Thank you to everyone who was able to come out to city hall! It was humbing and energizing to see so many concerned citizens exercising thier democratic rights. Based on news reports there were between 550 and 600 of us there! Not since the decisions about expanding West Edmonton Mall have there been that many people at city hall.
It seems as though our presence and presentations have had an impact. Three city councilors have asked for further information and a specific plan for preserving high yield farmland.
Thanks to everyone who made passionate and intelligent presentations in favor or preserving the agricultural areas and pointing out the need for gathering more information about how Edmonton can be sustainable in the decades to come.
There has been a good amount of press on this issue and awareness is growing about what is happening in our city - which is great. I have put links to media stories and to updates from the Greater Edmonton Alliance facebook group. If you know of any others you think people would want to see, send to me to add to this page at maureen@e-sage.ca
We will keep you posted on any other developments. This is only a beginning, but it is a great one.
Thank you again for your support!
Maureen, Terra & Tad
----------------------------------
Media
Edmonton's defining moment (pdf)
Edmonton Journal - Nov 13/08 (pdf)
Edmonton Journal - Nov 14/08 (pdf)
Edmonton Journal - Scott McKeen (Nov 14/08) (pdf) or click here (link)
Global TV - Nov 13/08 (link)
This Land is our Land (GEA Facebook Group)
E-sage (facebook group)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Important Upcoming Event!!
The city council hearings on the Municipal Development Plan next Wednesday night at 7pm. One of the items to be discussed are the plans for rezoning of the agricultural lands surrounding the city. If you haven't heard about this yet - there is more information below.
If you have heard about it, you may be confused about all the different information you are getting. Some people have said there never were any evening public hearings, some have said they were cancelled, and others have said that they were rescheduled.
The latest information we have from the city clerk's office is that a recommendation has been made for city council to extend the hearings on Wednesday until 9:30pm to allow working people to give their input on the Municipal Development Plan.
Should you be at City Hall next Wednesday, Nov 12 at 7pm? The answer is YES!!
We have handed out 5000 flyers about this event, and sent out hundreds of emails and invitations through facebook and other groups. We need to have hundreds of citizens there to show council that we expect them to do some research before making such an important decision.
Why should you be at City Hall next Wednesday? Here are some reasons...
- The city of Edmonton and surrounding areas is home to over 1 million people
- studies show that it takes approximately 640 acres to grow enough food to feed 1000 people, so based on our population, we would need 640,000 acres to be self-sufficient.
- the farmland in the NE is 12,000 acres, the farmland in the SW is about 6,000 acres
- this land is considered THE BEST soil in the province, it is a microclimate that gives an extra 2 week growing season, and it is right near the river for easy irrigation if required
- farmers and market gardeners like Riverbend gardens and Kuhlmans are located in that farmland. They own some of the land and rent some from from land speculators who have bought up about 40% of the land
- even at current limited production levels, they supply about 5% of Edmonton's fresh produce market
- We import about 80% of our food
- Imported food needs to be processed, packaged and preserved to survive shipping. All of these processes reduce its nutrient value.
- We have about 3 days worth of food on the grocery store shelves
- Most produce/fruit is picked at least 2 weeks before we buy it at the store
- Most of our food is transported a minimum of 1500 kms The average Canadian food item travels 2000 km from field to fork
- most transport trucks run on diesel fuel, which is being rationed in Alberta, (in some places truckers are limited to buying 250 litres at a time)
- multinational corporations that control the global food supply depend on healthy credit markets to finance their operations which includes shipping the food. Credit collapses are becoming more frequent of late
- 40% of the farmland in the NE is owned by land speculators. These people buy land, wait for it to go up in value, then sell it - usually to developers or corporations. The only way they can see to make money on this land is to use it for something other than farming.
- the land speculators we met with had no interest in working with us to find ways to preserve farmland
- City council is considering rezoning the agricultural land to industrial or for residential development
- City Council has never turned down a request to rezone agricultural land
- The municipal Development plan is over 120 pages. Food security is mentioned in 3 sentences.
- Many of the City Councillors we met with did not think protecting farmland was their concern
Do you understand our concern?
If so, we hope to see you at city hall next Wednesday, Nov 12 at 7 pm. It occurs to me that this is the day after Rememberance Day, there has to be some irony in there somewhere.
If you have heard about it, you may be confused about all the different information you are getting. Some people have said there never were any evening public hearings, some have said they were cancelled, and others have said that they were rescheduled.
The latest information we have from the city clerk's office is that a recommendation has been made for city council to extend the hearings on Wednesday until 9:30pm to allow working people to give their input on the Municipal Development Plan.
Should you be at City Hall next Wednesday, Nov 12 at 7pm? The answer is YES!!
We have handed out 5000 flyers about this event, and sent out hundreds of emails and invitations through facebook and other groups. We need to have hundreds of citizens there to show council that we expect them to do some research before making such an important decision.
Why should you be at City Hall next Wednesday? Here are some reasons...
- The city of Edmonton and surrounding areas is home to over 1 million people
- studies show that it takes approximately 640 acres to grow enough food to feed 1000 people, so based on our population, we would need 640,000 acres to be self-sufficient.
- the farmland in the NE is 12,000 acres, the farmland in the SW is about 6,000 acres
- this land is considered THE BEST soil in the province, it is a microclimate that gives an extra 2 week growing season, and it is right near the river for easy irrigation if required
- farmers and market gardeners like Riverbend gardens and Kuhlmans are located in that farmland. They own some of the land and rent some from from land speculators who have bought up about 40% of the land
- even at current limited production levels, they supply about 5% of Edmonton's fresh produce market
- We import about 80% of our food
- Imported food needs to be processed, packaged and preserved to survive shipping. All of these processes reduce its nutrient value.
- We have about 3 days worth of food on the grocery store shelves
- Most produce/fruit is picked at least 2 weeks before we buy it at the store
- Most of our food is transported a minimum of 1500 kms The average Canadian food item travels 2000 km from field to fork
- most transport trucks run on diesel fuel, which is being rationed in Alberta, (in some places truckers are limited to buying 250 litres at a time)
- multinational corporations that control the global food supply depend on healthy credit markets to finance their operations which includes shipping the food. Credit collapses are becoming more frequent of late
- 40% of the farmland in the NE is owned by land speculators. These people buy land, wait for it to go up in value, then sell it - usually to developers or corporations. The only way they can see to make money on this land is to use it for something other than farming.
- the land speculators we met with had no interest in working with us to find ways to preserve farmland
- City council is considering rezoning the agricultural land to industrial or for residential development
- City Council has never turned down a request to rezone agricultural land
- The municipal Development plan is over 120 pages. Food security is mentioned in 3 sentences.
- Many of the City Councillors we met with did not think protecting farmland was their concern
Do you understand our concern?
If so, we hope to see you at city hall next Wednesday, Nov 12 at 7 pm. It occurs to me that this is the day after Rememberance Day, there has to be some irony in there somewhere.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Food Basket Update
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
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
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
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
August Update
Good evening! This will be a short message because there will be more on the blog very shortly, but I just wanted to say how awesome this month has been for meetings!!!
We had 3 meetings; one on local food and eating local - Jessie did a fantastic job explaining the food system and why it costs more now to eat local - but it doesn't have to be that way forever. And for those who want to participate in the food action, here are some details and a link to the pledge form.
Have you ever wondered why it costs more to buy eggs at the farmers market, or whether you could do a 100 mile diet? Are you concerned about the distance food travels to get to our tables? Have you noticed that the good farmland surrounding Edmonton is being sold to developers? Did you know that we only have 3 days worth of food on the grocery store shelves? What does all this mean to you and your family?
These are questions some of us are thinking about as we become more aware of the role food plays in the health of our bodies, and our communities at large.
Remember at the very start of SAGE you told us that you wanted 3 things out of this group: networking, information, and ACTION. This is your chance to take action and make a difference!
SAGE has become a supporter of GEA's (Greater Edmonton Alliance) Shake the Hand that Feeds You local food action. We invite you to find out more about this simple plan to participate in improving the fabric of our community. If you weren't able to attend the meeting, you can still find out what is happening and take part by reading this document.
The basket pickup will happen on September 20 from 11-11:30 am at a local grocery store to be announced. We need to have money in by September 8, so if you have already filled in a sheet, we will be contacting you soon for payment. If you want to print out a sheet from the link above and send it in with payment to GEA, all the instructions are on the form itself. Thanks in advance for your thoughtfulness and support.
----------------------------------
The next meeting was for local independent business to start gathering people together so that we can all support and grow together. Did you know that a local independent business generates 3x as much economic benefit in a community than a global business? You can find out more details like this right here on the website, when we get the slide show from Jessie - it is very eye opening. Thanks to Jessie again for presenting this information to us. You can also visit her websites to find out more information.
www.keepedmontonoriginal.com
www.originalfare.com
--------------------------------------
And last night, was Mark and Joey talking about co-creating a civilization of love and the fun of economics - who would ever believe there were so many people interested in these topics, but there were over 60 people last night, ranging from 8 to 80 years of age. It was truly magical and inspiring - thanks to everyone who came, and we hope to see you at our next meeting!
------------------------------------
The next community meeting will be Sept 29 at 7pm at the Village (10429-79 ave), and Ivor Mackay will be speaking about his experience doing the 100 mile diet and about local food.
Ivor would also like to know if anyone knows people who are interested in teaching learning, and developing traditional and "Primitive" skills. These skills would be everything from spinning and natural dying of wools, to making cordage, baskets, bow, arrows, tanning, pottery, preserving food and much more. There is a very wide variety of skills. We are not experts. We are keen to work with like minded people to create a wealth of knowledge.
If you can help in this project please contact Ivor or Lona at ivormack@telusplanet.net
You may also want to visit this website too http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/
And if anyone is interested in building an Apple press. Ivor has the plans and is looking for assistance. You can contact him at ivormack@telusplanet.net
Hmm, I guess that wasn't really short was it? Oh well, there will still be more on the blog next week, so check back then.
take care,
Maureen
We had 3 meetings; one on local food and eating local - Jessie did a fantastic job explaining the food system and why it costs more now to eat local - but it doesn't have to be that way forever. And for those who want to participate in the food action, here are some details and a link to the pledge form.
Have you ever wondered why it costs more to buy eggs at the farmers market, or whether you could do a 100 mile diet? Are you concerned about the distance food travels to get to our tables? Have you noticed that the good farmland surrounding Edmonton is being sold to developers? Did you know that we only have 3 days worth of food on the grocery store shelves? What does all this mean to you and your family?
These are questions some of us are thinking about as we become more aware of the role food plays in the health of our bodies, and our communities at large.
Remember at the very start of SAGE you told us that you wanted 3 things out of this group: networking, information, and ACTION. This is your chance to take action and make a difference!
SAGE has become a supporter of GEA's (Greater Edmonton Alliance) Shake the Hand that Feeds You local food action. We invite you to find out more about this simple plan to participate in improving the fabric of our community. If you weren't able to attend the meeting, you can still find out what is happening and take part by reading this document.
The basket pickup will happen on September 20 from 11-11:30 am at a local grocery store to be announced. We need to have money in by September 8, so if you have already filled in a sheet, we will be contacting you soon for payment. If you want to print out a sheet from the link above and send it in with payment to GEA, all the instructions are on the form itself. Thanks in advance for your thoughtfulness and support.
----------------------------------
The next meeting was for local independent business to start gathering people together so that we can all support and grow together. Did you know that a local independent business generates 3x as much economic benefit in a community than a global business? You can find out more details like this right here on the website, when we get the slide show from Jessie - it is very eye opening. Thanks to Jessie again for presenting this information to us. You can also visit her websites to find out more information.
www.keepedmontonoriginal.com
www.originalfare.com
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And last night, was Mark and Joey talking about co-creating a civilization of love and the fun of economics - who would ever believe there were so many people interested in these topics, but there were over 60 people last night, ranging from 8 to 80 years of age. It was truly magical and inspiring - thanks to everyone who came, and we hope to see you at our next meeting!
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The next community meeting will be Sept 29 at 7pm at the Village (10429-79 ave), and Ivor Mackay will be speaking about his experience doing the 100 mile diet and about local food.
Ivor would also like to know if anyone knows people who are interested in teaching learning, and developing traditional and "Primitive" skills. These skills would be everything from spinning and natural dying of wools, to making cordage, baskets, bow, arrows, tanning, pottery, preserving food and much more. There is a very wide variety of skills. We are not experts. We are keen to work with like minded people to create a wealth of knowledge.
If you can help in this project please contact Ivor or Lona at ivormack@telusplanet.net
You may also want to visit this website too http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/
And if anyone is interested in building an Apple press. Ivor has the plans and is looking for assistance. You can contact him at ivormack@telusplanet.net
Hmm, I guess that wasn't really short was it? Oh well, there will still be more on the blog next week, so check back then.
take care,
Maureen
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Sticky PLU Labels on Fruit Provide Useful Health Information
Hello all,
our meeting on local food is tonight, and I just got an email today that explains the stickers on fruit. If you don't already know this information it may be helpful to you.
Maureen
Sticky PLU Labels on Fruit Provide Useful Health Information
by Heidi Stevenson (see all articles by this author)
Originally published July 28 2008
(NaturalNews) Who would have imagined that those irritating little labels stuck on fruit would provide helpful information? Their purpose isn't, of course, to help the public. Nonetheless, the codes identify whether fruit is full of pesticides and grown with petroleum-based fertilizers or organic, and even when it's genetically modified.
When those stickies first started appearing on fruit, it seemed a tad strange. As if the supermarkets were determined to add another level of frustration to already-stressed lives. The aggravation of pulling a label off a perfect fruit, the embodiment of nature's bounty, only to have part of the peel come off too was... well, infuriating. And the fact that there was yet another code designed not to enlighten, but to obfuscate, to keep information from us simply added insult to injury.
Still, those disgustingly wasteful labels that end up in the landfills and take up your precious time to peel off do more than speed up the checkout process in the supermarket. They can help you avoid eating chemicals and genetically modified organisms.
The Labeling System
The codes are applied not only to fruit, but also to vegetables, herbs, and nuts, though labels are normally stuck only on fruit. They consist of four or five numbers. The system is quite simple. Fruit is divided into three classes: conventional, organic, and genetically modified.
All four-digit coded fruit is conventionally raised. So, if you don't see five digits, then it's safe to assume that the fruit is contaminated with pesticides and petroleum-based fertilizers, and is grown in depleted soils.
Five digit codes are simply the four digits with a single number added to the front: 8 or 9.
If the first of five numbers is 9, then it has been grown to the standards defined by the National Organic Standards Board. This is obviously preferable to conventionally-grown fruit.
If the first of five numbers is 8, the fruit is genetically modified. It means that it has been grown conventionally with poisons in depleted soil, from frankenseeds.
For example, let's take a simple Valencia orange. Its code is 4014. 84014 is the code of a small genetically modified Valencia orange. 94014 is the code of a small organic Valencia orange.
* 4 digits: The fruit likely comes with a burden of poisons and was grown in depleted soil.
* 5 digits, first is 8: This fruit is genetically modified, a GMO. It contains genes that were not put there by nature.
* 5 digits, first is 9: This fruit has been grown to an organic standard. Although the standard is not as strict as some produced by the most serious organic farmers, it is certainly superior to conventionally-grown or GMO fruit.
Who's Behind PLU Codes
It all started back in 1949. The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) was founded for the purpose of taking advantage of new packaging technologies and the developing style of self-service grocery shopping to promote the produce business. Since then, agribusiness has taken over most farming and PMA has grown accordingly. It has become the focal point of coordination in large-scale national and international produce marketing.
The International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) is associated with PMA. It assigns and administers Price Look Up (PLU) codes -- those numbers on sticky labels -- and keeps a database of them.
Originally intended to speed checkout in supermarkets, PLU codes are now being pushed as a means to provide quality accountability and to limit the costs involved in tracing bad products that have already been distributed.
More Info From PLU Numbers
If you're interested in finding out more about PLU numbers, simply go to the IFPS website, which provides the PLU database online (http://plucodes.com/search_wizard.aspx?s=1)
You must fill in four fields, but the information requested is not personal and cannot identify you. From there, you can find out what codes are used for particular types of produce and information associated with any code. Do not look for the first digit (8 or 9) of a five-digit code. Only four digits are included. (Keep in mind that the 8 or 9 is merely tacked onto the front of a four-digit code.)
For example, if you pick up an avocado with the code 4221 on it, you could look it up and find that it's classed as a small avocado that was grown in the eastern part of north America.
Every Little Bit Helps
Information available from PLU codes isn't as complete as shoppers should have. Nonetheless, it's nice to know that a tool intended only to provide information beneficial to agribusiness and supermarkets provides a real benefit to everyday consumers.
Remember: If the code is five digits in length, check out that first digit carefully. If it's an 8, put it back -- and consider making a complaint to the supermarket for stocking it.
About the author
* Heidi Stevenson, BSc, DIHom, FBIH
* Fellow, British Institute of Homeopathy
* Gaia Therapy (http://www.gaia-therapy.com/)
*
* The author is a homeopath who became concerned with medically-induced harm as a result of her own experiences and those of family members. She says that allopathic medicine is the arena that best describes the motto, "Buyer beware."
*
* Iatrogenic disease is illness, disability, and death caused by medical practice. It is common, resulting in huge costs to society and individuals. It's possible - even common - to suffer an iatrogenic illness without realizing its source.
*
* Heidi Stevenson provides information about medically-induced disease and disability, along with incisive well-researched articles on major issues in the modern world, so members of the public can protect themselves.
our meeting on local food is tonight, and I just got an email today that explains the stickers on fruit. If you don't already know this information it may be helpful to you.
Maureen
Sticky PLU Labels on Fruit Provide Useful Health Information
by Heidi Stevenson (see all articles by this author)
Originally published July 28 2008
(NaturalNews) Who would have imagined that those irritating little labels stuck on fruit would provide helpful information? Their purpose isn't, of course, to help the public. Nonetheless, the codes identify whether fruit is full of pesticides and grown with petroleum-based fertilizers or organic, and even when it's genetically modified.
When those stickies first started appearing on fruit, it seemed a tad strange. As if the supermarkets were determined to add another level of frustration to already-stressed lives. The aggravation of pulling a label off a perfect fruit, the embodiment of nature's bounty, only to have part of the peel come off too was... well, infuriating. And the fact that there was yet another code designed not to enlighten, but to obfuscate, to keep information from us simply added insult to injury.
Still, those disgustingly wasteful labels that end up in the landfills and take up your precious time to peel off do more than speed up the checkout process in the supermarket. They can help you avoid eating chemicals and genetically modified organisms.
The Labeling System
The codes are applied not only to fruit, but also to vegetables, herbs, and nuts, though labels are normally stuck only on fruit. They consist of four or five numbers. The system is quite simple. Fruit is divided into three classes: conventional, organic, and genetically modified.
All four-digit coded fruit is conventionally raised. So, if you don't see five digits, then it's safe to assume that the fruit is contaminated with pesticides and petroleum-based fertilizers, and is grown in depleted soils.
Five digit codes are simply the four digits with a single number added to the front: 8 or 9.
If the first of five numbers is 9, then it has been grown to the standards defined by the National Organic Standards Board. This is obviously preferable to conventionally-grown fruit.
If the first of five numbers is 8, the fruit is genetically modified. It means that it has been grown conventionally with poisons in depleted soil, from frankenseeds.
For example, let's take a simple Valencia orange. Its code is 4014. 84014 is the code of a small genetically modified Valencia orange. 94014 is the code of a small organic Valencia orange.
* 4 digits: The fruit likely comes with a burden of poisons and was grown in depleted soil.
* 5 digits, first is 8: This fruit is genetically modified, a GMO. It contains genes that were not put there by nature.
* 5 digits, first is 9: This fruit has been grown to an organic standard. Although the standard is not as strict as some produced by the most serious organic farmers, it is certainly superior to conventionally-grown or GMO fruit.
Who's Behind PLU Codes
It all started back in 1949. The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) was founded for the purpose of taking advantage of new packaging technologies and the developing style of self-service grocery shopping to promote the produce business. Since then, agribusiness has taken over most farming and PMA has grown accordingly. It has become the focal point of coordination in large-scale national and international produce marketing.
The International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) is associated with PMA. It assigns and administers Price Look Up (PLU) codes -- those numbers on sticky labels -- and keeps a database of them.
Originally intended to speed checkout in supermarkets, PLU codes are now being pushed as a means to provide quality accountability and to limit the costs involved in tracing bad products that have already been distributed.
More Info From PLU Numbers
If you're interested in finding out more about PLU numbers, simply go to the IFPS website, which provides the PLU database online (http://plucodes.com/search_wizard.aspx?s=1)
You must fill in four fields, but the information requested is not personal and cannot identify you. From there, you can find out what codes are used for particular types of produce and information associated with any code. Do not look for the first digit (8 or 9) of a five-digit code. Only four digits are included. (Keep in mind that the 8 or 9 is merely tacked onto the front of a four-digit code.)
For example, if you pick up an avocado with the code 4221 on it, you could look it up and find that it's classed as a small avocado that was grown in the eastern part of north America.
Every Little Bit Helps
Information available from PLU codes isn't as complete as shoppers should have. Nonetheless, it's nice to know that a tool intended only to provide information beneficial to agribusiness and supermarkets provides a real benefit to everyday consumers.
Remember: If the code is five digits in length, check out that first digit carefully. If it's an 8, put it back -- and consider making a complaint to the supermarket for stocking it.
About the author
* Heidi Stevenson, BSc, DIHom, FBIH
* Fellow, British Institute of Homeopathy
* Gaia Therapy (http://www.gaia-therapy.com/)
*
* The author is a homeopath who became concerned with medically-induced harm as a result of her own experiences and those of family members. She says that allopathic medicine is the arena that best describes the motto, "Buyer beware."
*
* Iatrogenic disease is illness, disability, and death caused by medical practice. It is common, resulting in huge costs to society and individuals. It's possible - even common - to suffer an iatrogenic illness without realizing its source.
*
* Heidi Stevenson provides information about medically-induced disease and disability, along with incisive well-researched articles on major issues in the modern world, so members of the public can protect themselves.
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