By Andrea Dawber Karma’s board is developing an operational plan that aims to address a number of long-standing issues in order to build a bright and secure food future for our community. The seven key areas identified for improvement include: IT/technology, financial management, organizational knowledge-sharing and succession, marketing and communications, space maximization, and efficacy (working smarter, not harder). The planning process will invite staff, members and committees to par...

By Andrea Dawber Karma’s new Code of Conduct aims to move our values into practice, clarifying the co-operative, civil and mutually respectful behaviour expected from our community, including members, staff, visitors, suppliers and contractors. It also provides a process for reporting and responding to incidents. In a similar fashion, our Health & Safety Manual provides staff and members with policies and procedures to protect us from hazardous situations and to keep us all safe and h...

By Caitlin Smith The board is seeking members who wish to serve on the 2021-22 Karma Board of Directors. There are 10 members on Karma’s board, and five are completing the second year of their two-year terms. We are actively seeking nominees to fill these five two-year term positions as we prepare for our second virtual Annual General Meeting on Monday, October 18, 2021. Do you have 6 hours a month to attend board meetings and carry out tasks specific to an assigned committee? Would y...

By Caitlin Smith The Karma Building Committee has been examining quotes for a much-needed repair to the north wall of our building. We have reached out to structural engineers to provide recommendations on remedial repairs that may be required. The review will also include a general assessment of the roof wood joist structure. Once that work has been done, we will be able to schedule the actual repairs, likely to take place in the summer of 2022.

By Rosalind Ashe Are you looking for no-bake treats as the temperatures rise? Be sure to follow Karma on Instagram and on Facebook for more details about our upcoming (NO) Baking Webinar, hosted by Prickly Pear Bakehouse in July. Pana cotta is a delicious no bake desert! Until then, we’re looking for some suggestions for upcoming Baking or (NO) Baking Webinars. Please email your suggestions to: cookwithkarma@karmacoop.org OR add your suggestion to our Facebook or Instagram post. ...

By Dr. Daria Love Canada has become the sixth largest organic consumer market in the world.  While Karma’s shelves reflect our policy to buy Canadian and local, not all foods can be produced domestically or have year-round availability.  Recognizing and understanding international organic logos and their regulation is important for the discerning shopper. To date, Canada has established ‘equivalency arrangements’ with the United States, European Union, Japan, Switzerland, Tai...

By Nathalie Rémond, for the Food Issues Committee A member of the Board at Karma Co-op recently ranked food accessibility as their primary concern among a number of other food issues. Many people in the world and also in Toronto still struggle to acquire adequate food. Karma Co-op used to donate food to two food banks in the neighbourhood through the help of Karma members, and now has a weekly pick-up from the Parkdale Food Centre. The stay at home...

With the arrival of warmer weather, we are happy to announce that member labour is back! As of May 1st, Working Members will be required to fulfill their two hour work commitment. Members are invited to sign up for door shifts, set-up shifts, and clean-up shifts through the Karma website. For new members, or members wanting to try something new, staff will train you when you arrive for your first shift. We are looking forward to seeing you back in the co-op!

By Helena Friesen In recent years, many people are trying to follow a (more) plant-based diet. One plant-based source of protein is nuts. However, all nuts are not equal in terms of how far they travel to get to us, sustainability of farming practices, including the need for irrigation, and issues involving labour.  Here we suggest some considerations in choosing nuts. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios Grown in:  California, the Mediterranean       ...

by Talia McGuire Dear Karma members,  I am hopeful the end is near, that a return to some kind of “normal” is so close. Hearing more and more people are getting vaccinated is the positivity we all need to focus on right now to get us through the home stretch. That, the increasing amount of local vegetables and approaching summer months are what I’ve been hanging onto.  The staff and I have been so happy to see the physical return of some members to the store since receiving t...