Cultural Cuisine and Forging Farmers 2014

 

Come support new leaders in sustainable food systems by celebrating
our 2014 alliance of global stewards!
 
Enjoy flavorful, multi-cultural tapas sourced from our local organic breadbasket and served by Executive Chef Damien Jones from the Natural Grocery Company Annex. Be inspired by the powerful work of MESA Stewards, Hosts and Educators. Sip on California's finest beer and wine while you persuse our silent auction boasting artwork from Bay Area artists, getaways to nearby attractions, gift baskets from local purveyors, and more!

 
We're thrilled to announce MESA's 2014 Forging Farmers awards!
 

Forging Farmers Educator:

Anna Lappé is an internationally acclaimed author, educator and sustainable food activist. She directs the Real Food Media Project and co-founded the Small Planet Institute in partnership with her mother, Francis Moore Lappé. The Small Plant Institute supports grassroots democracy movements worldwide addressing the causes of hunger and poverty. Anna's recent book, Diet for a Hot Planet: The Climate Crisis at the End of Your Fork & What You Can Do About It, examines the inextricable links between our climate and the food system.

 

Forging Farmers Community Changemaker:

Pandora Thomas' life and work is rooted in creating a world where all people have access to empowering and hands-on environmental education experiences. Pandora is a certified permaculture designer and co-founded Earthseed Consulting, a holistic ecological advocacy firm deepening connections to the earth in diverse communities. Her current and past work with Pathways to Resilience, Environmental Service Learning, Global Women's Water Initiative, and Grind for the Green links critical issues in global human rights, youth empowerment and ecological, social and racial justice.

 

Forging Farmers Emerging Leader:

Isabel Quiróz is a 2013 MESA alumni from Aguascalientes, Mexico who completed her exchange at Golden Rule Mini-Farm in Willits, CA. Isabel focuses on the Grow Biointensive methodology and is passionate about food sovereignty and women leadership. She received a MESA Sustainability and Innovation Mini-Grant and is now developing three community gardens in Mexico in partnership with municipalities afflicted by high violence rates to improve food access, community collaboration and gender equality.

 

Forging Farmers Host Mentor:

As a longtime MESA Host Partner and former Board member, Bob Gerner and the Natural Grocery Company (NGC) have hosted MESA Stewards from Ecuador, Georgia, Peru, Sri Lanka and Thailand for experiential learning in organic produce marketing and worker-owned cooperative retail practices. MESA alumni from NGC have gone on to expand their own local marketing, partnering with small farmers and educating eaters about the value of sustainable production. Bob started the NGC in 1981 with the goal of providing wholesome food that tastes good. The NGC sells 100% organic produce and is committed to being GMO-free by 2018.

 

 

We will be featuring the incredible trio, Chaskinakuy.
Multi-instrumentalists Edmond Badoux, Francy Vidal and Daniel Zamalloa bring traditional Andean music to life, performing the compelling melodies and infectious rhythms of high mountain festivities.
Equipped with an extraordinary collection of regional instruments that includes flutes and panpipes of bamboo, bone and feathers, goatskin drums, the 10-foot long Peruvian trumpet, violin, harps, guitars, mandolins and more, the trio explores musical terrain traveled by few. 

 

Reserve your tickets here. Space is limited.
Tickets are $50
Discounted rates for beginning farmers and groups
Email [email protected] for limited number of volunteer sign up opportunities.
 
Can't attend, but want to contibute? Your donation is greatly appreciated!