Growing Food Locally: Integrating Agriculture Into the Built Environment

Growing Food Locally: Integrating Agriculture Into the Built Environment - EBN: 18:2 Farming, food and gardens are coming back to the cities. High energy prices, rising food prices, economic development for those living in urban cores, increasing demand for tasty locally grown food and a renewed interest in natural spaces are driving this trend. In Cleveland, several restaurants have their own gardens nearby or are planning to incorporate gardens onto their properties. Urban planners recognize that to attract and retain a younger demographic, green spaces in the built environment are essential. Check out these books to rediscover the pleasures of locally grown food.

Locavore 365 - Find & trade locally grown food, vegetables, fruit

Locavore 365 - Find & trade locally grown food, vegetables, fruit You may know about localharvest.org, the site which helps you find farmers markets and farmers in your area, but what about Locavore365? This site is like a Craigslist or Freecycle for local food. Transalation - you may be able to get fresh local produce for free! One less excuse to eat more fruits and veggies.Try it out and let me know how it works for you in your area. I didn't meet with much success in my area, as it appears my vendors are not aware of the service, so I will have to pass it on to the merchants that I deal with. You can also, just add a vendor. The concept is great, let's make it a success!

Community Supported Agriculture: Cityfresh

This is my first Cityfresh bounty of the season! (Excuse the blurry photo, I can never find my digital camera when I need it, so I always seem to use the Blackberry). All of this tasty fresh grub for $24. Pictured are collards, squash, zucchini, onions, garlic, black raspberries, potatoes, cabbage, beans, basil, beets and parsley! Cityfresh is a unique CSA program that provides access to locally grown food to urban locations throughout two counties near Cleveland, Ohio. Shares of produce can be purchased with WIC, food stamp and other government vouchers and are half-priced for low income individuals, so this share would have been $12.

Hip Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants

In your travels this summer, try out a few green or vegetarian based restaurants. Click here for a list of hip restaurants from the west coast to the east coast that feature phenomenal plant based delights. Chicago - Green Zebra, Atlanta - Dynamic Dish, LA - M Cafe de Chaya, Boulder - Organic Orbit and New York - Dirt Candy, are just a few named in the article. I had the pleasure of dining last week at The Greenhouse Tavern, a newly opened green certified restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio that specializes in preparing meals from locally grown and produced food. I will be sure the try out another restaurant featured on the Bon Appetit list, Dragonfly Neo-V Cuisine in Columbus, Ohio later this month when I visit that city for their jazz festival. A vegan restaurant that I will have to try soon is VegiTerranean, in Akron, Ohio, not a far drive from the Football Hall of Fame and only 45 minutes from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

What's your favorite green or vegetarian restaurant? Can't find one in your area? Check out HappyCow.net for a directory of compassionate eating spots around the world.

Pear Up with Your Local Food Producers

This article chronicles how a rural boy's contempt for his local agricultural products evolved to love and appreciation for the products of his Oregon homestead, decades and many miles traveled later. Second time this week, someone spoke of European's appreciation for foods of their region and even their own backyards over foreign imports. With gardening season upon us in Zone 6 (formerly Zone 5), now is a great time to take stock of local products, seeds and plants.