Allen Neighborhood Center

Dear Friends and Neighbors,
 
Here are events, etc. happening over the next couple of weeks on the Eastside and beyond:
 
1)  Green Infrastructure Meeting for tomorrow (Tuesday) night CANCELED

2)  Report on the Eastside Food Forum/Invitation to Join Advisory Group

3)  Frost Fest on Feb. 13

4)  Center for Financial Health Services

5)  Youth Gardening Conference on Feb. 20

6)  GardenHouse Book Club, Feb. 23

7)  Michigan Good Food Summit on Feb. 25

8)  Gardening Education Collaborative – Check out the calendar/poster of workshops!

9)  Hawk Island Triathlon

10) At Everybody Reads in March

Continue reading “Active Neighboring News”

Twenty-seven people were present for the Eastside Food Forum held on January 20, 2010 at the Foster Community Center.

Through a facilitated process, the full group reviewed current food system assets throughout the Eastside.  Five small groups then formed to hold deeper conversations discussing which assets can be enhanced, what is weak or missing, and what can be strengthened.  Finally, each group finished their conversation by considering what kind of future food system we can create.  The full group reconvened to hear all points generated.

The full list of thoughtful comments is included below.  Here is a brief synopsis:

• Similar themes began to emerge regarding a walk-able community offering equal access to a wide variety of food stuffs with a connection between existing Eastside-based resources as well as a strong connection to regional resources.
• The importance of increasing diversity of foods to match ethnic diversity and to hear and engage the low income voice was recognized.
• It was recognized that while the Eastside can’t exclusively feed the Eastside, many existing assets are present (farmers market, community and backyard gardeners, corner stores, up and coming available land, institutional partners such as the Foster Community Center, Lansing Parks and Recreation, Greater Lansing Food Bank, Allen Neighborhood Center, Sparrow Health Systems, schools and churches).
• A community food space (licensed kitchen and more) was discussed in every group.
• Similar public conversations will be taking place at the regional and state level this quarter and an Eastside Food Advisory Committee could become an important conduit for greater food security information.

While the Eastside Food Advisory Committee will function as an independent entity, the Allen Neighborhood Center is willing to extend the same support to this group as it does for any neighborhood group (meeting space, administrative support, outreach/public awareness, etc.)  A number of people have already indicated interest in joining this group and there will always be room for more.  If you were not able to attend this Food Forum but would like to become involved, please contact Hollie Hamel (517.999.3911) or Heather Hymes (517.999.3919) to be added to the list.   A poll of convenient meeting times will be taken and the first date will be set in late February.

Buy Local.  Eat Well.

For additional notes please visit the Food and Nutrition Page.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,
 
Included in this bulletin:
 
1)  Planning Your Gardening Year, tonight!
2)  Breakfast with Bauer, this Saturday at Gone Wired
3)  Habitat for Humanity seeks applicants
4)  March Magic Hoop Fest seeks volunteers
5) Coins for Haiti
6)  ANC offers great Volunteer Opportunities
7)  Live at Fenner on Jan. 23

Continue reading “Active Neighboring News”

The Allen Neighborhood Center is in need of Newsletter Volunteers this week to help distribute the Eastside Neighbor. If you are able to volunteer an hour or two of your time, it would be most appreciated. Please contact Heather (heatherh@allenneighborhoodcenter.org) with with date and time (within normal business hours 9-5:30) that you are available to help.

Allen Neighborhood Center invites Eastside eaters, gardeners, cooks, grocers, restaurateurs and other interested parties to join us for the Eastside Food Forum, on Wednesday, January 20 at Foster Community Center, Room 213, from 6:30-8:00 pm.  Through a facilitated conversation we’ll look at our food system’s successes and challenges, and figure out where to go from here.
 
Gather with other Eastside stakeholders for a lively discussion of our neighborhood food system (gardens, greenhouse, farmers market, grocery stores, restaurants, pantries, churches, schools, and more). Bring your thoughts, ideas, questions, and suggestions.
 
We’ll look at how these systems interact, how to improve them and how to enhance our local network of food resources. Your input is important, and we look forward to seeing you at the Eastside Food Forum.  If you have any more questions, please contact the Center at 367-2468. 

Also, for a brief history of food related work on the Eastside, please read this PDF document: “Brief History of Food System Work on the Eastside.”