MAY 2014ISSUE 011

CREATED BY THE SWARTHMORE FOOD COOPERATIVE

THE INSIDER

What’s Inside

featuresfollow us@swacoop

designed by HILLARY WICKLINE

published & printed bySWARTHMORE FOOD COOPERATIVE

photography byANDY SHELTER(cover, pages 1, 4, 7, 13, 14, 16, & 18) 2

looking to advertise?contact HILLARY WICKLINE for a rate schedule marketing@swarthmore.coop

you said itpage 3

upcoming eventspage 4

may specialspage 17

recycling 2.0page 5

size doesn’t mattterpage 8

cola draws bigger concernspage 9

eat like an egyptianpage 11

domestic manufacturing comes in small batches

page 14

Is it possible to paint a black line on the front edge of each step leading up to the Co-op from the street? It would greatly help those of us with vision problems.

Thanks for your comment! We are currently in the works of buying yellow paint to make the steps more visible. This project should be underway very soon.

Sincerely, Swarthmore Co-op

Would it be possible to carry jalapeños in a jar, such as the Mt. Olive brand? I’m not sure how well it would sell in the Co-op but I know I would be a regular buyer of this product!

Thanks for the suggestion! We carry two varieties of jarred jalapeños by Casa Fiesta in the ethnic aisle - whole and sliced. If you are a consistent buyer of jarred jalapeños, you may want to consider buying a case. If you would like to purchase a product we currently carry by the case, members will receive 15% off and non-members receive 10% off. If we don’t carry the product, members will receive 20% off and non-members 15% off. Feel free to contact John, our grocery manager, at grocery@swarthmore.coop with any questions.

Sincerely,Swarthmore Co-op

3

you said itDo you have a question, comment, or concern? Talk to us!Email Marc BrownGold, generalmanager@swarthmore.coop, or fill out a comment card in store

DO YOU WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE INSIDER?

we welcome outside content, including photography, editorials, essays, etc.

contact HILLARY WICKLINE for more details marketing@swarthmore.coop

Please buy back Post Bran Flakes - it is one the healthiest cereals I could find!

Thanks for the suggestion! We carry a number of heart healthy cereals, such as Erewhon and Nature’s Path, two non GMO, whole grain cereals. If you are brand loyal to Post Bran Flakes consider buying a case. Remember, if we don’t carry a product you would like to purchase, we are able to purchase the product through our distibutors. Members will receive 20% off and non-members receive 15% off. Feel free to contact John, our grocery manager, at grocery@swarthmore.coop with any questions.

Sincerely,Swarthmore Co-op

UPCOMING EVENTS

FIRST FRIDAYMAY 2ND, STARTING AT 5 PM

GRILL GRAND OPENINGSPROUTS SEEDLING DEMO

QUIZZO

NEILS SHARPENING DEMOMAY 4TH, 9 AM - 5 PM*MEMBERS RECIEVE 10% OFF*

Indian cooking classmay 12th, 7 pm

*swarthmore presbyterian church*

SAUSAGE FESTMAY 15TH, 6:30 PM

LUNCHTIME GRILLEVERY SATURDAY, 11 AM - 2 PM

he first quarter of this year brought the Co-op a revamped recycling program as well as a (plastic) bag-less Co-op. In the upcoming quarter, we are strengthening

our commitment to sustainability by introducing composting bins on the sales floor. Composting decreases our carbon footprint by recycling organic matter into fertilizer and soil.

Currently, we compost spoiled produce and produce scraps in the produce department. Expect to see compost bins at the end of the month with a list of compostable items, such as apple cores, coffee grinds, tea bags, etc. For more information on composting, visit www.mykitchenharvest.com

As we continue to strengthen our existing relationships with those such as Kitchen Harvest, we’ve also begun a new relationship with Magnum Recycling in order to make e-waste recycling a reality in this community. Beginning May 2nd, members, customers, and residents are encouraged to recycle e-waste in the designated storage trailer behind the Co-op. The service is free to all users and the storage trailer will be open during the operational hours of the Co-op, 8 AM – 8 PM, Monday – Saturday and 8 AM – 7 PM on Sundays.

written by MARIA CONTINO

GRAPHIC CREDIT: EPA

It’s easier than you think to compost at home. For more

resources on composting at home, visit

www.mykitchenharvest.com

Sunday, May 4th

Thank you to the Swarthmore Community and the surrounding towns for the continued support of the Swarthmore Charity Fun-Fair!

www.swarthmorefair.orgManaged by the Rotary Club of Swarthmore

Magnum Recycling accepts most e-waste, including audio equipment, car batteries, cell phones, laptops, printers, and more*. Before recycling e-waste, check the full list of recyclable items at http://www.magnum-llc.us

Magnum reminds us,“It is extremely important to use a responsible, certified recycler. E-waste recyclers must comply with all environmental, health, and safety legal requirements, both domestically and internationally. Certified recyclers promote reuse and recovery of used electronics equipment, as well as data destruction, data security, along with worker safety, and environmental protection.”

*Keep in mind Magnum cannot accept smashed televisions or monitors, smoke detectors, and thermostats containing mercury switches. In order to recycle cannibalized TV’s and monitors, contact Magnum Recycling directly.

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remember when I graduated from Bryn Mawr in May of 2009, I had no clue what I wanted to do. But, one week after graduation I found myself sweating to death in a barn trying to lift a fifty-pound hay bail as I worked as a farm intern for a local farm. It was one of the best

experiences of my life, but I will never forget one thing the owner told me.

Between picking blackberries one afternoon, the owner explained why women make better farmers than men. He proceeded to tell me it was because women had smaller hands and were gentle when picking fruits and vegetables. I wanted to tell him – which I didn’t – women have always been great farmers. We still are great farmers and it has nothing to with our “small hands.” Women have played a vital role in agriculture, but the invention of the plough changed many societal gender roles that had been established. A plough requires upper body strength and the ability to control a heavy animal and men believed the task of ploughing was not suitable for women.

Scholars believe that cultural norms of today’s society can be traced back to the advent of the plough. Societies that historically used the plough have maintained very strict gender roles, ultimately making the woman reliant on the man, compared to hoe-based farming societies, where women have continued to be heavily involved in agricultural practices.

SIZE DOESN’T

MATTERwritten by KIRA MONTAGNO

continued on page 15...

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aramel color is a food coloring that may be pale yellow, amber, or dark brown in color. While caramel color can be found in many commercially produced foods and drinks, it is often synonymous with sodas, especially cola.

The potential problem with caramel color is that one of its component compounds, 4-MeI (4-methylimidazole), may be carcinogenic. While there is no federal law limiting the amount of 4-MeI, California is leading the cause with Proposition 65, which requires products with more than 29 micrograms to carry a warning label.

About 75% of all caramel color is used to make dark sodas like cola and root beer. Testing has been done on many popular sodas and the levels of 4-MEI vary dramatically, as seen in the following chart:

The areas highlighted in gray indicate products that exceed California’s 29 micrograms threshold, which were sold without the warning label. Some tests of Pepsi and Diet Pepsi indicate that these products are below the threshold, while other tests indicate levels six times what California deems acceptable.

It is clear that certain soft drinks contain unacceptably high levels of caramel color, a product that may cause cancer in humans (it has certainly been shown to cause cancer in lab animals). As interesting and distressing as this may be, there is a larger issue concerning soda and our health. Indeed, even sodas like Sprite, which have no caramel color, are not a healthy choice over a darker soda.

While I myself enjoy the occassional soda, it is just about one of worst things you can put

written by BROOKE PORCH

in your body. Full of easily-digestible simple sugars, soda has no fiber, protein, minerals, or vitamins. It’s zero fat content may seem intriguing, but the lack of fat tricks the stomach into thinking it’s not full, hence why many describe soda as “empty calories.”

A major problem with soda consumption is that it quickly spikes your blood sugar which results in a release of insulin and, therefore, fat deposation, increasing the chances of developing type-II diabetes.

America’s obesity epidemic is multifacited but if you compare soda consumption and obesity levels by country, the data seems correlated. In other words, Americans drink too much soda.

Limiting soda consumption, not surprisingly, is beneficial to one’s health. As I said above, a soda from time to time isn’t horrible, it’s good to indulge sometimes. But, there is a world of difference between a couple of sodas a month and a couple of sodas a day.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Coke or Pepsi, we carry a number of sodas, such as Fentiman’s, Bruce Cost, and Blue Sky Organic sodas, all crafted with minimal ingredients and processing.

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here’s a new trend in town and it goes by the name of dukkah.

Literally meaning “to pound” in Arabic, dukkah, an exotic spice blend of roasted nuts, herbs, and spices, is a staple in Egyptian cuisine due to its ease of travel and satisfying

taste. Dukkah recipes vary per region and family and Hoda’s family is no different.

Growing up in Cairo, Hoda learned to cook traditional Egyptian cuisine from her grandmother. She eventually began a career in finance but her love for cooking and baking never subsided.

Hoda relocated to the United States with her husband, who was pursuing his advanced degrees in mathematics and statistics. As a wife and working mother, Hoda often cooked Egyptian cuisine for a taste of home and sense of culture for her two children.

As her recipes expanded, so did her audience. Hoda’s friends and extended family constantly raved about her cooking and encouraged her to sell her products. Hoda humbly accepted the compliments but remained focused on her career in finance.

Coinciding with Hoda’s move to the United States, dukkah was becoming popular in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and quickly spreading to the west coast. Hoda jumped on the opportunity, as she had her grandmother’s traditional – and delicious – dukkah recipe.

Hoda officially founded Nanna’s Secret in 2013. Nanna’s Secret dukkah is locally made with slow roasted nuts and can be used in a number of dishes. Traditionally, dukkah is eaten with olive oil and bread, but dukkah goes well sprinkled over salads, pasta,

omelettes, or as a crust for chicken or fish.

Nanna’s Secret dukkah can be found in the Co-op’s grocery department and comes in four delicious flavors, original almond, zesty almond with sumac and lemon, spicy almond with chipotle pepper and smoked paprika, and sesame dukkah with no nuts.--Nanna’s Secret, a locally made and authentic Egyptian dukkah, provides the perfect pairing for bread and olive oil and adds an all around kick to your favorite recipes. For more information and for a full product list, visit www.nannassecret.com

SPONSORED BY NANNA’S SECRET

written by HILLARY WICKLINE

EAT LIKE AN EGYPTIAN

Ingredients (Serves 4)2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts1/2 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon kosher salt1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1/2 cup buttermilk1 tablespoon Dijon mustard1 teaspoon finely chopped sage1 tablespoon olive oil1/4 cup of Nanna’s Secret dukkah

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.2. Butterfly the chicken breasts and cut into 1-inch strips.3. On a large plate, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, mustard, and sage. Prepare your baking sheet by covering with parchment paper and rubbing the olive oil on top so that it’s completely coated.4. Place the chicken strips in the flour until they are completely coated. Shake off any excess flour.5. Give the chicken a dip in the buttermilk mixture.6. Roll the chicken in the Nanna’s Secret dukkah so that it’s evenly coated.7. Arrange the strips on the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Flip the chicken strips and bake for another 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Ingredients2 pita breads2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons dukkah (for best results, use a coffee grinder or blender and pulse the dukkah for a finer texture)Dash of salt if desired

Instructions1. Heat oven to 375 degrees2. Separate the bread’s top from the bottom3. Arrange the bread inside part up in a shallow baking sheet (lightly greased with olive oil)4. Brush the bread with the olive oil5. Sprinkle the dukkah evenly and shake a little salt over the bread.6. Either leave it as is or with kitchen sheers cut pita into wedges and bake for 5-7 minutes depending on the thickness of the bread

NANNA’S SECRET RECIPESNanna’s Secret Dukkah is available in

aisle 9 near the bulk spices. Find more recipes for Nanna’s Secret Dukkah on

web at www.nannassecret.com

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ften synonymous with the local movement, small batch producers are on the rise.

Prior to the turn of the century, the term ‘small batch’ was used by economists to describe the manufacturing and production processes. But with the continued push to

move America’s manufacturing industries overseas, many artisanal producers have adopted the term in the last 15 years.

Small batch producers rely on quality, customer care, and the community to offer an alternative to big corporations, specifically those who outsource their manufacturing and customer service. Randy Komisar, a guest writer for Forbes Magazine, attributes the four qualities below to small batch and artisanal producers.

Quality Over QuantityProducts produced by small batch and artisanal producers are of a higher quality due to the close attention to detail. In terms of foodstuffs, producing in small batches also ensures freshness.

Larger companies, on the other hand, are likely to cut corners in order to cut costs. While this inevitably saves the consumer a few pennies, the quality of the product – including customer service and convenience – is diminished.

continued on page 15...

written by HILLARY WICKLINE

Our small batch vendors like Green Street Coffee and Little Baby’s Ice Cream support the local and sustainable movements through their sense of detail, quality, and community.

During the first and second World Wars, there was a major shift in the roles that men and women played in American society. Men were being sent to war and women were filling their roles in all aspects of society by working in factories, playing on baseball fields, and farming the land. With the changing political climate, women were able to secure jobs in many different realms that may not have been possible a couple of years prior.

According to the 2012 census, the amount of women owning and running farms has increased by 30% since 2007. Agricultural studies have shown that male farmers tend to lease large-scale farms and operate grain and cattle ranches. Female farmers, on the other hand, tend to own a higher percentage of their land while growing a greater diversity of crops, practicing humane farming techniques, and working directly with their consumers.

Given these statics one could say that if more women farmed it would create a healthier food system in America. Women are great farmer and it has nothing to do with their “small hands.”--sources:http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ist/?next=/womens-history/before-rosie-the-riveter-farmerettes-went-to-work-141638628/

http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/faculty/paola.giuliano/NBER_WP17098.pdf

Customers Over CapitalSmall batch producers put their customers first. Similar to their attention to product detail, small batch producers go above and beyond to find out exactly what their consumers want and the quality standards they expect.

Driven By DemandAlso known as supply scaling, larger companies drive consumer demand by building inventory and relying on marketing to push their products to the consumer.

The small batch market is driven by customer demand, relying on the market (consumers) to determine the scale of production. This allows the producers to grow with their consumers and at the same time eliminates waste and reduces risk.

Employee Value Corporations that see employees as a payroll expense rather than an asset to the success of the company aren’t shy to cut corners where they can, especially when paychecks are involved.

Artisanal manufacturers and small batch producers value their employees because it creates a great work culture and communities. Their dedication to their employees translates into a strong brand and consumer loyalty.

The Co-op supports a number of products that are considered small batch, including Little Baby’s and Zsa’s ice creams, Green Street and One Village coffee, and our new Co-op ground nut butters.

We encourage our members and customers to support our small batch products and producers due to their undeniable quality, customer service, and close attention to the sustainable and local movements.

... continued from page 8 ... continued from page 14

WE’RE OFFICIALLY (PLASTIC) BAGLESS!RE M E M B E R T O B RI N G YO U R REUSABLE BAGS WHILE YOU SHOP!

FOR EVERYONE...FOR EVERYONE...FOR EVERYONE...FOR EVERYONE...FOR EVERYONE...FOR EVERYONE...

FOR EVERYONE...FOR EVERYONE...FOR EVERYONE...FOR EVERYONE...FOR EVERYONE...FOR EVERYONE...

Monthly Specials

Member’sDeli - NEW Co-op CertifiedCorned Beef & Pastrami

Reg. $13.99 lb, sale $11.99 lb

Members $2.00 off per lb

Prepared REAL DEAL MEAL DEALGrilled Salmon, w/ Grilled Pineapple Salsa,

Grilled Asparagus w/ lemon zest, & non-mayo Potato Salad

reg. for 1 $15.99 ea, sale $12.99 ea, reg. for 2 $29.99 ea, sale $23.99 ea

Members $6.00 off meal for twoMeat

Store Made Sirloin Patties (5 lb boxes)reg price $34.95 box, sale $30.95 box

Members $4.00 off per box

SeafoodScottish Salmon Steaksreg price $13.99 lb, sale $11.99 lb

Members $2.00 off per lb

SpecialtyBurrattaItalian CheeseReg.$ 7.99 ea sale $5.99 ea

Members $2.00 off

BakeryBetter Together BrowniesReg. $2.49 ea, sale $1.99 ea

Members save 50¢

Deli Co-op Ceritfied Herb Crusted TurkeyReg. $12.99 lb, sale $11.49 lb

$1.50 off per lb

SeafoodOysters (various types)Reg. $1.39 ea, sale save 40¢ ea

99¢ each

Meat - NEW PRODUCT!Gluten Free SausagesReg. $7.49 per box, sale $5.49 per box

$2.00 off per box

SpecialtyLa Petite Reine CamambertReg. $7.99 ea, sale $5.99 ea

$2.00 off each

Prepared FoodsItalian Summer Salad

Reg. $6.95 lb, buy at least a pound and SAVE!

$2.00 off 1 lb or more

Featured PaniniYES, we now have PANINI

Great Egg-spectationsGrilled eggplant, tomato,

provolone, and pesto on Le Bus focaccia breadReg. $6.95 ea, sale $5.95 ea

$1.00 off

My House Bakery Quiches Large Reg $14.00 ea, sale $12.00 ea,

Small Reg $7.00 ea, sale $5.00 ea

$2.00 off

GroceryKind Bars are BACK

Reg. $2.19 ea, sale 3 for $4

buy 3 for $4.00!

Dairy - Jello AlternativeNEW Cool Cups

Reg. Prices Vary

20% offFrozen

Stonyfield Frozen YogurtReg. $4.99 ea

$3.49 each

GroceryWallaby Yogurt

Reg. $1..49 ea, sale $1.34 ea

Members 10% off

All Woodstock ProductsReg. Prices Vary , sale on entire line

Members 20% off

Amy’s Frozen Family EntreesReg. Prices Vary, sale on entire NEW line

Members 20% off

ProduceOrganic Baby Loose Spinach

Reg. $10.99 lb, sale $8.99 lb

Members $2.00 off per lb

Back to BasicsBACK TO BASICSHelen’s Pure FoodGarlic HummusOriginally $3.49 ea

New Price $2.49 ea

Specials valid May 1-31, 2014

except Back to Basics (B2B prices are part of a permanent program).

FOR MEMBERS...FOR MEMBERS...FOR MEMBERS...FOR MEMBERS...FOR MEMBERS...FOR MEMBERS...FOR MEMBERS...

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!SUNDAY SUPPERS NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Sunday Suppers meets once a month to cook for home bound seniors in the community. If you are interested in cooking or delivering please contact

sundaysuppers@swarthmore.coop

Can’t volunteer? Sunday Suppers gladly accepts all donations of any size. For more information, visit

www.swarthmore.coop

some of the proceeds will benefitthe Friends of Ryan Animal Fund

May 15th @ 6pmon the Co-op patio

Sausagefest

a collaboration with

H o b b s S w a r t h m o r e C o - o p