Playing Tag
I remember when the Co-op used to hang little cards on the shelves giving shoppers information about things like dolphin-free tuna and cosmetics tested on animals. That kind of information was unique to the Co-op, and I miss it.
N.N., Annual Meeting

REPLY: The Co-op’s Education Department is responsible for providing information to members and shoppers on nutrition, food production issues, food safety, environmental topics, and so on. One of the many ways used has been shelf tags. We also use articles in the Co-op News, our web site, in-store displays, handouts, lists, brochures, classes, store tours, and demonstrations as well as one-on-one conversations with individuals who contact us.

The potential for having huge numbers of shelf tags is great. Some members would like us to label all products that are free of genetically modified ingredients. Others want to be able to spot organic products at a glance. Some want all local products tagged (see below). We’ve had requests for tags on products that are gluten-free and on all products containing partially hydrogenated fats.

Obviously, if we were to meet everyone’s expectations, no product would go untagged and the aisles would be an eyesore of chaotic signage competing for the shopper’s attention. Not to mention that we’ve had a few members make it very clear that they don’t want to be badgered by signs that tell them they are making a poor choice when this is a product they wish to buy.

In looking at all of the ways we can communicate with members, we have chosen to use shelf tags only for those items which we feel need information at the point of sale. An example would be WOW! potato chips which contain a fat substitute that can cause health problems in individuals who are not aware of the risks and pose a danger to small children who might eat too many.

For other items, such as the status of dairy products regarding milk from cows injected with bovine growth hormone, we provide updated lists.

Shoppers are always welcome to contact our dietitian, Mary Choate, with specific questions about products that meet special dietary needs such as gluten-free items and foods appropriate for individuals with diabetes. She can be reached at (603) 643-2667 ext. 3406, or by checking at the Information Desk in either store to find out where she is, as she spends time in both food stores during the week.

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Not So Lunchable
There was a time when the Co-op refused to carry Oscar Mayer Lunchables because they weren’t good for kids to eat. Now they’re back. I find that disappointing.
C.P., Annual Meeting

REPLY: Several years ago, when we were still one store, the Education Department placed information near the Oscar Mayer Lunchables alerting shoppers to the fact that these high-sodium, high-fat products were not good choices for children’s meals. Shortly thereafter, a morning news program on television did a feature on the sodium content of Lunchables. Sales dropped precipitously, and the Meat Department Manager pulled the product from the shelf.

In time, however, customers began asking for Lunchables once again, and because the Co-op’s purpose is to provide what our members wish to purchase, Lunchables were returned to the shelves. They are kept above eye-level for children in both stores in an effort to reduce child demand for the product when parents don’t wish to purchase them.

Because of its origins as a buying club rather than a health-food store, the Co-op has always sold what its members wish to purchase, including cigarettes, sugared cereals, mainstream snack foods, and other items not generally found in natural food cooperatives. At the same time, we have a policy of not promoting products that some of our members find questionable such as cigarettes, endangered species of seafood, WOW! potato chips, and similar items. We also provide information regarding food products with attributes consumers might wish to know about.

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We Wish We Could…
Please label local food products and produce! What do you think about designating a section of the Co-op for non-genetically engineered products?

REPLY: Our Produce Department carries vegetables, fruit, and herbs from fourteen New Hampshire and Vermont growers in season and does label them when they are available. You should be aware, however, that the State of New Hampshire does not allow the use of the word "local" for any product sold in the state that does not come from New Hampshire itself. Since the majority of our growers and many of our producers are in Vermont, we must find another way to designate products that come from both sides of the Connecticut. We use labels that say "Upper Valley grown" for produce and floral and "A New Hampshire/Vermont product" on items such as maple syrup.

All of our specialty baked items, including breads, rolls, packaged cookies, and pastries, are produced in either Vermont or New Hampshire as are many of the cold-case items in Prepared Foods such as the sushi, muffalletta, and stuffed grape leaves, to name a few. Other categories include specialty foods such as flavored oils, sauces, and condiments; jams and jellies; refrigerated salsas; fresh pasta; dairy products; frozen foods; bulk cereals and granolas; chocolates; meats; cheeses; seafood; and beverages. Labeling these items would be an impossibility (see the first question above), and even lists would be inaccurate the moment they were printed as our selection is constantly evolving.

If you are looking to put together a local foods basket as a gift, our Floral Department personnel will be glad to help you locate products.

Regarding GMOs, the FDA does not require that foods from genetically engineered products provide that information to either retailers or consumers. Therefore, we have no way of knowing which of the tens of thousands of products we carry contain these ingredients. However, by definition, all organic products are free of genetically modified organisms. Therefore, purchasing organic produce and foods labeled as organic is your best way to avoid GMOs.

Rural Vermont has published a new booklet, available at the Co-op, called The GE Sleuth, which provides practical information on how to avoid GE foods in the face of no labeling. Elizabeth Ferry reviews it on page x of this issue of the Co-op News.

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Healthier Pizza Dough
Any chance that you could take out the partially hydrogenated oils from the Co-op frozen pizza dough? They are good and convenient, but not that healthy.

REPLY: The frozen dough is a commercial product that has now been replaced with our own Co-op-made pizza dough, the same dough we use for our finished pizzas. That dough contains no partially hydrogenated fats.

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The Ultimate Functional Food
Can you get green tea ice cream?

REPLY: We should have some green tea ice cream in stock soon. Three companies are coming out with green tea varieties in the next couple months.

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Back to Basics
My family and I enjoy the new Co-op brand ice creams. We were wondering if you could also stock strawberry along with the other flavors. Thanks.

REPLY: We’re glad you’re enjoying our ice cream. We will be adding more flavors and will request that strawberry be included.

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Herbal Remedy
Smaller bunches of parsley would be appreciated. Small families of two people do not use so much parsley!

REPLY: Just ask one of our friendly Produce staff to split a bunch any time you need lesser amounts of produce of any type. They’ll be happy to help you purchase only what you need.

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