VtPHA News..

“Healthy Eating: Sustainable Agriculture and the Media”

More Information on May 11 Forum

On Tuesday, May 11, 2010, from 5:00 to 9:00 the Vermont Public Health Association will hold a public forum, "Healthy Eating: Sustainable Agriculture and the Media" at Main Street Landing in Burlington, Vermont.

The formal presentation will begin at 6:00 with a talk by Tom Stearns. Stearns founded High Mowing Farm in Hardwick, Vermont in 1996 as a backyard-based organic farm. Today, the farm has grown to 40 acres and sells over 450 varieties of heirloom, open-pollinated and hybrid varieties of vegetable, fruit, herb and flower seed. High Mowing Farm's philosophy is to believe "in a deeper understanding of how re-built food systems can support health on all levels – healthy environments, healthy economies, healthy communities and healthy bodies. We believe in a hopeful and inspired view of the future based on better stewardship for our planet." Stearns is also President of the Center for an Agricultural Economy, also based in Hardwick, whose goal is to: "to build upon our regions' history and traditions and lead the way in creating a food system that creates healthy people as it creates healthy soil; that creates healthy jobs as it creates healthy communities; that creates a healthy economy and ultimately, creates a comprehensive, healthy food system that inspires others in their communities to do the same."

Stearns' remarks will be followed by a presentation by Rob Williams, a musician and speaker whose talks include still photos, videos, text, and music. Williams believes that media can be effectively used to promote a common good. He will present Food for Thought at the forum. This presentation will cover how mainstream media culture sends conflicting messages about food, nutrition, body image, and health. How can we teach our kids to make healthier choices about their diets, in terms of both media and food? This interactive multimedia presentation features clips from a wide variety of advertisements, documentaries, and news reports. After the presentations, attendees are invited to a reception (catered by Sugar Snap, a Burlington firm committed to local agriculture) to meet both Stearns and Williams. The event is free for VtPHA members, $10 per person for non-members. Reservations are required. Registration and membership information is available at www.vtpha.org.or by email to audra.jenkins@vtmednet.org.

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