100-Mile Breakfast Shrinks…

Once again, the Silverton Grange is hosting our “localvore” Breakfast on Saturday, August 28, 2010, from 8 am to 11 am at the Silverton Grange Hall. Originally our breakfast featured foods made from scratch with ingredients grown or produced within 100 miles of Silverton.

This year we have decided to shrink our reach and to focus on those items within a 50 mile radius. The event is intended to encourage people to consume foods from their local area. There is a $7 suggested donation. Everyone is welcome.

The menu will include buckwheat pancakes, SortaSausage®, vegetable frittata, fresh fruit, fruit compotes, sausage, and  beverages.

“Within even 50 miles of Silverton is a cornucopia of vegetables, fruits, nuts, meats, grains, and seafood,” explains April Brenden-Locke, Silverton Grange member. “We want to provide a delicious meal to community members showcasing the incredible foods we have available in our local area.”

Information and resources will be available at the event to show people the benefits of eating local food and where they can buy local products.

“Produce travels an average of 1,500 miles before it reaches our supermarkets,” says Brenden-Locke. “Buying more local food decreases our dependency on foreign oil and supports local family farms.”

Founded in 1867, the Grange is the nation’s oldest farm organization and supports sustainable communities, local agriculture, and education. “The Silverton Grange is bringing these ideals into the 21st century by being relevant to today’s families and today’s issues. We believe local farmers and food producers are critical to that goal,” says Brenden-Locke.

Corporate Accounatability

Note: The following was written in response to a Legislative Alert sent by email from The National Grange Legislative Policy Committee. The opinions within are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Silverton Grange.

Molly Thompson; Legislative Program Assistant
Re: National Grange Legislative Action Alert 13

Madam:

I recently received an “Action Alert” urging all Grange Members to OPPOSE House Resolution 5175, designed to reign-in the alleged “constitutional rights” of corporate organizations.

I joined the Grange specifically for it’s early opposition to unbridled corporate power, monopolies and their “middle men.” For over a hundred years, our country has been ever increasingly under the thumb of these corporate interests, whose only goal is to increase profits for share holders.

This situation, fueled by dwindling supplies of non-renewable fossil fuels, has evolved into a massive centralized civilization that even the ancient Soviets would envy. The current fact that campaigns are judged by how much money is raised, is not only obscene, but un-patriotic.

And now the National Grange wants us to oppose the small measure of accountability that HR5175 would mandate. What does the National Grange have to fear from citizens knowing how much money was spent by them?

Maybe because the National Grange is actually more supportive of those same corporate interests? And perhaps fear that HR5175’s accountability would reveal to all this fact?

If the National Grange was truly concerned about family farms and the future of rural America, they might be wise to actually support same. Instead of the centralized corporate predators that feed off of us.

I will advise all my friends and neighbors to contact their Congress folks to SUPPORT HR5175.

Sincerely,

Gus Frederick; Lecturer
Silverton Grange No:748