Common Ground, Uncommon Food

Gorge Grown Envisions ‘07

By Tomi Owens, 1-17-07

Gorge Grown Food Network is hosting a winter meeting at Celilo Restaurant in downtown Hood River on January 22nd. Members, supporters and new-comers to the group are welcome to attend. A light dinner menu has been prepared by chef Ben Stenn and an RSVP is necessary—for more information visit Gorge Grown online.

What makes some grassroots activism so successful? A just cause, global awareness, the commitment and hard work of dedicated community members? Yes, those are all essential ingredients of social change and reform—and Gorge Grown Food Network has all of that in spades. But they have something else that not all non-profit organizations can offer…great food and fine wine.

What began as a discussion in August 2005 after the Columbia Gorge Earth Center showed the documentary "The True Cost of Food" as part of their Film and Lecture Series, has quickly evolved into a fully fledged movement. According to GGFN Coordinator Katie McKendrick, the organization has over 50 members, more than 200 subscribers to their monthly enewsletter, dozens of volunteers, and supporters like Phelps Creek Winery, Dancing Moon Farm CSA, and the Yakama Nation.

McKendrick says Monday night’s gathering will be “a chance to share committee progress and needs, and plan for a Gorge Community Food Conference in late March 2007.” Also, GGFN is looking for ideas and volunteers to help take the highly successful Farmer’s Market on the road, creating a Moveable Feast this summer that can travel to several Gorge communities throughout the week—bringing it back to the people—and fostering this Gorge-wide cause.

So there you have it. The right blend of local commitment and global awareness, promoting grassroots activism and…saving the world one entrée at time.

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