Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

Posted by Barbara Fallon | May 31st, 2011

Food pioneer Dr. Oran Hesterman will be speaking about his new book, FAIR FOOD, Growing A Healthy, Sustainable Food System for All, at 7 p.m., June 6, at Politics & Prose in Washington.

While many books have given advice to buy local and eat organic. Dr. Hesterman is calling for a complete reform of the U.S. food system, to bring us back to health. The book deals with all aspects of a food system in crisis, including chemicals, shortages, mistreatment of workers, and unsanitary conditions. Hesterman, president and CEO of Fair Food Network, is a former professor of agronomy, and determined to help change how food is produced, packaged, and delivered.

Here in the link to the book’s website, www.fairfoodbook.org

Dr. Hesterman will discuss problems on a national scale as well as inequities in the food system here in DC — and positive steps being taken as well.

Posted by Grace Lichaa | May 26th, 2011

The buttoned-up town of Washington, DC was gifted with the Grey Market this past Saturday May 21 at Local 16. Underground, porkers, picklers, bakers, brewers, and schemers all came together to sell their wares in what was a delicious display of what unlicensed food vendors can churn out. The big name White House Meats had a Meat Up- basically a draft style way to sell an entire cow! Seth and Jon also brought us a taste of what their smoked pork brain-child would taste like and the future is looking good. Other pork products included a truly Southern style gumbo that was receiving rave reviews, a pork shoulder and swiss sandwich, and the treat I missed (chocolate covered bacon).

The Pickle wowed me with Chimmichurri sauce and some fantastic pickled garlic. The solo pickler uses lacto-fermentation and locally or organically produced ingredients to a fantastic fermented variety of pickled products including chutneys and krauts.

The baked goods were absolutely overwhelming, There were cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and short breads. Pollystyle won my heart with the most delicious and buttery cookies. The most fantastic outfits and the cupcakes that were equally fantastic were Crunkcakes. Booze in the frosting and if that wasn’t enough, each cupcake was soaked in booze! Fantastic flavors including a mudslide, the dude, and the buttery nipple. I only could fit in some of these fantastic flavors since I had to get home safely but these were well worth the trip!

The yogurt and Lebneh were a break from meats and treats and I have been enjoying my $5.00 quart of yogurt this week.

Other offerings were the sweet potato butter, saucy sauces, and I would be remiss to not mention the sweet ending of the macaroons.

This was a great second market and I am looking forward to the next event. I would love to see a more robust showing of what DC has to offer.

Posted by Cintia Cabib | May 17th, 2011

Please join us for a film screening of the new documentary A Community of Gardeners and a discussion on getting more gardens growing in the District on Tuesday, May 24, from 5:30-8 p.m., at Bread for the City. There will be a tour of Bread for the City’s new rooftop vegetable garden at 5:30 p.m. The screening and discussion will take place from 6-8 p.m. A Community of Gardeners explores the vital role of seven community gardens in Washington, D.C. and how these green spaces are changing people’s lives, their communities and their environment. Speakers will include filmmaker Cintia Cabib, Dennis Chestnut, Executive Director of Groundwork Anacostia, and Bea Trickett, Program Director of the Neighborhood Farm Initiative, who will present the brand new Guide to Starting Community Gardens in Washington, D.C. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share or make a small donation. Please RSVP to Allison at aburket@breadforthecity.org or call (202) 386-7006. Bread for the City is located at 1525 Seventh St., NW, walking distance from the Shaw-Howard University Metro on the Green line. We hope you can join us!

Posted by Maya Robinson | May 15th, 2011

Grey DC
Ready to eat some local, fresh, lovingly made food from DC area small businesses? Come on out to the second ever DC Grey Farmers Market, hosted by Local 16.

The event is Saturday May 21st from 12-4pm and cost is $2-5 sliding scale.

Sign up ahead of time to avoid the line. More info at greydc.com

Posted by Ibti Vincent | May 9th, 2011

After many, many requests from urban farmers, cyclists, and food activists for information on a rescheduled DC Urban Farms Bike Tour, I am elated to let you all know that you can break out your bikes (and helmets, ahem) in less than two weeks. And there are two exciting new additions to the tour, bringing [...]

Posted by Allison Burket | April 22nd, 2011

Did you know that the Field to Fork Network tracks and compiles recurring volunteer opportunities with farms and gardens in DC? Check out this post from the Field to Fork Network’s Bea Trickett:

Check out DC Field to Fork Network’s recently updated events calendar, now featuring recurring volunteer opportunities where you can get involved with DC’s local urban farm and non-profit garden projects!! Different sites have different policies about volunteering and whether you need to go through a volunteer orientation, whether you need to RSVP, or whether you can simply show up day-of – so be sure to click on the event listing for more info on the specific project you’re interested in. Some sites can take large groups of volunteers and others are seeking just individuals.

Depending on the weather, the project, and the season, you could expect to be:

• digging
• weeding
• turning, sifting, or spreading compost
• making woodchip paths
• planting
• mulching
• picking up trash
• painting
• building
• assisting with special events or programs, or
• performing pretty much any other general organic garden maintenance tasks!!

You can be sure that wherever you volunteer, you will definitely get your hands dirty and your hard work will certainly be appreciated!

For more information, or to add events, visit the DC Field to Fork Network website or email dcfieldtofork@gmail.com

Posted by Allison Burket | March 29th, 2011

Join us for next week for a discussion and author event at Bread for the City’s Northwest Center on the topic of Food Justice – featuring Food Justice co-author Robert Gottlieb, local food justice advocate Louise Thundercloud, and many others involved in food, nutrition, and justice in the District.

Wednesday, April 6th
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Bread for the City
1525 7th Street Northwest

We’ll be talking a bit about issues and inequities in today’s food system – from the farm workers’ hazardous conditions, to the fact that low-income neighborhoods lack supermarkets, to the emphasis on convenience rather than quality and nutrition in food marketing today. Robert Gottlieb will share perspectives on a nation-wide movement that seeks to transform this food system into one that is more just. Then we’ll look more locally – what does food justice mean for D.C. residents? What opportunities and challenges exist in our city? How does Bread for the City’s programs and rooftop garden fit into all this? What can you do to help?

Join us! Event is free but space is limited. Please RSVP to aburket@breadforthecity.org. This event is co-hosted by D.C. Farm to School Network, Slow Food D.C., Centro Ashé, and the National Family Farm Coalition.

Posted by shannonbshea | March 22nd, 2011

[Cross-posted from Will Bike for Change (or Pie!)] It’s a sadly common misconception that the local food movement is elitist. That’s why I was excited to hear about Jeremy Smith’s new book Growing a Garden City. It tells the stories of how first graders, single moms, and homeless folks have benefited from community gardens. At [...]