What Grows On in Rhode Island ~ News Blog

The Earth-Friendly Food Chain

Announcing the Publication of The Earth-Friendly Food Chain

Cosmick Press has just published The Earth-Friendly Food Chain, by Linda Riebel, a San Francisco Bay area environmental educator. Rhode Islanders interested in healthy eating, urban agriculture, community-supported agriculture, farmers' markets, local food, and slow food will find a great resource guide in this book.

The Contents include:

• Your 5 Most Important Decisions

    Eat Food, Not Chemicals
    Eat Lower on the Food Chain
    Eat Shorter on the Food Chain
    Eat Wider on the Food Chain
    Nude Food!

• Finding Earth-Friendly Food
• Meals at Home
• Join the Movement

    Sustainable and More Humane Agriculture   
    Food Professionals   
    Growing Your Food
    Spice Up Your Social Life

• Food for Thought

    Are the Dangers Real?
    Dueling Data: Trade-offs and the Learning Curve
    Help Endangered Species
    Animal Farm
    The Elephant in the Room
    Good Intentions

• The Win-Win-Win Situation
• Time and Money

RI Now Has 3 Winter Farmers' Markets ~ North & South Kingstown, & Pawtucket ~ November 21, 2009

DEM ANNOUNCES OPENING OF INDOOR WINTER FARMERS’ MARKETS IN NORTH KINGSTOWN AND SOUTH KINGSTOWN

Both Markets, Which will Feature a Large Variety of Local Products, Are Set to Open on Saturday, November 21

[Ed. note: Pawtucket Winter Farmers' Market started November 7 at Hope Artiste Village, Main St, Pawtucket. - sk]

PROVIDENCE – Starting this Saturday, November 21, shoppers in South County will have two new winter farmers’ markets available where they can purchase a wide variety of locally grown and produced products. 

Wintertime Farmers' Markets Begin ~ November 7, 2009

It's sad to see the 40-some-odd Summertime Farmers' Markets fade away, but not to worry, Rhode Island ~ there are now at least 3 markets that continue throughout the winter!


SATURDAY MARKETS: In Pawtucket the Farm Fresh RI market at Hope Artiste Village opens for its second season tomorrow, November. The Coastal Growers Market moves inside to Lafayette Mill in North Kingstown beginning on November21.

ED NOTE: This isn't going to happen this year because of permitting problems, but maybe next year! -- SK (11/10/09) SUNDAY MARKET: Nearby in North Attleboro, MA, another winter market will open this Sunday, November 8, at the Masonic Lodge. This market includes artisan producers as well as farmers.

A couple of summertime markets are braving the elements and continue until the week before Thanksgiving. See the Calendar for details.

Free Screening of Film "Tapped" at Brown University ~ November 10, 2009

Free Screening of "Tapped" at Brown University


"Tapped" is a 2009 documentary about the effects of the bottled water industry on America's economy, environment, and public health.  A coalition of Brown University student groups and the Environment Council of Rhode Island are sponsoring a free, public screening of "Tapped" on Tuesday, November 10, at 8:00 pm in the Salomon Center on the Main Green (91 Waterman Street).

Americans spent $15 billion on bottled water in 2007, a 30-fold increase in consumption per capita since 1976.  Producing these bottles used the equivalent of 17 million barrels of oil, excluding the cost of transportation.  Whereas bottled water costs $7.50 to $11.00 per gallon, tap water costs $0.01 per gallon.  24% of bottled water sold in the US, including Dasani and Aquafina, is not spring water but simply purified, repackaged tap water.

Compared to bottled water, tap water is regulated more rigorously and tested more frequently by the EPA.  Bisphenol-A, the chemical from which 5-gallon water cooler jugs are made, has been linked in 200 independent studies to illnesses including obesity, prostate cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, and brain disorders.

United Natural Foods Open House ~ October 17, 2009

UNFI Invites You To Visit Our New Providence Headquarters
 

United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) along with Mayor Cicilline will celebrate the opening of the Company’s new state-of-the-art Providence Corporate Headquarters with an Open House event and dedication ceremony on Saturday October 17th.  Family, friends and the media are cordially invited to tour the facilities – located at the American Locomotive Works development on 313 Iron Horse Way, Providence, RI – and enjoy a taste of the natural products industry.  We are excited about our new space and hope to see you there!

Space is limited:  please register with Scott Eckstein at 212-827-3776 / seckstein@mww.com

WHEN        Saturday, October 17th 2009
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern

RI Sustainable Schools Summit ~ September 24, 2009

From Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living:

There is still room at the 2nd Annual RI Sustainable Schools Summit Thursday, September 24th 8:00am - 4:00pm at the URI Shepard Building at 80 Washington St., Providence, RI

 

Rhode Island Schools: Taking Strides to Sustainability
Attention Superintendents, Administrators, Teachers, Students, School Board Officials, Facilities Managers, Principals, Parents, School Green Teams and Community Members:
 
Join the Apeiron Institute for this FREE program as we take an in-depth look at some green initiatives in local schools and discuss ways to integrate environmental sustainability in school environments, school food systems, & curricula. 
Register for free at www.apeiron.org

Open Garden Day Postponed to September 19, 2009

Just received from Southside Community Land Trust:

Rain is great for our gardens but not for our Open Garden Day & Potluck...
So we're rescheduling for next Saturday, September 19th.

GET THE WORD OUT!
Now we have an extra week to get the word out.  Let's take this time to encourage gardeners, friends & neighbors to join us on September 19th!

NEXT SATURDAY, SEPT 19TH!
On the 19th, we'll hold our Open Garden Day rain or shine. As long as the skies are clear, we'll gather at The Bridgham Community Garden for the Potluck as planned. If it rains, our Potluck will be indoors, nearby. We'll keep you posted!

--

OPEN GARDEN DAY, September 19th, 1-4 pm
A dozen community gardens open their gates! Take a self-guided tour! Step inside that garden you've always wondered about, or visit a few that you never knew existed. This year's OPEN GARDEN DAY includes all kinds of gardens- from newly built raised beds to gardens that have been growing strong for over 25 years. Take a look at our POSTER & pick a few gardens to visit. Rain or shine!

INTERNATIONAL POTLUCK, September 19th, 5-7 pm
After the tour, head over to BRIDGHAM COMMUNITY GARDEN (at the corner of Westminster St & Bridgham St). Bring a dish to share! You're encouraged to bring a family favorite, or include veggies from your garden. Join us for a joyful meal & meet community gardeners from all over the city! If it rains, we'll be indoors.

Providence Sustainability Festival ~ September 26, 2009

From the Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living:

The schedule for the first Providence Sustainability Festival has just been released, and it includes several interesting walking tours of Providence as well as informative workshops.

For instance, explore the Providence River banks, take an environmental justice walking tour, and/or take the Walk Downtown tour to experience the challenges pedestrians and bicyclists face and consider what can be done about traffic. There's also a tour of a green building.

Workshops of interest to homeowners include the pros and cons of replacement windows, "Simple Steps to a Green Home," LEED for homes, architects and sustainability, insulation, and composting.

Other workshops announced today address Rhode Island's food system, local food, what is a sustainable economy, 21st century entrepreneurial opportunities, green jobs, transportation and the environment.

If you don't want to do any of the above, there are bike rides (bring your own bike), alternative energy vehicles on display, a healing tent, the GEM energy pavillion, and an Open Skate (bring your own skates or skateboard). And Miss Earth United States 2009 is showing up.

The music lineup at the moment (September 11) with more to be added soon will be Mi Son Gaitero, Sol 18, Tim Taylor Blues Band, Santa Mamba,  Reasmey Kampuchea Music Group, and The Kris Hansen Kollective.

Thank you, Apeiron, for organizing this festival!

Open Garden Day ~ Providence, RI ~ September 12, 2009

From Southside Community Land Trust:

OPEN GARDEN DAY!

Saturday, September 12th
Open Garden Tours from 1-4pm

At a dozen gardens around Providence:

• Bridgham Community Garden on the Corner of Westminster and Bridgham Streets
• Sessions Street Community Garden, 160 Sessions St. on the East Side
• Fertile Undergrounds Community Garden, 236 Pearl St. on the Southside
• Somerset Community Garden, 85 Somerset St. on the Southside
• Prairie North Community Garden, 468 Prairie Ave. on the Southside
• Glenham Community Garden, 31 Glenham St. on the Southside
• Youth Gardens, 46 and 75 Laura St. on the Southside
• Peace and Plenty Community Garden, 89 Peace St. on the Southside
• Genesis Center Community Garden, 10 Madison St. on the Southside
• African Alliance Community Garden, 68 Diamond St. on the Southside
• Manton Community Garden, Manton Ave. and Pope St. in Olneyville
• Bridgham Community Garden, Westminster and Bridgham St. on the West Side
• Davis Park Community Garden, Next to Chalkstone Ave.

After the garden tour join us for an International Potluck Dinner, from 5-7pm at Bridgham Community Garden on Bridgham and Westminster St. on the West Side of Providence.

For more information, contact Erika

From the Ground Up! Press Conference ~ Providence, RI ~ September 3, 2009

Growing a Healthier, More Sustainable City - From the Ground Up!

Southside Community Land Trust and over 30 partners to announce a three-year initiative funded by the USDA Community Food Projects Grant

WHO:             Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT)
 
WHAT:          Press Conference to announce From the Ground Up!
 
WHEN:          Thursday, September 3, 2009, 4:30pm
 
WHERE:       Janes Community Garden, 12-14 Janes St., South Providence (near Eddy St. and Public St., please contact for directions)
 
WHY:             To introduce From the Ground Up!, an exciting initiative made possible by the USDA Community Food Projects Grant and over 30 community partners and foundations.