MEMBER OWNED, OPERATED & SUPPORTED
YOUR NATURAL CHOICE GROCERY STORE

• Annual Membership Meeting
• Spring Cleaning Time
• Meet The Candidates
• Companion Planting
• Your Coop Needs You
• ...and more!

• Mon & Fri 9am-6pm
• Saturday 10am-4pm
• Closed Sundays & Holidays

Board of Directors Message

Greetings from your Board of Directors!

A special THANK YOU to Lloyd Nelson, Ken Krohn, and Ramona Webb for their service on our Board of Directors. They are completing their periods of service this month. Starting Tuesday, April 2, 2019, election of Vice-President, Secretary, and two Members-at-Large, will begin. Ballots will be available in the store on that date. Please be sure to vote. You can vote in the store prior to the meeting or at the General Membership Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 16, at the Baker County Library, 6 P.M., at which time ballots will be counted and new board members announced. All owner/members are invited to attend this meeting.
 
And speaking of the General Membership Meeting, I have been hearing a lot about the direction the store is moving, both positive and negative. I, and the other board members, would like to hear from you about what YOU think we should be doing to grow the Co-Op into the future. Please take a moment to send us an e-mail (bfcboard@bakerfoodcoop.org) or drop off your comments in the store. If there is a topic you would particularly like discussed at the meeting, please let us know before the meeting. We would also like to hear about new products you would like us to bring into the store. We welcome your suggestions and will research to find the best products to fit within our mission.

– George Wheaton, Board President

Ballots are available in the store. One vote per member household. Make your voice heard. Remember the General Meeting at 6pm on April 16th.


 

Hello, My name is Nickolas Schwartz. I am 41 years old, married, and have 3 kids. I was a framing contractor for the last 15 years before moving to Baker City, and we have been here now almost 2 years. I love Baker Food Co-op, and was immediately drawn to it when we moved here. It is essential for the community and has really improved since we moved here. I hope to be a part of it and contribute to its growth and success. I feel I have a lot to offer, simply because I love this community and everything the Co-op stands for, and I am always trying to stay in tune with Baker’s needs and wants. I would like to be your vice-president on the Board of Directors.

Eric Layton: I have been a member of Baker Food Co-op since the Summer of 2012 when we first moved to Eastern Oregon. My wife Angela and I joined to be involved with like-minded people and contribute to what we saw as a very unique community organization. We moved to Baker City seeking a slower paced life with access to an abundance of outdoor activity and aesthetic beauty. We took for granted the smaller population would mean a limit on health food options, but were pleasantly surprised by the existence of the Food Co-op. I have taught high school science since 2008, earning a Masters in Education from Portland State University and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Environmental Science from Oregon State University. I am passionate about sustainability and social responsibility. Only through local actions with global concerns can we address today’s most pressing issues. This includes sourcing things locally and establishing healthy dietary habits. I am concerned that the local brick and mortar store faces an uphill battle in the age of Amazon and discount options such as Grocery Outlet. I hope to inject some fresh ideas and energy into the Food Co-op so that we can stay competitive and attractive to Baker County Residents. I believe the Co-op should be a staple of the downtown experience, as well as a greater part of the shopping routine for residents in the southwest part of town. I am proud that the Co-op continues to provide responsible and convenient local options for our community. It can stand as a pillar of the downtown business community and a beacon for local health enthusiasts.

I am Roberta Morin, member number 8033 and I have been a Co-op member for many years. As a cashier, while the Co-op was located on 10th Street I was privileged to greet and meet many Co-op members and sign up some others. The Co-op meets a great need within Baker County with reasonably priced fresh food and many healthy items not readily available within Baker City. Our Co-op has helped many within the county who have special needs and food products can be found here and not necessarily in the markets. I see the Co-op continuing to meet the needs of county residents and maybe expanding for more products as they become available for public consumption. I am open to new ideas for stocking and management and will discuss things with other board members as needed and agree with a give and take of ideas when brainstorming.
 

Grant Richards: After participating in a neighborhood co-op in California (garage-style with Azure & UNFI), we were very happy to find the 10th Street Store the first day we moved here in 1995. Our interest in healthy food and nutrition dates back to the early 70’s. We had a contract packaging / private labeling business serving the health industry in the 80’s. My wife Julie has been the Spice Department head for many years, and has helped out in other departments as well. Our passion is health and our desire is to see the Co-op succeed and be able to help people find better health through education, providing quality goods for the best price possible.

Sheri L King, Candidate for Board Member at Large: I am honored to be nominated to fill the vacancy of Member-at-Large. It has been a number of years since I last served as a Board Member. During my 23 years as a Co-op member-owner, I have been privileged to serve as a Board member for four years and cashier for who knows how many years. In 2014/2015, Bart Murray and I collaborated with the Board to update the Policies and Procedures Manual. Throughout the years I remained involved in various projects and events. I understand the workings of the Co-op and feel my business background would be an asset to fulfill our mission of providing healthy, affordable products to our community.

Announcements

Working Members of the Month

Norris Tibbetts & Jerry Clark

Members Who Worked 10 or More Hours

8 New Members and 
22 working members put in ten or more hours last month. 
Thank you for your dedication!

MARY BARNETT
CHRIS CANTRELL
BARBARA CARNAHAN
JERRY CLARK
JIM GRIGSBY
GAYLE HAMMOND
KATHLEEN HANSEN
FRAN HART
JOAN NEILLINGSWORTH
KEN JOHNSON
KEVIN LEE
 

LAURIE MCADAMS
JEANNE ANN MELLOTT
LAURA MILLER
LANA MILLMAN
SUE NELSON
BARBARA PETERSON
APRIL POLLEY
DEB ROEHM
NORRIS TIBBETTS
MARY WEST
JILL WYATT

Become a working member and save more on your purchases while helping the Co-op. Save as much as 30% off your grocery bill! Call Gretchen or Phoebe at the Co-op for more details. Or better yet... stop by and let us know your area(s) of interest and we’ll see if we can match you up!

If you have any ideas or concerns about things at the Co-op, please leave us a message at the store or email to BFCboard@bakerfoodcoop.org

Companion Planting

• Beans? Like cabbage, corn, cucumber, eggplant, lavender, strawberries, sunflowers; Dislike garlic, onions, fennel
• Beets? Like beans, cabbage, garlic, lettuce, onions; pretty agreeable with everyone
• Broccoli? Cauliflower? Like beets, celery, dill, garlic, geraniums, onions, potatoes, rosemary, sage; Dislike beans, peppers, tomatoes
• Carrots? Like chives, leeks, lettuce, peas, rosemary, sage, wormwood; Dislike cabbage, fennel, strawberries
• Chiles? Like cabbage, corn; plant on garden borders to repel flying pests
• Corn? Likes amaranth, beans, cucumbers, legumes, marigolds, melons, parsley, peas, pumpkins, squash, sunflowers; Dislikes cabbage, celery, tomatoes
• Fennel? Does not play well with others; plant where your dog likes to hang out; Dislikes beans, carrots; repels fleas
• Lettuce? Likes beans, carrots, cucumbers, radishes, strawberries; Dislikes celery, parsley
• Nasturtium? Likes tomatoes, corn    repels white flies and spider mites
• Onions? Garlic? Likes beans, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, strawberries, tomatoes; Dislike beans, leeks, parsley, peas
• Peas? Likes grows well with most veggies and herbs; Dislike onions, garlic
• Peppers? Like basil, carrots, eggplant, geranium, onions, tomatoes; Dislike beans, cabbage, kale
• Potatoes? Like beans, cabbage, coriander, corn, eggplant, marigolds; Dislike cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, squash, sunflowers, tomatoes
• Rosemary? Likes beans, cabbage, carrots, sage; Deters flying pests
• Spinach? Likes broad beans, peas, strawberries; Dislikes none
• Thyme? Likes cabbage; Deters cabbage worm
• Tomatoes? Like basil, borage, calendula, carrots, celery, chives, geranium, oregano, parsley, nasturtium; Dislike cabbage, fennel, potatoes
• Yarrow? Plant throughout your garden; Repels soft nematodes, aphids, bean beetles

• Lemon juice: Clean glass and mirrors, brighten your whites, disinfect your cutting board, brighten your toilet bowl...use to remove sun spots, highlight your hair, reduce wrinkles, shrink your pores;
• Coconut oil: Polish wood furniture, replace WD-40, remove shower scum...use as hair serum, lip gloss, deodorant, prevent wrinkles;
• Apple cider vinegar: Repel fleas, clean your microwave, deodorize laundry... can soothe sunburns, wash your hair, treat acne, aftershave;
• White vinegar: Polish silver, clean windows, neutralize odors, unclog your drain... use to cure an upset stomach, soothe a bee sting, condition your hair;
• Baking soda: Put out fires, scrub toilets and tubs, clean your oven or grill... use as deodorant, toothpaste, relieve diaper rash, treat heartburn;
• Castile soap: All-purpose cleaner, dish soap, mop floors, suffocate aphids on rose bushes and trees... use as body wash, pet shampoo, toothpaste, prevent eczema;
• Castor oil: Discourage rodents, lubricate kitchen scissors, restore health of your plants... use to strengthen eyelashes, relieve cracked heels, soften cuticles.

Press Works is Open!

Stop by and enjoy a cup of Gourmet Espresso (light or dark roast) amid a vast array of interesting books, local artwork, and comfortable furnishings. Reading room & sales of books on philosophy, religion, and spirituality, to include many classic & collectable children’s books. Custom woodworking - commissions and sales, and local art is on display. Currently featuring the works of local artist, Sandra Ford.

Press Works is located on the east end of the building that houses the Baker Food Coop at the corner of 1st and Broadway Streets. Open Monday thru Saturday from 8am until 3:30pm.

CAN’T FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?
THE CO-OP CAN SPECIAL ORDER IT FOR YOU. JUST ASK!!

Pick up your free copy of Taste For Life in the store today!

Remember...
Every Thursday Seniors (aged 62 and older) and Veterans (including active military) get a 10% store discount! That’s right... you don’t even have to be a member of the Co-op and the discount will be applied at the check-out to all regularly-priced products.

Please note: Items that are on sale or reduced for quick sale will not be included.

Traditionally, the April full moon is called the Full Pink Moon as it symbolizes the sprouting of seed and the explosion of pink flowers - the moss pink, or the wild ground phlox was one of the first flowers to bloom with the arrival of the spring. For the Abenaki, the April full moon was the ‘Sugar Maker Moon; for the Arapaho, ‘Ice Breaking in the River’. The Cheyenne called it ‘Moon Where the Geese Lay Eggs’. The Cree of the Northern Plains and Canada knew it as ‘Gray Goose Moon’. The April full moon occurs on the 19th at 4:12 A.M. (PDT).

Hop on over to Ryders to find a fine selection of chocolates to go with all those eggs... 

...and, be sure to check out Tawny’s Toy Box, full of all things fun while you’re here! Never know what delightful items you might find to include in your baskets!