Indoor farmers’ market at MLK school Thursday evening

Nov18

The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market is hosting its first indoor market 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday Nov. 19 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Academy, 645 Logan SE, 49503. The indoor markets will feature bulk whole and organic foods, for example, oatmeal, flours, nuts, honey, coconut oil, popcorn and more. Shoppers can purchase items with Bridge cards, SNAP, cash, credit and checks. They can also place order items from the Country Life Natural Foods catalog with market manager, Christina Flier. OKT does not mark up prices or charge any fees.

The indoor markets, which OKT hopes to sponsor monthly throughout the school year, are part of its commitment to provide access to healthy foods in neighborhood. If you cannot make it to the market and would like to order bulk whole foods email SEAFM@OKTjustice.org or call 616-206-3641. The next orders are due by 5 p.m.Dec. 9 (pick-up Dec 21 at Garfield Park Lodge, 334 Burton St. SE 49507).

Food Justice class starts Saturday

Nov12

What, exactly, is food justice?

For a complete answer, join OKT for its free, four-session class series that explores what is food justice is, why we need it and what we can do in Grand Rapids to make it happen. The class, “The Food Justice Movement: Moving Forward,” meets 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19 at Garfield Park Lodge, 334 Burton St. SE 49507.

OKT staff member, Stelle Slootmaker, is facilitating this dialogue that covers:

Defining food justice and food sovereignty–what does it all mean?
How the current food system came to be and the injustices it promotes (food apartheid, exploitation of workers and animals, environmental destruction, nutrient-poor foods, et al.)
Why food justice is about overcoming racism, sexism consumerism and
other “-isms.”
What the Food Justice Movement is doing to create a better world and defining our part in it, here in Grand Rapids.

Reading material for the class will include the book Our Food, Our Right and the OKT Food Justice Series. Stelle’s experience includes eight years teaching a nutrition-based childbirth method, 20 years writing about nutrition and alternative health, four years as an adjunct faculty member at Aquinas College and 10 years actively working for social justice, including seven years with OKT.

Vegan Grand Rapids hosting screening of PlantPure Nation

Nov4

On Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6 pm., Vegan Grand Rapids is hosting dinner and a movie. PlantPure Nation is the latest film from the makers of Forks Over Knives and was released in limited theaters across the U.S. last summer. That’s why it’s so exciting to have the opportunity to see it in Grand Rapids on the big screen.

But this isn’t just a typical movie screening! An hour before the movie starts, you can enjoy a very special happy hour featuring some of Grand Rapids finest plant-based foods and a cash bar. There will also be door prizes! OKT will be tabling during this part of the event.

Tickets need to be purchased in advance, so get yours right now before they sell out. http://vegangr.com/rebel-eats-and-vgr-present-dinner-a-movie-plantpure-nation/

The Food Justice Movement: Moving Forward

Nov3

Please join OKT for this updated 4-session class series to explore what is food justice is, why we need it and what we can do in Grand Rapids to make it happen. Saturdays Nov. 14 & 21, Dec. 12 & 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Garfield Park Lodge, 334 Burton St. SE 49507. Please sign up by emailing OKTable1@gmail.com to help us plan materials accordingly.

OKT staff member, Stelle Slootmaker, is facilitating this dialogue that covers:

Defining food justice and food sovereignty–what does it all mean?
How the current food system came to be and the injustices it promotes (food apartheid, exploitation of workers and animals, environmental destruction, nutrient-poor foods, et al.)
Why food justice is about overcoming racism, sexism consumerism and
other “-isms.”

What the Food Justice Movement is doing to create a better world and defining our part in it, here in Grand Rapids.

Reading material for the class will include the book Our Food, Our Right and the OKT Food Justice Series. Stelle’s experience includes eight years teaching a nutrition-based childbirth method, 20 years writing about nutrition and alternative health and 10 years actively working for social justice, including seven years with OKT.

Please join us!

Nov2

View the Entire 2015 OKT Community Calendar

OKT sharing healthy eating tips at GR Public Schools

Oct27

Throughout October, Our Kitchen Table cooking coaches, Toni Scott and Alynn Guerra, are sharing recipes and information that will empower Grand Rapids Public Schools’ families to make healthier food choices for their families. The programs are taking place at the Ceasar Chavez, Alger, GR Ford and MLK school buildings. Here are photos taken by participant Reouhidi Ndjerareou from the Alger School event.

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Saturday! Enter the Greens Cook-off & Fried Green Tomato Festival

Oct6

To celebrate the harvest season, Our Kitchen Table, managers of the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market, is planning three autumn events at the market.

This Saturday, the Greens Cook-off and Fried Green Tomato Festival gives neighborhood residents opportunity to cook and enter their favorite greens and green tomato dishes in a judged competition. Judges will rate each dish for its taste, appearance and “wow” factor. Winners will receive gift certificates from local businesses and market vendors. During the event, the market will demo how to fry green tomatoes and offer sampling.

To enter the event, simply bring a prepared greens or green tomato dish to the market by noon Saturday, Oct. 10. The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 14 at Gerald R. Ford Academic Center, 851 Madison Ave. SE in Grand Rapids.

On Oct. 17, the market hosts World Food Day activities including soup sampling, children’s activities and the kick-off of OKT’s Just Food Dollars campaign.
On Oct. 31, the market hosts its Fall Festival, complete with costume contest, pumpkin decorating, cooking demo and “treats not tricks” from market vendors.

The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market accepts Bridge card/SNAP/EBT and also offers bulk whole food items from Country Life Natural Foods along with fresh, local fruits, vegetables and herbs.

LINC UP! with Tim Wise Oct. 1

Sep23

LINC UP! with Tim Wise, speaking on privilege, race and the effects that inequality has on the community. At Wealthy Street Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, 6- 8 p.m. Oct. 1. Free; donation suggested. Ticketed event. Must RSVP to info@lincrev.org.

About Tim Wise

“Tim Wise is among the most prominent racial equity writers and educators in the United States. Named one of ’25 Visionaries Who are Changing Your World,’ by Utne Reader, Wise has spoken in all 50 states, on over 800 college and high school campuses, and to community groups across the nation.”

Wise has been featured in several documentaries, including the 2013 Media Education Foundation release, “White Like Me: Race, Racism and White Privilege in America.” The film, which he co-wrote and co-produced, has been called “A phenomenal educational tool in the struggle against racism,” and “One of the best films made on the unfinished quest for racial justice,” by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva of Duke University, and Robert Jensen of the University of Texas, respectively. He also appeared alongside legendary scholar and activist, Angela Davis, in the 2011 documentary, “Vocabulary of Change.” In this public dialogue between the two activists, Davis and Wise discussed the connections between issues of race, class, gender, sexuality and militarism, as well as inter-generational movement building and the prospects for social change.

Wise speaks on the topics of:

Civil Rights Movement
Economy/Economic Visions
Electoral Politics
First Year Read Programs
Leadership
Multiculturalism
Programs for High School Students
Racism/Racial Justice
U.S. History
White Privilege
Youth/Student Activism

For more information about Tim Wise, visit www.speakoutnow.org.

Learn about Urban Foraging Sept. 12

Sep10

On Saturday Sept. 12, the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market offers a free Urban Foraging workshop. Did you know that sumac berries can be brewed into delicious faux pink lemonade? Our Kitchen Table’s urban forester, Laura Casaletto, will share how to identify this and other edible plants growing in our neighborhoods and give tips on how to prepare them as tasty side dishes and beverages. For Casaletto, foraging is not just a hobby. She has foraged to feed her family for years.

The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at Gerald R Ford Academic Center. The market warmly welcomes SNAP/EBT, Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) and WIC & Sr. ProjectFresh as well as cash and debit cards.

Call for Artists! Art at the Market Sept. 19

Sep8

Fine artist and musican, Derrick “Vito” Hollowell exhibited prints of his work and spun tunes for the 2014 Art at the Market.

On Saturday Sept. 19, the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market plans to host “Art at The Market,” a showcase of local fine artists and their work. The date was chosen to coincide with Artprize as this event is not always accessible to artists from the Market’s neighborhoods or neighbors living nearby. Also, the neighborhood has many accomplished artists in its midst. Art at The Market will provide them an opportunity to showcase their talents, inspire their neighbors and share any messages that their art expresses. Artists already involved in Artprize are welcome, too! It’s simple to get involved! Simply email OKTable1@gmail.com or call 616-206-3641 to sign up.

Several artists exhibited and sold their work during last year’s Art at the Market event, including Kent County commissioner Candace Chivis and successful fine artist, Derrick Hollowell. “The market is a real way for an artist to connect with the Community,” he says. “The casual atmosphere leads to personal conversations about an artist’s methods and motivation. It is a great way to find new collectors for your work, great vibe.”

Our Kitchen Table

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