What may seem as a problem for the local food movement may be an opportunity for small independent grocers who may not require large volumes of product and may be more flexible on delivery than the large supermarkets. Small grocers can partner with local farmers to carry the “most” locally grown and identity preserved foods.  In fact smaller volumes and more  frequent delivery often mean fresher product on the shelves for consumers.

Some grocers are using labels to identify and feature their locally grown foods. The label listing “grown _x_ miles from here” might be very effective. By leveraging the advantages of being small,  grocers might be more competitive on local food than larger chains.  By marketing to the right demographic the “mom and pop” grocer may make a healthy comeback in the local economy.

As of 2006, 89% of the soybeans grown in the U.S. were genetically modified.

A study by Russian scientists concluded that GM soy-fed hamsters lost the ability to reproduce in three generations. The details are a cause for concern and emphasizes the need for more research into the long term effects of genetically modified foods and the chemicals that are used to grow them.  There are other reports of similar effects in domestic animals in Austria, Italy and in the United States.

Read the Detailed Article – Institute for Responsible Technology.

More information on U.S. grown soybeans at Wikipedia.

I believe locally produced and direct marketed produce is safer. In my opinion, the reason it’s safer is not because all potential for contamination has been eliminated, but because when produce is processed on a small scale the conditions that foster growth and spread of pathogens is less likely to exist and if so the contaminated is only a few packages and not a few hundred thousand.

Less processing is better , leaving the processing in the hands of the consumer and restaurateur who can assure their food is safer through good handling practices. Education is important. People should learn to wash everything, cook thoroughly, and never assume that any product is pathogen free.

Ideally people would learn to prepare and preserve their own convenience foods from whole local ingredients. Consumers would make their own frozen pizza and mix their own salad once a week.  Of course home processing takes time, something we seem to have very little of these days. However, it does save money and makes for much better tasting, more nutritious food. It can be an activity to do with family or friends. We all could use more quality time with each other.  In some communities groups get together to process food in the form of canning parties and the like. As our attitudes change we realize that bigger and more is not necessarily better.

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Sustainable Agriculture Week is April 19-25.

We would like to get the word out across the State to as many as we can and as quickly as possible.

Would you like to put this up in your place of business or community gathering place?

Let me know if you would like one to display.

Read the preliminary_ohiograss.pdf (application/pdf Object).

Thursday, Feb 25, 2010  |  5:00 – 7:00PM

As a lead-in to tonight’s final Field & Screen films, representatives from several local farms, including Wayward Seed Farm, will be in the café to speak with guests individually about the virtues and possibilities of community supported agriculture (CSA). Learn more about the simplicity of finding food raised close to home in a relaxed and conversational atmosphere. You’ll also be able to sample snacks from several of the farms.

Presented in collaboration with Wayward Seed Farm and Local Matters.

This event is presented in conjunction with the Field & Screen film series.

The two-day conference will be packed with presentations, displays and networking opportunities and is geared toward farmers market managers, vendors, and community development stakeholders who want to start or grow farmers’ markets in their local communities.

Topics to be covered include food safety, market funding opportunities, direct marketing, and more. Opportunities to network also will be available, which will give participants the chance to discuss ideas with other farmers market professionals.

The Statewide Farmers Market Conference is a collaborative effort of Ohio State University South Centers, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Farmers Market Management Network (FMMN) and the Farmers’ Market Coalition.

The conference will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m., March 4, and run through 4:00 p.m., March 5.

Registration fees for FMMN members are $100 for both days, $70 for Thurs. only or $50 for Fri. only. Non-member fees are $125 for both days, $80 for Thurs. only or $60 for Fri. only. Registration fees include all presentation materials and meals.

Hotel accommodations will be available at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Marriott in Reynoldsburg for an $89 discounted double-room rate until Feb. 22 and will be $109 after that date.

Conference participants are asked to bring their farm or market’s best marketing piece for the “Show n’ Tell Marketing Contest”. All conference attendees will have a chance to vote on the best marketing piece. The winner will receive a prize and publicity in the event news release. The winner will be announced on March 5 during lunch.

For more information about the conference, including hotel information, agenda and directions, log on to: http://ohiofarmersmarkets.osu.edu/conference.htm . To register, contact Melissa Hurtt, at 800-297-2072 ext. 222 or email at hurtt.8@osu.edu .

Read the full story on NPR

For those of you that work downtown visit Pearl Market for those last minute Thanksgiving purchases. This is Pearl Market’s first year doing an indoor winter market, and it seems a lot of the regular customers at the outdoor, summertime Pearl Market still haven’t heard that the market is inside now. It’s on the first floor at 20 East Broad Street from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.

More info on all the winter markets in the Columbus area.

The first event will be on Raw Milk vs. Commercial Milk: Dangers and Benefits.

Join the Meetup and RSVP if you are interested in this or future event announcements.

Anita Sorkin, Tom Meadows and David M. Augenstein–”Augie” will be hosting. Hope to see you!

This event was organized by Ohio Connections to Whole Food and Nutritional Healing

On Nov. 22nd, 2009 there will be a Seminar by Dr. Serano in Pickerington about Healthy Fats. Learn the facts about cholesterol and saturated fats, plus learn about the benefits of grass fed beef. See Details.