High Temperatures in Chicago . . .

It's March in Chicago and the average temperature has been hovering between 75 to 85 degrees for the last week.  The Spring plants are all in bloom, the grass is green, the birds are singing; and while this is a treat, I have to wonder what is around the corner.  Is this global warming or a fluke?  Since its March do I move my houseplants outside and start planting vegetable seeds or hold out for the snow to return?  Mother Nature is setting records in the Mid-West, does that mean a draught come true summer?  For now we will make the best of the weather, sit outside for lunch, use the patio set at night for dinner and plant the seeds in anticipation of this warm weather continuing.  I might as well start early, I can always purchase more seeds.  In fact on Friday I will be ordering online from High Mowing Organic Seeds.  I'll be sure to purchase more than could ever possibly be planted in my small garden, because dreaming of what could be growing in my garden half the fun!  Cheers from Chi-town.  

NU Food Talks Potluck Details

Guest Speaker: Ken Dunn of Resource Center and City Farm
This event is open to the Public. 


March 6, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Technological Institute, L211
Northwestern University
Evanston Campus


RSVP: please signup by following this link

Bring your own silverware, drinking glass and a dish to pass according to your last name.
A-F Entree
G-L Side or Salad
M-S Dessert
T-Z Beverage

NU Food Talks Potluck Announcement

Northwestern University to Host NU Food Talks

****** CHANGE OF LOCATION ********

This event will NOT be held in Parkes Hall. Stay posted for new location.

 Calling all Foodies! Yes, you, the person who wants to know their food. 

You know that organic banana you’re munching come from Costa Rica, but do you know how it was produced?  Do you know how it was transported to your grocery? How about the cost breakdown of the 98 cents a pound you paid?

Join the Northwestern University Sustainable Food Talks (NU Food Talks).  The program’s mission is to strengthen our sustainable food systems network, our knowledge base, and find ways together to maximize our outreach.

They will host a pot-luck talking group the first Tuesday of each month made up of students, faculty, staff, community members, food advocates and experts.  Each meeting features an expert from part of our food system who will speak on their work, the issues they face, and how it affects our foodshed. From these conversations they will develop action points for individuals and initiatives to be implemented by partnering organizations.

The first official kick-off pot-luck is:

Tuesday, March 6 from 6:30-8:00pm

Evanston, IL Campus. 

If you are a student, faculty, staff, or community member and would like to join their planning committee please e-mail them at nusustainablefoodtalks@gmail.com 

For more information visit their blog at http://www.nusustainablefoodtalks.blogspot.com/

Follow them on Twitter @NUFoodTalks

Like them on Facebook NU Food Talks

Panel on Institutional Food Buying, AUA

Yesterday, Wednesday February 1, 2012, the Chicago Advocates for Urban Agriculture hosted their winter meeting at the Garfield Park Conservatory.  There were two important ideas brought up concerning the challenges Institutions face when purchasing local, whole produce.

• Changing Institutional buying to purchase local and organic requires kitchens to re-skill their staff for new menus (cutting veggies instead of using pre-cut veggies).
• Changing Institutional buying requires working across department silos to cost cuts in energy, water and time management (etc) in order to move money to purchasing for the true cost of local food and the labor costs for skilled cooks.

Facilitator:

Kathy Nyquist, New Venture Advisors

Panelists:

Greg Christian, Beyond Green: Sustainable Food Partners

Kyle Schafter, UNITE HERE

Joan Hopkins, Coordinator of Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest, Cook County Boot Camp

Ben Perkins, Purchasing Buyer for Goodness Greeness