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Good Food
Good FoodA Living Economy Through Food
By Zachary D. Lyons
Jun 06, 2002 -- The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) begins its works with two principal assumptions:* There is something wrong with the idea that economic wealth is the principal important value in our lives. This often results in public corporations choosing short-term economic profits as their principal goal in order to satisfy shareholders' demands.
* Economic alternatives need to be imagined and experimented with if change is going to occur. Demonstrations against globalization awaken consciousness, but do not provide meaningful alternatives.
BALLE will host a panel discussion about the role of food in establishing local living economies on Wednesday, June 19, from 7 - 9:30 p.m. at the New Holly Community Campus at Swift and 32nd Avenue S in South Seattle. "Supporting local food producers is an important way to support the idea of local economies," says BALLE organizer, Victor Bremson. "A strong and diverse local food industry is critical to our economy, to our health, and to our need for fun and pleasure."
"BALLE envisions a sustainable global economy as a network of local living economies," Bremson explains. "A 'living economy' is a system that sustains both community life and natural life, as well as long-term economic viability. BALLE's mission is to cultivate living economies by creating, strengthening and connecting local networks of businesses, which make decisions based on the needs of all stakeholders.
The evening will include a panel from many food related organizations in the Seattle area. The speakers will draw a picture of the regional food system and how it is part of a "local living economy." The event also hopes to build support for the national Community Food Security Coalition conference, which will be held in Seattle October 4 - 7.
Speaking at the event include:
* Charles Finkel, leader of Seattle Slow Food Convivium, contributor to international Slow Food publications, and Slow Food activist.
* Laurie Demeritt, the Hartman Group, a leading source for in-depth insights into the healthy lifestyle and wellness markets, as well as the American
consumer.
* Marcy Ostrom, Director of the Small Farms Program at Washington State University.
* Linda Nageotte, Food Lifeline, a nonprofit food distribution center.
* Luke Woodward, operates a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm called Oxbow Organic Farm.
* Jeff Fairhall of the Essential Baking Company in Fremont will be the moderator of the evening.
"Food is a wonderful way to begin the process of understanding at a deep level what a local living economy is all about," Bremson said.
Contact Victor Bremson at (206) 789-5293 or vbremson@speakeasy.org for more information.
Directions to New Holly Campus: from I-5 Exit at Swift/Albro and go southbound on Swift (from I-5N: turn right at light onto Swift. From I-5S: turn left onto Albro, cross I-5, then turn right onto Swift). Follow Swift up hill, across Beacon Avenue, down hill and turn left on 32nd Ave S. Campus is on the right.
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