Sno-Isle Natural Foods Co-op

Opportunities Abound

2010-09-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

Interested in how to grow food sustainably?
A free public lecture is being offered this September by agricultural expert John Jeavons.
(September 24th 7-9 p.m. at The Evergreen State College Lecture Hall 1)

He is also offering a 1 day intensive workshop with limited space at our local Wendell Berry community garden.
(September 25th all day ; more info at: www.johnjeavons.info)

Regular Meditation Offered @ the Sno-Isle Classroom

2010-07-26T10:03:00.000-07:00

Meditation Circle
with Kae Friesen

Great for beginners to intermediate!

Have you been thinking you want to meditate but don't really know where to start? Would you like to get started with others that may have meditated and can share their experience with you?

Group meditation is very empowering, gives you momentum and helps you build your practice.

Whether you are brand new at it or have practiced a bit and would like to meditate in a group - this circle is for you!

Upcoming dates: July 29, August 12 & 26 (Will continue on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays)
Time: 6 - 7pm
Location: Sno-Isle Co-op classroom
Donation basis: ($5 suggested - any amount accepted :)

Please feel free to come up to 15 minutes early and settle in. There will be quiet music for your enjoyment. The class will consist of some instruction time, some guided meditation time and some silent time. The door will be secured from 6:05 to 7pm to reduce interruption.

About Kae Friesen

Kae has studied meditation for over 20 years and sat with teachers including Sharon Salzberg, Nirmala, Arjuna, Katie Davis and Prasad. She has studied teachings by Papaji, Pema Chodron, Byron Katie, Depak Chopra, Sondra Ray, Shakti Gawain, Gangaji and many others. She has been holding Meditation Meetups for over a year and has a regular (daily) practice.

Kae believes there is no one way to meditate but there are many ways to quiet the mind. She knows that finding and using the tools that work for you can bring a subtle layer of peace to your life. Research has shown that meditation is one of the best things you can do for your health; reducing stress to bring the body, mind, emotions and spirit in to balance.

Kae is a Certified Reiki Master, BEST practitioner, Hynotherapist and Ordained Minister. She also dabbles in Astrology and Tarot, eats lots of raw foods, makes her own laundry soap and does yoga.

Who's Who: Snohomish County Growers Alliance

2010-07-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

Who's Who: Snohomish County Growers Alliance

Producers and Buyers Anticipate Skagit WholeSale Market Launch

2010-06-22T16:16:00.000-07:00

June 22, 2010 [Mount Vernon, WA] - Area food producers are preparing to sell their products to wholesale customers in the covered parking lot of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op on Thursday mornings from 8-10 a.m., starting this Thursday, June 24th, and will be there every week through harvest season, interest provided.

The weekly market is designed to help area buyers and sellers decrease time and fuel costs associated with collecting and delivering local food themselves," says Lucy Norris, PSFN Project Manager. "The Skagit Valley Food Co-op and Puget Sound Food Network together identified an initial group of local vendors, now we need restaurants and food service buyers to show up." Buyers can either preorder from the farm, and then pay and collect at the market site, or choose to pick up later. Each vendor will choose their own invoicing and delivery options. Impulse buys are expected and encouraged.

The Skagit WholeSale Market is grounded in the harvest of all-star Skagit organic producers like Hedlin Farm, Skagit River Ranch, Ralph's Greenhouse, and Skagit Flats. Staples from Sakuma Bros, Twin Sisters Mushrooms, Hidden Meadow Ranch, Fresh Breeze Organic Dairy, and the newly formed Viva Farms will be complimented by delicacies from San Juan Pasta Company and Gothberg Farms. Seasonal appearances by other Skagit and PSFN member producers, and products from nearby and east of the mountains will appear throughout the season.

A collaboration between the Co-op and Puget Sound Food Network, it is the only grassroots business-to-business market of its kind in Northwest Washington.

Those interested in learning more or wish to participate as a Skagit WholeSale Market buyer or seller should contact Erin Treat at skagitcoop@gmail.com or visit PSFN at www.psfn.org. Map and directions to the Skagit Valley Food Co-op are posted at http://www.skagitfoodcoop.com/map.html.

For more background and information, please read our first press release from June 8th on our blog at http://psfn.org/blog/2010/06/seeking-buyers-for-the-skagit-wholesale-market-thursdays-starting-june-24th/, and follow All FOOD Considered, a blog created by Skagit Valley Food Coop.

Dine Out for the Gulf Coast

2010-06-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

America’s premier chefs and restaurants unite to create Dine Out for the Gulf Coast, benefiting the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.
From June 10-12, 2010, participating restaurants throughout the United States will set aside a portion of profits to help those directly affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and to support the long-term restoration of the treasured coast.
Participating restaurants will customize their own Dine Out for the Gulf Coast benefit program. Some restaurants will contribute a percentage of total sales for the day and others will donate the sales from specific menu items, while others will offer specialty cocktails with a dollar-value from sales donated to the fund.
Many restaurants will highlight Gulf seafood offerings as a way to support the Gulf Coast fishing industry (commercial and charter fisherman), just declared a national fisheries disaster by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.
The short-term goal of The Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund, administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation, is to make emergency grants to nonprofit organizations helping the victims of the oil spill. The long-term goal of the fund is to address the long-term economic, environmental, cultural effects of the disaster, and strengthen coastal communities against future environmental catastrophes by investing in solutions. No administrative fees will be charged to the fund: all funds will be re-granted to the communities in need.

http://dineoutforthegulfcoast.org/

Task Force Farm Tour Agenda: Public Invited!

2010-05-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

The May meeting of the Farmland Preservation Task Force will include a tour of King County agriculture. The tour will feature three full stops and two roadside pauses to take in what onboard speakers are discussing.
The first full stop will be the Kirkland Farmers Market, an urban farmers market that runs May through October in beauti-ful downtown Kirkland on the shores of Lake Washington. Here we will hear from market manager Stefeny Anderson. Ste-feny wears many hats as she also manages the Renton Farmers Market and is the secretary of the Washington State Farmers Market Association. She will be discussing among other things the role the Kirkland Market has in being an outlet for area farmers and the connection it has to the local community.
Next we will head over to Full Circle Farms. Full Circle Farms currently cultivates organically over 50 crops and 200 varie-ties of produce on 400 acres employing around 125 people. Their produce can be found in Seattle restaurants, farmer's mar-kets, and specialty grocers. An incredible fact about Full Circle Farm is their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) cus-tomers which total about 8,000. Farmer Andrew Stout will discuss with us his growing operation and how the county farm-land preservation has enabled him to expand acreage.
Finally we will stop at West Valley Beef. West Valley Beef is a grass fed beef operation located in the Snoqualmie Valley near Duvall. A certified Salmon Safe Farm, West Valley Beef is managed by Chuck and Bobbi Lindemulder. Chuck was born and raised in the Snoqualmie Valley, and Bobbi has lived there since 1974. Both feel strongly about maintaining the family farm and supporting local agriculture.
Roadside stops will include Children‟s Garden and Two Sister‟s Farm.
Children’s Garden Farm is a 28 acre farm which produces vegetables, herbs and fresh cut and dry flowers, which are sold at Pike Place Market and other farmer‟s markets around Seattle. The farm, established in 1993, has two names— “Children‟s” was the name attached to the goal of the farm supporting the family‟s children to earn their college money while working on the farm. Almost 10 years ago, grandfather Shongchao passed away, and in his honor, the farm was named after him.
Located just north of Carnation, Two Sisters Dairy, which the sisters Anne Marie and Lena Magnochi own with their par-ents, is one of four dairies left in Snoqualmie Valley, and has even survived Carnation Farms — the town„s namesake — which closed in 2001.
If you would like to sign up for the tour which begins from the Kirkland La Quinta Inn and Suites May 12 promptly at 1pm and concludes between 5:00 and 5:30 (depending on traffic) please contact Lori Gonzalez at lgon461@ecy.wa.gov or Josh Giuntoli at jgiuntoli@scc.wa.gov.

Bike to Work Day May 21!

2010-04-05T12:30:00.001-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2010

Bike to Work Day is May 21
Kick-Off Event April 29

Snohomish County, Wash. - Converting car trips to bike trips is an easy
way to get healthy while getting somewhere at the same time. Burn
calories instead of fuel as Snohomish County celebrates National Bike to
Work Day on Friday, May 21

Event organizers encourage creative commutes that combine biking and
buses, biking to your carpool or vanpool instead of driving, or driving
part way to work and biking the rest.

Last year, more than 900 people stopped by Bike to Work Day
“celebration stations” in Snohomish County and Bothell. This
year, organizers hope to provide refreshments, free bike safety checks
and goodies to 1,000 people on bicycles.

Bike to Work Day Celebration Stations will be open the morning of
Friday, May 21 at: Edmonds Train Station, Lynnwood Transit Center,
University of Washington Bothell, Everett Station, Boeing Everett,
Marysville’s Comeford Park and McCollum Park in Mill Creek.

Bike to Work Day is the kickoff for the Snohomish County Bike Commute
Challenge. The challenge is to organize a team of co-workers or friends
who will continue biking to work at least once a week for a month.

To learn more about Community Transit Bike to Work events, stop by the
Bike to Work Kick-Off between 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 29 at the
Everett Public Schools’ Longfellow Building Annex located on 3715
Oakes Avenue, Everett or visit www.communitytransit.org/biketowork.

Local Bike to Work events are coordinated by Community Transit with
support from Everett Transit, Boeing, Clif Bar, B.I.K.E.S. Club of
Snohomish County, Harvy’s Bike Shop, Seattle Children’s Hospital
and many other community sponsors.

Did you know?
It takes about 30 minutes to bike five miles at an easy pace. That
burns about 300 calories - and gets you your daily exercise while
getting somewhere at the same time.

2009 Bike Commute Challenge Stats
145 Teams
817 Participants
564 Completed the Challenge
14,433 Total Trips
113,820 Total miles
30% New Participants

Come and Visit us at VEGFEST!

2010-04-01T14:24:00.001-07:00

What: Vegfest, a Seattle tradition! Vegetarian Food Festival hosted by Vegetarians of Washington, featuring all kinds of Vegetarian food producers, local restaurants, and markets. Try over 500 different kinds of food!

When: April 10th & 11th, 10 am - 6pm

Where: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall

Other info: $8.00 admission for adults. Kids 12 and under for free. You will walk out full! Learn a LOT and find out what is available! There are also cooking and health demonstrations
For more information go to www.vegfest2010.org

Washington State Grape Society Scholarship available

2010-02-23T16:58:00.000-08:00

The Washington State Grape Society is proud to offer
a scholarship to a deserving young person who
plans to attend Washington State University and engage
in a field of study relating to the growing of
grapes. This scholarship is targeted towards graduate
students, but undergraduate students may also apply.
To apply for a scholarship you will need to complete all forms. Click here to go to SCHOLARSHIP FORM. The completed Personal Information Sheet will need to be returned to the Washington State Grape Society, along with a Letter of Application,
as outlined in the guidelines. Three letters of recommendation or completed and confidential reports on applicant
forms must also be submitted.
The deadline for receiving applications is April 15, 2010. A decision will be made by the scholarship trustees and the award
will be announced at our Annual Meeting held in November. If you have any questions or comments, we would encourage
you to call (509) 786-7888 or e-mail the Washington State Grape Society.

Farmland Preservation Grant News Update

2010-02-22T17:23:00.000-08:00

Conservation Commission Accepting Applications for Farmland Preservation Grant Sponsorship

The Washington State Conservation Commission will begin accepting applications for proposals seeking Commission sponsorship of Farmland Preservation Program grants. Applications will be accepted by the Commission beginning February 23 and concluding on March 12 at 5:00pm for grants to protect farmland.

In 2009, the legislature amended the Farmland Preservation Program (FPP) within the larger Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) to include the eligibility of the State Conservation Commission (SCC) to apply for funds through the program. According to the new statutory language, a match is not required for proposals from the SCC.

Grants may be used to buy conservation easements to protect valuable farmland from being converted to another use. Portions of grants may also be used to enhance the agricultural production of preserved farmland or to help restore or enhance ecological functions, including providing benefits to wildlife. Eligible farmland may include ranch land and irrigated or dry cropland.

The pre-proposal process is open and competitive. Pre-proposals are reviewed and scored by SCC staff based on criteria established by the SCC. Staff will submit a prioritized list of projects to the SCC commissioners who will then determine how many projects to advance.

To download the announcement, go to: 2010 WWRP-SCC Announcement

To download a pre-proposal form, go to: 2010 SCC Pre Proposal

For information on the WWRP Farmland Preservation program, please see: RCO WWRP Farmland Preservation Policy Guide

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Josh Giuntoli at jgiuntoli@scc.wa.gov 360-407-7474, or Ron Shultz at rshu461@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-7507

Cider Making - Principals and Practices

2010-02-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

The Northwest Agriculture Business Center is bringing internationally-recognized cider production expert Peter Mitchell to lead an intensive week-long class in cider and perry production. Mitchell has over 25 years of practical experience in hard cider production. He is a certified UK and USA cider competition judge and an award-winning producer in his own right. If you have wanted to develop your skills in hard cider and perry making this is the course to attend.

“Cider Making-Principles and Practice” will be held at the Skagit Valley College campus in Mount Vernon, WA. The course will run 8:00am - 5:00pm daily, June 28 - July 2, 2010. Mitchell will cover industry foundations such as the cider market, business opportunity, orcharding, production methods and management, and quality control. The class will provide practical processing and laboratory work along with lectures. The week will also be filled with cider making workshops and a field-trip visit to commercial cideries. The format and content of the class is suitable for beginners, new businesses and existing producers (large & small-scale) alike.

You may register for “Cider Making-Principles and Practice” online at the NABC website, www.agbizcenter.org or contact Jake Fowler at NABC (360-336-3727). Registrants will be sent directions and schedule prior to the class.

snopes.com: Determining Product Origins by Bar Code

2010-01-20T12:02:00.001-08:00

snopes.com: Determining Product Origins by Bar Code

Posted using ShareThis

Sno-Isle Movie Night!

2010-01-13T13:42:00.000-08:00

Join us for a movie and community building on Monday January 25th, 5pm in the classroom, We'll be watching "The Future of Food", trying some tasty snacks, learning and sharing.

Seattle Bio Char

2009-12-31T12:17:00.001-08:00

Check out this video and find out what kinds of projects are happening now to reduce waste in an environmentally friendly way.
Also, watch for our next newsletter to read more about the exciting cooperation going on in Costa Rica!

http://www.youtube.com/user/seattlebiochar

Buy Local! Snohomish Holiday Market

2009-11-30T11:07:00.001-08:00

The Snohomish Holiday Market opened on November 19th located at 1234 First Street, Snohomish, WA. This building is formerly know as the Black Cat location.

The Snohomish Holiday Market will be open Thursday - Sunday from Nov. 19th to Dec. 27th (except Christmas and Thanksgiving).

The Market features over 6,000 sq ft of arts, crafts and other surprises. The vendors will change weekly so you'll want to shop often to visit the local businesses weekly.

For more information visit:
http://snohomishholidaymarket.com
http://snohomishholidaymarket.blogspot.com

For more information on becoming a vendor contact:
SnohomishHolidayMarket@live.com
SnohomishHolidayMarket@gmail.com

Please call Debbie at 360-282-3197 or Karen 360-348-2674 with questions.

CSA Farmer-Trainees for 2010-Wanted

2009-11-12T15:25:00.000-08:00

The Community Supported Agriculture Training Center at Historic Greenbank Farm on beautiful Whidbey Island, WA is seeking eight to ten new farmer-trainees for 2010. The CSA Training Center will select new trainees on a rolling admission throughout November, December and January. Selected farmer-trainees will be exposed to a diversified cropping system of fruits and vegetables on almost ten acres of organically certified land using a CSA model. Applications and information about the program can be found on the NABC website: www.AgBizCenter.org. This year, housing is also available through the Whidbey Island WISH Foundation. The WISH housing application can be found on the NABC website.

The CSA training program will begin in early February, 2010 and run through October. Farmer trainees receive a monthly stipend of $500 and a $1,000 educational award at the completion of the year for supplies, tools and or equipment needed for future farming activities. Participants in the program will be expected to work an average of 30 hours per week, with most of these hours coming during the summer growing season. Our goal will be 50 CSA shareholders.

Sebastian Aguilar from Port Townsend has been hired as the new CSA Coordinator and will begin his responsibilities in late November. Mr. Aguilar has been farming organic vegetables fulltime for the past 13 years. He and his wife, Kelly, have three children and have managed farms in New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Washington State. Sebastian’s goals of top quality produce, healthy soils, and social outreach have guided his farming practices and are an excellent match for what is being done at the Training Center at Greenbank Farm.

On the Aguilar’s farm in Port Townsend, they use minimum tillage, cover cropping, compost, and biodynamic preparations to build and maintain healthy, fertile soils. He has done seed trials for the Seed Alliance and sold produce to the Port Townsend Food Coop. Farm apprenticeships, CSA’s, youth education and community involvement have always connected Sebastian’s farm to the local community, thereby building relationships that strengthen the local food system and the awareness that supports it. Sebastian grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico and spent summers gardening with his grandfather in France. He started farming full-time at age 20 and has been passionate about developing a model of small scale organic agriculture that is ecologically, economically, and socially healthy ever since. Having started as an apprentice, Sebastian has learned how to host apprentices of his own – striving to offer them a thorough and holistic agricultural education.

The CSA Training Center at Greenbank Farm, the first of its kind in western Washington, is an innovative community response to what is an alarming reality across our nation: the steady decrease in farmland, a food system dangerously dependent on fossil fuel, and an impersonal food chain that transports food items an average of 1,500 miles from the farm to our dining tables.

The second year of this project is made possible by a grant awarded by the USDA Farmer Market Promotion Grant and matched by the Northwest Agriculture Business Center. It brings together mentor farmers, food activists, agricultural organizations and local officials as a team growing new farmers and more food for direct distribution to consumers.

For application materials, a CSA brochure, or more information, visit the NABC website at www.AgBizCenter.org, or contact CSA Project Director, Maryon Attwood at 360-336-3727 or CSA Coordinator, Sebastian Aguilar after November 23rd at the CSA Training Center Office: 360-222-3171.

Holiday Essential Oil Workshop!

2009-11-09T11:24:00.001-08:00

Sno-Isle Newsletter Posted Online

2009-10-13T13:51:00.001-07:00

Come and find out what the news is at your co-op and in the local Everett area.

Here's the link to our latest newsletter, we have hard copies available in store.

http://www.snoislefoods.coop/NewsArchive/Fall_2009.pdf

Calling all Cooperators!

2009-10-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

Fall Workshops

2009-09-22T11:45:00.000-07:00

September 24 6-7:30pm
Organic Skin Care & Scar healing with Essential Oils

Learn to make luxurious and healing skin care oils with essential oils, jojoba oil, carrotseed oil, rosehip seed oil and more! Learn how to be naturally beautiful and treat your skin with healing essential oils and natural ingredients which are gentle to your skin. You will make a 1/3 oz. smoothing, healing and age defying oil for your skin type. Pure organic rose, sandalwood, jasmine, helichrysum and MORE will be available!

October 19th 6-7:30 pm
Essential Remedies with Michelle Mahler
Pain relief & sleep management with Essential Oils! Find relief naturally with the oldest alternative therapy. Essential Oils from flowers and herbs have been used safely and effectively to treat inflammation, arthritis, carpal tunnel, back pain, for centuries. We will discuss the many applications of these miracle oils and learn how to utilize them in our lives. Class fee of $15 per student includes your own therapy oil and bath salts to take home.

November 16th 6-7:30
Essential Oil Holiday FUN workshop!

Come have a great time making bath salts and aromatherapy sprays for yourself and friends and family!they can help us to relax, unwind, find peace, focus, relieve pain, insomnia, grief and depression and aid in stress relief and memory loss You can make as many 2oz. cobalt blue glass sprays & salts as time allows for a $5 supply fee each:) where else can you smell and play with dozens of pure Organic Essential Oils? Don't miss this one, families welcome:) Home schoolers too!

Green Everett Renewable Living Fair!

2009-09-21T20:57:00.000-07:00

Save 10% on all purchases THIS SUNDAY 9/20/09

2009-09-19T15:58:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again, Sno-Isle Natural Foods co-op wants to help our brothers and sisters out with a well deserved bonus! So, here's how this works, Sno-Isle Co-op owner? You get 10 % off! What about Skagit Co-op, or Madison Market, or PCC? Sure! You get it too! In fact, all you have to do is show your Co-op card at the check out.
What if you're not a owner or member of a co-op? Join on Sunday and you can take advantage of the savings too!
Also happening on Sunday: Samples galore, Gift bag giveaways, Live food demonstrations, mini workshops in our Wellness department.
We're open from 10 am - 6pm tomorrow, and the fun lasts all day.
Thanks for Loving your Co-op, We're loving you right back!

No more plastic bags for Mexico City

2009-08-20T15:49:00.001-07:00

August 19th, 2009

Posted: 02:06 PM ET

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (CNN) — Mexico City’s thousands of stores went green Wednesday, as amended ordinances on solid waste now outlaw businesses from giving out thin plastic bags that are not biodegradable.

The law affects all stores, production facilities and service providers within the Federal District, which encompasses the city limits. Nearly 9 million people live inside the district and another 10 million reside in surrounding communities that make up greater Mexico City.

Mexico City becomes the second large metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere to outlaw the bags. San Francisco enacted an ordinance in March 2007 that gave supermarkets six months and large chain pharmacies about a year to phase out the bags. Los Angeles is set to impose a ban if the the state of California does not impose a statewide 25-cent fee per bag by July of next year.

Bans are also in place elsewhere in the world.

China has adopted a strict limit, reducing litter and eliminating the use of 40 billion bags, the World Watch Institute said, citing government estimates. Although compliance has been spotty, violation of the law carries a possible fine of 10,000 yuan ($1,463), World Watch said.

In Tanzania, selling the bags carries a maximum six-month jail sentence and a fine of 1.5 million shilling ($1,137).

Mumbai, India, outlawed the bags in 2000 and cities in Australia, Italy, South Africa and Taiwan have imposed bans or surcharges. Ireland reported cutting use of the bags by 90 percent after imposing a fee on each one.

Some leading environmentalists are calling for a global ban on the bags, about 5 trillion of which are used worldwide. In the United States, about 100 million bags are used each year, of which 90 million are not recycled.

Achim Steiner, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, says plastic bags are the second-most-common form of litter, behind cigarette butts. The bags are the greatest form of litter on the globe’s oceans, the U.N. agency said in a recent report.

The bags are also a major threat to ocean wildlife, causing the deaths of 100,000 sea turtles and other marine animals that mistake them for food.

“Thin-film, single-use plastic bags, which choke marine life, should be banned or phased out rapidly everywhere,” Steiner said in June. “There is simply zero justification for manufacturing them anymore, anywhere.”

Mexico City, which has had some of the worst air pollution in the world, also is looking at improving its environment in other ways. The municipal government announced this month it will place more than 1,100 bicycles at 84 stations throughout the city for residents to use. Officials said they hope to increase bicycle use as a form of transportation to 5 percent, up from the current 1.2 percent.

Event update

2009-08-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

Our scheduled Essential Oil class with Michelle Mahler for today has been postponed until Monday August 24th. Please join us! The class is free, but with a small fee of $15.00 you can make things during the workshop to take home and are provided with a wealth of information.

Tuesday August 25 - Nordic Naturals will be here at the store doing a demonstration. Come on by!

Joy, Peace and Serenity with Essential Oils

2009-08-12T12:32:00.000-07:00

August 20th 5:30-7pm Joy, Peace and Serenity with Essential Oils
Essential Oils are extracted from flowers and herbs and have been used safely and effectively for uplifting the spirit and bringing peace and tranquility since ancient times. Find relief from stress, negativity and depression naturally with the oldest alternative therapy. We will discuss the many applications of mother earths miracle oils on the Olfactory senses and your brain.

Class fee of $15 per student (optional) includes creating your own blend to take home. Beginners welcome!

Preregistration helps keep workshops and classes from being canceled, and ensures continued classes on the calendar!
Sign up in the Co-op information room, or email info@snoislefoods.coop

Get Farming!

2009-08-11T13:54:00.001-07:00

The Cultivating Success Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching Course starts Wednesday, Sept. 2 and will be held every Wednesday evening, from 6-9pm, through Nov. 18, with some weekend farm visits.

This course is excellent for individuals and couples who wish to start or redesign a small farm enterprise. It helps participants take a realistic look at their goals and resources and decide what type of small acreage enterprise is right for them. Students are exposed to all type of farming and ranching systems, guest farmers speak to the class, and field trips are taken to local farms.

The course fee is $250; some scholarships are available.

Courses will be held at the WSU Mt. Vernon Research Center, located at 16650 State Route 536
Mount Vernon, WA 98273 (map and driving instructions).

This year's course will be taught in English and Spanish, using the "adult dual-language model" - That is, some portions of the course will be in English with Spanish translation, while others will be in Spanish with English translation. All printed materials are available in both languages and written work is completed in the participant's preferred language.

To register, or for more information, please reply to this email or call Sarita Schaffer at 206-914-7948.

Space is limited so please call today!

____________________________________________________________________

El curso “Agricultura Sostenible de Pequeña Escala”, está programado para el 2 de septiembre y será todos los miércoles por la tarde, desde las 6 hasta las 9 horas, empezando el 2 de Septiembre, terminando el 18 de Noviembre.

Este curso es excelente para personas y parejas que quieren empezar o expandir un pequeño negocio agrícola. El curso les ayuda a los participantes a evaluar sus metas y recursos y decidir cuál tipo de empresa pequeña agrícola más les conviene. Los participantes tienen la oportunidad de ver muchos sistemas de agricultura y ganadería a través de visitas guiadas y charlas con agricultores pequeños locales.

No hay costo para participantes hispanohablantes.

El curso tendrá lugar en el Centro de Investigación y Extensión Agrícola de WSU en Mount Vernon, que se ubica en 16650 Ruta Estatal 536 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 (mapa y cómo llegar).

Los que completen este curso y también el curso “Planificación de Negocios Agrícolas” habrán cumplido con las condiciones para participar en un nuevo “Incubadora de Negocios Agrícolas” que ofrece a agricultores nuevos y minoritarios el acceso asequible a la tierra, agua, financiación, y la asistencia técnica con la producción y el desarrollo del negocio.

Espacio está limitado, por favor llame hoy para registrarse.

Para más información sobre el curso y/o la Incubadora de Negocios Agrícolas, por favor comuníquese con Sarita Schaffer al 206-914-7948 o envíele un correo electrónico a sschaffer@wsu.edu. Hablamos Español.

Community Events on Reforming Health Care

2009-08-06T12:23:00.001-07:00

Community Events on Reforming Health Care

For Immediate Release
Contact: Amanda Mahnke
(202) 225-2605

August 5, 2009

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Larsen is working to reform health care to bring down costs for families and businesses, expand coverage and ban discrimination based on age or gender, or on preexisting conditions such as diabetes or cancer. And he is working to ensure that health care reform brings a fair deal for Washington state. Rep. Larsen will focus on health care reform at the following community events:

Whidbey Island League of Women Voters Forum
Thursday, August 6th
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Coupeville Recreation Center
901 NW Alexander Street
Coupeville, WA

Larsen Hosts Health Care Town Hall in Mount Vernon
Saturday, August 8th
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Skagit County PUD 1415 Freeway Dr.
Mount Vernon, WA

Larsen Hosts Health Care Town Hall in Everett
Wednesday, August 12th
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Weyerhaeuser Room, Everett Station
3201 Smith Ave.
Everett, WA

OWNER APPRECIATION DAYS

2009-07-31T11:28:00.000-07:00

Looking to save money, with out sacrificing qualility? We have a quarterly Owner Appreciation Day, where Co-op members can save 10% off of their total purchases. Besides that, we have plenty of delicious things to try, raffles and gifts too! Here's the schedule:

September 20
December 20
March 20
June 20

See you at the store!

Workshops this Week

2009-07-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

July 21 5:30 pm
Organic skin care with essential Oils. 5:30 pm at the Co-op classroom. The workshop is free, with an optional $15.00 supply fee paid to the instructor, so you can make and take home your own goodies. Really fun and informative!

July 25 11 am
Introduction to Raw foods with Maria Chavez. This has a $35 fee paid to instructor

Sign up for either of the 2 above workshops in advance so they don't get canceled!
You can sign up in our information room next to The Sol Deli, or email: info@snoislefoods.coop

FUN IN STORE DEMO THIS SATURDAY
July 25 11 am Bill from Vital Scents will be doing a demonstration in the store and answering your essential oil questions from 11-3!

What are you waiting for? A call to action!

2009-07-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

Have a little extra time on your hands (through no fault of your own)? Or are you someone who wants to make a difference in your world and need a place to start (or continue)? We've just the thing for you. Volunteering on your Co-op's Board of Trustees (BOT) is a very rewarding opportunity. Notice my emphasis on the word YOUR. As a member- owner this "store" (oh, it's so much more than a store) belongs to you and a few other humans. It doesn't take a degree in business to be a BOT member, although we won't turn you away if you have one!
Just a dedication to your Cooperative and a few hours a month is all it takes. The candidates for the BOT are elected by the member-owners of SNFC in October. Don't let "running for election" scare you. There are no 'special interests' that will dog you and there is NO campaign fund to deal with!
Just a few of the REWARDS gleaned from serving your Co-op:
Great way to network
Looks good on your resume
Hang out with really cool people
Receive an extra discount on your Co-op purchases
Makes you feel good
You are contributing to the community
Doing your part to save the world from bad food, sweat shops, corporate farming, ect.....
Sounds good! The sooner you call or write to us to find out more the better. The Time is NOW. Contact Anita 425-334-4081 or Mollie at the Co-op: mollie@snoislefoods.coop

CSA News for Whidbey Island Folks

2009-07-02T12:47:00.001-07:00

The Community Supported Agriculture Training Center at Greenbank Farm is pleased to report that 60 community members have invested in Whidbey Island’s newest farmers and the island's largest CSA.

Harvest boxes for members are discussed each Monday by Anza Muenchow, CSA Program Coordinator, and the CSA students. On Mondays, decisions are made about what to harvest that week, when it will be picked and who will be on the harvest team. Priorities for each row are discussed and tasks delegated. The students also send out a weekly newsletter including recipes.

The work that the CSA students and Anza have accomplished in a few short months is absolutely incredible. They have built a hoop house and a wash station, set up the field for irrigation, laid the irrigation hoses and drip tapes, set up over-head sprinklers, hauled water when they had to, started hundreds of organic seedlings, planted, weeded, harvested, attended classes and worked at the Farmers Market. Then they show up on Mondays to start the cycle again.

The CSA Training Center at Greenbank Farm is rooted in a long tradition of farming begun by the Phillips family in the early 1900's. In the 1930s, the Philips switched from dairy farming to berry farming; by 1972 the Greenbank Berry Farm was known as the largest loganberry farm in the United States. Chateau Ste. Michelle purchased the property and in 1995 negotiated with the national non-profit Trust for Public Land to sell all 522 acres of the Greenbank Farm to Island County, the Port of Coupeville and The Nature Conservancy.

The CSA Training Center works closely today with the Greenbank Management Group and the Port of Coupeville on a daily basis. It's a place where everyone is on a first name basis. Most importantly, it's a place where everyone is working to make agriculture a way of life once again at Greenbank Farm, create new farmers, and increase agricultural acres in production on Whidbey Island.

Office of Farmland Preservation

2009-06-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

Here's the link to the newsletter from the Office of Farmland Preservation for inquiring minds:
http://ofp.scc.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/ofp-alternate-june-2009-newsletter.pdf

Stock up! Owner Appreciation Day TOMORROW!

2009-06-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

It's our quarterly sale day! Owner Appreciation Day means samples, giveaways, and an amazing deal on your groceries! 10% off your entire purchase for co-op members. What if I'm a member of another amazing food co-op, you ask? Come on down! our Quarterly sale days are for all Cooperators! Just show your card at the register.

Cookies, the New Wedding Cake

2009-06-14T21:38:00.001-07:00

What a wonderful tradition of sharing food and family history.

Food + Cooking: Gourmet.com

Shared via AddThis

Thursday Night Waterfront Concert Series-Free!

2009-05-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

June 18 - August 27, 2009

Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Port Gardner Landing
1700 West Marine View Dr.
Everett, WA 98201

Port Gardner Landing is the perfect backdrop for the waterfront concert series. The dramatic marina setting adds refreshing dimension to some of the most entertaining bands in the Northwest. Thursday nights on the waterfront -- an Everett tradition!

The 2009 Thursday Night Waterfront Series Lineup

Date	Band	Music
June 18	Red Hot Blues Sisters	searing tunes from gutsy blueswomen
June 25	LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends	heartfelt songwriting, captivating melodies
July 2	Clinton Fearon and Boogie Brown Band	pure roots reggae
July 9	The Dusty 45s	honky-tonk, jump blues, and rockabilly
July 16	The Senate	face-melting acoustic riffage
July 23	Nathan Chance	industrialized country
July 30	Los Pinguos	sizzling modern Argentine guitars and vocals
August 6	Nelo	acoustic pop rock from Austin
August 13	The Paperboys	astonishing folk rock from Vancouver, B.C
August 20	Handful of Luvin’	gypsy-folk-funk-reggae-rock
August 27	The Randy Oxford Band	powerhouse trombone blues

IMPORTANT Information for local farmers!

2009-05-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

Three Week Sign-Up for EQIP Organic Conversion Program is May 11-May 29. The recently announced Organic Initiative offers financial assistance to organic and transitioning organic growers to help in implementing conservation practices as part of their Organic Systems Plan or Organic Transitions Plan. USDA announced a 3-week sign-up period for farmers to receive this conversion assistance. Interested farmers should go to their USDA/NRCS office as soon as possible! Find offices at:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/organization/regions.html
.

We're loving the local!

2009-05-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the start of the season in the Puget Sound!
Here's some exciting stuff!

NEW Farm Direct items:
Mount Vernon Rhubarb and Asparagus from Living Rain Farm
Rhubarb $1.99/lb
Asparagus $4.99/lb

Local Radishes in from Alvarez Farm, located in Mabton, WA

Technology Update

2009-05-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

Well, we're still figuring out all of the bells and whistles of our new POS system. Did you get your fancy new card yet? We hope to go "Live" really soon!
I know you've been staying up at night waiting for a copy of our Bylaws, haven't you? Here they are for your late night reading enjoyment.

Breakfast Locavores rejoice!

2009-04-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

Have you made a recent commitment to eat more local foods? Maybe you were inspired at an Earth Day event recently. Well I'd like you to know that we have several varieties of coffee, although not grown locally, are specially roasted by local folks with an eye for quality, and a commitment of paying growers fair prices for their beans. Here's a few to consider, all are from Washington State.

Velton's Coffee: Roasted here in Everett! We currently have 3 varieties available in bulk: Treehouse, Brazil, and my favorite is the new Twilight Blend.
Moka Joe: Roasted in Bellingham, 3 varieties in bulk: Italiano, Shackleton's Stout, and French Roast
Fog Woman Coffee: Roasted on Bainbridge Island. Their Clan house blend is rich and dark. We also have prepackaged varieties on occassion
Back Country Coffee Roasters: Expertly roasted in Twisp, WA! Available in a packaged coffee only, in 1 lb bags. a changing variety: Cougar Blend, Coyote Blend, and now the popular Guatamalan is available again!
Deli update: If you missed out on your favorite bakery goods last week, you'll be glad to know that Renee has returned, and is busy making all of your favorite muffins and treats!

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-21T16:35:00.001-07:00

Spend the day outdoors! If you're coming in to the co-op today, we'll have some specials for you, farm guides, activity books for the kiddos. If you are a student at Everett Community College, or Cascade High School, be sure to stop by and see us at their Earth Day events!
Looking for our sales online? Click here
Keep it green~
Your faithful Co-op

Easter Holiday - April 12, 2009

2009-04-08T12:29:00.001-07:00

Sno-Isle will be closed on Easter. (Sunday April 12, 2009) This has been a historically slow day for us, and so we will be closed to allow our staff a well deserved holiday. Having friends or family over for dinner? Make sure and come by the Co-op on Friday or Saturday to stock up on all of your family's favorites. If you are planning an egg hunt, check out our "How to Naturally Dye Eggs" guide, posted here.

Spring Workshops at the Co-op

2009-04-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to offer a monthly series of Aromatherapy workshops!

April 23 1-2:30 pm
Gentle Aromatherapy for Children

May 6 6:30 pm

Essential Oils Spray workshop

June 10 6:30 pm

Essential Remedies: Sinus, Asthma & Allergies

Please sign up in advance at the Co-op in our Information room.

$15.00 supply fee paid to instructor, Michelle Maher. For detailed descriptions, please see our current Newsletter! Questions? Contact Mollie@snoislefoods.coop

Technology

2009-04-06T14:27:00.000-07:00

Well, we've come far enough that its time to get technical. So, with this inaugural post to our very first blog, I'll give you a quick update on all things new and tech-oriented. To state the obvious, we now have a blog! This is one of many ways we hope to find good ways to quickly reach people who are interested in our Co-op, natural foods, or the Everett, Washington area.
Other ways to reach us:
Facebook
Search for Sno-Isle Natural Foods Co-op, and become a fan! You'll get up to date information sent right to you.
Our website
www.snoislefoods.coop, currently the go to place to find our quarterly newsletter, and to find our latest sales!
email
info@snoislefoods.coop
Call us:
(425) 259-3798
What else is New and amazing?
Our first lane of our POS system has been installed! We should be up and running by this coming Wednesday, but you can come by and get your new membership card now! Along with your new card, you'll receive 2 coupons for 10% off a purchase in April, and in May.

Would you like to save even more? Visit our website: www.snoislefoods.coop
You can find our weekly sales items in our Produce department online, as well as monthly sales on all of your grocery staples.

The Sno-Isle Newsletter is now available online. We still print it out for those of you who like to hold something in your hand while reading. Pick up your copy at the front of the store.