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The Food Coop's Environmental Committee has enjoyed collaborating with other committees. Check out their blogs to learn more about some of the great work they are doing: The Animal Welfare Committee has only been in existence a short time, but has already surveyed several aisles of the Coop, to determine which products have been tested on animals. Their blog has a listing of their work, plus other useful information. The GMO Shelf Labelling Committee has been investigating which products on our shelves contain genetically modified ingredients, since US law does not currently require manufacturers to disclose this information. Their blog will keep you up-to-date on the latest in the quest for better labelling laws in this country and more.

Alec Baldwin has been looking really good lately, due to a combination of factors—studying yoga, marrying the yoga instructor, and last, but not least, adopting a super-healthy plant-based diet. In this photo, he is appearing at a benefit for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine—a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research (i.e. they are opposed to animal testing.) On Monday, September 3 they are starting a 21-day Vegan Kickstart , for those who want some tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle. Coop members already have access to all kinds of healthy food, at low prices—the Vegan Kickstart can provide recipe and meal ideas, no matter what your general lifestyle. Alas, meeting Alec Baldwin isn't part of the program!

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) reached this morning with the United Egg Producers (UEP_, which could result in a complete makeover of the U.S. egg industry and improve the treatment of the 280 million laying hens used each year in U.S. egg production. Thanks to your support over the years, through our state ballot initiatives and legislative and corporate campaigns, we now have a new pathway forward to ban barren battery cages and phase in more humane standards nationwide. The HSUS and UEP have agreed to work together to advocate for federal legislation that would: Require a moratorium at the end of 2011 on new construction of unenrichable battery cages—small, cramped, cages that nearly immobilize more than 90 percent of laying hens today—and the nationwide elimination of barren battery cages through a phase-out period; Require phased in construction of new hen housing systems that provide hens nearly double the amount of space they’re currently provided; Req...

At last! The search is over. Here's a cat litter that’s non-toxic, affordable, and actually works-- and it’s not packaged in plastic. Beth Ann’s Finest All Natural Cat Litter, which is sold in a compostable brown paper bag, is made from 100% biodegradable, non-GMO corn, from Iowa family farms. If you'd like the Coop to carry Beth Ann's Finest All Natural Cat Litter , add a request to the product request book at the Entrance Desk. You can also order it directly from Beth Ann or pick it up from NYC Pet on 5th Avenue. * Originally published on Plastic Albatross .