Rotarian Dee Elliot spoke to our club about the Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council. In 2015 The Lehigh Valley Food Council was launched by the Lehigh Valley United Way and 15 founding organizations to improve food security and support growth in the local food economy. Statistically, there are more than 69,000 people currently which are food insecure - many of which are children!
Key Council findings were that since 1930:
The Lehigh Valley lost 80% of its farms,
Lehigh Valley farmers can only produce food for 24% of the population,
8 Lehigh Valley communities have limited fresh food access,
The region lacks food infrastructure &
Locally grown food contributes an estimated $17 million annually to the local economy.
5 key components of the Food Council are a Common Agenda, Shared Measurement, Mutually Reinforcing Activity, Continuous Communications & a strong Backbone.
Key areas of focus are Food Access, Consumer Education, Community Farms & Gardens, Farming, Infrastructure and Logistics, Entrepreneurship, Food Recovery & Respect, Land Use & Farm to School.
Upcoming events may be found on their Facebook page.
Morning Star Rotary Celtic Classic 10K/5K Run/Walk was a total success! The weather cooperated, although quite cool compared to past years. The participants really enjoyed themselves - "the course is a great experience in differing terrains..." and look forward to next year. Special thanks to all our Morning Star Rotarians for your tremendous efforts to make this our 26th Run a success. And a shout out to all the volunteers who helped from Bethlehem Special Olympics and friends and families - Rotary Ann and Andy were in attendance! - and our newest members as well.
The Speaker next week is Sue Capobianco on the topic of Senior Living.
First Thursdays @ 5:30 will be held on 10/6 at Blue on Easton Ave. in Bethlehem on the patio. Our morning meeting will not be held on the 6th.
Motivational Quote of the week:
The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.
Ralph Waldo Emerson.
President Sharon, Rotary Serving Humanity
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