Slow food shouldn’t have to cost more than fast food. It shouldn’t be harder to feed our children fruit than it is to feed them Froot Loops. But against the odds, every day there are people all over the country who manage to cook healthy food on a budget. We need to make cooking and eating this way a possibility for everyone.

That’s why we’re launching the $5 Challenge.

On September 17, take the challenge: share a healthy delicious meal that costs less than $5 per person. You can cook slow food for yourself and your family for less than $5 per person. You can host a potluck where nothing costs more than $5. You can cook for a crowd and charge $5 at the door. You get the idea – and so will thousands of others when we tell the stories we gather on this day.

Click here to read more and take the challenge.>>

Then check out our web site for tips, tricks and recipes.

This day will give us a clearer sense of what needs to change about the way food works, in order to make this a reality for everyone. Bringing people together around the table is the best way to educate and advocate for good, clean, and fair food.

Join us! Take the challenge. Together we can take back the value meal. 

- Josh Viertel
President, Slow Food USA

P.S

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GAIA RISING FARM ARTICLE

--From Transition Fidalgo & Friends "Growing Community Resilience" http://transitionfidalgo.org

If you have not yet seen Gaia Rising Farm on Guemes Island, you're in for a treat. Take a short walk up from the ferry landing and check out the acre of land just past Anderson's Store where Sequoia Ferrel and Lane Parks are raising staple food crops. I had the pleasure of visiting on the farm's recent field day and was deeply impressed by the dedication of this pair and the beautiful results of their efforts.

Because I think this effort is so vital to our community's ability to care for itself in difficult times, I'd like to share with you a write-up on the farm by Connie Snell, followed by crop share info from Sequoia. I'd encourage anyone who is able to support this effort however you can. Thanks!

Evelyn (Adams)

GAIA RISING FARM by Connie SnellSeems

I have a hazy recollection of Gaia from college days. A little research reveals that she represents the Earth Mother Goddess of Greek, pre-Olympian days. Indeed, she is earth. So, it is an appropriate name that Sequoia (Susan) Ferrel and Lane Parks have chosen for their nonprofit community farm. It's easy to envision the fruits of the earth rising up. When I asked Sequoia about her recent personal name change, she indicated that she admires the strength and resilience of the Sequoia tree. She has worked tirelessly to establish the farm as a model of energy-efficient, organic production. Her motivation to start the community farm grew from the moment she realized that we, humans, stand at a juncture in history on a rapidly destabilizing planet of 7 billion. She reveals, "I have been growing food for as long as I can remember. There are lots of local farms that produce fresh seasonal produce, but I wanted to concentrate on staple foods. After all, we eat every day of the year." She is keenly interested in a farm that produces security for its members.

In the circle of sustainability staple crops are grown with only rainfall for irrigation; seeds are saved; compost production is ongoing, and research continues. Sequoia notes: "All of my crops are experimental in a sense, because of the uncertainties of weather patterns due to climate change. We cannot know with certainty what will or will not succeed." To imagine staple crops, think survival: potatoes, winter squash, beans for drying, onions, and some kind of maize or grain. Her jars of beautiful multi-colored beans not only succor family and friends but surely symbolize hope for future nourishment. Last year's trials produced over 500 lbs of winter squash with some excellent keepers, 100 lbs of potatoes, and 50 lbs of dried beans. Every year, according to Lane, "The farm produces more."

Sequoia and Lane are active members of Transition Fidalgo & Friends. Transition movements worldwide assert that we live in a time of fossil-fuel descent and must plan to power down. Sequoia and Lane have resided on Guemes for 25 years, living simply, resourcefully, and off-grid. Nothing is wasted. Precious resources, such as water, are guarded. Sequoia is increasingly committed to growing food for the community and explains, "I want a decent world for my children and grandchildren and the generations to come. I hope and pray that we will collectively strive toward a vision of a better world.

"This low-carbon, holistic approach requires much physical and mental energy. Sequoia utilizes workers from the islands and from volunteer organizations such as wwoof (willing workers on organic farms). Their generosity in opening their home and giving volunteers room and board in exchange for work provides a stimulating model for those of us who plan to adapt in place. We islanders are rewarded with youthful energy and ideas and in return, the young are charged to put into action what they've learned about farming, island life, and living a simple life. Currently, the two farmers who can be seen working hard in the main field are Heather Curtis and Scott Smith.

Along the path to crystallizing their dream, many have helped Gaia Rising Farm become what it is today. Lane handles contacts with other farms and organizations with similar goals. He is involved with raising awareness of the farm, while Sequoia directly manages the farm's operations. This is the first year that a limited number of shares will be available for purchase. You can reach Sequoia or Lane at 293-2980 for further information regarding shares, and volunteer opportunities. In her own words, "Gaia Rising Farm needs physical, financial and emotional support. We need funds for equipment, labor and continued crop trials. We need advice and information. The ways in which you could help are many." Gaia would be pleased.

GAIA RISING FARM SHARE INFORMATION from Sequoia

Gaia Rising Farm offers shares in the storage crops that will be harvested in the fall of 2011. Our aim is to provide as much as possible towards our members' yearly food needs. Soon we'll also be offering shares for fall and winter vegetables.

The farm members will have an important role in the farm trials and research. You will help determine which varieties work best for your cooking methods and your home storage situation. A big part of what we are working on is diversity of crop types and varieties, which is important for a more secure food supply. If one crop or variety fails because of weather or disease another might do well. This year we are growing 13 varieties of potatoes, 2 varieties of corn and 9 types of beans.

Because the farm is small and it is our mission to minimize our carbon footprint we are using hand labor for many tasks in which industrial agriculture would use fuel-burning equipment. In order to keep the costs of the produce competitive, it will be necessary for the members to help with some of these hand tasks, especially at harvest. These will be fun "bean stomping" events, filled with camaraderie and good food. And we recognize that not every has the same abilities but that there will be some aspect at which each of you are able to use your talents to contribute towards making the farm a success.

Until we are able to invest in a processing and storage facility, members will need to store their own produce. The shares for this season - 2011 - will be for the following:

50 lbs potatoes25 lbs onions

25 lbs corn - whole or ground

30 lbs beans

50 lbs squash

2 lbs flax seed

5 lbs pumpkin seed

Share cost is $550. We also offer half shares for $225. For more info, contact Sequoia at 293-2980. (Remember, there are many ways you can help without purchasing a share. Or, if you'd like a share but it's too much for you to handle alone, why not gather a group of friends/neighbors to go in on a share?)