2009-11-24

blue bird bistro - farmer's table - SATURDAY, November 28th

thank you for all your support!
so that our employees can enjoy their families...our communal dinner is at 7:30 on wednesday, november 25th (see menu below)...we are closed thursday, november 26th(thanksgiving day)...we will open at 7am on friday, november 27th...we have a farmers' table on saturday...
farmers' table
Saturday, November 28, 2009
start with an aperitif and hors d'oeuvres as you mingle and visit with Helen and Fred from Nature's Choice Biodynamic Farm in St. Joseph, Missouri and
Stacy and James from The Organic Way Farm in Milo, Missouri

be seated for five courses of all local culinary delight
special seating at 7:45pm for anyone wanting to dine with the farmers

poached Organic Way Farm swiss chard stuffed with Campo Lindo chicken on a bed of Thane Palmberg Farm glazed carrots

Nature's Choice Biodynamic Farm chestnut soup with Beau Solais Farm oyster mushrooms and blue bird bistro garden fresh herbs

Busy Bee Acres Farm granny smith apple and Thane Palmberg Farm radish on Beau Solis Farm pea shoots

New Grass Bison tenderloin filled with Thane Palmberg Farm beets and house made Good Nature Family Farm ricotta on braised JCCC Farm red Russian kale

finish with Busy Bee Acres Farm honey and JCCC Farm spinach cake

follow us through the year at farmerstable.bluebirdbistro.com
Wednesday Night Table
'a communal dining experience'
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
every Wednesday at 7:30pm
$40 includes your choice of, Conclass Verdejo, Rueda, Spain or Belleruche Cotes du Rhone, France and
four courses

blue bird bistro garden rosemary American Wild Caught Shrimp wrapped in all natural bacon, drizzled with rosemary buerre blanc sauce

Nature's Choice Biodynamic Farm purple and white fingerling pommes bouchon topped with JCCC Farm spinach

New Grass Bison short ribs slow cooked with Thane Palmberg Farm carrots

baked Arkansas black apple with house made organic sugar chard and organic ice cream

reservations are not necessary as long as space is available

menu posted to wednesdaynight.bluebirdbistro.com
also at www.bluebirdbistro.com
816-221-7559

blue bird bistro upcoming happenings

2009-11-20

Funky Friday Farmers Market at BADSEED - FRIDAYS in the CROSSROADS




This Friday's Special Thanksgiving Market!!!


Dearest “Connoisseurs of Local Organic Food and Flavor”,


BADSEED is proud to announce our annual Pre-Thanksgiving Farmers Market featuring a bounty of divine delicacies to enhance your holiday feast this Friday from 4-8 PM!!! For some mouthwatering pics of a few of our vegetable offerings click here: http://www.badseedfarm.com/farm/?page_id=228


**Wicked Holiday Recipes at the end of this e-mail**


We have an amazing array of vendors and products this week, but before I tantalize your taste buds with all that good stuff, how about a little "inspirational ranting".....(I can practically hear you groaning):


As you know, the first Thanksgiving days in New England were harvest festivals, or days for thanking God for plentiful crops. That is why the current holiday takes place late in the fall, after all the crops have been harvested from the field. The original festival lasted three days!! Imagine three days of feasting on the extraordinary fruits of the "new world"......


I sincerely encourage you all to go localfor your Thanksgiving Feast. Not just for traditions sake, and not just for the political and social reasons that already persist in our minds when we buy ethically produced foods from community farms and families, BUT for the sake of a greater spiritual and natural phenomenon that occurs when we eat from the immediate earth. Culture and community truly exists when we sit down and share the foods that grow around us. It grounds us and connects us in the most necessary and nourishing way possible. The globalized/consumer world has severed this bond. We have become complacent, unsatisfied, and fearful. Take this holiday to reconnect and rejuvenate!!


OK, "inspirational ranting” is officially over....now for the good stuff.



Listen up KC - THIS COULD BE YOUR THANKSGIVING TABLE:


In the flesh:


*Grass-Fed Lamb including French Racks, bone-in and boneless lamb legs, lamb kabob meat, lamb shanks cut Osso Bucco style, lamb stew meat, and ground lamb from Green Dirt Farm


*Certified Organic Beef including steaks, roasts, ground, and special cuts from Wells Family Farm


In the Shell:


*Free-Range Eggs with burnt orange yolks from Paul and Judy at the Mushroom Farm


*Locally foraged Walnuts & Pecans from John Wilhelm of Grandview, MO


In the Mold:


*A savvy selection of aged and fresh Farmstead Sheep's Milk Cheeses from Green Dirt Farm

"Our cheese makes a great appetizer for your Thanksgiving meal (and a wonderful hostess gift)!"


* Oh soooo delicious OYSTER & SHITAKE MUSHROOMSfrom Paul and Judy at the Mushroom Farm


In the Dirt:


*Stellar Sweet Potatoes, Bodacious Beets, TenderTurnips, Arugula, Sexy Salad Mixes, Rainbow Chard &Kale, Gourmet Braising Mixes, Spinach, and Aromatic Herbs like Dill and Oregano from BADSEED Farm


*OH MY God!! Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli, Onions, Garlic,Leeks, Fennel, Celeriac, Endives, Carrots, Beets,Herbs, and assorted ROOTS including Kohlrabi, Radishes, and Hakurai Turnips from Fair Share Farm

***This weeks NEW VENDOR***


*Rutabagas, Turnips, and Hardy Greens from Platte Prairie Farms


*Heirloom Pumpkins & Winter Squash, Fresh Ginger!!, Succulent Asian Greens, Hoop House Tomatoes, Apples, and Icicle Radishes from our man, Pov, at Hun's Garden


*Bok Choy, Turnips, Broccoli Raab, Lemon Sorrel, Gourmet Radishes, Luscious Lettuce Heads, Herbs and more from Blue Door Farm


*Spicy Mustard Mixes, Specialty Greens, Scallions, andEaster Egg Radishes from Bigg Blue Farm


In the Loaf:


*Whole Grains Breads, specialty loaves, and baked goodies from
our friends at Bread of Life Bakery

**I use "day old" Bread of Life Bread to make a radical "local" stuffing!!**


*Moist and Delicious breads, pies, buns, cinnamon rolls, and endless sweet treats from Alice's home-grown and freshly ground wheat at Western Hills Produce


In the Jar:


* Jams, Jellies, Relishes, Pickles, and more (the old fashioned way) from once again, the lovely Alice, atWestern Hills Produce


In the pot:


*Rich, dark, and devastating (in all the right ways) organic & Fair Trade Coffee from our favorite local roaster atPuddin’ Head


......AND that's not all folks -


For all you "holiday baking fanatics" like myself, BADSEED will be offering LOCAL ORGANIC FLOUR in all purpose,whole wheat, whole wheat pastry, all purpose malted,golden buffalo, and blue corn meal from Heartland Mill in Wichita County. This stuff is divine!!!!www.heartlandmill.com


Before I sign off please take note:


The BADSEED Winter Market will be CLOSED next Friday, Nov. 27th.....as well as Dec. 25th and Jan. 1st for the Holidays. We will be open all other Fridays thru Feb. 12th.


Happy feasting my friends and see you Friday!!!! (recipes are as follows)


Yours Truly,


Brooke

-farmer and mistress of the BADSEED


BADSEED

An Urban-Organic Farm & Market Celebrating Local Food, Culture, and Community

1909 McGee*KCMO*64108

www.badseedfarm.com



Wicked "Local" Thanksgiving Recipes


**Please note: I always use the highest quality localand/or organic ingredients. Major ingredients that you should NEVER compromise include milk, butter, cream, eggs, and sugar. Use Shatto Dairy Products (or better yet, walk into your backyard and milk your goat), use free-range brown eggs from local farmers, and always use unrefined sugars like evaporated cane juice or turbinado. You will taste the difference. **Vegans can always adjust recipes to fit their needs (substitute with soy milk and "earthbalance").


Turnips, Rutabaga, & Roots:


Mashed Rutabaga:

Rutabaga and chopped onions are cooked together then mashed with butter.

INGREDIENTS:

1 rutabaga, diced (about 4 to 6 cups diced)

1 cup chopped onion

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

PREPARATION:

Cook rutabaga and onion in a small amount of boiling salted water until tender. Drain and mash; add butter, salt, and pepper. Mash rutabaga and onions well.

Mashed rutabaga with onions serves 4 to 6.


Thanksgiving Day Creamed Turnips:

INGREDIENTS

1 large turnip, peeled and diced

2 tablespoons evaporated cane juice (or unrefined sugar)

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

salt and ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the turnip in a saucepan with enough water to cover the cubes; place the saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 5 minutes; drain water and return turnip to saucepan.

2. Return the saucepan to medium heat. Pour enough fresh water over the turnips to cover; add the sugar. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until turnip pieces are fork tender; drain.

3. Melt the butter in a separate saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir the flour into the butter to make a roux. Whisk in the milk until the mixture thickens. Add the turnips and stir gently to coat. Season with salt and pepper.


Winter Root Vegetables

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds sweet potatoes, quartered

1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved

1/2 pound rutabega, cubed

1/2 pound turnips, cubed

1/4 pound celeriac, diced

1/2 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in roasting pan, except for dill. (Make sure vegetables are coated with oil and “love”.) Roast @ 400 degrees covered for 40 minutes or until sizzling and tender!!! Sprinkle dill on top. Serves 10



Sweet Potato Recipes -

(these recipes are adapted from the following site:http://southernfood.about.com/od/sweetpotatoes/Sweet_Potato_Recipes.htm)


MASHED SWEET POTS:

Quick and flavorful, these sweet potatoes go great with many traditional meats, especially lamb. A little maple syrup and orange juice jazz up these mashed sweet potatoes.

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/2 to 3 pounds sweet potatoes

1/4 cup maple syrup, dark

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

2 tablespoons butter

PREPARATION:

Cut sweet potatoes into large chunks. Steam or boil until tender; drain and peel. Put the sweet potatoes in a large bowl and add the maple syrup, salt, pepper, orange juice, and butter. Mash or beat until well blended. Serves 6



SWEET POT FRIES:

Sprinkle these tasty fries with salt and a little cinnamon, or sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.

INGREDIENTS:

2 to 3 large sweet potatoes

oil for deep frying

salt and pepper

cinnamon or cinnamon-sugar

PREPARATION:

Cut sweet potatoes into 1/4 to 1/2- x 3-inch strips. Put strips in ice water until ready to fry. Dry with paper towels and fry in batches in 375° oil. When lightly browned and tender, transfer to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt and pepper or salt and a little cinnamon or cinnamon-sugar. Serves 4.



CANDIED SWEET POTS:

Here's a sweet potato recipe using cooked sweet potatoes, maple syrup, and bourbon.

INGREDIENTS:

6 to 8 large sweet potatoes

1/2 cup olive oil or your preferred cooking oil

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 cup Kentucky bourbon, good quality

salt and pepper, to taste

chopped fresh parsley

PREPARATION:

Cook sweet potatoes; peel and slice crosswise then lengthwise or as desired. Cool and arrange in buttered casserole pan or dish. combine remaining ingredients except parsley and pour over potatoes. Bake at 350° for 20 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbling.

Garnish with parsley.


Sweet Potato Risotto With Pecans:

This is a fabulous combination, and you'll want to make this dish again and again. Serve as a side dish or serve as a main dish or lunch with a chopped salad and crusty bread. Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

-4 tablespoons butter

-2 tablespoons minced shallots

-1 medium sweet potato, cut in small dice, about 8 ounces or 2 cups

-1/3 cup chopped pecans

-2 to 3 cups vegetable broth

-1 cup Arborio rice (about 6 to 7 ounces)

-salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

-1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

-1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion tops or fresh parsley

Preparation:

Heat 3 cups of vegetable broth to the boiling point; reduce heat to the lowest setting to keep hot.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter; add minced shallot and pecans; cook until shallot is tender. Add rice and cook, stirring, until well blended. Stir in sweet potato. Stir about 3/4 cup of the hot broth into the rice mixture. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until liquid is absorbed. Continue adding liquid, about 1/4 to 1/3 cup at a time, stirring frequently, until the rice and sweet potato are tender (not overly soft). The texture should be creamy a little loose. This will take about 25 minutes and about 2 to 3 cups of broth. Stir in Parmesan cheese and green onion or parsley, then taste and add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serves 3 to 4.

SWEET POT CUSTARD:

This sweet potato dessert falls somewhere between a fluffy custard and a bread pudding, and it is absolutely delicious. Serve these in the individual baking dishes or unmold them onto dessert plates.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup cooked mashed sweet potato

2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ginger

dash ground cloves

2 slightly beaten egg yolks

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup soft bread crumbs

1 1/2 cups milk

2 tablespoons melted butter

2 egg whites, stiffly beaten

PREPARATION:

Lightly butter 8 custard cups or 8 (6 to 8-ounce ramekins). Heat oven to 350°. Combine the mashed sweet potato, sugar, spices, egg yolks, and salt; stir in pecans, bread crumbs, milk, and butter.

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Gently fold in egg whites until well combined. Turn into individual baking dishes or custard cups. Set dishes in a pan of hot water.

Bake at 350° for 1 hour, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve with vanilla sauce, brown sugar sauce, or honey cinnamon drizzle. Serves 8.


Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Crust-

Ingredient Option: use freshly cooked pumpkin instead of sweet potatoes.

Crust -

3/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup finely ground pecans

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup canola oil

3–5 tablespoons water

Filling -

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon unbleached flour

1 tablespoon molasses

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups sweet potato, freshly cooked

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1 3/4 cups Half & Half

In a large bowl, stir together flour, pecans and salt. With a pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add oil slowly, continuing to mix with pastry blender or fork. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, using only the amount you need until dough follows blender or fork around bowl. Do not overwork dough. Form into a ball, cover and let set in refrigerator while preparing filling.

For the filling: mix all ingredients except eggs and half & Half. Mix eggs and half & half; fold into pumpkin mixture.

Assembling the pie: On lightly floured surface, roll crust to fit pie pan. Place in pan and flute edges. Pour filling into prepared pie shell and bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes.



Brussels Sprouts -


Brussels Sprouts Salad with Lemon-Thyme Vinaigrette:

3 pounds fresh Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed, halved through stem end

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 cup olive oil

1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried

1 small/tender cabbage (cut into fine strips)

Fresh Arugula or Seasonal Salad Greens

Cook Brussels sprouts in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain. Rinse with cold water and drain well. Transfer to medium bowl. Combine lemon juice and mustard in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Add thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover Brussels sprouts and dressing separately and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)

Combine cabbage and seasonal greens on platter or in large, shallow bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat lightly. Mix Brussels sprouts with remaining dressing. Mound atop salad and serve. 12 servings.


Brussels Sprouts-Squash Casserole:

1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts

1-1/2 cups cubed winter squash

1 medium onion, minced

1 cup grated celeriac

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

2 cups milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp marjoram

dash pepper

dash nutmeg

Clean and trim brussels sprouts; cut large ones in half. Steam sprouts and squash separately until nearly done. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350º.

While squash and sprouts cook, chop onion and celery. Sauté onion in butter. Add flour and cook slowly for about 3 minutes. Add milk and spices slowly, stirring to keep mixture smooth. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Correct seasonings.

In a greased 8" x 8" baking dish, arrange cubed squash on bottom. Next, make an even layer of the brussels sprouts. Sprinkle chopped celery over the top. Pour the white sauce over the vegetables and sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake for about 30 minutes.


Brussels Sprouts-Balsamic:

1-1/2 pounds fresh Brussels sprouts

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced

1 medium onion, thin sliced

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 Tablespoons butter

Trim off the stems and remove any limp leaves from the Brussel sprouts. Blanch the sprouts in boiling water to cover for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Heat a large frying pan and add the olive oil, garlic and onion. Sauté a few minutes until the onion becomes just tender. Add the blanched drained sprouts. Sauté a few minutes until they are cooked to your liking. Add the vinegar and toss so all the sprouts are coated with the vinegar. Add the butter, salt and pepper to taste and toss together again.


Other -


Beet & Arugula Salad:

This is a famous combination served in high-end restaurants across America, popularized by our friends in California. There are millions of variations and recipes out there. I have included links to a few, but the concept is simple and just do what you feel based on the ingredients you have available **Go local and use fresh Sheep's Cheese from Green Dirt Farm & Foraged Pecans from John at the market instead!! Yum.

http://americanfood.about.com/od/saladsandsidedishes/r/beetarugsalad.htm

http://elise.com/recipes/archives/000951arugula_salad_with_beets_and_goat_cheese.php


Pumpkin Muffins:

These are moist pumpkin muffins, with spices and pecans or raisins. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full or nearly full for high tops. **I just used this recipe for the first time last night to serve at an event. The muffins were a hit and Dan (the hungry husband) is happy with all the left-overs....

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I use much more)

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups pumpkin (puree)

1/3 cup melted butter

1/2 half-and-half

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped pecans or raisins

cinnamon-sugar, optional


Preparation:

Directions for Pumpkin Muffins

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to blend In separate bowl, combine pumpkin, melted butter, milk or half-and-half, the beaten eggs, sugars, and vanilla; mix until blended. Stir pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredients until moistened. Fold in pecans or raisins. Do not overmix. Line 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well and dust with flour. I use a baking spray. Fill the about 3/4-full with the pumpkin muffins batter, sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar if desired, and bake at 375° for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 12 to 16 pumpkin muffins.


**For more awesome local recipes check out Lisa Markley's article on-line in this month's Greenability Magazine (Greenability is available at BADSEED Market):
http://www.greenabilitymagazine.com/

BADSEED
An Urban-Organic Farm & Market
Celebrating Local Food, Culture, and Community

1909 McGee*KCMO*64108

See you this Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM


2009-11-18

EAT LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS


A new campaign urges Kansas Citians to eat local for the holidays

By JAMES A. FUSSELL
The Kansas City Star

If you’re like most people, you don’t think much about where your food comes from.

You buy it and eat it. Food is food, right? It doesn’t matter where it comes from.

Not exactly. To an increasing number of people, it matters a great deal. Take the Greater Kansas City Healthy Food Policy Coalition. The coalition is made up of individuals and organizations that have interests in a variety of issues relating to America’s food system. Their common goal: Get better food to the people of Kansas City.

One of the best ways to do that is to encourage Kansas Citians to buy and eat more locally grown and raised foods. To that end, the coalition has issued an “Eat-Local-for-the-Holidays” challenge through December.

The coalition’s Web site — www.eatlocalkc.net — explains the idea.

“We are asking that you make a pledge to add just one local food to your holiday meal. Maybe it’s a squash that you purchase from the farmers market. Maybe you’ll use Missouri pecans for your pecan pie. Or maybe you’ll buy your milk from a local cooperative. Whatever you do, it will make a difference.”

What difference will it make if we eat more local foods? Where can we find local foods? And why should we care? We put those questions and more to a variety of supporters of the Eat-Local-for-the-Holidays challenge.

Karen Siebert

Spokeswoman, Greater Kansas City Healthy Food Policy Coalition

What sort of response have you had so far to this challenge?

We launched it after Halloween. But we do have more than 50 now signed up. Word of mouth is very important.

Your Web site says the Eat Local Challenge is modeled after a similar campaign in Seattle. Is the movement a national trend?

I do think it’s a national trend. People are getting more and more interested in where their food comes from and how it’s been processed.

What can you cite to support that?

In the Aug. 31 issue of Time magazine the cover story was entitled “The Real Cost of Cheap Food.” For many years, people have been concerned about the cost of their food, not realizing the sacrifices they were making in quality, taste and nutritional value.

Anything else?

Just a few weeks ago, the USDA announced a campaign called “Know Your Farmer. Know Your Food.” At the launch of that, they announced they were going to have a farmers market outside of the White House. Also, Michelle Obama planted a garden at the White House. Certainly, if you go to any farmers markets in Kansas City you will see thousands of people there. And there are the local CSA (or community supported agriculture) models.

Could you explain CSAs and how they work?

At Hen House markets, they have a CSA program. Every week (during the growing season) you get a bag of locally grown or raised products — eggs, meat, fruits, vegetables, milk, any kind of item like that.

That’s important to local farmers because it ensures them a market, because then they know, for example, that they’ve got 50 families that are going to expect a bag of locally grown or raised products from them every week. It ensures them a regular revenue stream. That’s very important.

Not to be mean, but why should we care about whether they have a market?

The food choices that we make affect the viability or the strength of our local food system. If we are purchasing all of our food that is processed or raised elsewhere, we will very soon lose that capability to have any of those locally produced items.

Why will it be more nutritious?

The longer on the tree, the more nutrients they are going to have.

What do you want people to learn most?

We would hope that people can learn that it’s pretty easy to eat local. Now there are more grocery stores locally that are making local foods available. There are also many farmers markets and restaurants that feature local foods.

How do I know if a food I want to buy is local or not?

Most grocery stores now have a local food section, or an organic food section. Milk and eggs are two easy things to find in most grocery stores. You just have to look at the labels. For others, ask the grocery store manager.

Gretchen Kunkel

President of KC Healthy Kids, a charitable foundation committed to reducing childhood obesity and promoting fit and healthy kids

What’s important about the eat local challenge?

That there is an opportunity for people to make a commitment to buy local foods.

Why do you think most people haven’t?

I just think people haven’t thought about it, and once they hear about it they seem to be receptive to the idea. This is just an opportunity to raise awareness that you do have choices when you buy your foods.

What’s the biggest impediment to people eating more locally produced foods?

Availability.

Why aren’t they more available?

I don’t think we have an appropriate distribution system for getting those foods into people’s hands. And I don’t think people are aware where you can purchase those local foods.

How can people find out where to purchase locally produced foods?

Go to the www.eatlocalkc.net Web site. That will tell you the locations of local farmers markets, grocery stores and restaurants that feature local food, what’s fresh now and how you can get locally produced foods.

Diana Endicott

Farm-to-market coordinator for Good Natured Family Farms, an alliance of 150 family farms within 200 miles of Kansas City

How many stores is food from your Good Natured Family Farms co-op in now?

We started with one store in 1996 — the Hen House at 83rd and Mission. Thirteen years later, we’re now in 30 stores.

What do you hang your marketing hat on?

We hope people know that every time they buy Good Natured Family Farms products they can be assured that it’s coming from a local small family farm, it’s high quality, made with integrity and that the animals are all free-range and raised without any antibiotics or hormones. What we are trying to sell is a high quality local food that is raised in an environmentally friendly sort of way.

But can people really make a big difference if they just buy a little local food?

Let’s say you have 400,000 customers in the Kansas City metro area who shop at Hen House and Price Chopper stores. And let’s say that each one of those customers spent just $10 a week on local foods. That’s $4 million a week that’s being returned to your local economy.

Then if you take that times 52 weeks in a year, well, you can see how effective that could be. We can be less than 2 percent of the market and still provide a choice, and have an important impact on the community.

Leroy Shatto

Owner of Shatto Milk Co.

Why is it important for consumers to support local foods?

First and foremost, quality. Most foods come from miles away. By supporting local foods, you’re getting milk the same day it came from the cow.

Another is the relationship with the farmer. Whenever you buy a product from out of this region, you have no connection to where your food came from. Our farm is open to customers 365 days a year, and we have tours so people can see how our product is produced.

And by supporting local, you are truly supporting the local economy. The vast majority of money stays in this area and goes to supporting new jobs and purchasing goods and services from other local vendors.

Do a lot of customers come to your farm?

We host about 50,000 people a year. If anybody wants to come out, there’s a map on our Web site at www.shattomilk.com.

Do you make anything else besides milk?

We just started making aged cheeses. And then for the holidays, we have all the butter, the cream, and even a pumpkin-spice eggnog.

Terry Landes

Spokesman for Prairieland Dairy in Firth, Neb.

Why do you think customers should buy your dairy products?

The trend is for people to feel good about their food. And they know when they buy Good Natured Family Farms products you know exactly where that product comes from. You know how the cows have been treated, you know what the cows are fed.

But what if the only thing shoppers really care about is price?

We need to be able to provide products to people that they can afford. We try to stay within 25 to 50 cents per unit of the mass producers.

Why would anyone pay anything more?

The good thing about seeing Good Natured Family Farms on the label is you know it came right from a farm. You really can think of local food as having fewer moving parts. Less things to break down.

And it really means a lot to the farmers. Farmers are the most appreciative people of consumers purchasing their products.

To reach James A. Fussell, call 816-234-4460 or send e-mail to jfussell (@) kcstar.com.

© 2009 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com


===

For a bit of clarity, folks:
  • "Local" and "organic" are not synonymous (they don't mean the same thing, no matter how some may try to mingle the terms).
  • It's good to see the new coalition getting started, but KC's original Eat Local Challenge web site is a few years old (see http://www.EatLocalKC.com for background and other local initiatives).
  • CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is not just another marketing scheme - we have a broad spectrum of CSA program varieties to choose from in the Kansas City area (see http://www.KC-CSAC.org for more info).
  • A farm-organized CSA usually puts the grower and the eater face-to-face*, every week during the growing season. Ask important questions (Know Your Grower and Ask About Organic - http://www.KCFoodCircle.org) when you sign up for a CSA share.
    *
    The more common CSA model is designed to bring the eater into direct contact with their farmer, eliminating the “middle man.” Kansas City has a growing number of CSA farms where you and your family can visit the farm, get to know your farmer, and create a closer connection to where your food comes from.
...and
Something New from Beth Bader...

Why I Am Changing CSAs

Let me start off with the advice that CSAs are a fantastic thing. And, that I am searching for our next CSA. But just like the proverbial barrel of apples, one bad experience can detract from the others — if you let it.

It is rare that a CSA does NOT work out, but as more and more people embrace eating local, it can happen. Here's the story and how to make sure your CSA experience is positive.

We've had the same CSA for five years. In the beginning, it was like Christmas each week. Especially in July and August when a huge box filled with heirloom tomatoes was a weekly gift. We were pretty supportive of our farm and the fact that some of the best restaurants in town were building menus around the very same produce we were lucky to eat ourselves.

The farm flourished, expanding to sell meat and eggs and preserves. Building green houses and on the verge of offering a winter CSA (fresh, local lettuce in February!). Then, there were some family problems with the farm last year. The boxes got lighter. We saw the heirloom tomatoes on restaurant menus — from our farm — but we got few of them, and few of the other unique varieties.

My weekly trip to the farmers market for a few extra goodies turned from an optional trip to a requirement in order to get enough produce for the week, despite paying more each year.

The family split. We felt awful for them and figured the bad year was justifiable. We decided to stay another year and support them through this difficult time.

The cost of the CSA went up with gas prices, and stayed up. The boxes got lighter and lighter, despite a mild summer and a lot of rain. Some weeks, there was not enough produce in the box to serve for more than two meals for a family of three. On average, a CSA box should provide enough produce for a family of four for a week.

The pickup location moved to the lot where some of the restaurants the farm supplied were located. I saw items posted on their menus from our farm that were not in our packages. The heirloom tomatoes were absent for us. Instead, these special items were displayed in baskets on the pickup table and sold to other folks as a farmers market. Of course, we were welcome to pay extra for those heirloom tomatoes, dragon tongue beans, elephant garlic and exotic items — even though our deposits bought the seed and supplies.

Friends we had recommended the CSA to were complaining to us about it. One said she found store stickers on some of the peaches in her box. We talked to the farmer, she denied any problems and accused of us not wanting to support local farmers.

You see, restaurants do not pay up front. Sometimes they don't pay for weeks after a produce delivery, and some don't ever pay. Farms rely on CSA subscribers for up front money for the farm and a guaranteed income. CSA subscribers are the only secure income for these farms.

I took my extra money to my own farmers market to buy the other five days worth of fruits and vegetables for our week. When the CSA quit a week early, they also requested for us to be sure and sign up again for next year, the sooner the better for them. I hope they do well, I think they should probably just focus on the restaurant business since that is their priority.

I am looking for another CSA. I am NOT quitting the CSA process. I believe in it. I believe in family farms and supporting them. But a CSA is a partnership, and it has to be based on trust just like a friendship.

Joining a CSA is a new experience for first-timers. An adjustment. You pay up front, you don't get to choose what you get, you cook what comes ... it's hard enough to adjust for a lot of folks new to eating local without additional problems. But, trust me, once you make the adjustment, you'll never want to go back to the grocery store path. It's that good.

Here are some things you can do to make sure your CSA experience is a good one.

  • Talk to more than one CSA provider and get to know them a bit
  • Visit the farms if possible
  • Ask how many acres the farm has, how many subscriptions they will sell, and how many restaurants or other businesses they supply
  • Ask if they work with other farms, some do, to provide more variety and serve more subscribers
  • If you are excited by heirloom produce, ask if the farmer grows unique varieties
  • As them what an average box contains
  • Talk to other subscribers for several CSAs and ask them about their experience, or even trade photos of your weekly boxes to compare
  • If you can't commit to a weekly pickup, ask if the farm delivers, if not, you may be better off shopping at the farmers market
  • Do you have a pretty good idea how to cook most anything, or do you cook only from recipes? If you are not flexible in your cooking approach, you may be better off with the farmers market since it is more like shopping
  • Get recommendations on the best farms from your local food circle staff. They know everyone and may be able to help advise you on what farm is the best fit
By Beth Bader, Expatriates Kitchen

2009-11-17

FILM NIGHTS - - WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY? (All Souls UU, KCMO), FOOD, INC. (in Lawrence), 11th HOUR (at JCCC), FAIR FOOD (online), and



showing TONIGHT (Tuesday 11/17) at
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
4501 Walnut Street
Kansas City, Mo. 64111

The All Souls Documentary Series shows a film at 7p.m. each Tuesday. Our series emphasizes quality films with social justice themes that rarely make it to conventional movie theaters. Carolyn Macdonald long time coordinator of our locally recognized Forum lecture series facilitates this acclaimed documentary series in concert with a group of passionate volunteers.

Each screening is followed by a lively facilitated discussion. Admission is free and popcorn and snacks are available for a very nominal fee. No tickets or reservations are needed. The public is welcome. Join us!

http://www.allsoulskc.org/


###

IN LAWRENCE, KS...
a FREE film showing of

Food, Inc.

... with FREE food and over 50 raffle prizes!

(you can just watch Glee later on Hulu :)

Event details: Robert Kenner's revelatory documentary focuses on the industrialization of food production and how it has affected our health, environment and economy. It's a blistering indictment of giant food conglomerates such as Tyson and Monsanto, and a none-too-comforting look at how the FDA and USDA have been rendered powerless.

http://www.filmsforaction.org/

###

11th Hour
AT JCCC
(Johnson County Community College)

Type:
Education -
Network:
Global
Date:
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Time:
12:00pm - 8:00pm
Location:
12345 College Blvd.---Craig Auditorium (GEB 233)
TWO (2) SHOWINGS at CRAIG AUDITORIUM

12 (noon) with Q&A discussion afterwards
and
6:00pm + Q&A ...

Description

Leonardo DiCaprio's great documentary presents the topics of human ecology, environmental destruction and global climate change and how humans have directly and swiftly caused ecological change on a global scale. The films's initial goal is to raise awareness of the issues associated with these topics and their implications for the future, but the larger goal is to show that human's, as a species, can switch their implied role in nature from one that is dominant and hostile to it, to one that is integrated and beneficial to the one and only planet that is known to support life.
http://www.SEAJCCC.org/

###



Watch
FAIR FOOD: FIELD TO TABLE
online...
http://www.fairfoodproject.org/main/

The Project (in 3 parts)

“Fair Food: Field to Table” is a multimedia presentation promoting a more socially just food system in the U.S. It was created by California Institute for Rural Studies and Rick Nahmias Photography.

Through the stories and voices of farmworkers, growers, businesses and fair food advocates, viewers learn about the harsh realities of farmworker conditions and, more importantly, the promise of improved farm labor practices in American agriculture. The growing movement for “fair food” is tapping into rising consumer demand for food produced in accordance with their values.

###

2009-11-16

ACTION ALERT! - National Organic Coalition


Kansas Voters, please contact Pat Roberts on the HELP Committee.

http://roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EmailPat
in Washington, D.C.:
109 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1605
Phone: (202) 224-4774
Fax: (202) 224-3514


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Liana Hoodes <liana (@) hvc.rr.com>
Date: Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Subject: Food Safety Action Alert -- Act Now!

National Organic Coalition

ACTION ALERT!

November 16, 2009

FOOD SAFETY PROPOSALS MUST PROTECT FAMILY FARMS AND SUSTAINABLE & ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

CALL MEMBERS OF THE "HELP" COMMITTEE

BEFORE NOVEMBER 18!

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will mark up S. 510, the Senate version of major food safety legislation already approved by the House of Representatives, next Wednesday, November 18.

The bill focuses on foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, not meat and poultry which is regulated by USDA.

The bill includes several key reforms that would put real teeth into federal regulation of large-scale food processing corporations to better protect consumers. However, the bill as written would also do serious harm to family farming, local and regional food systems, conservation and wildlife protection, and organic farming.

The good news is the HELP committee could fix those problems with the adoption of some common sense provisions to retain a crack down on corporate bad actors while not in the same breath erecting dangerous new barriers to the growing healthy food movement based on small and mid-sized family farms, sustainable and organic production methods, and more local and regional food sourcing.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, joined by the National Organic Coalition, have fashioned just such a set of common sense provisions that must be added to S 510.

We urge you to contact your Senator on the HELP Committee (list below) and urge them to support the NSAC/NOC amendments!

It's easy to call. If your Senator is on the HELP Committee (see the list below), please call or fax their office and ask to speak with the aide in charge of food safety issues. You can also call the Capitol Switchboard and ask to be directly connected to your Senator's office: 202-224-3121.

The message is simple. "I am a constituent of Senator___________ and I am calling to ask him/her to support the proposals for amendments to S 510 offered by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the National Organic Coalition.

Specifically, ask them to support the following key principles:

§ The bill should provide small and mid-sized family farms that market value-added farm products with training and technical assistance in developing food safety plans for their farms.

§ The bill should direct FDA to narrow the kinds of farm activities subject to FDA control and to base those regulations on sound risk analysis. (Current FDA rules assume, without any scientific evidence or risk analysis, that all farms which undertake any one of a long list of processing, labeling or packaging activities should be regulated.)

§ The bill should direct FDA to ease compliance for organic farmers by integrating the FDA standards with the organic certification rules. FDA compliance should not jeopardize a farmer's ability to be organically certified under USDA's National Organic Program.

§ The bill should insist that FDA food safety standards and guidance that will not contradict federal conservation, environmental, and wildlife standards and practices, and not force the farmer to choose which federal agency to obey and which to reject.

§ Farmers who sell directly to consumers should not be required to keep records and be part of a federal "traceback" system. All other farms should not be required to maintain records electronically or records beyond the first point of sale beyond the farmgate.

For more information on the Senate Food Safety bill, please see NSAC's Talking Points here: http://sustainableagriculture.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/NSAC-S-510-Talking-Points-11-10-09.pdf

and its Policy Brief Food Safety on the Farm: http://sustainableagriculture.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/NSAC-Food-Safety-Policy-Brief-October-2009.pdf

List of Senate HELP Committee Members

Senator Phone Fax

Democrats

Tom Harkin (IA) 202-224-3254 No fax

Chris Dodd (CT) 202-224-2823 202-224-1083

Barbara Mikulski (MD) 202-224-4654 202-224-8858

Jeff Bingaman (NM) 202-224-5521 No fax

Patty Murray (WA) 202-224-2621 202-224-0238

Jack Reed (RI) 202-224-4642 202-224-4680

Bernie Sanders (VT) 202-224-5141 202-228-0776

Sherrod Brown (OH) 202-224-2315 202-228-6321

Bob Casey (PA) 202-224-6324 202-228-0604

Kay Hagan (NC) 202-224-6342 202-228-2563

Jeff Merkley (OR) 202-224-3753 202-228-3997

Al Franken (MN) 202-224-5641 No fax

Michael Bennet (CO) 202-224-5852 202-228-5036

Senator Phone Fax

Republicans

Mike Enzi (WY) 202-224-3424 202-228-0359

Judd Gregg (NH) 202-224-3324 No fax

Lamar Alexander (TN) 202-224-4944 202-228-3398

Richard Burr (NC) 202-224-3154 202-228-2981

Johnny Isakson (GA) 202-224-3643 202-228-0724

Orrin Hatch (UT) 202-224-5251 202-224-6331

Pat Roberts (KS) 202-224-4774 202-224-3514

Tom Coburn (OK) 202-224-5754 202-224-6008

Lisa Murkowski (AK) 202-224-6665 202-224-5301


Contact Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Liana Hoodes
National Organic Action Plan
National Organic Coalition
3540 Route 52
Pine Bush, NY 12566
Phone and Fax: 845-744-2304

www.NationalOrganicCoalition.org
Liana (@) hvc.rr.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2009-11-13

Funky Friday Farmers Market at BADSEED - FRIDAYS in the CROSSROADS



Howdy Friends, Eaters, & Connoisseurs of the Freshest Local Flavors in Town -

I hope you are "GNAWING AT THE BIT" with hunger because this Friday from 4-8 PM @ the BADSEED Farmers Market we will be bursting at the seams with Vendors and all those glorious "fruits of their labor". Dan and I had to illegally usurp the back portion of the building (a part that we don't technically rent) just to make room for all these crazy farmers. Hopefully the landlords won't notice until all your bellies are sufficiently stuffed!!

So, since there are so many Growers & Goodies to mention, I will spare you of my usual "farm up-dates" and "culinary rantings" and get straight to the point:


- THIS WEEK'S ORGANIC OFFERINGS -


NEW VENDOR ALERT (be sure to give her hell and break her in right...) -

Laura from BLUE DOOR FARM - An Urban Farm in KCK

*Laura is a wicked-cool lady and a damn good urban grower. She will be decked out with some mouth-watering veggies including "Romaine and Red Summer Crisp Lettuce Heads,Kohlrabi, Broccoli (super tasty, but limited quantities), Hakurei Turnips (they are gorgeous), Shunkyo Radishes (my favorite radish - sort of a sweet/mild, neon pink daikon), Swiss Chard, Sorrel (a wonderful, lemony green - look up sorrel soup recipes and be amazed..., also great for salads or omelets). limited quantities this week, Parsley (italian flat leaved variety, good as an herb or a cooking green). limited quantities this week".

And from your usual gang of gregarious growers:

** The BADSEED's will have Sinfully Succulent Greens including Arugula, Dino Kale, Winter Bore Kale, seductive Rainbow Chard, sexy Salad Mixes and our famous Asian "Stir- Fry" Mix. Guilty pleasures will include creamy and oh so sweet SWEET POTATOES, andBodacious Beets.....and last but not least, Edible Flowers & Herbs.

** Lew Edminster, The Herb "N" Gardener is back this week with one last "SEASON FINALE" of Glorious Greens including Arugula, Salad Mixes, Mesclun Mixes, Giant SAGE Bundles, and more.....

** Steve Mann with Platte Prairie Farms will have radical ROOTS including Beets, Turnips, Rutabagas, and more. Not to mention grains, nuts, and locally sourced bulk goods. www.prairietrading.com

** Alice & Marvin of Western Hills Produce will have a mind-boggling spread of Baked Delights including Pies, Cookies, Cinnamon Rolls, Breads, and Specialty Loaves all made from their very own fresh-ground wheat!!! They will also have Canned Goods, and Farm-FreshProduce

** Paul & Judy Miller with OYSTER & SHITAKE MUSHROOMS and free-Range EGGS from Warrensburg,MO. Take advantage of this totally gourmet addition to the local bounty!!!
** John Wilhelm with locally foraged WALNUTS & PECANS from Grandview,MO. Go nuts...
** Stan & Carmen of Bigg Blue Farm with Easter Egg Radishes, Mustard Mixes, Flavorful Green Onions, and Scallions from the rich earth of Mosby,MO

** Pov Hun with Hun's Garden, an Urban Farm in KCK. That's right folks - CRAZY POV IS BACK!!...with his usual array of wicked Asian Greens, Fresh GINGER, Succulent Winter Squash in Butternut, Acorn, and Spaghetti, Heirloom Pumpkins, colorful Gourds, and Hoop House TOMATOES!!!
** Kim Wells of Wells Family Farm will be out of control with her usual selection of Certified Organic Grass-finished BEEF cuts...including steaks, roasts, ground-beef, jerky, and specialty cuts. Kim does personalized pre-orders too! Talk to her if you would like something special. www.wellsfamilyfarms.com

** Green Dirt Farm will have an impressive variety of Farmstead SHEEP'S MILK CHEESES!! Types of artisan cheese include bloomy-rind aged cheeses, washed rind aged cheeses, and a wide selection of fresh cheeses. They will also have 100% Grass-fed LAMB in loin chops, shanks, ground, french racks, and more. www.greendirtfarm.com

** Bread of Life Bakery will have your usual favorite, everyday Sandwich Loaves and Sweet Treats, as well as Specialty Breads and Farm-Fresh BROWN EGGS www.breadoflifebakery.net

** Harry of PUDDIN' HEAD will hook you up with the best micro-roasted, fair-trade/organic, totally outrageous COFFEE in town. You can gulp guilt free as this coffee is ethically produced and harvested. www.puddinheadcoffee.com

...and lets not forget those beautiful wood-turned items from Carol at "Knot Perfect"!!!

There you have it! What a mouth-watering mouthful.

On behalf of myself and my totally righteous Farmers:

"We look forward to Feeding You this Friday @ the BADSEED!"



Sincerely,

Brooke

-farmer and mistress of the BADSEED



BADSEED
An Urban-Organic Farm & Market
Celebrating Local Food, Culture, and Community

1909 McGee*KCMO*64108

See you this Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM



2009-11-06

FOOD FIGHT at Liberty Hall on 11/12 -&- JCCC - FRIDAY the 13th of NOVEMBER




Revolution never tasted so good...

Chris Taylor, director of FOOD FIGHT, will be in town the week of November 11th to promote his new film.

Local screenings are currently scheduled at:

Check out www.LibertyHall.net for other shows and events.

Watch for future Kansas City area FOOD FIGHT screening events.
and