Be conscious of what you consume!

Overfishing and other destructive practices are eliminating many of the fish species we currently consume – but alternatives exist and many fisheries are working to improve. You can make an impact, just by choosing one type of seafood over another.

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s “Seafood Watch” program was designed to spread awareness about sustainable seafood, guiding consumers and businesses to make conscious choices for healthy oceans.  Their up-to-date recommendations are science-based, peer reviewed, and use ecosystem-based criteria, indicating which seafood items are “Best Choices,” “Good Alternatives,” and which ones you should “Avoid.”

Seafood Watch raises consumer awareness through consistently updated pocket guides, website, mobile applications and outreach efforts.  With close to 200 partners across North America, including the two largest food service companies in the U.S., restaurants, distributors and seafood purveyors are encouraged to purchase from sustainable sources.

Vision of Sustainability

Seafood Watch helps to sustain wild, diverse and healthy ocean ecosystems that will exist long into the future.  Consumers and businesses are encouraged to purchase seafood that is fished or farmed in ways that doesn’t harm the environment. When there is scientific uncertainty, Seafood Watch errs on the side of conservation.

Why Do Seafood Choices Matter?

Nearly 75% of the world’s fisheries are fished to capacity, or overfished. Our seafood choices have the power to make this situation worse, or improve it. Seafood Watch recommendations don’t hinge on any single issue. Instead, they consider the fishery, habitat, species, management, and a host of other factors that affect each species. In this way, Seafood Watch offers a complete vision of sustainability.

How Does Seafood Watch Develop Recommendations?

A team of scientists research government reports, journal articles and white papers. They also contact fishery and fish farm experts. After a thorough review, sustainability criteria is applied to develop an in-depth Seafood Watch Report. All reports are reviewed by a panel of experts from academia, government and the seafood industry and are available on the website. From these reports, the seafood recommendations are created.

Visit the website for more information about the movement, a complete list of Seafood Watch recommendations, sustainable recipes, and much more!

Boise Co-op proudly adheres to the “Seafood Watch” recommended alternatives for our seafood offerings and pocket guides are available at our Meat Department counter.

The Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) is an incredible local organization that engages youth, their families, classrooms and community through organic gardening.  This learning environment is instrumental in providing much needed education about the benefits of a sustainable local food system, overall personal nutrition and health, environmental protection and awareness, and the importance of community-mindedness in the development of a local, sustainable economy.  

Boise Urban Garden School is now offering Adult/Family Workshops for 2010!! Check out this great line-up:

January 23: Home Composting

The ultimate approach to “reduce (your curbside garbage), reuse (your nutrients), recycle (your waste).” And it’s not icky!

January 30: Backyard Chickens

Food, Fertilizer & Pest Control – your complete introduction to raising this amazing food source (and great pet), family-style!

February 20: Square Foot Gardening

Sustainable, intensive backyard gardening that’s fun for everyone. Great for that “postage stamp” yard, and big gardens too!

March 20: Pest Management

Techniques to beat the bugs without the chemicals for a healthier family, healthier pets, and a healthier environment.

September 18: Preservation I

Saving the harvest for winter. Freezing and canning techniques for better eating all year long.

October 2: Preservation II

Using solar dehydrators to store up more of the harvest. Drying techniques for winter nutrition and great taste.

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Sign up now to take part in these wonderful, sustainable community classes!  Workshops will meet from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Backyard Chickens will be held at the instructor’s home, 5323 Hill Rd.  All other classes will be held at the BUGS site, at 4821 W. Franklin Rd. Cost per class is $40. Kids and spouses are free! Reserve your place NOW by sending a check (and noting the desired workshops on the check) to Boise Urban Garden School, P.O. Box 833, Boise, ID 83701.

More information is also available at www.boiseurbangardenschool.org or by contacting Susan Medlin at ssmedlin@peoplepc.com

For more information, visit the BUGS homepage at www.boiseurbangardenschool.org

Niman Ranch lamb is raised on environmentally sustainable, family-owned ranches in California, Idaho and Utah. The animals are pasture raised and fed only the highest-quality natural grains and dried forage. Their lambs are never given antibiotics or growth hormones. The ranchers follow sustainable and rotational grazing practices that enhance the growth of native plant species while providing naturally fertilized and nutrient-rich fields for growing feed.

The young lambs are brought to market at the perfect maturity – 130-135 pounds through most of the year and a little lighter in early spring – to achieve optimal flavor. Sweet, mild, naturally tender and never gamy, Niman Ranch lamb is simply one of the finest-tasting lamb available.

Boise Co-op is proud to carry Niman Ranch.  Visit our knowledgable meat staff for more information!