Earlier this week, I participated in a Local Food Forum here in Concord, New Hampshire, hosted by the Merrimack County Conservation District with funding from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. It was part of a series around Concord that was created with the goal of understanding what the community wants to see happen on local food issues. Food activist and educator Ruth Smith is heading up the initiative.

The forum opened with Ruth moderating a panel discussion with two farmers and the executive chef from the Marriott Courtyard in Concord, New Hampshire, where the forum was held. I naively expected farmers and consumers alike to be interested in organic and sustainable agriculture, but it was a diverse group. One farmer on the panel said, referring to her use of pesticides and herbicides, “I want the option to save my crop.” I appreciated her candidness, but I appreciate more the diligence of the committed organic farmers participating in my CSA. There’s so much at stake.

A happy surprise was that the Marriott Courtyard recently formed a “green team” and has put quite a bit of effort into sourcing produce locally, in season, rather than buying exclusively through Sysco, the giant restaurant and hotel food distributor. Kudos to Executive Chef Trish Taylor for her efforts. She commented that it’s easiest to incorporate the fluctuating supply of locally-grown vegetables and fruit into the hotel’s conference food services menu, because she has day-to-day flexibility with menu options. And, she said the difference in taste and quality is well worth the extra time spent on food prep. Even the risk of an occasional insect in the lettuce–that is, after it’s been washed twice–is worth it. She said the customers applaud the hotel’s effort.

I picked up some interesting tidbits that I’ll follow up on for sure. I didn’t know that Apple Hill Farm sends some of their cider off to be made into vodka at the Flag Hill Winery in Lee, New Hampshire. How exciting to find out about a New Hampshire vodka!

A good number of local farmers showed up, and many were surprised and frustrated that consumers were unaware of the existing publications and websites where they’re already marketing their offerings. Check out the New Hampshire Virtual Farmers Marketplace, a website that I’d never heard about until this forum (and I’d searched several times for just such a site).

Farmers also seemed to be saying they can’t grow more because they have no more land; demand for local produce has exceeded supply, or just about. The need for protecting land in our area from development and keeping it in agricultural use is clear and urgent.

I came away from the evening with my head full, and a little frustrated. I realized my expectations of the forum had more to do with the politics of food than simple access to local food, although it’s all part of one big issue, I guess. I look forward to being a part of an active local network of people who are ready to work for change by:

• growing food differently, in ways that are healthy for us and for the environment;
• choosing more thoughtfully where we buy our food;
• working together to decrease food waste;
• facing the challenges of getting good, local food to school children and low-income people;
• sharing resources and ideas to enable us to produce more products locally; and
• actively getting information out about what’s available and why it’s so great.

I’m in awe of the local food networks up and running around New England, especially in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. More on that, later! There’s so much going on up there, it’s easy to dream of moving there someday.

For now, I live in Concord, New Hampshire. There’s a lot happening here that’s good, and there’s more good yet to make happen.