Local Table - A Guide To Food And Farming In Middle Tennessee

Posts Tagged ‘Community Food Advocates’

2012 Real Food Hall of Fame Winners Announced

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

The Real Food Hall of Fame Selection Committee is pleased to announce the inductees of the 2012 Real Food Hall of Fame. The inductees represent food system leaders and organizations that exemplify what it means to end hunger and work for a healthy, just and sustainable food system.

This year’s inductees are:
· Jeremy Barlow, chef and owner, Tayst and Sloco Restaurants; nationally-recognized champion of environmentally responsible restaurants
· Shawn Dady, founder and president, Tennessean’s for Raw Milk
Martha Stamps, chef and long-time local food advocate, Martha Stamps Catering
· Society of St. Andrew premier gleaning organization in Middle Tennessee, working with farmers, volunteers and feeding agencies to help feed hungry Americans

The Committee is also pleased to recognize the winners of the Real Food Emerging Leader Awards, individuals relatively new to food system work who have made significant contributions to Nashville’s food system. Congratulations to the 2012 Real Food Emerging Leaders:

· David Cloniger, Food Resource Manager, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
· Josh Corlew, Urban Agriculture Program Manager, Hands on Nashville
· Sergeant Doug Griffith, founder, Riverbend Maximum Security Institution prison farm at Cockrill Bend

These inductees will be publicly recognized at the Nashville Food Day event which will take place this Wednesday, October 24th from 5-8pm at the Nashville Farmers’ Market. Mayor Karl Dean will open this year’s Food Day festivities.

For more information about the Real Food Hall of Fame and Real Food Emerging Leader Awards please contact Community Food Advocates at (615) 385-2286.

Tags: Community Food Advocates, Hands on Nashville, Jeremy Barlow, Martha Stamps, Mayor Karl Dean, Nashville Farmers Market, Nashville Food Dad, Real Food Emerging Leader Awards, Real Food Hall of Fame, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Society of St. Andrew, Tayst, Tennesseans for Raw Milk
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Free Urban Agriculture & Community Gardening Training

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

The team at Community Food Advocates invites the public to their 2nd annual Community Gardening Training on Saturday, October 22, 2011, from 9 am – 4 pm. The training will take place at Tennessee State University’s Farrell-Westbrook Agriculture Research Extension Complex (Barn), located on John Merritt Blvd.

This year’s guest presenter and workshop leader is Ms. Zoe Hollomon of the Massachusetts Avenue Project in Buffalo, NY. Ms. Hollomon runs a successful urban agriculture project that unites green jobs and urban agriculture through community gardens, and leads efforts in aquaponics, mobile markets, and youth development outreach. She is a 2010 Fellow with Green for All, a national environmental advocacy organization based in Oakland, CA.

Ms. Hollomon will share her techniques and how she mobilizes, motivates, educates and builds a successful network of engaged community members. “Community has to see the relationship between food security, the local food movement and environmental impact of what we eat…and how we can improve that relationship” says Hollomon.

Interested participants should RSVP with Community Food Advocates by calling (615) 385-2286 ext. 222 or by signing up here.

Tags: Community Food Advocates, community gardens, urban gardening
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Community Food Advocates Recognizes Inaugural Real Fod Hall of Fame Inductees

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Community Food Advocates has announced the inductees of the inaugural 2011 Real Food Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees represent food systems leaders and organizations that exemplify what it means to end hunger and work for a healthy, just and sustainable food system.

Community Food Advocates is pleased to announce the following inductees:

* Tana Comer, farmer, Eaton’s Creek Organics; co-founder, Tennessee Organic Growers Association
* John W. Ewing, 95-year old community elder and long-time garden volunteer, George Carver Food Park
* Freddie Haddox, organic farmer and young farmer mentor, Mamushi Nature Farm
* Jeff Poppen “The Barefoot Farmer”, established one of Tennessee’s oldest and largest organic farms, Long Hungry Creek Farm
* The Nashville Greenlands, North Nashville sustainable urban agriculture community

The groups is also recognizing “Real Food Emerging Leaders”, young people and/ or individuals new to food systems work who have made significant contributions to Nashville’s food system. Congratulations to the 2011 Real Food Emerging Leaders:

* Cortney H. Akridge, 17 year old community garden team leader and garden manager, Intergenerational Gardening Program
* Michael J. Sommesi, school cafeteria manager and school garden advocate, Metro Nashville Public Schools

Inductees and honorees will be recognized at the Nashville Food Day Celebration on October 24, from 5-8pm at the Nashville Farmers’ Market. The Hall of Fame awards will begin at 6pm.

Tags: Community Food Advocates, Freddie Haddox, Jeff Poppen, John Ewing, Nashville Food Day, Nashville Greenlands, Real Food 2011 Honorees, Real Food Emerging Leaders, Tana Comer
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Celebrate National Food Day in Nashville

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

“Everybody eats” is the Community Food Advocates tag-line – but not everyone has access to healthy food. Find out what you can do and learn how Community Food Advocates and others are working to make our food system healthier, more just and sustainable at “Food Day-Nashville,” at the Nashville Farmers’ Market on Monday, October 24 from 5 pm – 8 pm.

Community Food Advocates and the Nashville Farmers’ Market are hosting Nashville’s very first “Food Day” celebration. Food Day planners are welcoming Nashville residents from all across Nashville’s food system to the inaugural Food Day event. Food Day is a national effort that seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way.

Food Day will be an opportunity for all Nashvillians to sample local food prepared by some of Nashville’s best chefs. Nashville non-profits, farmers and food-system businesses will be present, giving Food Day participants a chance to learn about efforts to make healthy food more accessible to all Nashville residents, as well as connect consumers to locally grown and produced food. Several of Community Food Advocates’ Intergenerational Gardeners will also be on hand to discuss their gardening projects. Families are welcome to bring their children, who can participate in our “Seedlings” activities for kids.

Community Food Advocates looks forward to recognizing the first recipients of the “Real Food Hall of Fame” (RFHOF) awards at Food Day. The RFHOF winners will be Nashville residents and/or businesses who exemplify what it means to end hunger and work for a healthy, just and sustainable food system. Community Food Advocates is seeking nominations now. These food system champions will receive a custom-designed award in their honor.

For more information on the national Food Day movement, please visit http://foodday.org/. To volunteer with planning and coordinating the October 24 Food Day event, contact Brian at brian@communityfoodadvocates.org.

To nominate a person or business for the “Real Food Hall of Fame”, email your nominee’s name and 3-5 sentences detailing why the person or business deserves to be in the Hall of Fame to info@communityfoodadvocates.org.

Community Food Advocates is a nonprofit in Nashville, TN whose mission is “working to end hunger and create a healthy, just and sustainable food system.” The Nashville Farmers Market is home to farmers, artisans, restaurateurs, and local business merchants throughout the year.

Tags: Community Food Advocates, local food system, Nashville Farmers Market, National Food Day, sustainable food system
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Grants Available for Sustainable Market Farmers

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Fund To Continue Supporting Local Organic/Sustainable Farmers

The Field of Greens Fund, a program of local nonprofit Community Food Advocates, announced this week that it will award grants of up to $1,000 on a semiannual basis to local farmers who face economic hardship or are looking to grow or develop their operations. Farmers and producers employing organic and/or sustainable practices within the Middle Tennessee foodshed are eligible.

Applications for fall 2011 funding are now being accepted through August 1, and grants will be awarded by September 15. Spring 2012 applications will be accepted from December 1 through February 1, 2012, and grants will be awarded by March 1, 2012. In the event of damage from a natural disaster affecting one or more qualified farmers, the Fund may provide additional rounds of funding. Grant applications and guidelines are available at www.communityfoodadvocates.org/blog/field-of-greens-fund-applications or by e-mailing info@fieldofgreensfund.org.

The Fund is now an established permanent funding source for local farmers to strengthen and expand their sustainable farms. Community Food Advocates serves as fiscal agent for the Fund. Representatives from the founding committee will review applications for funding twice each year and at any time disaster relief assistance is needed.

Founded in June 2010 by a committee of food retailers, farmers, businesses, agencies, and individual food advocates, the initial goal of the Fund was to provide immediate disaster relief assistance to farmers who support the Middle Tennessee foodshed. Through the first quarter of 2011, the Fund dispersed more than $8,500 in mini-grants to farmers and producers who suffered damages in the May 2010 flood and early 2011 tornadoes. A generous donation from Whole Foods Market and FarmAid provided the seed money for the Fund, and ongoing support is provided by donations from individuals and corporations. Donations may be sent via check to:

Field of Greens Fund c / o Friends of the Nashville Farmers’ Market
P.O. Box 68316
Nashville, TN 376206

For more information, visit www.communityfoodadvocates.org or e-mail info@fieldofgreensfund.org.

Tags: Community Food Advocates, farmer grants, Field of Greens, market farmers
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Nashville’s Oldest Neighborhood Farmers Market Set to Open

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

The East Nashville market, Nashville’s oldest neighborhood farmers market, located at 210 S 10th street is having it’s 4th season grand opening on May 11th.

This year the market will become the first Nashville market to accept SNAP/food stamps, working with Community Food Advocates to bring healthy food to the community surrounding the market.

The Market grand re-opening is May 11th and will include a ribbon cutting ceremony with councilman Mike Jameson and top chefs who shop the market: Tandy Wilson from City House, Jeremy Barlow from Tayst, Jen Franzen from Flyte and Laura Wilson from Turnip Truck. Live music by Summertown and Loving Touch petting zoo will entertain adults and children!

The market runs every Wednesday from 3:30-6:30 beginning on May 11 and going until to the end of October. We are a community market supporting local businesses and producers. We have organic farmers, local cheese, milk, bread, honey, fruit and vegetables as well as local artisan businesses with a total of over 30 vendors! Join us every Wednesday beginning May 11 for a true community farmers market!

For more info, contact Market Manager Amy Delvin, 615-445-9354.

Tags: Community Food Advocates, dairy, East Nashville Farmers Market, Farmers Market, grand opening, local farmers, meat, organic, produce, SNAP/Food Stamps, soap
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Community Garden & Urban Mini Grants Available

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

Community Food Advocates has announced the release of mini-grants for the development and expansion of garden and urban farm projects in communities, including schools, senior centers and houses of worship in Nashville. Gardens may apply for awards up to $750, with an expected average of $400 per grant. A total of $5,000 will be awarded to grantees. “These funds can be used to build capacity and enhance established gardens, such as purchasing seeds and supplies, or to create marketing materials for their projects,” said Sizwe Herring, Community Garden Program Coordinator for Community Food Advocates. Applications are sought from gardens whose work and mission mirrors that of the Community Food Advocates; to end hunger and create a healthy, just and sustainable food system. Submissions are due December 20, 2010, and awards will be announced January 7, 2011. Applications can be downloaded from the Community Food Advocates web site, or picked up at their office, located at 415 4th Ave. South, at Peabody Street in downtown Nashville. The mini-grant program complements the Inter-Generational Garden project led by Community Food Advocates. The program is initiating and providing stipends for ten gardens in Nashville led by pairs of youth and seniors. Community Food Advocates is a movement of farmers, parents, students, persons of faith, community gardeners, and health advocates united by a commitment to the idea that all members of our community should have access to food grown in a way that promotes the health of people, planet, and community. The Community Food Advocates Community Gardens project is funded in full by the Department of Health and Human Services, as part of the Metro Public Health Department’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work campaign. For more information or details on how to apply contact Sizwe Herring at (615) 385-2286 or sizwe@communityfoodadvocates.

Tags: Community Food Advocates, community gardens, health advocates, local food, urban gardens
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