Today, The Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers announced in a joint statement that they will work together to urge U.S. lawmakers to craft legislation overseeing the living conditions of the 280 million hens involved in U.S. egg production. This would mark the first federal law regulating the treatment of animals on farms.
Remember these kids when your vendors complain about market rent…
The Chicago Green Market is adding a level of transparency to their markets. Starting this month, vendors will show their farm names, where they are located and what certification process they currently have passed. As many of you know, there is a wide selection of programs besides the USDA organic label that farmers can use. The Beyond Organic movement is growing, and it is quite possible that market vendors are more likely than industrial sector farmers to look for alternatives to organic; they have the ability to tell their own story to their shoppers which reduces the need for the complicated long work to get the USDA label.
And here are two points of view from the article that bolster my theory:
“GCM farm forager Dave Rand notes that it’s incredibly difficult, for example, to grow organic peaches in the Midwest because of pest and climate challenges. So a peach grower might opt for Food Alliance certification, which requires integrated pest management strategies that minimize pesticide use but allow it when necessary.”
“Three Sisters farmer Tracey Vowell said that she prefers the Certified Naturally Grown program because inspections are carried out by fellow farmers rather than certification inspectors. She finds this process fosters community and best-practices sharing rather than just requiring farmers to fill out paperwork.”
The Crescent City Farmers Market is featured in 2 of the interviews. One with our LSU Sea Grant extension agent and one of our fishing families, Gerica Seafood. I think you can hear in Clara’s voice the trust she has in her market shoppers. I know I can.
*Discover You Can Summer Canning Education Program *
***
*We are excited to introduce *Discover You Can, a summer canning
education program developed to assist Farmers Market Coalition member
organizations in achieving their education mission. The program is sponsored
by Jarden Home Brands, makers of Ball® Brand Fresh Preserving Products.
Discover You Can**SM** *is offering 50 FMC member farmers market
organizations the opportunity to apply for $1,200 in funding. The funding
is to be used to support local efforts to educate communities on the
benefits and simple ‘how tos’ of canning. In addition to funding, the
selected 50 organizations will also receive a starter kit, signage, coupons,
samples, and more from Jarden.
The Food Channel recently named home canning as the #1 food trend. This
program will allow you to host canning demonstrations—a topic relevant and
of interest to consumers. It will bring value to your community as they
learn the benefits of canning and buying fresh, local produce.
If you are interested in participating in this program, *click
here<a href="”>
* to complete the application and read the full list of Frequently Asked
Questions. Once completed, please return the application to *
DiscoverYouCan@imschicago.com* or fax to (312) 664-5454. If you have
questions about this program, please contact Amber Meairs at 312-242-4723.
Jarden Home Brands is accepting applications until Friday April 29, 2011.
Select farmers markets will be announced the week of May 2, 2011 and welcome
kits will be mailed immediately thereafter.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. If you’re not currently an FMC
member, you can join
todayto be
eligible for Discover You Can Apply now!
The phrase that runs through my mind over and over is “too early to tell.”
(Don’t I know that living and eating from the Gulf of Mexico…)
In any case, here is a thoughtful piece on possible issues from Japan’s third tragedy in 2011:
Helping Farmers Markets Grow 