WHAT IT IS A LOCAVORE?
Locavores challenge themselves to purchase food grown within a 100 mile radius of their home. In addition to supporting local agriculture, it brings awareness and appreciation about where food comes from. Shopping locally for our food also helps us "step lightly" on our planet by reducing carbon emissions and natural resources used to transport the food we eat. "The good news is that we are fortunate to live in an agriculturally abundant area of Northern California. With West Marin, Sonoma County, and other agricultural communities located in our own backyard, we can eat locally grown and pasture raised foods 12 months out of the year." explains Locavores of Novato Coordinator, Heidi Kertel.

Read our Letter to the Editor the Novato Advance about the importance of this "locavore" concept.

LOCAVORE TIPS: Start by shopping at the local Farmers Market. This is the best way to discover what eating locally and seasonally is all about. Ask questions; most of the growers are happy to talk to you about their products. After you have stocked up at the Farmers Market, then head off to your local grocery store. Seek out the local products offered there as well. Again, ask questions of the store managers and encourage them to stock locally grown food. Kertel is also working with Apple Market and Marin Organic in hopes of stocking more local meat, produce and other products at this neighborhood store. Heidi Kertel will be developing other programs to assist the community in pursuing this new way of purchasing and eating.

For more information contact Heidi Kertel at (415) 893-9251.

OUR FIRST LOCAVORE EVENT:
On November 14, 2007 we had our first Speaker Series titled, "What is a Locavore?" We learned about the connection between nourishment, the environment and our local economy. It was hosted by Novato’s Flour Chylde Bakery (www.flourchylde.com) on 850 Grant Avenue, in Downtown Novato. Participants enjoyed locally made organic pastries, cheeses, and beverages, while listening to our featured speakers: Helge Hellberg, Executive Director, Marin Organic www.MarinOrganic.com; Barbara Clark, Certified Nutrition Educator, 9 Corners (www.meta-ehealth.com/site/office/index.jsp) ; Catherine Bragg, Owner, Flour Chylde Bakery. The event was facilitated by Miguel Villarreal, Director of Food And Nutritional Services, Novato Unified and San Rafael School Districts (www.nusd.org/fans/fans.html).

We had an interactive discussion on the value of eating local foods and how it impacts our environment and local economies.  Helge Hellberg shared how our purchasing power affects local agriculture, our economy, environment and health. Barbara Clark discussed how nutritional choices can enrich the health and well being of both adults and children. Catherine Bragg shared about how her health was affected by her food choice and how it led her to open an alternative bakery that uses local, organic ingredients. For more info see our Events web pages and the articles below:

• "Living green and eating natural in Marin County" by Jeanne Santangelo, Lazy Gardener Columnist of the Novato Advance, November 28, 2007.
• "You Are What You Eat: And Who Wants to be a Pop-Tart?" by Shelley Shepherd Klaner of the Pacific Sun Magazine, November 23, 2007.

LINKS ON HOW TO BEGIN
www.locavores.com
Guideline for Eating Well from www.locavores.com/how/
www.eatwellguide.org
www.sustainabletable.org

RECOMMENDED BOOKS
The Real Food Revival: by Sherri Brooks Vinton and Ann Clark Espuelas
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life: by Barbara Kingsolver,
Omnivore's Dilemma: by Michael Pollen

LOCAL RESOURCES

Marin Organic: www.MarinOrganic.org
In addition to promoting local organic agriculture, Marin Organic has many projects that address environmental issues, such as Salmon Safe certification and a popular farmer education workshop series, as well as a variety of programs which focus on community health, such as its Organic School Lunch Program and a CSA box program in an under served community in Marin. Marin Organic is an association of organic producers in Marin County whose livelihood is based on a respect for nature and a sense of place. As the primary link between farmers and eaters, Marin Organic is committed to creating the first all-organic county in the nation; a county in which growers and the people who rely on them recognize their mutual interdependence.

Marin Farmers Markets: www.marinfarmersmarket.org
A wonderful, delectable outdoor experience: local and California farmers, ranchers and food purveyors all in one location! Sample and buy fruits, vegetables, cheeses, breads, sweets, and other wonderful foods made by many small and family owned businesses. Ask questions and learn about the food and the seasons. Include a visit to the crafts section. Listen to music and entertainment. An event for all ages, especially children who love to meet the farmers and sample foods that they wouldn't eat at home! Visit MCFMA Markets web page to see a list of locations and hours.

Join A CSA: Community Supported Agriculture:
Local Harvest (www.LocalHarvest.com) explains a CSA as follows: "Many farms offer produce subscriptions, where buyers receive a weekly or monthly basket of produce, flowers, fruits, eggs, milk, coffee, or any sort of different farm products.

"A CSA is a way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm, people become "members" (or "shareholders," or "subscribers") of the CSA. Most CSA farmers prefer that members pay for the season up-front, but some farmers will accept weekly or monthly payments. Some CSAs also require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during the growing season."

Locate CSA's in your area: Go to www.LocalHarvest.com and type in your zip code and state to see the CSAs you can support in your area.

A CSA in Petaluma that serves Novato is Canvas Ranch. To learn about their local harvest, go to www.canvasranch.com

Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) www.MALT.org
MALT was the first land trust in the United States to focus on farmland preservation. Founded in 1980 by a coalition of ranchers and environmentalists to preserve farmland in Marin County, California, MALT acquires agricultural conservation easements on farmland in voluntary transactions with landowners. MALT also encourages public policies that support and enhance agriculture.

NOVATO LOCAVORES...THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING...
Our web site will be developing in the coming months to assist Locavores in Novato in achieving their personal and collective goals. We hope to add these features:
How to cook: the basics
How to cook simple foods     
What is real food
Doable Recipes
Workshops/Events/Web Info.
Leaning how to shop for basic "real food"
Affordability Issues
Weaning from processed food

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