March 17, 2009

Food Justice Speaker Series: Spring 2009

People are paying attention to food like never before. These conversations are raising questions about where our food comes from and its impacts on health, the environment, and human rights. This series highlights efforts towards a more fair and sustainable food system in Austin and elsewhere.

April 9: Concentration of Power in the Global Food System
7pm, MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop)
Discussion on how free trade agreements -- partnerships between governments and corporations -- centralize food production and concentrate market power.
  • Paul Martin, Siempre Sustainable Network
  • Carmen Llanes, PODER & Texas Fair Trade Coalition
  • Eva Hershaw, Photojournalist
  • Moderator: Sthea Mason, American Friends Service Committee
April 16: Fair Food Across Borders
7pm, MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop)
Film screening ("Paying the Price") and discussion on migrant agricultural workers in the U.S. and Mexico.
  • Melody Gonzalez, Chiapas Media Project
  • Fair Food Austin
  • Moderator: Cristina Tzintzún, Workers Defense Project
April 30: Building Local Food Systems
7pm, MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop)
Individuals and organizations in Austin contribute to food access, efficacy and awareness that strengthen our local and sustainable food system.
  • Andrew Smiley, Sustainable Food Center
  • Vivian Alston and Steve Young, Urban Roots
  • Erin Flynn and Skip Connett, Green Gate Farms
  • Moderator: Marla Camp, Edible Austin
May 7: Environment, Health and Food Safety
7pm, Center for Community Engagement (1009 E. 11th Street)
Explore the impacts of the conventional food system on the environment, health, and food safety.
  • Curt Ellis, filmmaker, "King Corn"
  • Charlotte Herzele, University of Texas at Austin
  • Vicky Wolf, Environmental writer
  • Moderator: Dianne Papillion, Meals on Wheels and More
Sponsors: American Friends Service Committee, Fair Food Austin, MonkeyWrench Books, Oxfam-UT, PODER, Sustainable Food Center, Texas Fair Trade Coalition, Center for Community Engagement (UT-Austin), Urban Roots, Workers Defense Project