A good friend living in Philadelphia just sent me this link. The Emerald Street Urban Farm’s “about” page on their blog says it all “We are a group of concerned neighbors that seek to engage our community for support in our efforts to create an urban farm. Emerald  Street Urban Farm Project is reclaiming vacant lots on Emerald Street for a community operated urban farm and garden. By transforming these lots into a farm and garden we will be able to provide fresh and healthy food to the community, food banks and markets while creating a beautiful green space. Through community outreach and education, we hope to directly connect people to the food they eat and the neighbors they share it with.”

(I’m also loving the logo!)

Local Food Plus is a nonprofit Canadian based program that is  “committed to creating local sustainable food systems that reduce reliance on fossil fuels, create meaningful jobs, and foster the preservation of farmland – and farmers.”

Here is a lovely little video illustrating the food consumption habits of Canada.

According to their website Ooooby is

1. Food growers and localvores with a common goal of food independence.

2. A place where you can learn from, connect and exchange with local growers and eaters.

3. A social enterprise which pours all its profits back into local food projects.

I would like to add that it is also a way to get TOTALLY energised and slightly obsessed about growing and eating local foods!!!!

Well worth a look and a sign up!

Heart shaped kiwi fruit centre and my local food enthusiast badge.

Otago, New Zealand  Local Food Enthusiast

localfoodgrant.org is now offering grants for non-profit groups and organisations in England that have projects that focus on different aspects of local food. Grants sizes are anywhere from £2,000 to £500,000.  This is a £50 million programme, so get applying. Please visit their website www.localfoodgrant.org to find out more.

This programme series is self-described as “No on-air talent, no scripted programming, no studio environments, just authentic stories filmed in their native surroundings.” I’ve just discovered their programmes which are worth a watch if you have a few minutes. Also check out the Cooking Up a Story website. 

“Grow Your Own” came out in 2007. According to The Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com) it’s about “An English community gets testy when a refuge family is granted a plot of land on which to grow vegetables.” I haven’t seen this yet, it just came out in cinemas here in New Zealand. I’m really looking forward to seeing it, (hopefully soon). I love the concept of allotments (which is where this film is based). What a simple idea – renting people a little piece of land to grow stuff!

Check out this video about “Grace Garden”, one community’s idea about local food. I’m trying to embed the video, but until then check out

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24995996#24995996

This is from a MSNBC series called Extreme Consumerism. Check out the whole series on http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24994028/ .

Thanks Izzy for bringing it to our attention.