Slow Food Solano Goals
The Solano Slow Food Convivium is a local chapter of the non-profit Slow Food USA (www.slowfoodsolano.org and www.slowfoodusa.org). Its goal is to help create and sustain a food system that is:
- Good: Naturally delicious food created with care from healthy plants and animals.
- Clean: Grown and harvested with methods that have a positive impact on ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Fair: Produced by people who are treated with dignity and justly compensated for their labor.
~ Solano Slow Food Happenings ~
A Full House Enjoyed "Savoring Solano's Bounty" event at NorthBay Healthcare
More than 100 guests showed up on March 7 to learn more about how the food they eat contributes to their health, that, and to sample and purchase local wines, olive oils, jams, produce and honey.
For the second year, NorthBay Healthcare partnered with Slow Food Solano to raise money for the School Garden Grants program, which gives local schools resources to start and maintain school gardens, and integrate the experience into the curriculum to encourage Solano County children to eat healthy foods.
Featured chef Melanie Bajakian, co-owner of the Buckhorn restaurants in Winters and San Francisco, demonstrated healthful and delicious recipes. Physician Dr. Eric Hassi and nurse practitioner Karin Grumstrup offered perspective and advice on the importance of diet and nutrition in our overall health.
For more on the event, visit http://www.northbay.org/content.aspx?id=2257.
School Garden Grants 2013 Recipients have been released. View the list!
Thank you to all the schools who applied. Notifications and grant funds will be sent out to the recipients by February 15, 2013.
For more information and to view a press release regarding the school garden grants visit our News link at http://www.slowfoodsolano.org/mediaresources.html
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Help Spread Solano County Bounty to Those in Need
If you're burdened by an abundance of produce, let the Pipelines help you share the wealth! The Vaca Produce Pipeline and Fairfield Suisun Produce Pipeline help distribute excess fruit, vegetables and nuts to those in need. If you produce more than you can use, volunteers will happily help you collect the surplus and distribute to local programs such as Mission Solano, Heather House, and other shelters and food distribution programs.
During Farmers Market season, the groups collect donations Saturdays at the Vacaville Farmers Market and Thursday evenings at the Fairfield Market. The generous farmers donate their surplus fruits and vegetables or produce at the end of the market day. Volunteers gather it up and deliver it to local food banks and meal providers. But during fall and winter, clients look forward to the citrus, persimmons, and other fruits and nuts from residents' backyards and ranches to help balance nutrition needs and brighten up the short, stormy days.
If you have vegetable gardens or fruit trees in need of harvesting or are interested in volunteering, please call Fern Henry (Vacaville) at (707) 448-4792 or Karyl Hendrick (Fairfield-Suisun) at (707) 399-7080. Please consider offering your support. For more about these organizations and to learn more about what you can do to help, visit vacaproducepipeline.blogspot.com, or fsproducepipeline.blogspot.com.
~ Slow Food News ~
Pleasants Valley Farms Trail Map Available
Incredible resources for fresh, organic and tasty foods are readily accessible just off Highway 80 near Vacaville. Download the brochure that maps out some of these not-to-be-missed foodie havens!
Teacher resources are available
Does your school need help starting or maintaining a garden? Visit our School Gardens page for a list of local resources. Do you have resources or time to contribute? Please contact us.