Urban Farming

The stock market crashed (is crashing?) this week, at a time when we are also getting hit with high gas prices. Food security is a big issue that I'm concerned about, especially for low-income urban dwellers, who sadly, already have limited access to healthy foods (fruits and veggies!). As fearful investors move their money out of the stock market and into T-Bills and gold, what holds it's value for non-investors? How can we have some resilience in the face of a decimated stock market: manual skills (always tradeable), durable foods (home canning anyone?), tools and convertible materials.

So, if you find yourself experiencing financial hard times in the Bay Area, here are some kinds folks who are working to make sure you can still eat; maybe you should consider canning some too.

Free Farm Stand
www.freefarmstand.org
Sundays 1-3pm
in Treat Commons Community Garden (23rd and Treat St. in San Francisco)
Everything at this farm stand is free, and grown in the neighborhood (and donated by the neighbors).

Alemany Farm
http://www.alemanyfarm.org/
Volunteer workdays are held from 12-5pm every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, and all the Saturdays in-between.
Volunteers are welcome to take some harvest home, and the farm also operates a low-cost farm stand in Bayview/Hunter's Point on Wednesdays (although you'll need to call for location). Most things are for sale for a dollar or two.