Saving the World with Co-ops

By Elizabeth Archerd

Do you think the title overstates the case? I don't. The cooperative principles require cooperators to take a longer view than businesses that emphasize quarterly financial performance. A case can be made that co-ops form the basis for a sustainable world economy.

Paul Hazen, president and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association, addressed a United Nations panel at the 46th Session for the Commission on Social Development on February 11, 2008. The following are excerpts from his remarks:

A couple of recent books have argued that global capitalism today is ailing. CEOs see their role as simply to drive up the stock price and don't much care about anything else. Meanwhile, the gap between executive and worker pay gets wider by the day. Incompetent executives receive golden parachutes while high-performing employees get laid off. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Well, if capitalism is ailing, co-ops are the antidote.

Co-ops aren't outmoded. They are needed more than ever to balance the scales. They are not simply an alternative business model. They are a better business model.

Let me give you some reasons why.

Cooperatives distribute capital widely among average Americans, while stock companies make the rich richer. Surplus revenues earned by cooperatives are either reinvested in the business or returned to members. With more than 130 million cooperative members nationwide, this distributes co-op revenues broadly among average Americans. Investor-owned businesses, on the other hand, distribute profits to shareholders based on how much stock they own. That means those with the most shares - generally wealthy investors - receive the most, while average Americans get little.

Cooperatives keep capital in the community where it was generated, while stock companies export capital elsewhere. Since they give surplus revenue back to their members, cooperatives keep wealth in their communities. Stock companies do the reverse. By distributing profits to shareholders, they take capital out of the community.

Cooperatives exemplify the Ownership Society, while stock companies concentrated ownership among the investor class. Cooperatives are owned by 130 million members nationwide... those who buy their goods or use their services. That's approximately 40 percent of all Americans, or six in 10 adults. Ownership of stock companies, on the other hand, is concentrated among a small group of outside investors.

Cooperative governance is open and democratic, while stock company governance is closed and easily manipulated. Cooperatives are run democratically, on a one-member, one-vote basis. Board members do not have a business relationship with the co-op, other than being customers of it. In a stock company... boards include members of management and those with financial ties to the organization, such as major contracts.

Cooperatives have both economic and social goals, while stock companies are motivated solely by the need to maximize shareholder returns. This has positive consequences for co-ops and negative ones for stock companies. Cooperatives have multiple bottom lines. In addition to meeting the economic needs of their members, they often have social objectives, such has widening participation in the economic system or promoting sustainable development. Stock companies' focus on shareholder returns often leads to negative outcomes.

Cooperatives largely police themselves while government must provide extensive oversight and control over stock companies. Members provide oversight of cooperatives, assuring that the business adheres to good business practices and cooperative principles. Stock companies must be highly regulated to protect their customers. Still, the stock company world is plagued with scandals, while co-ops are virtually scandal free.

One of the persistent myths about America is that rugged individualism built this country. Don't you believe it. If you look at the critical moments in our history, starting with the Revolutionary War and the writing of our Constitution, it's when we came together that we have been most successful. People working together built our schools and our religious institutions. People working together built our industries, defended us in two world wars and sent men to the moon.

Cooperatives are part of this. They built our farms, brought power and light to our rural areas and provided a place to deposit money in the 1930s when the banking system failed.

Rugged individuals didn't build America... cooperation did. And it's needed now more than ever.

Source. Posted by Wedge Co-op member/owner #252321.

Target sells non-Organic at Organic prices

I wrote this letter today for Target. It concerns their lack of discipline selling organic foods, specifically milk. Feel free to modify a copy and send a letter yourself! Keep corporations informed of the need to have a healthy economy means caring for our home ( Earth ).

Kevin Chavis
2406 17th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404

T 612 7290330

September 30, 2007
Robert J. Ulrich
Chairman and CEO
Target Corporation
1000 Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Dear Robert,

I am rather upset about an article I recently read in the Sunday edition of the Star Tribune. It appears that your Archer Farms brand sells milk that claims to be Organic but is not. You can claim that it was potentially organic, but that would be very hard to buy. The organic food industry is very lucrative, and like any other rapidly expanding market, ripe for corruption. This is a black mark on your company and taints my opinion of the entire Archer Farms brand.

I am fully aware that Archer Farms is a brand. It sounds like a true farm, and does probably mislead masses. The City Pages ran an article about the brand and its ambitious plans. I think it is great that you create store brands that create added value for your store. I was hoping you would go the route of Roundy’s organic store brands, marketing at us eco-conscious consumers. But the organic milk incident does not help your cause.

Honestly, my preference for food shopping starts with the local coops, then Rainbow, and lastly you. The potential for change is there, especially if you focus on relocalizing your store contents. But this latest incident only reifies what organic consumers fear, that major corporations do not care about the standards and only want our money. I am not an anti-capitalist, my priority is fixing our environment through the dollar.

Here’s a way to regain our confidence: go beyond the ho-hum spiffy organic of the corporate market. Ensure that your suppliers are adequately certified. Label the products in a way that consumers can virtually visit the farms as Organic Valley does. And inform the public of the value of organic foods - health, environment, and local agriculture economy. A carbon impact label would also be helpful, as Wal-Mart now keeps track of several items. Visit the Wedge Coop - you get a receipt that shows you the percentage of products you purchased locally!

As savvy as Target has been this century, I am certain you will find a way to strike a balance between profit and the common good. Your actions make a huge impact, whether that is positive or not long-term will be determined by choices made today.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely yours,


Kevin Chavis
------
further sources:

City Pages: The Farm that doesn't exist
Star Trib: Was Target's organic milk just regular?

Crispin Sartwell: We pet the dog, and then we eat the cow

Our idea of moral behavior toward animals varies by species.

Crispin Sartwell

The Michael Vick dogfighting case, and all of the attention on dogfighting and its attendant practices, show one thing very clearly: As a society, we have no idea what we think about animals.

I watched cable news recently, and almost every anchor interviewed an official of the Humane Society, and all expressed horror, especially that Vick's indictment had accused him and his fellow defendants of executing dogs in ways apparently designed to be as cruel as possible: drowning, strangling, electrocution. One official compared the practice to child pornography.

Then I went into town for some lunch, driving past all of the franchises peddling ground cow for human consumption.

If killing dogs is the equivalent of child pornography, while eating cows is simply a way to put off mowing the lawn, we seem to be conflicted -- or reeking with hypocrisy and confusion.

We have a set of intuitions, driven partly by our interactions with pets, that many animals can experience pain in a morally significant way, that they can suffer, or be used and degraded. Perhaps they have somewhat less of a claim on us than human beings do, but they make a claim.

But another set of intuitions is driven by our dietary habits or our experience of thumping squirrels and armadillos on the road: that an animal is little more than an inanimate object, and can be used in whatever way a human being sees fit.

In practice, the moral claims of animals vary by species and track our sense of the animal's proximity -- cognitive, emotional, physical -- to ourselves. We become truly sentimental: We write memoirs with our dogs, talk baby-talk to them, let them lick our faces. But about other species we are as hard-nosed as possible. Essentially, we do whatever we feel like to them whenever we want.

If we really believed cruelty to animals debased humans who participate, we'd have to accept that our massive, industrial-scale systems of cruelty to cows deeply debase all humanity.

Crispin Sartwell teaches philosophy at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. He wrote this article for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Earth Voice Food Choice

Our world is facing huge problems, from environmental and health issues, to wars and resource mismanagement. These problems seem unsolvable and affect us all on a deep emotional level. Suprisingly, there are actually solutions. All of us can contribute – everyday – without expensive campaigns, demonstrations or lawsuits.

Most people can agree that our world is run by money. The billions of people of the Earth spend money every day. What most are not aware of is that with every dollar they spend they cast a vote. Our monetary vote is a powerful tool to speak directly to industry and corporations. If we don’t want polluted lakes and rivers, but keep buying toxic food we cast a vote for a toxic world. This is just one example of how we all can start speaking out without waiting for politicians or government to “fix it” for us. Voting with our dollars goes right to the source. If we don’t buy it, they won’t make it. We have this power.

The effects of our individual food choices are far-reaching. Our everyday food choices directly affect global warming, water pollution, and topsoil depletion as well as obesity, cancers, and heart attacks. Buying and consuming more whole, organically grown plant foods is one of the most powerful, yet simplest actions we could do everyday to help our health and the health of our world.

The production of animal food products is responsible for causing many of the planet’s most catastrophic environmental problems and depleting natural resources at an unprecedented rate. The animal and chemical agriculture industries are the primary polluters of our planet’s water and soil. They accelerate desertification, forest loss, global warming and the depletion of water, soil and ozone. Chemicals and animal agriculture are major causes of species extinction, like the vanishing bees. Furthermore, the livestock industry is consuming most of America’s grain supply, which could be used to help solve world hunger problems.

Animal products such as meat, poultry, fish and dairy are also heavy contributors to most of the diseases afflicting Americans. Heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, osteoporosis, some forms of cancer, obesity, and other less life-threatening diseases are all influenced by the excess consumption of animal foods. Treating these diseases is costing hundreds of billions of dollars per year in health care and health insurance. Notwithstanding advice from experts, the United States government continues to spend billions of tax dollars to subsidize these industries.

In contrast, a diet of organically grown plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds produced without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, enhance personal and environmental health. Plant foods contain vitamins, nutrients, protein, fiber, antioxidants, phytochemicals, essential fatty acids and many other beneficial compounds designed by nature to promote health and prevent disease. Plant foods are heroes for health. Plants are the only living things on Earth that have the ability to take the sun, the air, the water and the soil, and make food and oxygen for most of the living beings on our planet.

Compared to animal foods, plant foods are less polluting to the environment and conserve natural resources. If plant foods were consumed more and animal foods less, hundreds of billions of dollars could be saved on health care costs.

The animal and chemical agriculture industries, through the Department of Agriculture (USDA), supply enormous volumes of chemical laden, animal foods to children in schools. “The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is our government’s largest feeding program. It is based on an outdated model that teaches children little about the cause and effect of their food choices. Our health and our planet are suffering the effects of an economically driven food program that needs to be updated to twenty-first century nutrition standards. The manner in which our children view food, the development of their eating habits, their health and the condition of the world they will inherit, are directly linked to the NSLP.

Earth Voice Food Choice is a multimedia Manual and DVD designed to educate teachers, parents, students and government officials how to present, inform and inspire people to eat more unrefined, organically grown plant foods and fewer chemically processed animal and junk foods. The Project is designed to initiate a positive shift in human awareness and in the hearts and minds of children, parents, teachers, and people in government. The possibilities for beneficial change are monumental.

Earth Voice Food Choice is a “How to” manual for anyone who wants to initiate a healthy food and education project in their schools, homes, camps, or institutions. This Manual contains over 350 documented facts; history of the USDA; proven field tested strategies for implementing the project in schools; tips how to present to students; actions students can take to inspire government to support the concept of healthier foods in schools; kitchen preparation ideas for food personnel; institutional size recipes that fit within the RDA’s and the USDA’s meal pattern requirements and draw off existing and available USDA commodities; delicious recipes for home use; handouts for students and parents, letters of introduction, news articles, announcements and everything else people will need to implement a successful project. (200 Pages, 8.5” x 11” Manual with 100 Recipes.)

Earth Voice Food Choice DVD takes you on a ride through outer space in search of a planet that has the three things humans need for survival: air, water and soil. Fly into the atmosphere of Earth and witness the profound beauty of our world and the animals we share it with. Watch hundreds of beautiful pictures of the natural world and learn about Earth’s life support systems. Experience how humans have destroyed much of our natural resources. Learn how animal and chemical agriculture are negatively affecting health, environment, economy and world hunger. Travel into the interior of the human body and learn how to prevent disease. Meet the super heroes for health and the power of consuming and producing more organic plant foods. Learn how to make mindful food choices, vote with our monetary purchases and become part of the solution. This DVD is great for classroom and auditorium presentations and for home use. (39 minutes, plus 57 minutes of bonus features.)

For more information, to see clips of the DVD or pages of the Manual, and to order these materials, please visit www.earthvoicefoodchoice.com or contact him at 928-301-4552 or email toddwinant@esedona.net. You may also write to Earth Voice Food Choice, 730 Sunshine Lane, Sedona, AZ 86340

by Todd Winant

Todd Winant, founder of the Earth Voice Food Choice Project is the co-author of EarthSave's Healthy School Lunch Action Guide (now out of print). His new project addresses the detrimental effects of America’s current National School Lunch Program and offers logical suggestions for its improvement.

Glass vs. Cardboard

   I recently complained to the makers of my soymilk that
I wanted them to use more environmentally friendly  products.
It now makes me want to get a Soyabella to make my own!!

This is their response:

----------------------

Dear Kevin,

I have to say it makes me very happy to know that people are actually
thinking about these issues. Most people don't come near to considering
the details of their consumption and, as they say, the devil IS in the
details. So be patient while I bombard you with details!

In choosing our packaging, we apply a Life Cycle Analysis/Assessment
(LCA). You might have heard the expression "cradle to grave" analysis.
It's all the same thing. The goal is to examine and measure every step
of the packaging process. Besides being a tool for manufacturers to
evaluate their processes, it can be a valuable tool for consumer to make
informed choices. LCA introduces the idea that recycling is not enough.
LCA follows the manufacture of a products from extraction of raw
material, through the manufacturing process, including energy and water
used, through its use and then through its disposal. Gaseous, liquid or
solid residues are all evaluated since all have a different impact on
the environment.

Apply this to glass bottles. Material must be mined, and heat generated
and water used to form the bottle. Waste is generated from this process.
You now have a bottle that is relatively heavy, relatively bulky and
breakable, requiring extra sturdy (more weight) cases to protect the
package. Shipping these empty bottles requires more space and hence more
fossil fuel and even more fuel is needed to ship the filled bottle. Of
course, the final product must be shipped in refrigerated trucks, adding
to the fuel and energy needed. Although the bottle's average re-use is
about five times, plenty of hot water and sterilization agents are
needed to cleanse it for the next use. Finally, when it's recycled, it's
easily turned back into glass and can even be used as a food grade
package again.

Organic Valley milk cartons ARE recyclable, but only in certain places.
You'll have to call your trash/recycling company  and ask them if they
take the cartons. They might ask what they're made of and you can tell
them it's virgin, long-fibered paperboard sandwiched in micro-thin
Number 1 polyethelene. We use plastic polymer (#2, High Density
Polyethylene, HDPE) for our gallon-sized milk jugs. It is translucent
and has decent barrier properties (you have to keep the light away from
the milk). It's also tough but light and well suited for milk products
with a shorter shelf life. It is, however, a petroleum byproduct and has
waste problems.

Now that you're screaming STOP, STOP, too much information, I'll just
add that we're always searching for the best material to use in our
packaging, always testing new stuff, reconfiguring old stuff...anything
to lighten the footprint. Nevertheless I will make our packaging folks
in Research and Development aware of your plea, because they track all
suggestions assiduosly. If you have any further questions, or need
clarification on something, please let me know and I'll do my best to
help.

Sincerely,

Kimberly Kafka
Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative
Consumer Relations  ext 3367
kimberly.kafka at organicvalley.coop

Concern for toddler on vegetarian diet

Ask Dr. H

By Mitchell Hecht

Question: I am concerned about my 21/2-year-old grandson, who is being raised as a vegetarian. Should he be taking iron drops? He also drinks very little milk (although he does eat cheese), but I know how important calcium is to him. Any suggestions?

A: A toddler vegetarian diet isn't necessarily deficient in iron or calcium. Eggs, dried beans, green leafy vegetables, dried fruits like raisins, and iron-fortified cereals and bread are sufficient sources of iron. Dairy products like cheese, dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, soy and rice drinks, and fortified cereals are all good sources of calcium.

Protein doesn't have to come from meat. Dairy products, tofu, egg whites, and dried beans are all good sources of protein. Peanut butter is also a great source of protein, but due to its allergy potential, some pediatricians advise withholding it until a child is 3 years of age.

The real issue is not whether there are adequate vegetarian substitutions, but whether a picky toddler will consume enough vitamins, minerals, protein, fats and carbohydrates for healthy growth and development. It's also important for parents to make sure a vegetarian diet is providing enough calories. A multivitamin like PolyViSol or a children's chewable may be useful to fill in certain vitamin/mineral gaps.

source: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/health/16314183.htm