The Siren Song of Packaged Foods

Almonds

Recipe of the Week:
Vegan & Gluten Free
"Buttermilk" Onion Rings

Community News

The Siren Song of Packaged Foods
opinion by Jhan Hochman, Working Owner jhanhoc@gmail.com
 

Everyone, whether for or against, seems irresistibly attracted to food packaging and packaged, processed food.  Unpacking why might help avert disaster.

    •    Packaging makes products seem a little like gifts: the wrapping’s eye catching colors and design, its hidden content(s), its physicality of pleasurable undoing that resembles the actual unpeeling or skinning of food in an active strip tease.

    •    Packaging sends a message of clean: food well inspected and well protected. The more and better the packaging, the more clean seeming.

    •    Processed foods—nearly always packaged—are considered “value-added” food, food assembled for you by experts (cooks, chefs, scientists), food somewhat akin to that served at a restaurant or someone’s house wherein the “packaging” is not only the layout on the plate, the service, the table setting, etc., but the preparation and processing, a kind of immanent packaging.

    •    Packaged food is convenient. You don’t have to know what the food is as in, say, the produce section, since the package says what it is (and how much you’ll love it); you never get any unwanted moisture or dirt on your hands; you don’t have to do any “work” as in the bulk and produce sections; nor does the cashier, swiftly swiping the bar code to get you on your way, faster; packaging prevents your cabinets and refrigerator from getting mussed.

But, 

1) packaged food is no present as you pay dearly for the packaging and often, the food inside;

2) packaging doesn’t insure security as it can impart more or less harmful qualities to you, and unequivocally harmful qualities to the Planet;

3) “value-added” also means the food is old and of dubious or unknown provenance and quality;

4) convenience breeds undeveloped or atrophied cooking skills, food knowledge, and dependence of thought and action.

So, when you scan down that shelfscape, see it for what it is: a treacherous island of products telling you what you want to hear, showing you what you want to see, and luring you into forgetting freshness, quality, basic food competence, and needed self control.

Sight and sound of food packaging
Plastics

Almonds 
opinion by Geanna Marek, Working Owner

Recipe of the Week:
Vegan & Gluten Free
"Buttermilk" Onion Rings
 

The Alberta Coop's September Open Forum Potluck-
DIY Dairy: Cheese Making and More!

The Alberta Coop's
September Open Forum Potluck- 

DIY Dairy:
Cheese Making and More!

On September 14th, the Coop hosts cheesemaker Claudia Lucero from Urban Cheesecraft for a free workshop on making fast, easy farmers’ cheeses like paneer and queso blanco. We’ll also have a discussion on urban goat-keeping with Emily Gowen from the Going Goaty Collective. Come on out to learn all about it! Bring a dish to share for the potluck, starting at 6:30pm.
 
More about the workshop:
 
Farmers’ Cheeses (aka Paneer, Queso Blanco)

Versions of farmers’ cheeses like paneer and queso blanco are widely used around the world for many reasons; they’re delicious and incredibly easy to make. These cheeses soak up spices and sauces and since they don’t melt, you can sauté, broil, simmer them and more. Include them in curries and more for delicious vegetarian protein!  These cheeses can be made in an hour and customized with herbs and spices for variety. Great to make with and for children! You just need your favorite milk and acid of choice- most other things are commonly found in kitchens.