Locavore News by Elbert van Donkersgoed
Posted: October 19, 2009
Categories: Food in the News / News from Sustain Ontario
Perspectives on good food and farming
The Michelle Obama-Jamie Oliver Axis of Eating
Oliver is seeking to make the same kind of changes First Lady Michelle Obama is pursuing with her food policy agenda, but Oliver’s hoping to do it with lightening speed. In the time it takes to shoot enough footage for a six-part series, Oliver hopes to rapidly transform the incredibly poor eating habits in Huntington by teaching locals to shop and cook, as well as by creating a healthy school lunch program that eliminates junk food. Obama Foodorama blog.
Hope School — Whole School Food Policy (UK)
This policy is a statement of the aims, principles and strategies for the effective teaching and learning regarding Food, Healthy Eating and the development of Healthy lifestyles. It was developed during the autumn term 2006 in line with Government Healthy Schools Strategy. A schedule for its review is outlined in the School Improvement Plan. Docstoc document.
Grown in Motown by urban farmers
Edith Floyd walks behind her house in Detroit and pulls an orange tarp off what you might think would be a car. It’s her tractor. She uses it to prepare the soil for her farm next door – digging up the old bricks and stones to make way for collard greens and watermelon. Next year, she plans to plant the barren lots across the street, where only one house is left standing. Toronto Star story.
Sky Vegetables: Taking Green Roofs to New Heights
I have to admit, it was one of the cooler, more compelling elevator pitches I’ve heard, and I’ve heard a lot. This one came at a cocktail reception several weeks ago, at the Food Marketing Institute’s Sustainability Summit, a gathering of major retailers and consumer packaged goods brands, where I was a keynote speaker. As such conferences are, this one was a magnet for a wide range of consultancies and service providers aiming to connect with Big Food. Joel Makower writing on GreenBiz.com.
Volunteers support drive to eat locally produced food
The Talking Farm was created out of the Evanston Food Policy Council about five years ago. The mission is to educate the public on better nutrition, health and environmental sustainability. Chicago Tribune story.
CLF Honors Baltimore Public Schools for Visionary Leadership
The Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future has presented Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) with the Center’s 2009 Award for Visionary Leadership in Local Food Procurement and Food Education. Story on Center for a Livable Future website.
Council on Food Policy meets Oct. 20 (New York)
The Governor’s New York State Council on Food Policy will hold its annual fall meeting beginning at 11 a.m. Oct. 20 at the Moakley House, 215 Warren Road in Ithaca. The meeting, which is open to the public, will begin with presentations from Cornell University academics covering topics such as the state of New York’s Dairy Industry; Cornell University’s Small Farms Program; and the New York State Food Venture Center, which is an outreach program of Cornell University’s Food Science and Technology Department and housed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. Syracuse Post-Standard story.
Local and Regional Food Economies in Canada: Status Report
The goal of this study is to examine current local and regional food economies in Canada. There are number of emerging local food systems initiatives in Canada, but no systematic study has been undertaken to document them. We will also explore the definitions of “local food†used in
various initiatives in North America and Europe. Sectoral Policy Directorate, Food Quality, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada study (1.33 MB PDF).
Chow down on local specialties, but consider habitat risks, say Canadian geographers
Dining out on good local food while on holiday has received the stamp of approval from the Canadian Association of Geographers, which has named 10 websites that highlight specialties across the country. The list – covering everything from Nova Scotia fiddleheads to B.C. wines to Yukon Arctic char – is being offered as part of the association’s annual promotional effort, Geography Awareness Week (Nov. 16-20), and to point out the benefits of culinary tourism. Canadian Press story. Includes list of ten websites.
Community Food Security Resources at Your Fingertips
This database is a living, ever-growing cornucopia of freely-accessible, community food security resources. The submissions and comments of the food security community who use this website will continue to expand its richness and content. It is our intent to provide credible, practical, accessible information that will be of use to community activists, academics, policy makers, farmers and anyone interested in food security. Website maintained by Food Secure Canada in collaboration with the BC Food Systems Network.
Ensuring the Future of Food
Japanese video with English subtitles from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan.Graphic video.
AND if You Have Time
Top 10 Most Unusual State Fair Foods
Summertime brings ripe produce, long, warm days, and a classic American tradition: the state fair. The best part of the fair? The fare! We found wonderfully wacky, wild, and irresistible fried summer foods, from deep-fried bacon in Texas to Minnesota’s spaghetti and meatballs on a stick. What are you waiting for? Read on to salivate in wonder over these unusual and calorie-laden foods awaiting at a state fair near you. Starting with Chicken-Fried Bacon.