June 24, 2008
New Farmers Market Opens
Come by the new Locally Grown Farmers Market at the Quincy Mall on Thursday afternoons from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. The market is located behind the mall at the NE corner parking lot next to 36th Street in Quincy. Tri-State Local Food Policy Council and WISAS members Dave Moore and Mike Roegge assisted the Quincy Mall in getting the market up and running. So far the market has been a huge success. The number of farmers participating increases each week, but they sell out quick. So if you want the best selection, you will need to get there early. This is a locally grown market, only food grown locally can be sold.Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 3:51 PM | Permalink |
June 5, 2008
Joint Meeting to be Held
Join us June 10, 2008 for a joint meeting between the Tri-State Local Food Policy Council and the Food Initiatives Group (FIG) out of Macomb. The groups will be discussing opportunites for collaboration as we both work on the development of a local food system. The meeting gets underway at 6:00 pm at Lake Argyle State Park in Colchester, IL. Attendees are asked to bring a favorite dish to share and their own table service. Grilling will also be available so everyone is welcome to bring their own hamburger, veggie burger, or similar product to grill. Beverages will be provided. For more information contact Brenda Derrick at derrickb@uiuc.edu.Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 1:54 PM | Permalink |
May 29, 2008
4th Annual Locally Grown FoodFest
Mark your calendars now for the 4th Annual Locally Grown FoodFest on Saturday August 2, 2008 in Washington Park in historic downtown Quincy, IL. Starting at 7 am with the Farmers Market the FoodFest celebrates the importance of local food, farms and businesses in the Tri-State area.
The popular Chefs Competition will be held again this year where area chefs will shop at the farmers market and then have 45 minutes to prepare and dazzle the judges and audience with their culinary talents.
You can show off your green thumb by entering the annual tomato contest. Prizes will be awarded for the heaviest, sweetest and best dressed tomatoes. You can also submit your salsa made from locally grown tomatoes in the Salsa contest. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 entries.
The FoodFest is a great place to meet and talk to local farmers at the Quincy Farmers Market about their fresh produce and locally-raised meat products. Activities for kids and families, great food, informational booths, fun contests and live entertainment will be available throughout the day.
To find out more about the Locally Grown FoodFest call the U of I Extension office at 223-8380 or watch for updates at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/adamsbrown/localgrown/421.html
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 4:58 PM | Permalink |
April 28, 2008
Featured in Hannibal Magazine
Kuddos goes to Tri-State Local Food Policy Council member Nan Poage-Prater for a great article featured in the May 2008 issue of Hannibal Magazine. Nan not only discussed the upcoming season of the Hannibal Farmers Market, but also highlighted the efforts of the food policy council. The magazine is a monthly publication that reaches residents of Marion County, New London, and Monroe City, Missouri. Thanks Nan!Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 10:41 AM | Permalink |
March 25, 2008
Listening Session to be Held in Quincy
LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT "Listening Session"
Wednesday, April 9th at 7 pm at the University of Illinois Extension – Adams County office 330 S. 36th St. in Quincy, IL
We are requesting your help in shaping the future of an Illinois-based farmer to consumer agricultural system. In 2007, the Illinois General Assembly enacted The Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act. This Bill authorized Governor Blagojevich to appoint a 32-member Task Force, charged with putting together a plan to enhance an efficient and fully functioning Illinois local and organic, food and fiber system. Task Force recommendations will be considered by the Illinois General Assembly in 2009.
Listening sessions are being held at various locations statewide to gather recommendations on production, infrastructure, public access, public education, and economic benefits that can be derived from Illinois farmers directly serving their neighbor's needs. If you have interest in helping to create the future of Illinois' local and organic food or the building of any part of a farm to neighbor agricultural system, your expertise is needed now.
We invite you to become a part of this exciting opportunity by meeting with Task Force members on Wednesday, April 9th at 7 pm at the University of Illinois Extension – Adams County office at 330 S. 36th St. in Quincy and sharing your experiences, information, and opinions about participating in (or desiring to participate in) an Illinois food and fiber network.
Some key questions for consideration:
1. What opportunities in local food and fiber do you envision can be derived from Illinois' rich agricultural soils?
2. What obstacles do you see for your farm or business that hinder the development or expansion of farmer to consumer networks?
3. What do you as a consumer of Illinois agricultural products envision or want to see changed?
4. What policy changes as a farmer, businessperson, or consumer would you like made at the State level to help you begin, increase the efficiency of, or complete your endeavor?
5. Are there legal impediments that now hinder you?
6. What else must be done to help you reach your goal of providing, distributing, or purchasing Illinois farm products?
If you want to participate in creating 21st Century farmer to consumer networks in Illinois that will satisfy consumer demand, create jobs, provide economic opportunity, and revitalize Illinois' rural communities, please join us at this listening session. For more information, contact Task Force Coordinators: Jim Braun 515/229-2679 jbraun2525@yahoo.com or Debbie Hillman 847/328-7175 DLHillman@sbcglobal.net
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 10:27 AM | Permalink |
January 29, 2008
Governor Blagojevich calls first meeting of the Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force
Group will work to expand local markets for Illinois-grown fruits and vegetables
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today a new state task force will begin work to create a comprehensive food production and distribution system to expand the availability of Illinois-grown produce. The Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force will meet this Wednesday, January 30 at 10 a.m. in the Illinois Department of Agriculture auditorium.
"Our state is one of the nation's leading producers of agricultural products, but imports more than 90 percent of its food," Gov. Blagojevich said. "If we could develop a system to satisfy consumers' demand for organic and locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables and keep food sales in-state, we'd have a tremendous opportunity to improve the health of our diets and revitalize rural communities."
The task force consists of 31 members and includes organic farmers, specialty crop producers, food processors and distributors, a consumer, a food retailer and representatives of the state departments of Agriculture, Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Human Services. Its charge is to make policy and funding recommendations for expanding and supporting a state local and organic food system and for identifying obstacles to an increase in locally-grown and organic food production.
"Food travels an average of 1,500 miles before it reaches Illinois consumers," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. "Our challenge is to become more self-sufficient and to make Illinois produce more readily available, especially in inner-city neighborhoods where fresh fruits and vegetables often are in short supply."
The Illinois Food, Farms and Jobs Act, which Gov. Blagojevich signed into law on Agriculture Day at the 2007 Illinois State Fair, created the task force. Legislative sponsors of the act were Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston). "This task force was born out of a grass roots, statewide coalition that was motivated to take new and innovative approaches to producing and distributing local and organic foods in Illinois," Rep. Hamos said. "I'm looking forward to seeing the policy and funding recommendations presented by this diverse committee of hands-on experts."
The task force will submit its plan to the General Assembly by Sept. 1, 2008.
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 11:46 AM | Permalink |
January 24, 2008
Change in meeting time
Beginning with the February meeting, The Tri-State Food Policy Council will now meet at 3:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. The location of the meetings continue to be determined on a month-to-month basis. Please call Brenda at 217-223-8380 or email derrickb@uiuc.edu for the location of the February meeting.Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 11:26 AM | Permalink |
January 16, 2008
Small Acreage Workshop
Wondering what to do with that 5 or 10 acres? This may be the opportunity to learn about all kinds of interesting, economically beneficial opportunities for you and your family. This program will offer ideas for both existing producers and those looking for potential opportunities. Breakout sessions will include: Timber, nuts and shiitake mushrooms; Culinary herbs; Dairy goats and haired sheep; Hoophouses; Beekeeping; Personal values; Poultry; Legal issues and Marketing.
The program will be offered on Thursday evening, Feb. 7th, from 5-9 pm at the Adams County Extension office, 330 S. 36th St. Quincy, IL. Cost is $30 per person, which includes dinner. Pre-registration is required. Click here to register online.
Posted by Carrie Edgar at 12:17 PM | Permalink |
December 21, 2007
Plan to Attend
A one-day workshop for anyone interested in strengthening their community and its economy by creating a vibrant local food system is being offered.
You will have a choice of two dates and two locations to attend "Strategies for Building Locally Based Food Systems in Illinois Communities". The dates of the one-day workshop are February 11, 2008 at Starved Rock Lodge State Park in Utica, Illinois or February 13, 2008 at University of Illinois Springfield in Springfield, llinois.
Participants will learn to: 1) Assess the state of the food system in their region, 2) Access existing knowledge about local food system activities and initiatives in Illinois, 3) Identify activities and projects that can help communities get started in building a locally based food system, and 4) Explore roles for Extension and key stakeholders in the food system.
The cost is $30 per person and covers lunch (featuring local food), snacks and beverages and a copy of the Resource Guide, "Beyond the Farmers' Market: Planning for Local Food Systems."
To register, contact Dee Davis (University of Illinois Laboratory for Community and Economic Development staff) at 217-244-0120 or deedavis@uiuc.edu. Registration is limited so register early to save your spot.
Deadline to register is FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2008.
Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 10:19 AM | Permalink |
December 10, 2007
Change in food policy council meeting date
The next meeting of the Tri-State Food Policy Council has been changed for the month of December ONLY. We will NOT be meeting on Tuesday December 11, 2007 at 7:00 pm. Instead, we will be meeting on Wednesday December 12, 2007 at 5:00 pm in the Adams-Brown Unit office. WISAS (Western Illinois Sustainable Ag Society) will be hosting a potluck at 6:00 pm that evening followed by their meeting. Policy council members are invited to attend the WISAS potluck and WISAS meeting. If you plan on attending the potluck you are asked to bring a covered dish to share (made from local food, if possible).
In January we will return to our regular meeting schedule. The schedule is the second Tuesday of the month, 3:00 pm in odd months, and 7:00 pm in even months, here at our office at 330 South 36th Street in Quincy, IL.
Posted by Brenda E. Derrick at 11:16 AM | Permalink |
