National Food Waste Prevention Week Starts April 7
Learn From Advocates and Experts About the Many Ways to Reduce Waste
By some estimates, as much as 40 percent of the food produced in the United States goes to waste.
Fortunately, a growing community of advocates and concerned consumers is sparking a rise in composting, upcycling of products that would otherwise go to landfills, conservation tactics, and donations for the food insecure, which together are addressing this problem.
If you want to learn about this subject, you should catch at least some of the programming coming up in the national Food Waste Prevention Week, which runs from April 7 to 13.
This Local Food Forum article has the scoop with a link to get the programming schedule.
Reminder: U.S. Senate Bill to End USDA Farm Funding Freeze Needs Your Support
Measure Would Require Reimbursements of Contracted Farmer Expenses
Shortly after taking over, the Trump administration placed a freeze on contracted federal reimbursements to farmers for expenses undertaken under several USDA programs. This abrupt and unfair action has placed many hard-working farmers at severe financial risk while eroding public trust that the federal government will meet its financial commitments.
Now there is a proposed remedy in the Honor Farmers Contracts Act, introduced last week by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, the New Jersey Democrat who is one of Washington's leading advocates for building a better food system.
This Local Food Forum article includes details about the issue, with input from Farm Aid. This is about fairness to farmers, this is about the sustainability of our food system, and I urge you to contact your lawmakers to urge them to support this important measure.
Elawa Farm Non-Profit Intros New Resident Chef and Cooking Classes
Foundation Based in Chicago Suburb of Lake Forest Manages Historic Farm
Elawa Farm Foundation manages a historic small farm in the north Chicago suburb of Lake Forest while providing classes, dining experiences, farm tours, and a farm camp.
And they have just announced the arrival of their new resident chef... and a new cooking class series.
Check out this Local Food Forum article to learn about Chef Mickey Knutson with a link to view the classes and register.
Liberty Prairie's May 10 Plant Sale/ Farm Festival Beckons You
Visit the Farm, Buy Local Food, Tour a Conservation Community in Grayslake
Whether you live in northeastern Illinois' Lake County or would like to take a drive for spring fun on a farm, save the date of Saturday, May 10 for the Liberty Prairie non-profit's Spring Plant Sale and Farm Festival in Grayslake.
The event takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Prairie Crossing Conservation Farm, 550 Harris Road, where you can buy beautiful plants (many of them started by Grayslake high school students), see farm animals, shop for delicious, healthy, sustainably produced food at the Liberty Prairie Farm Store, and drive around the Prairie Crossing Conservation community.
This Local Food Forum article has the details.