by Paul Kashmann
Statistics show that
Coloradans
produce but a small fraction of the food consumed in the state, leaving
us at
the mercy of an increasingly expensive and environmentally questionable
food
transport system, not to mention the vagaries of our national
marketplace, to
meet our need for life-giving sustenance.
GROW LOCAL WANTS TO TEACH YOU HOW YOU CAN BE THE SOURCE for more of the food that ends up on your family’s table. Join in the Grow Local Day potluck event set for May 14, and ask questions about and share ideas on living a sustainable lifestyle.
Grow Local Colorado was
created in 2008 through a partnership of Transition Denver, the Mile
High
Business Alliance, Living Earth Center and Denver Botanic Gardens with a
three-pronged goal of identifying local food sources, encouraging the
development of new sources and raising awareness of the benefits of an
improved
local foodshed.
In
2009 Grow Local Colorado received support from Mayor John Hickenlooper
who declared May 14 as Grow Local Day, and invited GLC members to
plant
a demonstration vegetable garden by the historic McNichols
Building in Civic Center Park.
This year, GLC has been
asked by Denver Parks & Recreation to expand the program to four
more
Denver parks: Civic Center; Highlands Park
near 32nd
Ave. & Federal Blvd.; Highland Gateway,
at 20th
St. & Central St.; and Berkeley Park at Sheridan Blvd. &
W. 46th Ave. The food produced will be donated to several local
nonprofit groups, which provide food aid to those in need.
“The purpose of the Grow
Local Colorado campaign is to promote local food, local economy and
local
community,” said GLC spokeswoman Dana Miller. “These gardens support our
mission beautifully. First, we want to demonstrate how beautiful edible
agriculture can be, and second, of course, to show people how easy it is
to
grow your own food.”
Growing
Our Urban AgriCULTURE, a spring potluck
and
networking party, is slated for this year’s Grow Local Day
celebration,
Fri., May 14, 6-9p.m., at Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Dr.
“This will be a great way
to connect with others interested in the urban agriculture movement, and
get
the word out about your projects and passions,” said Miller. Interested
participants are encouraged to “think Colorado” when considering what to
bring
– dishes made with food from local growers, wine from Colorado wineries
and the like.
Growing Our Urban AgriCULTURE
is a zero waste event: bring your own
plate, silverware, glass and napkin.
To
volunteer to assist with a GLC garden or the Grow Local Day celebration
or for
info, call Dana Miller at 303-300-3547 or visit www.GrowLocalColorado.org. |
