February 2010
MORPC Local Food Assessment Drafted
Local Matters' co-founder 
Michael Jones was invited to participate in the creation of a local food assessment through the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission's Local Food Working Committee.
The committee was given the task of assessing the local food infrastructure for the twelve county region that MORPC serves. After six months of research and dialogue the draft of MORPC's local food assessment is now available for review and is attached to this post.
Several barriers to getting local food into communities throughout Central Ohio were identified. The final draft will be submitted by mid April and will help to guide. Take a look and share your feedback!
Local Food to School Program Expanding
The Local Food to School Program continues to grow, strengthening our local food
system. The Food is Elementary program has expanded and we now connect with over 900 children each week! There are also 60 teachers and hundreds of parents, interns and volunteers....all experiencing delicious local foods, preparing simple, healthy dishes, learning more about health and wellness and gaining insight one person at a time. That is what has been so exciting to see, the changes happening in our system. Any change on a system level requires partnerships, multi-level programming and continually assessing our work to make sure we are what the community needs.
Spring Planting Season
The San Francisco-based urban farmer Jason Mark of Alemany Farm, who does 
double duty as a food journalist for Change.org and editor in chief of the Earth Island Journal, recently posted a great editorial piece on the Baker Creek Seed Catalogue.
"Let's Move!" Gets Going
On February 9th the White House, in partnership with First Lady Michelle Obama, announced the Let's Move campaign.
The announcement states: 
First Lady Michelle Obama today announced an ambitious national goal of solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight and unveiled a nationwide campaign – Let’s Move – to help achieve it.
Ain't no bones about it!
In a recent issue of Extraordinary Health, there was an alarming cover photo of a
bone breaking stating “America’s Bone Health Crisis.” I don’t know about you, but when I hear or see the word "crisis" I tend to panic, wondering what can be done to change it IMMEDIATELY.
The powerful word of OPRAH!
I must admit that I am by no means an avid Oprah Show watcher, and even at times become slightly annoyed with her many claims and "do this" shows that so many Americans seem to be mesmerized by. She may not create my most favorite television show, but it is true that many people watch her religiously, and that she does have from time to time some helpful information.
Jamie Oliver Wishes for Healthy Food Education
As the 2010 Ted Prize winner, Jamie Oliver was given a chance to make one wish that would change the world and to do it in front of an audience that was eager to make his wish come true.
His wish announced on February 10, 2010 was to teach every child about food in order to confront the health issues that plague our communities - childhood obesity, diabetes, etc. and set a course for a healthy future.
Rollerskating is not just "old-school" exercise
This past Saturday was my 34th birthday celebration. My husband's birthday falls
two days before mine, so we always try to plan something fun and unusual
together. This year we decided that we wanted to try and re-live our youth and plan a birthday activity that would take
us back to the days of being a true kid. This year
Taming the Magical Fruit
As a vegetarian, I can't imagine my life without beans. They are cheap, full of protein and fiber, low in fat, versatile, and delicious. However, I have met many, many people who swear that they cannot eat beans, beans give them terrible gas, beans make their stomachs hurt, and so on. Not having these bean-related issues myself, I have long wondered why beans affect some people in this way.Can anything be done to prevent this problem?
I found an article that explains, among other things, that when a person introduces a new a food to their diet, or eats a certain food very infrequently, digestive problems may ensue:
Americans and Food by Katie Couric
While Katie Couric has not always been my favorite reporter, (we all are entitled to our opinions) I have to commend her on this little tidbit that I found via my twitter friend @ericarachelle niece of Columbus' own Jerry Revish. Looks like digging up the scoop runs in the family!
