malatron’s Recent Comments

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  Comment at Kottke.org on this subject.

  Incase those here did not come via Kottke.org, which is where I read the link to this post, there is great discussion going on over there about this topic also.

  Here is the link to the comments at that post.
  On To create a truly sustainable food system, we'll need to make some fundamental changes. posted 4 years, 1 month ago 26 Responses

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  In response to Tom.

  I would like to add that I found your original column VERY insightful, perceptive, and informative. So much so, that I've sinced read many articles here at this site. And enjoyed them as much.

  I want only to speak for myself here, without being overly emotional, though this is a topic that does illicit strong emotions from me. And I want not to try and discount what you wrote, for what you write might be true.

  But for me, when you say...

  "most people in this country still lack access to delicious, nutritious, and fresh local food...And that won't change with concerted grassroots effort and straight talk."

  It is exactly what changed it for me.

  And I am poor.
  But I also have no children, which is an economic burden I am not familar with.

  In the world I grew up in, anybody who has been identified as a member of this class struggle is recognized as such. And the farmers would sooner sell their farms for developement than charge a member of this struggle a fair market price. As in the land of affluence we live in that is the Northeast US, a fair market price has no limits.

  I guess you could say I live with market protection. Which is how it should be, as anybody of affluence is readily familar with.

  This is only my experience. I believe it is one that can be duplicated, but I understand that you find that debatable. I agree to disagree.On To create a truly sustainable food system, we'll need to make some fundamental changes. posted 4 years, 1 month ago 26 Responses

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  Umass commits to buying 15% locally grown

  From todays Northampton, MA local paper.
  Full article. (Sub. Req'd.)

  Boosting Valley produce - In new deal, UMass commits to buying 15 percent locally
  BY DAVID FONSECA
  Joe Czajkowski pulls into the dusty drive of his Hadley farm and wastes little time unpacking leeks. He's a busy man with mouths to feed.

  The farm stands within sight of towers at the University of Massachusetts, home to some of his newest customers.

  Under a contract drafted by Communities Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, the university's dining services pledges to use 15 percent of its $1 million yearly produce budget to buy from local farms.On Umbra on getting local foods into college cafeterias posted 4 years, 1 month ago 4 Responses

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  Adding to RH's comment on local colleges...

  In today's local paper (sub. req'd) in Northampton, MA. they report:

  "Boosting Valley produce - In new deal, UMass commits to buying 15 percent locally
  BY DAVID FONSECA
  Joe Czajkowski pulls into the dusty drive of his Hadley farm and wastes little time unpacking leeks. He's a busy man with mouths to feed.

  The farm stands within sight of towers at the University of Massachusetts, home to some of his newest customers.

  Under a contract drafted by Communities Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, the university's dining services pledges to use 15 percent of its $1 million yearly produce budget to buy from local farms."

  This is an important developement in this arena. Namely, demanding that powerful public institutions reflect the wants and desires of the local community. This is a start. But yet still not enough. We must demand more. On To create a truly sustainable food system, we'll need to make some fundamental changes. posted 4 years, 1 month ago 26 Responses

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  I wrote of my experience in the previous comment.

  Forgetting to add my locale of Western MA.
  Northampton, Hadley, Amherst, and Hatfield specifically.On To create a truly sustainable food system, we'll need to make some fundamental changes. posted 4 years, 1 month ago 26 Responses