
in running for their position. Tom Nesler, from the Faithful Stewards Buying Club, has
also shown interest in running for an open position--either in his Shoreline chapter or
for an at-large position.
Candidate statements of intent were due to North Farm by February 6, 1999. From those
statements, official ballots were designed. These ballots were scheduled to be mailed to
all voting members by February 16, 1999. Voting members have until April 16, 1999, to
postmark their completed ballots. Those voting members interested in waiting to vote on
May 1 may hold on to their ballots, and bring them to the GMM for voting at that time.
Please remember that voting members are all members who have at least $250 in their
equity account, or who were members prior to October 1, 1993.
For more details on the Board elections, please review the Community Connections GMM
Resource Guide (see related article, Getting the Community
Connections GMM Resource Guide, for more information).
...Back to Top...
North Farm Board Report Becomes a North Farm
News Department
by Dottie Dykstra
For those members who subscribe to the North Farm Board Report, their last
issue included a survey about the future of that publication. Members responding to the
survey voted unanimously to roll the Board Report into the North Farm News.
Respondents cited an interest in keeping postage and printing costs down, while at the
same time allowing all members access to Board of Directors news via the North Farm
News.
Beginning with this issue of the North Farm News, look for a new department:
Board News. If you are in need of contacting your board representative, or one of the
at-large representatives, you will find their address, phone number, and e-mail address on
the last page of the North Farm News. You can also get in touch with them via the
North Farm Web site at this link.
...Back to Top...
Coming
Soon to a Mailbox Near You
The North Farm Cooperative 1998 Annual Report is scheduled to mail to all North Farm
members the first week of April. All active member accounts will receive an Annual Report.
If you are interested in receiving an extra copy, please contact the warehouse after the
first of April.
...Back to Top...
Chapter Meetings
North Farm Cooperative has scheduled its Spring Chapter Meetings. More detailed
information will be coming your way via the US Postal Service.
Midwest Chapter
February 27th
Rolling Meadows, IL
Rolling Meadows City Hall
Great Lakes Chapter
March 13th
Midland, MI
Great Lakes College
Shoreline Chapter
March 18th
S. Wausau, WI
Cedar Creek Factory Stores
Driftless Dane Chapter
March 13th
Baraboo, WI
Baraboo Civic Center
Superior Chapter
April 7th
Virginia, MN
Columbia Apts.
For further information contact Jonathan Overlin at extension #2001.
...Back to Top...
GMM Means More
Than Food
by Denise Contrucci
Each year North Farm Cooperative hosts a natural foods and products show as a part of
its annual General Membership Meeting (GMM). The show’s name has evolved from the
“Food Fair” to the “Tabletop Food Show” to the current “Natural
Products Show”. No matter what the name, however, there has always been a wide
variety of natural foods and products available for sampling. But, the food is only a part
of the Community Connections GMM ‘99.
Historically, workshops focused on nutrition, health and community are held at the GMM.
They are offered to members in support of the International Cooperative Alliance’s
(ICA) Fifth Cooperative Principle: Education, Training and Information; which states:
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives,
managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their
cooperatives. They inform the general public—particularly young people and opinion
leaders—about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
North Farm broadens the education tradition by adding even more interesting workshops
at the upcoming Community Connections GMM, ranging from business development to community
cooking. They start early Friday afternoon and end late Saturday afternoon. Some workshops
require pre-registration. The Community Connections Resource Guide offers information on
pre-registration and workshop details, or you may contact Lorraine Riese at 1-800-236-5880
x2088 for more information. Some of the workshops are profiled in the article titled
“Community Connections
GMM Two-Day Workshop Line-up,” in this issue of the North Farm News.
The meeting and show take place at the Dane County Expo Center in Madison, Wisconsin on
May 1, 1999, and all North Farm Cooperative Home Shopping Price List subscribers will
receive the Community Connections GMM Resource Guide after March 15, 1999. The guide
assists you in making the most of your time at the GMM as it contains important
information about special workshops, exhibitors, exclusive show deals, the business
meeting, hotel accommodations and free Expo parking. Extra guides are available for
ordering, stock number 10100, in the March/April Home Shopping Price List, and will be
delivered with your regular order after March 15, 1999.
...Back to Top...
Community
Connections GMM Two-Day Workshop Line-Up
Natural Health, Naturally
Presented by Renee Welhouse of Wellhouse Associates
Ms. Welhouse presents a different approach to healing through natural foods and
supplements. She will suggest unique ways of tracking health through blood morphology and
body pH. You will learn how to help build yourself a healthier lifestyle! The workshop
covers nutrition, herbs, live blood analysis, biological terrain assessment, iridology,
and more.
Community Supported Agriculture
Presented by Barb Perkins of the Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture
Coalition, and Vermont Valley Farms
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a direct relationship between you, the
consumer, and your farmer. Each week members receive fresh, local, organic produce.
Opportunities to visit the farm for festivals and events occur throughout the season, and
member involvement is encouraged. Members can become involved through volunteering,
working in exchange for produce, and helping the farm in other ways. Come and find out how
CSA membership can work for you!
Organic: State of the Standards
A panel discussion with George Siemon of Organic Valley, and others
This panel discussion is designed to update consumers about the “State of the
Standards, and inform them on how they may become involved in organic industry regulation
efforts in a way that makes sense from farm to table. George Siemon, organic dairy farmer
and co-founder of Organic Valley, has been involved in the Organic movement from farming
to sitting on national boards charged with development of organic standards. Participants
will have a chance to ask questions, share perspectives, and learn how they can support
efforts to create a more sustainable world.
Winning Strategies for Effective Drop Sites
A panel discussion to help you achieve low stress on delivery day.
We would like to invite our Buying Club members to a panel discussion focusing on
effective drop site management. We will have three panelists, including an experienced
North Farm Driver, share with you the effective methods they have used to make their
delivery and pick-ups run smoothly. An open forum will follow their presentation. Bring
your questions and ideas to share and help everyone develop winning strategies for
effective deliveries.
Store Expansion
Presented by Bill Gessner of Cooperative Development Services
The Store Expansion workshop outlines the four stages of an expansion or relocation
project, including the critical steps in assessing feasibility. A “sources and
uses” budget will be developed for a typical expansion or relocation. Common pitfalls
in the planning and implementation process will be explored. Discussion, testimonials, and
survivor stories (lessons learned) will be encouraged. Bill Gessner provides a full range
of business development consulting services through Cooperative Development Services. He
has provided consulting services to more than one-hundred fifty co-ops in the past twelve
years, primarily focusing on the planning and implementation of expansion and relocation
projects.
Strategy For Retailers Workshop
Presented by Ben Birkett, Retail Sales Manager
Please take the opportunity to sit with Ben Birkett, North Farm Cooperative’s
retail sales manager, as he discusses strategy building for your retail business. For five
years Ben operated his own business, a vegetarian restaurant offering unique retail
sundries such as Guatemalan and Nepalese textiles, and locally handcrafted jewelry. After
closing the restaurant, he spent six years with the Copps Corporation, opening and
managing the Natural Foods Departments at their two Madison store locations. Ben came to
North Farm by way of the Magic Mill. Highlighting Ben’s experiences: he has opened
three business and closed one. Ben will lead you through a vision and strategy building
process which will help ensure that your business is a successful one. You will learn how
to identify your strengths and resources, determine what your best market opportunities
are, and where to distribute your resources. Topics covered include:
- Facing challenges and change
- Recognizing opportunities in the face of challenges and change
- Identifying resources needed to seize opportunities
- Assessing your available resources for seizing opportunities
- Looking outside for focus on the core elements involved
- Investing in and maintaining control of those core elements
This and other workshops at this year’s GMM highlight North Farm
Cooperative’s commitment to helping its business members find success in their
business endeavors.
...Back to Top...
Team Retail - Old Faces in New Chairs, New Faces in Old
Chairs
by Ben Birkett
I’m pleased to announce a few additions to our team in this issue, and to
acknowledge the contributions of those who’ve moved on. First, let me say “thank
you” to Gillian Pomplun and Lori Greenwald for their years of dedicated service to
the Cooperative and our membership. In keeping with our philosophies, we have filled the
positions opened internally. Lorraine Riese, who you may have known as an order taker and
for the last year or so as turnover coordinator, is now assisting me in administrative
duties, helping coordinate promotions, sales, and our sales team. Many of you will miss
talking to Camari Amunson as an order taker but will be relieved to know that your
turnover orders and promotions are being processed by her competent hands. The latest
additions to the team, Heather Foseid, comes to us from our Accounting Department. Heather
is a relative youngster with lots of “get up and go”. She is now representing us
as a salesperson for the “local” Madison accounts and western part of Wisconsin,
and Illinois except Chicago.
Be sure to check future Retail Price Lists for Retail Team contacts on the last page of
the North Farm News. We’ll keep you updated with the names and numbers for your
service needs.
North Farm Retail Sales Team
Michigan Kentucky Ohio
Sarah Wepman
616-235-4636
800-236-5880 x2087
Grocery
Robert Barbee
920-907-1491
henry@execpc.com
Minnesota Wisconsin Wyoming Montana Dakotas Michigan UP
Carolyn King
218-327-3333
800-236-5880 x2084
Michigan Indiana
Nancy Schlabach
313-485-0850
800-236-5880 x2130
Wisconsin Iowa Southern Illinois
Heather Fosied
800-236-5880 x2042
heatherf@northfarm-coop.com
Turnover Coordinator
Camari Amunson
800-236-5880 x2008
Administrative Assistant
Lorraine Riese
800-236-5880 x2027
lorrainer@northfarm-coop.com
Manager
Ben Birkett
800-236-5880 x2007
benbirk@northfarm-coop.com
...Back to Top...
Update
on Shared Drop Sites: A Success Story
by Sally Erlandson
The shared drop site located in Marquette, Michigan has been in operation for about a
year. I interviewed a few of the clubs that are participating to get their reaction to the
experience. The overall response was very positive. Everyone said that the best part of
the shared drop site is that the truck is already unloaded when we arrive and we
immediately start dividing our food!
A shared drop site is when a number of clubs in the same area receive their deliveries
at the time and place. John Fegan is the site coordinator in Marquette. It is his job to
meet the truck, help unload the product, direct buying clubs to their orders and oversee a
smooth delivery. John believes the site is successful because of the great location and
coolers are available for frozen products.
Becky from Hiawatha Whole Foods stated that the shared drop site has exceeded their
expectations. Becky says, “Dividing food indoors where it is warm is a big
improvement over a cold cramped garage! Each club has a designed area with tables to
divide their food. We were optimistic about the shared drop site and it has turned out
great. We are receiving this service at no additional charge to the club.”
Susie representing Belly Full Food Club said they were skeptical at first because some
of their members lived 25 miles away from the drop site. Actually distribution has turned
out to be more efficient. Since the product is waiting for them, it takes less time than
before. Members plan their monthly errands around delivery day. An added bonus is the
shared drop site facility is safer for the children. They are no longer in the road while
we unload the truck at someone’s house.
Shared drop sites are efficient for any size or structure of club. These sites are
appreciated by all the clubs that use them.
...Back to Top...
Community
Connections Story Contest
by Denise Contrucci
What’s your community connections story?
According to North Farm Cooperative buying club research conducted in 1997, over 68% of
its members engage in some type of volunteer work in their communities. North Farm is
proud to serve such a remarkable and generous membership, and believes that others would
like to learn about how North Farm members contribute to their communities. Therefore,
North Farm is hosting a special Community Connections Story Contest in conjunction with
the Community Connections General Membership Meeting, held on May 1, 1999, in Madison,
Wisconsin.
The contest.
If you would like others to learn about how you volunteer your time and talents to a
charitable organization in your community, please write your story and submit it to North
Farm Cooperative by March 15, 1999. On March 18, 1999, a panel of judges from the Board of
Directors will vote on all stories submitted; writers’ names will be revealed to
judges only after voting. The three most compelling stories will be chosen as winners.
North Farm employees and family members are ineligible to enter the contest.
The reward.
The writers of the three winning stories will win one hundred dollars for themselves, and
one hundred dollars to donate to the organization where they conduct volunteer work.
Charities must be legitimate in order to win. Qualified winners will be notified by
certified mail. North Farm reserves the right to publish names of winners.
The entry.
Send your Community Connections Story by March 15, 1999 via mail or e-mail to:
North Farm Cooperative
Denise Contrucci
204 Regas Road
Madison, WI 53714
denisec@northfarm-coop.com
...Back to Top...
Organic
Outreach Marketing Program Working for You
reprinted from the Organic Trade Association
Misinformation about the organic industry created by Dennis Avery has been appearing in
the press; most recently in the December 8 Wall Street Journal. OTA’s Organic
Outreach Marketing Program, which works year-round to promote the organic industry, sent a
letter to the Wall Street Journal rebutting Avery’s claims. The Wall Street Journal
has not yet published the rebuttal, nor any other letters from organic industry members.
In the ‘Notable and Quotable” section, the Wall Street Journal excerpted
claims Avery made in American Outlook, a Hudson Institute publication. Among claims, Avery
states, “According to recent data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), people who eat organic and ‘natural food’ are eight times as likely as
the rest of the population to be attacked by a deadly new strain of E. coli bacteria
(0157:H7)....Organic food is more dangerous than conventionally grown produce because
organic farmers use manure as the major source of fertilizer for their food
crops....Organic farmers compound the contamination problem through their reluctance to
use antimicrobial preservatives, chemical washes, pasteurization, or even chlorinated
water to rid their products of dangerous bacteria.”
Excerpts from OTA’s rebuttal letter follow:
“Mr. Avery states that ‘people who eat organic and natural foods are eight
times as likely as the rest of the population to be attacked by the deadly new strain of
E.coli bacteria (0157:H7).’ Mr. Avery claims ‘recent data’ compiled by the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as the source for this inaccurate statement. OTA,
in its mission to protect the organic label and educate consumers, investigated these
claims by contacting the CDC directly. According to Robert Tauxe, M.D., chief of the food
borne and diarrheal diseases branch of the CDC, there is no such data on organic food
production in existence at their centers. In fact, Tauxe stated that Avery’s claims
were ‘absolutely not true.’” The complete rebuttal letter is posted on the
OTA web site: www.ota.com, or you can request a copy from
the OTA office. The January issue of The Organic Report, also provides tips about
responding to inaccurate information in the media, particularly about the use of manure in
agriculture.
If you see other articles about organic agriculture and production--especially articles
containing misinformation--please send a copy to the Organic Trade Association office.
(Include publication date, publication name, reporter’s name, and publication address
if possible.) The Organic Outreach Marketing Program will follow up with that publication
and add it to the media mailing list to ensure that the publication receives accurate
information about the industry in the future.
The Organic Outreach Marketing Program, the organic industry’s only generic
program to promote all organic agriculture regardless of type of commodity or brand of
product, works all year to promote the organic industry. A program of the Organic Trade
Association, Organic Outreach is funded by voluntary contributions from members of the
organic industry and works proactively to educate reporters and editors across the
continent. Using primarily public relations, Organic Outreach Marketing Program has
generated coverage on the organic industry valued five times more than the money spent
administering the program.
...Back to Top...
Pre-Orders
by Jan Torkildson
We are aware that many of our customers are ordering large quantities of food in
anticipation of the year 2000. North Farm is asking for your support in reducing the
potential for out-of-stocks when ordering large quantities of products. If your club will
be ordering 20 or more cases of a specific product, we ask that you pre-order the product
at least one month in advance. If you do pre-order large quantities of 20 cases or more,
you will receive the following discounts: 20-49 cases (of the same product) receive 2%
off; 50 cases or more (of the same product) get 5% off.
Pre-ordering will allow our purchasing team to stock up on the particular product, and
thus limit the number of out-of-stocks to all of our members. If you are planning on
stocking up on supplies, please give us a minimum of 4 weeks’ notice. The sooner we
get your pre-order, the better opportunity we will have to secure the product throughout
the year. North Farm will notify you when the items are shipped so that you can arrange to
have adequate help to unload the order.
Please indicate what month you would like delivery and mail completed forms to 204
Regas Road, Madison, WI 53714. If you have any questions, please contact the Home Shopping
Services Team at 1-800-236-5880, or locally at 608-241-2667.
...Back to Top...
Soy Positive
by Julie Smith, Magic Mill Natural Foods Vitamin/HABA Buyer
Welcome to the wonderful world of soy. Haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet? Well,
this is one you don’t want to miss.
What Soy May Do For You
- Help lower total cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels.
- Help to prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol, a specific major source of plaque.
- Help to balance the estrogen levels. By attaching to human estrogen receptor sites,
these plant hormones can help to prevent those problems associated with menopause, PMS,
and perhaps excess environmental estrogens.
- Help prevent and control Diabetes. Soluble fiber (found in whole soybeans) aids in
regulating blood glucose levels. Utilizing complex carbohydrates and a low fat diet
help to control this disease.
- Help the body fight against cancer.
- Superior source of protein helps prevent loss of bone.
These health benefits relate to the components found in soy. These interrelate with
each other to produce such positive effects. They include:
- protein
- fiber
- isoflavone, including genistein
- phytosterols
- protease inhibitors
- essential fatty acids
- lecithin
Isoflavones deserve special merit. These are a unique group of plant chemicals known as
phytoestrogens. Plant estrogens are similar to human estrogen and are able to bind to
human estrogen sites. This prevents occupation of those sites by the body’s own
estrogen, which may counteract the hormones cancer causing potential. They exhibit a
hormonal balancing effect, important for women experiencing symptoms of menopause and PMS.
One study found women who consumed enough soy foods to provide about 200 mg of isoflavone
per day showed estrogenic activity.
Incorporating soy food into your diet has never been easier. Products made with soy
have exploded onto the market. Of course, dietary changes are important for combating
disease, but if cooking with soybeans and tofu leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth,
never fear, options abound!
Soy protein powders are convenient and viable options. Genisoy brand is available in
vanilla, chocolate and unflavored. NOW Foods produces an unflavored type. These are
suitable to be added to juice or other liquids, smoothies, or used in baking. There are no
specific recommendations for soy protein intake; however, studies have shown reduced
cholesterol levels with 24-47 g/day. A one scoop serving provides 24g of protein and
43-89% isoflavone content, depending on the brand.
Soy isoflavone capsules are also available. Schiff and Rainbow Light offer products
with concentrations ranging from 12 to 24 mg of soy isoflavones per capsule, and recommend
1-6 capsules/day.
Soy protein bars are tasty and convenient. Genisoy produces 4 flavors, each of which
offers 14g of protein per bar—choose from Chocolate Coated, Chocolate Uncoated, Apple
Spice and Peanut Butter.
As you nibble on your favorite soy snack food, consider these soy tidbits:
One acre of soybeans will yield more usable protein than any other crop. The U.S. seems
to be a little slow in catching on—almost 90% of soy produced in this country is used
for animal feed. It is believed that soy has been used for food in China for five thousand
years, and it was considered a sacred crop. By the eighth century A.D., it reached Japan.
Today the average Japanese consumes about 50 pounds of tofu a year. Early American
enthusiasts for soy included Dr. John Harvey Kellog, who by 1920 was marketing
America’s first soy food. Henry Ford dreamt of an “all agricultural car”
and used soy for many parts. Today we seem to be reevaluating our relationship with
soy—research suggests a myriad of health benefits associated with soy consumption and
sales of soy protein powders are skyrocketing.
If you are looking to cultivate your knowledge of soy, you won’t want to miss The
Simple Soybean and Your Health, by M. Messina, V. Messina and K. Setchell. Filled with
facts, healthy diet suggestions and recipes, it is a valuable tool. The Healing Power of
Foods by Michael Murray, N.D. also contains interesting information.
The benefits of soy are impossible to ignore. As we grapple with the health problems of
our modern society, soy offers an affordable, convenient and environmentally sound
solution.
Good Health!
...Back to Top... |
