Organic Tomato=Better Tomato!

It's true. Steve Kaffka, Ph.D. agronomy, former apprentice/director of CASFS, just proved it at UC Davis! So far, the researchers have found that the organic tomatoes have almost double the concentration of two types of flavonoids — quercetin and kaempferol — which are considered to be healthful plant compounds with potent antioxidant activity. The 10-year mean levels of quercetin were 79 percent higher than those in conventional tomatoes, and levels of kaempferol were 97 percent higher.
Read more or listen to the entire story on NPR here.
p.s.-photo is of our tomatoes from last year. More here.

Stop the Spray Benefit Concert!

WHEN:

Sunday June 8th, 1-6 pm

WHO:

Featured Artists will include Bob Weir, Maria Muldaur, David Pack of Ambrosia, Larkin Gayle, Austin de Lone, Phat Barbies, Bob Hill Band, Jessie Kincaid, PILAR, The Shamanic Cheerleaders and special surprise guests.

Hear from special guests, celebrity environmentalists and elected officials

WHERE:

2330 Marinship Way,
Sausalito on the Bay

MORE INFO:

$ 20 General Admission

$ 10 Students

$ 100 Priority Seating

$ 500 Premiere Seating
(front rows) and Back Stage Party with artists and leaders!

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE WALK & RALLY TO STOP THE SPRAY

when:

Saturday, May 31st:
9 am GATHER
10 am to 12 Noon WALK
12 noon RALLY (bring your lunch)

WHERE:

SAN FRANCISCO SIDE: Bridge Parking Lot-- Park (car pool) at East Battery parking lot off Lincoln Blvd just below.

see map here

MARIN SIDE: Vista Point Parking Lot-- After walk, take Coastal Trail from Bridge Parking Lot to Mason St. and Crissy Field.

See Map here

THERE ARE VERY SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS FOR THIS MARCH FOR SAFETY PURPOSES:

We may only carry a total of 50 handheld signs, but we can pin signs to clothing. No flags, banners or balloons. Drums are limited, single file for walkers, etc. We will make quite a statement and hopefully pick up national press coverage on this one.

RALLY:

West end of Crissy Field, between Mason Street and Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center.

ASSISTANCE NEEDED:

Staffing assistance, including security and monitors needed.

Please email info@StoptheSprayMarin.org

Hazon Food Conference, December 25-28, 2008

Hi Friends,

I hope you are all well. As many of you know, I am on the Executive Committee for the 2008 Hazon Food Conference which will be held this December 25 - 28 in Monterey, CA. I invite you all to come and be part of this amazing gathering that will weave together the wonderful worlds of food and Judaism. Please feel free to pass along this email to anyone whom you think might be interested. Note: registration opens on May 15th and the conference will sell out so register early! If you should have any questions or would like to get involved in the planning of the conference, please feel free to call or email me. I hope to see you all in California in December!

With Love,

Emily

Omnivore, locavore, vegan, vegetarian, kosher, eco-kosher, sustainable and organic... If any of these words mean something to you, join us! SAVE THE DATE! Hazon Food Conference December 25 – 28, 2008 Asilomar Conference and Retreat Center On the Monterey Peninsula , CA The new Jewish food movement is taking root and we invite you to be a part of it. On Shabbat Chanukah 2008, along the white sand beaches and forests of the Monterey Peninsula , the Jewish food community will gather to celebrate and explore how we make food choices in the light of our tradition and contemporary life. We will come together from all over North America and Israel as a cross denominational group of young, not so young, singles, couples, and families. Our group will include rabbis, farmers, educators, chefs, writers, students and enthusiasts who will teach and learn from each other about food from farm to table. The conference experience will cover the spectrum of food interests, from health and sustainability to justice, Jewish tradition, spirit, and enjoyment. REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 15 For more info, visit www.hazon.org/foodconference

Here Come The Handouts...

The Senate on Thursday approved a five-year, $307 billion farm bill with wide bipartisan support, virtually sealing President Bush’s defeat in a battle over agriculture policy. The Senate vote, 81 to 15, with 35 Republicans in favor, guarantees an easy override of a veto. The House passed the bill on Wednesday, 318 to 106, also far more than the two-thirds needed to overturn a veto.
Although the measure is universally known as the farm bill, it has far more money to feed the poor, including $209 billion for nutrition programs like food stamps and food banks, according to the Congressional Budget Office, compared with $35 billion for agricultural commodity programs.

Mmmmm... Round-Up Ready Candy

American Crystal, a large Wyoming-based sugar company and several other leading U.S. sugar providers have announced they will be sourcing their sugar from Monsanto's genetically engineered (GE) sugar beets beginning this year and arriving in stores in 2008. Like GE corn and GE soy, products containing GE sugar will not be labeled as such. Since half of the granulated sugar in the U.S. comes from sugar beets, a move towards biotech beets marks a dramatic alteration of the U.S. food supply. These sugars, along with GE corn and soy, are found in many conventional food products, so consumers will be exposed to genetically engineered ingredients in just about every non-organic multiple-ingredient product they purchase.
Take action to ask American Crystal not to source GE sugar beets here.

The World According To Monsanto

On March 11 a powerful new documentary was aired on French television by journalist and film maker Marie-Monique Robin: "The World According to Monsanto." Click here or on post title to access a version that can be viewed in full screen (little plus sign).
Warning: Very large file, may take a while to load. Requires latest version of Flash to view.

Shout Out!

CASFS and urban farming just got a shout out in this NY Times article.
$$$ quote: For more formal training there is the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Founded in 1967, the center runs a six-month course for 39 students each year on its two farms. Patricia Allen, the center’s executive director, said roughly three-fourths of her students today were interested in urban growing.