Foodlums Minutes 4/1/11

"Lead me, Follow me, or Get the H out of my way"
- One of the two most important pearls of wisdom for farmers according to a fantastic old farmer of authentic food at the Sustainability in Agriculture Conference this weekend at Lawrence University

Ken Meter
- Can come speak on Monday, April 18th but needs to be back in the cities by 5:30
- We will have a brown bag lunch for his talk.
- The Cabin was suggested as a place that would be central and might attract extra people to hear him speak.
- Visit this link for a quick bio on Ken Meter and to learn more about his organization, Crossroads Resource Center http://www.crcworks.org/?submit=about

Raised Beds
- Dr. Hupy is hooking us up with the lumber for raised beds
- We need to build the raised beds-- there might be a work day for the next meeting. Check your mailboxes for further updates this week.
- Dane had a cool idea for a design for our raised beds involving an octogonally-shaped bed. We will need to meet with Daria, the University's Landscape professional, this week to get her input based on her knowledge of landscaping.

BEEEEEZZZZZZZZ
- Ellen and Chris spent their spring breaks building bee hives under the careful watch and mentorship of our masterful bee-keeping advisor Dr. Hupy.
- Now the hives have been primed and just need to be painted-- white (so the bees feel comfortable). If we insist on making them awesome looking with pretty designs and pictures, he says we can use light, pastel colors.
- Foodlums have been waiting for the money requested for bee hives from the Green fund but the money seems to be lost in the complex bureaucracy of our University System. Hopefully funds will be recieved... now... so we can express order bee-hive parts that our happy hive makers weren't able to construct.
- Painting of the hives will be a project for our next meeting. We need to get ready for the grand arrival of our Queen and her BEEZZZ the following week! YEAY!

Progressive Film Festival Food Films
- Two food-related films were shown on Saturday "Tapped" about bottled water, and "The End of the Line" about the decline of Newfoundland Fisheries. If you were able to attend either of these films, please come to the next meeting so you can tell everyone about them!
- "Bananas!" is being shows on Monday at 7:30 in Hibbard 102
- The description given in the PFF brochure is : "On behalf of twelve Nicaraguan banana workers, he is tackling Dole Food in a ground-breaking legal battle for their use of a banned pesticide that was known by the company to cause sterility"
- WHOA! Hope everyone can make that one!

Sustainability in Agriculture Conference
-Ellen and Briana went to a conference about sustainability in agriculture at Lawrence University this weekend
- They will be bubbling over to tell you all the cool things they learned and inspiration they got, so don't miss our next meeting.

UW- Milwaukee Food Conference
- UW- Milwaukee is hosting a food conference the weekend of April 15th
- The focus is more on food culture and cooking and looks AWESOME!
- PLEASE! Someone go!
- Drool over the savory menu of speakers and topics by clicking on the link below
http://www4.uwm.edu/cie/research/conferences/food/program.html

This video was shared at a meeting a few weeks back and now will be shared with everyone on the listserv as a little end-of-minutes treat. Bon Appetit!
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/27/134069431/soaring-food-prices-hit-poor-countries-spur-farmers

Get ready to work!
-Briana

Foodlums Minutes 3/4/11

Local Independence Showcase
- making the food and selling it at the event was really fun
- the menu was barley vegetable soup (all ingredients local except for spices and onions) and local hot dogs.
- over-estimating the number of people at the event lead to a negative income-- we lost money
-good to support the local movement!

Garden Manager
- Those who are interested in the garden manager position should contact Randy Palmer (palmerri@uwec.edu), the head of facilities and maintenance, to get more information about the application process.

Environmental Endeavors Commission Funding
- Briana and Dr. Kaldjian went to a meeting to learn how to get access to the money in our green fund grant.

A Return to Weavers
- Interest was expressed in going for another trip to Weavers
- Some wanted to leave the meeting immediately to load up on bulk goodies, others thought it best to wait until the morning.
- It was decided that a car load of foodlums would make the voyage to Fall Creek at 10am the next day (saturday, which already passed. sorry you missed it)
- As a bonus, the Weavers Pilgrims would stop at Farm and Fleet to look at different portable shed options for the garden. SCORE CITY!

Ideas for Spring activities (aside from obvious garden projects)
- Bringing a speaker to campus. Ken Meter is a speaker who came a few years ago and was contacted again to see if he would make a return visit to Eau Claire. To learn more about his organization, Crossroads Resource Center follow this link: http://www.crcworks.org/?submit=economies
- Farm tour. in an informal conversation that Katelyn had with someone from the Holm family, we were invited to visit their farm again (the organic valley dairy farm that we toured last spring)

Jenna gives a nice review of Turks head Coffee
- Jenna visited Turks Head Coffee on Barstow for the first time on Friday and was very excited about her turkish coffee experience
- When she was there, her new friend Mike (owner of Turks Head) told her that they would be giving out free cookie samples as part of a new event in which downtown businesses stay open until 9pm the first Friday of every month for fun night. The cookies he described included ingredients like lavender and coriander. yum.

Rock On Foodlums
-Briana

Foodlums Minutes 2/4/11

Beekeeping Workshop
- The final lucky foodlums who were sent to Saturday's beekeeping workshop (the winners of the pancake flipping contest) were Tehya, Ellen, and Dane.
- The next meeting is sure to be packed full of new-found knowledge and insight for our own sweet colonies set to join our foodlums family this spring. Surely our new beekeepers will attend the meeting in complete beekeeping apparel.

Cambodian food, pictures, and stories night
- At the last meeting we were so tantalized by Emilie's stories from Cambodia that we all demanded that she and Chris lead us all in an attempt to cook Cambodian food while telling stories from their trip to Cambodia over winter break.
- Friday, February 18th in Oak Ridge is the tentative plan for this super exciting upcoming social event
-More details to come

Hot Dog Sale
- Some people expressed interest in having another hot dog sale.
- We don't really need money for Foodlums, so the idea was proposed to hold a hot dog sale for another organization.
- Ideas for deserving organizations were community table among others.
- Thursday Feb. 17th was the date that seemed most appealing to foodlums at the meeting
- Briana is going to talk to Christian Wise about holding the sale in Davies

Weavers
- Seven Foodlums visited weavers last Saturday
- One visitor described weavers to be "like Sam's club that you don't feel guilty shopping at"
- The store featured local dairy products, eggs, and honey and a lot of bulk dry goods with some organic selections as well. But that's not all!
- Next store up for a group trip might be Hahn's Market... but no set plans yet

Lutefisk and Lefse
-Ellen invited foodlums to join her family in making lutefisk and lefse
- The invitation was met by a chorus of groans of disgust and squeals of excitement.
- Ellen will inform us when a specific date is set for this Norwegian culture bonanza!

Local Independence Showcase
- Local Independence-- a radio show on public radio Sunday evenings featuring local music-- is planning a showcase the weekend of February 26th.
- The hosts want foodlums to be there promoting local food and (hopefully, depending upon legalities) providing local food for local music fanatics.
- More plans will be made when we figure out what the theater's feelings are on food

I hope there are a few Foodlums out there who bought the green and gold buns that I saw at Ron's the other day. They are helpful just in case someone takes a picture of you eating your wisconsin brat during the game and wants to know from the picture which team you are cheering for.
-Briana

Foodlums Minutes 1/28/2011

Pre- Foodlums 3 o'clock discussion

Glitter and Cats room-
The meeting started with a discussion about the cats and glitter room
Briana entered with snow glimmering in her hair and our all-knowing president Tehya immediately jumped to the conclusion that she had come from the glitter room-- you know, the one located just around the corner in the secret hall of Phillips. The glitter room was revealed to also be filled with cats. So it is more properly known as the "Cats and Glitter Room".

Official Meeting Discussion

BOB (Blugold Organization Bash)
- This coming Wednesday 11-2 in Council Fire Room
- Please come for any amount of time you have available during this time frame so we can let others know about what an awesome group foodlums is!
-Tehya is picking up some cheese curds and bread to lure in cool people.

Beekeeping Workshop
- The Beekeeping workshop we received Green fund money to attend is Saturday February 5th and is put on by the Dunn County Beekeepers in Menomonie.
- Foodlums has sent in registration for three members to attend. The people at the meeting who were nominated to attend were Dane, Tehya, and Erin, however Chris has been reported to be extremely eager to attend as well, so there will be a pancake flipping competition this weekend among the four possible attendees to determine who our three primary beekeeping-knowledge-holders will be. If you are interested in competing in the flip-off for a spot in the workshop, please e-mail tehya (ricetm@uwec.edu)

Portable Shed
- Foodlums were also awarded money from the green fund for a shed to keep gardening supplies.
- It was decided that foodlums would look at menards selection
- Another idea was to find someone looking for experience in building to build the shed. An e-mail was sent to CVTC suggesting the project as an opportunity for a student in their wood technics program to gain more experience.

Cambodia Stories
-Emilie arrived and told everyone about her and Chris's experience in Cambodia over winter break.
-Stories included themes such as illegal banana plantations, a birthday cake baked in a jungle-made oven, a thrilling tractor ride, monks, and machetes.
- A night full of Cambodian food and pictures was demanded of Emilie. Stay tuned in for more details on this fantastic event. h

Fish Fry
- Chris and Zac are going to a fish fry next Friday, February 4th.
- Rides will be coordinated for those who are interested in attending.
- Fish fry does cost $9, but features three different kinds of fish! AWESOME!
- e-mail Zac at barneszj@gmail.com if you are interested.

Ice Fishing
-On the topic of fish, there was some discussion of ice fishing.
- A lot of foodlums were interested, but no motion was made to organize an ice fishing expedition.

Weavers
- Weavers-- a store featuring a variety of bulk foods just past Fall Creek-- came into conversation
- Foodlums decided to make a voyage of it on Saturday morning (tomorrow), leaving Eau Claire at eight in order to be the first ones in the store for their 8:30 opening.
-Two cars are going and we have one seat that hasn't been spoken for yet, so if you are enthused by the prospect of bulk foods and $2/dozen organic eggs, e-mail Briana (odegarbn@uwec.edu).

Foodlums Minutes 10/15/2010

Reflections on the Progressive Dinner
-It was a blast!
-Thanks to everyone who came (a lot of people) and everyone who helped to make the dinner happen
- SPECIAL thanks to Tehya, Erin, Paul, Justin, and Katrina who welcomed us into their warm, friendly homes

Drafting a proposal for the Green Fund
-A group will be meeting in the library on Sunday October 17th at 1pm to write a proposal for getting the grand available through student senate.
- The proposal will seek funding to get proper storage for the garden, hire a foodlums garden manager, get bees on the Phillips roof, and get materials for raised beds and landscaping materials, among other things.
- If you would like to get in on writing project or are good at it, please grace us with your presence this fabulous Sunday.

Putting a stop to single-use plastic bottles on campus
- A group of driven individuals on campus is combining powers to put a stop to the availability of single- use plastic bottles-- this includes bottled water and soda in plastic bottles.
- A few proposals are being submitted to the green fund for quick-fill water spouts around campus and providing reusable water bottles for incoming freshmen.
- Look for petitions around campus to end the days of single-use plastic bottles on campus-- they will be circulating starting now.
- An event on campus mall is being planned for the week before Halloween complete with a demonstration of the masses of plastic bottles disposed of every week and signs that illustrate the reasons why it's important to use re-usable bottles instead.
- If you're pumped up, come join the next meeting Thursday, Oct. 21 7pm in the Clearwater Room.

Potato Sale
- The potato sale will be Thursday Oct. 28th from 10-2.
- Hopefully those who said they would be able to help if the sale happened last week are available the 28th also. Please attend the next meeting or e-mail Briana (odegarbn@uwec.edu) to pledge your time for the event.
- We will need people to make chili at 9pm the night before at Tehya and Erin's house, people to bake potatoes the night before in their ovens, and people to help sell from 10-2 on thursday.

Bike Race/ Cook-off
- Set aside the afternoon of Saturday October 30th for a fantastic bike race/ cook-off remenicent of last spring's space race. The event will start at 1pm.
- This year, we will come in full halloween costume, split into two teams, and race to different check-points to pick up predetermined ingredients.
- Then, the two teams will set to work concocting meals with the given ingredients.
-The event will culminate in a picnic located in our very own foodlums garden.

And now, something to look forward to our next meeting for
-A lovely, foody e-mail was received from our former VP and garden manager, Danielle Gannon, sending her love from her Peace Corp. post in Sierra Leon.

Foodlums Minutes 10/8/2010

Progressive Dinner
- Tomorrow, October 9th beginning at 5:00 @ 720 Broadway
- Don't forget to bring your own dinnerware (bowl, spoon, plate, cup, fork, etc.) and $5.

Apple Picking
-Foodlums will be going to Schaefer's Orchard Run tomorrow, Sunday Oct. 10 leaving the Phillips/ Schnieder turn-around at 1:00 pm.
- People will be picking apples for Feed My People food bank and bringing some home for themselves as well.

Baked Potato Sale
- To happen either this week or next week Thursday from 10-2 in the Phillips entryway (depending upon when we get the potatoes.)
- Dr. Kaldjian has used his connection magic once again to find a fantastic potato donor. Last year Chaput Produce was kind enough to donate a significant quantity of rarely organic potatoes from Rice Lake, WI and will do the same for us again this year.
- There will be a chili production gathering at Tehya and Erin's, 720 Broadway, Wed. evening at 9:30 pm. Bring ingredients to add to the chili!
- This is the sign-up for potato selling
9:15 (set-up) Carlie
10-11 Carlie
11-12 Briana and Isaac
12-1 Briana and Chris
1-2 Briana, Lauren, Ellen
Takedown ______ (no one yet)
- As you can tell we still need help, so if you can help here, please e-mail Briana (odegarbn@uwec.edu)
- Chili making sign-up for Wed. night is K. MACE, KATELYN, Nate, Carlie (if needed), and Ellen yo.

Banning the Sale of Bottled Water on Campus
- There is a class who is motivated to put an end to bottled water sales on campus
- The group of passionate students will be meeting Thursday evening to discuss a plan of action.
- E-mail Aaron Brewster (brewstaj@uwec.edu) for more info. and check the Foodlums website later in the week for more specific time and date.

Green Fund Proposal
-Deadline for plans for use of the green fund is coming up on October 23rd (?)
- Foodlums would like to come up with a proposal that deals with landscaping of the campus, including edible landscaping and greenery that requires less pesticide use and watering.
- Get your thinking caps on and watch for notices on times and dates of meetings

Halloween themed bike cook
- Foodlums will be having another biking-meets-cooking scavenger hunt (similar to our space race last spring) on Saturday Oct. 30th.
- Come bet your costume ready and get excited!

Foodlums Minutes 9/24/2010

Garden Party
-This coming weekend spend Saturday evening partying for homecoming foodlums style!
- There is promise of holiday lights and food with the possibility of a keg of Point Root Beer, Apple cider, and SOUP! YUM!

Progressive Dinner
- Still coming up Saturday Oct. 9th
- Tell all your foodie friends.
- Our motto this year is "the more stops the better" so get ready for several courses to this meal.

Garden
- A garden steering committee is being put together to plan the lay-out of the garden for next year and into the future. We're looking at raised beds, hanging garden, etc.
- Isaac got some new compost bins. WHOOt WHOOT! you go dude.
- The word is that we got a sizable donation from the biology department to clean up the shopping cart area-- maybe purchase large, nice, tubs for storing stuff.

New regional health care system
- We've received news that a new community-designed hospital and regional health care system is being planned
- They want to incorperate local foods into their vision and are inviting foodlums to attend the meetings for brainstorming/ planning.
- Dr. Pamela Wible will be in town Oct. 24-27 for the meetings. Stay posted for more specific times/ dates/ locations of meetings

Open House and Potluck at the Center for Healing Arts

-Friday, October 8 2-8pm at The Center for Healing Arts (2722 London Road)
-Pre-registration required for the potluck. Email Patricia: patricia.wickman@gmail.com

-Schedule of events:

---Roxie Fransway-Greening and Joyce Sobotta: 2:30-3pm Thermography and Healthy Girls presentation
---Deb Farmer: 3-3:30pm Maya Abdominal Therapy and Wise Earth Ayurveda
---Veena Chadha: 4-5pm Indian Cooking Demo
---Potluck: 5-6pm (RSVP required)
---Roxie and Joyce: 6:15pm Thermography and Healthy Girls
---Connie Reynolds: 6:30pm Intro to Community Acupuncture
---Patricia Wickman: 6:45pm Radiant Living Yoga and Ayurveda

Other things we want to do soon
- can apple sauce
- have a baked potato sale
- have a bike race/ cook-off