Community Food Advocates Celebrates First “Food Day-Nashville” and Helps Kick Off Nashville Food Stamp Challenge
Nashville, TN — October 20, 2011 — “Everybody eats” is the Community Food Advocates tag-line – but not everyone has access to healthy food grown in a fair and sustainable way. Join Community Food Advocates and others at the inaugural “Food Day-Nashville” celebration, to find out what you can do to end hunger and make our food system healthier, more just and sustainable. Food Day will take place at the Nashville Farmers’ Market on Monday, October 24 from 5 pm – 8 pm. Nashville residents from across Nashville’s food system will be welcomed to the inaugural Food Day event.
October 24 is also the first day of the “Nashville Food Stamp Challenge.” Community Food Advocates joins the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Catholic Charities in promoting this opportunity to learn about food insecurity first-hand. This community-wide effort could lead to an increased understanding of poverty and new ideas to alleviate hunger in Nashville.
Community Food Advocates and Nashville Farmers’ Market are excited to bring Food Day to the Nashville community. They will be honored to read a proclamation from Mayor Karl Dean, recognizing Food Day and the importance of working for a healthy, just and sustainable food system for our community. Other Food Day sponsors include the Green and Healthy Communities radio show on AM 880, Mercy Lounge and Compass Groups, which will be providing food tastings. Nonprofits and food system businesses will also be on hand to share information and opportunities for involvement with participants.
Food Day is a national effort that seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. Nashville’s first Food Day will be a celebration of our local food system, with delicious food prepared by local chefs, and an opportunity to learn about local initiatives to make healthy food more accessible to all Nashville residents. Families and children are welcome.
Food Day participants will have several opportunities to show their commitment to national and local efforts to improve our food system. The Nashville Food Stamp Challenge –– is one great way to gain a personal understanding of food insecurity by eating just $31.50 in groceries for the week. Attendees will be asked to sign a local Food Day “Pledge,” and endorse the Food Day principles, including supporting sustainable farming practices, expanding access to food and eliminating hunger, and supporting fair working conditions for food and farm workers.
Community Food Advocates looks forward to recognizing the first recipients of the “Real Food Hall of Fame” (RFHOF) awards at Food Day. The RFHOF winners will be Nashville residents and/or businesses who exemplify what it means to end hunger and work for a healthy, just and sustainable food system. These food system champions will receive a custom-designed award in their honor.
For more information on the national Food Day movement, please visit http://foodday.org/. To volunteer with planning and coordinating the October 24 Food Day event, contact Brian at brian@communityfoodadvocates.org.
To learn more about the Food Stamp Challenge, check out Food Stamp Challenge Nashville on Facebook. To sign up, sent an email to judy@jewishnashville.org and put FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE in the subject line.
2011 Real Food Hall of Fame
Congratulations to the inductees of the 2011 Real Food Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees represent food systems leaders and organizations that exemplify what it means to end hunger and work for a healthy, just and sustainable food system.
Community Food Advocates is pleased to announce the following inductees:
- Tana Comer, farmer, Eaton’s Creek Organics; co-founder, Tennessee Organic Growers Association
- John W. Ewing, 95-year old community elder and long-time garden volunteer, George Carver Food Park
- Freddie Haddox, organic farmer and young farmer mentor, Mamushi Nature Farm
- Jeff Poppen “The Barefoot Farmer”, established one of TN’s oldest and largest organic farms, Long Hungry Creek Farm
- The Nashville Greenlands, North Nashville sustainable urban agriculture community
We are also excited to recognize “Real Food Emerging Leaders”, young people and/ or individuals new to food systems work who have made significant contributions to Nashville’s food system. Congratulations to the 2011 Real Food Emerging Leaders:
- Cortney H. Akridge, 17 year old community garden team leader and garden manager, Intergenerational Gardening Program
- Michael J. Sommesi, school cafeteria manager and school garden advocate, Metro Nashville Public Schools
Please join us at the Nashville Food Day Celebration on October 24, from 5-8pm at the Nashville Farmers’ Market, to recognize the Real Food Hall of Fame inductees, Emerging Leaders, and all nominees. The Hall of Fame awards will begin at 6pm. Click here for more information on the Food Day event.
The team at Community Food Advocates invites the public to their 2nd annual Community Gardening Training on Saturday, October 22, 2011, from 9 am – 4 pm. The training will take place at Tennessee State University’s Farrell-Westbrook Agriculture Research Extension Complex (Barn), located on John Merritt Blvd.
This year’s guest presenter and workshop leader is Ms. Zoe Hollomon of the Massachusetts Avenue Project in Buffalo, NY. Ms. Hollomon runs a successful urban agriculture project that unites green jobs and urban agriculture through community gardens, and leads efforts in aquaponics, mobile markets, and youth development outreach. She is a 2010 Fellow with Green for All, a national environmental advocacy organization based in Oakland, CA.
“Our urban agriculture movement here in Nashville is gaining momentum on a daily basis” says Sizwe Herring, Urban Agriculture Specialist at Community Food Advocates and training organizer. “Our community garden numbers have increased in the last few months from 90 to 110 gardens in the city.”
Ms. Hollomon will share her techniques and how she mobilizes, motivates, educates and builds a successful network of engaged community members. “Community has to see the relationship between food security, the local food movement and environmental impact of what we eat…and how we can improve that relationship” says Hollomon.
Interested participants should RSVP with Community Food Advocates by calling (615) 385-2286 ext. 222 or by signing up here.
About the Community Gardens project
The Community Food Advocates Community Gardens project is funded in full by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
About Community Food Advocates
Community Food Advocates are a movement of farmers, parents, students, persons of faith, community gardeners, and health advocates united by a commitment to the idea that all members of our community should have access to food grown in a way that promotes the health of people, planet, and community.
Making Butter-Intern Friday!
What you will need:
1 pint of Whole Cream (local organic or pasture raised for the best butter!)
1 quart jar and a smaller jar for storage
Ice cold water
A spoon
Pour the whole cream into a quart sized jar. We did two pint jars so we each got to shake 
Shake it! it will get thick like this.
and then it will look like this:
the butter will separate from the buttermilk and look like this
Pour off the buttermilk that has formed.
Pour ice water over the butter until it is just covering it
reseal jar, and shake to rinse- the water will get cloudy as it carries away the remains of the buttermilk.
Pour off water.
Repeat this step.
(Pour ice water over the butter, reseal jar, and shake to rinse. Pour off water.)
Transfer to your storing jar and compress it to form a solid mass. You may add salt at this point.
Buttermilk + Butter
Nom Nom.
A yummy afternoon snack.
Grow!
Please join us on Thursday, October 6 on the Lipscomb University Campus as we celebrate our local food & farming community & RAISE FUNDS for the Community Food Advocates’ Field of Greens Fund with the FIRST AND ONLY Nashville screening of GROW! the Movie- a new 50 minute documentary that captures the energy and independence of a fresh crop of young farmers in Georgia who have turned to the fields for a fulfilling life.
Tickets are available for a suggested donation of $15 & should be reserved in advance by visiting this website: https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/436/donate.asp?formid=events&c=7507525
You can pay when your register (highly recommended) or pay at the door. NOTE – if you’ve already RSVPd through email, you are covered. All monies raised will go to the Field of Greens Fund funding grants available to local farmers & producers serving our food shed in 2012.
6:00 p.m. – Doors open. Mix & mingle with our local food & farming community & enjoy pre-show refreshments provided by Whole Foods – Franklin.
7:00 p.m. – GROW! Movie screening with introduction from filmmakers Owen Masterson & Christine Anthony.
8:00 p.m. – Time for dessert from our local artisan bakers & a lively discussion of local food & farming issues in Middle Tennesse with our panel of farmers, producers & chef:
Jennifer Hagan-Dier, Board Member of Community Food Advocates (Moderator)
Amy Delvin Tavalin & Brandon Tavalin, Farmers for Delvin Farms
Eric Wooldridge, Farmer for Bells Bend Neighborhood Farms
Karen Overton, Poultry Farmer for Wedge Oak Farm
Jeremy Barlow, Chef/Owner of tayst restaurant
Tickets to this event are LIMITED, please RSVP through the Community Food Advocates site: https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/436/donate.asp?formid=events&c=7507525 Wednesday, October 5.
About GROW! the Movie:
It’s not just ‘Old MacDonaldrarian life. Armed with college degrees, some are unable to find jobs in the current economic slump. Fed up with corporate America and its influence on a broken food system, they aim to solve some of the current system’s inequities by growing clean, fair food. Mostly landless, they borrow, rent or manage farmland in order to fulfill their dreams of doing something meaningful with their lives.
GROW! takes a look at this new generation of sustainable farmers through the eyes, hearts and minds of 20 passionate, idealistic and fiercely independent young growers. In the film they speak of both the joys and the challenges involved in tending the land.
Filmed on 12 farms throughout the state of Georgia during an entire growing season, GROW! provides an honest and inspiring look at this next generation of farmers. Anybody who appreciates the value of good, wholesome food grown close to home, who cares about our food supply and the future of farming will want to see GROW!
For more info on the film or to see the trailer visit:
growmovie.net/ or
vimeo.com/channels/growmovie
Thank You for a Successful Food Day!
Nashville’s First Food Day a Success!
Community Food Advocates welcomed over 25 vendors and approximately 300 attendees to our first Food Day celebration at the Nashville Farmers’ Market on Monday, October 24. There was music, fun activities, delicious creations, Yazoo beer, and a shared commitment to support a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable food system.
We at Community Food Advocates hope you had as good a time as we did! We were glad to honor the first recipients of the Real Food Hall of Fame with you, and were glad you added your names to the Food Day Pledge, which aims to:
- Reduce diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods
- Support sustainable farms and limit subsidies to big agribusiness
- Expand access to food and alleviate hunger
- Protect the environment and animals by reforming factory farms
- Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids
- Support fair conditions for food and farm workers
We also hope that you walked away with a renewed sense of community around this exciting and very important work.
Community Food Advocates wishes to thank the following sponsors for their help with Food Day:
- Green and Healthy Communities Radio Show (AM 880)
- Mercy Lounge
- Compass Group
- The Nashville Farmers’ Market
- and many others!
We especially want to thank you for attending our very first Food Day Celebration – we could not have done it without you!
Community Food Advocates will be present at the Night Market at the Nashville Farmers’ Market this coming Friday, October 28. You will have another chance to sign the Food Day pledge at the Night Market, as well as enjoy good music, tasty local food and wine, and more.
Thanks again and Happy Food Day!
Don’t take it from us at Community Food Advocates, “Style Blueprint” magazine spotlights the local Urban Hen movement in their blog-post yesterday – so apparently it is now fashionable to be a chicken (or a chicken lover) in Nashville! Members of UCAN are thrilled about the coverage and appreciate all of the comments on Style Blueprint in favor of keeping hens in Nashville’s backyards. See for yourself and join the conversation: http://www.styleblueprint.com/food-and-entertaining/chickens-what%E2%80%99s-all-the-squawkin%E2%80%99-about/
Community Food Advocates sees passage of an urban hen-keeping ordinance as one piece of a sustainable, healthy and just local food system. Stay posted to our blog and our e-blasts for updates on how you can get involved!
Whole Kids Foundation in partnership with FoodCorps is now accepting online grant applications for its first major initiative, the School Garden Grant Program, which will be funded by a six-week, in-store donation drive at all Whole Foods Market stores, and online at wholekidsfoundation.org, from Aug. 17 to Sept. 30.
Whole Foods Market is kicking off their School Garden Grant Program with an event tomorrow, September 1, 2011 at 5p.m. at Glencliff High School’s Outdoor Classroom (160 Antioch Pike Nashville, TN 37211 – behind the school, near the tennis courts). A Garden Tour will be held at the end of the reception and snacks and beverages will be provided by Whole Foods Market – Franklin.
This event is in conjunction with Community Food Advocates Food Day planning meeting, at 4 pm, also at Glencliff High School Outdoor Classroom.
Please contact Brian – brian@communityfoodadvocates.org – with any questions.
Food Day is coming!
Food Day is coming!
Help Community Food Advocates plan a Food Day event and nominate someone for the “Real Food Hall of Fame”
Food Day seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. Food Day organizers are working with people around the country to create thousands of events in homes, schools, churches, farmers markets, city halls, and state capitals.
Community Food Advocates will celebrate “Food Day” on October 24 in Nashville, and we want your help planning, coordinating and carrying out this, our first ever Food Day! Join us for a Food Day planning meeting, Thursday, September 1st at 4pm, at the Glencliff High School Outdoor Classroom, located at 160 Antioch Pike, Nashville, TN 37211. The Outdoor Classroom is located behind the school near the tennis courts.
We look forward to celebrating our local food system heroes, enjoying tasty creations from Nashville eateries and collectively rising to the challenge of ending hunger and creating a healthy, just and sustainable food system.
As part of the Food Day festivities, we need your nominations for Nashville’s “Real Food Hall of Fame”.
The Hall of Fame will recognize Nashville businesses and people that have worked hard to end hunger and create a healthy, just and sustainable food system for our community. We are looking for exemplary local producers, consumers, anti-hunger advocates, grocers, school cafeteria managers, restaurants, Chefs, community gardeners and others that have had a positive impact on Nashville’s food system.
The inductees into the Hall of Fame will be recognized at the Food Day event.
To volunteer with planning and coordinating the October 24 Food Day event, contact brian@communityfoodadvocates.org
To nominate a person or business for the “Real Food Hall of Fame”, email your nominee’s name and 3-5 sentences detailing why the person or business deserves to be in the Hall of Fame to info@communityfoodadvocates.org
Almost One in 3 Households with Children in Tennessee Report Inability to Afford Enough Food
Data Also Show Widespread Struggle in Every Congressional District, Underscoring Need to Protect Nutrition Safety Net
Nashville– August 11, 2011 – More than 28 percent of households with children in Tennessee reported in 2009-2010 not having enough money to buy food that they needed at times for themselves or their family during the prior twelve months, according to a new analysis of food hardship data released by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).
FRAC’s Food Hardship in America series analyzes data that were collected by Gallup and provided to FRAC. The data were gathered as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index project, which has interviewed more than one million households since January 2008. FRAC has analyzed responses to the question: “Have there been times in the past twelve months when you did not have enough money to buy food that you or your family needed?”
The analysis released today examines food hardship rates – the inability to afford enough food – for households with and without children. Data are available for every state, every Congressional District and 100 of the country’s largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), including Nashville-Davidson County-Murfreesboro-Franklin in Tennessee. Findings for childhood food hardship in Tennessee include:
- In 2009-2010, 28.8 percent of households with children in Tennessee said they were unable to afford enough food. The food hardship rate for households without children was 19.8 percent.
- For the Nashville-Davidson County-Murfreesboro-Franklin MSA, the food hardship rate for households with children was 24.4 percent in 2009-2010, and 17 percent for households without children. For the Memphis, Tennessee-Mississippi-Arkansas MSA, the food hardship rate for households with children was 28.5 percent in 2009-2010, and 18.7 percent for households without children. For the Knoxville-TN MSA, the food hardship rate for households with children was 29.2 percent in 2009-2010, and 18.7 percent for households without children.
- All but one of the congressional districts in Tennessee had more than one in five households with children reporting food hardship in 2008-2010.
“The food hardship rate for households without children is far too high, but we can see that the situation for households with children is far worse,” said Casey Woodling at Community Food Advocates. “These new data reaffirm what we’re seeing in our communities – that far too many people continue to struggle with hunger in these economic times. These data demonstrate, as if any further evidence were needed, that this is not the time to make our safety net weaker. Congress must ensure that all deficit negotiations protect nutrition programs and other parts of the safety net that help low-income people.”
When Congress returns to Washington after its August recess, it will enter the next phase of consideration under the recently passed debt ceiling deal: the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (also known as the “Super Committee”) will hold its first meeting and begin to develop plans to cut an additional $1.5 trillion in spending. Community Food Advocates joins FRAC in urging Congress and the “Super Committee” to protect low-income programs such as SNAP (food stamps), school meals, and WIC from cuts.
“These data merely underscore what every Member of Congress should know already — that his or her district has tens of thousands of households struggling with hunger or food insecurity,” said FRAC President Jim Weill. “Weakening any of these key safety net programs will make hunger and malnutrition more common and deeper. It will increase fiscal deficits, further weaken the economy, and increase human suffering in the district.”
