Members of RRSN with noted author Frances Moore Lappe in front of the Vermont Earth Institute/Rutland Regional Sustainability Network information display. (From left to right) Paul Vidovich, Kitty Canfield, Mike O'Brien, Karen Barber, Frankie, Kathleen Krevetski, Catherine Garland.
Frances Moore Lappe Harvest Celebration a Big Success.
Rutland, Vermont September 22,2006
"Whether it was the freshly baked pizza from the Northeast Organic Farmers Association' s traveling pizza oven topped with all locally grown ingredients or the homemade locally grown pumpkin soup it was hard to tell which was the best" according to Jim Dwyer. Jim, who was affiliated with a several of the sponsors, came to help out but also enjoyed being fed by the many other volunteers and farmers.
This "Harvest Celebration" included a talk about food and democracy by writer and activist Frances Moore Lappe as well as a sampling of local foods well represented by the farmers who grew them. An not to be outdone, informational booths provided a bounty of information about how and why to eat locally grown foods. It was a cornucopia of informatioon and food fitting hand in hand with Frances's talk about strenghtening democracy in America by supporting locally grown foods. So this is what democracy tastes like, eh? borrowing a phrase from Frankie as she is often called.
Kitty Canfield and Kathleen Krevetski staffed the RRSN booth complete with the traveling Vermont Earth Institute informational board as well as the new VEI 15 minute video, an overview of the VEI classes. They talked with many of the 250 or so attendees about upcoming classes and about RRSN. " We handed out about 20 flyers to people interested in taking the classes, so we hope that this helps get out the word" Kathleen quipped
RRSN helped coordinate the Harvest Celebration with area sister organizations in the Rutland area. Folks from The Rutland Farm and Food Link (RAFFL), Central Vermont Peace and Justice, Studio Bliss, Rutland Coop and others helped organize this event over the past year. Without an onsite available kitchen to prepare the foods it became quite a challenge. The Vermont Achievement Center kitchen became the hub of food preparation activity just prior to the event with lots of volunteers.
Frances Moore Lappe talked about the intermingling of food and democracy. Her most recent book " Democracy's Edge" describes places throughout the United States where democracy is thriving however, she makes no bones about how it is increasingly threatened from within. She described democracy as something you do rather than something you have. Frankie offered great hope and encouragement to area residents interested in local food and was impressed by the turnout for the event. " This is something I will be writing about" she stated.
This event kicked off the "Localvore Challenge" to eat local foods for one day, one week, or one month. The RAFFL booth offered encouragement and information about where food can be purchased. Planners of this event will begin working on the next localvore event to happen December 21st and continue quarterly. For more localvore information visit the RAFFL website at http://www.rutlandareafarmandfood.org
Mike