Written by Melissa Vatterott, Food and Farm Coordinator. Originally published in June 2015. Their Food Story: Slow Food St. Louis is a local chapter of Slow Food USA, which offers Micro-grants to support biodiversity in St. Louis, provide weekly Slow Wednesday events at Schlafly, other educational events, and provide an online directory of good slow fair food producers,…
Read MoreLocal Food Hero: MU Extension Office in Jefferson County
Written by Melissa Vatterott, Food and Farm Coordinator, originally published in June 2015. Their Food Story: Technically, MCE first connected with MU Extension’s Jefferson County Office at the end of December, when it hosted a workshop, Creating Economic Development Through Local Food Systems. Melissa met several people at the workshop who work to support local food and has continued to engage…
Read MoreLocal Food Hero: DineSLU Sustainability
Written by Melissa Vatterott, Food and Farm Coordinator, originally published in August 2015. Their Food Story: DineSLU has developed and implemented long-term environmental stewardship programs and policies within the areas of sustainable food; green buildings; waste stream management; responsible procurement; energy and water conservation; and transportation. The Green Team, composed of employees, works to ensure sustainability…
Read MoreFarm Visit: EarthDance Farms
In June, MCE’s Melissa Vatterott and Food & Farm Intern Claire Mai visited EarthDance Farms in Ferguson, MO to learn about EarthDance’s beautiful farm and their priorities for local food policy change from co-founder Molly Rockamann. EarthDance is the oldest organic farm west of the Mississippi River, offers a CSA, and also houses a unique part-time organic farming and gardening apprenticeship program. Based on…
Read MoreLocal Food Hero: Greater Kansas City Food Policy Coalition
Written by Melissa Vatterott, Food and Farm Coordinator The Greater Kansas City Food Policy Coalition (GKCFPC) has been a huge inspiration for MCE’s Local Food Policy Coalition over the past few months. GKCFPC is housed under the nonprofit KC Healthy Kids, and its mission is to advocate for the Greater Kansas City food system and promote food policies…
Read MoreLocal Food Hero: Sustainable Backyard Tour
Written by Melissa Vatterott, Food and Farm Coordinator Their Food Story: The Sustainable Backyard Tour is an annual event demonstrating how St. Louis-area residents can utilize their yards in more sustainable and environmentally friendly ways to provide food for their families, wildlife habitat, relaxation and visual appeal, all while minimizing impact on the earth and…
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