Am I missing something? If so, don't hesitate to send me anything interesting and new. Also, I'd love to hear about what you found or sell at the farmer's market. My e-mail is mmcewen2 @ uiuc.edu

In Champaign-Urbana

Three big sustainable/local food events happened this week. First there was the Food Film Festival on Sunday. Viewers were treated to three films: Yum Yum Yum, The Accountant, and The True Cost of Food. Yum Yum Yum showcased traditional Cajun food culture, which is centered on home cooking and family. The Accountant, a short Oscar-winning story, told the story of two brothers, a small farm on the edge of financial ruin, and an accountant willing to use whatever (crazy) means he can to save the farm. The True Cost of Food outlined the many reasons to buy local, from fertilizer runoff to animal welfare. Viewers were also treated to local Linder Farm popcorn courtesy of Common Ground Co-op, pumpkin bars, Blue Moon veggies, and a Blue Moon Squash Raffle. Lucky winners brought home colorful ornamental gourds or giant blue hubbard squashes.

On Monday Bridget Holcomb of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance spoke gave a seminar on the Farm Bill's effect on the environment and what we can do about it. Make a call for a better farm bill.

Also on Monday, Prairie Greens hosted a discussion led by Urbana residents Eric Wilson and Julie Zielinski at the Urbana Free Library. Eric and Julie made it their goal to eat only foods grown in a 100 mile radius of Champaign-Urbana for the entire month of September. They both wanted to reduce the environmental impact of their food and connect with their local economy. Expecting a limited palette, they instead ended up eating a diverse and delicious diet. Pizza, quiches, homemade pasta with sauce, crepes with cheese and arugula, grilled cheese with pesto, souffles, rosemary polenta, biscuits, and fried tomatoes were just some of the delicious foods they ate.

They allowed themselves exceptions for salt, baking powder, and yeast, but everything else had to be local. Finding many ingredients was a challenge. They were able to find locally processed corn meal and wheat flour, but it was not locally grown. Also the only nearby source for milk and butter was a long drive away. Sadly, they found that not every local farmer was doing well. Their source of grass fed milk, Tim Stone, was in the process of selling all his cows and ending his dairy because of high hay prices.

At the end of the month Eric and Julie learned that while eating local was hard work in terms of cooking and finding ingredients, they ended up spending less because they didn't eat out.

In the News

*=Illinois
Slow food advocates gather at Monticello farm*
Another article about the Slow Food picnic at Caveny Farm. Blog post @ Champaign Taste too.

Meeting the needs of local meat processing*
Stan Schutte of Urbana Farmer's Market favorite Triple S Farms talks about the challenges of meat processing and the promise of the new Family Farmers Meat plant, which will focus on specialty meats.

The buzz with the Bee Keeper*
This week's Buzz magazine has an interview with Farmer's Market regular Kim Campbell of Campbell Apiaries.

Alice Waters Visits Chicago*
US Slow Food pioneer and first-class chef Alice Waters visited Chicago a few weeks ago. Apparently Midwest students aren't as interested in sustainable food as she thought they would be.

Farms aren't just in the growing business anymore - they're teaching a new generation how it's done*
More and more people and visiting farms to gain a connection to their food. Also, a farm tour savors local heirloom tomatoes.

Home-raised beef eases concerns*
The Rohl brothers of Grant Farm have expanded their pasture-raised natural beef production in response to consumer demand for locally raised meat.

Growth in local food economy at farmers markets is amazing
Farmers markets in Kankakee and the surrounding area are growing at an astounding pace.

The "Alternative" Food Chain may be good for you.
Through participation in local food systems like community gardens and farmer's markets, consumers tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, improve their cooking skills, and gain more food knowledge.

World events work against grain buyers
"Anecdotal evidence suggests soaring prices for conventional crops could slow the movement toward organic farming." (thanks Jack Paxton).

A Conversation with Micheal Pollan
Pollan, author of Omnivore's Dilemma, talks about his new book (based on the fantastic advice "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants"), the stupidity of getting nutrients from pills, and the joy of home cooking.

A Tale of Two Counties
Grist writer Tom Philpott takes a look at the two sides of agriculture in the farm belt: a CAFO blighted country vs. one with a thriving local food economy. Also see Clean Water Jacked.



An interview with sustainable-food advocate Diane Hatz

Genetically Engineered Corn Could Harm Aquatic Ecosystems