Together We Can!

So the date is set and the planning begins! October 22, 2011 is our next day of action, so set the date and get ready to tell Publix that we won't allow them to support the status quo in Immokalee. They have dodged the problems and avoided the solutions, but it is time to remind them that we know what is really going on and we won't stop until they become part of the solution!!!

We will need lots of help with this action, because we expect to make this our biggest action to date. This action is planned on the weekend of Food Day, so we want to get as many people active as possible. If you are interested in helping out, email James Taylor (tayj0016@gmail.com). We will need help with everything from organization to making signs to promoting the event.

Thanks so much everyone and I can't wait to get this thing rolling full steam!!!

Exciting things are happening!

Hey everyone, summer is coming to a close, but I hope everyone had a great time. For all students, I hope your fall semesters are starting off well. There is a lot going on in the First Coast and I hope everyone is ready to get some things done.

First off let me update everyone on Food Day, which is on October 24, 2011. Fair Food Jacksonville is planning on organizing two events. One is going to be a documentary screening. Currently we are looking for a venue to show the movie, so if anyone has connections or ideas, please let us know. So far it looks like we will be showing it at the library. The second event is going to be handing out free food. Food Day isn’t only about food, but access to food and everyday people go without food and even more so without REAL food! So we want to make sure those people are not forgotten on Food Day. However, it is illegal for anyone to just pass out food to people in public, except for churches. So if anyone knows any churches that would be interested in being involved with this, please let us know.

Here are some other coming events that everyone may be interested in:

Food Policy Introductory Meeting Announcement.

This subcommittee has been tasked with addressing the root causes of childhood obesity through integrated changes in policies, norms, practices, social supports and the physical environment. Specifically, the first outcome of the subcommittee is the formation of a Food Policy Council.

Date           Monday, September 12, 2011

Time           11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. *Lunch Provided*

Address      100 Festival Park Avenue, 32202

            RSVP           Click here to register (RSVP by September 7th)

2.     The UNF VEB Garden is kicking off the year right and has a whole semester worth of classes lined up. Jona who works at the garden has an amazing wealth of information and is a great resource for anyone interested in gardening. All classes begin at 10 am at UNF VERB Garden.

·      Introduction to organic gardening September 5 and 6

·      Fall plant propagation September 19 and 20

·      Composting 101 October 17 and 18

·      Introduction to permaculture November 7 and 8

·      Fertilization and pest control November 14 and 15

Greetings Fair Foodies!

Another school year is upon us and exciting things are happening in the Fair Food movement!

• Food Day is coming up on October 24th and Fair Food Jacksonville wants to make a presence! We are thinking about holding two events: The first would be our favorite past time, holding a demonstration to put pressure on Publix, Quizno's and others who refuse to work with the CIW and farmworkers. For the second we would like to hold a a meeting and show a documentary. Right now we are looking for a venue to hold the event, so if you have ideas/connections please get in touch with james at tayj0016@gmail.com. Also, please give us ideas for any documentary you think would  be fun to show and discuss.

• There is a push in the downtown area to pass Urban Agriculture ordinances by Sustainable Springfield. Urban Ag has been embraced by many cities across the US for economic, health, and environmental reasons.  The Planning Dept is very supportive and is working on this.  However, the next step they need is for the citizens to push the City Council to acting on this. We need everyone to start putting public pressure on your city council people. If anyone has media contacts or wants to know more please contact Amanda Searle (sustainablespringfield@yahoo.com)

• The Real Food Challenge is gearing up for another leadership summit on September 2-4 in Chapel Hill, NC. The summit is only $25 to attend and is an amazing opportunity to learn about the college food system and network with other student activists. To learn more visit www.realfoodchallenge.org. 

• On September 17 from 5pm - 7pm there will be Food Swap in Historic Springfield. Please visit the Facebook page here for more information.

April 15th Photo Report

Dear Northeast Florida Fair Foodies,
YOU ROCK!!
Love, Fair Food Jacksonville

More than 30 people came out on the evening of April 15th to show Publix and Quiznos that WE WANT FAIR FOOD NOW! CIW and SFA allies from Duval and St. Johns County were loud, noisy and serious! We are more energized than ever. We had hand-painted signs, easter eggs filled with pennies and the determination to pester Publix and Quiznos - no matter how long it takes.

"It is not a question of whether we will win, but when!"

Thanks to everyone who skipped happy hour and made it out! Your contribution to something so much larger than yourself is admirable and we applaud your determination, your dedication and your support.

Our very own, Shelton Hull wrote a great article about the action which you can read here:
"NOISE-MAKERS, WITH NOISEMAKERS: CIW ACTIVISTS PROTEST PUBLIX"

Jacksonville was not alone, allies around the country rallied hundreds (maybe even thousands) in support for the campaign. Check out the SFA Spring Action Photo Report here!

If you have any more photos or comments about the action, leave them here or email us at: FairFoodJacksonville@gmail.com

Preparing for the protest in Memorial Park.

Publix = Poverty

Even Cleatus thinks Publix should pony-up!

It is true!!!!!

What happened to "liberty and justice FOR ALL"?!?!?!?!

No more slaves - Pay a living wage!!!

We make justice look goooooooooood!

Resources and Preparing for April 15th!

North Florida Fair Foodies, check this out! The CIW and the SFA both have incredible websites full of interesting and educational content that can help us be more well versed on the issues of Modern Day Slavery and the Campaign for Fair Food. Check out the following excellent Publix-campaign resources:

Click here to go the clearing house of information and resources regarding the supermarket campaign!

Go here to download a Publix flyer that we will use at our action. Bring some with you!!

Also - download a Manager Letter or two. Keep one handy in your car so that you can drop one off each time you shop!

Click here to take part in an e-action. Email Publix corporate now! Come on, use those typing fingers for some good - it doesn't count to just "like" it on facebook!

Refresh yourself on the campaign by watching this video:

APRIL 15 - Action @ Riverside Publix!!!

WHY COME TO THIS PROTEST?
- To combat modern day slavery
- To stand for fair labor conditions in Florida's tomato and agricultural fields
- To join a movement towards more conscious food consumption
- To tell Publix that they need to step up and join the fight for fair food 
- To join in solidarity with Farm Workers and to let supermarkets know that we want fair food in our grocery stores.
- BECAUSE FAIR TRADE IS ONLY FAIR, RIGHT?!?!
(http://www.sfalliance.org/supermarkets/publix.html) 

WHY WE PROTEST:
"At a glance: Florida farmworkers have long faced brutal conditions in the fields, including sub-poverty wages, widespread labor rights violations, and even modern-day slavery. Today, however, there is hope on the horizon, thanks to the efforts of farmworkers, Fair Food activists, Florida tomato growers, and nine food industry leaders who have joined in support of the CIW's Fair Food principles, including a strict code of conduct, a cooperative complaint resolution system, a participatory health and safety program, and a worker-to-worker education process. But Publix and Ahold are refusing to do their part, and if they have their way, the unprecedented farm labor transformation promised by the CIW's landmark agreement with the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange would be significantly diminished. Farmworkers' hopes for an end to the decades-long "Harvest of Shame" would be dashed.

Publix founder George Jenkins used to say, "Don't let making a profit stand in the way of doing the right thing." The people who are running Publix today have taken Mr. Jenkins' wise counsel and stood it squarely on its head." (From ciw-online.org)


Mark your calendars friends!!!! (Click flier to enlarge)

Slow Food First Coast - Tour de Farm!!

Join in the fair food fun! Some FFJ members will be attending the Slow Food First Coast Tour de Farm. This will be a great chance for us to network with other local fair foodies and get a glimpse of where all of our delicious local goods come from! So many great options for us here - we will decide on an schedule in the coming week. For now - mark April 10th on your calendars - this is going to be a good time!

More information here: http://www.SlowFoodFirstCoast.com/tourdefarm.html