This weekend is the Virginia Wine Expo, which sounds like a lot of fun. The RFC has been enjoying some great Virginia wines with our local dinners, namely from Williamsburg Winery and White Hall. More on those later.
Today I was inspired by this story on the NY Times website on local spirits. Check it out- it is a beautiful story on the transformation of a landscape, and thus a consciousness.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
RFC Visits the VABF Conference
I will be representing the Richmond Food Collective today and tomorrow at the Virginia Association for Biological Farming conference at the Richmond Sheraton West hotel! I didn't get to participate in this conference last year, so I'm excited to see what it has to offer in 2009. Speakers include Will Allen of Growing Power Inc., that exciting nonprofit organization from Milwaukee centered around urban gardening, community education, organic growing and food systems work. Check out my post on Will Allen here, where I talked about his MacArthur fund Genius Grant. I will be attending workshops on permaculture and year round production of naturally grown vegetables today, and tomorrow hope to check out workshops on farm systems, mushrooms and growing organic produce for restaurants. Check back here for photos and details about the conference -- or stop me and say hello if you plan to attend the conference as well! I will be wearing a Richmond Food Collective badge.
Books we Recommend
Read up on sustainable agriculture, the local food movement, whole foods, organic agriculture, food systems, and more! These books have been placed in loose categories to try and serve as a guide... but many of these books have all kinds of crossover between nutrition, gardening, cooking, food politics and local food and on.
Got a book to suggest? Email us!
Food/ Food Culture/ Nutrition:
Got a book to suggest? Email us!
Food/ Food Culture/ Nutrition:
Why Some Like it Hot: Food, Genes, and Cultural Diversity, 2004 by Gary Paul Naban
Coming Home to Eat: The Pleasures and Politics of Local Foods, 2001 by Gary Paul Naban
Eat Here: Reclaiming Homegrown Pleasures in a Global Supermarket by Brian Halweil
Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Plank (Nutrition)
The Happiness Diet: Tyler Grahm and Drew Ramsey MD. (Nutrition)
Milk: The Surprising Story of Milk Throughout the Ages , by Anne Mendelson
Gardening and Working With Nature:
Settled In The Wild: Notes from the Edge of Town, 2010 by Susan Hand Shetterly
The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earth Worms, by Amy Stewart
Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations by David R. Montgomery
Four Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman
How to Grow More Vegetables and Fruits John Jeavons
Second Nature by Michael Pollan
Politics of Food :
Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health, by Marion Nestle
Just Food: Where Locavores Get It Wrong and How We Can truly Eat Responsibly, by James E. McWilliams
Pet Food Politics: The Chihuahua in the Coal Mine, by Marion Nestle.
In Defense of Food , by Michael P
Full Moon Feast: Food and Hunger For Connection by Jessica Prentice
In Defense of Food , by Michael Pollan
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Culinary/ Cookbooks
The Art of Simple Food A cookbook by Alice Waters
Food52: Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs
How to Pick a Peach;The Search for Flavor From Farm to Table: Russ Parsons
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Few of My Favorite Things...
I will admit that I have not been taking as much pleasure in grocery shopping as I used to. Maybe this is because I have less time to spend at the grocery, which makes shopping more of a chore these days. Maybe it is because I was spoiled by the variety of fresh foods at the markets last season. Anyway, I am trying to get out of that myopic, all business habit at the store and enjoy it a little more. Lucky for me, Richmonders have become quite industrious in the food realm. Take Zaydies Granola for example. Mother and daugther Janice and Shelley Freed have started quite a business with their "naturally delicious and not too sweet" granola. I was lucky enough to try their Cranberry and Walnut, and well as the Blueberry and Almond Granolas, and they are both amazing. The fruit is dried but not hard, and the cereal is well spiced- you won't even miss the sugar. Zaydies is available in generous sizes at Ellwood Thompson's now, and will be at several area markets next season.
I also discovered that my favorite coffee in the world, Blanchard's, is now available at Ellwood Thompson's. My favorites are the espresso blend and the Dark as Dark. The Blanchards know what they are doing, and we are lucky to have them. They have a shop on Forest Hill Avenue, and they'll make you a darned good latte there.
You know who else makes me gush? I know that Shannon mentioned Chocolate Cravings in a recent post, but this is worth mentioning again. In fact, this vendor is known to all of my friends as 'The Chocolate Lady', because really there is no other. Aside from her imaginative combinations, (my favorites are ginger and cardamom and sea salt with almond, though I have also tried jalapeno with cinnamon. Yes, IN the chocolate!) the chocolate she makes is the best I have ever had. No hyperbole- it is the best. Her chocolates are available at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Shop, and will be at various markets next season.
Hope you make some fun and tasty discoveries on your next trip to the store. Maybe you'll be inspired to share them with us!
I also discovered that my favorite coffee in the world, Blanchard's, is now available at Ellwood Thompson's. My favorites are the espresso blend and the Dark as Dark. The Blanchards know what they are doing, and we are lucky to have them. They have a shop on Forest Hill Avenue, and they'll make you a darned good latte there.
You know who else makes me gush? I know that Shannon mentioned Chocolate Cravings in a recent post, but this is worth mentioning again. In fact, this vendor is known to all of my friends as 'The Chocolate Lady', because really there is no other. Aside from her imaginative combinations, (my favorites are ginger and cardamom and sea salt with almond, though I have also tried jalapeno with cinnamon. Yes, IN the chocolate!) the chocolate she makes is the best I have ever had. No hyperbole- it is the best. Her chocolates are available at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Shop, and will be at various markets next season.
Hope you make some fun and tasty discoveries on your next trip to the store. Maybe you'll be inspired to share them with us!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
School Milk Campaign
Alex Beauchamp, of the Food and Water Watch School Milk Campaign sent us this information on a movement to take rBGH out of school milk. Read on to find out how you can help.
Join Food and Water Watch's Effort to Expel the Hormones from School Milk!
Our kids deserve the healthiest food possible, and parents deserve to have a say in what their kids eat. Milk is a staple for many of our nation’s youngsters, and it’s crucial that the milk served Richmond schools be safe, healthy and free of artificial hormones.
The artificial growth hormone rBGH, used to increase milk production, is unhealthy for cows and may be linked with some types of cancer in humans. RBGH is already banned in some countries, and US consumers are increasingly opting for milk produced without it. In fact, big retailers like Starbuck's, Wal-Mart, and Kroker have already decided not to serve milk with rBGH. Now, companies may be looking to school lunch programs as an outlet for milk consumers don’t want.
We can’t let pharmaceutical companies and corporate agribusiness dictate what’s best for our kids. That’s why Food & Water Watch’s School Milk Campaign is working to give all schools the option to choose milk that is free of rBGH. The Child Nutrition Act is up for renewal this year, giving us a great chance to give schools the option to purchase rBGH-free or organic milk.
Congressman Bobby Scott is a key vote to give schools the choice to purchase rBGH-Free school milk in the Education and Labor Committee, so the Richmond area is particularly important for this issue. We'll keep you informed as the campaign continues to move forward, but for now, can you take 2 minutes to sign Food and Water Watch's online petition?
Sign here.
Interested in working locally in your school district, click here to find out what you can do to ensure your school's milk is rBGH-free.
Thanks again,
Alex
Join Food and Water Watch's Effort to Expel the Hormones from School Milk!
Our kids deserve the healthiest food possible, and parents deserve to have a say in what their kids eat. Milk is a staple for many of our nation’s youngsters, and it’s crucial that the milk served Richmond schools be safe, healthy and free of artificial hormones.
The artificial growth hormone rBGH, used to increase milk production, is unhealthy for cows and may be linked with some types of cancer in humans. RBGH is already banned in some countries, and US consumers are increasingly opting for milk produced without it. In fact, big retailers like Starbuck's, Wal-Mart, and Kroker have already decided not to serve milk with rBGH. Now, companies may be looking to school lunch programs as an outlet for milk consumers don’t want.
We can’t let pharmaceutical companies and corporate agribusiness dictate what’s best for our kids. That’s why Food & Water Watch’s School Milk Campaign is working to give all schools the option to choose milk that is free of rBGH. The Child Nutrition Act is up for renewal this year, giving us a great chance to give schools the option to purchase rBGH-free or organic milk.
Congressman Bobby Scott is a key vote to give schools the choice to purchase rBGH-Free school milk in the Education and Labor Committee, so the Richmond area is particularly important for this issue. We'll keep you informed as the campaign continues to move forward, but for now, can you take 2 minutes to sign Food and Water Watch's online petition?
Sign here.
Interested in working locally in your school district, click here to find out what you can do to ensure your school's milk is rBGH-free.
Thanks again,
Alex
Food Democracy Needs You Now!
Help Send a Message to the USDA – 100,000 Americans for a Sustainable America
Next week the organization Food Democracy Now will be delivering a list of signatures and comments to Secretary of Agriculture, Vilsack . Many of you may have already signed this petition. I know I have posted information and a the link to this organization once already. For this last push I decided to forward on their latest appeal for help.
The organization's goal is to get over 100,000 signatures from Americans who recognize the importance of a USDA that implements policies to support sustainability. According to the Food Democracy Now e-mail over 84,659 people have already signed the letter calling for sustainable change at the USDA.
Original signers to the letter include Michael Pollan, Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson, Marion Nestle, Francis Moore Lappé, Bill McKibben, Alice Waters, Dan Barber and Rick Bayless among many others. .... A good group of folks to join, I'd say. Click Here to see the original letter with it's signers and sign on yourself.
Food Democracy Now ends their call for signed support by saying that... "So far we know that we’ve had success in changing the debate in how agriculture is being discussed in the 21st century. Since his confirmation, Secretary Vilsack has made a number of forward-thinking statements that prove he understands the urgent need for change in our nation’s food policies. Let's make sure the administration understands how much support the idea of sustainable practices in U.S. food and farm policy we’re asking that you forward this message to 5 friends to have them sign the petition and help put us over the top.
Thanks again for all your help, we look forward to creating a sustainable food system for the 21st century. "
Best,David MurphyPaul WillisLisa StokkeAaron Woolf
Food Democracy Now!
Next week the organization Food Democracy Now will be delivering a list of signatures and comments to Secretary of Agriculture, Vilsack . Many of you may have already signed this petition. I know I have posted information and a the link to this organization once already. For this last push I decided to forward on their latest appeal for help.
The organization's goal is to get over 100,000 signatures from Americans who recognize the importance of a USDA that implements policies to support sustainability. According to the Food Democracy Now e-mail over 84,659 people have already signed the letter calling for sustainable change at the USDA.
Original signers to the letter include Michael Pollan, Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson, Marion Nestle, Francis Moore Lappé, Bill McKibben, Alice Waters, Dan Barber and Rick Bayless among many others. .... A good group of folks to join, I'd say. Click Here to see the original letter with it's signers and sign on yourself.
Food Democracy Now ends their call for signed support by saying that... "So far we know that we’ve had success in changing the debate in how agriculture is being discussed in the 21st century. Since his confirmation, Secretary Vilsack has made a number of forward-thinking statements that prove he understands the urgent need for change in our nation’s food policies. Let's make sure the administration understands how much support the idea of sustainable practices in U.S. food and farm policy we’re asking that you forward this message to 5 friends to have them sign the petition and help put us over the top.
Thanks again for all your help, we look forward to creating a sustainable food system for the 21st century. "
Best,David MurphyPaul WillisLisa StokkeAaron Woolf
Food Democracy Now!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Goochland Area CSA
I just received word from Steve and Chris Ault of Ault's Family Farm and Apiary that due to farm expansion projects they will not be able to participate in the Goochland Farmers market this year. I love these guys, and am very sorry that they will not be able to be at the Goochland Market, but it sounds like they have plenty of great things ahead for those us who enjoy great, local, pastured meat. They promise that after these renovations are complete they will will be better able to serve our local community with fresh, thoughtfully raised pork, poultry and beef. We got our perfect Thanksgiving turkey from Ault's this past year, and they will have thanksgiving turkeys available for order again this year.
The best news is that Edible Garden restaurant of Goochland will continue its Co-Op program with their Summer Season Farm to Family Co-Op. EdibleGarden@comcast.net , and that Ault's Family Farm will be participating.
Fall Line Farms Farm to Family Co-Op fallinefarms@comcast.net http://www.farm2udirect.com/
Here is an excerpt from a message sent out by Edible Garden....
"Fall Line Farms Fall Line Farms, LLC is a farm to family Co-op program designed to connect family owned and operated farms serving the Richmond area with local customers in search of local food year round.
Fall Line Farms represents more than 25 local farms and businesses serving the falls of the James River region. Our Winter Season opened in November of 2008 offering a full line of locally produced products to over 100 founding families weekly. "
This Co-Op offers a wide variety of organic and naturally grown products as well as hydroponically grown tomatoes, locally made candies, goat cheese, Bison meat, and fresh berries are just some of the items you could purchase on-line and pickup. As a member you select the items you would like to purchase each week and place your order all on line.
The Summer Co-Op runs May 1st through October 31st on a weekly cycle with orders placed over the weekend for Thursday pickup from 3:00-6:00. The pickup location has been, and I believe still is at Edible Garden in Goochland. In addition to your actual food cost there is an $85 fee to participate in the Six month Co-Op. However, if you can afford it they have lined up a fantastic list of participating farms.
Here is the run down of participating farms from their e-mail...
Ault’s Family Farm, Pamplin, VA : Pastured Pork, Lamb & Poultry, Honey, Brown Eggs
Beulah Land Fruits, Southampton County, VA : Figs, Muscadine Grapes, Persimmons, Asian Pears
Birdsong Farm, Wakefield, VA : Mesculan Mix, Sunchokes, Leeks, Elephant Garlic Blanton Garden, Suffolk :Tomatoes, Figs, Peppers, Carrots, Beets, Tatsoi, Potatoes Bradshaw Garden, Southampton County, VA : Beets, Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Peppers, Brussel Sprouts, Radishes, Mesculan Mix, Japanese Eggplant
Breeze Hill Farm, Powhatan, VA : Goat’s Milk Products, Yarns & Finished Items Brookview Farm, Manakin-Sabot, VA : Grass-fed Beef & Pork, Free-range Chicken Eggs, Honey
Cavanna Pasta, Richmond, VA : Homemade Fresh Pasta, Sauces
College Run, Surry, VA : Strawberries, Butterbeans
Cromwell Farm, Virginia Beach, VA : Broccoli, May Peas, Sugar Snaps, Lettuce & Beets Cullipher Farms, Virginia Beach, VA : Berries, Vegetables, Lettuces, Beans and Squash Dave & Dee’s Homegrown Mushrooms, Sedley, VA : Varieties of Fresh Oyster Mushrooms
Dodds Farm, Hanover, VA : Tomatoes, Black Beauty Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash
Deblyn Farm, Dinwiddie, VA Piedmontese Natural Lean Beef
Drewery Farm, Wakefield, VA : Blueberries
Goats R Us, Blackstone, VA : Artisan Goat Cheese Products
Herban Avenues, Lovettsville, VA :Organic Herbal Teas
Manakintowne Specialty Growers, Powhatan, VA : Specialty Greens & Herbs and Baked Goods
March Garden, Southampton County, VA : Potatoes, Melons, Cabbage
Mount Vernon Farm, Sperryville, VA : Pasture raised Beef, Lamb & Pork, Blackberries Shenandoah Farms, Mount Jackson, VA : Apples, Hydroponic Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Bibb Lettuce
Shire Farm, Surry, VA : Free-range Chicken and Duck Eggs
Tuckahoe Plantation, Goochland, VA : Cut Flowers, Free-range Chicken Eggs
Turner Garden, Southampton County, VA : Heirloom Tomatoes, Beets, Carrots, Celery Root, Fennel, Parsnips, Melons, Radishes, Spring Onions
Velatis Caramel Candies, Maidens, VA : Specialty Candies
Whitener Farms, Suffolk, VA : Tomatoes, Asparagus, Squash, Watermelon, Arugula, Onions, Eggplant, Okra, Radishes
Wild T Bison Farm, Haynesville, VA : Pasture Raised Bison Products
Williams Garden, Goochland, VA : Heirloom Tomatoes, Spring Onions, Carrots, Arugula Questions, Contact: Fallinefarms@comcast.net
The best news is that Edible Garden restaurant of Goochland will continue its Co-Op program with their Summer Season Farm to Family Co-Op. EdibleGarden@comcast.net , and that Ault's Family Farm will be participating.
Fall Line Farms Farm to Family Co-Op fallinefarms@comcast.net http://www.farm2udirect.com/
Here is an excerpt from a message sent out by Edible Garden....
"Fall Line Farms Fall Line Farms, LLC is a farm to family Co-op program designed to connect family owned and operated farms serving the Richmond area with local customers in search of local food year round.
Fall Line Farms represents more than 25 local farms and businesses serving the falls of the James River region. Our Winter Season opened in November of 2008 offering a full line of locally produced products to over 100 founding families weekly. "
This Co-Op offers a wide variety of organic and naturally grown products as well as hydroponically grown tomatoes, locally made candies, goat cheese, Bison meat, and fresh berries are just some of the items you could purchase on-line and pickup. As a member you select the items you would like to purchase each week and place your order all on line.
The Summer Co-Op runs May 1st through October 31st on a weekly cycle with orders placed over the weekend for Thursday pickup from 3:00-6:00. The pickup location has been, and I believe still is at Edible Garden in Goochland. In addition to your actual food cost there is an $85 fee to participate in the Six month Co-Op. However, if you can afford it they have lined up a fantastic list of participating farms.
Here is the run down of participating farms from their e-mail...
Ault’s Family Farm, Pamplin, VA : Pastured Pork, Lamb & Poultry, Honey, Brown Eggs
Beulah Land Fruits, Southampton County, VA : Figs, Muscadine Grapes, Persimmons, Asian Pears
Birdsong Farm, Wakefield, VA : Mesculan Mix, Sunchokes, Leeks, Elephant Garlic Blanton Garden, Suffolk :Tomatoes, Figs, Peppers, Carrots, Beets, Tatsoi, Potatoes Bradshaw Garden, Southampton County, VA : Beets, Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Peppers, Brussel Sprouts, Radishes, Mesculan Mix, Japanese Eggplant
Breeze Hill Farm, Powhatan, VA : Goat’s Milk Products, Yarns & Finished Items Brookview Farm, Manakin-Sabot, VA : Grass-fed Beef & Pork, Free-range Chicken Eggs, Honey
Cavanna Pasta, Richmond, VA : Homemade Fresh Pasta, Sauces
College Run, Surry, VA : Strawberries, Butterbeans
Cromwell Farm, Virginia Beach, VA : Broccoli, May Peas, Sugar Snaps, Lettuce & Beets Cullipher Farms, Virginia Beach, VA : Berries, Vegetables, Lettuces, Beans and Squash Dave & Dee’s Homegrown Mushrooms, Sedley, VA : Varieties of Fresh Oyster Mushrooms
Dodds Farm, Hanover, VA : Tomatoes, Black Beauty Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash
Deblyn Farm, Dinwiddie, VA Piedmontese Natural Lean Beef
Drewery Farm, Wakefield, VA : Blueberries
Goats R Us, Blackstone, VA : Artisan Goat Cheese Products
Herban Avenues, Lovettsville, VA :Organic Herbal Teas
Manakintowne Specialty Growers, Powhatan, VA : Specialty Greens & Herbs and Baked Goods
March Garden, Southampton County, VA : Potatoes, Melons, Cabbage
Mount Vernon Farm, Sperryville, VA : Pasture raised Beef, Lamb & Pork, Blackberries Shenandoah Farms, Mount Jackson, VA : Apples, Hydroponic Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Bibb Lettuce
Shire Farm, Surry, VA : Free-range Chicken and Duck Eggs
Tuckahoe Plantation, Goochland, VA : Cut Flowers, Free-range Chicken Eggs
Turner Garden, Southampton County, VA : Heirloom Tomatoes, Beets, Carrots, Celery Root, Fennel, Parsnips, Melons, Radishes, Spring Onions
Velatis Caramel Candies, Maidens, VA : Specialty Candies
Whitener Farms, Suffolk, VA : Tomatoes, Asparagus, Squash, Watermelon, Arugula, Onions, Eggplant, Okra, Radishes
Wild T Bison Farm, Haynesville, VA : Pasture Raised Bison Products
Williams Garden, Goochland, VA : Heirloom Tomatoes, Spring Onions, Carrots, Arugula Questions, Contact: Fallinefarms@comcast.net
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