LOCAL – A Short Documentary

Through the eyes of some of our inspired chefs and farmers, this half hour film from award winning Director Christian Remde discusses the rise of the local food movement, the challenges of sourcing locally and how it’s become a growing part of the Austin, Texas food scene..

Do you know where your food comes from?

Get Ready for the 5th Annual Eat Drink Local Week!

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2011

EAT, DRINK AND CELEBRATE- LOCALLY, OF COURSE

SFC joins Urban Roots as beneficiary of 5th Annual Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week

(AUSTIN, TX)— Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week, Austin’s premier local food and drink event, is returning for its fifth year; and this time with bigger and better events to tantalize the taste buds.  Serving as one of the driving forces behind the sustainable food movement in Central Texas, Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week successfully raises awareness of the bounty of products grown and made in our region.  Their success is achieved each year by partnering with Austin’s favorite restaurants, providing guests with fun and exciting events and raising generous funds for the Sustainable Food Center and Urban Roots.  Guests are invited to dine at over 50 participating restaurants that will feature a locally sourced menu, and to attend eight signature events throughout the week that raise awareness of Austin’s vibrant local food scene.  This year, Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week will double its fundraising goal to $80,000.

In its first year, Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week raised over $8,000 for Urban Roots, a youth development program that uses sustainable agriculture as a means to transform the lives of young people and increase access to healthy food in Austin.  Once a small program under the YouthLaunch umbrella, Urban Roots is now an independent, non-profit organization thanks to the fundraising efforts of Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week.

Sustainable Food Center is excited to announce that they will serve as a beneficiary of this year’s Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week for the first time alongside Urban Roots.  SFC cultivates a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food.  In addition to producing three of the area’s largest farmers markets, SFC’s programs include Grow Local, Farm Direct, The Happy Kitchen and Sprouting Healthy Kids.  With the help of Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week, SFC can look forward to continued growth as an organization, much like Urban Roots.

By hosting the week-long event in December, guests can enjoy a bountiful selection of local ingredients grown during Central Texas’s most robust growing season.  Diners are encouraged to try a special entrée featured on participating restaurants’ menus crafted entirely from locally sourced ingredients.  Those who participate can also experience a variety of activities each day of the week to meet local farmers, brewers, distillers, coffee roasters, chocolatiers; sample and shop for local food artisan holiday gifts; help select the Official Drink of Austin; and more.

New to this year’s lineup is an Online Chef Dinner Auction, featuring eight of Austin’s favorite chefs.  Bidders won’t want to miss their chance to bring a celebrity chef into their home or private venue for an unforgettable culinary experience for eight of their closest friends and family.  This is a first ever fundraising component of Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week.  Participants can access the auction now and view dinner details by visiting www.edibleaustin.com/auction.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Bread & Butter Public Relations

Ali Slutsky
815.210.7454
[email protected]

Mary Mickel
501.350.3422
[email protected]

Edible Aria is not affiliated with Edible Austin.  While we’re huge fans of theirs, the naming is purely coincidental.

Farm to Trailer

The word ‘organic’ gets tossed around a lot these days, but what does it really mean for consumers who are looking to eat well, but not spend a lot of money?

Farm To Trailer, a new documentary from local film producer Christian Remde highlights the award-winning Odd Duck food trailer in Austin, Texas and chef Bryce Gilmore’s use of only locally-grown, organic food for their menu. The film also examines the Farm To Table movement, how it’s effecting the Austin food scene and the benefits for consumers.

The film was really cool for me to watch, as it honors some of the very people and causes that I’ve come  depend upon for my own nourishment (indeed, it is where most of the food on this blog comes from).  Thank you, Christian!  Thank you, Austin!

  • Farmers’ Markets in Austin (edibleaustin.com)

Family Farms and Local Foods Education Day

 

FAMILY FARMS AND LOCAL FOODS EDUCATION DAY
Citizens Gather at the Capitol to Speak with Legislators

 

AUSTIN, TX (February 8, 2011) – Local food supporters from all over Texas will gather at the State Capitol on Monday, February 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to meet with legislators about issues concerning family farms and local foods.  The education day is a free event, open to the public, and organized by the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA), a Texas-based non-profit that advocates for independent agriculture and citizens who support local foods.

“We are mobilizing citizens from across the state who support their local food community, purchase foods locally, and value their relationship with their farmers, ranchers, and food producers,” said Judith McGeary, director of FARFA and a leader in local food advocacy in Texas and nationally.

The Family Farms and Local Foods Education Day is an opportunity for Texas citizens, farmers, and ranchers to speak up for local food systems.  Participants will have the chance to learn about the legislative process, meet legislators and their staff, and work together in support of improved access to local foods.  Prior to the event, participants are asked to make an appointment with their legislators.  On the day of the event, the group will convene for a short meeting about citizen activism, communicating effectively with legislators, and the specific bills that the Legislature is considering.

Topics that will be discussed at the education day include:

HB 75/SB 237, (the “Raw Milk Bill”) to increase access to licensed raw dairy products;
Reducing unnecessary regulation of farmers’ markets;
Allowing “cottage food” producers to sell directly to consumers;
Reducing fees on small-scale cheese-makers; and
 Fair property tax treatment for urban farms, community gardens, and sustainable producers.

“We need laws like these that allow local farmers and rural economies to thrive,” McGeary said.  “Texans have already been voting for local foods with their dollars, buying direct from farmers in ever increasing numbers.  Now it’s time for our legislators to catch up.  If you care about what you eat, come tell your legislators.”

FARFA invites all concerned citizens to join in the conversation by attending this free event.  For more information about how to participate and to RSVP, visit www.farmandranchfreedom.org/upcoming-meetings.

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About Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA)

FARFA advocates for farmers, ranchers and homesteaders through public education and lobbying to assure their independence in the production and marketing of their food, and to prevent the imposition of unnecessary regulatory burdens that are not in the public interest.  FARFA also advocates for consumers’ access to healthy foods of their choice. For more information, please visit www.farmandranchfreedom.org.

The Perennial Plate

We are stardust, we are golden,
We are billion year old carbon,
And we got to get ourselves back to the garden..

 

 

The Perennial Plate is an online weekly documentary series dedicated to socially responsible and adventurous eating.  The episodes follow the culinary, agricultural and hunting explorations of chef and activist, Daniel Klein.  Taking place over a calendar year in Minneapolis, Minnesota as well as the surrounding food source destinations, Daniel takes the viewer on a journey to appreciate and understand where good food comes from and how to enjoy it.  Recipes, politics, long winters,  urban gardens, ice fishing, blood, hunting and guts… all line the path to the perennial plate.”