Thoughtful Foods

My portobello spinach salad,

It's autumn in Baltimore.  At least it will be tomorrow, and for once the weather seems to've come along for the ride.  Me?  I'm reflective, a head full of contemplation, liberation, obligation & affection.  And grid iron, 'cause it's Sunday in the USA and football, my loves, is what we do.  Weird, huh?

Here's the good word:


News
from Lah
Birthday!!
Happy birthday to Michelle (the lovely lady that delivers our eggs).  I got her a card & a couple of people from the co-op sent their best wishes.  I hear it was well-received. 

Jars
Thanks for bringing in your jars last week.  The shelf is looking better!  But the jars still look a bit lonely, so if you have some at home collecting dust & feeling sorry for themselves: bring them in!  They'll be much happier at the co-op!

Last Tuesday's meeting
from Andrew
We discussed a few upcoming events and recent concerns.  The minutes are attached.  For those who would like a brief run down, here it is in point form:

• Thursday vegetable orders are increasing.  A working group will discuss the options available to us to keep us running sustainably.
• We will remind members of cooperative values by distributing information flyers in the vegetable boxes.
• We may not have our 'meet the chickens' event this year as the farmer's wife is sick.  A hope and comfort box has been constructed by Angela to give to the family.  Please feel free to submit something, anything, you can think of to wish them well.
• The sourdough baking event went superb!  Watch for more cooking workshops in the near future.
• We will be holding an AGM in (probably) early November.  We need a certain number of attendees.
  
• Alice will look into organising a performance night extravaganza to hold after the AGM to increase attendance.  It sounds like it will be exciting!  (I love the word extravaganza!)
• There will be a book co-op afternoon tea held at 3pm on Wednesday the 24th.  Come to the shop for an hour or so to discuss the group and any good books you have read lately.  There will be tea!

Volunteers
some notes from Andrew
Thursday volunteers
After the desperate call out in the previous bulletin, we had a large number of volunteers turn up on Thursday morning.  It was amazing to see so many people eager to help out.  Even more amazing was the fact that we finished distributing vegetables before 12!  Our order for the day was very large, but with so many people around it was easily manageable.  If we keep this up the only unsustainable factor will be our limited space, but I believe we should be fine for a while.  However, as volunteer numbers tend to fluctuate, please keep an eye out for low numbers on the volunteer roster and put your name down if you're available and would like to help out.   Thank you to everyone who was able to make it - you made a long day very easy!

Box gatherers needed!
If you work or study on campus - or anywhere which uses high-volume printers - we could really do with your help.  We need more 'A4 paper' boxes - you know, the ones which fit five reams of paper - for our twenty dollar Thursday vegetable orders.  These orders are increasing and these particular boxes are perfect because they take up very little room.  If you pass an office of any kind, have just been studying in the library, or pass recycle bins before making your way to the co-op, please see if there are any of these boxes being thrown out you can carry with you.  Your help will be very much appreciated . . . quite possibly with tea!  Ask a coordinator if you'd like to help out and need a better idea of where to look.


Vegetables
ON!  Well, you know that I suppose.  Get your order in to ensure the first crisp delights of springtime grace your dinner plate for the next week.  Orders must be paid in full & under the door before opening on Wednesday.


Eggs
from Lah
Of course eggs are happening.  Please order your eggs before noon on Tuesday, or via email by Monday: angela.johnstone@gmail.com


Community
Book Co-op Afternoon Tea- Wednesday 3pm, outside Thoughtful Foods
from Alice
Come along and share a cup of tea, a piece of cake, and casual chats about the wonderful books on our beautiful bookshelf.  Whether you are an existing member of the book co-op and want to touch base with others and chat about ideas for the book cooperative, or want to find out more about it or join, all are welcome.
We will take the opportunity to have a bit of a cull of books that have simply been abandoned on the shelf.
Bring along a cake or some fruit to share if you like.
Any questions, contact Alice.

Genetically Engineered Canola?  Take a stand
via Monika
It's just over a month until the first commercially grown genetically engineered canola in Australia will be harvested. Yet, with the momentum our campaign is building, we at least have a chance to ensure these unnatural and insufficiently tested foods are clearly labeled.  Take a minute today to join thousands of other Australians in signing the petition, which we will be delivering later this year to Health Minister Nicola Roxon. Click here to sign - and tell her you'd prefer to know what's in your food.
www.truefood.org.au/OurRightToKnow/
Labeling the ingredients of products to protect consumer choice is not exactly a radical idea. In Europe GE products such as canola oil and animal feed already require labeling.  And it's hardly a major step for our politicians. All it requires is for Minister Roxon to introduce mandatory labeling legislation in an upcoming session of Parliament, reflecting a policy commitment at the Labor Party conference in 2007.

Yoga in Daily Life
from Tyler
Tyler Pike, the manager of the Yoga in Daily Life Kensington centre on 117 Anzac Parade, offers 1 hour free yoga classes at Thoughtful Foods Co-op Thursdays 2pm.  No need to bring anything – just come in loose-fitting clothing.  Don't eat a big lunch beforehand.
Come have a go – it's free, and one of the many reasons the co-op is a real community - more than just a place to get veggies.  Yoga in Daily Life is an 8 Level system of postures, relaxation and breathing practices and meditation.  The Thursday class at the co-op is a Level 1 class focused on improving core strength, basic flexibility, breathing and feeling good.  Yoga at the co-op is a relaxing experience with a diverse group of yogis – some experienced some beginners.  If you have any questions about attending yoga, you can ring Tyler on 0410819996 or email him on Kensington@yogaindailylife.org.au

For those of you interested in attending yoga classes at the Kensington centre, the new spring term begins 13 Oct. By enrolling in a term you can commit to progressing through the Yoga in Daily Life system at a dedicated yoga centre, which is a real sanctuary near the Uni.  More information about classes at the Kensington centre and about the Yoga in Daily Life system can be found at www.yogaindailylife.org.au. 


These are the sorts of suppliers it is wonderful to support as a food cooperative.  For more info, visit their website at www.goodness.com.au


Thicker than water
The first cool day of autumn, which stretched out and lingered as Saturdays so rarely do, was beautiful.  I spent it with family, under less than joyful conditions, celebrating a life lost and lives that continue.  Turns out, my family rocks, and that some connections never-ever fade. 

I hope springtime is as kind to you as autumn is being to me.  See ya'll in two weeks!

Love,

Meghan