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One of the most exciting things happening in Corvallis is the emergence of neighborhood food groups.  There are two active groups up and running, and more forming.  In my neighborhood in South Corvallis, we started out by meeting weekly last summer to swap surplus garden produce and share gardening tips.  We grow everything from tomatoes and peas to hops and figs.  The group has evolved to do joint bulk buying of locally grown foods -- pinto beans, garbanzos and soft white wheat from Stalford Farms, locally-made soy products, cheeses from Fraga Farms, etc..  Over the winter, we have gathered at monthly potlucks to discuss gardens, gardening, food, and how we can share tools, seeds, starts, knowledge and information.  Our current "neighborhood" extends to about an 8-block radius, but we expect that our group will split off as the produce hits this summer -- natural cell division!  I have heard of a very similar model in Ecuador -- with more than 10,000 such neighborhood groups!  We are getting better at feeding ourselves, but even more, we are building a strong local community by forging new links with our neighbors, local farmers and the land.  There are two organizations in Corvallis that are ready to help others form similar neighborhood food groups -- Ten Rivers Food Web www.tenriversfoodweb.org and the Food Action Team of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition www.sustainablecorvallis.org.  Also check out the Corvallis Environmental Center www.worvallisenvironmentalcenter.org and their Edible Corvallis program.

posted 4 years, 2 months ago
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