Food Co-Op May Be On Its Way to Kensington and Windsor Terrace

After Windsor Terrace’s only grocery store was bought-out by a pharmacy, people there and in nearby Kensington were left with no convenient way to purchase food. Since necessity is the mother of invention, the residents have come up with the idea of bringing a food co-op into their neighborhood as an answer to the question where will the food come from.

It appears that support for this idea has been building in recent weeks among the people of the neighborhood.  Ever since Walgreens bought out Key Food in June, organizers have been trying to get a food-buying group started. Last Tuesday night their efforts got an extra push when more than 100 people showed up for a meeting in support of the idea of a food-buying group for the residents of Kensington and Windsor Terrace.

No seats were left for meeting participants, showing organizers that their efforts have finally been rewarded.

“Going into the meeting, we were all thinking, ‘This may not sail,’ ” said organizer Jack O’Connell, 68. O’Connell added that he was “flabbergasted” by the hefty crowd that showed up at the Knights of Columbus Hall on 10th Avenue.

Listeria Found in Herring Product from Kensington

Herring Recall in Light of Listeria Contamination

A Kensington, Brooklyn food manufacture was forced to recall a herring product after it was discovered that Listeria monocytogenes were present in the food.

The company, Four Seasons Dairy, is located at 255 58th Street in Brooklyn. An announcement was made by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets that “Fillet Atlantic Recipe in Oil,” a Four Seasons herring product was being recalled.

The herring was packaged in a one-pound clear plastic tub with a white plastic lid. On the bottom of the item a label shows an expiration date of 12/11/12. The FDA says that the food product was being sold in a variety of New York City locations, but did not specify as to any names of shops.

So far no one has reported any illnesses as a result of the Listeria contamination, but the potential for harm is great. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and even deadly infections in young children, elderly and frail people and others who have weakened immune systems.

For those who are strong or who have intact immune systems the possibility of illness is high, including fever, stiffness, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. In pregnant women the infection of Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Anyone in possession of “Fillet Atlantic Recipe in Oil” from Four Seasons Dairy should throw the product away or return it to the store where it was bought. Consumers with questions can call 718-567-7877.

Teens Help Animals in Kensington Pet Haven Animal Hospital

Sofia and John

Sofia Annunziata is getting a reputation as a true animal lover. The thirteen-year-old Brooklyn girl spends her Saturday’s helping out on behalf of her organization New York City Teens for Animals at the Kensington Pet Haven Animal Hospital. Her and other teens volunteer there to help rescued animals that need medical attention.

“It makes me feel so happy when the animals get better and I get to see them blossom,” 

Sofia said. Sofia was recently noticed on Facebook when she attracted 5,000 fans to her page in which she documented the nursing back to good health of a beautiful black Labrador/Pit Bull mix named John that was first discovered barely alive in Brooklyn a month ago.

NYC Teens for Animals recently collected about $1,200 to save Sunny, a golden Pomeranian that is in need of surgery on one of her back legs, and another Pomeranian called Tina.

John, Tina and Sunny are just three of the many other lucky animals that receive Sofia’s special TLC. About one year ago Sofia helped raise money to buy a wheelchair for Timmy, a Shih Tzu that is paralyzed.

“Imagine how one teen can make such a difference,” said Pet Haven veterinarian Jill Caruso.