Farm to School at La Canada Unified School District (LCUSD) - One Day it will Happen!

Welcome to the Farm to School for LCUSD Blog. We are on a quest! To bring healthy, locally grown produce to our schools. We deserve the best. Our kids deserve the best.

This is a very do-able project. We are working with the national Farm to School program, conveniently located in Eagle Rock at Occidental College.

Here's what it will do for LCUSD:

• Farm fresh, locally grown, organic produce
• Nutrition education programs for the curriculum
• Interactive opportunities for students to visit local farms, gardens and more
• School lunch participation expected to rise
• New revenue stream for local farmers is supported
• Community awareness will increase encouraging healthier eating for everyone!

We are gathering names of those interested and concerned about the health and well-being of the food we are providing in our school system. What do we want for our children? What do we want for our community?

email us today: mail @ farmosafarms.org

Click here to join our efforts and download a petition!

Tomatomania! is here - check it out

tomato,tomatomania

Tomatomania is here!

Check it out - Click here for more.

Path to Freedom - a family farm to check out!

Have you been to the Gervais family farm yet? this place rocks. Right in the middle of Pasadena, California. Check it out: http://www.pathtofreedom.com/

Bill's Tomatoes - So Cal Style

Last year, Chris and I grew 34 tomato plants. One of 'em never fruited, but 33 did, producing around 11,000 tomatoes. No joke.

Chris (my wife) thought this too much and wanted around 25 or so this year.

So, our maid of honor, Karin, grew some from seed. Only about a half dozen made it. We had bought and planted several as well.

We volunteered at the Tomatomania event (http://www.tomatomania.com) earlier this month. As part of volunteering, both Chris and I got 16 tomato plants. Once we started planting them, Karin came back with another tomato seed batch!

As opposed to 25 or so, we've got 43 in the ground so far (though one or two may not make it) and we're going to plant at least five of Karin's latest batch.

One thing led to another led to another led to another...

If 11,000 sounded silly, that may be low compared to this year. We'll see.

The two documents are fairly, but not entirely, complete. I'll update them as time permits and when we plant the rest.

Bill Anderson

2008 Front Yard Tomatoes
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhmdr5w4_2gqh827hn&invite=nj9fdz

2008 Back Yard Tomatoes
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhmdr5w4_1fh78g9f3&invite=d97g47


Tomatoes - and what you need to know to grow them in Southern California:

http://socaltomatoes.blogspot.com/

Click Here

Bill's Tomatos

From Bill direct:

I've shared this item with you using Google Docs. To open it, just click the link below.

Note: There's no raw data in the spreadsheet as of yet.

2008 tomatoes
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pYG77XPs88cG4kZ8LSUL7Sw&t=468275552950923936&guest

Farmgirl will confirm, Bill knows how to grow tomatoes! Keep up the great work!

Center for Food & Justice UPDATE

Hello Farm to School Enthusiasts,
See the information below for a Victory Against Hunger Award for Farm to School programs,


TO: ALL FARM TO SCHOOL ENTHUSIASTS

FROM: THE CONGRESSIONAL HUNGER CENTER AND NATIONAL FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK

RE: FUNDING FOR FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAMS

DEADLINE: JUNE 6TH and NO APPLICATION REQUIRED!


Farm to school programs are eligible for this year’s Congressional Hunger Center’s Victory Against Hunger Awards! If you know of a school nutrition program or organization, that incorporates locally grown, farm fresh foods into their meals, and/or offers hands-on nutrition and agriculture programs, they are eligible for this funding. (Examples of such programs include children visiting farms, involvement in a school garden or farmer-in-the-classroom.) Please forward this e-mail to qualifying programs.

All we need is a two-page nomination letter from the Representative or Senator of the district or state where the program is located. Just follow the 3 easy steps listed below to qualify for this award.

Attached is a press release and two sample letters for your review. One can find information about the VAH Awards and our organization at www.hungercenter.org . If you would like more information on Farm to School at please visit www.farmtoschool.org

3 Easy Steps to Winning a Victory Against Hunger Award
Contact your local or Washington, DC office of the House or Senate member who represents your area and ask for the staff that handles nutrition, hunger, and/or agriculture issues. (This is a great relationship to start if you haven’t already!) To find your elected official, visit: www.congress.org and enter your zip code in the upper left corner.

2. Explain to the Congressional Office how the VAH awards program is a “win/win” situation in that members of
Congress get an opportunity to recognize (with a private sector donated cash award) the valuable work of one
of their constituent organizations. (Make sure that you give the Congressional office all the information it
needs to clearly demonstrate that your organization is effectively developing and/or implementing a Farm to
School program.) A member of Congress then simply submits a one or two page letter describing how your
organization has been engaged in a Farm to School effort.

3. Complete the letter by including the necessary contact details! Consideration is only given to nomination
letters which include the name, address, and telephone number of a contact person in either the local or
Washington, DC, Congressional office willing to accept the VAH award check.


Contact for more info: Ed Cooney or Angelina Pérez: Phone: (202) 547-7022; www.hungercenter.org

Feel free to contact Angelina Pérez for more information or any further questions at aperez@hungercenter.org .


-Moira Beery


Center for Food & Justice
Urban & Environmental Policy Institute
Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA
Ph. (323) 341-5099 | Fax (323) 258-2917
www.farmtoschool.org
www.uepi.oxy.edu

Galapagos Islands

Farmgirl survived Isla de Galapagos in great fare. Despite her extreme sensitivity to heat with her multiple sclerosis, her cooling vest from Arctic Heat worked wonders. She was able to get some good pictures and posted them here:

galapagos pictures

http://flickr.com/photos/41737155@N00/sets/72157605257525765/

ACRES - The voice of eco-agriculture

"When the soil is gone, men must go; and the process does not take long." -Theodore Roosevelt

Check out some of these new books distributed through ACRES:

Cancer, Nutrition and Healing by Jerry Brunnetti

Weeds - control wihtout poisons by Charles Wlaters

Foundations of Natural Farming by Harold Willis

And many other titles. Starting your first farm? Improving your current Farm? You will find the answers in one of the many books offered by ACRES.

Check it out! www.acresusa.com

organic food at Luna Runtun Ecuador

The food in Ecuador was exceptional. Our guides, Sofia Flores from Quito, driver, Freddy immediately took us to experience the flavors of their country. We arrived in Luna Runtun, the adventure spa and it was above expectations. They grow their own vegetable using natural, organic methods. Which fits the country and the folks you meet. They are natural and organic.

Our guides, Sofia Flores and Freddy, organized through Carmen at Luna Runtun near Banos, Ecuador, provided an excellent experience with their knowledge and personalities. We experienced the Pan American Highway through the farmland and high country happily landing in Cuenca safe and sound. It was May Day. Big stuff and lots of traffic.

Our digs were the Santa Lucia. An old governor's home turned hotel. Colonial and quaint - what I was hoping for on this trip. We watched daily as the food was being harvested and purchased at market. The doors open to the kitchens, pots in use. The Indians of the highlands brought color to the landscape with a brightness not seen in our natural dyes.

more to come...

Farmgirl in Galapagos

Farmgirl is wrapping up a week in Galapagos
Check out our daily reports - CLICK HERE

Quito Ecuador

Changing of the guard in the Grand Plaza and surrounds. Lots of color and lively energy!

Images from Quito Ecuador

Volcano Pichincha, outside of Quito, Ecuador

farmgirl in Ecuador

Wahoooo! Farmgirl is in Ecuador. So, what does that mean? Well, we arrived last night for a restful stay in our hotel, the JW Marriott. Today, after breakfast we took off for a city tour of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. We saw several churches and much of the city. One of the churches had 7 tons of gold in it! It was pretty amazing. We saw the changing of the guard at the presidential house. People watching was amazing - the colors, the styles, the buildings. So much eye candy.

As for food and organic agriculture, there were signs of growth everywhere. Several times we saw chocolate bars, restaurants, cafes all advertising for USDA or organic food. The movement is growing.

Tomorrow we head to Banos and Luna Runtun. I am most psyched to see more of this beautiful country.

In the high country they grow mostly potatoes and corn. The hills are very steep but these products grow relatively easily.

One of my favorite products was Coca Tea - designed for all sorts of inflictions. It has a gentle flavor and all sorts of benefits.

Pork is big here and so are empanadas. The food is wonderful and so are the people. Everyone had a smile and is very gracious and helpful.

Although much of my notes are not organic or food in nature, the colors and love in this country are unmatched.

I am looking forward to reaching Banos, Luna Runtun, Cuenca and then Galapagos. Luna Runtun has an organic farm - YUM!
Actually, all of the food has been great. Today we had Locro sopa - potato soup with cheese and avocado. Yum again.

OK - so the big thing in Luna Runtun is that we might see a tapir. OMG. a tapir. wowza. maybe some monkeys and more. We might even see a spectacled bear. That would be awesome. Its' all pretty incredible.

I'll share more - getting ready to leave the free wireless.

Victory against Hunger Awards

Check out the latest from Farm to School:

Victory against Hunger Awards

The National Farm to School Network is extremely honored to have the 2008 Victory Against Hunger (VAH) Award’s theme be Farm to School. Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to advocate for your program and be nominated for a VAH Award. It’s not about the money (even though every cent helps), it’s about raising awareness of a farm to school program to your Congressional representative for future supportive farm to school policy and press.

Get Nominated!

The nomination period is April 1st through June 6th, 2008 for organizations building innovative “farm to school” programs including anti-hunger and community food security groups, food banks and schools. Awards will be announced on July 1st.

Congressional offices send nomination letter to:
Victory Against Hunger, c/o Congressional Hunger Center
Hall of the States Building
400 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite G-100
Washington, DC 20001

CLICK HERE

Cal Poly CSA - a model of agricultural success

organic farm,CSA,cal poly slo,organic,farmosa farms

Cal Poly does it again. If you haven't seen it yet check out the PBS series with Huell Howser click here (and scroll down a bit) to buy the video California's Green #122 - ORGANIC FARM

"Huell's visits Cal Poly to see their student-run, certified organic farm which consists of approximately 11 acres of land."

www.calpoly.edu/~sarc/farm.htm
805-756-6139

to Purchase this Video
or call 1-800-266-5727.

to Purchase this DVD
or call 1-800-266-5727.

click here to check out Cal Poly's organic farm.

The Cal Poly Organic Farm (CPOF) provides students and the community a place to experience and explore organic and sustainable farming and gardening techniques. Furthermore, it serves as a classroom and laboratory to several Cal Poly courses and research programs. Faculty, staff and students jointly manage and steward the farm. The farm is also supported by grants, community members, the Horticulture and Crop Science Department and the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. CLICK here for more

These kids will inspire you to better health.

Rock on!

Blog Entry dated 4/22/08 5:01 PM

Interesting article in the Los Angeles Times about Food's effect on the atmosphere. Did you know that a cow belches about 145 pounds of methane per year? This isn't new but it's eye-opening. A reminder of what our food purchases mean to our future. Written by Kenneth R. Weiss, I have yet to find an online edition. The gist is about the total energy used to produce our food, such as one hamburger patty. I know that folks will find fault but I enjoy the simplicity of it. The article reminds us of a basic concept forgotten these past couple of generations, but food costs us something - we can either pay the extra 25 cents to our local farmers or save 25 cents and apologize to our grandchildren for the distruction of our environment.

Alma Rosa tops wine and organic industries

on my last trip wine tasting to the Santa Ynez valley I fell in love with Alma Rosa winery. Their wines were a true experience of delicacy for even the most hardened taster. Check them out: http://www.almarosawinery.com/club.html

Alma Rosa Winery - Keep up the great work!

Blog Entry dated 4/18/08 11:22 AM

Check out what our friend Bill sent us:

Tomatomania is here!

This is a website for true tomato lovers.

TomatoMania Schedule of events

Tomato seedlings - available now

Check it out!

Things considered

Farmgirl here, one of them at least. 2008 has already topped previous years but is moving by in a whirlwind. I can barely focus. My multiple sclerosis (MS) has been subdued BIG time. I attribute this to a variety of factors, one of which is nutrition. How can I talk about my improving health and not mention ShenTrition. You know me - no frills. I can barely take vitamins except if they are chewables. So what do I do? get hooked on a green drink called ShenTrition. I've taken it faithfully since Oct. 22, 2007. An odd thing to remember but I guess if you remember when you got sick why is it so odd to remember when you started to heal?

"The healthy snack food for stress". Someone called it that the other day. And I agree. I drink it every morning. I'm one of those that can live off coffee and run through the morning. I also get very sick. I drink coffee on occassion, but often it's herbal tea. Feeling the affects of ShenTrition remind me that my health is worth some changes.

Nutrition must be at the forefront of my life - I depend on it. I have become aware of what I'm ingesting and digesting. My body has changed. My illness is at bay. Nutrition and a little help from ShenTrition have helped me reach a new level in life.

With that in mind, I leave 4/27 for Ecuador and Galapagos. I will be checking out the agriculture and nutrition while I'm there and report back with my findings.

Keep me posted on your activities!

Taxes and the Equator

So, taxes are over basically and the Equator is coming up. Ecuador, Galapagos, here we come! watch this spot...

Food program brings together schools, farmers

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Special for USA TODAY

ORANGE, Mass — As lunchtime winds down on a snowy March day at Fisher Hill School, second-grader Kayla Lafrennie is taking tiny bites to savor every morsel of her dessert: a crisp apple from a nearby farm.

"They're sweeter than the ones you get at the grocery store — and no bruises," Kayla says CLICK HERE for MORE

Bourbon Beans - Celebrate Mardi Gras!

Check out Care2's delicious recipe for Bourbon Beans.

Celebrate Mardi Gras with bourbon-touched beans. CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE What better connection to the flavor of the event if you can't be on Bourbon Street to watch the parade? Citrus orange adds just the right zing for deep winter, making Orange and Bourbon Baked Beans fun for the Super Bowl too.

BREAK THE CHAINS OF TOXIC PESTICIDES AND CHILD SLAVERY ON VALENTINE'S DAY

BREAK THE CHAINS OF TOXIC PESTICIDES AND CHILD SLAVERY ON VALENTINE'S DAY

Tis that time of year when more than 20 million Americans are buying sweets and flowers for their loved ones on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, these tokens of love aren't as sweet or pure as they may appear. Over 40 percent of the world's conventional chocolate (i.e. non-organic and non-Fair Trade) comes from Africa's Ivory Coast, where the International Labor Organization and US State Department have reported widespread instances of child slavery. Meanwhile, commercial flowers, most of which are produced in countries such as Colombia, are the most toxic and heavily sprayed agricultural crops on Earth. In order for you to deliver your bouquet to your beauty, poorly paid workers in Third World countries put in up to 18 hour work days for poverty wages during peak flower buying times such as Valentine's Day. But don't let the bad news squelch your Valentine's plans. Show your love by choosing Fair Trade and organic flowers and chocolate for your Valentine's Day gifts. Check out OCA's Buying Guide, watch an entertaining flash movie and take action against the 5 major chocolate and flower corporations: http://www.organicconsumers.org/valentines/

NEW MYPYRAMID PODCAST:

NEW MYPYRAMID PODCAST:
THE REAL SUPER MODELS ARE ALL ABOUT A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2008 -- "Most super models are not posing for the camera or walking the fashion runways. The real super models are the moms and dads who are modeling lifestyles that will be reflected by their sons and daughters," according to Dr. Brian Wansink, Executive Director of USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP).

In the second of a series of MyPyramid PodCasts released today, Wansink suggests how parents can model a healthy lifestyle in and around the home by building physical activity into their routines. The podcast, Just Get Moving for Your Health and Theirs, provides simple tips on how families can increase their level of physical activity.

Wansink offers the following tips: Take the stairs instead of the elevator; walk the dog; go for a bike ride; park at the far end of the lot when shopping for groceries; or get off the bus or subway one stop early. But whatever you do, just get moving for your health and theirs.

According to Wansink, "Our analysis of the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data found that 2 out of 3 adults routinely watch 2 or more hours of television every day, yet only 1 in 4 adults ever walk or bicycle to work or to do errands over a month's time. To overcome the lure of cable and computers, we must watch our diet, but just as importantly, we must become more active."

For simple but often overlooked tips, go to www.mypyramid.gov, and choose MyPyramid PodCasts for the latest information.

#

USDA News
oc.news@usda.gov
202 720-4623

Natural Meat - What does it Mean?

ALERT OF THE WEEK:
PUT THE NATURAL BACK IN MEATS LABELED AS "NATURALLY RAISED"
Polls indicate that the average consumer believes meat labeled "Naturally Raised" comes from animals that have spent their drug-free lives freely roaming the pastures of a family farm, eating grass and hay, and being (at least somewhat) humanely slaughtered. A 2007 Consumer Reports survey found that 83% of consumers assume a "naturally raised" label means it came from an animal raised in a natural environment. In stark contrast, the USDA, bowing, as usual, to pressure from corporate agribusiness, has released a standard for "Naturally Raised" meats that is so weak and misleading it would apply to a cloned animal, weaned on pig or cow blood plasma, raised in the confines of a factory farm, and fed a steady diet of genetically engineered grains. The public comment period on this labeling standard only lasts until January 28, so take action now before yet another fraudulent label becomes as ubiquitous as corporate lobbyists on Capitol Hill. READ MORE
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_9692.cfm

Afterschool Nutrition Programs - Check 'em out!

Find Your State Child Nutrition Agency

Federal Funding For: Afterschool Programs Summer Programs Breakfast Nutrition Programs Also See: General Information

The federal child nutrition programs provide crucial funding for meals and snacks in afterschool, summer, and before school programs. The federally-subsidized meals and snacks attract children to out of school time programs, which allow them to learn, and be active and safe while their parents are working. The food helps keep hunger at bay so that children are engaged and ready to learn. It also supports healthy eating, nutrition education, and physical activity. All are important parts of an afterschool program.

Jill's Diet's Tips!

Hello!

With Superbowl season upon us, it's time to remind you that you
shouldn't mix your salty and sweet snacks. Here's why:

When you eat only 1 flavor at a time, your brain gets easily
satisfied, which means you choose to stop eating before too long.
When you eat 2 or more complimentary flavors together (sweet &
salty, bitter & sweet) your brain NEVER GETS TIRED of eating! One
flavor enhances the experience of the other and your brain is so
happily overstimulated that you won't want to stop eating until
you are ready to burst!

Food producers and sellers know this and use this to boost sales.
Ever wonder why all coffee houses sell sweets or why there are
free salted peanuts at bars? Food companies even hide lots of
unnecessary salt in sweet cereals, just to make your brain demand
more. This all means that you can reduce your appetite and reach
satiety sooner if you stick to one flavor at a time.

Make sure to watch out for sweet beverages too because even diet
drinks will keep you from ever getting tired of a salty or savory
meal.

Have a good week!

Jill


Jill Brook, M.A.
Diet for Health
818-952-0668
www.DietforHealth.com

Hello Farm to School Community-

Here is a unique opportunity to consider as you plan for the 2008-09
school year. Part of building the National Farm to School Network is an
in depth evaluation on the impact of Farm to School programs. Four
schools/school districts will be chosen in the country for evaluation
services by the national evaluation team working from UNC. This could
be you and a school you are working with. This free service could
provide invaluable information to how your farm to school program is
impacting students, farms, and your community. www.farmtoschool.org

Below is a letter spelling out the opportunity and attached is a
nomination form. There is a quickly approaching deadline on submitting
your nomination. Please have forms returned to Michelle Markesteyn
Ratcliffe by January 31st. www.farmtoschool.org

You can submit your nomination form to michelle.markesteyn@gmail.com

Read further for more details! Call or email me if you have any
questions, or are concerned about meeting the deadline.

Also, check out the new National Farm to School Website for great
links to other programs in the region and up-to date information
www.farmtoschool.org

Michelle Markesteyn Ratlciffe, MSEL, PhD
Farm-to-School Manager, Ecotrust
Western Regional Lead for National Farm to School Network
michelle.markesteyn@gmail.com
503.476.6080
www.farmtoschool.org

Happy New Year! Health Tips from Jill

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a joyous holiday season and enjoyed every tasty
morsel that you ate!  Now it's time to get your diet back on
track, so here's a quick review of ways to strengthen your will-
power:

1. Get enough sleep (7+ hours for most people)
2. Minimize stress
3. Prevent low blood sugar by eating small snacks every few hours
4. Pamper yourself with non-edible treats, like bubblebaths,
massage, etc.

Research shows that these things make a big difference! Give it
a try and remember that the *best* strategy is to minimize your
dependence on will-power by getting all tempting treats out of
your home ASAP!

All my best for 2008!

Jill

Jill Brook, M.A.
Diet for Health
818-952-0668
www.dietforhealth.com

This email was sent to caroline@farmos