Berry Spectacular

The Good Steward Group has found another exciting and different type of event for this coming July. On July 12th, the University Farmers Market is turning 15! The University Farmers Market serves nearly 3,000 shoppers per week. Not bad for a single day.

To celebrate, the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance is planning to throw a Berry Spectacular (read all about it on page 3). They have asked the Good Steward Group to help out by serving shortcake and staffing the 'Guess the Berries' raffle booth. (A difficult job, but someone has to do it.) All proceeds from the shortcake will go to support the Good Farmer Fund. This fund is an important form of emergency relief for local farms that sell at the markets during farm loss, crop loss, or personal hardship.

For those of you who have not heard my recent soapbox monologue about how critically important eating local is, here are my 2 cents. Industrialized food (essentially everything we're accustomed to eating) requires an enormous amount of energy and chemicals to maintain. There are tons of local farms that grow amazing food in our own metaphorical backyard in Washington. This food not only tastes better (usually fresher), its usually much better for you (fewer chemicals and preservatives). While I don't want to bore everyone with my long-winded plea, I will suggest three things that I have found are easy to do to begin a local revolution.

1. Read "The Omnivore's Dilemna" by Michael Pollan (very fun and enlightening);
2. If you're a meat eater, check out EatWild.com; and
3. Shop local when possible (your local farmer's market, PCC, etc.)
   

So, come and help us support the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the University Farmers Market on July 12th from 9-ish to 10am at the corner of University Way and NE 50th Street.


A special thank you goes out to Lara Nachiem, who suggested partnering with the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance as a Good Steward Group event.