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Board Updates

Since our last Board Meeting on October 3rd, several significant events have occurred.

Directors Jason Andrews, Julian Ayers, Ron Bazar, Marc Belanger, Michael Gibbons, Beccy Griffin, Julian Ayers and Krista Ma have resigned.

Ron Bazar later withdrew his resignation. 

Interpersonal dynamics, varying opinions on the propriety and orthodoxy of bookkeeping practices, and the absence of Director's Liability Insurance all played a role in these decisions.

Some of the former Directors continue to volunteer with the Co-op to help update bookkeeping and other systems, and facilitate the transition from Krista and Alex's term as Administrators. Other member volunteers and staff are also offering their skills and time in these areas.

Thank you to our Volunteers!

The staff, above all, continue to hold down the fort and many members have commented on the Co-op's improved appearance, atmosphere and energy. YEAH STAFF!!!

The remaining Board consists of Ron Bazar, President, Jude Marentette, Secretary, and Jasmine Lawrence, Staff Representative.

Kick Back at the Co-op Cafe!

Come for your yummy breakfast croissant and hot lunch everyday, or enjoy a specialty coffee and a delectable treat.  

Get out of the rain and indulge in the peace, comfort & organic goodness of this community space.  

Open every day, 9 am - 4 pm.  

New Bi-Monthly Member Draw!

Congratulations Elinor, Fred, Sage & Ragu! They were winners of our bi-monthly draws for a $25 gift certificate & free movie. You could win too! Every time you make a purchase over $25, place your name & phone number on the receipt and into the box. We'll draw a name every two weeks. Thanks Cortes!

Member Specials on NOW!

Thomas' Utopia Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes - Now $3.00 (reg. $3.75) - Store up for your winter comfort food - pastas, soups and more.

Emergen-C: All flavours - Case of 30 - Now $18.30 (reg. $22.85) - Mix this immune-boosting powder with water for a fizzy, tasty, refreshing drink. It features 24 nutrients including 1000mg of immune supporting vitamin C, seven B vitamins, electrolytes and more. Load up to fight your winter colds. 

Earth Balance - Natural/Whipped Organic - Now $3.95 (reg. $4.90) - This buttery vegan spread is made with a proprietary blend of expeller-pressed oils that support healthy cholesterol levels and tastes great. "I can't believe it's not butter!" :)  

New & Local Products!

Linnaea Farm Pork - Yes, yes, we are selling meat now. It was a touchy subject for a while but we are here to serve YOU and most of YOU want meat. So we got you some respectfully and locally raised meat from Linnaea Farm. Now you really can shop for ALL your needs, right here at home at your local Co-op. 

Gathering Place Trading Company Sea Salt is available in bulk bins at the Co-op now. This Sea salt comes from a family business in South Africa. The water comes from the Antarctic Ocean and is carried up the west coast of South Africa by the Benguela current. This super clean water naturally filters into an underground aquifer, where it passes through layers of sea shells providing more minerals. The water is pumped into 4 small drying pans from the aquifer where it is sun and wind dried then hand harvested. All the sea salt is sieved to separate coarse from fine; it's not machine processed in any way.

Gathering Place Organic Dried Pineapple is being packaged by the Co-op. Our organic (in transition) dried pineapple is from a farmer named Jono Bradfield. The Harvey family met him while in South Africa last winter. He has a lovely pineapple family farm on the east coast of South Africa. This dried pineapple is pure, sweet and tart, and it has a wonderful chewy consistency. It's only offered at the Co-op!

LOCAL Produce Available NOW!

If you have any surplus produce for your community, please call Tanya @ 935-8577 for info about selling at the Co-op.

Local Profile:  Linnaea Farm!

Linnaea Farm is proud to produce respectfully-raised, all-natural meat for the local community. Recently licensed as a Slaughter Safe Farm, animals are humanely-killed in the comfort of their surroundings rather than shipped off-island in unusual and frightening circumstances.  

Animals, especially cattle, pigs and chickens, are intrinsic to an integrated food system at Linnaea. Manures create fertile soils for abundant veggies, and animals till the soil, provide meat, eggs, milk, company and education. All of Linnaea's stewards - Tamara, Adam, Liz, Brent, Kirsten, Corry & Jon - are involved in the daily care of the livestock. They anticipate greater production over time and are working to create tracking systems to evaluate the cost-benefit of scale.

Linnaea Farm is committed to creating a goodlife for farm animals and to selling locally. Beef is coming soon and the Farm hopes to provide chicken beginning sometime in 2012.

Staff Profile: A Li'l About Myann

How long have you been working at the Co-op?
I started volunteering at the Co-op in the fall of 2003 when it was just a tiny store up the steps at the back of the building. Staff started getting paid the following year (first as a credit for food), and since then I have worked on and off in between other jobs and being a mom.

What are your roles at the Co-op?
I work stocking the store and at the till. In the past, I have done ordering as well.

What do you like most about working at the Co-op?
My favourite part of working at the Co-op is the satisfaction I feel that a group of us, with the support of our community and members, have created such an amazing store. I am proud of what the Co-op represents, and I am inspired by the potential to create and support even more locally-based economy.

What are your other interests or hobbies or work?
I also work as a gardener/landscaper and keep busy with my own garden at home. I am homeschooling my young child right now, so my interests are focused on ways to live and teach a lifestyle which represents my values.

I enjoy cycling, hiking, reading, and spending time in nature. My favourite hobby is shopping locally!

What does the Co-op mean to you?
I think it is important to support local businesses (especially local agriculture!) and alternatives to globalized consumer society. One day I would love to see a local currency system here on Cortes.

RAW Recipe: Sunburgers

By Tanya Krahn

1c almonds, soaked
1c sunflower seeds, soaked
1/2c carrots, grated
1/2c red onion, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
shitake mushrooms, chopped (opt'l)

Italian spices (basil, oregano, thyme) 
Salt & pepper and a splash of Bragg's

Process together to form a dough and spread patties 1/2" thick on teflex sheets. Dehydrate for 4 hours and flip for 1 or 2 - just like a barbeque!


This month, Tanya also recommends this movie: Green Beautiful

DVDs at the Co-op

If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front This is a very thought-provoking, well-made documentary - Irene's pick of the month.

Incendies Québec drama which was nominated for Oscar for Best Foreign Film, set partly in the Middle East

In a Better World Excellent Danish drama, winner of Academy Award for Best Foreign Film

Hanna Futuristic thriller with Kate Blanchet

Vision Historical bio-pic about multi-talented nun, Hildegarde Von Bingen, who had visions (German)

Becoming Human New discoveries are transforming views of our earliest ancestors. Documentary recommended by Jude.

What on Earth: Inside the Crop Circle Mystery Documentary

Coming Very Soon: Tree of Life Mad & Men Season 4

Articles of Interest

Thanks to the Café
Mike Moore, Cortesisland.com
Samantha and I dropped in to the Coop Café on Saturday evening to listen to the Merry Mckenty’s fine fiddle music. What a nice scene it was in there!  Read More>>>

Salmon Safe Eco-certification Launches in B.C.
Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun
A new eco-certification program that ensures B.C. ranchers, farmers and winemakers adopt practices that protect salmon and salmon habitat will officially launch Wednesday. Read More>>>