Comments on: Journey to the Center of Safe Food Earth

By: Larisa Sparrowhawk

Larisa Sparrowhawk — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:46:57 +0000

I moved 2 years ago from Virginia, was Secretary of VICFA and know everyone in the post except Bill. I moved to rural Oregon, where I thought everyone has a homestead with a few chickens and a garden. I was dismayed to find that even before the recession, one in six people here was on public assistance, that food stamps can be used at gas stations (for chips and soda!) and that even the homesteaders who rely on their products to feed their families are not politically active in protecting their food rights. It is a struggle to help people understand why they should care. I will be screening Fresh at the community center a block away from my local food store and I hope it will generate some press and serious discussion. I often miss my Virginia friends! If you can get Kathryn Russell on your blog again, definitely do so. She is a gem… very intelligent, very feisty. Other people who would be good to talk to from VICFA: Dick Stevens, who has donated a huge amount of time and money fighting NAIS. Also VICFA’s long time legal expert (although she’ll modestly deny she’s an expert in anything), Christine Solem, who shares a farm with John Coles. She has been to court over and over again for her own – and other peoples’ rights to sell or give away raw milk cheese and often uses her own money to help others. I believe she is the originator of the goat share concept, and I know she is the originator of the idea of giving away goat cheese and posting a sign asking people if they would like to donate to their legal defense fund. God, I miss them. Awwww, this post is making me homesick!

By: Amy Webb

Amy Webb — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:30:21 +0000

Great Post.

I live in Cville and was fortunate to see Fresh last week followed by a panel discussion which included one of the stars of the film – Joel Salatin – among other knowledgeable local folks doing a lot on this issue. I also caught Food Inc at the Vin. Hill. I feel truly grateful to live and be raising my children here (for many other reasons too).

Now we just have to figure out how to 1) get the message out further and 2) deliver better, real food to the other 99.9% of the US population, particularly those who live in dense urban areas and poorer communities which are under served even by standard grocery stores.
.-= Amy Webb´s last blog ..Get Fresh! =-.

By: Joanne of Open Mind

Joanne of Open Mind — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:07:35 +0000

Unfortunately, government isn’t about being “less burdensome.” They’re about increasing corporate coffers.

Charlottesville sounds heavenly. I feel so alone here in Erie.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:24:36 +0000

I'm so sorry I missed it! I don't live terribly far away, and I would have loved to be there. Hopefully next year! .-= Rachel´s last blog ..Wild Fermentation =-.

By: Local Nourishment

Local Nourishment — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:44:12 +0000

Charlottesville just moved to the top of my "retirement venues" list! .-= Local Nourishment´s last blog ..July 2009 Summary =-.