Get informed about the Farm Bill!

On Tuesday, February 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, join CUESA for a an informative and candid talk about the Farm Bill by Daniel Imhoff, author of the soon-to-be-released book Food Fight: The Citizen's Guide to a Food and Farm Bill. Imhoff will explore the history of the bill, outline key issues from conservation to nutrition to energy policy, and describe how we can turn the tables. The Farm Bill "literally shapes our food system, our bodies, and our future ... and most experts assert that we need nothing less than a revolutionary overhaul of our farm policy to set the country on a more sustainable trajectory," says Imhoff.

The lecture is cosponsored by the Ecology Center and the Marin Farmers Market. It will be followed by a reception with light refreshments and an opportunity to talk with nonprofit organizations supporting Farm Bill policies that promote a sustainable food system. Daniel Imhoff will be available to sign copies of Food Fight and his other titles. The event is free and may fill up, so please reserve your spot by emailing julie@cuesa.org or calling (415) 291-3276 x106. The event will take place in the Port Commission Hearing Room on the 2nd Floor of the Ferry Building.

Farmers on the Radio this Saturday and Sunday

Andy Griffin of Mariquita Farm will be on the nationally broadcast radio variety show West Coast Live tomorrow, January 27. West Coast Live will be broadcasting from the Ferry Building every Saturday for the next three weeks from 10 am to 12 pm, and you can be part of the live audience and see some of your favorite farmers and other inspiring guests. Tune in by radio to KALW 91.7. More information at www.wcl.org.

A recent radio interview with Louis Iacopi of Iacopi Farm and Annie Somerville of Greens Restaurant will be aired three times this Sunday, January 28. All you early birds can hear the show Today's World at 6:30 am on KDFC 102.1 FM, at 7:00 am on KOIT 96.5 FM, and at 7:30 am on KMAX 95.7 FM.

Gift tokens are back!

Fulfilling the old maxim "a way to a person's heart is through their stomach" could not be easier this Valentine's season. Stop by our information booth to purchase gift tokens for the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Our holiday offering was so popular that we ran out of the wooden coins and had to order more. The new coins have arrived and are now pre-packaged in $25 denominations, available at the information booth during our Tuesday and Saturday markets. You can also email christine@cuesa.org directly for special orders or to pick up packages from our office. The tokens are worth $1 each, and can be redeemed at any stall in the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

Saturday, February 3 ~ Citrus Day

On Saturday, February 3 from 10:00 am to noon, join us for Citrus Day at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Large and small, sweet and sour, from lemons to mandarins to pomelos, there will still be plenty of citrus at the market. Come find out how the recent freezes have affected our citrus growers and their crops. At 10:00 am, hear from Cassi Sanchez of Twin Girls Farm. At 10:30 am, enjoy a cooking demonstration by Kevin Koebel of Rogue Chefs. Take home an assortment of citrus recipes, and test your citrus knowledge at our citrus variety tasting challenge. All events will take place in our Dacor teaching kitchen in the arcade north of the Ferry Building's clock tower.

February 9 through 11 ~ Food from the Heart

The Ferry Building Marketplace will once again celebrate the love of food with the third annual Food from the Heart festival. On Friday, February 9, the festival kicks off with a benefit for Slow Food from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. The public is invited to stroll the candlelit Grand Nave where the merchants and restaurateurs of the Marketplace will offer seasonal hors d'oeuvres and Slow Food will pour wine from several wine bars. Click here to learn more >

On Saturday, the Marketplace and the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market will be brimming with heartfelt foods. Our Market to Table programs will feature a cooking demonstration by the "Dissident Chef," Russel Jackson of SubCulture Dining. John E. Myers of Aquatic Culture will show the audience how to cook with a classic aphrodisiac: oysters. On Sunday, the celebration continues with face painting and valentine craft tables for kids.

Since most of the CUESA staff is at the Ecological Farming Conference this week, we didn't have time to write an article. It's a good thing there are so many other great places to learn about food and farming on the World Wide Web. Check out the following links to weblogs and other frequently updated websites:

FOOD AND FARM POLICY
Appetite for Profit
Farm Policy weblog
Food First weblog
US Food Policy weblog
Victual Reality by Grist

LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD
Sustainable Table weblog
Eat Local Challenge group weblog
Edible Nation, the Edible Communities weblog
Ethicurean weblog
Bay Area Bites group weblog

Enjoy!

Saturday, January 27

In/Returning: Bruins Farms, Far West Fungi, Brooks and Daughters
Out: Knoll Farms, Happy Quail Farms, Juniper Ridge, Honeycrisp Farm, Little Organic Farm, Tierra Vegetables, Allstar Organics, Bernard Ranches

Tuesday, January 30

No news!