[Peace-discuss] Fw: REMINDER: food collective - this friday (note unusual day)

[Jenifer Cartwright]

Whoa, looks like they REALLY want us!! Anybody up for this?? It'd be fun to get group together.
 --Jenifer

--- On Wed, 6/25/08, Jenifer Cartwright <jencart7 at yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Jenifer Cartwright <jencart7 at yahoo.com>
Subject: Fw: REMINDER: food collective - this friday (note unusual day)
To: "Jenifer Cartwright" <jencart13 at yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 5:31 PM








--- On Wed, 6/25/08, Good Food <food.collective at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Good Food <food.collective at gmail.com>
Subject: REMINDER: food collective - this friday (note unusual day)
To: food.collective at gmail.com
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 4:06 PM


folks just a reminder... please rsvp by tomorrow.

f


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Good Food <food.collective at gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Subject: food collective - this friday (note unusual day)
To: food.collective at gmail.com


You are receiving this email because you've expressed interest in being a part of the food collective.

Following is the plan for this week of the Food Collective:
Food will be served on Friday around 6:30 pm at Faiza's place at 412 W Church Street, Apt. 4, in Champaign. If weather permits, we will eat in Westside Park. I request all to bring eating utensils this time.
* The entrance to the apartment is not through the main door - walk around the porch and you cannot miss #4.
* For those driving, free parking is abundant on Church and the side streets .
* Orange busline will drop you outside the house. Green, Brown, Grey, Blue will bring you within a few blocks of the house. 

The collective's decision is to maintain a $7 contribution towards the food platter of the day. Needless to say, you may determine what you are comfortable contributing, and food will be served to all those who decide to join us regardless of anything! Your contribution goes towards buying supplies and a collective fund. 

If you would like to join in, EMAIL BACK to confirm ATTENDANCE by THURSDAY afternoon (caps are for emphasis!!). The people cooking request a response to get as accurate a head count as possible, and if you plan to bring a guest please be sure to mention that. 

Menu for this week:
*  Kadhi (vegetarian)
chickpea flour dumplings in a yogurt-based sauce, cooked punjabi-style

*  Koftas (meat)
delicately seasoned minced meat koftas, cooked kashmiri-style

* Masoor Daal (vegan)
soupy masoor daal with a burst of flavours, cooked bengali-style

Each plate will be served with rice, raita (a yogurt-based side), and my stock of spicy pickles.

***Bring beverages to drink and share***

Faiza

p.s. one of the food collective members has asked the following information to be shared. apologise for being late in posting this, logged into food collective account after awhile today.

The Champaign Urbana Pollinator Awareness Network (CUPAN) has planned a celebration of National Pollinator Week from June 22nd -28th. Activities will kick off with an opening ceremony on Sunday, June 22, from 2:00-5:00pm, at the Plant Biology Conservatory on the University of Illinois campus, and will feature a pollinator art exhibit, pollinator-themed tours of the conservatory and information on how
local organizations are working to conserve pollinators in our community. Dr. May Berenbaum, head of the department of Entomology, will welcome the community and speak about the purpose of National Pollinator Week. Activities for National Pollinator Week will include workshops on Native Bee Identification, the citizen-science monitoring website, BeeSpotter and photographing pollinators in nature, discovery programs for children at local libraries, events at Urbana's Market on the Square, guided nature walks, and the introduction of a community-wide pollinator awareness campaign.

National Pollinator Week Opening Ceremony
University of Illinois Plant Biology Conservatory (directions)
Sunday, June 22, 2:00-5:00 PM
Featuring a pollinator art exhibit, pollinator-themed tours of the conservatory and information on how local organizations are working to conserve pollinators in our community; Dr. May Berenbaum, head of the department of Entomology, will welcome the community and speak about the purpose of National Pollinator Week.

Pollinator Art Exhibit
The Champaign Urbana Pollinator Awareness Network is seeking artwork for the opening ceremony of National Pollinator Week! Artists of all ages and abilities are encouraged to submit work in any type of media.
  • Information and Call for Artwork
  • Registration Form
How to Photograph Bees and Other Pollinators
Anita Purves Nature Center
Monday, June 23, 7:00-8:00 PM
Learn how to photograph bees and insect pollinators in nature. Especially for naturalists and insect enthusiasts, the presentation will demonstrate camera setup and technique. The instructor will also be on hand on Tuesday from 12:00-1:00 PM at the Ideas Garden in the University of Illinois Arboretum to guide participants as they take pictures of the local pollinators. Photographers of all skill levels are welcome.

BeeSpotter Workshop
Urbana Free Library Auditorium
Wednesday, June 25, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
BeeSpotter is an online monitoring effort based at the University of Illinois that partners citizen scientists with the professional scientific community in order to educate about honey bees and bumble bees and to contribute data to nationwide efforts establishing baseline information on the status of pollinators. Participants in the workshop will receive instruction on navigating the BeeSpotter website and hands-on training with the bumble bee identification keys. The workshop will also address identifying bee mimics, creating a bee-friendly garden, and using BeeSpotter in the classroom and with the public.

Bee Identification Workshop
Champaign Public Library, Robeson Pavilion Room C
Saturday, June 28, 9:30 – 12:00 PM
Learn to identify the different types of pollinating bees that visit your garden and parks. Workshop will include a lecture on the types of bees found in Illinois and hands-on training with identification guides. Lead by renowned bee researchers from the University of Illinois.

Scavenger Hunt at the Farmer's Market
Market at the Square, Urbana
Saturday, June 28, 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Visit our booth at the Urbana Farmer's Market to learn about the status of pollinator in North America and how you can help. Then participate in our pollinator-product scavenger hunt throughout the market and enter in a drawing for pollinator-themed prizes.

Children's Pollinator Discovery Programs
Urbana Free Library
Monday, June 23, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Champaign Public Library
Tuesday, June 24, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Guided Nature Walks
Meadowbrook Park, Race St. entrance
Sunday, June 22, 9:00-10:30 AM
Thursday, June 26, 9:00-10:30 AM
Saturday, June 28, 9:00-10:30 AM
Discover the interconnected relationships between the native pollinators and plants of central Illinois. Plant biologists and entomologists from the University of Illinois will guide participants on a tour of the world of pollination in the restored prairie of Meadowbrook. A great introduction to the *who, what, where, when and why* of pollinators.


---------------------------------------------
Summary of discussions at food collective meetings - for those interested:

Communal eating session:
* Each week we learn more about how to manage the task of providing a full meal for everyone, and this remains an informal network. If you plan to attend, please be prepared to be open to a few "oops" during the course of the evening.
* We are trying to to avoid paper and/or plastic plates, and ease the cleaning load on the host(s). Please try to work in some way to bring your own eating tools. For those who can't, eating tools will be available.
* If you cannot stay but would like to swing by to pick up food, please bring your own container(s).
* Some participating members of the collective have offered that they might be convinced to deliver food to 1-2 people any given food collective evening who might be... lets say indisposed in some way to come and join us. So if you have any such needs, please be sure to mention that in your email.
* Cooking labour has requested to be informed by Thursday midnight on the number of people attending. If you confirm Friday, we will have to get back to you if the chefs can stretch out the meal to accommodate more people. But, as a matter of principle, the food collective supports the idea of "communal pot," and if more people attend than anticipated, we hope all present will contribute towards making that possible.

Labour:
* All labour for producing the collective meal is voluntary, and people are requested to volunteer to help in future weeks for cooking, hosting, and other tasks. If anyone wishes to be compensated for their labour, the collective is open to the idea.
* All leftovers in a given week will be divided among the contributing labour of the week.
* The food collective will appreciate more labour help to keep us sustainable, so will attempt to further distribute the labour by announcing tasks that need more volunteers on the email announcement.
* The collective has decided that we will have no upper limit in terms of how many people we can cater for in a week. If that ever becomes an issue (in terms of labour/space/resource constraints), we will discuss it further among ourselves. But as of this point, we are reluctant to limit participation in any way that undermines the "spirit" of the collective.

Communal pool:
* The food collective has decided that $7 expected contribution to the meal is reasonable and sustainable. Needless to say, this can be discussed to take input from people who join the collective at a later time.
* All attending may decide what they would like to contribute to the communal pool any particular food collective evening.
* Even with the rising food prices, the collective feels that $7 as expected contribution allows us to cover costs, and maintain a running communal pool, while remaining affordable for the majority of collective members whose wage "raises" are not keeping up with inflation.
* The food collective has, in the past, supported local events like Unity March; local activism spending needs like flyer-copying, etc.; campus and community activist groups on specific campaigns; personal emergent needs; etc..
* No need is more important than the other. Food collective communal pool will fulfill all requests till the money runs out. We meet on a weekly basis, so we fill the account regularly.

Miscellaneous:
* We continue to buy some supplies and pull some ingredients and cooking utensils from our kitchens. As the collective expands, some members have suggested building a communal reserve of utensils, and basic and specialised cooking supplies. All members are requested to keep eyes open for cooking utensils, mixing bowls, etc. We are more interested in buying used utensils (in reasonably good shape). So those among us who frequent garage sales, etc., please help us in building a communal stock.

* Food collective members keep costs low, support local small businesses, buy fresh produce, and indulge in all other sort of happy practices by shopping at the following places. This is primarily Faiza's list, which is constrained by where I can get to from my place without a car. Please feel free to add your notes to this. This list is being compiled on popular demand.

Far East
105 S 5th Street (5th and University)
open 7 days from 10am to 7pm (i think, perhaps till a little later)
gets fresh produce on Friday morning
Tightly packed with all kinds of goodness, and if you are unable to find things ask the people who work there, who are generally happy to give you cooking tips too if you ask. They claim to stock "Oriental" food (specialisation is Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese, and Cantonese), seafood, and fresh vegetables. Their veggie prices are at an average 30-50% cheaper than Schnucks. They do not stick all the veggies in cold chamber - shop as close to Friday as possible, and they generally run out by Monday. Please do look through their "juice" choices, it is dizzying, but I suggest read through the ingredients because their choice include both those with dubious ingredients and those without - recommend the latter. They only accept cash and checks (checks for purchase over $5).

Am-Ko
(Springfield and 1st)
open 7 days till 10pm (not sure when they open)
gets fresh produce every Wednesday
Another tightly packed place, have a larger variety of fresh veggies, and often fruit. People who work there are helpful, but have never indulged me in recipes - you might have better luck :) Specialise in Korean food, or so they say. Have tons of variety of fish - mostly frozen, but cook well. If I remember correctly, their meat is on the expensive side, but veggies are affordable. Please check ingredients with most of the frozen and canned food - generally has msg. I am slightly suspicious of their labour practices, but this observation is purely based on a few quick chats over a smoke with the people who stock their shelves. Accept plastic only for purchase over $10.
UPDATE: Am-ko is now bringing in fresh fish. If you request by Monday, you will will have it by Wednesday.

Annapoorna
505 S Neil Street (entrance closer to Randolph and Healey)
open Fri-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun noon-8:30pm, Mon-Wed 11am-8:30pm (closed thursday)
get fresh produce on Friday (but it is generally jam-packed and gets wiped out by 6pm, so go before 4pm i would say)
Specialises in South Asian food. In terms of spices, lentils and grains, I think cheapest in town with variety and some pretense of quality (or maybe I have just gotten used to it). Do look through the pickle selection - yum stuff!! If you are buying basmati rice, please go for Daawat - one of the deal things "buy something get something free" so purchase is expensive, but the best brand they have in stock at the moment. They also have a variety of oils as well, and I think the most affordable for ghee. Please dig into the freezer and stock up on the very affordable and delicious frozen dosas - my favourite late night after-too-many-drinks snack. The earlier owners used to take orders for fresh lamb and goat (brought down from Chicago Thursday evening) - not sure if they still do this since the ownership changed hands, but good meat I must say. If you go Friday, please definitely pick up a few samoosas :) Sometimes has fresh fruit, though often pricey -
 Far East or Chang's is much more affordable for the same varieties. And while there, if you are inclined they have a wall of Bollywood galore - ask for recommendations, he is generally happy to give hints even without prompting. I, at least, do not share his taste in movies. Accepts plastic for purchase over $15.

Chang's
505 S Neil Street (entrance closer to Randolph and Healey, a few doors from Annapoorna)
open Thursday to Tuesday till at least 8 pm if not longer (closed I think Wednesday)
get fresh produce on Thursday
They call themselves the "Oriental" Mart, and well-stocked with Chinese food. Again, check ingredients for frozen or canned food, if you are as wary as me of msg and "chemical"-sounding items in your food. Fresh veggies and fruit cheaper than Annapoorna. Mr. and Mrs. Chang generally collect recipes rather than doling them out. I am very partial to their cooked duck, so please pick up the deliciousness if in stock. They sometimes also get fresh seafood, especially crabs. I usually walk away with a free treat in my bag - if you are a regular they are apt to indulge you. Only accept cash, and I think checks (not sure though).
UPDATE: If you need to buy rice, please shop here. They have the lowest prices at this point.

El Charro
(Green and Locust)
open all days I think - Monday to Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 9am-7 pm
get fresh produce Monday (if they have not changed that recently)
They specialise in "Mexican" food. The people who work there always have good recommendations, and ready recipes with delicious outcomes. Please check out their marinated meat while there - ready to go on the grill. Have not been there for awhile so do not remember if they take plastic, or any other happy details.
UPDATE: At my last visit a week ago, I found that this store is changing its orientation, and is more of an eatery. What that means for this list is that grocery items stocked on shelves are fewer in variety and all other aspects I can think of. And they accept credit cards for any amount of purchase.

Euro-Mart
48 E Springfield (Springfield and Locust)
open all week from 10am-9pm, except sunday 11am-7pm
No fresh produce here, just general indulgence and specialised food. OK, let me start off by saying that most items here are a rip-off, and the prices visibly go up every visit. I visit here because know the owner, and also because he stocks some things I fancy :) Meat is really good, all hilal, though frozen - chicken is most affordable among the choices. Beef is eXPensive, but really good, as is lamb and goat. One of my indulgences here is the Turkish or Greek yogurt - really good nothing like it anywhere else. Affordable and good sunflower oil, and a huge variety of all other kinds of general and specialised oils. Variety of fresh cheese, olives, and please do sniff at the "nuts" bar. He has reduced the selection of specialised spices (World Harvest takes the cake for that). Do not buy rice here - way too expensive. A few brands of good affordable coffee - I am partial to Lebanonese one he stocks. He has good things on the shelves in general, but I do
 not linger because the prices give me a headache, and am slightly suspicious that things stay on the shelf way too long for my taste. He has this gig with membership which gives you 10% off every purchase, and ability to avail special discounts (sometime 20-50% on certain items). I think he charges for it a one-time fee or something - I got my card when he opened and at that time he was doling them out for free so no clue on this but check at the desk - the discount helps. Accepts any form of payment.




      
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