Your Community, Your Food
Public Group Event (for group Florida Organic Growers (FOG))
Date and Time
September 21, 2009 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Description
Your Community, Your FoodFlorida Organic Growers wants to hear what Gainesville residents feel should be done to increase access to fresh, local food during upcoming discussions Monday, Sept. 21 at the Downtown Library Headquarters and Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 4225 NW 34th St. The discussions will begin at 6 p.m. and refreshments will be available. Florida Organic Growers (FOG) is reaching out to those with lower incomes and historically underserved populations that have the most trouble accessing food and the greatest number of diet-related illnesses in hopes they will participate in these and future discussions about Gainesville’s food system.
Surrounded by rural areas, in a climate that allows people to grow food all year long, and home to large colleges, universities and hospitals, Gainesville is in the perfect position to capitalize on the growing demand for local and sustainably grown food. Other cities that focus on agriculture’s potential to kick-start a local economy have reaped big benefits ranging from increase in jobs to higher availability of fresh, affordable, locally-grown produce for residents with lower incomes. Gainesville’s food system has the potential to grow “green” jobs in Alachua County as the local and sustainable food movement continues to take hold across the nation.
Everyone who eats is part of the food system. A food system is the process that starts with the growing of food in backyards, large farms, etc. to waste produced after the food has been processed, transported, sold and consumed. FOG is hoping a diverse group of stakeholders, including Gainesville residents, businesses, churches, nonprofits, hospitals, schools, and university, county and city government, will enliven the conversation about the future of Gainesville’s food system, and how that future can support a thriving, self-sufficient local economy.
A Local Food Action Plan will be written in spring 2009 following deliberation by several working groups who will be looking at results of a Community Food Assessment Survey currently underway and recommendations made in these public meetings, all of which are made possible by a USDA Community Food Planning Grant. The groups will also focus on recommendations in the Alachua County Hunger Abatement Plan and recommendations by the Alachua County Energy Conservation Strategies Commission on maximizing local food production and processing.
Location
Alachua County Library Headquarters, 401 E University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
