Let's face it: The Farm & Food Bill is not sexy. And, all of us are busy or lacking the energy to absorb the tiny details of it. What to do?

Check out our quick-reading, fast-teaching info below.... How we spend that $30 Billion does affect us all, and you *can* do something about it. It's easy... Promise.

Happy Friday!

Here's the lowdown.

Problem
Current policy is allocating way too much to commodity crop subsidies (corn, wheat, soy, rice, cotton) and ridiculously too little to programs that actually help our food supply, environment and rural economies. Our health, food quality, surroundings, and farmers are all suffering.

2007 is our chance to turn our food and farming system around.

Opportunity
Many new proposals for change (aka "marker bills") are currently being reviewed by Congress sub-committees.

The more congresspeople who support (aka "cosponsor") the marker bills, the more likely they will be included in the 2007 Farm Bill. Congresspeople support marker bills when their citizens push them to. (Enter: You.)

Californians especially play a pivotal role in how things turn out, since we have four congressional members on the House Ag committee, and a California chairman of the Senate Ag-committee on Horticulture & Organic Agriculture.

Timeline
All these marker bills are reviewed this MAY and JUNE!

NOW'S THE TIME when consumers need to let their congressmen know the bills they want them to support.

How To?
Lucky for all you time-deprived folks, we've come up with a quick-n-easy Action Guide on our site. Click on the section you want to skim and eat well in the future. 2-minutes, promise:

Too Busy, No Time?
What Can I Do? What Are My Options?
What’s Happening and When?
What Are the Top Issues & Marker Bills?
Where Can I Get More Info?

Not Convinced?
At the very, very minimum, sign up for the California Coalition of Food & Farming's alerts, so you know when something critical comes up. (If you have probs with the link, email info@calfoodandfarming.org.)

Or, read Michael Pollan's recent New York Times article, "You Are What You Grow".

Deadline April 30th -- Sustainable Food News, arguably the best news resource for the local, organic, sustainable food industry, has discounted their annual subscription if you sign up during Earth Month, i.e., now! 33% OFF until the end of Monday...

Seasonal, organic cooking is often associated with simple, California-style cuisine a la Chez Panisse. But, we're blessed in the Bay Area to have many restaurants of all ethnicities using local, farm-fresh ingredients.

Check out these organic-friendly eateries -- all of them serving Asian or Eastern foods:
San Francisco:
Club Waziema: Ethiopian in the Panhandle
Delica-rf1: Modern Japanese in the Ferry Bldg
Medicine: Japanese (with a new casual fast format, and a few seafood dishes) downtown
Minako Organic Japanese Cuisine: Sushi & Japanese in the Mission
Namu: Modern Korean & Japanese in the Richmond
Roti Indian Bistro: Modern Indian in West Portal
Slanted Door: Vietnamese in the Ferry Bldg
Umami: Japanese in Cow Hollow

East Bay:
Breads of India: Indian & gourmet curries on University, Berkeley
Renee's Place: Chinese on Solano, Albany
Thai Delight: Thai on Shattuck, Berkeley

Marin:
Table Café (fka Tabla): Modern Indian in Larkspur

See other organic restaurants in the Bay Area

Speaking of minority groups, the Florida Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) has made history in successfully standing up to fast food chains to improve the sweatshops in the tomato fields.

Tomato pickers make sub-poverty wages (less than $10k/year), hadn't received a raise in nearly 30 years, and are notoriously denied fundamental human rights. It's considered "modern-day slavery".

After a four-year national boycott, CIW (comprised of Mexican, Guatemalan, Haitian, African-American, and others) finally convinced Taco Bell to improve wages and working conditions. The boycott victory was celebrated by many, including former President Jimmy Carter, Zack de la Rocha and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, and the 21 members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Next on their list is Burger King...

On February 5, 2007, Burger King released a statement (on their website) that because they don't buy directly from the farmers (i.e., they buy from the distributor), the unfair pay and treatment is not their problem. C'mon.

You can make a huge contribution to the CIW efforts in just a few minutes: Call Burger King Corporate at 305-378-3000 and ask for Consumer Relations. Tell them their excuse is weak (and lame), and to join Taco Bell and McDonald's as a more socially responsible business. (More ideas of what to say.)

More about CIW's great work
More about farm worker rights
Who's addressing these issues in the Bay Area

Comment on cloned animal products before 5/3: Due to overwhelming consumer response, the FDA has had to extend its public comment period about their proposal to NOT label meat, eggs, and dairy products derived from cloned animals. Send a quick web-mail before May 3.

King Corn DVD: One of Michael Pollan's personal peeves, this film covers our ca-razy corn nation and its proliferation in our industrial food and drinks. You can watch a trailer or buy a copy online...

Burger King going cage-free: They may not care about human rights, but they are starting to care about animal rights. (At least it's something.) Incorporating 2% of cage-free eggs and pen-free pork, as well as non-electric shock chicken coops. Yea.

No more plastic grocery bags in SF: The City is the first in the nation to prohibit petroleum-based plastic checkout bags in large markets and pharmacies. Woohoo!

No more styrofoam in SF: SF food vendors may no longer use polystyrene foam and must use compostable or recyclable disposable food service ware or to-go containers. Woohoo!

Check our organically-inclined Events page for more happenins as they are announced.

Penny-Wise Eat Local Challenge
Mon-Sun, 4/23/07-4/29/07
Your stomach

Chris Cosentino of Incanto Restaurant on Iron Chef
Fri, 4/27/07-4/29/07
Your TV. Secret Ingredient: Garlic!

Tour of McEvoy Olive Ranch
Fri, 4/27/07; 10:00am-12:00pm
McEvoy Ranch, five miles south of Petaluma at 5935 Red Hill Rd. (aka D Street or Point Reyes-Petaluma Rd) in Petaluma; $15 MALT member / $20 non-member

Spring Fling at Slide Ranch
Sat, 4/28/07; 10:00am-4:00pm
Slide Ranch, 2025 Shoreline Highway in Muir Beach; $15/person in advance; $20 at the gate; $60 for families of four or more; age two & under free.

Meet the Producer ~ Prather Ranch Meat Co. and Seasonal cooking demonstration ~ Chris Cosentino of Incanto Restaurant
Sat, 4/28/07; 10:30am
North Arcade of the Ferry Building in CUESA's Dacor teaching kitchen in SF; Free

Organic Cooking: book discussion and signing
Sun, 4/28/07; 11:30am
Book Passage, Ferry Building in SF; Free

Author Event: Myra Goodman and Food to Live By: The Earthbound Farm Organic Cookbook
Sat, 4/28/07; 11:30am
Book Passage, Ferry Building in SF; Free

Fava Bean Upick in Hollister at Mariquita Farm
Sat, 4/28/07; 9:00am-12:00pm
Mariquita Farm in Hollister; Free

Marmalade-Making Class with June Taylor
Sat, 4/28/07; 9:30am-1:30pm
Still-Room, 2207 4th Street in Berkeley; $140

4th Annual Bay-Friendly Garden Tour
Sun, 4/29/07; 10:00am-4:00pm
City: Alameda County; Free

The Sweet Life and Times of Cane Sugar - A Sugar Tasting at Samovar Tea Lounge w/ Slow Food San Francisco
Mon, 4/30/07; 5:00pm-7:00pm
Samovar Tea Lounge, Yerba Buena Gardens, 730 Howard Street in SF; $20 Slow Food members, $25 non-members

Cooking classes: In the Kitchen with Wendy Van Wagner
Tues & Wednesdays, 5/1/07-5/30/07; 6:30pm-9:00pm
Mission District in SF; $50 Event type: Educational, Meal/Tasting

Late Spring Dinner Featuring Spring Vegetables
Fri, 5/4/07; 6:30pm-8:30pm
Whole Foods, 1010 Park Place in San Mateo; $32

Full Moon Feasts
Sat, 5/5/07 Three Stone Hearth, Addison and Bolivar Drive in Berkeley; $40 donation / $10 for kids under 12 Event type: Meal/Tasting

Lunny Beef Ranch and Drakes Bay Oysters
Sat, 5/5/07; 10:00am-2:00pm
Meet at Drakes Bay Oyster Co., 17171 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., six miles past the village of Inverness. ; $20 MALT member / $25 non-member

Spring Breakfast by the Bay - Fundraiser for CUESA
Sat, 5/5/07; 10:00am; 9:30am registration opens
Pier 1 1/2, just a two-minute walk north of the Ferry Building in SF; $60/person

Starting a Summer Vegetable Garden
Sat, 5/5/07; 10:30am-12:30pm
Common Ground, 559 College Ave in Palo Alto; $24, 0.5 CEU

Seasonal cooking demonstration ~ Alexandra Lopez, The Food Diva
Sat, 5/5/07; 11:00am
North Arcade of the Ferry Building in CUESA's Dacor teaching kitchen in SF; Free

Community Garden Bike Ride: Where Do Organic Veggies Come From?
Sat, 5/5/07; 9:00am
Meet at Ferry Building, Embarcadero at Market in SF

Frugal Foodies Tuesday Night Dinners
Tuesdays, 5/8/07-5/29/07; 6:30pm-9:30pm
A live-work studio in Southwest Berkeley; $7/person Event type: Meal/Tasting, General Fun

Naomi Epel Presents: Marco Pierre White Book Dinner at Incanto Restaurant
Tue, 5/8/07; 7:00pm-9:30pm
Incanto Restaurant, 1550 Church St., Noe Valley in SF; $190 per couple, excluding beverages, tax & service

Conversations at the Herbst Theater: Michael Pollan and Marion Nestle
Tue, 5/8/07; 8:00pm
Herbst Theater in Berkeley; $18.50

Booksigning, lecture and reception with Carlo Petrini, founder of Slow Food
Thu, 5/10/07; 6:00pm booksigning, 6:30pm lecture followed by reception
Fort Mason, Cowell Theater, Bldg. D in SF; $16 general public, $6 members of IIC, Slow Food, and Museo ItaloAmericano

Spring Tours at Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery
Sat-Sun, 5/12/07-5/13/07; 10:00am-12:00pm (creamery tours); 11:00am-3:00pm (farm tours) 2064 Highway 116 N, Bldg 1 in Sebastopol; Free

Seasonal cooking demonstration ~ Chris Borges of Taste Catering
Sat, 5/12/07; 11:00am
North Arcade of the Ferry Building in CUESA's Dacor teaching kitchen in SF; Free

Beach Party for the Stinson Beach Community Ctr Kitchen Project
Sat, 5/12/07; 11:00am-4:00pm
Town Park in Stinson Beach

Taste of COPIA : Sonoma County
Sat, 5/12/07; 1:00pm-4:00pm
COPIA Education Center in Napa; $45 / $35 COPIA member

Class: "Permaculture and Food Gardens"
Sat, 5/12/07; 9:30am-4:30pm
Grandma Mary's Organic Farm, 100 Behrens Street in El Cerrito; $75 (10% discount two weeks in advance)

Growers Dinners at Jack Falstaff ~ Howard Case Olive Oils
Wed, 5/16/07; 5:30pm-10:00pm reservations Jack Falstaff, 598 Second St./Brannan in SF; $65; $85 with wine pairings

Cooking for Solutions at Monterey Bay Aquarium
Fri-Sat, 5/18/07-5/19/07 Various locations around Monterey; $95-$625 depending on event/package

Kids day at High Ground Organics
Sat, 5/19/07 High Ground Organics Farm in Hollister; Free

Vegetarian Cooking Class: "A Taste of Thai"
Sat, 5/19/07; 10:00am-1:00pm
First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro in Oakland; $45 (in advance), plus $5 food/materials fee due on day of class

Conserves-Making Class with June Taylor
Sun, 5/20/07; 9:30am-1:30pm
Still-Room, 2207 4th Street in Berkeley; $140

2nd Annual State of SF Restaurants
Tue, 5/22/07; 5:30pm reception; 6:00pm program
Commonwealth Club office, 595 Market St., 2nd Floor in SF; $8 for Members, $15 for Non-Members

Spring Wine Dinner Series with Rogue Chefs: BURRELL SCHOOL VINEYARDS
Tue, 5/23/07; 7:00pm
Burrell School Vineyards in Santa Cruz; $80.00 without wine; $100.00 with wine; Sales Tax and Gratuity not included.

Hog Island Oyster Co. & Straus Dairy Tour
Thu, 5/24/07; 11:00am-3:00pm
Meet at Hog Island Oyster Co., 20215 Highway One, Marshall (10 miles north of Point Reyes Station) in Point Reyes Station; $30 MALT member, $35 non-member, $17 addl for Tomales Bay Foods Lunch

Slow Food on Film San Francisco screening “Thirst”
Thu, 5/24/07; 6:00pm Screening/Panel; 8:00pm Reception Delancy St Theater, 600 Embarcadero in SF; $15 for Slow Food Members; $20 for Non-members

Even a little snack! If you use these newsletters, use our website, or simply enjoy having delicious, organic food in the Bay Area, please support our programs that serve local, organic farms and the community. Om Organics is a project of the San Francisco Foundation - Community Initiative Funds, and can only continue with the help of contributions from conscientious people like you!

Any amount is appreciated!
You can make a donation:

• via Paypal.com: to donate@omorganics.org
• by credit card: via the SFF CIF donation page
• by check: "Om Organics: Project of SFF CIF", 225 Bush St. #500, SF, CA 94104

THANK YOU!