• Transforming unused City land for farming by low-income residents, volunteers and project staff, with the produce going to local food banks and community nutrition programs such as community kitchens, night teen programs, and child care programs.
• Creating market opportunities for low-income residents by increasing market capacity for the Clean Greens Farm and Market which grows culturally appropriate produce to sell in low-income communities.
• Providing gardening education for low-income residents at community centers, senior centers, and other locations through the work of the Southeast Seattle Garden Education Initiative.
• Supporting a Healthy Corner Store Initiative that will increase the availability of healthy, locally grown foods by connecting convenience stores with producers, and by providing assistance to the stores in making fresh foods available.

Although we have food AT every event (and it is often the topic of pre- or post-event conversation!) it's been quite awhile since we had an event ABOUT food. Out of curiousity, I look at a list of past events, searching for the "most recent" related event, and found a 2003 program called "Food, Wine and Community: A Recipe for Social Entrepreneurship".

2003 is well before the days of any of our current staffers, but a little research reveals the event was a happy hour at Fare Start, and focused almost solely on the Washington wine industry. This 2009 event, "Having Your Values and Eating Them Too!" will be a bit different: we wanna talk about food!

As it's been so long, it was almost as if the slate was wiped clean - we were starting at the beginning like we'd never done a food forum before, particularly when it came to looking for co-presenters (organizations with potentially interested audiences that could help us promote the event).

So, who's interested in local, sustainable, equitable food? Well, judging from the weekly crowds at the Ballard Farmer's Market, I'd say lots of Seattleites are interested. Restaurants boast that all their ingredients come from within 100 miles of Seattle, or even grow greens for their salads on their own roof. P-patches are numerous, and potlucks consist of veggies folks are growing in their own backyards. Coffee shops are expected to serve beverages made from fair trade beans. (This blogger once went to a vegan potluck in the Central District and took part in a very long conversation about the politics of bananas.)

As we spread the word about the event, we've made a few new friends we wanted to introduce to you!

Cascade Harvest Coalition: "Cascade Harvest Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to 're-localizing' the food system in Washington State by more directly connecting consumers and producers." Their methods include supporting farmers, educating consumers, and building healthy communities.

Slow Food Seattle: "Slow Food is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment."

Pike Place Market: Although we have worked with Pike Place Market before, it's been a long time, and we lost touch. Thanks to the sustainable food program, we were able to reconnect!

Absolutely NOT to be left out, some of our regulars also deserve a shout-out! Hello and thank you: EarthCorps, Seattle Great City Initiative, Sightline Institute, Solid Ground, Sustainable Seattle, Washington State University, and YWCA of Seattle/King/Snohomish County.