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Drum Roll, Please ... A Mayoral Proclamation

Posted at 5:52 PM on August 22, 2008 by Donna McClurkan (2 Comments)

I serve on a committee with fellow local food advocates from around town. Recently, while planning a series of food-themed events for September, a suggestion was made: let's approach the mayors of the two largest cities in Kalamazoo County - Kalamazoo and Portage - and ask them to designate September LOCAL FOOD MONTH. In short order, a proclamation was created and representatives from both City offices were enlisted to help.

It was not a hard sell.

Mayor Bobby Hopewell, City of Kalamazoo, and Mayor Peter Strazdas, City of Portage both understand the importance locally grown food can play in the health of individuals and our community. They know about Michigan's rich agricultural bounty. And they know food dollars invested in the community grow and multiply, thereby impacting our local economy.

So here it is ... our LOCAL FOOD MONTH Mayoral Proclamation:

WHEREAS, Michigan has the most diverse agricultural environment outside of California; and

WHEREAS, the economic benefits of buying food raised, grown and processed locally are known; and

WHEREAS, the opportunity to positively impact community and individual health exists; and

WHEREAS, the potential for community building activities around local food are understood.

NOW, THEREFORE, I [Bobby Hopewell, Mayor of the City of Kalamazoo / Peter J. Strazdas, Mayor of the City of Portage] do hereby proclaim September 2008 as LOCAL FOOD MONTH in the city of [Kalamazoo / Portage] and urge all citizens and others in Kalamazoo County to observe this month by shopping at a farmers' market, hosting local food-themed potluck events, touring a farm, visiting a winery or microbrewery, attending the Southwest Michigan Community Harvest Festival, participating in Eat Local Kalamazoo! (ELK!), volunteering in a garden, or engaging in any other activity that endeavors to elevate awareness and understanding about the rich and diverse bounty we have in our great state.

Comments (2)

Donna,
As a fellow member of the ELK committee and chairman of the 2008 SW MI Community Harvest Fest, this is a monumental proclamation! To get two cities in middle America, who not long ago would not have thought twice about the notion of eating local foods to make this announcement, it a great accomplishment. It makes me feel that there is hope for the development of a strong and vibrant local food system.

Congratulations!
Lori

Posted by Lori Evesque | August 22, 2008 8:21 PM

Fantastic Donna and the committee!

Let's boot it into high gear and get the word out.
I'll post something on my website. The movement to "eat local" has been steadily growing and this endorsement is going to help push it over the edge
into the minds (and consequently, pocketbooks- meaning investment in local food) of the wider general public.
Wooohoo!

Channon

Posted by Channon Mondoux | August 23, 2008 7:05 AM