Local Food

Today, people are beginning to realize that the food they are purchasing from food chains and grocery stores may not be that healthy, considering they don't know its origins. This is where the recent and growing local food movement comes in. Now Americans want food they know, so they look to local farms. Many suburban and urban families in Maryland turn to farm stands in Baltimore County, such as the Smiths' farm in Springfield. People can trust food from these familiar farmers.

Those of us who work in the news business are well-accustomed to hearing the lament that it would be nice to see some positive things get a little bit of publicity. We're also a bit sensitive to it not because the lament is well-founded, but because there's never really a shortage of good news, and a fair amount of good news generally finds its way into print. The problem is, unfortunately, bad news is often more useful than good news, and it's generally what we focus on. A deer causes a bad accident.

Even if the price of oil falls, the governor should launch a full-fledged sustainability effort to promote an expansion of farming here and the production of more Maryland food for Marylanders. In fact, all the governors of the Chesapeake watershed should work up a 20-year strategic plan to expand agriculture and environmental education, create more farming opportunities for a new generation of growers, promote more aquaculture and organic farming, and create regional networks for getting local food to consumers.

The Harford Community Action Agency and Harford County government are again spearheading the Harford County part of the annual Harvest for the Hungry Campaign that began Saturday and runs through Saturday, March 9. In its 27th year, the Harvest for the Hungry week-long food drive helps restock the shelves of local food pantries that have been depleted during the winter. The campaign is run in conjunction with the nonprofit Maryland Food Bank. The official kickoff for the regional campaign was held in Baltimore Friday, where Harvest for the Hungry founder Larry Adam, of Fallston, was joined by community leaders, sponsors and local government officials, including Harford County Executive David Craig and his wife, Melinda.

Students and staff at Prince George's County Public Schools are celebrating National School Breakfast Week March 5 to 9 in partnership with Kellogg's cereal company, to increase nutrition awareness and help a local Feeding America food bank. For each school breakfast purchased by students during the week, Kellogg's will donate a bowl of cereal to a local food bank through its "Eat, Share, Prosper" program. According to school officials, Prince George's County public school serve an average of 170,000 breakfasts each week.

Harford County Executive David R. Craig and Harford County Government are partnering with the Postal Service to support the Harvest for the Hungry campaign. The local campaign is coordinated through the Harford Community Action Agency. "The annual Harvest for the Hungry campaign is a great opportunity for county employees, their families and friends to help support members of our community," Craig said in a press release. "The Harford Community Action Agency and the Harvest for the Hungry campaign do an outstanding job gathering food to support those in our community who turn to us for help in time of need.

The Harford Community Action Agency and Harford County government are again spearheading the Harford County part of the annual Harvest for the Hungry Campaign that began Saturday and runs through Saturday, March 9. In its 27th year, the Harvest for the Hungry week-long food drive helps restock the shelves of local food pantries that have been depleted during the winter. The campaign is run in conjunction with the nonprofit Maryland Food Bank. The official kickoff for the regional campaign was held in Baltimore Friday, where Harvest for the Hungry founder Larry Adam, of Fallston, was joined by community leaders, sponsors and local government officials, including Harford County Executive David Craig and his wife, Melinda.

In the developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America, it's relatively easy to spot the youngsters suffering from malnutrition. They're the ones with the glassy eyes, toothpick arms and legs, and rags for clothing. But in Baltimore, hunger presents a different face: an overweight adolescent in T-shirt and jeans, or a sickly infant who turns up repeatedly in hospital emergency rooms. City health officials are taking the problem of malnutrition seriously, as food and fuel prices soar and more families lose homes and jobs.

Those of us who work in the news business are well-accustomed to hearing the lament that it would be nice to see some positive things get a little bit of publicity. We're also a bit sensitive to it not because the lament is well-founded, but because there's never really a shortage of good news, and a fair amount of good news generally finds its way into print. The problem is, unfortunately, bad news is often more useful than good news, and it's generally what we focus on. A deer causes a bad accident.

Abby Ferretti, 28, is a hands-on philanthropist. Four times a week, she volunteers with an organization called Back on My Feet, where she goes on 5:30 a.m. runs with residents of local homeless shelters. She's not the type to just write a check and then forget about it, during the holiday season or at any time of year. That's why she chose to donate through GiveCorps, a Baltimore-based business that launched in August, which connects local donors to local organizations trying to fund small projects.

For those few who somehow haven't heard already, it's possible to get down on the farm in Baltimore without ever leaving the city limits. There are now 12 farms in the city cultivating more than 10 acres of formerly vacant land, according to Slow Food Baltimore , which promotes "locally sourced, environmentally and socially responsible" food for the community.  Proponents say they expect even more growth now that the city has trimmed its red...

Sunday, July 15 Festival The 19th annual Howard County Pow-Wow/American Indian Show and Festival, featuring American Indian dancers, singers, drummers, artists and crafters, and food concludes today at the Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship. Children's activities include pony rides, bow and arrow shooting, face painting, crafts and storytelling. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10; $6 for children ages 3-12. Information: 410-442-1022.

Dempsey's Brew Pub isn't quite a home run. But it is a solid hit — rounding the bases and heading for home. This newest addition to Camden Yards' eatery options, backed by legendary Oriole catcher Rick Dempsey, debuted on Opening Day this year. Housed in on the Eutaw Street side of the stadium, in the historic B&O warehouse, Dempsey's interior is a love letter to baseball, and the menu is a bar-food homage to Baltimore. The restaurant is open only to ticket-holders during home Orioles games.

Are there no limits on government's power, no places where it cannot go? New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a former (thankfully) Republican, has decided to limit food donations to city charities, including homeless shelters, because the government is unable to measure the nutritional value of the food. Who in city government believes that a homeless person with no access to money other than what he or she might panhandle cares about the nutritional content of food? If they are able to scrounge up a few bucks on the streets, does anyone seriously think they're headed to a grocery store to buy carrots and arugula?

Students and staff at Prince George's County Public Schools are celebrating National School Breakfast Week March 5 to 9 in partnership with Kellogg's cereal company, to increase nutrition awareness and help a local Feeding America food bank. For each school breakfast purchased by students during the week, Kellogg's will donate a bowl of cereal to a local food bank through its "Eat, Share, Prosper" program. According to school officials, Prince George's County public school serve an average of 170,000 breakfasts each week.

Harford County Executive David R. Craig and Harford County Government are partnering with the Postal Service to support the Harvest for the Hungry campaign. The local campaign is coordinated through the Harford Community Action Agency. "The annual Harvest for the Hungry campaign is a great opportunity for county employees, their families and friends to help support members of our community," Craig said in a press release. "The Harford Community Action Agency and the Harvest for the Hungry campaign do an outstanding job gathering food to support those in our community who turn to us for help in time of need.

InsideToday What they're saying Today's Sun Columnists Good golfer, bad husband? Should Tiger Woods be applauded for his high level of play at the U.S. Open after he left his pregnant wife in a hospital room after she developed complications? Sports baltimoresun.com/maese City Council slow to act If it's an emergency, why isn't there more action? The City Council takes on police understaffing. Maryland baltimoresun.com/marbella other voices Michael Sragow on `Harry Potter'Movies Today Junkyard SaintsThe band performs a free summer concert at Belvedere Square, York Road and Belvedere Avenue, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call 410-534-2353.

INSIDE TODAY WHAT THEY'RE SAYING TODAY'S SUN COLUMNISTS Bring links to Baltimore Maybe Tiger Woods would consider taking his golf tournament - which debuted this weekend in Bethesda - for a ride up the parkway to Baltimore. Sports baltimoresun.com/steele Labelle kicks back A review of the performance by soul sister Patti Labelle, Saturday night's headliner at the African-American Heritage Festival. TODAY baltimoresun.com/criticalmass OTHER VOICES Edward Gunts on architectureToday Michael Dresser on traffic troublesMaryland 5 THINGS TO DO TODAY FAIR TO MIDLAND -- The Dallas quintet, which recently released the CD Fables from a Mayfly, plays at the Recher Theatre, 512 York Road, Towson, at 7 p.m. 69 Eyes, Wednesday 13 and Night Kills the Day also perform.