|
JJC to Host Local Foods Event Dec. 3
| |
Joliet Junior College is in the beginning stages of developing a local foods project and will kick off a series of outreach activities with a public event, "GROW Food Community Economy" on Dec. 3. The event will include a sustainable, local foods breakfast and three nationally-known speakers within the local foods movement: John Ikerd, agricultural economist and author; Terra Brockman, author and founder of The Land Connection, and Jim Slama, founder and president of FamilyFarmed.org.
For Rafac, a JJC instructor and event organizer, the answer to successfully growing a sustainable culture and green economy in our communities is food.
"In order to become a healthy, sustainable community, we need healthy and sustainable families and that all begins with what and how we eat," she said.
"GROW Food Community Economy" will be held on the JJC Main Campus on Friday, Dec. 3, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
To register, visit the JJC sustainability website. For questions, contact Maria Anna Rafac (815) 280-2546.
|
|
U.S. Senate passes landmark food safety legislation
Small-scale farms, producers exempt from costly regulations
|
The U.S. Senate Tuesday voted 73-25 to approve the Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510), which would expand the Food and Drug Administration's authority to inspect food plants and issue mandatory recalls but protect small farmers and food producers from costly new regulations.
The landmark legislation, which had broad bipartisan support, marks the first time in 70 years that Congress has addressed deficiencies in the nation's food system. The U.S. House approved a similar bill over a year ago.
Foodborne illnesses kill about 5,000 people each year. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), who first introduced the legislation over a year ago said the bill will "help ensure that the food on America's tables is safe."
Thanks to an amendment introduced by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and approved by the Senate last week, the bill provides scale-appropriate food safety rules for small farms and mid-sized farms and local processors that sell to restaurants, food co-ops, groceries, wholesalers and at farm stands and farmers markets.
The legislation exempts producers who gross under $500,000 and who sell at least 50 percent directly to consumers or local retailers and restaurants from the new federal HACCP/ HARCP requirements and produce safety standards.
It also defines eligible "local" restaurants and retailers (end-users) as those who are either in-state or within 275 miles of the facility or farm it sources product from.
The legislation also gives FDA authority to withdraw an exemption from a farm or facility that has been associated with a foodborne illness outbreak.
In an email to friends, sustainable food leader and author of the best-selling Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan said with the addition of the Tester Amendment, the legislation "strikes a reasonable balance between the pressing need to more rigorously protect the safety of industrially produced food, as well as imported food, while at the same time assuring that the local food movement not be burdened unduly."
Pollan also pointed out that the legislation would also exempt small farmers from some current federal laws, including the 2002 terrorism act.
The House has reportedly indicated it will accept the Senate's version of the bill, and if so, the legislation would move on to the President to be signed into law. |
| The 1st Annual Chicago Local & Fair Trade Holiday Gift Bazaar | |
The Chicago Local and Fair Trade Holiday Gift Bazaar is a dynamic two-day shopping event that showcases inovative local and fair trade businesses. The event will take place at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N Cannon Dr. on Sunday December 5TH and Sunday December 19th, 2010 from 11-5 pm. Admission is $5 for Adults and Free for Kids 12 and under. (This includes complimentary admission to museum for adults- a $9 value!) VIP tickets will be available to the first 150 people who pre-register for each day. VIP status will allow early access to the event (10-11 am) and a chance to win special door prizes. Tickets are available online and at the door. Brown Paper Tickets: VIP Code: vip2010
The bazaar is curated by Kate Gross of Ms.Mint. Gross brings together some of the region's most dynamic and creative entrepreneurs- including chefs & food artisans, artists & designers, fair trade liaisons, educators, authors, and entertainers. About 30 vendors will showcase each day of the event. Customers shop directly from the producers or brand reps themselves. Event attendees also have the opportunity to create their own gourmet gift baskets! Ms. Mint will sell beautiful fair trade baskets and provide a list of suitable gift basket fare at the event. Wrapping and shipping will be available.
Delicious samples, special promotions, and door prizes will be available throughout both days of the event. UPS Shipping will be available on site. Click here for more information!
|
|
|
|
|
| Save the Dates and Get Involved in the FamilyFarmed EXPO! | |
The Midwest's Premier Local Food Event Returns
March 17 to 19, 2011!
3 Great days of Programming at the Fantastic UIC Forum in Chicago
|
|
CHICAGO CHEFS, MIDWEST FARMERS WORK TOGETHER TO INCREASE AND IMPROVE SUSTAINABLE MEAT PRODUCTION
November 17, 2010
| |
Meat was on the menu in Chicago on November 17 as hundreds of farmers, distributors, restaurant professionals and culinary students gathered at the Harold Washington Library Center and Robert Morris University to discuss sustainable meat and find out exactly what it is, what it tastes like and why to buy it.
Sponsored by the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-Op, FamilyFarmed.org, Green City Market, Kendall College, and dozens of chefs and advocacy groups, the State of the Plate conference helped link together both sides of the sustainable meat supply chain.
Attendees included chefs, caterers, culinary students, restaurant professionals and others who wanted to better understand the current model of meat production and help develop solutions for healthier, safer, more sustainable food.
"As a restaurateur, sustainable meat needs to be good for the bottom line as well as for the environment," said Dan Rosenthal, cofounder, Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op. "When I was first approached about buying more sustainable meats for my seven restaurants, not only did I find that prices were prohibitive, I found that there was tremendous confusion and misunderstanding about what the definition of a sustainable meat product really was. The more I got into it, the more confusing terms like 'natural' 'free range' and 'grass-fed' became.
"Our goals for the State of the Plate are simple: Educate chefs and farmers about the issue. Teach chefs the different taste and preparation needs of sustainable meat. And introduce them to producers who can get them the sustainable products they want."
Check out the State of the Plate website for more information, pictures from the day, and the popular glossary of meat/ag terms.
|
|
Chicagoland Winter Farmers Markets
| |
GREEN CITY MARKET INDOOR MARKET DETAILS:
November 6 - December 22, 2010
Every Wednesday and Saturday
8:00am - 1:00pm
AT THE PEGGY NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM
2430 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago, IL 60614
AND
Faith in Place and the Churches' Center for Land and People (CCLP) are partnering for the 2010-2011 winter market season to sponsor indoor Winter Farmers Markets.
Hosted by many different congregations and also open to the public, these markets offer consumers an opportunity to purchase cheese, meat and poultry, soap, syrup, honey, wool, raw fibers, vinegars, dried fruits, milled flours, sauces and salsas, preserves, cider, and fresh produce as available. (Not all items listed will be available at every market.) Click here for more information.
|
|
|
