REEDSBURG — To support local growers and to educate the public about sustainably-grown and locally produced foods, the Justice and Peace Commission of Diocesan Cluster 350 is holding its fourth annual “Food Fair and Farmers’ Market” on Saturday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart School Gym, corner of 6th and Willow Sts.
Tag: food
Winter farmer’s markets feature brunches held at churches
Schedule at Madison
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| • Saturday, Jan. 11, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Our Lady Queen of Peace/Blessed Sacrament Parishes, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison • Sunday, Jan. 19, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 5700 Pheasant Hill Rd., Monona • Saturday, Jan. 25, 9 a.m. to 12 noon — St. Albert the Great Church, 2420 St. Albert Dr., Sun Prairie • Saturday, Feb. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon — Holy Mother of Consolation Church, 651 Main St., Oregon • Sunday, Feb. 9, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison • Saturday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, 1501 Gilbert Rd., Madison • Saturday, Feb. 22, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Dr., Madison |
MADISON — The Churches’ Center for Land and People (CCLP) is sponsoring winter farmer’s markets in church halls featuring brunches using local food.
The “Markets and Meals for Hope” program, coordinated by the CCLP, has scheduled seven farmer’s markets and brunches in the Madison area from January 11 through February 22.
The brunches include local food prepared by people in the churches under the direction of professional chefs.
These markets provide small-scale farmers the chance to sell their products in the off-season. The farmers supply the ingredients for the brunches and are able to sell products directly to those attending the meals.
Products for sale at the markets include woolen goods, farmstead soaps, cheese, produce, preserves, honey, and meats.
Farmers help each other by donating 10 percent of the sales to the Harvest of Hope emergency fund with 100 percent of donations given to farmers in need.
St. Dennis School food drive
MADISON — St. Dennis School in Madison recently held its annual food drive to benefit St. Vincent de Paul.
This year, donations were also collected for victims of the typhoon in the Philippines (several school families have relatives there), including food, clothing, flashlights, toiletries, batteries, and soap.
Principal Matt Beisser set a goal of 4,000 items to be donated during the two-week drive.
A shrinking pie: Put poor and hungry people first in the new farm bill
In his message for World Food Day, which was observed on October 16, Pope Francis said that “it is a scandal that there is still hunger and malnutrition in the world.”
The Holy Father emphasized, “It is not just a question of responding to immediate emergencies, but of addressing together, in all areas, a problem that challenges our personal and social conscience, to achieve a just and lasting solution.”
Cuts in food assistance benefits
In the United States, there are increasing numbers of hungry people. Many of them rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. As of November 1, the benefits to individuals and families were cut for the first time since 1964. That’s because an increase in food aid approved in 2009 expired, and Congress hasn’t been able to pass a new farm bill for over a year (the farm bill includes provisions to fund food assistance programs in our country).
St. John’s Piecemakers quilt show to be held in Waunakee
WAUNAKEE — St. John’s Piecemakers Quilt Club of Waunakee will host their 13th annual Quilting Through the Ages quilt show on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25 and 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. John School gym, 114 E. Third St.
More than 150 quilts will be displayed along with quilts that will be donated to local charities. A silent auction and quilt sale benefiting the Waunakee Food Pantry will be held. Luncheon items will be served by the Ashton Go-Getters 4-H Club.
Holy Rosary Parish thanks mobile pantry volunteers
DARLINGTON — Over the past five years, Holy Rosary Parish has been able to serve the Monthly Manna Mobile Food Pantry to community members in need because of the dedicated work of many volunteers.
However, the mobile food pantry will no longer be run by Holy Rosary.Platteville hosts mobile food pantry
PLATTEVILLE — St. […]
West Africa desperately needs your help
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Imagine being very hungry nearly all the time. Imagine telling your children to wait until the end of the day to eat a very small meal. Imagine eating every other day. Imagine not eating at all.
Very sadly, over 18 million people in West Africa’s Sahel region — an area between the Sahara Desert and the African tropics — do not have to imagine severe hunger; they are either experiencing it, or getting very close to it.
Crises have grown
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Food and nutrition crises in the region have grown in frequency and severity in recent years, mostly driven by sporadic rainfall, insufficient local harvests, high food prices, and insecurity.
Daughter is concerned about mom’s diet
Q I am concerned about my mother who is in her late 70s. She lives alone and is quite independent. She recently started having some health problems related to high blood pressure, swelling, and fatigue.
The doctor placed her on some medication and is closely monitoring her for which I am thankful. Since I live in a different county, I am not able to be there as often as I would like but we talk frequently and she assures me that she is following the doctor’s advice.
My concern is related to her diet. She insists on eating the same foods every day, which consists of TV dinners, soup, and sandwiches.
I would like her to eat more nutritious foods that are lower in salt but since I am not there to help her prepare them, I don’t think I can be too critical of her intake.
Are there any healthier options or support for people in these situations? I know she will not want to make a big meal since she lives alone. (From a daughter in Kenosha)
Shaking the hand that feeds you
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The warmer than usual early spring weather has unleashed a flurry of activity and interest in gardening projects (urban and rural), farmers’ markets, and local farm produce available from our area farmers.
The Rural Life Office of Catholic Charities receives calls from those seeking local, fresh produce grower information so, in this section of the Catholic Herald, we will provide some basics for understanding different models of Wisconsin farming production and the communities they serve.
Conventional farming
Wisconsin has a long and esteemed position in providing for our nation’s food system. Our dairy herds are of all sizes and produce dairy products for direct sale through grocery businesses as well as providing the major ingredients for world renowned, artisan-crafted cheeses throughout our state.