In 2011, Oldways initiated the K. Dun Gifford award for food journalism.  Affiliated reporters, freelancers and bloggers are eligible to enter.

Write and win a contest

Details:  http://www.oldwayspt.org/KDunGiffordAward 

What a splendid breath-enhancing addition to the city of Washington the new Czech Embassy will be!

Museums and post office administrators see the logic of cutting heating and cooling costs with roof top gardens and lawns that reduce solar impact. Quebec is moving forward with plans to green the roof of the Beaux Arts Museum.

In New York City, the USPS created a rooftop garden at a processing facility. Shanghai’s General Post Office, a vast marble showcase for postal services and museum exhibitions, offers a manicured rooftop garden overlooking the Bund.

Mexico City received a greening boost a few years ago when a popular mayor advocated turning rooftops into gardens. Now, a city once known for air pollution is making positive steps towards cleaner air by installing more gardens on rooftops.

The perception in some circles is that the U.S. lags behind progressive European and Asian countries. This green roof industry site suggests the U.S. needs to learn from other countries. But local governments in the U.S. are requiring that buildings incorporate green roofs in new designs or rennovation projects. Atlanta, Georgia is a green leader, retrofitting a green roof on City Hall in 2003.

The Gleaners by Jean-Francois Millet

DC Urban farmers — let them know they can come out and be a “Crop Mob” on the Agricultural zone farms.

http://www.dc-urban-gardeners.com/composting/

Crop mobs are city dwellers who come out and do chores on local farms as volunteers. For more on the crop mob scene — here is their blog:

http://cropmob.org/  

Hot Garlic by Lupon

2011 Food Blogs and Websites

• http://www.outlawcook.com     —  AKA Simple Cooking
• http://www.appetiteforbooks.com  – Appetite for Books – Book Reviews
• http://www.chowhound.com  – Chowhound –an eater’s forum/ website
• http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/ – For the Love of Cooking
• http://www.davidlebovitz.com/   — Living the Sweet Life in Paris

Washington DC specific:

• http://capitalspiceblog.com/ – Capital Spice
• http://www.dcfoodies.com/ – DC Foodies
• http://thriftydccook.blogspot.com/ - Thrifty DC Cook

Montgomery County list.

These folks are our food allies. Give them your business and talk to others about the issues local farmers face.  Diminishing land near urban centers and water scarcity are just two of many challenges.  Support local farmers and you’ll always have food growing nearby.

http://www.ediblecommunities.com/content/  – Check out Edible Radio!

Nationally, the Edible Community of sustainable food  and organic farming advocates represent a significant audience of good food enthusiasts.

I met the co-founder, Tracey Ryder, years ago in one of the food writing workshops I teach for the University of California, Los Angeles.  At the time, she featured Edible Ojai in the portfolio of publications.  Marvelous to watch the concept grow and the audience for organic farm food expand exponentially.

Thank you, Tracey and colleagues, for your efforts to promote farmers and  the pleasures of food.  The James Beard Foundation Award, 2011 is well-deserved.

Congratulations!

Comstock Blueberry Pie Filling

Blueberry Walnut Tart

This recipe was given to me in Shanghai by Emma B., a delightful hostess and inventive, accomplished chef.

Tart Shells:

1- 1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. walnuts, finely chopped

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. coconut

1/2 c. butter

Mix all ingredients.  Set aside 1/2 cup of the mixture to be used for topping.  Press the mixture to the bottom and side of individual tart molds.  Bake tart shells at 375 degrees F. for 10 minutes

Filling:

1 8oz. package of cream cheese

1 egg

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 can of prepared blueberry pie filling

Beat the cream cheese until puffy, add the egg, sugar and vanilla and beat until well mixed.  Spoon filling gently into each baked tart shell.  Place tart molds on a cookie sheet and cook in oven for another 8 minutes.

Top with blueberry pie filling and the sprinkle on the remainder of the tart shell mixture.  Bake another 10 minutes.

Makes 12 to 20 individual tarts, depending on size.

Why buy from local farmers when the mega-mart offers bargain food and it’s wrapped in see through plastic?  Read the short answers here, but think about the long answer.  Do you know who grows your food?  Have you talked to the person who picked your dinner from the coop or field?