Greetings!

This newsletter provides a regular compilation of events, resources, and ideas that are relevant to farms and food access in West Virginia.  Whether you are a producer, consumer, nonprofit organization, educator, agency or food-related business, there may be something here to help you with your work.  The information in this newsletter is compiled by the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition, which is an organizing initiative currently coordinated by the West Virginia Community Development Hub.  Read more in the left sidebar of this newsletter or visit the WVFFC website.

New FDA Rule: Food Businesses Must Post Calorie Information

Chain restaurants, convenience stores, concession stands and vending machines would be required to display calorie information for all food products they sell under rules proposed April 1 by the Food and Drug Administration. The Washington Post reports that the rules are outlined in last year's health care reform act, and are open to a public comment period before the FDA finalizes and implements them in 2012.

USDA to Update Farmers Market Directory - Needs Your Help 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has begun its 2011 updates to the  USDA National Farmers Market Directory, the official count of the nation's farmers markets. Not only does this searchable directory offer a way for customers to find farmers markets, but it also helps USDA to understand where and how farmers markets are growing -- which may inform policy and funding decisions.  WV markets should update their own info online by clicking here, and can expect a follow-up call from the West Virginia Farmers Market Association to collect some further information.  The complete directory will be released in time for National Farmers Market Week, August 7-13.

West Virginia Food News

Last Chance to Join a Regional Roundtable on Food and Farms 

This spring's series of Regional Roundtables on Food and Farms offers citizens a chance to be heard on food and farm issues.  The roundtables discuss how to strengthen our state's local food economy while getting more healthy, locally-farmed food to the plates and forks of West Virginians.  Are you a farmer, dietician, doctor, chef, food service director, food distributor, community gardener, farmers market manager, food pantry volunteer, or advocate for low-income consumers? Do you care about the quality of food and the viability of farming in West Virginia?  This event is for you. 

Three more roundtables are scheduled for May: 

May 2:  6:30-8:30pm in Berkeley Springs - details here  

May 3:  6:30-8:30pm in Philippi - details here  

The six roundtables are organized by the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition in partnership with WVU Extension Services and the WV Small Farm Center, the WV Department of Education, the WV Department of Agriculture and many local partners.

The first three regional roundtables, in Wheeling, Hico (near Fayetteville), and Parkersburg, drew over 100 participants and produced a wealth of creative, specific ideas.  The WV Food and Farm Coalition released this news article on the events.  They also received coverage from the Parkersburg News and Sentinel and the WVU Small Farm Center web site. 

New Community Garden Association Funded to Support Charleston-Area Gardens 

Across the greater Charleston Area, the community gardens will get a boost with a recent grant from the Sustainable Kanawha Valley Initiative. The funding will provide training and other support to the volunteers who run the area's gardens through the Kanawha Community Garden Association. By next year, the group plans to establish a garden where families can pick a plot to raise their own food. The Charleston Gazette reports on the grant and the growing community garden movement.

New Organization Unites Gardeners to Feed the Hungry

Jim Shaver of Buckhannon has launched a new website, OneMoreRow.org, asking gardeners to dedicate a single row of their gardens this summer to help improve the quality of life for West Virginia's homeless, disabled, financially struggling and senior citizens. The organization suggests taking your harvest to senior citizens, to disabled people who are physically unable to garden, to impoverished urban neighbors who do not have the space or tools to grow a garden for themselves, or to a food bank, soup kitchen or other organizations assisting citizens with financial need. The Charleston Gazette reports.