Local Food Celebrated With Week of Activities

A bike tour of the Student Farm, taste-testings, a photo exhibit, films and the campus farmers market are among the free events open to the public during Local Food Week April 28-May 2. Sponsored by Students for Sustainable Agriculture, the week is part of their efforts to engage the campus and community in an approach to agriculture that balances social justice and ecology. Students for Sustainable Agriculture is an affiliate of the UC Davis Agricultural Sustainability Institute.

WEEKLONG:

Social Justice Photo Gallery by Bill Gillette in UC Davis Coffee House; focuses on the life of a farmworker in black-and-white photography.

TUESDAY APRIL 29:

Noon -- Bike tour to the Student Farm for tour and free fruit; meet at Quad flagpole. The Student Farm's organic fields feed Coffee House consumers, volunteers and 61 subscription agriculture members weekly.

6-8 p.m. -- Jason Mark, farmer, author and activist, speaks on "Sustainable Food Systems" -- 1003 Geidt Hall; sponsored by Education for Sustainable Living program.

7:30 p.m. -- Why Veg? -- 141 Olson Hall; the Davis Veg Society presents information on how eating more vegetables fits with sustainable living.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30:

11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. -- East Quad Farmers Market, featuring produce and flowers grown by the Student Farm and other farmers.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. -- Local Food Taste Test, the Coffee House, featuring local foods from the Student Farm.

6:30 p.m. -- Free film: "The Future of Food," Coffee House west wing; focuses on unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods in U.S. grocery stores. Free popcorn, local fruit.

THURSDAY, MAY 1:

2-4 p.m. -- Taste of the Coffee House, Coffee House west wing; free taste-testing of favorite dishes including local products. Information on Project Compost, the Student Farm and Students for Sustainable Agriculture will be provided.

6:30 p.m. -- Free Film: "The Real Dirt on Farmer John," Memorial Union's Griffin Lounge; documentary explores the life of John Peterson, a traditional farmer in the 1960s who was cast out by his community after turning his land into a haven for hippies and artists.

For more information, contact Alida Cantor, aacantor@ucdavis.edu; (609) 651-5960; Danielle Lee, dnilee@ucdavis.edu; (559) 351-4354.

Media Resources

Pat Bailey, Research news (emphasis: agricultural and nutritional sciences, and veterinary medicine), 530-219-9640, pjbailey@ucdavis.edu

Lyra Halprin, Agricultural Sustainability Institute, (530) 752-8664, lhalprin@ucdavis.edu

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