Locavore News by Elbert van Donkersgoed
Posted: July 31, 2009
Categories: Food in the News / News from Sustain Ontario
Perspectives on good food and farming
July 31, 2009
Sustain Ontario Newsletter
Strengthening regional food economies across Ontario and more.
Mathias Drake represents the future of farming in Canada
The industrious farmer operates a thriving poultry business on Prince Edward Island, directly supplying free-range chickens and turkeys to islanders hungry for local food. He’s an expert in the various systems needed to keep his flock growing, and an advocate for agriculture – his business card even says “Buy Farmer Direct.†And he’s just 13. Chef Michael Smith writing in the Globe and Mail.
Urban farmer vows to fight city
Already living in the shadow of 12-storey apartment buildings, the owner of one of London’s smallest farms says he won’t go down without a fight. London Free Press story.
Who needs to cook?
The green smoothie looked like wet mulched lawn grass. We’re talking Kermit-the-Frog-green in a glass. Barbara Maccaroni, proud owner and operator of B.Love — Hamilton’s new raw food catering business — prepared it fresh for guests as an example of a healthy wholesome beverage in a raw food diet. In May, Maccaroni opened B.Love, believed to be Hamilton’s first raw food catering business. Hamilton Spectator story.
Pigging out on local food
One of the great joys of this column has been meeting the people who make and grow the food I write about. They’re a creative, hardworking and often humorous bunch. Last week I had cause to have dinner with a group of them and it was as intoxicating as the excellent local wine we sampled (but not to extreme). The reason for the get-together was Clark Day. The congenial restaurateur, who runs Aqua Terra by Clark Resteaubistro among other things, has been talking to me for a few years now about doing a story featuring local food producers and growers. Greg Burliuk writing in the Kingston Whig-Standard .
Farm Credit Encourages Consumers to Celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week
August 2-8 kicks off National Farmers’ Market Week. At Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, an ag lending cooperative serving over 85,000 customers throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee, the staff is encouraging consumers to get out and enjoy markets that are overflowing with a ton of good things to eat. Farm Credit Services of Mid-America press release on PRWeb.
Birmingham shoppers back call for more locally-produced food
Stunning strudels from Austria, brilliant baklavas from Iran and terrific British food set the taste buds tingling at the first Birmingham International Food Fair. But a survey suggested that demand is booming for locally produced food, with consumers wanting to see more home-grown produce on supermarket shelves and an extension of popular farmers’ markets. hoppers in Birmingham confirm the survey findings in this story in the BirminghamMail.net, Birmingham, UK.
12 Ways to Make the People’s Stimulus Green
I just read about the People’s Stimulus Package and am impressed. Started by an Alabama pharmacist who thought his little town need its own stimulus, he gave his employees $700 bucks each ($300 to part timers) in $2 bills. All he asked is that they give 15% to a charity and to spend the rest locally in independent stores. Jennifer Kaplan writing in Ecopreneurist.
Kids Garden News
Thematic and standards-based articles, activities, and resources for educators implementing school gardens. Monthly. Subscribe to the free newsletter on the website of the National Gardening Association (US).
Ten million ladybirds hit sedum grown for eco-roofing
They are categorically attracted to the sedum. Each ladybird consumes about 5,000 aphids in their year-long life cycle. There have been incidents of people being bitten, and although being beneficial they have a habit of crawling all over you which can be a bit daunting. They are present on the sedum mat every year, but this year there is a particularly high abundance. HorticultureWeek story.