The Beet
A Port Townsend Food Co-op Blog
Whether you're passionate about healthy recipes, sustainability initiatives, local giving programs, or supporting local farms, we’ve got something for you. Stay connected with the latest co-op news, learn how we’re making a difference in the community, and discover how you can get involved. Join us as we promote eco-friendly living and share the best in organic, local food."
Local Producer: Solstice Family Farm
Solstice Family Farm is a homestead style farm located on 33 acres of the Olympic Peninsula. They grow and sell produce as well as teach a variety of farming skills. The farmers, Jen and Sean, have been farming for about 14 years in the Pacific Northwest and Montana.
Announcing: Olympic Peninsula Farm to Food Bank Fund
WSU Extension Clallam / Jefferson County are thrilled to announce a new community-centered Farm to Food Bank Fund! This fund will give our community a simple channel for contributions that will sustain farmers while lifting up food equity.
April GM Report
Our GM, Kenna, provides insight into what’s happening at the co-op and what we have to look forward to.
March/April Bean for Bag Spotlight: StyroCyclers
Learn how volunteer Port Townsend StyroCyclers group, a Local 20/20 Beyond Waste Project, recycles expanded polystyrene, commonly known as styrofoam
March/April Bean for Bag Spotlight: PT Potential
PT Potential works to transform our community's waste plastic into community infrastructure while challenging PT to see its own prospects of moving beyond the plastic economy.
Indispensable Parchment Paper
Years ago, a friend who owned an Italian restaurant taught me how to line baking pans when roasting veggies, and avoid nasty clean ups. I was grateful and bought parchment paper by the rolls.
Kitchen Kaboodle
In April, after easter, our Kitchen will undergo some maintenance. Kenna explains what this will mean for hot food and the deli during that week.
Eggs-cellent Eggs! DIY Natural Egg Dyes
Planning a holiday brunch? Looking for natural dye options for Easter eggs? Interested in trying a new egg recipe?
March GM Report
Hear from our GM Kenna Eaton about how we’ve fulfilled our strategic ends this month!
2023 Annual Plant-A-Thon! (…all those Satsuma’s you purchased)
Thanks to our customers and the NW Watershed the Food Coop has a long history of involvement with the Plant-A-Thon and this year’s Satsuma fundraiser raised $1,800 to purchase plants and other supplies.
Local Seeds Are Here!
Locally grown and adapted to the Northwest Climate! Come on in to see our selection of seeds on display today.
Lettuce Work Together!
Your board wants to hear from you! Join us for Board store-walk days and let your voice be heard.
Shopping Carts and Cooperative Principle # 6
Our previous shopping carts have a new home! After being able to order new carts we sought out a new home for our last ones. Thank you to Central Co-op for coming and finding a good use for them!
February GM Report
As we get through February we hear from Kenna again! Checking in on Co-op happenings and how we continue to work together to nourish our community.
The Remarkable Black-Eyed Pea
Black-eyed peas weren’t part of my childhood, not even on New Year’s Day. In my thirties I made black-eyed pea stew with ham hocks — it was a favorite, but that was it. Then, when I taught world cooking, black-eyed peas popped up in recipes from Africa to Greece. My world opened. Black-eyed peas, bringers of good fortune, symbolize what happens when I allow something new in, and integrate an ingredient into my life.
Racial Redlining Fought By Postwar Interracial Co-ops
Blacks and whites had fought together in brotherhood all over the globe during World War II to defend democracy. However, a grateful government that welcomed home “the Greatest Generation” but fought that war with a segregated army had no desire to let returning Black soldiers live together with white ones.
Cadmium and Lead in Dark Chocolate—How Dangerous?
Many of us have heard that Consumer Reports has tested dark chocolate bars sold in the US and found that most had higher levels of cadmium and lead than the maximum levels set by California.
We Raised $1,800 for the 2023 Plant-A-Thon with Northwest Watershed Institute!
The Port Townsend Food Coop is proud to announce that their recent satsuma fundraiser was a huge success, raising $1,800 for Northwest Watershed Institute’s annual Plant-a-Thon with local schools.
Winter Welcoming Center
Introducing our second Beans For Bag recipient for January/February – Winter Welcoming Center