Celebrate Cheese Glorious Cheese

Join Sidedish tomorrow, September 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m, at Celebration Restaurant to celebrate local cheese makers Latte Da, Lucky Layla, and the Mozzarella Company. They all won national awards at the 25th Annual American Cheese Society Competition in Austin.

http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2009/09/22/sidedish-cheeseheads-let%E2%80%99s-celebrate-local-cheeses-at-celebration-in-dallas-2/

Click here for more about Texas Cheese

Win!

AGRICULTURE DEPUTY SECRETARY MERRIGAN ANNOUNCES INITIATIVE TO CONNECT CHILDREN TO WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM AND PROVIDE MORE LOCAL FOODS IN SCHOOL LUNCHES

New Farm-to-School Tactical Teams Will Assist School Administrators Transition to Purchasing More Locally Grown Foods as Part of USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative'

USDA Launches 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' Initiative to Connect Consumers with Local Producers to Create New Economic Opportunities for Communi

WASHINGTON, September 15, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced a new initiative - 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' - to begin a national conversation to help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity. To launch the initiative, Secretary Vilsack recorded a video to invite Americans to join the discussion and share their ideas for ways to support local agriculture. The video, one of many means by which USDA will engage in this conversation, can be viewed at USDA's YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/usda . Producers and consumers can comment on the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' YouTube playlist, as well as submit videos or provide comments on this initiative by e-mailing KnowYourFarmer@usda.gov.

Read the rest of the news release here.

Barn Aid and "Fresh" Screening

Sept 19th, 2009

2nd Annual Barn Aid & Dinner at Eden

w/Chef David Gilbert & Friends

Limited availability reserved tickets only for dinner;

• Welcome & musical entertainment by Lorynn the Red Head 5pm
• Dinner in the Garden - 5:45pm
  • 3-course organic/local dinner in the gardens (Locally sourced produce and other products all prepared and served by Chef David Gilbert & Friends)
  • Speaker - Pamela Walker - author "Growing Good Things to Eat in Texas" Sponsored by Edible Dallas & Fort Worth
  • Farm Tour - Eden's Garden - highlighting the renewable energy irrigation system and sustainable organic gardens as featured in an upcoming issue of Mother Earth News.

Gates open free to the public at dusk.....

Free Movie Screening - FRESH! - starts at dusk (about 7:30)

• celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.
  
  

See the Eden's Organic Website for details.

Labor Day Time for Lunch Eat-In

Slow Food Dallas met for a Slow meal Labor Day, 2009, in coordination with the National Time for Lunch Campaign. The Eat-In was held in a serene setting adjacent to White Rock Lake in Dallas. Over 30 members attended the event, including several new members who made this their first Slow Food experience!

Attendees were encouraged to ask friends to sign the online petition in support of bringing Real Food to schools. The group also discussed the September Slow Food membership drive and ways we could recruit new members this month.

All enjoyed a Slow evening of great food and camaraderie.

See the Slow Food Time for Lunch site for coverage and photos of the event.

Slow Food September Membership Drive

Please pass on the following letter to all your Slow Friends!

Dear friend,

Soggy tater tots. Mystery meat. Fast-food pizza and refined sugar.

This is the reality of our children’s school lunches and it is time for some serious change.
On September 7th, people in all 50 states are coming together at nearly 300 “Eat-ins” to show their support for real food in schools. With the National Day of Action just a few days away, we critically need your gift today to help grow our movement and force our legislators to take notice.

And here’s the best part: during the month of September only, your donation of any amount will make you a member of Slow Food USA.

Here’s why we need your support right now. Slow Food USA is working to directly impact national and local food policies. From the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act to the Farm Bill, we will be building alliances, bringing in key industry experts and heading to Washington to demand change.

Our National Day of Action marks the beginning of these efforts. Your gift today will allow us to take immediate action in the days following September 7. With your help, we can turn the power generated by thousands of people attending hundreds of Eat-ins into a movement that makes real impact on America’s food policy. Will you help us grow the movement by becoming a member today?

As a member of Slow Food USA, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
* Invitations to local, national and international events celebrating good, clean, fair food.
* Member-only discounts on select events and publications.
* Getting connected with your local Slow Food chapter, made up of people who care about food, agriculture, health and the environment.
* Opportunities throughout the year to take action and have an impact on critical legislation affecting food and agriculture in the U.S.

Membership normally starts at $60, but from now until September 30th, your gift of any amount makes you a part of this movement. Give more if you can and less if you can’t. The point is – we want you with us.

Our kids deserve more than mystery meat and our communities need access to fresh, real food. Your support today will help make that happen.

Thanks for your support and we look forward to your involvement! Become a member today by visiting www.slowfoodusa.org/growthemovement.

With thanks,
Josh Viertel President, Slow Food USA