Bloom Collective hosting Food Justice potluck at Southeast Area Farmers’ Market July 14

Jul8

This is re-posted from www.GRIID.org

Food Justice Potluck

Saturday, July 14

1:00 – 3:00 PM

Garfield Park 334 Burton SE, Grand Rapids

There has been a growing interest in recent years with people to want to eat local. So much so that many local stores and restaurants now promote themselves as selling food that is locally grown.

Despite the push for people to buy local food, much is often overlooked with the localism mentality.

Food that is grown locally can still be done in such a way that exploits people and the land. We know from a 2010 report from the Michigan Civil Rights Commission that working and living conditions for many migrant workers is oppressive and exploitative. Thus, just because food is grown locally doesn’t necessarily mean that promotes justice.

This will be the theme of the discussion that the Bloom Collective is hosting on Saturday, July 14, a potluck discussion about Food Justice. According to their facebook event it says:

We will have informational handouts that analyze the current food system and facilitate a discussion on how we can create more food justice.

The event is taking place at Garfield Park near the South East Area Farmers Market, a market that is run by the local food justice organization, Our Kitchen Table. The event is a potluck and people are invited to bring food to share.

http://www.facebook.com/events/345045438902519/

New campaign challenges Monsanto’s role in global agriculture

Jul5

This article is re-posted from the Union of Concerned Scientists by way of www.GRIID.org.

Monsanto’s advertisements tell an impressive tale of the agribusiness giant’s achievements: Feeding a growing population. Protecting natural resources. Promoting biodiversity.

It sounds wonderful, but unfortunately, there’s a catch: These claims are often exaggerated, misleading or downright false. Monsanto’s products—and the practices they promote—may sustain the company’s profits, but the evidence shows that theystand in the way of truly sustainable solutions to our food and farming challenges.

In the ads below, we counter Monsanto’s feel-good rhetoric with some facts gleaned from UCS analysis. Share them with friends, and spread the word: when it comes to healthy farming, Monsanto fails!

#1: More Herbicide + Fewer Butterflies = Better Seeds?

Monsanto Says: “In the hands of farmers, better seeds can help meet the needs of our rapidly growing population, while protecting the earth’s natural resources.”

In Fact: Monsanto’s Roundup Ready crops, genetically engineered to tolerate the company’s Roundup herbicide, increased herbicide use by an estimated 383 million pounds between 1996 and 2008. And Monarch butterflies have laid 81 percent fewer eggs thanks to habitat loss since Roundup Ready was introduced.

#2: A Bumper Crop of Superweeds

Monsanto Says: “Our rapidly growing population is putting limited resources–such as land, water, and energy–under increased pressure.”

In Fact: The challenge is real, but Monsanto’s products aren’t the answer. UCS analysis shows that GE crops have so far done little to improve yields in the U.S. Meanwhile—speaking of rapidly growing populations—overuse of Roundup Ready crops has spawned an epidemic of “superweeds,” causing huge problems for U.S. farmers.

#3: All Wet on Drought Tolerance

Monsanto Says: “With the right tools, farmers can conserve more for future generations.”

In Fact: If farmers want to conserve more water, Monsanto’s DroughtGard corn isn’t the right tool. A recent UCS study found that DroughtGard won’t help farmers reduce water use—and its engineered drought tolerance will likely only be useful in moderate drought conditions. (Research has shown that organic farming methods could improve drought-year yields by up to 96%.)

School rooftop garden harvest feeds neighborhood families

Jul4

“Today was so rewarding. I spent the morning harvesting food from the rooftop garden at MLK School and the afternoon passing out the beautiful greens, herbs and lettuce to community members. ” Chaka Holley, OKT staff member (far left).

Early Tuesday morning, July 3, Our Kitchen Table (OKT) staff and community leadership circle members harvested food from the Martin Luther King Leadership Academy rooftop garden. Last spring, OKT worked alongside students from Mr. Andrew  Ipple’s class at MLK  to plant the food as part of OKT’s Food Diversity Project. While the students are on summer break, OKT has been allowed to maintain the garden, thanks to the support of Grand Rapids Public Schools and the school’s summer staff.

The harvest was abundant!

By 11 a.m., OKT was at another Grand Rapids Public school, Gerald R Ford Middle School, to share the food with neighborhood families. Parents picking their children up from summer school programs were invited to take collards, kale, lettuces and other fresh produce at no charge.

OKT staff will now begin to plant fall crops in the MLK rooftop garden so the students from Mr. Ipple’s class who planted the garden in the spring can also share in its abundance.

MLive columnist dismisses anti-racism campaign and White Privilege

Jul2

This is re-posted from www.GRIID.org

Earlier today, MLive columnist Matthew Davis posted a story headlined, White guilt, rather than racial justice, is on display in misdirected video.

The article is a reaction to a video created by the group, the Un-Fair Campaign. Davis states, “The video and its accompanying graphics are part of an effort to stamp out racism, apparently by confession that borders on self-flagellation. One of the graphics on the website has the picture of a blue-eyed, blonde woman upon whose skin is scribbled: “Is white skin really fair skin?”

Self-flagellation? Apparently, Davis doesn’t have the slightest idea about what White Privilege is. The people in this video are all making statements to point out the fact that White Privilege needs to be acknowledged if institutional racism is to be dismantled. In the article, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, author Peggy McIntosh states:

White privilege is the unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements benefits and choices bestowed on people solely because they are white. Generally white people who experience such privilege do so without being conscious of it.

The MLive columnist goes as far as to state that he is not even sure that White Privilege even exists. He then writes, “I have no idea how the video or the overall message is supposed to result in fundamental, systemic change towards racial justice.” If one does not acknowledge that White Privilege exists, it is hard to know how we could achieve systemic change. Dismantling racism necessitates that White people acknowledge that they have privilege.

Davis then affirms his position by noting that there are more dislikes than likes of thevideo on Youtube. Since when does justice, particularly racial justice, need to be validated by the majority? If that were the measuring stick, African Americans never would have won any civil rights in this country.

The MLive columnist then provides “his own message” that such a video should communicate, by citing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. about people being judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. This quote is always used by racists who are either unaware of their own privilege or are in denial of it. Glenn Beck and company are always using this line from King, which is taken out of context. King yearned for the day when people could be judged purely on the content of their character, but he rightly points out in that speech (I have A Dream Speech) that racial injustice is too pervasive in this country.

Matthew Davis ends his column by including another video that was a response to the Un-fair Campaign. However, Davis fails to mention that the video was created by Right Wing talk show hosts in Minnesota that host a show entitled Late Debate with Jack Tomczak and Benjamin Kruse. The Late Debate show airs on AM 1130 in Minnesota, a station which also features Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity and other voices that have a history of engaging in racist commentary, as is well documented in Rory O’Connors book Shock Jocks: Hate Speech & Talk Radio.

By posting this column MLive itself is dismissing or downplaying the role of White Privilege. Their decision to post a column by Matthew Davis is a blow to racial justice and an insult to the work of people who have truly been about the work of dismantling institutional racism. However, as we have noted before, this should not come as a surprise, especially when the MLive editor Paul Keep himself has failed to understand White Privilege and its role in perpetuating racism.

Here is the video that Davis dismisses and a link to the un-fair Campaign.

African Americans and Parkinson’s Disease: A Family Affair

Jun28

A special Education opportunity for Parkinson’s Disease patients and their families with Health Care Professionals at a location near you!

Complimentary Lunch will be provided.Sponsored by GRAAHI and Michigan Parkinson’s 
Additional information available at the Michigan Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Website www.parkinsonsmi.org

Pre-Registration is strongly advised
Date and Time Location Registration
Saturday, June 30

9am – 12:00 pm

 New Hope Baptist Church
130 Delaware, SW

Grand Rapids, MI

 616-331-5831

Grand opening celebration at Southeast Area Farmers’ Market

Jun28

Artist and musician,  Derrick “Vito” Hollowell and the Vegtible Brothers set the musical tone for a fun, successful grand opening last weekend. Come out to the market this weekend for your fill of fresh, local, chemical free produce as well as herbs and hand made craft items. You can also sign up for DHS/United Way 2-1-1 “Bundled Benefits” while you are at the market!

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Islamic Mosque & Religious Institute houses new food pantry, opens today

Jun28

Sponsored and stocked by members of the Islamic Mosque and Religious Institute,  East Paris Community Food Pantry, 3357 East Paris Ave., Kentwood,  celebrates its grand opening today, June 28. The pantry also receives food supplies from other individuals in the community.

A volunteer receptionist on each shift welcomes each client and records their visit.   Other volunteers pack food boxes and fill sacks with perishables such as bread, meat, rice and juice)

The pantry serves clients within the 49512 zip code, from  36Th street south through Kentwood and west to Dutton. The amount of food given to each client is determined by family size.

For information, email volunteer@arabicprof.com.

“Preserve the Harvest” with OKT

Jun27

Do you wish you had access to the produce sold at the farmers’ market all year long? Beginning Saturday, OKT will host monthly “Preserving the Harvest” skill-sharing sessions in conjunction with the Saturday Southeast Area Farmers’ Market.

  • 2-4 p.m. Saturday June 30 Strawberry Jam and Drying Fresh Herbs, Sherman St. Church kitchen, 1000 Sherman St. SE
  • 2-4 p.m. Saturday July 28 Pickles and Freezing Fresh Herbs, Madison Square CRC, 1441 Madison SE
  • 2-4 p.m. Saturday August 25 Canning Tomatoes and Oven Roasting Tomatoes with Herbs for the Freezer, Madison Square CRC, 1441 Madison SE
  • 2-4 p.m. Saturday September 29 Canning Applesauce and Herbal Teas, Madison Square CRC, 1441 Madison SE

The Saturday skill-shares will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. so you can shop at the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market and the stop by to learn how to preserve the produce you just purchased. OKT especially hopes that learning how to preserve produce will add even more value for folks making purchases with Double Up Food Bucks. Also, if you learn how to preserve fresh produce, you don’t have to worry about it spoiling before you have a chance to eat it.

THIS WEEK’S FARM BILL VOTES

Jun21

This is re-posted from Organic Bytes

The Senate Has Voted … Against GMO Labels

The vote was 26 in favor of GMO labels, 73 opposed. Click here to find out how your Senators voted. More info on this Senate vote next week!


… For Corporate Welfare for Insurance Companies, Not Food Stamps for Hungry Kids

An amendment by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, would have cut the amount paid to insurance companies to subsidize their costs in selling crop insurance. Last year, the government paid insurance companies $1.3 billion, and Ms. Gillibrand’s amendment would have reduced that amount to offset a $4.5 billion cut to the food stamp program. But the Senate rejected the amendment, 66 to 33.

Find out how your senators voted and let them know what you think.

Take Action
… To Support Rural Development – the “Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act” Will Invest in Jobs, After All!

$150 million in critical funding for rural economic development and new farmer programs was restored through an amendment introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

That’s $35 million for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, the keystone new farmer program at USDA; $50 million over five years for the Value-Added Producer Grants program that helps farmers transition to new markets and products that return more of the consumer food dollar back to the farmer and the local community; $15 million for the Rural Microentrepeneur Assistance Program to help start new small rural businesses; and $50 million to begin to eliminate the backlog in water and sewer projects in small rural communities.

Find out how your senators voted and let them know what you think.

Take Action


… To Keep Organic Programs – Smart Move, as Organic Grows the Fastest, Creates the Most Jobs!

An amendment by Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) to remove all funding for the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program went down on a 42-57 vote.

Find out how your senators voted and let them know what you think.

Take Action
Unfortunately, the Senate leadership decided not to consider votes on amendments to…

  • Encourage more USDA-funded research on plant and animal breeding to improve health, nutrition, farm income, and food security.
  • Allow the direct sale of raw milk and raw milk products across state lines.
  • Legalize the production of industrial hemp, a potential new bumper crop for U.S. farmers.
  • Codify an agreement between egg producers and the Humane Society of the United States to increase the size of hen cages over the next 18 years and end the practice of depriving hens of food and water to increase egg production.

Learn More