Project PULP -- People's Ultra Local Produce :)
In a post-midnight car ride back from 'Wednesday', we got excited about a new gift-economy project around local food. I'm putting it in writing for feedback, emotional support, :) or whatever else comes up.
The potential project name is P.U.L.P. -- People's Ultra Local Produce :)
Idea is to provide a space for generosity, around the theme of local food:
- Folks contribute produce from their yards; if it is helpful, volunteers can go fruit-and-veggie picking ("gleaning") as well.
- Produce is collected and managed by volunteers then offered up on a pay-it-forward basis -- meaning these fruits and veggies are lovingly grown by your neighbors, and offered as gifts, and from there, folks who receive them are invited to pay forward the gratitude.
- To complete the circle, proceeds are then gifted to local food efforts in the area, which will in turn nurture more local produce.
Over time, we also hope to donate the produce to local restaurants who'd be willing to host a "gift-economy" item on their menus. We are almost certain that Rajen's two restaurants will pilot the idea. :)
With tons of folks already linked into Karma Kitchen, and probably lots of local CF'ers willing to contribute social capital, only thing needed to get started is compilation of people who would be inspired to contribute the produce from their backyard for this PULP experiment. :)
What'd y'all think? Any blind spots? Suggestions on solid folks who might like to do the honors of contributing some of the first batches of produce? :) We're thinking of having an initial kick-off meeting in the next few weeks if that's in order ...
Okay, now that I've gotten the excitement of this out, I can go to sleep. :)
Posted by Chris Johnnidis on Mar 10, 2011
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8 Past Reflections
On Mar 10, 2011 Amit wrote:
On Mar 10, 2011 Nisha wrote:
Is it possible to use some shelf space at KK to start a trial run and then expand to more such spaces? I may be stating the obvious - it looks like a nice extension. People who plan to dine at KK are more likely to bring in their backyard produce, no scarcity for volunteers who can help both sides and there is the instant satisfaction for the contributor to see their produce being sought after or wondered at. And all kinds of connections that can stem from that..
And if there are leftovers, the last set of guests can be asked to just take what they like / pay it forward..
3 Cheers!
On Mar 10, 2011 Richard wrote:
Here's a relevant interview I did with Bob Woodsworth and Michael Levenston, who founded City Farmers in Vancouver 32 years ago. Michael remains the director. It has become Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture.
Their web site is probably the deepest in the world for information on everything about growing food in your front yard, side yard, back yard and everything related to that. I'm guessing they have plenty of material about sharing home grown food with others. Not sure how you would dig it out of their web site, but you might drop Michael an email.
On Mar 10, 2011 Mariette wrote:
The name is perfect!
Mariette
On Mar 10, 2011 Chris wrote:
On Mar 11, 2011 tim wrote:
On Mar 10, 2011 Sam Bower wrote:
Food tagging is wonderful. The main challenge I see is timely harvest and distribution. Produce wilts and gets bruised. Being nimble and getting it out to people quickly or a big fridge might help.
Turning stuff to juice or jam might help with storage.
Sharing local produce stories too might be fun.
Good idea! Go Chris go! :)
Big hug,
Sam
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