Local Food Bloomington

HOT TEA MONTH IN BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA

2012-01-12T08:30:00.013-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO EACH OF YOU! MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE POTABLE WATER AND DELICIOUS .HEALTHY FOOD AND GOOD COMPANY TO SHARE IT WITH!

January is HOT Tea Month and PATRICIA’S WELLNESS ARTS CAFÉ & Quilter’s Comfort Teas is celebrating with a "Name a Tea Contest"! Tea Blender, or more aptly, tisane blender, Patricia C. Coleman of Quilter's Comfort is settling in at 725 West Kirkwood Avenue with the introduction of 14 new certified organic Quilter's Comfort proprietary blends, as soon as possible, there will be an introduction of locally sourced blends!

One of the new teas being released does not have a name! Everyone making a purchase during the month of January can submit a name suggestion for the unnamed tea. Current teas include Patricia's Delicious, Cold Thyme, Orange Earl Green, Chamomile HipHop, Owl and Pussy Cat's Berry Green (now a staple at the Runcible Spoon) All Ears and others. The person submitting the name selected by our panel of judges, Ash Burgess, Noah Dadds and Betty Irvine, will receive one bag of tea each month through 2012!

Stop in and enjoy self-serve sampling of the new nameless tea, another tea; tea syrup and tea jelly. I know, some of you are saying "tea jelly?" I have never heard of such a thing. Patricia creates what she calls a "tea essence" from one of her blends and works that into jelly. Yes, every certified organic artisan tea blend is mirrored in jelly and syrup. One taster described the jelly and syrup as subtle, complex and layered. Another expressed how there is a long pleasant mid range of delicate flavors.

If you are in Bloomington, stop in Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe and experience what BLOOM Mag calls "A Cafe Life No Other". Not in Bloomington, Indiana and would love to taste these delicious and nutritious teas, you can place an order by calling . Visit the Quilter's Comfort website at http://www.quilterscomfort.com. They hope to have it up to date as soon as possible.

Blessings of delicious food,

Blueberries and Jam

2011-07-02T09:55:00.011-04:00

Blueberries June 2011

Walking up the gravel drive on a break away from the computer, out of no where, I thought to see how the blueberries were doing. I wanted to eat at least a bowl of them, maybe even ten. It actually was possible I might be able to eat a gallon or six or more. Maybe make a little jam. I thought that might be wishful thinking, with bird netting still waiting to be hung, and birds, well birds, and deer and raccoons and possibly other neighbor creatures always knew when any of the fruits, wild or cultivated were ripe and ready for picking.

Approaching the oldest of the blueberry bushes, each a good foot taller than I, the birds were on alert calling out in alarm, some daring to fly out toward me as I approached the bushes. It was easy to see why as I approached. There were berries ripe for picking. I turned away from the bushes toward the house where I a donned a hat and long sleeved shirt, choose a quart sized stainless bowl, then returned to the garden. Taking a moment to size up the ripe fruit, I went to one side and began picking. The air was filled with bird talk.

That bowl filled quickly and I returned to the house for a larger one. On the short walk back, blue jays and other winged ones swooped quickly in and out of the plants. As soon as the picking begun, I knew that I would have to pick whatever I could because once I walked away, those birds would be in there snatching for anything ripe for picking.

A few hours later, I‘d harvested enough blueberries to make one batch of jam plus a few pints for the pleasure of fresh eating. Since the birds were on to me, that was it for a while. That day onward, still uncovered, they consumed the berries as fast as they ripened. It is what I expected. Last year, well, last year, I recall enjoying maybe a single pint over the weeks of these plants season. The birds were not as generous with my sweet cherries. That is another story or a poem. There are a few berries coming on now, the bird covering is up, and I can take pleasure in eating a handful of two of warm from the branch berries. Smiling in remembrance as I sit down to blueberry rice waffle, , topped with fresh blueberry jam and a light sprinkling of fresh berries and a generous dollop of yoghurt, I am glad for whatever prompted me to check out the plants that day.

Patricia

© All rights reserved. For permission to reprint, contact Patricia at localfoodbloomington@gmail.com

Patricia C. Coleman (aka Food Fairy) has been exploring organic gardening and fruit cultivation of heirloom varieties since the mid 1970's. Early studies included sustainable agriculture practices of heirloom indigenous agricultural plants and practices that also introduced her to permaculture, edible landscaping and the Findhorn Garden. All work one does with love is a form of play and she enjoys many forms of play and is grateful for every opportunity she has to play in this glorious earth garden.

Food for Thought: A Heart-Healthy Menu of Songs presented by Voces Novae and Poetry by Members of the Bloomington Writers Guild

2011-05-12T14:10:00.003-04:00

I hope you will come out for "Food for Thought: A Heart-Healthy Menu of Songs and Poetry", Monday, March 16th at 7:30 in City Hall (the Showers Building).
This evening of delicious song and poetry of food is part of the Food for Thought a Traveling Exhibit visiting Bloomington, Indiana, offered by The Center on Aging and Community, and the Bloomington Food Policy Council.

Food for Thought: A Heart-Healthy Menu of Songs presented by Voces Novae and Poetry about Food by Lee Chapman, Patricia Coleman, Jenny Kander, Tonia Matthew, Patsy Rahn, Shana Ritter and Thomas Tokarski. of the Bloomington Writers Guild. The event begins at 7:30 pm

Food for Thought is an interactive exhibit, created by Indiana Humanities, will be on display at Bloomington’s City Hall from May 6 – 20, 2011 during regular hours (Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.). The Food For Thought traveling exhibit continues its adventure across the state when it makes a stop at Bloomington’s City Hall (in the Atrium) May 6 – 20. The Center on Aging and Community and the Bloomington Food Policy Council will partner to host the exhibit.

Stop by the exhibit (City Hall Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.) to learn about Hoosier food through the engaging displays, and take part in engaging programs to discover how Bloomington has contributed to Indiana’s food culture.

Morel Mushrom Haiku and Pictures

2011-05-06T11:02:00.007-04:00

A week ago Tuesday, my son in law and daughter visited for his birthday. Before coming in to say hello, they spent about ten minutes walking around the house and these are the beautiful morels they found in that short time!

I wrote a few (very quick)Haiku's to accompany them.

*********************************************************************************

Blessings of mushrooms to all.

Abundant Morels
Look before you take a step
Mushrooms everywhere

Morels cooking with
onions and garlic cozy
along the pans edge

Look at the size of
These morels tall, full fleshed
Delicate of taste

I want to bite these
Morel mushrooms all up, NOW
even uncooked

I know I am ahead of the season, yet, I am wondering if the Chanterelle's will be as abundant. If so, yum yum yum!

Food for Thought Traveling Exhibit in Bloomington, Indiana

2011-05-05T12:49:00.004-04:00

Food for Thought traveling exhibit. The Center on Aging and Community, and the Bloomington Food Policy Council are hosting the exhibit and a lineup of events connected to it.

Food for Thought is an interactive exhibit, created by Indiana Humanities, will be on display at Bloomington’s City Hall from May 6 – 20, 2011 during regular hours (Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.). The Food For Thought traveling exhibit continues its adventure across the state when it makes a stop at Bloomington’s City Hall (in the Atrium) May 6 – 20. The Center on Aging and Community and the Bloomington Food Policy Council will partner to host the exhibit.
Stop by the exhibit (City Hall Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.) to learn about Hoosier food through the engaging displays, and take part in engaging programs to discover how Bloomington has contributed to Indiana’s food culture.

~ May 6 (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.), there will be a Senior Expo story tent at the Twin Lakes Sports and Recreation Center, where you can share your own fun, touching, or ridiculous food stories with each other. Also on this day, check out the launch of Food Flix, an intergenerational filmmaking initiative, in Bellevue Gallery between 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
~May 7 and 14 (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.), head to the Food For Thought exhibit and pop by the Farmers Market as well.

~ May 7 (10 a.m.), anthropologist Anya Peterson Royce will discuss the history and culture of chocolate at 10 a.m. in the McCloskey Room, Bloomington City Hall. Did I mention there will be free samples? Finally, May 7 also includes a talk at 11:30 a.m. by Nancy Hiller called “From Producers to Consumers: The Hoosier Cabinet in Kitchen History.” Arrive by 11:25 a.m. for a chance to win the door prize, a freshly baked persimmon pudding made with homegrown fruit and a vintage Bloomington recipe! Nancy will be signing copies of her book, which would make a great Mother’s Day present.

~May 16 (7:30-8:30 p.m.), Food For Thought is bringing a heart-healthy menu of songs and poems all about food, presented by Voces Novae and the Writers Guild, to City Hall.

Attend the Inter-generational Picnic, held at Lake Lemon, on May 28 (3-6 p.m.).
Also on the schedule is a discussion about African-American food traditions in Indiana. Stay tuned for details!

Learn more about the Food for Thought traveling exhibit here. And, watch videos from the Story Silo,here.

Foods that Starve Cancer

2011-03-23T19:22:00.003-04:00

Foods that Starve Cancer
MEDICINAL FOOD NEWS~ July 2010 No.233 ~

Sometimes, big break throughs happen when you look at a problem from a new perspective. Instead of asking why does a cancer grow, medical researchers asked how does a cancer grow. This led to the observation that, for a cancer to grow, it needs to be fed. Each cell in our body is in direct contact with a blood vessel that brings it nourishment and takes away waste products. The same is true for a cancer cell. As a cancer grows and spreads, as the number of cancer cells multiplies, the blood vessel system supplying these new cells also has to grow. The cancer can only grow if each of its new cells has a blood vessel next to it to give it food. This process of new blood vessel growth (either for normal or cancer cells) is called angiogenesis. If angiogenesis is stopped, cells cannot grow. There are now some cancer specialists who believe to stop cancers from growing, stop angiogenesis.

Scientists have developed cell models of angiogenesis in the lab. They can now study factors that inhibit or slow down angiogenesis. Their findings show that many food and food ingredients are anti-angiogenic, they stop the growth of new blood vessels.

Although there are currently few clinical trials which have shown that the introduction of such anti-angiogenic foods into the diet can effectively slow down or stop cancer growth, the initial reports are very encouraging. The foods and beverages which have been identified so far would be very easy to incorporate into a "normal diet. Cancer patients looking for ways to accompany more traditional cancer treatments may want to start by adding anti-angiogenic foods to their diet.

Table 1: Foods and Beverages with Anti-angiogenic properties

Fruits: strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries oranges, lemons, apples, pineapples, cherries, red grapes

Vegetables:bok choy, soy beans, kale, artichokes, pumpkin, tomato

Sea food: tuna, sea cucumber
olive oil, grape seed oil

Spices:turmeric, nutmeg, parsley, garlic

Other:ginseng, dark chocolate

1. Additional reading
2. Dulak, L. 2005. Nutreaceuticals as anti-angiogenic agents: hopes and realities. J. Physiology Pharmacology, 56, Suppl 1, 51-691.

REPRINTED FROM Medicinal Food News - http://www.medicinalfoodnews.com/vol14/foods-that-starve-cancer

Interesting video -

GE Alfalfa: Brought To You By Land O'Lakes

2011-03-22T17:09:00.003-04:00

by Adriana Velez • March 02, 2011 Reprinted from Change.org

Topics:
• Dairy •
• Gene Modification •
• Ingredients & Labeling
• I can't believe it's that butter.
•

When most of us hear "genetically engineered (GE) seeds" we think of Monsanto. But the new Roundup Ready, GE alfalfa seeds that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) just deregulated were actually co-developed by Forage Genetics International, a subsidiary of butter producer, Land O'Lakes. And the company isn't shy about saying so, either: On January 27, Land O'Lakes posted Forage Genetics' press release announcing the deregulation.

• Forage Genetics is leasing their seed to Monsanto, so the deregulation of GE alfalfa is probably good news to Land O'Lakes' cooperative members. This kind of vertical integration (GE seeds for alfalfa fed to cows that produce milk for Land O'Lakes butter) is good for their bottom line. But is it good news to consumers?

• Survey after survey shows that consumers continue to be wary of GMOs. Just this week, MSNBC.com conducted a poll showing that a whopping 95.2 percent of respondents believe genetically modified foods should be labeled because "It's an ethical issue — consumers should be informed so they can make a choice." Just 3.7 percent say, "No. The U.S. government says they are safe and that's good enough for me." And an even smaller percentage of respondents (1.1 percent) are apathetic.

• Obviously this poll should not be mistaken for a scientifically rigorous study, but it is nonetheless revealing. If Land O'Lakes customers knew that the company's butter came from GMO-fed cows, would they choose a different brand? If they knew its subsidiary was developing genetically modified seeds, would they choose a different tub of butter?

• As a butter-lover who has purchased Land O'Lakes butter countless times, I say absolutely — I will buy a different brand of butter from now on.

• I started buying Land O'Lakes butter years ago when my favorite cooking magazine recommended it as the editors' favorite. I shop at a food co-op that carries it along with several other choices, including organic and smaller brands. Price notwithstanding, I'm going with the independently owned, organic butter from now on. As a member of an unapologetically butter-obsessed family, I can tell you that that's no small change.

• Clearly there are other dairy companies out there that exploit workers, don't treat cows humanely, pollute, and help manipulate dairy prices. There are many consumers who refuse to purchase dairy products at all out of protest to the entire industry. But Land O'Lakes doesn't care about those people — they care about their customers. And if their customers say no to GMOs, they may start listening. So vote with your dollars, butter lovers. And everyone, let's keep working toward larger change. Sign Food & Water Watch's petition asking the Obama Administration to protect farmers and consumers from Monsanto's GE crops.

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-monsantos-takeover-at-the-usda

http://www.care2.com/causes/real-food/blog/breaking-usda-approves-ge-alfalfa/

USDA Approved the Unrestricted Cultivation of Genetically Engineered (GE) Alfalfa

2011-03-22T16:59:00.004-04:00

Dear Readers,

Even with strong opposition form consumers, the organic community here and abroad , the USDA approved the unrestricted cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa. The measure included no requirements to prevent contamination of organic and non-GE crops and the regulation does not contain a provision to label so consumers will not be able to identify products made from the GE alfalfa and avoid if they choose to do so. For me and perhaps other with food, chemical and environmental allergies this poses a real dilemma. It also poses a problem for all organic growers and producers growing or using alfalfa as a feed as many EU countries will not allow any imports of GE crops or products that may be contaminated with GE crops. I will follow this note with an article reprint that will provide a clearer look at GE crops.

The organic community has spoken out almost universally against this decision, exemplified by statements from National Co-op Grocers Association (NCGA), the Center for Food Safety, EcoFarm, Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and the Organic Trade Association (OTA). OTA has provided a web page with talking points to help individuals quickly create an email or letter expressing opposition to the decision. It’s important that we all speak up to show that this decision is not acceptable and has not gone unnoticed. Please let the White House know that you do NOT support the deregulation of GE alfalfa!

Sign Food & Water Watch's petition asking the Obama Administration to protect farmers and consumers from Monsanto's GE crops.

Click here to say no to help stop monsanto's GEing our foodhttp://www.change.org/petitions/stop-monsantos-takeover-at-the-usda

Quilter's Comfort "Bluesy Green" tea at the Players Pub!

2011-03-17T18:43:00.007-04:00

This St. Patrick's night "Wear the Green, Enjoy the Blues"at the Players Pub as they introduce their new special tea: Players Pub's Bluesy Green" a Certified Organic herbal tea blended specially for them in Bloomington by Quilters Comfort. Quilter's Comfort blends organic herbs and teas in small batches. Quilter's Comfort's Patricia C. Coleman, tea blender, has been crafting herbal brews since the mid 1970's.

So stop by the Pub wearing your green and enjoy a cup of Bluesy Green tea on the house and of course there will also be some really good Blues music to enjoy.

For more information about the Pub, check out the Players Pub's calendar - http://www.theplayerspub.com/calendar.php

For more information about Quilter's Comfort visit http://www.quilterscomfort.com/

Winter Guild Gathering - Bloomington, Indiana

2011-01-11T23:07:00.004-05:00

Winter Guild Gathering, Saturday, January 22nd, 9AM to 5PM at Harmony School, 202 E. 2nd Street, Bloomington. For more information contact the Local Growers Guild or visit the Bloomington Winter Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings at Harmony. Wildcrafting and Mushroom Identification, Garden planning, community orchard and more.

Open Call For Papers - The Essential Principles of Small- and Mid-Scale Food Value Chain Development

2011-01-11T23:01:00.004-05:00

The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development announces
Two SPECIAL TOPIC Calls for Papers

The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development is the only international, online, peer-reviewed journal focused on the practice and applied research interests of agriculture and food systems development professionals and scholars. For details about JAFSCD (ISSN 2152-0801 online, quarterly) and author guidelines, visit www.AgDevJournal.com/submissions. Use our query form to submit a paper or concept for a paper.

The Journal welcomes articles at any time on any subject related to the development aspects of agriculture and food systems. Content can focus on:
• conservation and farmland protection
• value-adding
• cooperative marketing
• value chains
• distribution
• farm labor
• market research
• consumer decision‐making drivers, or
• other topics.

Upcoming calls for manuscripts:

The Essential Principles of Small- and Mid-Scale Food Value Chain
Development

Manuscripts are due
February 15, 2011

Food value chains (FVCs) are a hot topic among agriculture and food systems development professionals. In FVCs, farmers and ranchers are treated as strategic partners, not as interchangeable — and exploitable — input suppliers. Values-based food supply chains (value chains) are strategic alliances between farms, ranches, and other supply-chain partners who distribute rewards equitably across the supply chain. They can include farm-to-institutions (schools, hospitals, prisons), multiproducer processors and wholesalers, multifarm CSAs, food hubs, food webs and networks, and the like. All partners in these business alliances recognize that creating maximum value for the product depends on significant interdependence, collaboration, and mutual support. [1]

Papers can explore specific components within a chain (a farmer co-op or association), interactions of two or more links in a chain (farmers, wholesalers, processors, retailers, and eaters), or an entire chain. Examples include:
• Case studies of successful or failed FVC programs
• Research and education strategies that help build resilient FVCs
• How are FVCs playing a role in rural development?
• The role of FVCs in increasingly multifunctional rural landscapes
• Systematic analyses of key differences between FVCs and traditional food supply chains
• Local and global FVCs: influence of globalization on FVCs; should these be accepted or mediated?
• Overview analysis of the values chain sector (comparisons or outcomes across many cases)
• Implications of new food safety legislation on values chains
• Storage and transportation logistics
• Branding and geographical identity
• Performance and impact analysis
• Scaling up
• Building trust and transparency
• Business planning and/or record-keeping
[1] Adapted with permission from Stevenson, G. W., & Pirog, R. (2008). Values-based supply chains: Strategies for agrifood enterprises of the middle. In T. Lyson, G. W. Stevenson, & R. Welsh (Eds.), Food and the mid-level farm: Renewing an agriculture of the middle. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Food System Planning Theory and Practice

Manuscripts are due
April 20, 2011

Food Systems Planning is a nascent field in the planning profession. Until recently, planners have largely ignored the food production, distribution, and consumption sectors, considering them to be issues of the free market. However, bolstered by growing societal concerns about the equity and environmental sustainability of the global food system, planners are becoming increasingly engaged in local efforts to analyze and address food system challenges and opportunities.

In additional to planning professionals, food system planning is increasingly practiced by architects, landscape architects, and a growing number of nongovernmental organizations and public agencies. In this special topic focus, we encourage practicing planners and other professionals who are engaged in food system planning, as well as planning scholars and students, to submit applied research–based papers such as case studies, surveys, focus groups and the like as well as commentary and reflective essays on a wide range of topics.

Examples of topics include food deserts, swamps, and oases; siting of community gardens and public, farmers' and mobile markets,; development of food oases; innovations in emergency food assistance; retail access; regional planning and economic development related to farm and agribusiness retention and expansion; mapping of food distribution systems; farmland protection; metropolitan agriculture; food policy councils; or integrating food policy into state and federal agencies. As there is little attention paid to their work in the literature, rural planners are especially encouraged to submit manuscripts.

Thank you Local Food Readers

2010-12-31T12:14:00.005-05:00

May this brief end of the year note find you each well in every part of your life. Thank you for supporting Local Food Bloomington!

We hope to have new volunteers in 2011 and will continue to share local food information with you and improve on the Local Food Bloomington website, home to Local Food News, celebrating its 10th Anniversary!

Interested in supporting Local Food? Contact us with your ideas. Together we can share more about local food!

Send your tax deductible donations to:

Local Food Bloomington
P.O. Box 8172
Bloomington, Indiana 47407

Food Safety Bill - from Natural News

2010-12-31T12:11:00.001-05:00

NEW FOOD SAFETY BILL S.510
NaturalNews) Despite an incredible outpouring of public opposition to
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "Food Safety Modernization
Act", or S. 510, the Senate voted 73 to 25 to pass the bill anyway.
And data presented by Maplight.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research
organization, shows that big industry groups and large food producers
spent millions of dollars buying off Congressmen to garner support for
it. Senators that ended up supporting the bill received nearly $10
million in political contributions from interest groups.
http://www.naturalnews.com/030586_S_510_corruption.html

TOP TEN LIES ABOUT NEW FOOD BILL
Once again Mike Adams from Natural News has posted an article that
you should read outlining the top 10 lies (not the only ones) that
mainstream is spewing.
http://www.naturalnews.com/030587_Senate_Bill_510_Food_Safety.html

Call for Papers - Journal of Agriculture,Food Systems, and Community Development

2010-12-03T16:00:00.004-05:00

Journal of Agriculture,Food Systems, and Community Development

ATTENTION: Professionals Researchers Graduate Students

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Essential Principles of Small- and Mid-Scale

Food Value Chain Development

Manuscripts due February 15, 2011

For details about JAFSCD and author guidelines, visit www.AgDevJournal.com/submissions.

JAFSCD invites researchers, ag/food system development professionals, and others to submit applied research papers, critical reflection essays, commentaries, and other manuscripts that provide critical insights into small- and mid-scale food value chain development.

Food value chains (FVCs) are a hot topic among agriculture and food systems development professionals. In FVCs, farmers and ranchers are treated as strategic partners, not as interchangeable — and exploitable — input suppliers. Values-based food supply chains (value chains) are strategic alliances between farms, ranches, and other supply-chain partners who distribute rewards equitably across the supply chain. They can include farm-to-institutions (schools, hospitals, prisons), multiproducer processors and wholesalers, multifarm CSAs, food hubs, food webs and networks, and the like. All partners in these business alliances recognize that creating maximum value for the product depends on significant interdependence, collaboration, and mutual support.[1]

Research suggests that successful mid-scale FVCs are built on three foundations:

* Appropriate volumes of high-quality, differentiated, market-engaging food products, coupled with value-adding stories of people, land, and practices;
* Strategic partnerships based on trusting, transparent, and win/win business relationships; and
* Effective, efficient supply-chain management and logistics, including product marketing, aggregation, processing, distribution, and record-keeping.

Papers can explore specific components within a chain (a farmer co-op or association), interactions of two or more links in a chain (farmers, wholesalers, processors, retailers, and eaters), or an entire chain. Examples include:

* Case studies of successful or failed FVC programs
* Research and education strategies that help build resilient FVCs
* How are FVCs playing a role in rural development?
* The role of FVCs in increasingly multifunctional rural landscapes
* Systematic analyses of key differences between FVCs and traditional food supply chains
* Local and global FVCs: influence of globalization on FVCs; should these be accepted or mediated?
* Overview analysis of the values chain sector (comparisons or outcomes across many cases)
* Implications of new food safety legislation on values chains
* Storage and transportation logistics
* Branding and geographical identity
* Performance and impact analysis
* Scaling up
* Building trust and transparency
* Business planning and/or record-keeping

The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development is a NEW online-only international, peer-reviewed journal focused on applied research and best practices in the development of thriving farming communities and sustainable food systems. Peer reviewers include development practitioners, organization and agency staff, faculty, graduate students, consultants, and farmers from around the world with expertise in a wide range of agriculture and food-systems issues as they relate to community, ecological sustainability, and economic development. JAFSCD is online at www.AgDevJournal.com.

[1] Adapted with permission from Stevenson, G. W. and Pirog, R. (2008). Values-based supply chains: Strategies for agrifood enterprises of the middle. In T. Lyson, G. W. Stevenson, and R. Welsh (Eds.), Food and the Mid-Level Farm: Renewing an Agriculture of the Middle. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

OPEN CALL

The Journal welcomes papers at any time on any subject related to the development aspects of agriculture and food systems.

Content can focus specifically on conservation and farmland protection, value-adding, cooperative marketing, value chains, distribution, farm labor, market research, consumer decision-making drivers, and other topics. Authors are encouraged to submit applied research papers, commentary, and thought-provoking articles that inform the emerging field of agriculture and food systems development. Faculty and students, Extension and other educators, planners, consultants, staff with farm agencies and farm and community organizations, and farmers are invited to submit material.

For both calls, manuscripts should focus on the practical application of these innovations: the organization and mechanics of a program or strategy; engagement of stakeholders; challenges and unique solutions; impact analysis; and lessons learned. The Journal encourages "accessible scholarship" -- minimizing jargon, writing in the active voice, and addressing the interests of both practitioners and academics. These papers should inspire and inform new and existing community development efforts to establish and sustain farms. Papers that feature survey results with descriptive statistics, or case studies featuring best practices (or even post-mortem analyses), are highly encouraged.

The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development
is published by New Leaf Publishing and Consulting (www.NewLeafNet.com).

Bloomington Winter Farmers Market

2010-11-13T13:14:00.002-05:00

The Local Growers Guild presents The Bloomington Winter Farmers Market

Saturday mornings 9am – 12pm between December 4, 2010 and March 28, 2011

Fresh produce, meat, and dairy products
along with prepared foods, special events, and live music

For the first time this year, Bloomington residents will have continuous access to food grown by local farmers. As the Bloomington Community Farmers Market season winds down, the Local Growers Guild is kicking off its annual Bloomington Winter Farmers Market, which will be open on Saturday mornings between December 4 and March 28. Please help us spread the word about the extended season! Located in Harmony School at the intersection of 2nd and Woodlawn, the market will offer fresh produce, meat, and dairy products along with prepared foods, special events, and live music.

Available produce will include salad greens, kale, squash, mushrooms, herbs, potatoes and sweet potatoes, garlic, onions, chard, carrots, spinach, apples, and more. Farmers will offer locally raised beef, pork, chicken, and turkey, along with milk, yogurt, eggs, tofu, cheese, and breads. In addition to fresh foods, shoppers can purchase frozen vegetables, relishes, local grains, fresh flowers, fair trade coffee, seeds, organic soil amendments, and potted plants. There will also be a wide range of other farm products and holiday gifts, such as dried herbs, jam, kombucha, herbed vinegars, herbal teas, soaps and salves, fiber, wool, and wreaths.

Visit www.localgrowers.org for more information about the Bloomington Winter Farmers Market, including schedule and parking information, a full list of products and vendors, and recipes showcasing seasonal ingredients.

**PLEASE NOTE, the market will not take place on December 25th and January 1st.

Visit http://www.localgrowers.org/wintermarket.html for more info!

Local Food Upcoming Events

2010-08-31T11:59:00.008-04:00

Greetings All,

I hope you and all things connected with food are well in your lives. Going Local Week is almost her for Bloomington, Indiana!

Blessings of Food!

The Food Works Kitchen (Food Works for Middleway House) has been able to open its doors to other Community Food Grant Participants. Visit their website for more information and to join in the local food cooking fun!

~Going Local Week
September 6th - 11th - Eat one Indiana local food at each meal. Support Local Food Bloomington, make a tax-deductible donation to support the Local Food Directory. Send your donation to Local Food Bloomington, P.O. Box 8172, Bloomington, IN.

Events list from Local First and Local Growers Guild found at http://www.localgrowers.org/goinglocalweek.html

When you are out and about, stop by ROOTS on the Square and try a cup the local blend, Quilter's Comfort original.

Seed Saving
Thursday, September 16th 5:30pm-7:00pm
Location: Wylie House Museum
Join Sherry Wise of Wylie House to learn about our very own Bloomington heirloom garden and the historic Wylie House. Learn how to use open-pollinated heirloom varieties in your garden, and save your own seeds from year to year! This class is open to the public, with priority given to MHC patrons and volunteers. If there are additional spots 2 weeks before the class community members may sign up on a first come first serve basis. Donations suggested if possible. To register for this class contact Stephanie at stephanie@mhcfoodpantry.org or 355-6843.

Pantry Primer
Monday, October 11th 6:30pm-8pm
Location: MHC Conference Room
Ever wonder how some cooks seem to throw together the most tasty and nutritious meals and make it seem so simple? It all begins in the pantry and it can be done on a very tight budget! Come learn about healthy perishable and dry goods staples to keep on hand in the kitchen so that there is always something wholesome to eat. Includes a brief overview of natural cleaning supplies, and discussion on reading nutrition labels and ingredients lists. Feel free to bring in pantry items you would like to discuss. This class is open to the public, with priority given to MHC patrons and volunteers. If there are additional spots 2 weeks before the class community members may sign up on a first come first serve basis. Donations suggested if possible. To register for this class contact Stephanie at stephanie@mhcfoodpantry.org or 355-6843.

Vote Bloomington to win Tom's of Maine Grant!

2010-08-26T14:10:00.003-04:00

The Bloomington Community Orchard won the Edy's grant, and we're at it again!

We now have a chance at a $20,000 grant from Tom’s of Maine to hire an intern, build an eco-friendly shed, create wheelchair-accessible pathways, buy tools, and plant lots more fruit trees.

Please vote for the Orchard once per day from Aug. 3 to Sept. 10 at http://www.tomsofmaine.com/community-involvement/living-well/finalists-overview/poll?id *Please note that if multiple people are voting from a single computer, you will need to vote from different browsers.*

Also, people can vote for us from anywhere in the world, so please spread this message far and wide!

Here's to fruit for all!

For other information about the Bloomington Community Orchard, contact Amy Countryman, 812-679-8261; or visit the website at www.bloomingtoncommunityorchard.org

Link Problems

2010-08-09T10:09:00.003-04:00

Hello

I am not sure what is going on with my links (right column). Until I figure out why all of my links were going to a web host, I hope you will take the time to copy and paste the links into your browser. If you find a problem, please notify me.

Sincerely,

Patricia

October 1st deadline for Approved Good Husbandry Grants

2010-08-06T10:52:00.003-04:00

May this find you well and be of some use to those working with animals for food. May all animals be cared for.

ANIMAL WELFARE APPROVED GOOD HUSBANDRY GRANTS 2010

The deadline is October 1, 2010 to get in your application for a Good Husbandry grant for 2010-2011 grant season. This grant cycle will focus on improving farm animal welfare through expanding genetics adapted for outdoor production, increasing outdoor access, and maximizing welfare at slaughter. Projects that fall outside these area, but increase animal welfare will also be considered. Examples of projects that were funded in 2009 include: portable shelter for calves on pasture, mobile feeding equipment and breeding stock adapted for pasture-and range-based management. Detailed guidelines and a grant application are available on their website at www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org, or calling (202)546-5292.

Indiana’s Milton Frey Farm in Paoli was recently accepted into the Animal Welfare Approved program. Animal Welfare Approved is the only free and independent certification that means healthy, safe, environmentally responsible and humanely raised outdoors on a family farm.

Violet Wine Fermentation Picture

2010-07-30T11:38:00.005-04:00

I finally went through some of my images and found the picture I took of the beginning stages of fermentation for the Violet Wine I made this spring! I love the colors and all of the bubbles!

It took me so long to get the image here, the fermentation process has stopped and the wine is now waiting to be bottled!

NAP Credits Now Available!

2010-07-29T16:14:00.002-04:00

NAP Credits Now Available!

Mother Hubbard's Cupboard (Bloomington, Indiana) is pleased to announce that we have been awarded $9,765 in Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits from the State of Indiana to give away to donors like you. This means that MHC has the opportunity to solicit $19,530 in contributions to support our food assistance program. Last year we sold out of NAP Tax Credits very early and we anticipate the same this year. Act now to take advantage of this great opportunity, and choose what your tax dollars support.

When you donate to MHC under the NAP Program, you can receive a credit against your state tax liability equal to 50% of your gift. This means that if you donate $1,000 you can take a $500 credit on your 2010 Indiana State Tax form.

Eligible donations must be $100 or more and dated July 1, 2010 or later. Forms are available on our website www.mhcfoodpantry.org.

Take advantage of the NAP Credit program and make a generous donation to help MHC provide 1,877 healthy bags of groceries to individuals in need every week. We thank you in advance for your commitment to help relieve hunger and improve nutrition for all people in our community.

4H Small Animal Auction

2010-07-27T21:36:00.001-04:00

It may be hot, but the Fair Goes On! If you are seeking small animals, visit with the 4H Youth!

4H Small Animal Auction
Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Rabbits
July, 31 2010 10AM to 1 PM
Monroe County Fair Grounds Poultry Barn
All birds come from NPIP tested flocks

Local Food News Updated!

2010-07-07T12:23:00.005-04:00

Greetings,

May this find you well and may all of us who have enough to eat and drink, be thankful!

Last week Local Food News - http://www.greendove.net/foodnews.htm was updated. Idon't know why there are gaps, but you may find somethings of interest there.

As always, please send us your local stories (going local to us extends to all of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, as well as topics that are of concern to all of us.

Also, our sister, Indiana Holistic Health Network recently published a new Healing CRANE Newsletter at http://www.indianaholistichealth.net/newsletter.htm

A new recipe has also been added, Stovetop Quiche and will be posted here later. I will also be adding a picture to the Violet Wine article.

Thanks for your time.

Good Food and Good Water

Officials Dedicate Middle Way House and Food Works Business

2010-06-29T08:48:00.004-04:00

-This is a great boon to the citizens of Monroe County! I wasn't able to be there in body, but was present in spirit! I am looking forward to seeing how things settle down and what businesses come through the Incubator Kitchen (see previous note about Incubator Projects). I also send a congratulations to everyone who worked on this project, and a special thanks to Donna Storm for the amazing balancing act she has been performing for years to facilitate the workings of Food Works and this move to the Coke Building!

Officials Dedicate Middle Way House and Food Works Business

By Thomas Conti
Published: Jun 24, 2010
http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/middle-house-dedication/

Early Wednesday night, the old Coca-Cola building in downtown Bloomington officially opened its doors for the dedication of the new Middle Way House and Food Works business.

For five years, the New Wings Community Partnership collected over 6 million dollars – 3 million from private donors alone – to complete the project. In 2005, the Middle Way House purchased the old Coca-Cola building with the hopes of increasing accessibility as well as expanding the opportunities for the women of Middle Way.

In response to holding the dedication of the New Wings Project, Chair of the New Wings Community Partnership Laurie McRobbie said, “It means we did it. I mean we found the support in a lot of different ways. Like every non-profit we look for sources of support everywhere we can find them.”

Donations from local government, businesses, organizations, and community members made it possible for the new Middle Way House to be finished.

“I think the power of the vision for this building, the power of what Middle Way is and what it can continue to be and become really drew supporters to this so it means of all that. It means we’re doing something important for the women who get the services from Middle Way, it also means we’re doing something important for Bloomington,” said McRobbie.

The new Middle Way House also means a new location for Food Works, a full service catering business owned and operated by Middle Way. Donna Storm is the Business and Operations Manager for Food Works for Middle Way House.

“We’re getting together with a lot of people in the community that have a lot of the same interests and we have a lot of the same goals and at the same time we can provide additional jobs to women to help them transition away from situations that have been hurtful to them in the past,” Storm said.

Food Works has benefited from the donations and volunteers in the community as it is a branch of the Middle Way House.

“It’s been pretty exciting, meeting all the people in the community that have a real interest in local food, local businesses, helping the Middle Way House.”

Over the next few weeks Food Works, the New Wings Community Partnership, and the Middle Way House will work together to move slowly into the new building.

IN FOOD News

2010-06-28T07:56:00.013-04:00

Hello,

I hope you are embracing the beauty of this season and the increased opportunities to go-local! Take a walk through the Farmers Market, and not only will you be subjected to a visual feast, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy seeing so many people enjoying one another, as much as they are enjoying the produce surrounding them.

At the Great Unleashing back in April, interest groups were formed by people interested in pursuing the transition of our local food system. Click here for connections to Transition Bloomington and other Community Building resources

Local Food News, (#3 in a recent Google Search) of Local Food Bloomington (#1 search for a few years) has recently been updated on the web. Local Food Fairy looks forward to your comments, and appreciates your tax deductible donations in support of the oldest local food resource in Bloomington, Indiana.

In the current update, you will find something about Farmers and their fight against Monsanto, Dairy Labels, the Food Supply Chain, water, organic wines and much more.

As always, there is a lot happening in the area of local food. The Bloomington, Indiana Farmers markets are bustling with diverse beauty and delectable abundance.

For information about
Bloomington, IN Farmers Markets, CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture
Indiana Farmers Markets
Gardening Resources
Community Food Resources

Are you a market gardener, local food shopper, observer of local foods growth in the area? We want to hear from you. Send us pictures, reviews, stories, and other information about going local with food and all things connected to share.

Also, our sister, Indiana Holistic Health Network - http://www.indianaholistichealth.net, recently published a new Healing CRANE Newsletter which you may find of interest. http://www.indianaholistichealth.net/newsletter3-3.htm.

Bloomington, Indiana is a city going-local in many areas! Let us know what you are interested in and share what you know because it may be an inspiration to others.

Save Bradford Woods for MCCSC - Food for the Children

2010-04-19T18:22:00.003-04:00

(I think of this place as food to nuture awareness of being and place.

Save Bradford Woods for MCCSC

For more than fifty years, Monroe County fifth graders have been spending time in the woods, enjoying nature and learning about ecosystems and the need to conserve resources. This year, the school corporation has eliminated all funding for future trips to Bradford Woods. A grassroots action organization,"Save Bradford Woods for MCCSC," has formed to raise funds to reinstate Bradford Woods outdoor education program in the Monroe County schools budget for the coming year. The need is urgent and immediate: $40,000 must be raised by May 15th to enable Monroe County fifth-graders to attend Bradford Woods in 2010--2011.

Concerned citizens can donate online directly to the MCCS Foundation via their website (https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/FoundationofMonoreCountyCommun/OnlineGiving.html). To ensure that online donations are targeted to support the Bradford Woods campaign, donors must a) select "Designated Gift" in the "Purpose of Gift" pull down menu, AND b) type "Bradford Woods" in the "Related Gift Information" field.

Additionally, starting Monday, April 19, all Bloomingfoods cash registers will be equipped with the means to enable customers to donate funds to the MCCSC Foundation earmarked specifically for Bradford Woods.

“Save Bradford Woods for MCCSC” encourages all concerned citizens to join this effort to ensure that local schoolchildren continue to benefit from the experience of outdoor education. In this time of crises in the environment and in children’s health, outdoor education has never been more important. The time to act is now! Join with us to save Bradford Woods for MCCSC!

For more information or to get involved check us out on Facebook (Save Bradford Woods for MCCSC) or visit the Support Public Education in Monroe County booth at the Farmer’s Market.

Bedford Farmer's Market Vendor Sign-up Open House

2010-04-19T18:19:00.000-04:00

On April 20, 2010 - Bedford Farmers' Market Vendor Sign-up Open House - The Bedford Farmers’ Market will be holding a vendor open house at the Purdue Extension office, 924 16th Street, Bedford on Tuesday, April 20th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to register new and returning vendors for the 2010 market season. Vendor contracts will be distributed, a brief orientation will be conducted, WIC sign-up information will be available, and market representatives will be on-hand to answer questions. For more information, contact Jack Clark at (812)834-5345. Presenter: Farmers' Market Board. Contact: Jack Clark-(812)834-5345. Age Range: All Ages. Tuesday, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Purdue Extension office, 924 16th Street, Bedford.

victory Gardens: Our once and Future Food Security - Talk

2010-04-19T18:17:00.001-04:00

Victory Gardens: Our once and Future Food Security - April 21st This talk will give a brief overview of the history of victory gardens and their contribution to American food security, followed by a proposal to reintroduce them to enhance contemporary food security. Resources for successful victory gardening will be provided. Part of a week long series of events for Earth Day sponsored by the City Commissions on Sustainability, Historic Preservation and the Environment. Presenter: Dr. Michael SImmons, Bloomington Parks and Recreation. Contact: simmonsm@bloomington.in.gov. Age Range: Adults. Wednesday, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. McCloskey Room City Hall 401 N. Morton Bloomington.

The Art of CHOCOLATE, Signature Truffles at The Venue

2010-04-19T18:16:00.000-04:00

The Art of Chocolate, Signature Truffles at the Venue On Tuesday, April 20th, beginning at 6:00pm. The Venue Fine Art & Gifts will host a demonstration of the creation of one’s own Signature Chocolate Truffle. You will be instructed in how to take a fine quality Chocolate Truffle, coat it with tastes and spices of your own choosing, to create a wonderful chocolate taste that is uniquely your own. Your Signature Truffle. All you have to do is show up. Everything else, including chocolate, spices, tastes, gloves and wine, will be provided. The only limit is your imagination. This demonstration is presented by The Venue and students from the Human Computer Interaction Division, Department of Informatics, Indiana University. Presenter: The Venue, Fine Art & Gifts. Contact: David or Gabriel Colman. Cost: Free. Ticket Phone: 812-339-4200. Tuesday, , 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. The Venue, Fine Art & Gifts 114 S. Grant St Bloomington IN 47408.

Spring and Lovely Violets!

2010-04-10T13:56:00.005-04:00

A few days ago, while in conversation with a friend over the telephone, I looked out at a yard literally covered with violets. In that moment, I decided to once again make a batch of violet wine. Looking toward the sky, I knew that I must pick my blossoms before leaving the house that next day. After gathering my herbal notebook to review my previous violet wine making notes, I saw that it had been eleven years since the last batch was made. The next day after morning coffee and chores, I went out to the least walked areas and began picking violets. I picked the violet blossoms into a glass measuring cup. Gathering it full one after another glass measuring cup full, until I six cups of slightly pressed down flowers (more like seven cups or so)had been gathered; enough to make three gallons of wine, now into its third day of covered fermentation.

I love the citrus yeasty smell and the sound of the bubbling, popping sound of yeast feeding. I am reacquainting myself with the fact of violet flowers and leaves as a really great source of Vitamin C, and easily make a nice addition to salads or steamed vegies, or soup dishes.

I'll gather a few cups of violet flowers and leaves for drying, for use in soups and seasoning this winter.

COMMUNITY ORCHARD IN BLOOMINGTON!

2010-04-03T17:19:00.002-04:00

Edy's Ice Cream is giving away a free orchard, and in Bloomington the
necessary space has already been donated, and the fresh fruit from the orchard
would go to a local food bank!

You can help make this happen.

All you need to do is vote electronically: Go to Edy's website at

http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Plant/Index - click 'list by state',
find Indiana in the list, click on Bloomington, enter your name and
email address and click on "Plant my Vote".

The city that gets the most votes, gets the orchard. Btown is in a
neck-and-neck race with one other place! Please vote for Bloomington
today and every day through the end of August, using the e-mail addresses in your household.

Thanks! and Pass it on...

Animal Welfare Approved

2010-03-16T08:39:00.002-04:00

Received their publication this week. May this be of use to many! Please share! Animal Welfare Approved – http://www.AnimalWelfareApproved.org
This organization offers Good Husbandry Grants. It is the only free and independent certification that means healthy, safe, environmentally responsible and humanely raised outdoors on a family farm. AWA provides a practical certification that has real value for speciality marketing. To apply visit their website or call 202-546-6292

The Great Unleashing - Bloomington Workshop

2010-03-16T08:37:00.001-04:00

The Great Unleashing - Transition Town Bloomington, Indiana -Workshop, April 24th -- 9:30am to 5:30pm Saturday - Building Community Resilience and Self-Reliance for Transition at Bloomington City Hall - Showers Building, a day of celebration, education, and action. This day will be followed by working groups addressing the details of our future. Transition Bloomington is working to unite the people of Bloomington to create a more resilient community, able to deal with the challenges of peak oil, climate change, and economic collapse. We expect that this process will also create a more connected and joyful community. http://transitionbloomingtonind.ning.com/

Grants for Indiana Organic Farms - April 1 due date!

2010-03-16T08:35:00.001-04:00

Feds offer Indiana $767K for state's organic farms - Indianapolis, IN - The Natural Resources Conservation Service will accept applications from organic producers or producers in transition to organic farming until April 1. The Associated Press - Email michelle.anthony@wndu.com
Indiana's organic farmers can compete for nearly $767,000 in federal funds under a new push to encourage conservation on the state's organic farms.
The funding announced Monday is part of the USDA's Environmental
Quality Incentives Program. State Conservationist Jane Hardisty says helping the nation's organic farmers is one of the priorities of the 2008 Farm Bill.
Eligible organic producers can compete for the funding, which can go toward conservation crop rotation, planting filter strips along waterways to filter out sediments and other uses.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service will accept applications from organic producers or producers in transition to organic farming until April 1, 2010.

Local Food Dinner - Simply Healthy Fair/Expo Update!

2009-10-26T08:30:00.002-04:00

Our second annual Local Food Dinner is another delicious affair. Those who have enjoyed food prepared by Food Works, know what I mean. I am looking forward to this dinner and the presentations!

LOCAL FOOD DINNER fundraiser co-sponsored by Food Works for Middle Way House. Enjoy a four course dinner, dessert and beverages and hear local practitioner Kellie Osmon speaking on Healing Properties of Foods, and others on their produce and products.

Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Reservations,
$35 - Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 6:00pm.

Tickets available for purchase at Wandering Turtle Art Gallery, Bloomingfoods stores, Simply Healthy: Creating Sustainable Communities website at http://www.simplyhealthyfair.net/tickets.htm and Food Works for Middle Way House - http://foodworksforlocalfood-efbevent.eventbrite.com

2nd Annual Local Food Dinner Update!

2009-10-18T17:01:00.005-04:00

Greetings All,

In just a few short weeks we will enjoy the 2nd annual Local Food Dinner co-sponsored by Food Works for Middle Way House!

On Friday, November 13th, at 6:00pm, "Simply Healthy: Creating Sustainable Communities" Simply Living Fair and Wellness Expo presents the LOCAL FOOD DINNER co-sponsored by Food Works for Middle Way House. The dinner will again take place in the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane. This year Dr. Kellie Osmon, a Bloomington Acupuncturist, Herbalist and Chinese Medicine Doctor will be speaking on the "Healing Properties of Foods". Her talk will address foods role in health and specifically some of the healing attributes of the foods prepared for this feast! Again, some local growers and producers will be on hand to speak about their products. This event is a fundraiser.

The cost of the dinner is the same as last year, only $35. We hope that keeping the fee low will make it easier for a wider spectrum of our community to join us. Tickets are now on sale and available at Wandering Turtle Art Gallery and Bloomingfoods Grocery Stores; and through the Simply Healthy website at http://www.simplyhealthyfair.net/tickets.htm.

We hope you will join us!

Green Drinks Bloomington

2009-09-16T12:34:00.003-04:00

Every fourth Wednesday is Green Drinks in Bloomington, IN. I have attended many of these informative network meetings. Each has been different and filled with some really interesting people. There is also an opportunity to make an amazingly brief announcement about "green" related activities and events. I have made a few. Hope to see you there some month.

State Representative Matt Pierce will give a legislative preview of issues expected to be before the legislature that impact renewable energy in Indiana and update constituents on other state and federal initiatives that relate to energy efficiency and renewables.

Green Drinks Bloomington is a lively, informal social networking event for people from all walks of life who are interested in making a greener world. Folks gather every month to share libations and ideas, discuss, debate, explore and make new friends and business connections.

There's a $5 suggested donation, some food will be provided.

Bring a friend along!
Upland Brewery Banquet Facility
350 West 11th St.
Bloomington, IN 47404 US

2nd Annual Local Growers Guild Harvest Dinner

2009-09-16T12:09:00.000-04:00

2nd Annual HARVEST DINNER
An elegant five-course meal featuring locally-grown food by talented chefs.

WHAT: Five local chefs are paired with farmers to present this one-of-a-kind event, celebrating the abundance of Indiana’s fresh, in-season foods. Diners will enjoy a delicious five-course meal while listening to participating growers and chefs share their thoughts on the ingredients and preparation of each course.

Participating farms include: Harvest Moon Flower Farm, Fiedler Family Farms, Grass Harvest, Homestead Growers, The Chile Woman, Meadowlark Organic Farm, Stranger's Hill Organics, and Capriole.

Featured chefs will be Corbin Morwick, One World Enterprises, Bob Adkins, FARMbloomington, Neil Riley & Chris Blinde, Upland Brewery, Greg "Rags" Raggo, Nick's English Hut. Wine & beer will be generously donated by Upland Brewery & Oliver Winery.

WHERE: Upland Brewery Banquet Facility, 350 W. 11th St.

WHEN: Thursday, October 29. Doors open at 5:30 pm and dinner will begin promptly at 6 pm.

HOW MUCH: Tickets for LGG members are $68; $75 for non-members. Or, purchase a table for 10 for a 10% discount off the $75 price. Tickets go on sale October 1 at all Bloomingfoods locations, Upland Brewery, and Wandering Turtle Art Gallery and Gifts. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Local Growers Guild.

WHY: Savor fresh, in-season foods prepared and grown by Southern Indiana's finest chefs & farmers. Help the Local Growers Guild grow and sustain a strong and vibrant local foods economy. This event will culminate our fall membership drive. For more information about joining the Local Growers Guild, go to www.localgrowers.org.

EVENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY: The Local Growers Guild. In addition, this event is made possible through the support of our featured chefs & farmers, Cartridge World, Indiana Memorial Union, Bloomingfoods Market & Deli, Harmony School and Wandering Turtle Art Gallery & Gifts.

ABOUT THE LOCAL GROWERS GUILD: The Local Growers Guild is a cooperative of farmers, community members and retailers dedicated to strengthening the local food economy in southern Indiana through education, direct support and market connections.

For more information about the Local Growers Guild, visit www.localgrowers.org.

CONTACT:
Katie Zukof, Assistant Director
812-340-9400
katie@localgrowers.org

Vegan RAWLUCK - Free August 16th

2009-08-11T11:39:00.001-04:00

FREE!! VEGAN RAWLUCK: SUN AUG. 16 2PM-5ishPM

Also Don't Miss :
"Indianapolis Star" Raw Foods article featuring Bloomington Raw! July 23 edition
Here is the link to the article if you missed it:
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090723/LIVING01/907230315/1083/LIVING01/In+the+raw

Also a show on August 12 with an extended interview only available on the website: eartheats.org.

3) Upcoming Raw Foods Demos and Seminars in Indy at Whole Foods!! see details below :-)

4)NEXT FREE!! Bloomington Raw! RAWLUCK:
SUN Aug 16 2-5ish PM @ Kathie's Again
Same Location: The Gullick residence, 505 South Meadowbrook Drive, 47401.
Meadowbrook is a few streets east of Bloomingfoods east. Look for
white house on a hill with a white picket fence, long narrow drive.

Parking: best on street, unless you don't mind getting parked in for the entire event,
probably good idea to bring chairs.
:-) BRING OWN PLATE/BOWL/CUP AND CHOPSTIX/FORK/SPOON :-)
This is a ***zero trash event***, no paper plates please!!!!

New to Raw Foods? Just bring yourself or a simple bowl of fruit,
there will be plenty of food. For recipes see www.living-foods.com .

July Rawluck was a marvelous experience of harmonious celebration, music, the most AMAZING nutritious spread of food in IN if not the universe. The joy and healing contained fierce grace in action. Take a front seat to the GLOBAL CHANGE IN CONSCIOUSNESS! and treat yourself to the best Bloomington RAW! has to offer.
LOOKING FOR September HOST.....contact Andy

AGAIN ENJOY!! Bhakti Yoga Devotional Kirtan Sound Healing Group
"Baraka"
will again help us devote our love for the divine miracle of FOOD!
On Namo Shivaya!!
Jai Hanuman!!

There will also be a FREE DEMO by Raw Andy to learn how to make your own
Probiotic Coconut Milk Kefir!!

Thanks to the Gullicks for hosting our group last month and again this month!!

Indy Whole Foods Raw Events:
1)Raw Food Sampling
Eighty-Sixth St.: Saturday, August 8th, 12-2pm
FREE
Join Kathie Gullick, Live Food Chef, and Andy Reed, Living Foods Educator & Acupuncturist, for delicious recipes and information on living foods. Kathie and Andy together have over 50 years of experience in Living Foods and Healing with Foods. Enjoy samples of a Dark Green Smoothie (great for breakfast or a snack), a Chai Cashew NutShake and Jicama fries with Raw Ketchup. (Sampling event. No RSVP needed.)

2)Raw-some Cuisine
Carmel: Thursday, August 13th, 6-7:30pm
FREE
Join Kathie Gullick, Live Food Chef, and Andy Reed, Living Foods Educator & Acupuncturist, for delicious recipes and information on living foods. Enjoy samples of Raw Coconut Curry Salad, Raw Chocolate Cashew Mylk Shake and a Raw Peach Cobbler. Kathie and Andy together have over 50 years of experience in Living Foods and Healing with Foods. You won’t want to miss this! Please RSVP at 569.1517. Leave message for Sarah Smith.
RECIPES AND PICS FROM JULY
__________________________________________________________________________________
Sprouted Quinoa Tabouleh
Sprouted Quinoa (soaked for 24 hours, rinsed once at 12 hours)
Tomatos
sea salt
lemon juice
chopped fresh mint
diced burdock root
diced cucumber
chopped parsley\
minced garlic
minced ginger
minced Jalapeno
Olive Oil
______________________________________________________________________
Sesame Milk
Blend one cup Soaked Whole Hull Black and White Sesame seeds
with 1/4 cup Coconut Oil, one Banana, and tsp dulse/kelp
________________________________________________________________________
Andy's Organic Peach Cobbler
7 Peaches sliced thin
Crust
3c walnuts
1c dried apricots

Sauce
2 Peaches
5 Dates
Cinn nutmeg 2:1 ratio to taste
1 tsp finely grated Lemon peel
Tbsp hydrated kelp
Press crust into 1/4 inch or more layer at bottom of cake pan, lay in thinly sliced peaches, cover with sauce!
_________________________________________________________
Andy's Ice cream

Ingredients:
One Vanilla bean chopped fine
16 Medjool dates
600 ml of chilled pure water
4 cups of soaked chilled cashews
Directions:
Blend the cashews with the water to create cashew milk.
Add in remaining ingredients and blend well.
Pour into an ice-cream maker and process until ready to eat OR pour into a freezable container with a lid and freeze.
__________________________

Falafels

clove of garlic
3 dried portobello mushroom caps broken
1 c. zuchini
Buzz well and put in a bowl.
3/4 c. almonds soaked overnight and drained, and buzzed then add:
3/4 c. sunflower seeds
1 tbl. white miso
1 tbl. tahini
Buzz really well and add to the bowl.
2 ears corn kernels
Buzz slightly and then add and buzz a little more:
1 tbl. ground flax
1/3 c. sprouted buckwheat
shake of hot paprika
a palm of dried mint
a palm of chives
2 tsp. ground cumin

Mix everything very well, and mash it down with a spatula or spoon. It sticks pretty well, especially if you let it sit for a little with a plate on top of it. Make balls, and dehydrate on aerated tray. 3 hours later, Turn balls on the slatted tray to dehydrate as much as desired. Voila!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Watermelon Soup

Blend watermelon, cilantro, pineapple, mint, and a tiny bit of agave nectar or raw honey.You can even use the scooped out watermelon for a serving bowl.

Bloomington Raw! Raw and Living Foods Group Mission:
Bloomington Raw! is a FREE local eco-nutrition group that meets to have raw
potlucks (rawlucks) at least once a month. Bloomington Raw! mission is
to promote consciousness, compassion, and respect for humanity and the
Earth. We promote the connection between diet and personal
consciousness, including environmental impacts of dietary choices. We
promote the health benefits of simple vegan raw and living foods,
inspiration for healthy dietary transition, and respect diversity of
all personal dietary choices and paths. Bloomington Raw! is open to all
who are curious about or enthusiasts of living foods and the raw vegan
lifestyle, promoting inclusion of local, organic, and wild foods
whenever possible.
BloomingtonRaw is sponsored by Center for Sustainable Living,
www.simplycsl.org

--
Om Namah Shivaya

Contact Andy Reed, L. Ac., Dipl. Ac. NCCAOM
Living Foods and Ancient Folk Healing
Wind-River Acupuncture
windriveracupuncture@gmail.com

Call Hershey to ask for more Fair Trade Certified Chocolate In the Us

2009-07-27T12:18:00.005-04:00

Action: Call Hershey to ask for more Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate in the US

Earlier this spring, Green Business Network told its members how Cadbury is taking steps to bring more Fair Trade chocolate to Europe via its popular Dairy Milk bar. But there's still no conventional US chocolate company that is stepping up to make Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate widely available on US supermarket shelves.

Green America Business Network members have led the way (companies like Divine, Equal Exchange, Ithaca Fine Chocolates, Sweet Earth Organics, and Theo Chocolates), and it's time for the conventional companies to follow. Hershey needs to take a stand against abusive child labor in the cocoa supply chain, and the best way to do that is to go Fair Trade.

Why Hershey?

* For years, major chocolate companies have known that the worst forms of child labor and trafficked labor are used in the production of the cocoa beans they purchase from West Africa, particularly Cote d’Ivoire. Many companies use third-party certification programs in order to ensure that certain labor and environmental standards are met in the production of the cocoa they use in their chocolate. There are a number of certification programs related to cocoa production and many of them involve labels that communicate to consumers what standards were used in the production of the cocoa they are about to enjoy.

* This past March, Cadbury announced that it would achieve Fair Trade certification for its Dairy Milk bar (the top selling chocolate bar in the UK) in England and Ireland by the end of this summer, with plans to expand Fair Trade cocoa further in their product line.

* Major chocolate companies like Mars, Cargill, Heinz, Kraft and Starbucks have all agreed to various certification programs for their cocoa. While some of these programs do include labor rights standards, they are not as strong and comprehensive as they need to be to ensure workers’ rights are protected. They also do not address the problem of the low prices paid to cocoa farmers for their beans – a critical component of why child labor persists in this sector.
* Fair Trade certification ensures that farmers are both able to meet the basic needs of their families and to continue to grow cocoa in the future by offering a fair price for cocoa. Fair Trade provides a path for farmers to increase their livelihoods and improve labor and environmental conditions in cocoa production. Fair Trade also has additional benefits like encouraging the development of democratic cooperatives where farmers have a greater voice in the market.

* On the other hand, Hershey has not agreed to any third-party certification programs for their cocoa supply. Additionally, Hershey owns the license to produce Cadbury products in the US. Hershey is well placed to be a leader in Fair Trade cocoa sourcing for US consumers, but they need to know that we want our chocolate to be Fair Trade Certified™! More on website.

When you call Hershey today, you'll be joining with Fair Trade supporters across the country who want to see US chocolate companies upholding a higher standard for their supply chains. (If you place a call, please e-mail us later and let us know how it went.)

Find phone numbers and a sample calling script "
Find Fair Trade chocolate companies (and other retailers) in our business network to support "
Download or order our Fair Trade Guide "

"Jamfest" Saturday

2009-07-17T17:12:00.002-04:00

Playful “Jammin’”for a Serious Cause
Saturday, July 18th, 6-10pm at the John Waldron Arts Center in Bloomington, IN
4 HOURS
of PEACE
& MUSIC
& FUN

Phone: 812-336-8677 - Admission: $10 for students and low income; $15 for adults; $25 for a couple; $50 for a family.

JamFest for Community Justice and Mediation Center Offers Family Friendly Evening of Local Talent

Read more about JamFest and Community Justice and Mediation Center in Bloomington, Indiana

BLOOMINGTONRAW Recipes and Pics from June Rawluck

2009-07-14T09:43:00.003-04:00

Recipes and Pics from June Rawluck:
___________________________________________________________
Raw Pasta Alfredo with Vegan Sausage Bits

Sausage (recipe from the Boutenkos):
1 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 head lettuce
1/2 cup olive oil
5 cloves garlic
1/2 cup onion powder
1 tbsp caraway seeds
1 tbsp dired sage
1/2 bunch fresh basil
Blend all ingredients in food processor, shape into bits or
patties. (This recipe made about twice as much as I put into the dish
I brought. Also, recipe is very sticky - it helps to put the shaped
bits into the dehydrator for an hour or so at 105 degrees to make them
easier to handle.)

Pasta:
2 small zucchini, spiralized or sliced or shredded into
spaghetti-like pieces.
(In hindsight I would have put this in a strainer for twenty
minutes or so, since the liquid from the zucchini watered down my
sauce more than I would have liked!)

Alfredo Sauce (recipe from Jackie Ayala & David Steinberg):
1/2 cup organic stone-crushed olive oil
1 drop each therapeutic grade basil, thyme, and oregano essential oils
water and meat of 1 young Thai coconut
1/3 cup citrus juice blend (I used orange and lime)
1 tbsp Celtic sea salt
2 large cloves garlic w/ skins
1/2 cup macadamia nuts
In glass bowl combine olive oil and essential oils.
In vita-mix blender, combine coconut water and meat, citrus juice
blend, salt and garlic. Blend on "5" until mixture is smooth. Slowly
add macadamia nuts while machine is running and increase speed to "9."
Scrape sides to be sure everything is well blended. Turn speed down
to "7," add olive oil, and continue to blend for another 5 seconds.
(Sauce will be warm from all the blending - be careful with the
vita-mix not to blend too long or sauce will get too hot to be raw!)

Arrange pasta in serving dish, pour alfredo sauce over top, then drop
sausage bits on top of sauce. Enjoy!
_________________________________________________________________
Maggie's Raw Berry Pie
Crust:
Almonds Dates Coconut Lemon Juice
Filling:Cinnamon, black rapberries, red rasspberries, blueberries,
peaches, and a pinch of salt
___________________________________________________________________
Cabbage w/Ginger
Cabbage
Carrot
Bockchoy
avacado
lemon juice
celtic sea salt
grated ginger
ground cumin
cayenne
grapeseed oil
filtered water
_______________________________________________________________________
Simple is Beautiful Desert!
I Quart Blueberries
1 Pint Strawberries
Squeezed Lemon Wedges
Drizzled with honey
and dressed with fresh mint

____________________________________________________________________
Layered cabbage and sprouts

Layer these (as you would a truffle) in a loaf pan:
french lentils sprouted
shredded red cabbage
shredded celery
shredded napa cabbage
more sprouted french lentils

Make cashew sauce--two fists of raw cashews buzzed until it balls
around the blade. Add a generous splash of lime juice, two minced
garlic cloves, some dried chives and mild green chilies. Then add
enough water to make it pourable. Pour over layered loaf pan. Voila!

___________________________________________________________________
Watermelon Gazpacho
6 cups watermelon, seeded and cubed
1 1/4 cups orange juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large english cucumbers, peeled, seeded, & diced
1/2 large red peppers, seeded and diced
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 3/4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon jalapeno chile peppers, diced fine
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, or lime juice
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1. Process 4 cups of watermelon with orange juice and oil in blender,
food processor, or with hand blender and puree. 2. Transfer to bowl
and mix with remaining ingredients. Blend with hand blender to desired
consistency. Season with salt & pepper to taste.3. Refrigerate until
ready to use.

Jan Bulla-Baker
Bloomington Cooking School
115 N College Ave., Suite 014
Bloomington, IN 47404

___________________________________________________________________
Kale Avocado Salad
2 bunches Kale
2 avocados
2 celery sticks chopped
1/2 cup pine nuts
cup of cherry tomatoes sliced
Dulse
2 tsp sea salt
juice of one lemon

De-stem kale, sprinkle on salt and massage until the kale is tender.
blend avocado and lemon * add water as needed to blend. Mix all
ingredients and enjoy!
___________________________________________________________________
Summer Cucumber Salad

1/4 cup organic olive oil
1/4 cup organic brown rice vinegar
2-3 Tbsp Indiana clover honey (adjust amount to taste)
1/2 organic white onion minced
2 organic cucumbers peeled and thinly sliced
10-12 fresh basil leaves cut into thin stripes
leaves from 2-3 sprigs of fresh oregano removed from stems
1 tsp of thinly sliced shoots of fresh garlic

The herbs were organically grown in a friend's garden, and the cucs
and garlic came from farmer's market.

Begin by mixing the liquid ingredients, add onion, then cucumber, add
herbs and sliced garlic shoots at the end.

May additionally season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.

For additional information or to contact BloomingtonRaw - Andy Reed, L. Ac., Dipl. Ac. NCCAOM, windriveracupuncture(at)gmail.com, 812-320-3557

BloomingtonRaw! Raw and Living Foods Group
BloomingtonRaw! is a local eco-nutrition group that meets to have raw
potlucks (rawlucks) at least once a month. BloomingtonRaw! mission is
to promote consciousness, compassion, and respect for humanity and the
Earth. We promote the connection between diet and personal
consciousness, including environmental impacts of dietary choices. We
promote the health benefits of simple vegan raw and living foods,
inspiration for healthy dietary transition, and respect diversity of
all personal dietary choices and paths. BloomingtonRaw! is open to all
who are curious about or enthusiasts of living foods and the raw vegan
lifestyle, promoting inclusion of local, organic, and wild foods
whenever possible.
BloomingtonRaw is sponsored by Center for Sustainable Living,
www.simplycsl.org

RAWLUCK POTLUCK - July

2009-07-14T09:35:00.004-04:00

Saturday, JULY 25th, from 5 - 8 PM !! RAWLUCK POTLUCK, The Gullick residence, 505 South Meadowbrook Drive., Meadowbrook is a few streets east of Bloomingfoods east. Look for white house on a hill with a white picket fence. Parking best on street, probably good idea to bring chairs. :-) BRING OWN PLATE/BOWL AND CHOPSTIX/FORK/SPOON :-) (recipes from June on Local Food Bloomington) - This is a zero trash event, no paper plates please!!!!

New to Raw Foods? Just bring yourself or a simple bowl of fruit,
there will be plenty of food. For recipes see www.living-foods.com .

Come meet our July host Kathie Gullick and family. Kathie is a raw
foods mom with extensive experience and training in raw and living
foods, including living and studying with Gabriel Cousens at the Tree of Life
Rejuvenation Center in AZ. Kathie will share some of her life
experience and wisdom about success and challenge raising children raw
in the modern world. Kathie is currently finishing her book on
motherhood and raw foods. Enjoy more of our local talent at the July
rawluck!!

The Bhakti Yoga Devotional Kirtan Sound Healing Group "Baraka" !!!! will be performing before and after the food and free seminars. On Namo Shivaya!! Jai Hanuman!!

There will also be a FREE DEMO to learn how to make your own RAW
PROBIOTIC MISO!! Wild Foods Expert and Herbalist Eric Edgin and myself will make a
Quinoa and a Chickpea miso. More probiotic vibrations emanating
health into our bodies!

Master Raw Foods Chef and Yogi Christopher Cook is coming again as
well if anyone needs to contact him for some E3 Live. Congrats to Dr.
George Cromack on getting hired at Tree of Life!

Thanks to Maggie, Nathan, and LauraLynn for hosting the last rawluck!!!
It was SO much fun, and beautiful gardens and new orchards. Wonderful
garden tour and permaculture class by Nathan!! See pictures below.

BloomingtonRaw! Raw and Living Foods Group
BloomingtonRaw! is a local eco-nutrition group that meets to have raw
potlucks (rawlucks) at least once a month. BloomingtonRaw! mission is
to promote consciousness, compassion, and respect for humanity and the
Earth. We promote the connection between diet and personal
consciousness, including environmental impacts of dietary choices. We
promote the health benefits of simple vegan raw and living foods,
inspiration for healthy dietary transition, and respect diversity of
all personal dietary choices and paths. BloomingtonRaw! is open to all
who are curious about or enthusiasts of living foods and the raw vegan
lifestyle, promoting inclusion of local, organic, and wild foods
whenever possible.
BloomingtonRaw is sponsored by Center for Sustainable Living,
www.simplycsl.org

Also - Don't Miss Raw Andy on Earth Eats WFIU - Aug 8 @ 1130 AM!! Andy interviewed about Living Foods lifestyle and ethics by Chef Dan Orr of The Farm Restaurant!!!Also a show on August 12 with an extended interview only available on the website: eartheats.org.

Recipes from BLOOMINGTONRAW POTLUCK - JUNE

--
Andy Reed, L. Ac., Dipl. Ac. NCCAOM
Living Foods and Ancient Folk Healing
Wind-River Acupuncture
The Center for Wholism
windriveracupuncture@gmail.com
812-320-3557

JamFest - Jamin' for Justice

2009-07-14T09:28:00.004-04:00

July 18th JamFest: Jammin' for Justice from 6:00pm - 10 pm in the John Waldrom Arts Center Auditorium, Phone: 812-336-8677 - Admission: $10 for students and low income; $15 for adults; $25 for a couple; $50 for a family. Community Justice & Mediation Center (CJAM) is excited to announce JamFest: Jammin’ for Justice, a concert benefit for CJAM. WHO: Community Justice & Mediation (CJAM), a nonprofit organization committed to promoting a civil and just community through mediation, education and restorative justice. WHAT: JamFest: Jammin’ for Justice; Four hours of Peace & Music & Fun. Featuring Blues/Rock band Bated Breath, soloist Eric Radoux, performer Sophia Travis, and other local luminaries--4+ musical acts, powerfully witty MC Brad Wilhelm, games of "pin the heart on Indiana," a cash bar and homemade Justice Jams--Preserves canned specially for us by FoodWorks! Family Friendly, serious fun for a serious cause! http://www.cjam.org

Green Drinks and Simpy Healthy Update

2009-06-20T18:47:00.004-04:00

Much of today has been spent doing work for the Indiana Holistic Health Network CRANE Newsletter, the IHHN Calendar and Green Dove work. I am excited about all people and work being done in Bloomington to assist our city toward a greater sustainability. At the top of my list is the November 12-14th, 2009 - 4th Annual "Simply Healthy: Creating Sustainable Communities" Simply Living Fair and Wellness Expo! At present, Diana Leafe Christin is a keynote presenter! She is Editor of Communities magazine and will be speaking on Ecovillages through a visual presentation! Check the website, and if you are interested, we welcome sponsors, vendors, workshop presenters,volunteers, etc.

Another interesting Green Drinks will take place on June 24th, 2009, presented by Green Drinks Bloomington - 5:30 - Upland Banquet Center, Dan Killion, owner of Sherlock Homes Home Inspection Service, V.P. of Monroe County Building Association & a member of Bloomington Environmental Commission. He will talk about making existing homes more energy efficient. Teachers from Gary, Indiana will also be showcasing their photography of Griffy Lake taken as part of a program to create community-based environmental units of their own.

Green Drinks Bloomington

2009-05-14T17:31:00.004-04:00

Green Drinks Bloomington premiered the fourth Wednesday in March so I made the mistake of thinking it was a Green Drink event with lots of green drinks, and I was not interested. Then a friend called inviting me to hear someone speak about solar panels in Bloomington - at something called Green Drinks. So I went, saw quite a few familiar faces and learned more about who was doing what with local solar development. After the brief presentation, the mic is open for others to announce something about themselves and their green work.

The second time I went, the program featured Scott Russell Sanders speaking about some key themes in his latest book, A Conservationist Manifesto. I got us the nerve to go up and make an introduction. It was a brief one as I was quite shaken. But, I will return, and it will be easier next time, as I will plan ahead and write may announcement.

This month Green Drinks Bloomington gathering is May 27th with Maggie Sullivan speaking about "the Local Growers Guild", 5:30 - 8:00pm at Banquet facility of Upland Brewing Company, 11th Street (off College St.)

This event is open to anyone who is interested in green issues and each is encouraged to bring a friend.

Cost: There's a requested donation of $5. Some finger food will be provided.

Green Drinks Bloomington will be on the fourth Wednesday of every month at locations to be announced.

Contact: To be added to the monthly evite or if you're interested in presenting: greendrinksbloomington@gmail.com

Monsanto Fights Farmers

2009-05-14T16:55:00.006-04:00

(I have been known to say a thing or two about seeds, about what is being done to farmers, food, and what it means to us and all life. Yes, I want farmers and gardeners and people who love seed and soil, and who work to sustain healthy food possibilities for all of us to have control of seed, health of the food produced consume, and the water we need to sustain it all. I am in support of all who wish to strengthen our already tenuous seed sources. We are hanging genetically on a few threads, and mutating what is left doesn't sound like a good idea to me. So, again, I say, we must be aware of what is happening with our basic resources.)

-------------------------------------
By Linn Cohen-Cole

People say if farmers don’t want problems from Monsanto, just don’t buy their GMO seeds.
Not so simple. Where are farmers supposed to get normal seed these days? How are they supposed to avoid contamination of their fields from GM-crops? How are they supposed to stop Monsanto detectives from trespassing or Monsanto from using helicopters to fly over spying on them?
Monsanto contaminates the fields, trespasses onto the land taking samples and if they find any GMO plants growing there (or say they have), they then sue, saying they own the crop. It’s a way to make money since farmers can’t fight back and court and they settle because they have no choice.
And they have done and are doing a bucket load of things to keep farmers and everyone else from having any access at all to buying, collecting, and saving of NORMAL seeds.
1. They’ve bought up the seed companies across the Midwest.
2. They’ve written Monsanto seed laws and gotten legislators to put them through, that make cleaning, collecting and storing of seeds so onerous in terms of fees and paperwork and testing and tracking every variety and being subject to fines, that having normal seed becomes almost impossible (an NAIS approach to wiping out normal seeds). Does your state have such a seed law? Before they existed, farmers just collected the seeds and put them in sacks in the shed and used them the next year, sharing whatever they wished with friends and neighbors, selling some if they wanted. That’s been killed.
In Illinois, which has such a seed law, Madigan, the Speaker of the House, his staff is Monsanto lobbyists.
3. Monsanto is pushing anti-democracy laws (Vilsack’s brainchild, actually) that remove community’ control over their own counties so farmers and citizens can’t block the planting of GMO crops even if they can contaminate other crops. So if you don’t want a GM-crop that grows industrial chemicals or drugs or a rice growing with human DNA in it, in your area and mixing with your crops, tough luck.
Check the map of just where the Monsanto/Vilsack laws are and see if your state is still a democracy or is Monsanto’s. A farmer in Illinois told me he heard that Bush had pushed through some regulation that made this true in every state. People need to check on that.
4. For sure there are Monsanto regulations buried in the FDA right now that make a farmer’s seed cleaning equipment illegal (another way to leave nothing but GM-seeds) because it’s now considered a “source of seed contamination.” Farmer can still seed clean but the equipment now has to be certified and a farmer said it would require a million to a million and half dollar building and equipment … for EACH line of seed. Seed storage facilities are also listed (another million?) and harvesting and transport equipment. And manure. Something that can contaminate seed. Notice that chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not mentioned.
You could eat manure and be okay (a little grossed out but okay). Try that with pesticides and fertilizers. Indian farmers have. Their top choice for how to commit suicide to escape the debt they have been left in is to drink Monsanto pesticides.
5. Monsanto is picking off seed cleaners across the Midwest. In Pilot Grove, Missouri, in Indiana (Maurice Parr), and now in southern Illinois (Steve Hixon). And they are using US marshals and state troopers and county police to show up in three cars to serve the poor farmers who had used Hixon as their seed cleaner, telling them that he or their neighbors turned them in, so across that 6 county areas, no one talking to neighbors and people are living in fear and those farming communities are falling apart from the suspicion Monsanto sowed. Hixon’s office got broken into and he thinks someone put a GPS tracking device on his equipment and that’s how Monsanto found between 200-400 customers in very scattered and remote areas, and threatened them all and destroyed his business within 2 days.
So, after demanding that seed cleaners somehow be able to tell one seed from another (or be sued to kingdom come) or corrupting legislatures to put in laws about labeling of seeds that are so onerous no one can cope with them, what is Monsanto’s attitude about labeling their own stuff? You guessed it - they’re out there pushing laws against ANY labeling of their own GM-food and animals and of any exports to other countries. Why?
We know and they know why.
As Norman Braksick, the president of Asgrow Seed Co. (now owned by Monsanto) predicted in the Kansas City Star (3/7/94) seven years ago, “If you put a label on a genetically engineered food, you might as well put a skull and crossbones on it.”
And they’ve sued dairy farmers for telling the truth about their milk being rBGH-free, though rBGH is associated with an increased risk of breast, colon and prostate cancers.
I just heard that some seed dealers urge farmers to buy the seed under the seed dealer’s name, telling the farmers it helps the dealer get a discount on seed to buy a lot under their own name. Then Monsanto sues the poor farmer for buying their seed without a contract and extorts huge sums from them.
Here’s a youtube video that is worth your time. Vandana Shiva is one of the leading anti-Monsanto people in the world. In this video, she says (and this video is old), Monsanto had sued 1500 farmers whose fields had simply been contaminated by GM-crops. Listen to all the ways Monsanto goes after farmers.
Do you know the story of Gandhi in India and how the British had salt laws that taxed salt? The British claimed it as theirs. Gandhi had what was called a Salt Satyagraha, in which people were asked to break the laws and march to the sea and collect the salt without paying the British. A kind of Boston tea party, I guess.
Thousands of people marched 240 miles to the ocean where the British were waiting. As people moved forward to collect the salt, the British soldiers clubbed them but the people kept coming. The non-violent protest exposed the British behavior, which was so revolting to the world that it helped end British control in India.
Vandana Shiva has started a Seed Satyagraha - nonviolent non-cooperation around seed laws - has gotten millions of farmers to sign a pledge to break those laws.
American farmers and cattlemen might appreciate what Gandhi fought for and what Shiva is bringing back and how much it is about what we are all so angry about - loss of basic freedoms. [The highlighting is mine.]
-------------------------
This may be a version of above

Monsanto's Many Attempts to Destroy All Seeds but Their Own

Some say that if farmers don’t want problems from Monsanto, they simply shouldn’t buy Monsanto’s GMO seeds. But it isn’t quite that simple. Monsanto contaminates the fields, trespasses onto the land taking samples, and then sues, saying they own the crop.

Meanwhile, Monsanto is taking many other steps to keep farmers and everyone else from having any access at all to buying, collecting, and saving of normal seeds:
1. They’ve bought up the seed companies across the Midwest.

2. They’ve written Monsanto seed laws and gotten legislators to put them through, that make cleaning, collecting and storing of seeds so onerous in terms of fees and paperwork that having normal seed becomes almost impossible.

3. Monsanto is pushing laws that ensure farmers and citizens can’t block the planting of GMO crops even if they can contaminate other crops.

4. There are Monsanto regulations buried in the FDA rules that make a farmer’s seed cleaning equipment illegal because it’s now considered a “source of seed contamination.”

Monsanto has sued more than 1,500 farmers whose fields had simply been contaminated by GM crops.

Sources:

Surviving the Middle Class Crash February 5, 2009

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

There is a reason why I believe Monsanto to be one of the most evil companies on the planet, and this is in large part due to its activities relating to controlling food production through controlling the seeds to produce it.

For nearly all of its history the United States Patent and Trademark Office refused to grant patents on seeds, viewing them as life-forms with too many variables to be patented. But in 1980 the U.S. Supreme Court allowed for seed patents in a five-to-four decision, laying the groundwork for a handful of corporations to begin taking control of the world’s food supply.

Since the 1980s, Monsanto has become the world leader in genetic modification of seeds and has won at least 674 biotechnology patents, more than any other company.

This is not surprising, considering they invest over $2 million a day on research and development!

But Monsanto is not only patenting their own GMO seeds. They have also succeeded in slapping patents on a huge number of crop seeds, patenting life forms for the first time -- again without a vote of the people or Congress. By doing this, Monsanto becomes sole owner of the very seeds necessary to support the world’s food supply … an incredibly powerful position that no for-profit company should ever hold.

How do they defend this blatant attempt to control the food supply? They write on MonsantoToday.com:
“Patent protection allows companies to see a return on their investment which enables further investment in R-and-D and product development. This profit-investment cycle drives product innovation that is responsive to farmer needs.”

Farmers’ needs?

Farmers who buy Monsanto’s GM seeds are required to sign an agreement promising not to save the seeds or sell them to other farmers. The result? Farmers must buy new seeds every year, and they must buy them from Monsanto.

Meanwhile, these same farmers who Monsanto is claiming to help are being aggressively targeted and pursued for outrageous patent infringements on these same seeds.

The “Seed Police”

Monsanto employs an arsenal of private investigators and agents who secretly videotape farmers, snatch crop samples from their land and even fly helicopters overhead to spy -- all to catch farmers saving or sharing seeds.

As of 2005 Monsanto had 75 employees and a $10-million budget solely to investigate and prosecute farmers for patent infringement.

And until recently, Monsanto has even been known to sue farmers for GM crops growing on their land that got there via cross-contamination. In other words, a neighboring farm’s GM seeds blew over onto their land, and Monsanto slaps them with a lawsuit.

I realize this seems incredible, but it is true.

Have You Heard of Terminator Seeds?

Creating and promoting GM crops is, in my opinion, a major threat to public health. Patenting those same seeds takes it to an even higher level of evil. But there is another reason why I don’t believe for one second that Monsanto has the virtuous intentions they claim: terminator seeds.

Monsanto is considering using what’s known as terminator technology on a wide-scale basis. These are seeds that have been genetically modified to “self-destruct.” In other words, the seeds (and the forthcoming crops) are sterile, which means farmers must buy them again each year.

This solves their problem of needing “seed police,” but they are obviously looking the other way when it comes to the implications that terminator seeds could have on the world’s food supply: the traits from genetically engineered crops can get passed on to other crops, and often do.

Once the terminator seeds are released into a region, the trait of seed sterility could be passed to other non-genetically-engineered crops, making most or all of the seeds in the region sterile.

Not only would this mean that every farm in the world could come to rely on Monsanto for their seed supply, but if the GM traits spread it could destroy agriculture as we now know it.

How Can You Get Through to Monsanto?

First, I urge you to get informed on the issue by watching The Future of Food. This in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind genetically modified foods is one of the best documentaries I have ever viewed. It will help you understand the very real threat that ALL future generations face as a result of genetic engineering.

Next, hit Monsanto where it counts … their bottom line. By boycotting all GM foods and instead supporting organic (and local) farmers who do not use Monsanto’s GM seeds, you are using your wallet to make your opinions known.

This means abstaining from virtually all processed food products (most are loaded with GM ingredients) and sticking to fresh, locally grown, organic foodstuffs instead.

The True Food Shopping Guide is a great tool for helping you determine which brands and products contain GMO ingredients. It lists 20 different food categories that include everything from baby food to chocolate.

I’ve also compiled an excellent list of resources where you can still find pure, GM-free foods, and I encourage you to refer to it often and also share it with your friends and family.

Related Links:

A Fake Group Fights for Monsanto's Right to Deceive You

This Company May Be the Biggest Threat to Your Future Health

Some Farmers Now Protected Against Monsanto Lawsuits

Kitchen Incubator - Hannah's Homemade Granola

2009-05-14T16:49:00.003-04:00

Hannah had some of here granola available at this years Luna Festival for local tasters to enjoy.

Hannah's Homemade Granola birthed from the scenic north woods of Minnesota and Canada. I began making the granola this past summer, and it soon came to be quite the popular snack among my family and friends. Its chewy texture sets it apart from all other granolas; making it easier to chew and offering more consumption options. My granola can be eaten hot, cold, with milk, alone, hot and with milk (oatmeal anyone?!) or with a favorite yogurt. Its high protein content makes it a breakfast food that really keeps a person full all morning long, and its long shelf life allows them to take it just about anywhere. Made with a peanut butter base with added dried cranberries, honey, wheat bran and rolled oats, it's an absolute kid favorite. But with no added sugar, it's a parent favorite as well. Alternatives are orders with melted bittersweet chocolate and chopped walnuts- a combination to be savored! Hannah's Homemade Granola is a tribute to the treacherous backcountry, the memories I have of it, and hopefully the times to come. For more information you can email me at hanibolecter@hotmail.com.

To keep up with progress of the Incubator Kitchen, visit the Local Growers Guild website at http://www.localgrowers.org

May Day at the Bloomington, IN Farmers Market!

2009-04-30T16:50:00.003-04:00

The Bloomington Quarry Morris Dancers will be at the Bloomington Farmers Market at noon—ITS MAY and they will perform their annual dances! Image is from their website at http://www.bloomington.in.us/~morris/

From 10 a.m.- noon enjoy the 2009 Asian Fest at the Bloomington Farmers' Market takes place in the Showers atrium and outdoor stage area, in conjunction with the farmers' market.

Enjoy the diversity within Asian cultures through a children's art and poster exhibition, cooking demonstrations, cultural performances, art crafts and games. There will be a free henna and calligraphy demonstration, face painting, caricature art and a raffle drawing.

Cooking demonstrations will feature Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese and Filipino dishes. Games include making masks from Asia, learning Korean folk games, Go game, Asian roulette and the Skittles Chopstick Challenge.
Entertainment includes Bollywood dances, sword dances, folk songs, music on the Japanese shakuhachi and "Kokdugakshi" (a form of marionette).

Among the performers: - a selection of Japanese folk and ensemble traditions to contemporary compositions, played on Japanese shakuhachi, by Tyler Fry and flute by Minori Inada;

- folk songs, Bhajans, and classical dance from India, Parts 1 and 2 by Rama Cousik, Jyotsna Sundaresan, Paresh Mishra, with percussion by Hari Shankar and Shiva Shankar and dance by Dhanalakshmi;

- Mongolian folk song by Delgerbat and Ochmaa Escue Dasheveg;
- Indian Dance to Desh Rangeela by Bindi-ana South Asian Girls' Club.
Dance choreographed by Ruchi Shah and Preya Dave;

- Indian Bollywood Dance by Ruchi Shah, who will perform a style of Indian dance frequently featured in Bollywood films;

"Bayad" by Solongo Tseveen;
- Taiji Sword Dance by Xiuyu Cai, Kiuyomi Macy, Sue Kim and Jiangmei Wu;
- "Dadas" by Erin Wilson - a traditional healing dance (adapted for the
stage) from the island of Borneo in Indonesia;

- "Kokdugakshi" (a form of marionette) by Korean School of Bloomington;

- and Indian dance to a medley of popular Bollywood songs by Nishi Patel, Nikhita Bhateja, Anisha Kumar, and Priyanka Dube.

For more information, e-mail acc@indiana.edu or call 856-5361.

Bloomington Kitchen Incubator

2009-04-27T17:34:00.002-04:00

About the Bloomington Kitchen Incubator

The Bloomington Kitchen Incubator is a non- profit organization supporting farmers and entrepreneurs as they develop new successful food businesses that strengthen and expand the regional food economy. Members can take advantage of a variety of services that include business planning and development, access to a licensed kitchen, food product development, identifying
market opportunities, compliance with legal and health code regulations, office services, appropriate storage and warehousing options. This work is done in a cooperative atmosphere, which allows members to share in best practices, negotiate for bulk discounts and other benefits.

To learn more about the BKI, please contact Bobbi Boos at 812-272-3656 or
bobbiboos@gmail.com, or check out our developing website:
http:www.bloomingtonkitchenincubator.org

Our previous posting was about the Test Pilot Incubator Businesses!

BLOOMINGTON KITCHEN INCUBATOR 2 0 0 9 P i l o t C l i e n t s

2009-04-27T17:08:00.012-04:00

I participated in the Luna Festival Sunday in the Showers building and to my delight the BLOOMINGTON KITCHEN INCUBATOR 2 0 0 9 P i l o t C l i e n t s were there giving out samples of their delicious products! They are all a delicious addition to local food products available in Bloomington, Indiana. I will share what information comes my way.

Katherine (Kat) Forgacs founded Kat’s Kitchen to provide South Central Indiana with “Good Food, Gluten-Free.” Kat’s Kitchen will source the best available
organic and/or local ingredients to create gluten-free, dairy-free prepared meals and baked goods at an affordable price. No more frustration over a gluten-free lifestyle! All of Kat’s products will clearly identify the presence of the most common allergens, including soy, nuts, corn, rice, and potato. No gluten or dairy ingredients will be used, and cross-contamination will be diligently avoided.

Kat’s Kitchen evolved out of a need for more freshly-made, gluten-free and dairy-free food choices in Central Indiana. Kat strives to create interesting, unique, and healthy alternatives to allergen-laden foods. Consumers will benefit by increasing their take-home meal options, by avoiding shipping fees and higher prices of non-local gluten-free bakers, and by knowing that they are supporting their local farmers and food producers.

For more information on products or special orders, contact Kat at kforgacs@gmail.com, or visit http://katskitchenglutenfree.blogspot.com for recipes, tips, and more information on life after gluten.

Alex Kroh says, “Bread Spreads was started
to celebrate the special relationship between the grain and legume. Bread Spreads is taking locally grown edamame and fava beans to create two delicious recipes, Edamame
Hummus and Fava Bean Salad.

“What is so special about these two foods, you ask? Just about everything, depending on who wants to know. Want a healthy snack? Both grains and beans are non-processed/
whole foods packed with nutrients that help to lower your cholesterol while being
virtually fat free. Don’t eat meat? The grain and legume combo is important because
complimentary amino acids allow your body to synthesize protein, which can be scarce in a meat free diet. In a recession? Since grains and legumes are widely grown throughout the world in large amounts, they come together to create inexpensive food for people who are on a budget. Enjoy unique, delicious food? Almost every culture has their own version of a grain/legume combination so the pantry of humanity is full of authentically tasty recipes waiting to be enjoyed.” Find out more at http://breadspreads.blogspot.com.

Joy Shayne Laughter, Founder and President
of Spreadable GOOD and a Bloomington
native, developed Mo’ Buttah! as a healthier
peanut butter alternative. Mo’ Buttah! blends whole-food sources of calcium, iron, and minerals with peanut butter and sunflower butter to make spreads
with a lighter texture than other nut butters, perfect for spreading, dipping, and mixing into your own recipes. Peanut and Sunflower offer their ingredients’ familiar robust flavors, while Peanut Spice and Sunflower Spice are exciting taste alternatives for adventurous palates. Sunflower flavors are made without soy products. All Mo’ Buttah! is dairy-free and vegan-friendly. Healthy and delicious
has got to be Mo’ Buttah!

Spreadable GOOD was founded to develop healthful snacks for low-income children
and teens who rely on non-profit programs for regular meals. Profits from sales of Mo’ Buttah! support production of Mo’ Buttah! for this mission.

HOPE’S HOMEMADES by Hope Lukens
will be coming soon to Bloomington. Hope’s products will include homemade cheesecakes, custom desserts, and baked goods including unique cookies, brownies
and “down-home” style cakes and breads - “Baked goods like you would if you could.”
All products will be highest quality, contain no added preservatives and will feature whole and locally-produced ingredients as much as possible. Hope says, “I am a Bloomington resident of 24 years, a graduate of Indiana University with a diverse past and work history including retail, banking, domestic work as a nanny and customer service and sales. I have worked for the past fifteen years to establish a
consistent and secure home for my children.

About the Bloomington Kitchen Incubator

The Bloomington Kitchen Incubator is a non- profit organization supporting farmers and entrepreneurs as they develop new successful food businesses that strengthen and expand the regional food economy. Members can take advantage of a variety of services that include business planning and development, access to a licensed kitchen, food product development, identifying
market opportunities, compliance with legal and health code regulations, office services, appropriate storage and warehousing options. This work is done in a cooperative atmosphere, which allows members to share in best practices, negotiate for bulk discounts and other benefits.

To learn more about the BKI, please contact Bobbi Boos at 812-272-3656 or
bobbiboos@gmail.com, or check out our developing website:
http:www.bloomingtonkitchenincubator.org

Free Discussion on Organic Gardening with Daniel Atlas

2009-04-27T17:01:00.002-04:00

Free Discussion on Organic Gardening with IU Alumni Daniel Atlas

On Monday, April 27, 2009, Daniel Atlas will be discussing the importance of organic gardening and local agriculture. The format is a meet and greet and will be at Finch's Brasserie, 514 E Kirkwood Ave, 5:30pm-8pm. The discussion will include the release of his debut book titled Gardening with SPROUTS: A How-To Guide to Organic Gardening and Design. The book is an 83 page, full-color instructional guide detailing information ranging from setting up a garden and planting seeds to harvesting crops, to treating and preventing common garden pests and diseases. The book is essentially gardening through the eyes of SPROUTS (Students PRoducing organics Under The Sun), a student organization and organic garden at the corner of 8th Street and Fess Ave on the Indiana University campus.

Daniel is a 2008 IU alumni who received degrees in an IMP titled "Sustainability, Awareness, and Community Development," and a second major in Religious Studies. He is a cofounder of the SPROUTS garden which was established in 2005.

Come celebrate this joyous occasion with Daniel and learn how to start your own garden too! There will be food, drinks, a raffle drawing, and a gift for those who purchase a book.
#####

For more information, please contact sprouts@indiana.edu. SPROUTS (Students Producing Organics Under The Sun) is a student organization and student garden at Indiana University. Their mission is to promote sustainably and locally grown produce and food literacy. *SPROUTS is looking for volunteers for the summer too.

If interested please email the contact above or come to one of our workdays which are every Saturday 11am-3pm.* Come learn how to garden with us!!
#####

Bale Out the Gardeners!

2009-04-19T09:49:00.001-04:00

Yes, it would be quite fine if bale out monies would be given to communities instead of banks and car companies to establish community gardens and educational programs!

Open Polinated Seeds Only, Please!

2009-04-19T09:01:00.003-04:00

I have often been asked, "When did you decide to garden organically and why do you prefer open pollinated seeds"? It was in the late 70's while living in Arizona. I knew that I wanted to pursue a simple lifestyle that included gardening. I was reading some Ruth Stout, Scott and Helen Nearing and Communities Magazines. One Tucson spring, I signed up for a class presented by "Meals for Millions"; a group working to develop a traditional approach to local gardening. I fell in love with the entire process of growing my own food, consuming it and saving seeds for the next season. I poured over Farmstead Magazine and Organic Garden and became very interested in saving seed, which led me to the Seed Savers Exchange, Gardens for All, biodynamics and alleopathy.

By the time I arrived in Bloomington, I was very interested in seed saving and establishing an heirloom garden. It was in searching for info on setting up my seed storehouse, that I found the Graham Center. I think that was in 1982 or 83. Some information in the publication sent ( I still have it in my garden files) shocked me. There was information about the poor state of our USDA Seed Banks and a statement (this is not verbatim) that of all the food resources that the USDA had cataloged at the turn of the century, less than three percent were left according to the current catalog and that the majority of the seeds maintained were mostly in tomatoes! I was horrified at the staggering losses and have never gotten over the shock of those numbers. The thousands of years of human work in creating a stable food source, and its loss in a short time, because of lack of attention and appreciation. I was already for open-pollinated seeds, and now knew that I would have trouble purchasing any other type.

Even then, it was clear that there were patterns at work to take control of food away from people. I learned that a number of countries had seed laws, that other countries were fighting to keep them off of their seeds. That there were places where it was illegal for farmers to save, and in some cases to sell, saved seeds.
That there are seed list and that there were a few companies beginning to buy up seeds. I saw companies pushing hybrid seeds out left and right, and people gobbling them up along with the fertilizers. I had never been fond of fertilizers. Even as a kid, I had decided that they were connected to my allergies.

Something in me said that the greedy folks were going to make things worse for everyone. I became further committed to open-pollinated seeds and in 1983 I hosted my first seed exchange in Brown County. I shared seeds I had gotten from gardeners all over the country. I shared seed I had gotten on my search in the community. I contacted old farmers and got seeds or starts. One year, I had a small seed business, Clear Sky. I saw the blooming of people interested in sustainability and community on my local level.

Now I leap into the present, and the nightmare of seed loss has increased. The seed companies have been reduced in numbers, of course the varieties available for use have been reduced, farmers are being sued. Some companies are working hard to make laws to take control of our food (and water), modify them and couple the seeds ability to grow with varieties of chemicals, many petroleum based.

Genetically modified seeds and chemical weed killers, are poison and toxic to the life on this planet.

Rawluck Raw Food Pot Luck and Raw Food Day!

2009-04-15T07:37:00.001-04:00

Next Rawluck April 19 Sun 6 PM!!
Location: Steph's House, 1032 East Maxwell Lane (near Bryan Park)
PLEASE BRING LAWN CHAIRS if you want to sit :-)
Parking: On Sunday it is legal to park on Maxwell without permit,
please do not park at Steph's as we may need carport to eat under if
it is raining.
For recipe ideas, see http://www.living-foods.com/recipes/
If new to Living and Raw Foods, bring a pineapple, salad, bowl of raw nuts, etc.
We prefer all foods to be organic, please bring dish for 6-8 people.
If you bring enough to share leftovers we exchange foods when
finished.
contact Andy at windriveracupuncture@gmail.com with any questions.

UPCOMING
CONSCIOUSLY ALIVE! RAW FOOD DAY CONFERENCE
IN INDY JUNE 6,
see attached poster for details!!

Last Rawluck Mar 28 was HUGE success!!! We had nine people bring some
awesome savory dishes, including pizza, gazpacho, amazing cookies,
salads, living quinoa tabouleh, raw hummus, pineapple, walnuts, et al

--
The Center for Sustainable Living
323 South Walnut St.
Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 332-8796
www.simplycsl.org

Smaller Food

2009-04-09T10:36:00.004-04:00

May this note find you well fed. Just a quick one to mention Smaller Food Indiana, a ning (social network). A virtual (sometimes actual) group for discussing local food sources and restaurants and the impact both economically and environmentally of sourcing local and organic food sources. It has a variety of voices from different parts of Indiana. Most of it stems from Indianapolis. Worth connecting with to expand and strengthen our state - local foods communities.

As We Approach Earth Day 2009!

2009-04-03T14:33:00.006-04:00

In this note:

-A Rant
-Bloomington Farmers Market Opens
-A Few Garden Reminders from the Organic Gardening Association
- Every Garden A Kitchen Garden - OGA
- Want to Be A Farmer? Start Here - Video and information resource link
- Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
- EPA Halts Mountaintop Removal Mining Permits
- Fair Trade News - About Cadbury
- Urban Foraging - a Rising, Sustainable Fad
- World Fair Trade Day
- E-Waste Recycle Days - free re-cycling of home appliances and computer equipment!

May you be among a supportive family, friends, and community.

--------------------------------------------------
Of course most people now understand that EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY! It is our home and needs lots of TLC. I know we have great abilities among us, and now is our time to begin where we are, working with the tools we have, along side our neighbors. We must hold close to our hearts that which we have left to work with. Let no one tell us that our rich land based heritage is lost. DO NOT let any business take control of that which we all need to live sustainability. Communities must hold together, and have (or work towards) the rights to clean water, clean air, food (open pollinated seeds, health care and good affordable housing for all citizens. When I think of bale outs, I think, what would it be like if the people who are supporting the mega corps were to be baled out? Ummm, what if the students were to be baled out? What if bale out money went to providing essential care to our citizens? It seems luney to me to provide millions to billions of dollars to failed businesses when the burden, the huge cost is placed on the backs of those who are struggling to hold on to their small businesses, homes, and in some cases feed their children.

Bloomington Farmers Market Opens Saturday, April 4th, 2009 stop by for fresh greens and lots of starter plants! Also, some CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) slots are still available!

Prune Fruit Trees - Prune fruit trees before buds swell. Sterilize pruning tools with a 10 percent solution of bleach before each cut, and dispose of branches properly. Prune out sucker growth, water sprouts and any diseased or dead branches. Remove branches that grow toward the center in order to open the crown.
Spray Dormant Oil

-Get ready to spray fruit trees with dormant oil. This will help control aphids, scales, mites and other insects. Make sure temperatures are above forty degrees with no chance of frost or rain for 24 hours. Don't spray if the day is windy.

Looking for more resources? Check out Gardening Resources at http://www.indianaholistichealth.net/gardeningresources.htm

Isn't Every Garden a Kitchen Garden?
We hear a lot these days about saving money by growing our own vegetables. This is a great thing to become involved in, and the best part is that you needn't plant five acres to have a garden. Kitchen gardens are rising in popularity and don't take... Read more »

Want to Be a New Farmer? Start Here

Small farming is on the rise. The USDA estimates there are more than 300,000 new farms in the U.S since 2002, with many being run by younger people. All those new farmers are looking for information on how to get started. Unlike academic or professional manuals, here’s a new, on-line resource book written by first time farmers on ways to be successful in farming.
The Greenhorns Guide to Beginning Farmers is written by a small, grass-roots, non-profit organization in Hudson, NY. Instead of a how-to guide for growing crop or raising animals, this book has sources of information and contact organizations that will help a beginning farmer get the knowledge they need to be successful. It includes information and resources on apprenticeships and internships, grants, loans, and innovative programs for obtaining land, pest management strategies, tools, and machinery. It includes sections on urban agriculture and even community activism.
Check out this informative resource guide free at: Greenhorns. http://thegreenhorns.net/resources/greeacres.pdf
Check out the video at - www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH7o3fxw6oE

Reduce your Carbon Footprint by Mowing Less

Many people are interested in reducing their carbon footprint in an effort to save energy and limit global warming. While driving less is one of the most obvious ways to do this, mowing your lawn less can also help.

Researchers at the Agricultural Institute of Canada in Ottawa calculated the amount of carbon emissions saved by mowing the average lawn less frequently. Researchers mowed plots of cool season grass lawns only 3 times a year and compared the carbon emissions with mowing similar plots every week. They measured the emissions from mowing a lawn at 0.4 pounds of carbon dioxide per square foot of lawn. To put this number into perspective, if you have a 2000 square foot lawn, mowing only 3 times a season will cut the carbon dioxide emissions by 600 pounds. That’s the equivalent of cutting back driving a car that gets 20 miles per gallon by 600 miles.
For a bigger picture perspective, when multiplied by the 50 million acres of lawn in the U.S., we could potentially reduce carbon emissions by more than 600 trillion pounds just by mowing less.
For more information, go to: Hort Ideas. http://users.mikrotec.com/~gwill/hi-art.htm#Article%204

EPA Halts Mountaintop Removal Mining Permits
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that it is halting new permits for mountaintop removal coal mining until water quality impacts from the practice can be fully assessed.
Go to all articles - Go to this article
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?4625

Fair Trade News!
Cadbury Dairy Milk – the leading chocolate bar in the UK – has announced plans to begin using Fair Trade cocoa this summer. This is great news for cocoa farmers, which will boost Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate up to a full 15 percent of the chocolate market in England.

Please join us in celebrating this victory for Fair Trade, and at the same time, help us use this moment as an opportunity to persuade Cadbury to do better in the US.

Tell Cadbury thanks for taking this step in the UK – and ask them to expand Fair Trade in the US »

Urban Foraging - a Rising, Sustainable Fad
http://culturechange.org/go.html?374

Urban gardening will soon become as obvious a need as job generation, as
we put into perspective what it takes to survive.

In addition to creating gardens and orchards, foraging is already and will
always be vital. Foraging is part of hunter-gathering, the way we evolved
for millions of years. Following is a new report from a Portland, Oregon
weekly newspaper with handy tips and a healthy attitude for our times:

Man vs. Wild: From foraging to fermentation, how to hone your natural
instinct on a budget.
By Adrienne So, Willamette Week

You can take the man out of the wild, but you can’t take the wild out of
the man. Or, better said: you shouldn’t. The sun is coming out, the rains
are receding, and nature calls. Who cares if you don’t have the gas money
to motor out to Eagle Creek to go hiking?
...

To read the complete article, visit: http://culturechange.org/go.html?374

Be a Part of the World's Largest Coffee Break on May 9, 2009: World Fair Trade Day
May 9 - Green America is a proud sponsor of World Fair Trade Day, an international celebration of Fair Trade. The theme of this year’s World Fair Trade Day, Everything Is Better When It’s Fair, reminds us that Fair Trade is more than coffee, chocolate and handcrafts. Please join us to break last year’s record of the world’s largest Fair Trade coffee break.
http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/wftd-09/fair-trade-break-action-guide/

E-Waste Recycle Days - If you are a member of the general public or an IU student, staff, or faculty member
Bloomington
Apr 30th - May 2nd, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Indiana University - Bloomington
N Dunn St & E 17th St (get directions)
Bloomington, Monroe, IN 47408

Indianapolis
Apr 30th - May 2nd, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Indiana State Fairgrounds
E 38th St & Coliseum Ave (get directions)
Indianapolis, IN 46205
http://indiana.poweron.com/p/default

SAVE ORGANIC FARMING

2009-03-25T13:46:00.001-04:00

Contact your Congressman and Senators to express his opposition to HR 875, HR 814, HR 759, and SR 425 to SAVE ORGANIC FARMING Don't YOU want to?

Thanks for the note Robin!

Find Your Congressperson: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Find Your Senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Green Drinks Bloomington - Mann Plumbing will discuss solar thermal and photovoltaic energy production

2009-03-25T13:43:00.001-04:00

Green Drinks Bloomington
Date: Wednesday, March 25
Time: 5:30-8 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm, 6 - 6:30 pm program and short announcements; eating, drinking and socializing until 8 pm)
Location: Nick's English Hut in the Hoosier Room
Program: Mann Plumbing will discuss solar thermal and photovoltaic energy production.
Who: Anyone who is interested in green issues is welcome and encouraged to bring a friend. Since it's at Nick's, you need to be 21 to participate.
Cost: There's a requested donation of $5. Some finger food will be provided. Nick's will sell beverages and food off the menu.
Green Drinks Bloomington will be on the fourth Wednesday of every month at locations to be announced.
Contact, to be added to the monthly evite or if you're interested in presenting: greendrinksbloomington@gmail.com

Local Food News Update

2009-03-25T13:10:00.004-04:00

Local Food News - http://www.greendove.net/foodnews.htm, has been updated along with the list of Farmer's Markets listings for CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture). Our sister site, Indiana Holistic Health Network - http://www.indianaholistichealth.net has updated its food and gardening related pages.

"Simply Healthy: Creating Sustainable Communities" 2008

2008-11-04T12:25:00.003-05:00

“Simply Healthy: Creating Sustainable Communities”
Simply Living Fair and Wellness Expo 2008
“Local Food and Aging Well”

~ Thursday, November 13^th ~

Keynote Speaker: Judy Wicks

7:00pm, Monroe County Public Library, FREE

Judy Wicks, owner and founder of Philadelphia's 25-year-old White

Dog Cafe, is a national leader in the local, living economies movement will speak on “Local Living Economies: Green, Fair and Fun.”

~ Friday, November 14^th ~

Local Foods Dinner - 6:00pm- $35

Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane

Enjoy a four-course dinner of locally grown, seasonal ingredients, including presentations from farmers. Learn about the Local Growers Guild and their work rebuilding our local food economy.

~ Saturday, November 15^th~9:00-5:00

Simply Healthy Vendors – Free Area

Acupuncturist, Coaches, Chiropractors, Reiki, Artist and Artisans, Intuitive Readings, more!

Simply Healthy Workshops - $11/$9

Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane

You choose from simple living, holistic,alternative health topics, eating and aging well through lectures, workshops, product demonstrations and discussion with experts.

Healing Sounds Concert -7:00pm, Saturday evening, - $13/$ 11

Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane

Bil Whitefeather, Native American Flutes , Ryan Anderson, Sacred Healing Rhythms, Dark Side Tribal Belly Dancers, Baraka, Janiece Jaffee, Paul Swanson, Patricia C. Coleman Storytellers and Francis Miller and Pritam Hari

For more information about these events visit: www.indianaholistichealth.net/wellnessexpo.htm

Ticket information at - www.indianaholistichealth.net/wellnessexpotickets.htm

Tickets available at all Bloomingfoods Stores and Wandering Turtle Art Gallery!

If you have questions contact: simplyhlthy@gmail.com, or call: 812-331-0886

This event is Sponsored and supported by: Indiana Holistic Health Network, Center for Sustainable Living, The Good Life Alternative, Reiki Peace and Wellness Arts, Middleway Food Works, Local Growers Guild, Green Sanctuary Task Force on Global Climate Change of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Women Writing for a Change, Local Food, Green Dove Network, Inc., Wandering Turtle Art Gallery, WFHB Community Radio, Bloomington Office on Sustainability, Quilter's Comfort, HART ROCK, Indiana Living Green Magazine, White Rabbit Copy Services, Holistic Affordable Housing, Home Renovators, Wildwood Furniture, and others.

Visit //www.indianaholistichealth.net/wellnessexpo.htm to see all of our sponsors!

Local Food at "Simply Healthy:Creating Sustainable Communities"

2007-10-27T10:56:00.000-04:00

Simply Healthy:Creating Sustainable Communities" Simply Living Fair and Wellness Expo, November 9th and 10th, 2007 is pleased to announce these food related workshops and presentations. Food Works of Middleway House will be set up in the Vendor/Exhibition area.

Live Well, Eat Locally" by Maggie Sullivan We are what we eat! Supporting local sustainable agriculture is not always easy, but the benefitsare well worth it. Where does your food come from? How was it grown? Did the farmer who grew it receive a fair wage? Has your food traveled further than you went on your last vacation? Come hear about how eating locally can make a difference in your health, the health of the environment, the strength of the local food economy, and the strength of your community. Maggie Sullivan is the director of the Local Growers Guild, a cooperative of small farms in southern and central Indiana.PO Box 2553, Bloomington, IN 47402-2553.

Green Living for a Healthier Life - Scarlett Winter, ND
This presentation explores how the old-fashioned values of using just what you need, farming and living in harmony with nature, and building communities may lead to drastically positive changes in the health and wellness of nations. Visit me in the Vendors Area.

Imagining a Future. Beyond Sustainability. Brandon Pitcher - Come and learn from some of the most exciting projects in systems design from around the world. ZERI (Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives) Practitioner, and 5 KDC Director, Brandon Pitcher, will expose you to several projects undertaken around the globe as well as here in Indiana. Inspired by Nature, innovations in health care, food, water, education, shelter, energy, and job creation will be explored. Please join in this fascinating look at what can be done when a group of committed individuals decide to go for their dreams.

Cooking with Herbs! (Children's Program) with Anna Tosick - Learn what fun herbs can be in the kitchen! We will make delicious herbal snacks and have an herbal tea party.

The Art of Healing with Whole Foods: Chinese Food Energetics Andy Reed -
In this workshop the student will learn how to make an Ayurvedic Healing spice paste based on Asian food energetics. Asian food energetics will be introduced to assist students to make dietary choices based on Traditional Asian Medical Theory. Understanding Asian food energetics can significantly increase our health by learning which foods are appropriate for us to eat as an individual. Foods which strengthen the immune system, promote the flow of qi, and otherwise assist the healing process will be presented. A simple Asian spice detoxification paste will be prepared which has been shown to prevent cancer, pacify inflammation, promote detoxification, and help to balance the bodies energetics.

PERMACULTURE - Want to stop global warming, restore the earth, reclaim eroded or damaged soil, live sustainably, grow food, and make your back yard a food forest? Permaculture knows how. Introduction and conversation about basic principles and practices of Permaculture. Led by
Andy Reed and Shodo Spring, members of the Bloomington Permaculture Guild.

Food Works for Middleway House is a full service catering business owned and operated by Middle Way House, an abused women's shelter in Bloomington, Indiana.Working to provide opportunities to women who are victims of domestic violence to become economically self-sufficient while providing real culinary skills, a safe and supportive work environment, and a valuable work history. Our goal to provide meals that are healthy, tasty and varied, and low in sodium sugar and fats. (812) 219-9525 or visit us online at www.middlewayfoodworks.org.

The 2nd Annual ''Simply Healthy: Creating Sustainable Communities” Simply Living Fair and Wellness Expo of the Indiana Holistic Health Network will take place November 9th and 10th, 2007 in the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington. This holistic, simply living and spiritual lifestyle fair and expo is presented this year by the Indiana Holistic Health Network and the Center for Sustainable Living in collaboration with the Caldwell Center. This year’s event incorporates the Simply Living Fair of the Center for Sustainable Living.

"Simply Healthy" will feature more than 20 workshops, a Free Vendors area where you can purchase art and holistic products, have psychic and astrological readings, eat food, discuss holistic services, attend a Healing Sound Concert and participate in '''Susun Weed, Herbalist and author's "Green Blessings, the Wise Woman Way" workshop and keynote presentation "Seven Medicines"!'''

“Simply Healthy” plans to be a great community opportunity to explore simply living, holistic and alternative health topics and resources through lectures, workshops and talking with experts.

After a day of workshops, relax Friday evening at the 7pm'''Healing Sound Concert'' fundraiser for the Simply Healthy Fair and Expo (only $11 in advance). Featuring the Women of Mass Percussion, Sally Todd, Pianist, Curtis Cantwell Jackson, Singer-Songwriter, The Gandharvas, poetry of Anna Tosick and Patricia C. Coleman, The Gandharvas and “Calling the Sounds of White Buffalo Calf Woman” with Lisa-Marie Napoli, Jeffrey Miller, Bil Whitefeather and other special guests. Native American drum, flute, and crystal singing bowls combine to create a multi-sensory performance celebrating the prophecy of White Buffalo Calf Woman. Her legend foretells of a time when civilization enters the Fifth World – a Time of Peace and Harmony.Opening Words by Reverend Barbara Carlson.

This concert offers a variety of sounds and ideas with the intent of putting forth healing vibrations. Healing Sound Concert Tickets can be purchased at Wandering Turtle Gallery at 224 North College Avenue, Bloomington (cash or check only).

To top off you Saturday, November 10th workshops, or your day with Susun, at 7:00pm come listen as Susun Weed will end "Simply Healthy" with her FREE keynote presentation '''"Seven Medicines" with special attention to cancer.

Details

Friday and Saturday Workshops, November 9th and 10th from 9:00am to 5:00 pm – choose from more than 20 workshops and presentations - $45/$40 Seniors and Students

Friday, 7:00pm - Healing Sound Concert -). Featuring the Women of Mass Percussion, Sally Todd, Pianist, Curtis Cantwell Jackson, Singer-Songwriter, The Gandharvas, poetry of Anna Tosick and Patricia C. Coleman, The Gandharvas and “Calling the Sounds of White Buffalo Calf Woman” with Lisa-Marie Napoli, Jeffrey Miller, Bil Whitefeather and other special guests. Opening Words by Reverend Barbara Carlson. Tickets can be purchased at Wandering Turtle Gallery at 224 North College Avenue, Bloomington ($11 cash or check only).

Saturday, November 10th '''Susun Weed in “Green Blessings, the Wise Woman Way”''' Workshop $100/$75 Seniors and Students

Saturday evening, at 7:00pm, Susun Weed will present a FREE Keynote on “Seven Medicines”- with special attention to cancer

For complete information about "Simply Healthy: Creating Sustainable Communities" and to register, visit http://www.indianaholistichealth.net/wellnessexpotickets.htm

Concert Tickets Available at Wandering Turtle Gallery, 224 North College Avenue, Bloomington

If you have questions contact - mail.ihhn(at)gmail.com, or Call - 812-331-0886

Please note that there will be an $5 additional charged at the door.

There are many VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE, email us at the address above and someone will contact you!

This Sponsored and supported by: Indiana Holistic Health Network, Center for Sustainable Living, The Good Life Alternative, Mountain Rose Herbs, Green Sanctuary Task Force of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Women Writing for a Change, Local Food, Caldwell Center, Green Dove Network, Inc., Wind River Acupuncture, WFHB Community Radio, BLOOM Mag, Quilter’s Comfort, with support from, HART ROCK, Holistic Affordable Housing (H!A!H!), WME3, Wonderlab, Home Renovators, Wildwood Furniture, One World Enterprises, Wandering Turtle Art Gallery, Avers, Indiana Living Green Magazine, Fons and Porter Quilting, Howard’s Book Store, Douglas Chamberlain, Soma Coffeehouse and Juice Bar and Laughing Planet Café, and Tendre Press.

For information, visit the website at http://www.indianaholistichealth.net or call 812-331-0886

Local Food Panel Discussion

2007-10-27T10:52:00.000-04:00

The Green Sanctuary Task Force on Global Climate Change is hosting a panel discussion on local food at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Bloomington (2120 North Fee Lane) on Sunday, October 28 from 6:15 - 7:45pm.

Three panelists, Marti Crouch, Christine Barbour and Teresa Birtles, will discuss:

differences between sustainable agriculture and the agribusiness model&
the anticipated effects of global climate change on agriculture&
the benefits of buying locally grown and raised food&
options for purchasing local food products, even in the winter.

After introductory comments, there will be an opportunity to ask questions of the panelists. For more information, call Marcia Veldman at (812) 988-4956 or email her at meadowlk@bloomington.in.us.

Farmers Market Day

2005-04-23T10:01:00.000-05:00

Today is Farmers Market day, heard a blurb on WFHB with Michael Simmons describing all the wonders to be found there. If you are in town, check it out, or go to another community market. Enjoy the fresh abundance of this season. Keep warm and if you have tender vegis outin the garden, cover them before evening, because temperatures are supposed to drop. Ah, spring!

Local Food News

2005-04-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

Local Food News has been updated and some of its information appeared as a supplement in the Green Dove Peace Magazine .

Hello

2005-04-11T10:07:00.000-05:00

Hello Local Food Bloomington - just a beautiful day in Indiana - more summer like than spring.