Volume 11, Issue 3
May/June 2011
"We shouldn't forget that the sustainable-food movement, taken as a whole, has never really
been elitist. It is industrial food, which concentrates production and profit in a few hands while
churning out mountains of highly marketed junk, that is truly elitist."
Tom Philpott, 2011
“What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been: The History of Abundance”
While we are formally celebrating the tenth anniversary of
the Abundance Cooperative Market, our roots date back
over 40 years to the Genesee
Co-op Food Store in the old
firehouse at 713 Monroe Avenue.
its current location to the cooperation of many, but in
large part to the good planning of Sue Morgan: "When the
trouble came, Sue knew what to do!
She knew that if we didn't form a buying club and stay connected, we
wouldn't succeed with our goal of
opening our own store. We were a
A humble and rocky start
strongly knit group; we knew each
other and ran into each other often
To understand our history
within the community. The food buymore fully, regular shopper
ing club that Sue organized was loKristen Mack-Perry interviewed
cated on Caroline Street. During this
key players in the evolution of
time we were meeting constantly and
Abundance. In the process, she
deciding whether to incorporate or
learned that the Genesee CoThe way it was …..
not , but agreed that we really needed
op Food Store was not owned
a
location
where
the
store could grow.”
by the members. Instead, it had been set up to generate
capital for the arts programs that were also housed in the Pat was the Board President during this transitional period
old firehouse building (some of which still exist there toand she remembers being on the search committee to find
day).
the building that would become Abundance Co-op.
Jon Greenbaum, former Produce Manager, remembers
coming on board in the 1990’s just as things were getting
interesting. Items were sold mostly in bulk then; the area
was dimly lit with little room for growth. “The building was
untenable and we were viewed by some as a bunch of incompetent hippies.”
Pat Mannix, former Store Manager, recalls that a decision
had been made to become an actual co-op which would be
owned by its members. Negotiations were underway to
buy the store space from the owners of the building. She
remembered that while those negotiations were difficult,
the sense of community and the need for a more traditionally structured co-op was driving the process.
"Someone in our group had a friend who owned the current location. The Housing Authority was scheduled to look
at that space, but because of his friend within the group,
the owner met with us that day and we literally had hours
to decide if we wanted to sign the lease or not. We called
an emergency meeting and decided to go with that building."
Tanya Smolinski remembers the capital campaign to raise
funds for the new store, "We started our capital campaign
before we had the store and continued it after the store
was open. Julie White and I led the charge to raise
$160,000. We assembled a group of about ten volunteers
to go out and meet with people who had a clear commitment to the co-op. We asked for $3,000 to $10,000 in
The process ultimately stalled, however, and the employshare purchases
ees came to work one day to find that the locks were being
Attention Shareholders:
from each. We
changed. Jon said "We were called into the office and told
Sunday, May 15, 2011
really enjoyed dowe could stay on as employees but we needed to hand in
ing it, and the part
5:45 to 8:30pm
our keys or leave. We walked out, Sue [Morgan, former
that was most satAnnual Shareholder’s
Board Member] and I. Because our customers were such a
isfying was that
Potluck Dinner followed by
tight knit community, they supported the staff that walked
there were always
out and the Genesee Co-op went out of business in six
Meeting & Election of
people willing to
months."
New Board Members
go out and ask for
money. Even
At Tay House Lodge in
Changes make the hearts grow fonder
Cobbs Hill Park
The next phase meant sticking together and opening a new
Continued
(Continued on page 6)
store. Pat Mannix attributed the success of Abundance in
on page 6
Before recycling this printed newsletter, why not re-use it by passing it on to a friend or co-worker? Thanks.
About Us
The Genesee Co-op Natural Foodstore, Inc. (GCNF)
doing business as Abundance Cooperative Market is
Rochester’s first and only cooperatively-owned retail
grocer. Our store evolved from the old Genesee Coop Food store on Monroe Avenue. Since 2001, the
new Co-op store offers a variety of
choices for all consumers—
both herbivores
(vegetarians and vegans)
and carnivores alike!
In a world of increasingly artificial, engineered, unhealthful and processed
foods, natural food coops nationwide are providing access to safe, healthful and nutritious food to
those looking . Abundance is Rochester’s only natural
foods cooperative.
When choosing products to sell, priority is given to organic foods and products local, organic, independent, minimally processed & packaged,
non-genetically modified, socially responsible, fair trade, non-animal tested,
and other selection criteria.
We support a sustainable food system,
both locally and globally. Our “Ends”
Policies support these shared values.
Currently our Co-op currently has over 1,500 shareholders, and is still growing strong! But you don't have
to be a member to shop here. Anyone may shop at
Abundance and benefit from our everyday low prices
on “Basics” as well as our
bi-weekly Co+Op sale specials (Please pick up a
current sales flyer, and
quarterly coupon books for
extra savings in the store).
Purchasing a co-op share (cost
$100) is optional, and affords
extra benefits and discounts.
See our Shareholder Application for more details.
Abundance is a member of the National Cooperative
Grocer’s Association (NCGA) with 115+ other food coops nationwide. Co+op = Stronger Together!
Thank you for choosing Abundance—your locallygrown community-owned Co-op!
For more information about us, please
visit our website at
www.abundance.coop.
Staff Directory
General Manager:
Jim DeLuca Ext. 111
Center Store Department:
Kathy Peters, Merchandising Manager,
Ext. 107
Nazareno Runfola, Senior Buyer, Grocery &
Administrative:
Supplements, Ext. 106
Stuart Bartram, Financial Manager, Ext.110 Emily Sniezyk, Buyer, Bulk, Refrigerated &
Frozen Foods, Ext. 108
Monique Marollo, POS & Website
Coordinator, Ext 113
Nicole Rapone, Buyer, Health, Beauty &
Richard Rowley, Financial Assistant
General Merchandise, Ext. 105
Richard Sauvain, IT Coordinator
Harold Copp & Kevin Quail, Center Store
Front End Co-Management Team:
Assistants
Front Office Ext. 101
Fresh Produce Department:
Nicole Rapone
Eileen Perkins, Manager Ext 104
Kate Sherman
Daniel Tomaz
Dave Daunce, Assistant Buyer
Denis Panico, Assistant
Customer Service/Cashiers:
Customer Service Desk Ext. 102
Deli & Cheese:
Peter Cayer
Joëlle Cort
Jill Hitchcock, Manager Ext. 112
Bobby Maville
Richard Rowley
Caitlin Holcomb, Assistant
Erika Ruegemer
Eric Parkison
Lindsey Downey, Assistant
Revised March 2011
2010
2010-11 Board of Directors
Melissa Marquez, President
461-2230 x11
[email protected]
244-9197 [email protected]
Daryl Odhner, Vice President
889-8015
[email protected]
260-5256 [email protected]
Peter House, Secretary
[email protected]
Beth Garver Beha, Treasurer
Aimee Senise Bohn
Kenneth Neese
Philippa Proudfoot
256-2353 [email protected]
Vic Vinkey
271-8723 [email protected]
[email protected],
672-5096
Contact information provided for co-op related communications only.
Thank you.
Co+Op = Stronger Together
The Rutabaga Rap, our bi-monthly newsletter, is published for the benefit of all our customers. Printed on sustainably managed Eucalyptus paper, our current
circulation is approx. 850 copies per issue. It is also viewable on our website at www.abundance.coop. Advertising and articles are welcome, space permitting. Items will be edited for length, content and style. Acceptance of an item does not imply endorsement. Our complete editorial policy, current ad rates,
publication schedule, and deadlines are available on our website. We are still accepting advertising orders for 2011.
Deadline for the next issue (July/August) is June15th, 2011. Questions? Contact [email protected].
Publisher: Abundance Cooperative Market. Contributors to this issue are: Jim DeLuca, Jay Stratton, Elizabeth Henderson, Kristen Mack-Perry, Ken Rich,
Philippa Proudfoot, and Eileen Perkins. Photography by: Jim DeLuca, Duplication by: Pittsford Printing.
The Rutabaga Rap
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Page 2
The Bi-Weekly Veggie Festival in the Back Room at Abundance
“Cooperation among coops” is one of the
basic principles of the cooperative movement. In this spirit, Genesee Valley Organic Community Supported Agriculture
(GVOCSA), the oldest CSA in western
New York, has been doing its distribution
in the back room at Abundance since
shortly after the store opened. GVOCSA
is a cooperative venture between the farmers at Peacework Farm near Newark, and
close to 300 households who make a fullseason commitment to share the risks and
rewards with the farm. From May through
November, GVOCSA members come to
the store to pick up their shares between
6:30 and 8 pm on Thursdays and 5:30 and
7 pm on Sundays.
Since 1988-89, the GVOCSA has been
inviting all members to cooperate either by
serving on the core group that administers
the project or by doing a combination of
farm work and distribution. Members pay
on a sliding scale from $400 to $680 for a
full share with a few paying as little as
$240 in food stamps. By some miracle of
serendipity, member payments average out
to the $480 that the farm needs to cover its
budget. Core members serve as treasurer,
coordinate distribution at the store, publish
a bi-monthly newsletter and many other
jobs. Three mornings a season, members
drive to the farm to spend four hours harvesting and prepping the vegetables and
herbs for the shares, then picnic before
driving back to Abundance to store the
food in the GVOCSA cooler. Late in the
afternoon, the distribution crew gets the
shares ready for members to pick up. Children are welcome at the farm; every year
over a hundred experience farm work together with their parents and other adults.
While the GVOCSA was the first CSA,
there are now over 20 farms and food
businesses in this area offering shares of
various kinds. Farmers like CSA because
it assures them a steadier income than
by Elizabeth Henderson
other forms of marketing. The Northeast
Organic Farming Association of New
York (NOFA-NY) held a fair in March to
bring more public attention to the opportunity CSAs offer to connect with and support local farms. Each CSA is distinctive,
with different farm products and pick up
arrangements. To find one, see the Directory on the NOFA website –
www.nofany.org. Enter CSA and the
counties around Rochester. It may not be
too late to sign up for this season! 
Elizabeth Henderson, of
Peacework Farm and the
Genesee Valley Organic
CSA group, serves on the
Board of NOFA-NY. An
Abundance shareholder
and organic farmer for
over 25 years, she is a
leader in the organic farming movement. Her most
recent book Sharing the
Harvest...is available for
sale at Abundance.
More Environmentally Friendly Paper Bag!
We're excited about our new paper bag. You might have noticed the new look, but what's not quite so apparent are
the paper bag's improved environmental qualities. The new bag is made from 100% post-consumer recycled content, printed with soy-based inks, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and 100% recyclable.
We're especially enthused about FSC certification. Why, you might ask? The Forest Stewardship Council is considered to have the most rigorous standard in guiding forest management toward sustainable outcomes. Their certification system ensures that forests are managed to high standards covering environmental and social issues. And, their robust chain
of custody certification traces wood through all stages of processing and distribution. From its origins to consumers, FSC certification ensures that care has been taken to protect the forest and the rights of the people living in it.
http://www.fsc.org
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Page 3
Action at the 10th ‘BearthDay’ Celebration
Celebration Raffle
Winners:
Bernie Heveron
Molly Cort
Zilla
Margie Campaigne
Cheryl Korel
Theresa Beddoe
Brooklyn
Kathy
KT Schwartz
Linda Benjamin
Megan Morris
Equal Exchange Manju with guests
Gracious Thankyous to the following companies and individuals for their donations of
time and/or products for our
celebration:
Michael Hannen with mini-greenhouse
Pat Mannix
the Abbots
Noella Schum
Kevin
Jess Myers
Jill Stankewich
Liane Fitzgerald
Patrick Morissette
Dan Jiccitano
Keara, Naz, Manju and Kathy
Raw Revolution
Northern Soy
Vermi-Green
Better Brittle
Marie serving hot and not dogs..
Muesli Fusion
Aberdeen Hill
Farm
Equal Exchange
Kathy Peters
Allan Stewart
Barbara Kastner
Jill Hitchcock
Jack Spula
Melissa Carlson
Michael Hannen
Marie Hickey
Abundance Jim bagging
Groceries
Allan demonstrating origami crane making
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Page 4
We have many ways to $ave. Here’s a quick low down:
Co+Op Deals (for everyone) are sale specials that
change every two weeks.
Combined with our new Basics
everyday low price program
(announced herein), there are
several great ways shopping
at Abundance is now more attractive.
Basics (for everyone) are every day low
prices on a select group of basic products.
Items include eggs, almond milk, bread, canned
tuna, organic rice, raisins, dishwashing liquid,
apple cider vinegar, apple juice, toothpaste,
vitamins, and more. Pick up a Basics flyer in the store,
and look for the “B” on the shelves (next to the price
tags) identifying these low-margin items.
B
U-Pick Shareholder Discount Day is a
benefit for Abundance shareholders only.
Chose your own Shareholder Day to receive
10% off. This replaced our past practice of
giving owners 10% off on the 10th (and in
Welcome New Shareholders
Caroline R Ann Marie L
Elizabeth L Deborah M
Ari E. Deb L
Benjamin P Ellie K
Christine M Melissa B
Tom M Joe D
prior years, quarterly shareholder weekends) last October. This discount is allowed only once per month
and does not apply to sale items, or periodicals.
Shareholder Deals, exclusively for
shareholders, are sale prices providing
significant savings on select items each
month, currently averaging up to 32%
off our regular prices. The regular
shelf price applies to non-shareholders
purchasing the same item.
Coupon and Coupon Books.
We accept valid manufacturers’
coupons, and often have a variety
of special coupon books available
in the store. Clipping them pays off
before you shop! Go ahead and
combine these coupons with our other sale prices for
extra saving$, however, coupons have item limitations printed on them. We may not carry all
items featured in these manufacturers’ coupon books.

Abundance Reaches 1500+ Shareholder Level!!! We
are delighted to report that the number of Abundance
shareholders is now 1532. Passing that 1500 level is a
milestone, coinciding with our 10th Anniversary. If
you’ve been thinking about buying a share, now is an
opportune time to become a shareholder. Purchase a
share ($100 cost) and start enjoying all the benefits of
ownership right away! Just ask at the Customer Service
Desk and fill out an application.
The Benefits of Abundance Co-op Ownership:
10% discounts on all non-sale purchases on monthly Shareholder Day. Choose a day each month, at
your convenience.
Enjoy our new “Shareholder Deals”, sale items exclusively for shareholders.
15% discounts on special orders anytime.
Eligible to participate in Owner-Volunteer program with store discounts.
20% discount on newsletter advertising for your local business & free classified ads.
C
F
Ability to vote at annual elections and input at shareholder meetings.
Eligibility to serve on the Board of Directors and participate on committees.
w
A
Potential to receive patronage dividends or rebates.
Become an owner today and start enjoying these benefits! Anyone may purchase a share for $100. Application
forms are available at Customer Service Desk, and on our website at www.abundance.coop
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Page 5
HISTORY
Continued from page 1
though a lot of the volunteer fundraisers didn't feel comfortable
asking, their passion for the store galvanized their willingness to
do something that didn't come easy to them. We had a passion!
All around, it was a great experience. It was my first time doing a
capital campaign and it was a great success, we even exceeded
our goal.”
Carl Hoffman observed that “the staff that has been there a long
time has continuity. Kathy Peters and Barb Kastner also worked
at the old store. The layers of long-term employees contribute
and give a sense of stability. We have a core of management and
a lot of stability in the levels of staff. It’s amazing and gratifying.”
Jack McGowan, former Board Member, was a key worker on the
financial end of the new business. "We continued to have an
immediate goal to open the new store and we needed a business plan. I was the one who had been looking at the numbers
at the old co-op; it was a big shock to me to be in charge of making the numbers work since I had never done that before. When
I asked what to do I was told, "You just come up with them." We
got some info from the co-op in Ithaca and we worked out relationships. The first goal was to have a new store open in six
months but it took a year and a half. We were having meetings
all along while I was working up a three-year financial plan based
on various assumptions and trying to keep that in line with the
changes that were ongoing. I had many sets of numbers."
We can also celebrate that our Co-op is on firm financial footing.
Gone are those desperate fundraisers and perennial dire “Save
the Co-op” meetings. With financial security there has come
interest in offering a living wage to all employees. One directive
from the board in the past three years has been to determine
how to do so and still remain financially sound in a changing
economy. Jim DeLuca, the current General Manager, notes that
in January of 2011, Abundance instituted the first phase of moving to the Living Wage model by raising the minimum wage paid
to everyone and raising the lowest wage of full time staff to
$9.75. The Rochester full Living Wage based upon the Co-op
Grocers Information Network template is $10.25. As Abundance
continues to operate successfully, the wages will be reviewed
for raises.
Hard work and dedication was the next phase of their vision
Kristen Mack-Perry was deeply moved by her interviews. She
says, “As a new member to Abundance I would like to personally
thank all of you with whom I spoke for sharing your stories and
trips down memory lane. Most of all though, my family and I are
so grateful that we can share this vision long after your sweat
has dried. I look at Abundance not just as a food store but as a
community meeting place, a safe haven where I am no longer
Jon Greenbaum recalls, "Our idealism was that we were going to anyone’s granola hippie friend, I’m one of you! And an entire
buy different foods in a different way. We were about coopera- generation thanks you for your hard work because without you,
we would have no place to choose safe natural food products or
tion and community, which was the fuel that ran the engine. It
succeeded beyond what we thought and Jack really hit the num- to meet like-minded individuals working towards a common
bers. There were dozens of people involved there and everyone goal.”
really played their part.”
As J.T. Stratton further noted, “the Co-op has historically helped
Dan Zwick was actively involved in the hands-on labor process: "I many people to gain access to herbal medicines, food supplehelped build the kids area, did odd jobs and painted. The co-op ments and cruelty-free cosmetics and body care products not
available elsewhere. We have been invaluable to people who
turned out to be bigger than I thought it would. I was a little
have developed lactose or gluten intolerances and wheat allerapprehensive about being able to make it go."
gies. I know cancer survivors who attribute their good fortune
Carl Hoffman, former Board Member, was also very personally
to the vegan and organic foods we sell here. Likewise people at
invested in making this store succeed. He said "We were meetrisk due to diabetes have always found a wide variety of alternaing weekly and it was intense, the board was very hands on. Liz
tive sweeteners. The Co-op has a long and proud history of pro[Litwiller, former Board Member] and I were always in the store
moting alternative healing practices and good nutrition.”
and talking to the staffers. It was sort of like having a job!" Liz
As Earth Day 2011 passes, we are grateful for the future history
says that she was the first one in the door at the new store.
of our Co-op. Whether it be on ecological or social justice fronts,
“They hung my dollar bill on the wall for a long time.”
personal health or ethics, you’ll hear about it at Abundance: the
A happy ending
local food movement, fair trade certification, survival of New
York family farms, probiotic foods, the obesity epidemic, nonSo what is there to celebrate after these many years of hard
work, struggle, collaboration and growth? Long time volunteer, genetically modified seeds…. we are more than just a store.
J.T. Stratton points out that “We can be proud that we were the We’re a community of people and ideas whose history is to be
first in this area to market organic produce. We can take at least on the cutting edge.
some of the credit for the fact that federal organic standards
Interviews and reporting by J.T. Stratton and Kristen Mack-Perry
exist today and even that the mainstream supermarkets have
Edited by Donna DeLuca: any mistakes in quotes, details or
organic sections. It was co-ops that helped introduce America to
attributions are hers, so feel free to let her know at [email protected].
new foods like tofu and tempeh, ancient grains like spelt and
If needed, corrections will run in the next issue of the newsletter.
quinoa. In the early days, even yogurt was something new.”
As Pat Mannix said, "The wonderful thing about co-ops is everyone has a voice and the terrible thing about co-ops is everyone
has a voice." Learning how to actually run a business was the
real dose of reality: "The surprise was that nobody knew how to
do this: Having a vision is one thing running a business is another."
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Page 6
Spotlight On Our Suppliers: Small World Bakery
Luke Stodola, Leah Squires, Ruth Blackwell
and Eli Rubin began the Small World Bakery in 2007. Their thick and hearty whole
grain breads with down-home labels may
remind older co-opers of the former Blessed
Thistle Bakery. The collective runs like a
worker cooperative but is, legally speaking,
a business partnership.
by J.T. Stratton
To be a cooperative workplace
providing a fair living wage to its worker/
owners.
The bakery is very cognizant of “food
miles” and tries to source all ingredients
from local farmers: wheat, maple, sunflower
oil, eggs, butter, milk. They also use mini“You know how our laws don’t support the little guys!” exclaims
mal packaging. The peasants who originated many of the bakLuke. “It was easier for us to be a partnership than a legally deery’s recipes weren’t vegans; they were just too poor to afford
fined workers’ cooperative. It’s the same with being certified
butter or eggs! Luke wants to send out a special appeal for local
organic.”
farmers to supply the bakery with more seasonal fruits and proSmall World Bakery breads are not certified organic but they are
made from locally grown and organically certified grains milled duce. There is also room at the bakery for some internship possifresh at the bakery. They may also contain ingredients from farm- bilities.
ers who are uncertified and local or who have committed to the
The bakery is located on South Plymouth Avenue, but due to
Northeast Organic Farming Association’s (N.O.F.A.) Farmers
TM
Pledge Program, which is a commitment to a broad set of prin- zoning restrictions they cannot sell retail at that site. For a while
they had a storefront in the South Wedge, but this arrangement
ciples that go far beyond the National Organic Program by addressing labor issues, community values and marketing. It is a
proved too unwieldy. Nowadays they sell their breads at the
commitment that either certified organic farmers or uncertified
South Wedge farmer’s market on Thursdays, the Rochester Puborganic farmers can make to their customers and neighbors. It is
lic Market on Saturdays, and the Brighton Farmer’s market on
not a substitute for certification, which is a service whereby a
third party scrutinizes a detailed farm plan, inspects the farm, and Sundays, as well as Abundance. (Delivery day is Thursday.)
They also run a community supported bakery on a CSA based
then has the paper records of the farm reviewed by qualified
1
peers for compliance with the regulations set forth in the NOP.
model, which is a “bread club” of sorts.
Small World also sources a limited number of ingredients from
Small World bakes about two dozen different kinds of breads in
afar.
rotation, as well as seasonal specialties and one-time offerings.
Small World’s gluten-free breads are baked at a facility where
gluten is used, so at present Luke would not recommend that peo- You will find their breads in the fresh bread section and frozen
ple with severe gluten intolerance eat their breads. That will soon gluten free breads section at Abundance. Their vegan granola is
change. Plans are in the works to use a “gluten free lab” environ- available both jarred and in bulk. Occasionally we get brownies,
ment in Fairport in conjunction with Flour city Pasta, so you may pumpkin bars and other dessert treats as well. They also do wedsoon trust that not even trace amounts of gluten are present in
ding cakes and sauerkraut and kimchi, available seasonally as
their gluten free breads. Check with Small World for details.
special order items. Abundance also sells their organic fresh
Local is the name of the game for Small World. When asked for milled flours made from wheat grown in New York state.
the bakery’s mission statement, Luke cited these three things:
1
From NOFA-NY, https://www.nofany.org/?q=organic-farming/
To serve as a market for local farm products
farmers-pledge-program
To provide affordable high quality breads for the local
community
A Place for Healing
Mary Claire Hill Wise, MD
Board Certified Physician in Family and Holistic Medicine
4138 W. Henrietta Road
Rochester, NY 14623
585.334.8020 www.drmarywise.com
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Page 7
Board Talk
By Philippa Proudfoot
Established in 1993 in honor of a long time co-op manager,
the Fund's mission is to promote and support consumer food
Abundance can be viewed not only as our beloved co-op, a
co-ops in the US through training and education of staff, mancommunity space where shareholders and cashiers greet one
agement, and boards. The fund provides scholarships to the
another by name, and like-minded shoppers talk about their
yearly CCMA conference, supports board training and propolitical beliefs or the growing season. It is also part of a
vides start up help for new food co-ops in the United States.
widespread movement of organizations established for the
(Can you imagine a supermarket chain contributing funds to a
purpose of providing goods or services to their shareholders
competitor to start up a grocery store in a community or
or members, and adhering to cooperative principles and valneighborhood that lacked one?) Early in its history, Abunues.
dance received a grant from the Howard Bowers fund to supThese principles and values have a long history dating back to port training for co-op staff, and we now contribute to this
the origins of the cooperative movement in the nineteenth
fund.
century, but they were articulated clearly by the International
The Cooperative Development Foundation also has a Co-op
Cooperative Alliance in 1995 in seven shared principles
Emergency Fund, which provided almost $74,000 to help
which Abundance exemplifies. I am choosing to reference
Haiti rebuild its cooperative organizations. credit unions, cotwo of these principles in this article.
op electric infrastructure, farming co-ops, and small busiFirst, co-ops are strongly committed to education and training nesses -- after the earthquake. More than 65% of this money
-- of board members (who have a responsibility to be wellwas contributed by food co-ops in the U.S.
informed to act on behalf of the owners they represent), manWhen you shop at Abundance, you are doing much more than
agement, and the community.
buying organic produce and supporting local farmers...you are
Secondly, the principle of cooperation among co-ops means
supporting a system of values and community which extends
that co-ops help one another at local, regional, national and
far beyond Rochester, New York.
international levels to strengthen their economic position and
their fundamental values.
Monthly Board Meetings. The Board generally
Why Shop at Abundance Food Co-op?
The Howard Bowers Fund of the Cooperative Development
Foundation exemplifies both of these cooperative principles.
Recent Board meeting highlights include:
meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from
7 pm until 9 pm. Meetings are open to all owners
and staff to attend, however, anyone wishing to
bring items before the Board or wishing to speak at
a meeting should call or send an email to Melissa
Marquez (at 461-2230 Ext.11 or president
@abundance. coop) one week prior to the meeting
in order to be placed on the agenda. Thank you.
BoD confirmed that any decision to move or expand was a Board decision.
The Board had a special meeting to develop the Board’s annual plan.
Board agreed to use the fifth Wednesday of June to look at the process that will be used to determine how to decide about a move or
expansion.
BoD endorsed the continued seeking of potential new sites by the GM within the area bounded by University Ave, Inner Loop, Culver Rd
and South Ave.
The new Policy Governance Register was distributed that updates the complete registry of policies.
The owner-linkage committee discussed the upcoming Annual Meeting.
682 Park Avenue
(585) 360-2754
www.piranhasushibar.com
SUSHI HAPPY HOUR
TUES - SAT 12-6 &
ALL DAY SUNDAY
SUNDAY BRUNCH MENU
Open Tues.- Sat. 11:30 a.m-10 p.m. Sun 10-10p.m.
The Rutabaga Rap
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MAY/JUNE 2011
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GM Musings
by Jim DeLuca, General Manager
ing focus of mainstream grocers adding more effort to their
“natural foods”. He replied that opening more stores would
be his first choice because in the next few years market share
is available and will be scooped up by whomever has the capacity. This was directly related to the issue that NCGA is
dealing with. There are 300 groups across the country in
some state of new startup Co-op and NCGA has only committed to helping 2 new start ups and 5 existing store moves or
expansions. (The Abundance annual meeting will be featuring some film clips about the history of the co-op movement
in America which should provoke some great conversations).
Abundance sales have been steady with a tiny increase in the
I also asked him about whether the average purchase amount
last quarter. Operations continue to be fine, with margins and
per customer (basket size) was more important than the numnet profits hanging in. The January start of the path to a living
ber of shoppers. He strongly believes that more shoppers is
wage for staff has worked out financially as planned, no surmore important in the current and future market situations
prises. We continue to consider ways to move to Rochester’s
because shoppers will have more options of where to shop
full living wage as soon as feasible.
where prices will be cheaper, so it is very critical to get new
The Annual Meeting shift from fall to spring brought on the
people in the store so those who fit the Abundance brand
big mailing during a time when I had to manage several other could become regulars/shareholders. All this is information
issues. I was pleased that the mailing got out by the deadline. that supports the need to continue to seek new location opporI hope that all shareholders will seriously consider voting for tunities that could help Abundance over its next ten years.
the by- law changes recommended by the board located on the
Speaking of 10 years, I want to thank everyone who made our
back side of the ballot. This mailing cost about $1500, so it
Anniversary/BearthDay celebration such a success. Kathy
would be great if formal notice could be given without all that
Peters, our Center
Jim DeLuca, came to
expense. We are fortunate to have 5 candidates on the ballot
Store Manager, was Abundance Cooperawho are seeking election to only 3 seats. WOW, a contested
tive Market as Genthe major planner and eral Manager in Januelection!
gets my deep appre- ary, 2009. He brings
over 35 years of
Recently I attended the National Coop Grocers Association
ciation. Look for the experience managing
cooperatives, restauSpring meeting in San Diego. We had a presentation by one
article in this issue
rants and other busiof the foremost Wall Street experts on the natural foods indus- with info and more
nesses. He and his
wife Donna live in the
try. I sat with him at dinner one evening and asked him what appreciations about
Highland Park
he thought was really critical to plan for because of the chang- the event.
neighborhood.
Photo by Ira Srole
What a wild, wet and gray winter/
spring. At least compared to last year.
My street was torn up late last fall for
installing a new gas line but the repair
work was delayed til now. So when the
snow went, the mess appeared. Now
with all the rain and cold, the repairing
lingers on with mud everywhere. I did
get a new sidewalk and driveway apron and am looking forward to the replanting.
Seven Cooperative Principles: Number 7. Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through
policies approved by their members.
Source: www.coopmonth.coop/primer/principles.html
The Rutabaga Rap
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MAY/JUNE 2011
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Page 9
Ken’s Kookery
by Ken Rich
McFloffle
I heard a rumor that McDonald's
restaurants in Egypt sell a sandwich called the McFalafel. The
word on the street is that it's the
best thing they've ever made.
Now, I hesitate to buy even a
coffee from McDonald's because they taste like, well, beef.
Not that I wish to say anything
bad about cows. I have conversed with and milked some
fine, well-mannered cows. If it's
beef flavored coffee, it should
be called cowffee, that's all. It
should be a law. I would try a
McFalafel, though. But back
to the real food at hand...
Spring has somewhat sprung
and all those little springy,
sprouty vegetables are crying
out for falafel to accompany
them. A burger bun is okay, but
really the way to hold lots of
springy, greeny things together
with floffles is to wrap the mess
in a tortilla. Forget about pitas.
P.I.T.A stands for "Pain In The
*Ahem*", as you know. They
are not fridge-friendly, disintegrate when wet, and really
only taste good when painfully
fresh.
So cook up your Fantastic Falafel. Then in your still-hot notgreasy pan, heat your tortillas
one by one until they have the
little brown spots that indicate
ripeness, like on a banana. Wrap
them around some floffles and
spring vegetables glued together
with tahini sauce, and feast!
tang. Find yourself a blender
and:
1/4 cup lemon juice or vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/8 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds
1 clove of garlic
(or dash of garlic powder)
1/2 cup Once Again tahini
Optionally add a 1/4 tsp cumin,
and some bits of parsley or cilantro. Put everything except the tahini in the
blender and blend well,
then add the tahini
and blend until
thick. Go lighter on
lemon juice or regular vinegar, go
heavier on balsamic
or rice vinegar. It
becomes like a tart
mousse or a grainy
mayonnaise, a variant of that 1970's
salad fave, Seed
Dressing. It keeps
well in a fridge.
We did not exactly
make a McFloffle,
but maybe the kids
will eat it anyway. You can always sizzle up some french fries
to round out the crowd appeal.
Ah, the trick is finding a good
tahini sauce. Some people like
straight tahini on their falafel and
vegs, but I want something with
The Rutabaga Rap
Ken Rich is a
longtime Abundance Co-op
shareholder. With
a passion for
“kooking,” he
concocts special
dishes to share
with Rutabaga
Rap readers using
stuffs from Abundance.
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MAY/JUNE 2011
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Page 10
Co
Co-op Calendar & Un
Un-classifieds
June 2011
May 2011
5/2—5/7
Hemp History Week
June is Gay Pride month
Sunday 5/8
Mothers’ Day
Wednesday 6/8
Board Meeting 7 - 9 pm
Wednesday 5/11
Board Meeting 7 - 9 pm
Saturday 6/19 Fathers’ Day
Sunday 5/15
Tuesday 6/21
Annual Meeting
5—8:30pm
First Day of Summer
Wednesday 12/8
Board Meeting 7 - 9 pm
Saturday 12/25
Christmas Day (Store Closed)
Saturday 5/21 Celiac Walk
Monday 5/30
Store Closed
Memorial Day
Please be sure to check at the store for changes, postings and other events not
scheduled at time of publication.
“Need more room to garden? Interested in a longtime collaboration on rural land? I’m seeking a
“junior partner” for my land in Ontario County. Short
term: help with work in return for vegetables. Long
term possibility: buy the land yourself! More info:
585-323-2254.”
Want to be more recession proof? Learn to
grow more of your own food. Find hidden growing
spaces. Maximize production. Call today for workshops, classes, training, meetups, & private consultations about Permaculture, Edible forest gardening, Homesteading, Ecological gardening,
Edible landscaping, and more. Patty Love, MALS,
SHAREHOLDER VOLUNTEER(S) WANTED to
work in different areas of marketing including
tabling at health fairs, newsletter publishing, advertising billing, other. Call Amy 454-2667 ext 115
or email abundance.coop
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) Support
Group being formed to share information and
develop ideas to communicate our needs to the
community. If interested please call 473-0491.
Do you have or do you know someone who
has Morgellon’s Disease? Fibers? Please email
Karen at [email protected].
Going Green Saves Green! Green Irene EcoConsultant Margie Campaigne checks your home
top to bottom for ways to save water and energy.
Whether already eco-minded or just beginning,
your Green Home Makeover will pinpoint ways to
green your home & lifestyle, recouping the cost
many times over. Call (585) 288-2224 or visit
www.greenirene.com/1144.
OVERCOME STRESS. FREE INTRODUCTIONS
Based on the cutting-edge science of neuroplasticity, Emotional Brain Training teaches
you understanding of the five emotional brain
states and use of a specific tool to switch your
mind to a state of well-being. Read more:
EBT.org. Contact local certified provider Janet
Chaize: [email protected]
Shareholders get your FREE un-classified ad
here, up to 50 words, space permitting. Send request with text to [email protected]. Please
provide your full contact information for verification.
Next deadline: June 15 for July/August.
The Rutabaga Rap
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MAY/JUNE 2011
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New Items& Shopping News
New products from other departments will return next issue of the RAP...
Fresh Produce
Honeoye Falls
farmer Todd Lighthouse
has us well stocked
with organic herb,
vegetable and flower
plants and his organic
potting soil for your gardening
pleasure! Look for “The Living
Earth Organic Ethnobotanicals.”
Greens and Rainbow Swiss Chard
to their growing list of products.
Also news is the fact that their
Field Mix, and
Asian Mix is now
dirt grown and
organic! They announced that their
goal is to grow more and more of
their offering organically, so let’s show our
support.
Ramps from Willowgrove Farm in
Marion N.Y. have arrived!
Organic Microgreens from Remembrance Farm in Trumansburg,
NY are an exciting new local product. Milder than many other micro
mixes, they make a delightfully
fresh addition to sandwiches,
omelets and salads. All Remembrance Farm products are
biodynamically grown.
Our network of local farm
suppliers is Springing into
action!
Freshwise Farms, of Penfield
NY, has added pesticide free,
hydroponically grown Mustard
Customer Service
Co+Op Deals (formerly Co-op Advantage) are for everyone. New flyer and sale items every 2 weeks!
Look for our money saving coupon books: Healthy Clippings Spring coupons expiring 6/30/2011. Go ahead and combine
these coupons with our other sale prices for extra saving$, however, coupons have item limitations printed on them.
We may not carry all items featured in these manufacturers’ coupon books.
Our Shopping Bag Policies: Avoid 5¢ & 10¢ bag surcharges by bringing your own bag. Get 5¢ back, and you save twice!
Also, please do NOT place merchandise in your personal bag(s) until paid for at the cash register. This will avoid
help any confusion. Thanks!
62 Marshall Street
(585) 454-COOP/2667
www.abundance.coop
Store Hours:
Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 7pm
The Rutabaga
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MAY/JUNE 2011
Your locally grown, community-owned
naturalRap
foods
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