All too often, issues surrounding the distribution and production of the food we eat are overlooked. Where does the food you’re consuming come from? Who grows it, who picks it, who slaughters it? How does it get to your plate? Is it organic, is it local, and what does any of this mean? Who has access to food, and who doesn’t? Come find answers to these questions and more during Food Justice week, brought to you by Wesleyan Biojustice and Earth House.
Today (Tuesday, April 24) come to Earth House (159 High Street) to eat at Veg-Out, an all-local and vegan meal open to everyone. Bring a plate, a utensil, and $4. At 7:00 pm, Jennifer McTiernan from CitySeed, a farmers market in New Haven, will speak about the work CitySeed is doing in relation to promoting a sustainable food system.
On Wednesday, April 25, there are two events. At 4:15 p.m., starting from Earth House, there will be an edible plants walk with Wesleyan Professor of Biology Michael Singer. At 8 pm, in PAC002, Brian Tokar, director of the Biotechnology Project at the Institute for Social Ecology, will speak about a wide variety of BioJustice related topics including: Monsanto’s role in global food production, the dangers of Biotechnology, and the importance of ecological sustainability.
Thursday, April 26 also has two events in store (with nearly the same schedule but new and fascinating topics to be discussed). At 4:15, come back to Earth House to hear the seniors Allison Burson, Anna Urban, and Sally Smyth give a panel on their respective theses, which all address food distribution and production issues. At 8:00 p.m., Anna Lappe, bestselling author and co-founder of the Small Planet Institute, will talk about food politics and social change at the CFA Cinema. This event was organized by Long Lane Farm.
Friday, April 27, Wesleyan hosts the Global Farmer’s Speaking Tour, which will begin at 4:15 p.m. in Shanklin 107. Farmers from diverse regions of the world will talk about how the rise of corporate monoculture is threatening their livelihoods, and their lives. The Tour as well as Brian Tokar are generously sponsored by the Alpha Delt Speaker’s Fund.
Saturday, April 28, do some hands-on activity with a workday at Long Lane Farm, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and a parsnip cookout from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Earth House kitchen—did you ever know parsnips could be prepared in so many ways?
Finally, on Sunday, April 29, participate in the Rising Tide Roadshow, which will begin at 10 am in Science Center, with Musical Performances in Westco Cafe in the evening. The Roadshow will explore global warming and its connections to other issues of social significance such as food sovereignty, gender, the prison industrial complex, and Biotechnology through a series of workshops, performances, discussions, and a folk-punk musical. In addition, workshops will be given by Long Lane Farm and Earth House. Earth House will be leading a workshop on bread baking at 10:30 a.m. If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP to Anna, araithel@wesleyan.edu.
We look forward to seeing you. For more information about Biojustice and upcoming events, check out www.biodev.org.
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