Marin Organic - Newsletter

They say challenges make you strong. That said, the economic climate of 2009 forced most organizations, especially non-profits, to really step back and take a look at their goals, funding and operations. With much hard work and dedication, the staff of Marin Organic has come through the challenge of 2009 determined to continue working for the betterment of agriculture in Marin County.

Over the past decade, Marin Organic has been at the forefront of defining what can be achieved through a grassroots agricultural organization with strong local ties and a deep understanding of global considerations. Marin Organic's development of programs, such as the Organic School Lunch and Gleaning Program, has helped serve our community as well as inspire and shape programs across the United States.

We are well aware of the work that still needs to be done in order to best serve our local farmers and producers and to further enrich our programs in order to bring them to their fullest potential. This year our resolve is stronger than ever, and I am very proud of my association with such a fine group of innovative thinkers and doers.

The foundation of Marin Organic is the people it serves - from farmers and food producers to the schools, businesses and residents that make up our community; a community of believers in a better place to live. We hope you will join us in our mission and become a Friend of Marin Organic in 2010.

Peg Smith

Co--Owner, Cowgirl Creamery

Healthy Lunch = Happy Kids

With school lunch and the Children's Nutrition Act in the national spotlight, Marin Organic's ongoing work bringing local, farm fresh foods to the county's public and private schools and resource centers is now more important than ever. Currently in its fifth year, the Organic School Lunch and Gleaning Program serves as a replicable model for school districts and communities across the country. To date, our gleaning efforts have contributed more than 130,000 pounds of free, wholesome organic food to kids throughout Marin!

Speaking of gleaning, the Marin Organic Glean Team thrived in 2009, harvesting some 200 boxes of extra foods like tasty carrots, leafy greens, yummy potatoes and juicy strawberries for local school children and underserved families. Our volunteer gleaners have just about doubled our capacity to donate healthy foods to Marin County schools and pantries! Amazing!!! Thank you, Glean Team!!!

Just feeding kids healthy foods isn't enough, so Marin Organic also offers educational Farm Days for classrooms K-12. Providing kids with meaningful tasks (gleaning food) while teaching our curriculum (healthy soils make healthy people) is exactly what our youth needs. But don't take our word for it, read what local author, columnist and gardener extraordinaire, Annie Spiegelman, the "Dirt Diva," recently reported in an article for The Huffington Post (March 13, 2010):

"In the late fall, a class trip to Star Route Farms in Marin County was made possible by Marin Organic and Miguel Villarreal, Director of Food and Nutritional Services for the Novato Unified School District. The class gleaned heads of lettuce, which would have been tossed out, but instead were harvested by the students and donated to the local food bank. 'When we got to go visit the farm we all got to hang out together and learn about nature at the same time,' said science student, Jose Diaz. 'We all just got to be ourselves. It was like having a perfect day.' This visit to an organic farm not only showed the class how food for many can be grown without harsh chemicals... but where real, healthy food that's not packaged, processed, laden with salt, corn syrup and so-called natural flavors comes from. It comes from the SOIL. Not from a box? Say what!"

The MO truck has added a second day of delivery to local schools and pantries this year, so be on the lookout for Driver Chester's contagious smile. If you'd like to hear more about his experiences delivering healthy organic food to kids and communities in need, follow Chester on his travels via the Marin Organic School Lunch and Gleaning Program blog. Three cheers for Chester!

Cast YOUR vote for healthy school lunch by becoming a Friend of Marin Organic, joining our Glean Team and encouraging your legislators to support farm-to-school efforts in your neighborhood. (To write to your legislators, join Slow Food's Time for Lunch letter campaign).

Just the Dirt...

News from Marin Organic Producer Members

RedHill Farms

Once upon a time, Petaluma was touted as the "chicken capital of the world." Over the years, most of the chickens have disappeared and abandoned coops dot the countryside - until now! Located on Red Hill Road in Marin County, RedHill Farms is bringing back Petaluma's heritage with a 1,400 strong flock of White Leghorns, Americanas, Black Sex-links and Rhode Island Reds. Don Gilardi's new brood produced their first round of eggs in March and can now be found at local schools, food pantries and restaurants throughout the Bay Area. Eggceptional!!!

Stemple Creek Ranch

Marin Organic is delighted to welcome its newest Producer Member, Stemple Creek Ranch! With 520 acres of organic pasture, hay and organic grass-fed beef, the Poncia family brings our membership an incredible roster of attributes and a notable history of stewardship, spanning four generations and more than 100 years. Stemple Creek Ranch values biodiversity and the Poncias strive to keep the land abundant and animals healthy and happy. They accomplish this by using a variety of techniques, including protecting creeks with cattle crossings, planting native species on creek banks, and carefully monitoring grazing to ensure their pastures remain productive and protected from overuse.

To control erosion, the Poncias have fenced off over three miles of creek beds at Stemple Creek and planted over 1,000 trees, providing shade to cool the creeks and create habitats for birds to nest. We are delighted to welcome them to the Marin Organic family! For more information about Stemple Creek Ranch visit:

www.stemplecreek.com

Spring's bounty from Marin Organic farms and ranches:

- Meyer lemons and Kaffir lime leaves from McEvoy Ranch

- Red or chioggia beets, arugula and mesclun spring mix from Star Route Farms

- Dandelions, miner's lettuce and assorted herbs from Marin Roots Farm
- Snapdragon flowers and red merlot lettuce from Cow Track Ranch

- Fresh, spring garlic from County Line Farm

- Organic, free range eggs from RedHill Farms
- Organic grass-fed beef, high in omega-3s, from Drake's Bay Family Farms
- Wholesome, creamy milk, yogurt and ice cream from Straus Family Creamery

Supporting Business Spotlight

Marin Organic Supporting Business Program

The Marin Organic Supporting Business Program was developed by Marin Organic to acknowledge the critical role businesses play in keeping local farming economically viable. The program fosters the relationship between food vendors and local organic producers and provides a means of promoting businesses that support organic agriculture in Marin County.

From B&B's to your neighborhood restaurant, artisan gelaterias to your local market, our Supporting Business members go the extra mile - figuratively speaking, of course - to buy local. Show them your support by patronizing their businesses - with every bite you'll reduce your carbon footprint and cast your vote for creating a regional food system!

Click here for a list of Marin Organic Supporting Business Members.

Arizmendi bread rolls Arizmendi

Marin Organic welcomes Arizmendi, our newest Supporting Business member! The artisan bakery opened its doors last week in San Rafael at the corner of Court and Fourth Streets. Arizmendi's 12 worker-owners honed the craft of baking and pizza-making at the Cheese Board in Berkeley and other Arizmendi bakeries in the Bay Area. They invite everyone to come and enjoy their trademark savory scones, muffins, breads and mouthwatering pizzas.

The Tyler Florence Shop

Logo Celebrity chef, restaurateur, author and local business owner, Tyler Florence has made a name for himself internationally and right here in Marin. Located in downtown Mill Valley, The Tyler Florence Shop brims with culinary essentials and accoutrements guaranteed to tempt any epicure. We're delighted Tyler and his wife, Tolan, are dedicated to supporting Marin's local producers like Janet and Marty Brown from Allstar Organics. Stop in to sample their extraordinary selection of Allstar Organics hydrosols, herbal salts and sugars - including rose, spearmint and lemon verbena. They're a delicious accent to any kitchen, and the perfect housewarming or Mother's Day gift!