Fresh From the Kingdom! Local Food Workshop Series
The newly formed citizen’s organization, St. J ALFA (St. Johnsbury Area Local Food Alliance) is partnering with two other local organizations to offer a series of fun, tasty and informative sessions around the theme of improving the NEK regional food system. St. J ALFA is collaborating with the St. J. Food Co-op and Catamount Arts to offer “Fresh from the Kingdom – Building our Local Food Economy” beginning Saturday February 20, 2010. The four consecutive Saturday sessions will be held at Catamount Arts from 10 a.m. - noon. Childcare is available and makes this an event for the entire family.
The series begins on Saturday, February 20 with the showing of the film “FRESH”. This film features Michael Pollan and Joel Salatin and celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Forging healthy, sustainable alternatives to our current industrial model, they offer a practical vision for the future of our food and our planet.
On Saturday, February 27 learn about Eating Close to Home – Localvores take it to the next level. Discover the story of three NEK residents who are exploring regional food through season extension with root cellars; extreme gardening and permaculture; and extending CSA boundaries (Community Supported Agriculture) with local meat and dairy products.
The series continues on Saturday, March 6 with Cooking Outside the Box – Food Demonstration with Chef Ryan O’Malley of Elements Food & Spirit. Chef O’Malley is excited about recently completing a “Pig Project’ and will share details of affordable local meat. He will demonstrate cooking techniques, how to substitute local vegetables and offer samples of his preparations.
The series wraps up on Saturday, March 13 with Hoes, Hammers and Handshakes – Building our local food economy. This presentation will address how we establish a sustainable local economy through the local food movement. Katherine Sims of Green Mountain Farm-to-School and Anna Schultz of Sterling College will share their experiences influencing institutional practices of local food purchasing. Willie Gibson of NOFA-VT and St. J. ALFA co-founder Ted Hartman will join Katherine and Anna in a panel-led discussion afterward. All events will take place at Catamount Arts located at 139 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury Vermont, 802-748-2600. There is a suggested donation of $5 per person per session and free childcare is available. Registration is not requires for any of the events but is required for childcare. Call Michelle to register at 802-751-8507. For more information on the series go to www.stjlocalfoodalliance.org or contact Ted at 802-748-1772. |
