Sustainable Alachua County

SAC is a non-profit organization founded in 1996. SAC organizes ”…education and action to promote a deeper, healthier, and more resilient community.” SAC wants to be the sustainability hub for our community and to encourage activities that enhance the healthy functioning of our environmental, social-cultural, and economic systems – the three-legged stool of a sustainable community.

Gainesville Farm Fresh is a local community food resource, providing an ongoing accumulation of local food resources such as farmer’s markets, farms, CSA’s, roadside stands and U-pick farms. In addition Gainesville Farm Fresh provides news, resources and links to publications, organizations and services dedicated to sustainable agriculture and local food.
Website: http://www.gainesvillefarmfresh.com
eMail: jamessteele@gainesvillefarmfresh.com

Slow Food Gainesville is a local chapter of an amazing national and international non-profit organization that works to educate, support and celebrate food traditions and sustainable food production. Like Slow Food USA, Slow Food Gainesville believes that pleasure and quality in everyday life can be achieved by slowing down, respecting the convivial traditions of the table and celebrating the diversity of the earth’s bounty and our community. From the spice of Datil Peppers to the delicious simplicity of produce at our local farmers’ markets; from animal breeds and heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables to handcrafted wine and beer, farmhouse cheeses and other artisanal products; these foods are a part of our cultural identity. They reflect generations of commitment to the land and devotion to the processes that yield the greatest achievements in taste.

Citizens Co-op is a legal entity in the State of Florida that is structured to operate as a cooperative association. The aim of this co-op is to establish a natural food market in Gainesville, Fl that is focused on supplying fresh local food and produce first and foremost. The market will encompass all the bounties of a full-service grocery store, but with the guarantee of providing socially responsible goods to our community. A larger vision includes building and enhancing the local food system in general, from soil to production to market to table and back to soil.

We are working toward establishing a facility in Alachua County which would provide inspected kitchen and dry/cold storage space for rent in combination with business start-up and expansion assistance. This facility would also have an community/educational outreach component, and would be available to agricultural producers for value-added product creation.

I am a candidate for City Commission District 4, in the election to be held March 16, 2010. District 4 is ground zero in Gainesville & the state of Florida in building a more livable, sustainable city. Please join me as I focus on the special issues that make our city neighborhoods great places to live. With your help, I will bring that vision, passion & focus to the city commission.

The Gainesville Community Bicycle Project, The Kickstand, provides free or inexpensive bicycle-related services. We assist individuals in acquiring a reliable bicycle, scheduled access to knowledgeable volunteers, and quality tools. Providing services allows us to help build a sustainable community, engage citizens, and create opportunities for communication and cooperation.

The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (ACEPD) Water Resources Program protects our water resources by monitoring surface waters, groundwater, springs, and wastewater and enforcing the Water Quality Code and Hazardous Materials Code. ACEPD is also involved with public education and citizen volunteer groups. Check us out at http://www.AlachuaCountyWater.org!

Alachua Conservation Trust is a local land trust whose mission is to protect the natural, historic, scenic, and recreational resources in and around Alachua County. ACT is a non-profit charitable organization in operation since 1988.

Forum to discuss and announce permaculture related topics.