|
Homegrown Minneapolis is a citywide initiative
expanding our community's ability to grow, process,
distribute, eat and compost more healthy, sustainable,
locally grown foods.
May 6, 2016
|
|
 |
 Support a Pollinator-Friendly City
Spring is here! As the weather gets warmer, you'll start to
notice bees leaving their hives to search for food. You can support bees this
season in the following ways:
Provide a diverse array of plants to help support a variety of bee and pollinator species. Do your best to provide blooming flowers from April to September. Learn more about when and what to plant to support bees and other pollinators in Minnesota.
Avoid using pesticides and avoid planting pesticide-treated
plants, including systemic insecticides. Find more resources on
protecting bees from pesticides here.
The City of Minneapolis adopted a resolution declaring Minneapolis a pollinator-friendly community and encouraging residents and businesses to adopt pollinator-friendly practices. Learn more about the
Minneapolis Pollinator Resolution and how you can support pollinators here.
|
Many Minneapolis Farmers Markets Opening in May
Schedules Available on Homegrown Minneapolis Website
Find 2016 location and schedule details for the nearly 40 Minneapolis farmers markets and mini-markets on the Homegrown Minneapolis farmers market page.
You can also find the list of farmers markets on the back cover of a special edition of the 2016 Minnesota Grown Directory, through partnership between Homegrown Minneapolis and Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Minnesota Grown program. Look for the free directories around town or get a copy at an upcoming Food Council meeting.
Lots Still Available in 2016 Garden Lease Program
The City of Minneapolis continues to offer approved vacant City lots for community gardens and market gardens for lease during 2016. Visit the garden lease program webpage for detailed information about the application process and to view the map of currently available and leased parcels. The map will be updated as parcel availability changes. Lots that were not reserved during the formal application process earlier this year are now available on a rolling basis, first come, first served.
May Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council Meeting
Wednesday, May 11 | 5:30-7:30 pm meeting; 5 pm presentation from Minneapolis Public Schools Nutrition Services Staff
Minneapolis Public Schools Nutrition Services, 812 Plymouth Avenue N (map)
Agenda
 City of Minneapolis: Cooperative Feasibility Class
Wednesdays: May 11 - June 29 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm
City of Minneapolis Innvation Center, Crown Roller Mill Building, 105 5th Ave S,
#150 (map)
The City of Minneapolis is offering a class for groups interested in creating a cooperative. The class will equip participants with tools to evaluate their co-op idea and/or refine their model.
Learn more and register here.
|
 Gardening Matters Plant Distribution Day
Saturday, May 14th, 2016 | 10:00am - 1:00pm for South Mpls; 11:00am - 2:00pm for North Mpls
South Minneapolis Waite House, 2320 13th Ave. S (map)
North Minneapolis St. Olaf Community Campus, 2901 Emerson Ave. North (map)
Become a member of Gardening Matters and receive access to resources including a wide variety of seeds, plants, and materials during their upcoming plant distribution days. Arrive early as it is first come, first served. The available seeds are non-GMO and neonicotinoid-free.
Learn more here. Sign
up here to volunteer. Become a member online or in person at the plant distribution events.
|
 Minneapolis Public Schools
True Food Taste Tests
Wednesday-Friday, May 18-20 | 10:00am-1:30pm (times vary by school)
Minneapolis
Public Schools (MPS) Culinary & Nutrition Services is seeking volunteers for their final round this school year of True Food Taste Tests.
Please consider helping with prepare/distribute samples to MPS students. Participating
schools and dates can be found on the right-hand side of the MPS Taste Test webpage.
Learn more here. Contact Kate Seybold at kate.greencorps@mpls.k12.mn.us for more information.
|
 Where the Wild Things Are: Slow Food MN's Annual Foraged Foods Dinner
Sunday, May 22 | 11:00am - 5:00pm
Piney Hills Farm, E623 County Road X, Glenwood City, WI (map)
Join fellow local foods supporters to enjoy a meal prepared with local and foraged ingredients at the picturesque Piney Hill farm. Talks and tours on foraging, farming, sustainability, and ecology will be provided along with live local music!
Learn more here.
|
The Status of Minnesota Food Hubs Report
Cooperative Development Services has completed a final report to the MN Department of Agriculture on the characteristics and trends around food hubs in Minnesota.
Access the report here.
Beyond Beauty: The Opportunities and Challenges of Cosmetically Imperfect Produce Report No. 3: Fresh-cut Processing and Foodservice Distribution
Learn about the opportunities and challenges with cosmetically imperfect fruits and
vegetables. The final report addresses fresh-cut processing and distribution
of Minnesota-grown imperfects by exploring issues around product sourcing, cutting, inventory management, marketing, etc.
The report series along with other resources can be found here.
USDA Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Website
The USDA has updated this website with new resources and with information about available grant and loan programs for local food projects.
Start It Up Camp
This camp at the University of St. Thomas is for high-school aged entrepreneurs and will provide the training and resources needed to be an innovator and problem solver. 25 attendees will receive full scholarships.
Sunday-Friday, July 17th-July 22nd
Learn More here.
USDA: Local and Regional Food Systems Policy Advisor - Details here (based in Washington DC)
Policy Advisor, Food Policy, City of New York - Details here
| 
