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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Illinois Consumers Connect with Midwest Farmers to "Eat Local"

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Thursday, March 11, 2010   

CHICAGO - Illinois consumers and Midwest farmers are meeting this week to learn more about growing and eating healthy food. The Family Farmed Expo starts today at the University of Illinois-Chicago and runs through Saturday, with the aim of teaching consumers about buying food directly from farmers through coops, farmers markets, and food supply programs called community sponsored agriculture (CSA). Advocates of local and sustainable food systems believe that buying food directly from local producers is good for the environment and the economy.

Jim Slama, who founded FamilyFarmed.Org, says the option of buying shares in a CSA is proving to be a popular choice that benefits both the producer and the consumer. Share-holders invest at the start of the growing season and collect their return on investment at harvest time.

"This way, farmers get a check when they need to buy seeds or have other expenditures going, and then in the growing season, these families get a box of fresh-picked produce delivered to their community once a week."

CSAs often are structured to allow - or even require - members to visit the farm on community days and invest sweat equity with the farmer. During the expo's food festival Saturday, visitors will be able to connect with CSA operators and have lunch prepared with local food by local chefs.

Slama says they're also offering workshops on topics such as urban gardening, beekeeping and even details on how to raise backyard chickens in the city.

"I actually have chickens now underneath my back porch and I harvest their eggs every day."

Buying locally makes economic sense for Illinois, especially in these trying times, he adds.

"It's great for the local economy when we buy from local farmers, rather than shipping that money out to California, Texas, Mexico, Peru, or somewhere else."

Critics of CSAs complain the food often costs more than that sold in typical large grocery stores and that they still need to visit the store for other staples. Supporters say the food is tastier and healthier since it is fresher, and that CSAs keep money local.

The expo will offer farmers technical training and provide tips on how to discover new markets.





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