We of EcoTuesday Cleveland are proud to announce our launch event this February 23rd at the Club at Key Center at 127 Public Square in the heart of downtown Cleveland. Our topic this month is local foods and the significant shift transforming our city and region through innovative business models in urban agriculture. Our speaker is renowned local foods expert and colleague Brad Masi of the New Agrarian Center.
Many are aware of the multiple wins involved with local foods and sustainable urban agriculture: the food is produced locally to employ and better benefit local growers, environmental impacts are positive in terms of fuel saved, local soils and waters revitalized, blighted properties restored to beauty and productivity, and more. People in traditional 'food deserts' gain access to fresher, more nutritious, organic quality produce.
Health benefits manifest in terms of the physical activity, connection with nature, and nutritious diet associated with local foods production. Communities connect, build and grow around the activities associated with local foods, like urban gardening, and community-built greenhouse construction that can be likened to the old fashioned 'barn raising'. New revenue streams can be generated through local value-added processing. The entire local economy gains through driving a full-circle value chain for local foods- growing (production), distribution, value-added processing, multiple points of sale, and recycling and composting to come full-circle. These activities are particularly critical in uplifting under-served communites and my favorite client projects involve the innovative application of local food models to enrich and educate these communities and all of their stakeholders.
In recent years, much activity has ramped up in this domain, with many new urban farms taking root in Cleveland's urban core and new grant monies being distributed to support this work by government and nonprofit entities alike. I am happy to work to support two key urban agriculture models for doing good and doing well - one to train and empower women in a shelter and chemical dependency treatment center and another to experientially educate and empower challenged young people. These projects are exciting because they are designed to not only solve societal problems but achieve significant financial profitability as well. Brad Masi has been an instrumental advisor and collaborator on these projects and it is wonderful to have him speak at our event.
We hope you can come join us the evening of February 23rd for a fun, information-filled good time where all can learn how to take part, make a difference, do good and do well - in Cleveland's local food economy.
It's FREE when you RSVP online, and $10 at the door. RSVP Now!
