Saturday, January 26, has been designated a Global Day of Action, worldwide. In place of the annual World Social Forum convergence, in 2008, diverse social movements representing the interests of millions across the globe will express their shared conviction that “Another World is Possible.” A week’s worth of creative, independently organized activities in rural towns and urban centers worldwide will culminate in a Global Day of Mobilization and Action on January 26, 2008.

I am wondering what we Localvores might plan for this day (and week?) In keeping with the focus on local action, might we each plan an event in our own community? It could be a neighborhood Localvore potluck (or a Localvore lunch with work colleagues), the showing of a documentary, a book discussion, a brainstorm session that leads to a plan, etc.

I’ll tell you what I’d like to do: I’d like to invite my Green Street (Lebanon) neighbors for a Localvore potluck and brainstorm session. Lebanon has a Farmers market (and a Winter Farmers Market for the first time this year!) but there are no vegetable farms in Lebanon. (K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Shaw’s, Price Chopper, Penney’s, Staples, Home Depot, etc. gobbled up prime agricultural land.) What might we do to increase our ability to feed ourselves? A community garden? A community kitchen? A Stone Soup project? Plan a Green Street or Lebanon Garden Tour this summer? Plan Lebanon foraging trips? I’m hoping we can come up with a next-step project.

How about your own community - what’s are the plusses and what might be next steps toward greater food self-reliance, sustainability, security, health,  etc. I’d love to hear from you and will share the good ideas that you send . . . or you can share them yourself by registering and blogging at this site (see “Meta” section in menu)

I’d also like to share with you a quote from Cheryl King Fischer, Executive Director, New England Grassroots Environment Fund:

“Localvore groups are popping up all over the region as part of strategies to keep toxics out of our bodies, to address the global warming crisis, to build local living economies and a wide range of other issues. From independent businesses to “Peak Oil” folks, a call to “relocalize” our food supply is a concept that finds its roots in community gardening, farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture and “Buy Local” campaigns. Those who are battling the devolution of “organic” as it is being adopted by industrial agriculture need a new frame to expose the craziness associated with buying food grown thousands of miles away.

These groups all have a number of goals in mind, not the least of which are: a.) to stop wasting oil to transport food that could be grown locally; b) to support local family farmers; c) to keep more of our food dollars home; and d) to build security into a community’s food supply.

The LOCALVORE movement is giving us a community-based means to recapture control of our food supply and to open the door to much needed thinking and acting about supporting our local economies.

Let us take a lesson from nature and reshape our world around diversity. Thinking and acting LOCAL FIRST is central to freedom and independence – food security, energy security, economic security and our democracy. Take a LOCALVORE CHALLENGE and rediscover your community. Reach out and touch, or is it “taste,” tomorrow. Put community control back in your hands, my hands, our hands.” 

What ideas do you have for putting community control back in our hands?

Pat McGovern