Green Peas

Garden School Foundation

The Garden School Foundation is a great organization that works with LA Public schools to bring gardens, green space and kitchens to elementary schools. 

Why they do it: "Because schools should be like parks not prisons; the best way to learn about good food is to grow it; and children have to know nature to love it."

Green Pea of the Day: Will Allen

A pioneer in urban agriculture, Will Allen just won $500,000 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. 

Will is the founder of Growing Power, a Wisconsin based non-profit that develops community-based food systems.  Their goal is to provide "high quality, safe, healthy, affordable food for all residents in the community."

A profile of Will Allen can be found here.

Green Pea of the Day: George Hall

George Hall has been an organic farmer in Simsbury, CT since 1967.  That's before Whole Foods (circa 1980) and way before the US officially started certifying foods as organic (circa 2002). 

George Hall Farm sells produce and eggs at farmers markets and through CSA's.  The Hartford Courant has a great audio slideshow on their website.  You can hear George describe why he is committed to organic farming and the pleasures of good swiss chard.

I wish George many more years of organic farming...

Green Pea of the Day: Jennifer Bell of Lafayette College

 

The Clinton Global Initiative and Wal-Mart announced 44 grants for students as part of the CHI-U Outstanding Commitment Awards.  Jennifer Bell of Lafayette College leads a group of students who have created an on-campus composting program as well as an organic garden.  Their goal is to achieve a school-wide sustainable food system.  Congratulations to Jennifer.  Thank you to CGI and Wal-Mart for recognizing Jennifer.   You can read a piece by Jennifer here.

P.S. Lafayette's dining hall is also using compostable materials and 100% Green cleaning supplies.