On the 29th of October the New Zealand government is set to lift the moratorium on the commercial release of GE – DESPITE OVERWHELMING OBJECTION FROM THE PUBLIC.
The lifting of the moratorium is going to mean that genetically engineered organisms may be allowed to be grown out in the general environment. With the alarming evidence from overseas of what can result from this practice a large majority of New Zealanders understandably want to proceed with caution, and extend the moratorium for a further five years. It is time for everyone who feels strongly about keeping GE in the laboratory to take some action and let our government know that is not in the public interest to lift the moratorium.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO –
* Contact your local MP, in person is the most worthwhile. Or contact them by phone, email or letter.
* Take part in the Nation wide GE FREE MARCH which is taking place on SATURADAY 11TH OCTOBER AT 2PM
The march leaves from the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Ave. For information on marches in the other centres visit www.thebigmarch.net
* Write to Helen Clark, or the minister of the environment Marian Hobbs and let them know your concerns and DEMAND the moratorium be extended for a further 5 years.
OTHER CONTACTS –
www.gefreecanterbury.org
PLEASE COME ALONG TO THE MARCH ON SATURDAY THE 11TH – THE MORE PEOPLE THE BIGGER THE CHANCE OF GETTING OUR MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT

Piko is very committed to a GE free New Zealand, we realise that our customers want food that is guaranteed GE free. As a gesture of support we will be closed on Saturday the 11th of October from 1.45 pm to 3.15pm this is
so we can all attend the march – we will see you all there!!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG ?!
Here are some recipes to help spring clean our insides after a long cold winter – and lots of 'warming' nosh!

Kumara and Broccoli Salad

2 Cups Kumara, cut into chips
1Cup broccoli, small florets
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon coarse kelp

Boil kumara for 3 minutes and broccoli for about 2 minutes. Drain. Place the cooked vegetables in a salad bowl and add olive oil, apple cider vinegar and kelp. Stir to cover vegetables and serve.

Caramelised Onions

4 Cups onions, peeled and sliced into half moons
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon shoyu or tamari

Heat frying pan with sesame oil and sauté onion for 5 minutes or until transparent. Add grated lemon zest and a little water to prevent burning.
Add shoyu or tamari. Place the lid on and leave on a low heat for about 1 hour.
This rich, satisfying and sweet dish is great next to rice or served on crackers.
From 'Inspiring Organics', David Clark.

PLASTIC BAGS
As a cooperative with a real commitment to the environment one of our major issues is with the use of plastic bags. For years we have encouraged the re use of supermarket bags for our customers. However we have decided that
we would like to take this a step further. Our aim is to 'discontinue' the use of these plastic bags by the end of the year. Ideally what we are trying to achieve is to get customers to come to Piko armed with their calico, jute bag, backpack, box etc. We are hoping that by refusing to take used supermarket bags from our customers that this will create an awareness of 'where those bags came from' and hopefully get people to start refusing plastic bags from the supermarkets and using reusable bags such as the calico bags instead. The last thing we want to do is offend any of our customers, we will have re used plastic bags for use for the vegetables and there is always the option of taking your groceries away in a cardboard box (which you can leave at your gate to be recycled along with your green bin).
We have a large selection of CHEAP re useable bags for sale, the prices range from $ 3.45 to $5.95. We hope that you will enjoy this new challenge and if you have any concerns or feedback please let us know.

WHAT IS NEW AT PIKO
We have a new member Ami who has bought a great supportive, fun and enthusiastic vibe to the cooperative. It is great having her on this side of the counter after knowing her as a customer for many years!
Jo is still on maternity leave, James is doing well and keeping her busy!
Mariska is leaving us at the end of October. Her and Mike are heading to "Paradise Valley' (otherwise known as Rai Valley), and taking up residence in their newly painted orange house!!!
Mariska's positive attitude, endless energy and enthusiasm will be missed by us all, we wish her and Mike all the best with their adventures!

We have a lot of new and exciting things in the shop
– On tap Organic Olive Oil (Australian) $13.32 / kg
New Zealand blended teas – Mint Ceylon $8.59 Bay of Island Breakfast $8.59 Green Darjeeling $9.81 New Zealand organic Echinacea Tea $5.21 Organic orange Rooibos mix tea $5.21
Several gluten free snack bars – great for kids lunches
A new hot gluten free moon – apple, raisin and spices!
Noni juice $15.17
Organic water crackers $4.30
New season Organic New Zealand Olive oil $32.26 for 500ml
Walnuts halves, hazelnuts (roasted and raw!)
Lots of organic brown and white fragrant rice $3.77 a box
Coconut oil
'Spirit of the fire' smoked salt, lemon kelp, smoked kelp
Also check out the new flavours of Only Organic baby food
Stevia is back!
Lots of fresh fruit and veg – especially for this sometimes sparse in between season phase
Blenheim almonds are unfortunately out of stock until the new season – April/may 2004
The goat's milk yoghurt supplier has gone out of business, so no more until a new supplier has been found.