Many of us were told as children: “Eat your veggies, they’re good for your health!” Now — depending on your political stance — they could be good for a cause, as well. Every Wednesday, North Country Co-op, 1929 S. Fifth St., is donating 5 percent of its produce proceeds to selected organizations through its “Produce for Peace” initiative.

The program began in February at the suggestion of Produce Manager Victor Martemino, according to Erik Esse, marketing and membership manager for the co-op. Donations have been in the $75–$100 range each week, Esse said, and the recipient organization changes every two weeks. Veterans for Peace — with which 30-year North Country employee John Sherman is a long-time activist — received donations in April. Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) will be a May recipient, said Esse, who noted the co-op’s ongoing commitment to the peace movement.

“We have always found ways to support peace groups,” he said, “like by giving foods for events. Now, with the peace movement picking up steam more in the mainstream, we want to find ways to let people know that we are supporting it.”

Esse made a connection between “oil and the war, and oil and the importation of food from a long distance.

“We do a lot of that [at North Country] even in the winter,” he said, “but as spring comes up, we want to emphasize to people that buying local produce is a way to reduce our dependence on oil and the need for involvement in other people’s countries.”

last revised: June 14, 2007

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