Food Security Group

Comment

Comment by Brian Kerkvliet on September 5, 2011 at 2:57pm

I would like to second Walter's comment. If you put your money where your mouth is and support local farmers that are pursuing a regenerative methods of growing food their efforts will be rewarded and people will find out how and why they grow food the way they do because it tastes good and has more nutritional value.

Here at Inspiration Farm we strive to grow things in polyculture settings with minimal water. We focus on animal and crop rotations for the health of the soil and the environment supported by it. We don't till, we don't use any major external inputs and you can really taste the difference in the food. We have expanded out of a family homestead farm that raises our own fruit, veggies, dairy, grains, meat, and spices for most of the year We are relearning how to do this and can teach others how to go about it as well. But the best way to make sure this approach is pursued in our county is to support the farmers that are doing it right now so that they can teach others what works and what doesn't. 

That being said, our farmstand is open 24/7 for self serve and for larger quantities or special items contact us at Inspiration Farm

Comment by Alys Kennedy on September 4, 2011 at 9:51am

Although I have yet to attend a meeting with this group, due to time constraints, I totally agree with what you wrote Tris.  As the climate continues to be more unpredictable, and this year has certainly given us a taste of that, growing adequate food, both in terms of quantity and nutritional quality, will become more and more difficult.  Throw in more and more limited transportation issues, due to peak oil - be it to costly to purchase or just not very available - and  you have the makings of a serious disaster....many could and most likely will not survive this sort of scenario.  And, although I would like to see world hunger addressed, as it is currently a serious issue, I think we first have to take care of our immediate and local needs.  Building a viable food network within this county and perhaps connecting to Skagit and a few other neighboring counties seems like the wisest thing we can do at present.

Comment by Shirley Jacobson on September 3, 2011 at 5:23pm

The book is

 

EcoMind: Changing the Way We Think, to Create the World We Want

 

There is a ticketed event at the Leopold beginning at 5:30 on Monday, Sept13, and a talk at Village Books at 7.

Comment by Tris Shirley on September 3, 2011 at 3:53pm

This might be an appropriate time to reinvigorate the discussion about the goals of this workgroup.  A reasonable inference from the name of the workgroup is that we are concerned about "food security".  In common usage, I believe, that phrase refers to the risk that people of limited means may not be able to afford or have access to an adequate or healthful diet.  This is certainly a worthy focus for a group such as this.

However, in the context of Transition, I think the phrase "food security" has a somewhat different meaning.  In my opinion, it means that with the expected impacts of climate change and scarce (or just expensive) petroleum, almost everybody will be at risk of inadequate nutrition in the near future.  Income and wealth have nothing to do with it.   Therefore, the focus of this group might be to work toward  a resilient, local, sustainable food supply system for the benefit of everybody.   

There are lots of good ideas floating around and many people are  experimenting and even operating some very efficient small scale ag businesses. Some may believe we already have the answers. But I have yet to see a comprehensive analysis of the dietary needs of Whatcom County residents and how those needs can be met despite high energy costs and unstable weather patterns.  Maybe it exists, but I haven't seen it. IMHO, supporting the experimenters and businesses, as well as doing that analysis should be our focus. 

And if redesigning our community's food  supply were to he the focus of this workgroup, then issues such as world hunger and eliminating inequality are a bit off the mark.  Again, this is not to say that those are not worthy topics and that we could not have a workgroup to address them.  I just didn't think this was the workgroup to do that.  I'd like to know what others in the group think about this.

Comment by Heather K on July 28, 2011 at 2:50pm

Laura, your ideas on a “NW Autumn Barter Fair (& farmers bean/grain/seed-swap)” requested!  There is a team of us looking into hosting an event– possibly first sat in November 11/5), as we don't see any other events conflicting at that time.  Would you share what other local food-security events are being planned for Oct & November? I've posted events I know of on River Haven group - http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/group/riverhavencommunityfarm?com...

 

All- let us know if you'd like to volunteer create a one day event for an autumn barter fair & farmer-seed-swap.

(Brian K, Krista R, Travis L & myself are in email-dialogue now seeking date/location/helpers).

Comment by Laura R. on July 3, 2011 at 1:44pm

Thought you all would like to know about this: Local Food Commons Trust

Comment by warren miller on June 23, 2011 at 1:12pm

Transition Whatcom has a project on the Home and Landscape tour this weekend (June 25/26 from 10AM to 5PM)- the project we helped with across from the Farmers Market for the 350 Home and Garden Challenge. This is a high visibility location so it is a great opportunity for us to spread the word about TW! If YOU want to volunteer to be at the site, for any subset of the tour time, to answer questions about Transition Whatcom please contact Warren Miller at warren@wavefrontmarketing.com. Thanx!

Comment by Heather K on May 11, 2011 at 9:24am

Whatcom Food Network Forum meets today, May 11^th.

quote: “The Whatcom Food Network is working to build common understanding and facilitate collaborative efforts toward a healthy and equitable food system for all....” http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/foodnetwork/background.html

….” Sustainable Connections’ Food & Farming program, Community to Community Development, Crossroads Consulting and the Public Health Department each have goals related to greater coordination... “

 

“...The Whatcom Food Network is open to the many food system-related organizations, agencies, and private sector groups as well as institutions playing a key role in the food system. The Food System Chart, an educational tool used to map the food system actors and the role that they play, will serve as the initial mapping of potential Network members. “

“... What do we hope to accomplish by establishing the Whatcom Food Network?
Overarching Functions of the Network: 
1)    Understand mutual goals within Whatcom County.
2)    Increase communication among food system-related organizations, agencies, and institutions.
3)    Identify overlaps and opportunities to build community capacity.
4)    Identify potential partnerships, collaborative teams and opportunities to leverage
5)    Gain a collective understanding of system-wide barriers and gaps.
6)    Help us all fulfill our organizational, institutional, or greater missions and goals through a more coordinated food system” (endquote)

Comment by Laura R. on May 8, 2011 at 1:03pm

the forum is next week - we need someone from Transition Whatcom to represent the transition movement and food! Please register at the link below by the end of the day Monday.

thanks.

Comment by Jamie Jedinak on May 8, 2011 at 1:45am

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How was the forum?  ~  jamie

 

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