Creating Community, Bite By Bite

Sunday evening folks from all over Lafayette gathered together at the Manzanita Room at the Community Center to eat dinner.  They brought dishes to share, their own plates and flatware, their own wine, and even their backyard produce to swap.

It might have been an ordinary potluck, but this was part of something special.

The first ever Food Day took place and we were part of it. Like Earth Day, except about food, this day sought to bring awareness and a call for affordable and sustainably produced food.  Over 2,000 events were organized across all 50 states, including ours here in Lafayette.

Linda Riebel, of Sustainable Lafayette, heard about the national event and wanted to bring it to our town.  Working with Siamack Sionshansi, of the Urban Farmers, she rented the room, organized volunteers and got the word out that Food Day was here!  

Of all the events across the country, the national organizer of the event, Lilia Smelkova, chose to attend our potluck. She was visiting the Bay Area from Washington D.C. and explained that she had worked for Slow Food International in Italy for 10 years and initiated the Slow Food network in Eastern and Central Europe and Canada.  It was incredible to hear how this event came in to fruition just months after Lilia brought the idea to Washington.

This rather simple potluck brought together people of all ages, who were all looking for something beyond just food to fill their stomachs. People were truly interested in building  community. They shared their favorite foods, their bottle openers, their iPods for music, and recipes.

Siamack spoke about the Urban Farmer’s goal to plant 1,000 fruit trees in Lamorinda and how to pick the right tree for your family.  Although the information is on his website, hearing his impassioned call to grow your own food was inspiring.  Siamack has already helped plant over 650 trees in our three towns.

Lafayette is becoming known as a town that is committed to local, sustainable and organic food. Much of that is due to the work of the Local Food Committee, headed by Janet Thomas, long time science teacher at Campolindo and Acalanes.  Janet’s committee has brought the Farmer’s Market, encouraged our local grocery stores to carry more local products, and introduced the Community Garden Project to Lafayette.  Still in the planning and fundraising phase, this garden once in the ground, will allow fledgling gardeners to try out their skills, or learn new ones in the educational garden, as well as provide a space for more backyard produce swapping and gleaning projects to take place.