Let’s hope the new Mothers Market looks like this!

We had to rush back to Civic Center for our 3pm lecture on A New Fair Food System with moderator Eric Schlosser, the stud who wrote Fast Food Nation and basically changed the way we look at fast food forever (PS if you haven’t read this book please ready it NOW).
The panel discussed the issues of food sustainability and that the human aspect of it MUST be considered for it to every truly be sustainable. We have come such a long way in terms of organics, farmers and animal rights, however there are millions of people who are literally treated like slaves in this country and simply neglects who are a crucial part of feeding every single one of us.
(A New Fair Food System panel)

This is seen and probably most heard in the people that comprise the harvesting of our produce (but really it isn’t as much as it really deserves), however, it is the people of the meat industry that is the most neglected (and have one of the most dangerous jobs in the US outside of mining!). One thing that was stressed in the panel was ice-raids or immigration raid in the meat industry. These workers are basically held for weeks with their children abandoned & in horrible conditions. You may say that they are illegal, but if it weren’t for them, you wouldn’t have 90% of the meat products you consume today, and they risk their lives preparing it for us.

One side of the event was Slow on the Go a number of local food preparers creating some serious eats from locally raised, grass-fed animals, organic produce, fresh fruit drinks, fair coffee and fresh from the oven breads, everything we tried was incredible (special note to the Muffuleta!).
(a sign for the sausage and pepper sandwich)

(the fair trade coffee booth was lined with these awesome bags)

The center row of the event was dedicated to an organic Victory Garden that was literally bursting with so many different kinds of veggies, fruits, herbs and flowers that I could spend all day taking pictures of this one area alone. At one end you had a composting area and the other was dedicated to informal lectures at the Soap Box
(the bounty of the Victory Garden & black gold)

(growing corn in front of City Hall)

The last alley was a showcase of local and artisan cheese makers, beekeepers, mushroom growers, jam makers, bread bakers, berry/bean/tomato/stone fruit/etc…growers…EVERYTHING in this area was fit for a magazine spread….i have never seen so many color nor smelled so many smells that where so clean, yet powerful. I was so overwhelmed that I forgot to take pictures with the camera that I use for the blog ☹- but I will have some available in about a month from my other camera.

If you are not comfortable with the hostel, I would definitely suggest this hotel.

Super excited!!

On our way to San Francisco for Slow Food Nation 2008!

We have a jam-packed weekend (or rather 48 hours) ahead of us, the following posts will cover what took place at the first ever celebration of American food.

(snacks for the road: a variety of cheese, breads and asian pears from Donna’s farm)

(trying to find the Obama speech after the Tejon Pass & goodies already gone!)

(Joel in his yard- photo from Register)

I guess some of his neighbors are very anti-what-is supposed-to-be-growing-in-California because, “he’s received anonymous, threatening notes and even had some of his plants killed with herbicide. He says the situation in the neighborhood has become so tense he is thinking of moving away. ” Neighbors have actually defaced signs he has had posted ON HIS PROPERTY saying Wildlife Habitat.

Reading some of the comments from those against Joel (let me guess, from the neighbors), many said that they are for the “green” but not for his landscaping…some have even threatened to destroy his yard and call the city to intervene. UGGG!

here are my suggestions to those on Joel’s block:

1. prioritize people: there are so many other things that are more important….like the election, world hunger, the olympics, crime/graffiti, the dishes…heck anything is more important.

2. for probably the billionth time on this blog: southern California, if not the entire state is having a serious water crisis!

3. people need to remember that this is what was growing here before we imposed our tropical, British, high-water BS lawns that do nothing more than make us think we are somewhere other than Southern CA.

4. landscaping: yes you may not like it but hey, i dont like that you decided to grow yellow roses rather than red. and hey, i told you to to trim that hedge in the shape of an egg, not a square! your lawn, your taste.

perhaps i am bitter, living in Irvine, yes the city that says it is green that fined me for my own native yard, but we have a bogus HOA so they have an excuse.

if you agree with Joel and the use of natives, i urge everyone that reads this post to call the City of Orange City Council and demand that they not only protect Joel, but our future water supplies by encouraging people to grow more natives.

Mayor (714) 744-2200 Council (714) 744-2211