Join us on Saturday to hear a bit about state food policies from our state representatives. In this legislative update, Representatives Alissa Keny-Guyer and Jeff Reardon will share with the community about the budget, economic and nutritional bills, and other issues.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

10:00 - 11:30 am

Zenger Farm, Farm House

11741 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97266

Photo Credit: Yale Law School

Long days and a break from the seemingly incessant grey skies are here! As we slide into sunny skies, many parents begin to think about summer plans. We're excited to highlight some great opportunities for kids and youth this summer.

From swimming lessons and sports teams to arts and crafts and nature walks, Portland Parks and Recreation has an exciting camp for all. Older teens can backpack through the wilderness outside of the city while younger tots can become immersed in nature close to home with a bug hunt at the Hoyt Arboretum.

Interested in birds, you say? Well, attend camp at the Audubon Society of Portland! "Explorador" campers learn about healthy watersheds, native wildlife, habitat and backyard birds, with exciting trips to nearby natural areas, wetlands, ponds and parks, such as Smith and Bybee Lakes, Columbia Slough and Portland Audubon's own Wildlife Sanctuaries.

The Community Cycling Center gives kids the opportunity to become comfortable on a bike as well as explore the Portland community. Programs range from one to three mile rides for young students to more advanced 35+ mile rides for advanced high schoolers.

Children in grades one to nine also can attend a day camp at Zenger Farm. Examples of these camps include "Plant Potions," "Farm Party!" and "Chef de Cuisine." In fact, our friends at Zenger just received an award for being one of the Best Summer Camps! Check out more winners at: NW Kids Magazine.

There's also a great Summer Camp Guide available at: PDX Kids Calender.  

We are excited for the opening of a new community orchard in North Portland!

Portland Fruit Tree Project and Village Gardens will break ground on this new community space on April 6th. Community members will come together to plant trees, berry bushes, and native plants, as well as mulch the area. This is a great opportunity to learn a bit more about planting fruit trees as well as work to strengthen our North Portland community. 

Portland Fruit Tree Project is a grass-roots non-profit organization that implements a community-based strategy to increase Portlanders' access to healthy food. This group empowers neighbors to share in the harvest and care of urban fruit trees.

Refreshments and light snacks will be provided for participants.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

N Alaska St. and N Trenton St.

For more information or to register, please contact Spencer at (503) 284-6106 or e-mail spencer@portlandfruit.org. Or, register online by clicking here.

As Portlanders, we all know how important it is to eat locally grown food and support our local economy.

Lucky for us, Portland has a strong CSA community! CSA (community supported agriculture) farms are a great way to buy (and eat!) tasty local food and to build relationships with others in our area.

Portland also boasts amazing farmers markets (like the Portland Farmer's Market that just opened for the season), co-ops, and food buying clubs.

For more information about local CSAs and other resources, visit PortlandLocalFood.com.

We'd also like to highlight Local Choice Produce Market. This amazing new business opened its doors on March 22 with the goal of providing people with fresh, locally grown goods. The owners write: "Portlanders now have a choice – a local choice – where every dollar brings your family the freshest, satisfaction-guaranteed, local and certified organically grown products available." This market boasts an extensive produce section, as well as standard grocery items, meat and seafood, and delicatessen. Also, it features three bars: one for coffee, one for "farmatherapy" (a smoothie and juice bar featuring the freshest local or certified organic fruits and vegetables), and, of course, a beer and wine bar. The market is located at 830 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR 97209.

Photo Credit: Local Choice Produce Market

Trying to eat healthy but don't really know how? Check out the resources below to get some tips!

Choose My Plate: An interactive site from the US Department of Agriculture that provides suggestions on how to balance your food choices and exercise patterns.

Oregon State University's Extension Service: This site showcases great resources around our community as well as provides links to great literature about ways to live a healthy and sustainable life.

One in four children in the United States do not know where their next meal is coming from.

Join us at the Hollywood Theater this week to watch "A Place at the Table," a film highlighting hunger through the stories of three Americans who struggle with food insecurity: Barbie, a single Philadelphia mother who grew up in poverty and is trying to provide a better life for her two kids; Rosie, a Colorado fifth-grader who often has to depend on friends and neighbors to feed her and has trouble concentrating in school; and Tremonica, a Mississippi second-grader whose asthma and health issues are exacerbated by the largely empty calories her hardworking mother can afford.

Connecting these powerful stories are comments from sociologist Janet Poppendieck, author Raj Patel, nutrition policy leader Marion Nestle, Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio and Oscar winning actor Jeff Bridges.

The Hollywood Theater will show this film through Thursday, March 28. Or, if you'd like, contact Jackie Papier at jackiepapier@hotmail.com to organize a showing in your community (for 10+ people)!

Now, take action against hunger:

• Visit the Action Center to learn more about the movie and local events
• View the SNAP Alumni Gallery and share your story
• Become a Partner to help end hunger in Oregon
• Read the Companion Book including insights from Sharon Thornberry

Help the county improve our local food system!

Multnomah County is looking for individuals to join the Multnomah County Food Advisory Board (FAB). This board advises the County on ways to leverage the local food system in order to improve the delivery of public services. Because issues such as nutrition, health, food insecurity and food access disproportionately impact low-income and communities of color, individuals who work primarily in such communities are encouraged to apply.

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners will appoint members to serve for two years beginning in April 2013. Applications are due no later than 5 pm on Monday, March 25th.

If you are interested in applying to the board, please email completed applications along with a current resume/CV to multnomahfood@multco.us, or mail these items to:

Multnomah County Office of Sustainability

501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 600

Portland, OR 97214

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Lynd at 503-988-6150 or email multnomahfood@multco.us.

2013 Food Advisory Board Member Qualifications

2013 Food Advisory Board Application

Story courtesy of the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability, photo credit to Mr. T in DC.