Sound Consumer archive
September 2008

What pesticides are used on what food crops? What residues remain when the crops go to market and how risky are those residues? And what about the vulnerable amongst us — are we fully protecting pregnant women, infants and children, and the elderly? Worrisome evidence that even minute levels of pesticides in food can impair human development has driven demand for organic foods.

PCC opens ninth store in Edmonds

Opening day September 3

by Trudy Bialic, Editor

One of the most wonderful things about opening a new store is joining a new community and getting to know the people. We expect our newest store in Edmonds will attract many new members, but thousands of members already live in the north end.

A sustainable agriculture label: coming to foods near you?

by Joel Preston Smith

Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) of Emeryville, Calif., is pushing for the adoption of a sustainable agriculture label as a U.S. standard for food and other products. Some farmers, producers, certifiers and consumer advocacy groups fear this proposed label will confuse U.S. consumers as they drift through supermarkets.

Recipes from September issue

From the Italian for pumpkin (zucca), zucchini are the quintessential Northwest late summer squash. Try these tasty recipes from PCC Cooks instructors: Fritelle di Zucchini (Zucchini Fritters) · Frittata di Zucchini (Italian Frittata with Zucchini) · Luscious Layers. And for green bean lovers: Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Fresh Herbs

Natural sweeteners: Sweet enough!

by Goldie Caughlan, PCC Nutrition Education Manager

When asked to recommend “the healthiest sweetener,” I always cringe because it sounds like a seeker looking for the Holy Grail. I hate to break it to them, but in my view a) it’s the wrong quest and b) there is no one “best” sweetener.

Notes from the Cellar

On soul

by Jeff Cox, Wine and Beer Merchandiser

They make it look — and sound — so easy. But then, when it comes from the depths of your soul, it really is easy, no matter how much you had to woodshed to hone those chops.

Seasonal produce

Everyone’s favorite green beans

Loaded with nutrients and low in calories (only 40 calories per cup), green beans are a welcome staple of the late summer harvest. As with corn, the flavor of green beans depends greatly on the degree of freshness. Includes a recipe for Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Fresh Herbs.