A few notable differences this week:

 

– The store closes at 6 pm Thursday for ordering this week. (Sorry for any inconvenience.)

– Dan and Janet’s cheery faces won’t be at the booths this weekend, but our delicious vegetables will be. 

 

– We have a guest writer today! Our intern for this season, Kathleen (who graduated from JMU last year), recently attended a conference in D.C. hosted by Bread for the World, an organization that addresses hunger. She brings you her thoughts on that experience here:

 

 

Kenya, Thailand, and downtown Philadelphia may seem worlds apart but there is one common thread that binds these, and almost any other local, together. That common thread is hunger. Whether its seen or unseen, there is a global epidemic of hunger and malnourishment that doesn’t discriminate between New Delhi or Beverly Hills. There are people in every community that go to bed hungry or eat food that lacks proper nutrition.
Bread for the World’s National Gathering 2013 opened my eyes to what hunger and hunger advocacy means. I had little expectation as to what might occur at the Gathering since it was my first time at any large conference. I have attended small research conferences and the like while in college but I had no experience with conferences hosted by a national advocacy organization. This was my first conference but not my first introduction to Bread for the World or its wonderful work.

 

If you aren’t familiar with Bread for the World, or simply “Bread” to those who are part of its very loyal network, is a non-denominational Christian organization that consistently is on the front line of fighting hunger and hunger related issues. Bread for the World is not afraid to ask the tough questions, ruffle some feathers, or engage in discussions with no one correct, discernable answer. In fact, one correct solution is not really what Bread is interested in. Bread is interested in how hunger can be fought by a variety of people all across the globe, small villages to Washington D.C. Its rare that a solution works for a variety of situations, especially given variations in climate, culture, gender norms, and the skill, or lack there of, of laborers. One size fits all is a false assumption in the battle against hunger.

 Bread’s Gathering had multiple aspects that I really enjoyed. First, the people who attended the conference weren’t doing so for the glitz and glamor; they are humble advocates for those who go without. There were attendees from Zambia, Cambodia, Louisville, Philly, Denver … and the list could go on endlessly. Second, I really enjoyed the way the day’s events were structured. Each day started with breakfast in a large area with small tables, perfect for sitting and chatting with new friends. After breakfast the mass of attendees migrated to an auditorium where speakers would share their knowledge or highlight what a certain organization was doing to fight hunger. A roundtable discussion of the morning’s speakers followed. Audience members were free, and even encouraged, to ask questions or participate in the discussion. Discussion was started by a moderator but was really free flowing and lively.       

The speakers were of high caliber too. From the Minister of State, Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland to an administrator from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Other notable speakers were from InterAction, 1,000 Days Partnership, and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Such a wide range of speakers shows that hunger is not one nation’s problem or a particular religion’s responsibility. Everyone shares this problem and there are loads of ways to make your drop in the bucket.

Our time in D.C. ended with a day on Capitol Hill with more than 200 advocates storming the Hill to ask congress members not to cut more than $4 billion in SNAP. The Gathering was a fantastic experience that will provide me with long lasting inspiration to  fight hunger.

Links to learn more are found here.

 

 

 

Harvest this week includes:

 

Beets, Chard, Carrots, Cucumbers (green slicing as well as Salt & Pepper minis), Eggplant, Green Beans, Curly Kale, Lettuce (green or red), Microgreens, Okra, Peppers (Bell, Padrone, Hugarian Wax, Anaheim), Potatoes (red and yukon), Salad Mix, Scallions, Summer Squash, Tomatoes…and Eggs.

 

Market Share CSA Members: Choose your selection through our Online Store. Everyone else: Everything on our tables at the farmers’ markets are available for you to purchase and enjoy. Please do!

We will be at to the South of the James market  and Brandermill Green Market this weekend. Market Share CSA members may place an order for pick up at the SOJ or BGM market, or simply show up at our booth to spend your credit. If you wish to order, choose your selection through our Online Store.

Enjoy ~

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