BriarPatch Blogs

Latest Updates: BriarPatch Co-op RSS

• 

  A "Food Fight" You Won't Want To Miss

  Mellisa Hannum 11:17 am on February 20, 2010 | 0 Permalink
  Tags: BriarPatch Co-op, Chez Panisse, Farm Bill, farmers market (2), Food Fight, food film (4), garden, local food (2), organic (3)

  “Good food should be a right, not a privilege,” said Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in the documentary, “Food Fight.”

  “Food Fight” is the exploration of food politics at its best — it gives the viewer tools to be proactive in the food movement.

  It analyzes the history of food, from the beginning of the Farm Bill to the overabundance of processed food. It talks about the movement to use organic, local produce, meat, and dairy – how it started, and how it is currently. It delves into how the Farm Bill is used today and the people trying to move it back to its original role of supporting the farmer.

  “Food Fight” is beautiful. It shows green, growing plants, down-to-earth farmers, and gorgeous food. It emphasizes the pleasure that food can bring and all of the sensory experiences that go along with it.

  Maybe most importantly, “Food Fight” is inspirational. You’ll want to do more after watching this film. This documentary emphasizes good food so poetically, how can you not feel inspired to shop at the Farmer’s Markets, create your own garden, and purchase as much fresh, wholesome food that you can?

  “Food Fight” will be the next installment in BriarPatch’s Film Festival Follow-up. See it in the Community Room on February 26, starting at 6:30 p.m.

   
• 

  Is our water "Tapped?"

  Mellisa Hannum 1:29 pm on February 10, 2010 | 0 Permalink
  Tags: bottled water, BPA, BriarPatch Co-op, food film (4), water

  It’s really easy to take water for granted. Americans have had access to clean drinking water for quite a long time. What if we didn’t have that access anymore because a company came into our town and took our water? That issue, among others, is what is covered in the movie, “Tapped.”

  It’s a movie about bottled water – how it’s collected, how it’s distributed, how it may or may not be tested, how the plastic bottle could affect our health. It’s a movie about a really popular product.

  “Tapped” was recently shown at SYRCL’s Wild and Scenic film festival. As part of our Film Festival Follow-up, BriarPatch will also be showing this excellent film. “Tapped” is an opportunity for education.
  BriarPatch is responsive to the wishes of our membership. After you view the film, tell your friends about what you’ve learned. As demand decreases for bottled water, less will be carried on the shelves.

  BriarPatch’s grocery manager, Charles Brock, has been very proactive about the bottled water issue. As opportunities have become available, he’s been replacing as much as he can with glass bottles. While still planning on carrying the larger 1.5 liter bottles and above of Crystal Geyser, these bottles are BPA free and come from a water source at Mt. Shasta, a regional location.
  Still want to do more? The large plastic bottles for water carried in our household section are also BPA free. Much research was done in terms of the quality of the filter purchased for our bulk water, so you can trust that the water is clean. If you’re not comfortable, or unable, to drink your tap water, buying bulk water at the Patch is an excellent option.

  Curious what all the hub bub is about with bottled water? Come see “Tapped” on Friday, February 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Patch’s Community Room, and make sure to bring a friend.

   
• 

  The local food scene

  Kathy 11:59 am on September 15, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
  Tags: BriarPatch Co-op, Eat Local America! challenge, garden harvest (2), local food (2)

  Welcome back! It’s September! And, lucky you, you get to read more of my rambles about my favorite activity, eating good local food.

  I’ll be continuing this blog-writing gig for a while. To keep you’all apprised of what I find going on in our local food scene while I’m out searching for good things to eat.

  After a month of trying (not so hard), to eat more locally during the BriarPatch Eat Local America! challenge in August, I thought that I would be relieved when I could once again, without guilt, eat whatever I wanted… local or not.

  So, without the ‘challenge-pressure’, I’ve gone back to adding non-local ‘old-favorites’ into my meals.  No, Stephanie, I’m not going to reveal what my ‘old favorites’ are … wouldn’t be that interesting, keeping in mind that I’m not much of a cook (Annie’s mac & cheese). But, I’ve been surprised each time by my disappointment with my dinners.

  Each time I put a non-local (Wolfgang Puck frozen pepperoni pizza), or even a non-homemade (rotisserie Smart chicken) entrée on my dinner plate, it seems to kind of overpower the veggie-medley from my garden… and I have to keep eating those veggies to keep up with the ‘harvest’ that is covering my kitchen counter!

  You’d think I would catch on!  But, I guess I’m a slow learner.  I keep doing this over and over, then leaving an unfinished portion of (insert your own subliminal ‘old fav’ here) store-bought-imported-something-or-other on my plate.

  I think I’m afraid of the obvious… I’m going to have to spend more time preparing my meals carefully and thoughtfully, even though the challenge is over.  Bottom line:  I need to learn to cook.  Ugh.

  Stir-fried garden veggies will keep me fed for a while, but soon the season will change, the garden harvest will thin out.  This challenge thing may become a long-term way of looking at my food!  Hey, now I’m catching on.

  Read along with me.  I’ll be here every week, relating my adventures with food, and with the local people who provide us with food.  Should provide some tasty stories!

  And, to start off the tasty stories – next up:  my first cooking lesson on “subtle additions to the veggie medley” – with Jim Gates !

   

  Reply Click here to cancel reply.

  You must be logged in to post a comment.