Eat Local, Kalamazoo!

Eat Local, Kalamazoo is in its fifth year and the season's events are well underway. From cooking workshops to independent films about food, there are many exciting opportunities to take part in this year's festivities. More details about these events will be added soon. You can also visit the Fair Food Matters Events Calendar for more information.

Events

"Meet the Chef" events

Have fun, talk to food professionals and try new things at these fun, interactive events!

• "Incorporating Fresh Fruits & Vegetables into Your Daily Fare"
  with Hether Frayer
  Wednesday, January 11 (2 p.m., repeats at 5 p.m.)
  Portage District Library
• "Traditional Breads for Saint Patrick's Day" with Maria Brennan
  Thursday, February 9 (2 p.m., repeats at 5 p.m.)
  Victorian Bakery (116 W. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo)
• "Taste of Mexican Hospitality" (2012 Reading Together Event)
  Wednesday, March 28 (6 p.m.); For all ages!
  First Baptist Church, 315 W. Michigan Ave. (Kalamazoo)

$5 fee for each, registration required. For more information, visit the PDL website. To register, please call 269-329-4542 ext. 600. Presented by the Portage District Library and Fair Food Matters.

Food: One Family at a Time (new exhibit)
December 9, 2011 - January 29, 2012
Portage District Library

This is an exhibit that demonstrates the work done by several local and international organizations to teach people how to better grow and prepare their own food. These organizations are helping people to help themselves by using knowledge and understanding of local conditions and resources. Where appropriate, they also supply improved seed and animal varieties and more productive farming methods attuned to local conditions.

About Eat Local, Kalamazoo

Eat Local, Kalamazoo, a program of Fair Food Matters, is a season-long series of events designed to increase the community's awareness of and appreciation for local food. Information on events for 2011 is coming soon! Eat Local, Kalamazoo is led by a committee of area businesses and non-profit organizations, and is sponsored by:

View past Eat Local, Kalamazoo sponsors and find out how your business or organization can become a sponsor. There are many ways for individuals and groups to support Fair Food Matters and it's various programs. Click here for more information.

Want to help?

Fair Food Matters is always looking for enthusiastic volunteers for our various events, such as its Fair Food Food Fair committee (to help plan our major fundraiser, held in November), its Eat Local, Kalamazoo committee, and a student-intern for its Future Chefs program (to help teens who aspire to be chefs). To find out more about these opportunities, please contact us at info@fairfoodmatters.org.

Purchase a T-shirt

Help spread the word and show your support for Fair Food Matters with our colorful T-shirts. Check out available sizes and colors and order online.

Past ELK Events

Fair Food Food Fair
Saturday, November 19, 2011, 6:00 - 9:00PM
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2nd Annual Fair Food Food Fair! Special thanks to our chefs, sponsors, volunteers, performers, auction donors, and MC Gordon Evans. Congratulations to Zazios, the winner of this year's Golden Ladle Award! Chef John Korycki and his staff prepared a goat-cheese-and-pear-stuffed tortellini with butternut squash sauce and sage. The local ingredients included cheese from Mattawan Creamery, pears from Dick's Orchards (Lawrence), and squash from Visser Farms (Zeeland).

"Make Your Own Baby Food"
Wednesday, November 9, 1:30PM
Oshtemo Branch Library, 7265 W. Main St.

Making your own baby food is economical and surprisingly easy! Learn about the benefits of homemade food for your baby, the supplies you'll need to get started, and how to store the foods you've prepared.

Meet the Chef: Basics with a Twist: Life and Food at Brickyard Farms
Thursday, November 3, 2:00PM & repeated at 5:00PM
Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane in Portage

Writer and farmer, Kim Sanwald, is the author of Basics with a Twist: Life and Food at Brickyard Farms. As she talks about her transition from urban life to life on a working farm, she will demonstrate three healthy, hardy soups using produce from her farm. Register by calling 269-329-4542 ext 600 starting Wednesday, October 19, 9:00AM. There is a $5 fee at the door.

"Urban Roots" film screening
Sunday, October 23, 2 - 4:00PM
Texas Township Campus of KVCC
Room 4240, 6767 West O Ave

Celebrate National Food Day as "Eat Local, Kalamazoo" presents a free screening of the new documentary film "Urban Roots". Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The film, directed by Detroit native Mark MacInnis, tells the story of how urban agriculture is transforming Detroit from a "post-industrial" icon to a stronger, healthier, more self-reliant community. A Q&A session with the director will follow the screening. This event is presented by Fair Food Matters, the International Studies program of KVCC, the Michigan Land Trustees, and the Office for Sustainability at WMU. More information about the film can be found here.

Celebrate National Food Day
Monday, October 24th 6-9pm
Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative
1249 Portage Rd, Kalamazoo

Come celebrate National Food Day with Kalamazoo Cooks! Culinary Programs, Fair Food Matters, and the Fresh Food Fairy! Chef Demos, Food Tastings, Local Art, Open Mic, Live Music, Education, A visit from the Fresh Food Fairy, The Reading of the Mayoral Proclamation, and much more! Share your life with food at the 7pm open mic. Read from your food diary, share a poem, sing a song, present a monologue...if it's about food, we wanna hear it! A nonperishable food donation is requested upon entry. Find out more about National Food Day at FOODDAY.ORG.

Lord of the Gourd
Monday, October 17, 2 - 7:00PM (Oshtemo Branch Library, 7265 W Main St in Kalamazoo)
Thursday, October 20, 2 - 7:00PM (Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 S Rose St in Kalamazoo)

Carving Completely Edible Meals - Watch a professional pumpkin sculptor play with his food! Pat Harrison specializes in carving completely edible meals- fruits and vegetables that are carved into whimsical designs, then often cooked and eaten. This time of year he specializes in oddly-shaped pumpkins.

Meet the Chef: Bravo Restaurant and Cafe
Tuesday, October 4, 2:00PM & repeated at 5:00PM
Bravo Restaurant and Cafe, 5402 Portage Rd.

Chef Shawn Hagen will demonstrate how to make delectable dishes using produce and products from local farmers and businesses. Register by calling 269-329-4542 ext 600 starting Tuesday, September 14 at 9:00 AM. There is a $5 fee at the door.

Meet the Chef: The New People's Food Co-op
Tuesday, September 27, 2:00PM & Repeated at 5:00PM
Can-Do Kitchen at 511 Harrison St.

Cooks from the newly expanded People's Food Co-op will show off techniques and hand out samples of freshly created salads and dips at the new Poeple's Food Co-op. Demonstrations will happen in the Can-Do Kitchen, a food business incubator and project of Fair Food Matters, and tours will be given of the new store. Come sample fresh, delicious creations. Space is limited. Register by calling 269-329-4542 ext 600 starting September 6 at 9:00 AM. There is a $5 fee at the door.

SW Michigan Community Harvest Fest

THANK YOU all for your support of the 2011 Southwest Michigan Community Harvest Fest! This year's event was fantastic, with almost 1,500 people in attendance, beautiful weather, great exhibitors, presentations, music and food, and a wonderful community to share it with. Thanks and see you next year! Visit the Harvest Fest website for more information about Harvest Fest.

Canning Classes through September
July through September, Can-Do Kitchen at People's Food Co-op

Enjoy home or locally grown food year round! Join canning guru and aquafarmer Lori Evesque and learn to can safely and effectively so you can confidently preserve food for your family. Beginner classes will cover the basics, from equipment and safety to techniques and recipes, with a focus on vegetable and fruit products. Advanced classes will offer a refresher of the basics for those who have some canning experience, plus more advanced recipes and techniques. Classes are held in the Can-Do Kitchen at 511 Harrison St in the new People's Food Co-op. Click here for further details.

Rain Barrel Demonstration
Thursday, August 25, 6:30PM
Trybal Revival Gardens, 1400 & 1500 block of East Michigan Ave

Did you know that over 1,000 gallons of water runs off of the average roof (1,700 ft) in every normal rain storm event? Just think what you could do with all of that FREE WATER! Find out how easy it is to build your own rain barrel. Come see a FREE demonstration by Aj Brucks (Van Buren Conservation District) at Trybal Revival Gardens where two systems for managing storm water are already in the works. Rain Barrel Kits available for purchase ($35) at event.

Can-Do Kitchen Grand Opening
Saturday, August 6th, 2:00 - 7:00pm, 511 Harrison
(inside the new People's Food Co-op)

Tour our brand new facility! Meet our food entrepreneurs and taste samples of their creations! Come watch a Chef Showdown! Two local chefs compete for the best dish, using a mystery local ingredient. Shadow them as they shop at the Food Co-op, watch as they prepare three dishes, and vote for your favorite. Help us Close our $44,765 Gap! We have almost reached our goal and your donation today or at the Grand Opening will propel us there.

Author Sheri Repucci
Tuesday, July 19, Washington Square Branch, Kalamazoo Public Library

Plant a garden of delicious, organic vegetables, herbs and edible flowers with the guidance of Easy Edibles, Repucci's complete introduction to growing edibles organically in the lower Great Lakes region. Includes tips for cooking, storing and preserving your harvest, plus some delicious, simple recipes. Cosponsored by Fair Food Matters.

Canning Demonstration
Wednesday, June 8, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., Parchment Library

Be healthy, wealthy and wise - learn how to preserve the harvest through home canning! Lori Evesque of Tillers International will offer a canning demonstration, including a discussion on canning methods, safety issues, etc. Each registrant will leave with a small jar of pickled asparagus. Lori has taught canning for Fair Food Matters and Farm & Garden. We have space for 20 registrants. Pre-payment of $5.00 required at registration at the library. No phone or Internet registrations. Suitable for ages 16 & older. Call 343-7747 for more information. Visit the Parchment Library website for library information.

June Art Hop
Friday, June 3, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., People's Food Co-op

Join People's Food Co-op and Fair Food Matters' Can-Do Kitchen for the first Art Hop event at the new building at 507 Harrison St. The Can-Do Kitchen will be open for tours with samples from our very own food entrepreneurs, local wine, and information about our program. Please stop in for a "Taste" of the sparkling new Can-Do! Enjoy the Art Hop at People's Food Co-op as they host the Kalamazoo Open Roads Bike Program, creators of PFC's new bike racks, made with recycled bike parts. Bike racks and refurbished bikes will be available for purchase. This is your chance to see the new People's Food Co-op and Can-Do Kitchen. See you there!

Everything But The Beak
Wednesday, June 1, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.,
Portage District Library

Eat Local, Kalamazoo will take people back to grandmother's kitchen with the chicken-preparation workshop "Everything But the Beak." This event is free of charge and open to everyone, and no registration is necessary. Under the guidance of Chef Channon Mondoux, participants in this workshop will learn how to truss a chicken for roasting, properly cut up a chicken, and prepare a variety of dishes using the entire bird. In addition to gaining a vast amount of time-tested knowledge, participants will enjoy tasty samples of various chicken parts. Tillers International is also offering a more detailed, day-long class on this subject on Sunday, June 12. Find out more or register online here.

Open House at the Growing Matters Garden
Saturday, May 21, 2011, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Growing Matters Garden, where Fair Food Matters got its start, celebrated their 10th anniversary! Visitors got to see the Growing Matters Garden, learned more about organic gardening, met some of our young clients, and enjoyed food made from local, seasonal ingredients. Plus they had mini gardening workshops, a small farmers' market, music, and lots of activities for kids - including the Kalamazoo Nature Center's "Birds of Prey."

Setting the Table for Julia Child
Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m, Portage Public Library

Thank you to David Strauss for his presentation and book preview "Setting the Table for Julia Child: Gourmet Dining in America, 1934-1961" on May 3rd at the Kalamazoo Public Library. Strauss' historical perspective on the creation of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) and popular public television series "The French Chef" made for a very interesting, and sometimes, comical presentation. To read more about his book and purchase a copy, visit this site.

Top 5 Reasons to Eat Local!

1. Taste: Fresher is often better than produce that's traveled hundreds even thousands of miles. Or been bred and sprayed to travel.
2. Economy: If Michigan residents spent $10/week on local foods, over $37 million/week would cycle back into our state. And supporting your local economy is just plain smart.
3. Health: Variety and freshness equals nutrient power. Local foods also shorten the accountability chain and safeguard your health.
4. Environment: Whats not to like about food requiring less fossil fuel and supporting sustainable farming?
5. Community Spirit: You can find out who produced your food, where your food was produced, how it was produced and under what conditions. What you eat begins to have a story in which you take part - a story that includes growers, neighbors and friends.