Here is an update on the Food Action that happened on September 20. It was a great success! Thanks to everyone who signed up for a basket and came to pick it up. There were about 290 of us there, showing our support for the local farmers, and learning more about our place in the food system.
Well that was just the beginning...
The Background
As many of you know, a local food system is very important for the sustainability of a city, and we need your help to ensure that our city has a sustainable food supply. As it stands, we currently import about 80% of our food. With the rising cost of fuel, climate change, health concerns and economic unstability across the border - it makes sense to start focusing on a local food strategy.
There are 12,000 acres of prime farmland just northeast of Edmonton. Food for almost half of the population of Edmonton could be provided, with that much land. This land has class 1 soil and a micro-climate that provides a longer growing season. Kuhlmans, Vissers and many other families who vend at the farmers markets have had gardens in the area for decades.
The Issue
This land was annexed by the city 20 years ago, and now it is under threat of development.
In Mid-November our city council will make a decision whether to rezone the land from agricultural to industrial, which will allow upgraders and other industrial development to proceed.
By supporting the work of The Greater Edmonton Alliance, E-SAGE hopes to try and convince council to give permanent agricultural status to this land, & prevent it from being developed in to a "Nisku North" or additional housing.
The Action
If you are at all concerned about a sustainable, local food supply for you and your family, we ask you to give some of your time to help with this initiative. This is an opportunity for you to make a difference by just showing up.
Wednesday, November 12 @ 6:45pm - council hearings on this issue. We will need people to attend the city council hearings and fill council chambers when this issue is going to be discussed. We will be meeting on the big stairs at city hall - downtown Edmonton.
If you care about the long term future of food production & food security in Edmonton, this land is a critical piece. This is an issue that will impact our region & local food production for the rest of our lives. It may well be the most important decision this city council faces.
If we can get the right people involved and act in an organized, strategic manner, we feel this land is something we can protect for future agricultural purposes.
I know many of you are the right people to be involved in this. If you are interested in participating in these hearings, please reply to this message, and we will give you further information about the meeting times and places.
Thanks for your support,
Want more information about what others have to say about sustainable food supplies? Here's an article from the NY Times you might find interesting. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html?_r=2&ref=magazine&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Michael Shuman Events Cancelled!
Hello everyone!
I have disappointing news. We just heard from Michael Shuman at the airport in California. He does not have his passport - so he cannot board his plane.
Therefore, we will be rescheduling his visits to the new year.
This means that all 4 events are cancelled:
October 20, public talk at the University of Alberta at 7pm
October 21, entreprenuers talk at Village Lifestyles from 9 - 11 am
October 21, special afternoon business session downtown from 1 - 3 pm
October 21, private dinner at the Blue Pear from 7 - 10pm
Anyone who bought tickets is entitled to a full refund - we were at the door in front of TL-B1 tonight to give refunds, and if you missed that, you can go to Earth's General Store tomorrow after lunch to get your refund - bring your ticket with you.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused!
We will reschedule this event for some time in mid to late January so keep checking back fro updates.
Maureen, Tad & Terra
I have disappointing news. We just heard from Michael Shuman at the airport in California. He does not have his passport - so he cannot board his plane.
Therefore, we will be rescheduling his visits to the new year.
This means that all 4 events are cancelled:
October 20, public talk at the University of Alberta at 7pm
October 21, entreprenuers talk at Village Lifestyles from 9 - 11 am
October 21, special afternoon business session downtown from 1 - 3 pm
October 21, private dinner at the Blue Pear from 7 - 10pm
Anyone who bought tickets is entitled to a full refund - we were at the door in front of TL-B1 tonight to give refunds, and if you missed that, you can go to Earth's General Store tomorrow after lunch to get your refund - bring your ticket with you.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused!
We will reschedule this event for some time in mid to late January so keep checking back fro updates.
Maureen, Tad & Terra
Friday, October 10, 2008
Michael Shuman
Michael Shuman: A Voice Leading the Small-Mart Revolution
For the past 25 years, lawyer, author and economist Michael Shuman has been an articulate voice of clarity in the rapidly growing Small-Mart Revolution. He has been taking on the Wal-Mart style Goliaths of multinational, big box chains and championing the local Small-Marts. Over the past 25 years Shuman has given an average of more than one invited talk a week – to universities, cities, legislators, economic development groups, and grassroots groups in nearly a dozen countries.
His work turns traditional ideas around Local Economic Development on their head and systematically challenges the assumptions of old, worn out models to show how we can live greener, more creatively, wealthier, happier and healthier lives by 'going local first'. Think you need to attract a big box store to your community to generate jobs and money?
Think again.
You've probably never heard of him - but his work is recognized as some of the most important written about the role that small, locally-owned business can play in creating a vibrant, local living economy.
He is the vice president for Enterprise Development for the Training and Development Corporation (TDC) of Bucksport, Maine. He has authored, coauthored, and edited seven books, including “The Small Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses are Beating the Global Competition” (Berrett-Koehler, 2006) and “Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age” (Free Press, 1998). The Small-Mart Revolution was just awarded a bronze medal for best business book by the Independent Publishers' Association.
In recent years Shuman has led community-based economic-development efforts in St. Lawrence County (NY), Hudson Valley (NY), Katahdin Region (ME), Martha's Vineyard (MA), and Carbondale (CO). He is currently preparing studies on state business subsidies for the Kellogg Foundation and on global models of local food businesses for the Gates Foundation. He served as a senior editor for the recently published Encyclopedia of Community. And he is a cofounder and active participant in the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) and a founder of Bay Friendly Chicken, a community-owned company located in Salisbury, Maryland.
Shuman received an A.B. with distinction in economics and international relations from Stanford University and a J.D. from
Stanford Law School.
Why support Local independent business?
Because a San Francisco study compared the impact of $1 million spent at a local bookstore VS a national chain and found that just a 10% shift in spending to independent business would result in $192 million in increased economic activity and 1300 new jobs! You don’t have to change WHAT you buy, just WHERE you buy it!
It has been shown that local businesses redistribute about 65 – 75% of their profits in the community, while global businesses only contribute 15% of their profits to the local economy. Therefore, money spent at a local business has 3 times more economic benefit to the local economy than money spent at a global retailer.
A healthy local independent business community is the key to developing a sustainable economy. The City of Edmonton has indicated a keen interest in being a leader in sustainable practices. Take the opportunity to attend a special presentation with Michael Shuman - an expert in developing policies and strategies that encourage sustainable local economies.
E-SAGE*, (Edmontonians Supporting A Green Economy) are proud to announce that renowned local economies expert and author, Michael Shuman will be in Edmonton for 3 Exclusive, “Small Mart Revolution” Events, October 20 - 21, 2008.
Monday, October 20th
WHEN: 7:00 to 9:30 pm
WHERE: University of Alberta, Tory Lecture Building (room TL-B1)
COST: Tickets on a sliding scale from $10 - $20, available at Earth’s General Store and at the door.
Sure - Walmart's an easy target.
So are the rest of the multi-national chain stores.
And buying local is important.
But why?
What do we tell our friends who say, "But Walmart brings in jobs! And
it's lower prices mean that the poor can afford things. Are you
against the poor?"
Come and hear a compelling perspective to address your niggling doubts
and wonderings in the whole "global vs. local" debate.
Tuesday, October 21st
Small Business Session:
While business tends to be painted as the enemy of the environment and social justice – there is actually a powerful role that local, independent businesses can play that non-profits can’t. The Small Marts can be a much more powerful force for social change than many entrepreneurs realize.
WHEN: 9am – 11pm
WHERE: Village Lifestyles (10429-79 Avenue)
COST: Suggested Donation of $5 - $15
This event includes:
- the often overlooked and underestimated role for small business in developing a sustainable local economy
- examples of what local networks of independent and sustainable businesses have done to create prosperity and social change in their communities
- planning next steps KEO and E-SAGE members can take to develop our own sustainable business network
- networking with other cool, local entrepreneurs
Tuesday, October 21st
Invitation Only “Local Economic Leaders Forum”:
We’ll spend an afternoon delving into high-level, cutting edge perspectives, studies and findings about how to foster a thriving and sustainable local economy.
WHEN: 1pm – 3pm
WHERE: 10303 - Jasper Avenue, Canadian Room (basement)
COST: Please be our guest
DRESS CODE: Business casual, pants and shirt is fine, no tie required
This event includes an exploration into:
- how the rising price of oil, the rapidly growing ‘green economy’, the trend towards ‘shop local first’, an inefficient global distribution systems and decline of the U.S. dollar (plus more than a half dozen other specific trends) are increasing the competitiveness of small business around the world.
- cutting-edge perspectives on what we can do to capitalize on these trends in Edmonton.
- A chance to get relevant economic information and recommendations for proven policies and strategies for Edmonton from Michael Shuman.
Tuesday, October 21st
Invitation Only “Local Economic Leaders Dinner Party”: Enjoy an exclusive and intimate dinner with Michael Shuman at one of Edmonton’s finest independent local restaurants – The Blue Pear.
WHEN: 7pm – 10pm
WHERE: The Blue Pear Restaurant (10643 - 123 street)
COST: To Be Determined
Dress code: Monday evening, jeans would be fine.
This event includes an opportunity to:
- discuss your ideas and questions directly with Michael Shuman and the other VIP guests
- experience local dining at one of Edmonton’s excellent independent restaurants
For the past 25 years, lawyer, author and economist Michael Shuman has been an articulate voice of clarity in the rapidly growing Small-Mart Revolution. He has been taking on the Wal-Mart style Goliaths of multinational, big box chains and championing the local Small-Marts. Over the past 25 years Shuman has given an average of more than one invited talk a week – to universities, cities, legislators, economic development groups, and grassroots groups in nearly a dozen countries.
His work turns traditional ideas around Local Economic Development on their head and systematically challenges the assumptions of old, worn out models to show how we can live greener, more creatively, wealthier, happier and healthier lives by 'going local first'. Think you need to attract a big box store to your community to generate jobs and money?
Think again.
You've probably never heard of him - but his work is recognized as some of the most important written about the role that small, locally-owned business can play in creating a vibrant, local living economy.
He is the vice president for Enterprise Development for the Training and Development Corporation (TDC) of Bucksport, Maine. He has authored, coauthored, and edited seven books, including “The Small Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses are Beating the Global Competition” (Berrett-Koehler, 2006) and “Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age” (Free Press, 1998). The Small-Mart Revolution was just awarded a bronze medal for best business book by the Independent Publishers' Association.
In recent years Shuman has led community-based economic-development efforts in St. Lawrence County (NY), Hudson Valley (NY), Katahdin Region (ME), Martha's Vineyard (MA), and Carbondale (CO). He is currently preparing studies on state business subsidies for the Kellogg Foundation and on global models of local food businesses for the Gates Foundation. He served as a senior editor for the recently published Encyclopedia of Community. And he is a cofounder and active participant in the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) and a founder of Bay Friendly Chicken, a community-owned company located in Salisbury, Maryland.
Shuman received an A.B. with distinction in economics and international relations from Stanford University and a J.D. from
Stanford Law School.
Why support Local independent business?
Because a San Francisco study compared the impact of $1 million spent at a local bookstore VS a national chain and found that just a 10% shift in spending to independent business would result in $192 million in increased economic activity and 1300 new jobs! You don’t have to change WHAT you buy, just WHERE you buy it!
It has been shown that local businesses redistribute about 65 – 75% of their profits in the community, while global businesses only contribute 15% of their profits to the local economy. Therefore, money spent at a local business has 3 times more economic benefit to the local economy than money spent at a global retailer.
A healthy local independent business community is the key to developing a sustainable economy. The City of Edmonton has indicated a keen interest in being a leader in sustainable practices. Take the opportunity to attend a special presentation with Michael Shuman - an expert in developing policies and strategies that encourage sustainable local economies.
E-SAGE*, (Edmontonians Supporting A Green Economy) are proud to announce that renowned local economies expert and author, Michael Shuman will be in Edmonton for 3 Exclusive, “Small Mart Revolution” Events, October 20 - 21, 2008.
Monday, October 20th
WHEN: 7:00 to 9:30 pm
WHERE: University of Alberta, Tory Lecture Building (room TL-B1)
COST: Tickets on a sliding scale from $10 - $20, available at Earth’s General Store and at the door.
Sure - Walmart's an easy target.
So are the rest of the multi-national chain stores.
And buying local is important.
But why?
What do we tell our friends who say, "But Walmart brings in jobs! And
it's lower prices mean that the poor can afford things. Are you
against the poor?"
Come and hear a compelling perspective to address your niggling doubts
and wonderings in the whole "global vs. local" debate.
Tuesday, October 21st
Small Business Session:
While business tends to be painted as the enemy of the environment and social justice – there is actually a powerful role that local, independent businesses can play that non-profits can’t. The Small Marts can be a much more powerful force for social change than many entrepreneurs realize.
WHEN: 9am – 11pm
WHERE: Village Lifestyles (10429-79 Avenue)
COST: Suggested Donation of $5 - $15
This event includes:
- the often overlooked and underestimated role for small business in developing a sustainable local economy
- examples of what local networks of independent and sustainable businesses have done to create prosperity and social change in their communities
- planning next steps KEO and E-SAGE members can take to develop our own sustainable business network
- networking with other cool, local entrepreneurs
Tuesday, October 21st
Invitation Only “Local Economic Leaders Forum”:
We’ll spend an afternoon delving into high-level, cutting edge perspectives, studies and findings about how to foster a thriving and sustainable local economy.
WHEN: 1pm – 3pm
WHERE: 10303 - Jasper Avenue, Canadian Room (basement)
COST: Please be our guest
DRESS CODE: Business casual, pants and shirt is fine, no tie required
This event includes an exploration into:
- how the rising price of oil, the rapidly growing ‘green economy’, the trend towards ‘shop local first’, an inefficient global distribution systems and decline of the U.S. dollar (plus more than a half dozen other specific trends) are increasing the competitiveness of small business around the world.
- cutting-edge perspectives on what we can do to capitalize on these trends in Edmonton.
- A chance to get relevant economic information and recommendations for proven policies and strategies for Edmonton from Michael Shuman.
Tuesday, October 21st
Invitation Only “Local Economic Leaders Dinner Party”: Enjoy an exclusive and intimate dinner with Michael Shuman at one of Edmonton’s finest independent local restaurants – The Blue Pear.
WHEN: 7pm – 10pm
WHERE: The Blue Pear Restaurant (10643 - 123 street)
COST: To Be Determined
Dress code: Monday evening, jeans would be fine.
This event includes an opportunity to:
- discuss your ideas and questions directly with Michael Shuman and the other VIP guests
- experience local dining at one of Edmonton’s excellent independent restaurants
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