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Spoke Folks at Southeast Area Farmers’ Market today

Jul16

12033116_935696813168490_1102537330503624023_nToday, the Spoke Folks will be at the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market, which takes place Fridays and Saturdays at MLK Jr. Park, 900 Fuller Ave. SE 49506. Representatives from this amazing Grand Rapids non-profit are favorites with market patrons because they not only provide advice and information, they also do bike repairs on-site and teach children and adults how to make their own minor bicycle repairs.  They will return to the market July 23, August 20 and September 10.

The Spoke Folks mission is to increase and sustain bicycle ridership in the West Michigan area and beyond. Their goal is to make sure that people who are interested in cycling have access to safe and reliable bikes. And, their hope is to break down the obstacles that prevent people from cycling.

The Spoke Folks also run a non-profit, co-operative bike shop. They don’t fix bikes. Instead, they give cyclists tools and knowledge to fix them themselves. Don’t have a bike? The Spoke Folks refurbish and sell used bicycles of all kinds for pretty cheap. Stop by to see what they’ve got in stock. Also, the Spoke Folks stock new and used bike parts and accessories.

The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market is open 3 to 7 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Vendors gladly accept SNAP, WIC, and Senior Project Fresh/Market FRESH and Double Up Food Bucks.

Food Justice Primer tonight!

Jul11

Food Justice Primer IMG_5176
Monday July 11 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Garfield Park Lodge
334 Burton St. SE 49507

For the better part of a decade, people in West Michigan have been excited about and explored the importance of eating local and eating organic. The idea of eating healthier foods in many ways has become mainstream. However, for people experiencing income challenges or living in neighborhoods of color, access to these healthier foods is not a reality. A true food apartheid exists in our community—and that’s where the work of food justice begins.

If you want to know more about that work—or become involved in it yourself—please join us for this free, brief introduction to food justice. OKT  will facilitate an informal dialogue on the principles of food justice with group input on how we can practice it locally.

Learn to Compost & Grow our Own Soil

Jun18

CompostingPic

On Monday June 20, OKT is hosting a free Composting and Vermiculture class from 6 to 8 p.m. at Garfield Park Lodge, 334 Burton St. SE 49507. Come and learn about the true nature of compost and how to end up with the rich humus that your garden needs.

What is compost?   The term “compost” is overused and not clearly defined by those using it.  Commercial industries, backyard gardeners and community gardens say that they are composting but that’s not always the case. Commercial compost you buy at the garden shop or big box store is not regulated—and can even contain toxic industrial wastes. True composting results in fluffy humus that’s rich in carbon.  While similar to potting soil in texture and color, it is much healthier for your garden.

In addition to standard composting methods, this class will also share the basics of vermiculture—using worms to speed and enhance the compost process.

This is the third in a series of four food gardening classes that OKT is offering this June. Next Monday June 30, OKT will share “How to Save Seeds.”

Second series of food gardening classes begins June 6

May31

Deanna 2How to Plan Your Food Garden 1
6 to 8 p.m. at Garfield Park Lodge
334 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids 49507

Growing food within the urban landscape presents its own challenges but yields wonderful benefits. Every household that grows its own food not only creates a healthier diet for its members (and neighbors) but also helps build an alternative to the profit-driven industrial food system that has devastated our health and the environment.

The June 6 class kicks off  OKT’s second series of four food gardening classes:

  •  June 13: How to Plan Your Food Garden 2
  •  June 20: Composting & Vermiculture
  • June 27: How to Save Seeds

All classes meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at Garfield Park Lodge, 334 Burton St. SE, 49507. They are free but donations are accepted from those not being served by OKT’s programs.