Cookin' in the 'Cuse

Seeds of Grace Garden on MSNBC.com

Okay, even though it's my voice doing the commentary this isn't about me.  This video story from MSNBC.com is about the congregation I serve in Syracuse--Grace Episcopal Church and their commitment to feeding people sustainably.  We've begun to convert part of our parking lot to an organic vegetable garden.  Click on the box above or check it out here. It's only about a minute and a half long.  This is yet another reason why I love being here.  My gratitude goes to Jen Maiser at Life Begins at 30 for getting us linked with the folks at MSNBC.com.

(And thanks to those of you who helped me in my attempt to get the video clip on the blog--Mark and Steve, you're awesome!)

What I've Been Up To

My how the time can fly.  I've been running around attending to work, events, and friends.  I've got so much to post about but here's a sampling of what's to come and what I've been up to:

• Today's opening of the Syracuse Community Test Kitchen.  Ray Cross, the president of Morrisville State College says, "We want to put a product on store shelves where a neighbor could say 'I know the person who made that' made with ingredients grown in their neighborhood"  He's my new hero.
• A review of some fabulous lunches I've had at Sparkytown in Hawley-Green.
• Freshly roasted beans at Cafe Kubal in Eastwood.
• Browsing the cookbook and food literature section at Books End in Eastwood.
• The launch of Edible Finger Lakes--the first issue debuts next month.

Archive Alert:  On this date in 2006 I was catching up on the organic news of the day.

Urban Delights Farmstand comes to Grace

What a beautiful day--what a beautiful sight!  For most of the day, youth sold fresh produce (from area farms) in front of Grace Episcopal Church (University at Madison) as part of the Urban Delights Farmstand program.  They'll be here every Thursday through August--a bonus if you're participating in the Eat Local challenge.  More details to come about where you can find an Urban Delights stand around Syracuse, but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words...

Shameless Plug

It is partly because of the length of Central New York winters that there are so many outdoor food events in Syracuse.  Once the snow melts, you'll find that there is something happening outdoors nearly every weekend in this city and there is always food involved.  Spring and summer are also prime seasons for various church barbeques.  Church parking lots, gardens, and courtyards are transformed into huge outdoor restaurants where you can pick up food to go or enjoy your eats on site.  Plus, it can be a great way to support local food producers and local concerns.

So here's my shameless plug.  My own church, Grace Episcopal, where I serve as priest and pastor, is having its big BBQ this weekend.  Grace is a very cool place--so cool that I willingly left the San Francisco Bay Area to be here.  It is full of folks who really "get it" concerning issues of food safety, eating locally, organically, and sustainably, striving for peace and seeking justice for all people--particularly the poor and disenfranchised. 

A couple of months ago they decided to spend the next year focusing on issues of food and health.  Many folks at Grace have organic vegetable gardens, support CSAs and we'll even have an Urban Delights farmstand for eight weeks beginning in July to coincide with the time our food pantry is open.  Nutrition and cooking classes, hunger and povery reduction, and sustainable agriculture advocacy are all in the works. 

So if you find yourself near Syracuse University this weekend, come by and get a delicious chicken or rib dinner.  Your meal will help feed others in our community.  Grace Episcopal Church is located at the corner of University and Madison--just three blocks from Syracuse University.