Interested in Fresh Natural Produce?

Interested in Fresh Natural Produce?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO: Newspaper Editors
FR: Sister Claire Whalen, Secretary
Food and Growers Association of the Laughery Valley and its Environs (FGA)
812-933-0818; cawhalen@verizon.net
RE: Public Information session, May 9, 2006

DATE: April 26, 2006

Leaders in the Northern Laughery Valley are being invited to attend a panel presentation, “Stimulating the Rural Economy,” to become informed about initiatives to create a Local Food Source in the Laughery Valley. The event will be held May 9, 2006, 6:30-7:45pm
at the Batesville Memorial Building, Council Chambers.

Guests will learn about the first project created by the Food and Growers Association, namely FarmFreshCSA, which is currently taking subscriptions for its program offering fresh, naturally grown produce for twenty weeks, beginning June 7, 2006. They will also learn about possibilities for locally grown produce to be purchased by schools for their lunch programs to improve the nutrition levels of school children. They will see how these local efforts mirror such projects in the state and nation.

The Food and Growers Association of the Laughery Valley and its Environs (FGA) is hosting this event.

Kathy Cooley, RD, dietitian at the Hansen Center in Batesville and president of FGA, will address the connection between eating safe, healthy food with personal health as well as with preserving family farms and caring for the environment.

Joining her on the panel will be the following professionals:

Robert White, State Director for Rural Development, USDA, Indianapolis
John Keeton, Field Coordinator, Purdue’s Ways to Grow and Beyond, Vevay
Richard Adrian, President of Jennings County Growers, North Vernon
Paul Anderson, President, Ripley County Indiana Farm Bureau, Moores Hill
Terry Stephenson, Coordinator, Historic Hoosier Hills, Versailles

Claire Whalen, OSF, Secretary of FGA, Batesville, will serve as moderator


For additional information, call Kathy Cooley at 812-933-3708 or Christine Bruns at 812-934-6590.