Food Security Group

Comment

Comment by Heather K on October 14, 2011 at 5:10pm

Food Network Forum I Summary Report pdf , that Laura R recommends at- http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/foodnetwork/documents.html

or - http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/foodnetwork/docs/Forum1Summary.pdf

 

Lets be sure to encourage our local farmers to attend this upcoming Monday Forum. (Brian K, Walter, Krista, Gretchen, Nicole & more!)

Phone Colleen, or click 'RSVP' on link to register- http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/foodnetwork/calendar.html

(Yes, I plan on attending!)

 

I've also posted some events details on Transition Events page and sent out few invites. http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/events/whatcom-food-network-forum-2

Comment by Laura R. on October 14, 2011 at 4:42pm

yes, I think Heather is signed up. Just wanted to let others know. PLEASE know that the summary report from Forum I is worth reading and the Goals are open for input. We are very excited about the work of this group and the longer term implications for resilience for our community. I personally hope that the skills and knowledge of Transition will be incorporated through participation as we move forward.

Comment by Linda J Fels on October 13, 2011 at 3:21pm

I hope someone is going from our group.  My timing continues to be awful.  I will be out of town AGAIN!

Comment by Laura R. on October 13, 2011 at 1:23pm

Folks! A few of you attended the first Food Network Forum in May. We've posted a great report of the outcomes of that day on the website. Round two on Monday, October 17 will take us further into community agreed upon goals and strategies. See here to register. http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/foodnetwork/index.html

Comment by Jean Kroll on September 21, 2011 at 8:59pm

Justlooking for some feedback:  I've been studying/practicing the "art" of food storage for about 3 years now.  When you think about the fact that grocery stores have about 3 days of food for any given community, in these uncertain times, having a big pantry makes sense!  I've been considering offering a class through Whatcom Folk School, but I don't want to go through the trouble of creating a class if people wouldn't be interested in signing up for it.  It is a rather dull topic - but an important one!  Especially in conjunction with growing one's own food, taking advantage of local harvests, etc., it just seems to be an important part of what we're trying to do.  It can be rather fun!  An you can save a lot of money, as well.

 

Anyway, your feedback is appreciated!

Comment by Krista Rome on September 19, 2011 at 11:01am

Riverhaven Farm is hosting a bean & grain threshing party on Sunday Sept 25 from 2-5:30. Also, around 6ish we'll have a fall equinox harvest potluck! So bring your favorite local dish and enjoy the property. Check the Events Page for details and spread the word, thanks!

Comment by Heather K on September 14, 2011 at 4:51pm

Whatcom Food Network Forum-Save the Date- Monday, October 17.  - Session 2 - .

quote:  "WHAT: Whatcom Food Network Forum - Session 2 with special guest speaker, Dr. Oran Hesterman, author of the new book “Fair Food” and founder of the national Fair Food Network.

(co-hosted by Washington State University – Agriculture Extention & local community groups)

 WHEN: Monday October 17, 2011, 1-4 pm. Partnership social with refreshments, 4-5pm.

 WHERE: Squalicum Boathouse in Zuanich Park Point, 2600 Harbor Loop, Bellingham, WA 

  WHY: To build upon momentum from the first forum and be inspired by Oran Hesterman, offering stories of how others are building equitable food networks."  endquote.

 

For more information on the Network go to:

http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/foodnetwork

 

For invitation & full agenda request on above website.

 

(Ditto on Farmer Walter & Brian's wisdom

- Its time to harvest our foods, either in our own gardens, or head out to your favorite farm and make a fair exchange).

Comment by Brian Kerkvliet on September 11, 2011 at 3:19pm

I liked to see this!! lets do it here!

Third Maine town passes food freedom ordinance

Garden Hen/Wiki Commons image

Food Freedom

On Saturday, April 2, Blue Hill became the third town in Maine to adopt the Local Food and Self-Governance Ordinance.  The Ordinance was passed at Blue Hill’s town meeting by a near unanimous vote. This comes on the heels of the unanimous passage of the Ordinance in neighboring towns, Sedgwick and Penobscot, on March 5 and March 7, respectively. The Ordinance asserts that towns can determine their own food and farming policies locally, and exempts direct food sales from state and federal license and inspection requirements.

more here

Comment by Deanna Lloyd on September 5, 2011 at 11:10pm

In response to Kate's comment about being able to get good, local food in town, check out the the Common Threads Farm and School Garden Youth Grown Market that will be occurring on Tuesdays!  

Shop at the Youth Grown Market Stand Tuesdays in September from 3:00-5:00.  The stand is located at 1020 North State St. (as is the site of the beautiful Youth Grown Garden!)   

Not only can you purchase some gorgeous produce, but you'll also have a chance to learn about and support Common Threads Farm's newly launched garden-based job-training collaboration with Northwest Youth Services and the Whatcom Volunteer Center.  This is our definite "feel good" story of the summer, and we'd love to share it with you!  

Comment by Kate Clark on September 5, 2011 at 8:39pm

We used the words Food Security, to mean just that on a broad scale...as truly, nearly all of us are "food - insecure" in reality.  That's why I LOVE the Food Bank Gardens project, its prescient...because eventually a great many more will depend on food banks.  There is a great hunger (!) for fresh food, organically grown, and the demographics of those who want this kind of food is growing beyond the typical foodie types.  There seems to be two directions we should focus on for true food security for Whatcom County. 

One is buying from local farmers as Brian and Walter are saying.  The barrier is often of course, that people are used to buying cheap food and they are surprised and upset to find that to buy good, local produce and meats is more expensive. Hence, the sentiment that local organic food is elitist- a family of five living on minimum wage would be hard pressed to afford it (and still enjoy the quantity and diverse selection as they do when they shop at Fred Meyer).  So those of us who can afford it, and who are accepting of less of it and fewer exotic imported foods need to step up and pay the real price.  

I was approached this week by someone who said she wished she didn't have to drive out to the county to buy from a local grower or go to a good organic u-pick. She wished there were more gardens in town so she could drive her bike over and pick (or pick up) some freshly harvested salad stuff, for example, after work.  So I guess that's the second approach- more neighborhood gardens, community gardens, even commercial gardens near or in town.  

Well, I'm just joining in the discussion...my concern is that there won't be sufficient interest/support for these strategies until more people are challenged to get food. Its estimated we have about three days worth in the stores!  Its too bad the average person doesn't really think about how to solve a problem until it IS a problem.  Necessity being the mother of invention- or hunger being the mother of gardening/needing local farmers and farms.  

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