Green Tables

Green Tables is LDEI's initiative for chapters nationwide and internationally to develop activities supporting sustainable agriculture, nutrition and education.

• The Philadelphia Chapter's GT focus is Food Source, a market being developed where local farmers, chefs and other large quantity buyers can do business. To support the Food Source's building fund, the chapter raised $4,000 by being selected as the beneficiary of a local Whole Foods Market 5% Community Day.
• The LA Chapter's choice for GT is volunteering at an elementary school to create a garden.
• The New York Chapter's GT activity for this year is focused on raising funds for The Growing Connection, which was developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Central to The Growing Connection is the EarthBox, which uses breakthrough technology to grow high-value produce above ground in places where there is poor soil and little water or space. Resembling a large planter, the EarthBox is low-cost, low-maintenance, uses easily available local resources and consumes one-fifth of the water of in-ground irrigation. Use of the EarthBox has immediate positive nutritional impact for people otherwise unable to farm or to purchase food. It also helps kids learn sustainable food production, nutrition and entrepreneurship. With pilot sites in Africa, Latin America and across the USA, already TGC has created an international network of kids growing vegetables and sharing their experiences with each other over the internet and is also demonstrating a simple, low-cost solution to hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

Our goal in supporting this program is to raise $5,000 to purchase EarthBoxes for pilot sites in Africa. There are no administrative fees involved in distribution of the monies raised. All funds will go directly into the purchase of these boxes.

The GT Committee is now looking for auction items for a Summer fundraiser event to support The Growing Connection. Please contact Corinne Trang as soon as possible at ct@corinnetrang.com ("GT Auction" in the subject line), if you would like to donate an item(s) for the auction, or would like to make a money contribution. Your participation will be much appreciated.

Respectfully,

The LDE-NY Green Tables Committee