The politics in your food

What we eat today in Brookline is directly related to food production across Massachusetts and the country as well as decisions being made in Washington DC. The real politics of food are increasingly  evident through the significant actions and debates about what we eat, how its grown, who produces it and ultimately will it help or harm us!!!
In Congress as well as in the Massachusetts Legislature there have been gains made and challenges to still address around these issues. The recently passed Bill 4568 to establish a Massachusetts Food Policy Council provides an opportunity for Massachusetts to address food production and access issues in a comprehensive way.

http://www.mphaweb.org/equalaccesscampaign.htm


Over the past months although there have been several major successes in our country for food security there has also been strong resistance.
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/foodsafety/
http://www.care2.com/causes/real-food/blog/food-safety-sure-theres-a-bill-but-will-it-be-enforced/

Just this past week USDA, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack approved Monsanto's genetically engineered alfalfa for widespread planting this spring. It will potentially have serious consequences for organic farmers and represents a real setback in the movement to improve our food now and for future generations. At this point President Obama must be called upon to stop this action.
/ http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/agricultural-policy/ge-alfalfa/

Isn't it time to think of spring NOW!!!

With the snow cover so high that the raised beds have disappeared, its hard to think about SPRING...yet, we have confidence that the snow  will melt and the garden beds will emerge. Its a good thing that Spring into Gardening will be ready...

On Sunday, March 27 ^th , 2011 Bountiful Brookline’s Spring into Gardening event will return to the Pierce School for its second year.  Last March, over 400 people from Brookline and surrounding communities came together for an afternoon of inspiration and information about local food. Spring into Gardening 2011, will expand to offer a full day of activity:  special morning workshops, a keynote speaker, afternoon workshops, panel discussions, demonstrations, activities for children and a resource area with refreshments, local venders and information about local food, healthy eating and gardening.  Most importantly, Spring Into Gardening 2011 will continue to provide opportunities for neighbors to get together to compare notes and share stories.  We hope that it will again be a community event that Brookline residents look forward to in preparation for a new growing season!

If you are interested in helping to welcome new and seasoned urban farmers and local food enthusiasts to this year's event please contact us to learn about opportunities for helping before, during or after the event. To learn more about Spring into Gardening, visit the event page and check back often as more details are finalized... raffles, speakers, great refreshments, etc!