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Madison fest will bring something to chew on

I am sure you have all seen that Dunkin’ Donuts ad that proclaims “America Runs on Dunkin.” While it is alarming to think with today’s constant on-the-go attitude that what keep this nation running are sugary baked goods and a large cup of coffee, the sad truth is too often we focus on what is easily accessible and do not look outside the Munchkins box for better options.

Fortunately, the Madison-based organization Research, Education, Action and Policy on Food Group (REAP) does just that by working to bring locally grown food to the dinner table. Over the next two days, they will be holding the Food for Thought Festival as a way to expose the public to all the opportunities we have to eat more pleasurably, healthy and sustainably.

As a nonprofit group, REAP is committed to programs that support local family farms, encourage sustainable agricultural practices, preserve the diversity and safety of our food supply and continue to make sure that people have access to fresh, healthy food.

One such program is the Food for Thought Festival, which will be kicking off its 10th anniversary with an informative forum Friday night at Agriculture Hall. Participating in this year’s forum is a very knowledgeable panel of speakers including Chef David Swanson of Braise on the Go Traveling Culinary School and keynote speaker Michael Ableman.

“[Michael] is a phenomenal fellow in many regards. He has travelled the world documenting, interviewing and taking photographs of really inspirational stories of people growing food in ways that are sustainable both for their communities and for the environment,” said Miriam Grunes, executive director of REAP.

Also speaking will be Kay Jensen of JenEhr Family Farm, a certified organic vegetable farm that grows 50 different vegetables of more than 120 varieties and raises pastured, chemical-free poultry. As a local farm, JenEhr takes pride in not only being more connected to the land but also with the people they feed.

“I want to talk about some of the issues that farmers who are selling produce directly are facing and a number of things that consumers can do to help out,” Jensen said. “When you support a local farm, you are not only contributing to local vendors but also supporting a whole system of employment which then allows those dollars to rotate more through the community.”

So what better way to show your support then to join the more than 5,000 people who will head to the festivities occurring this Saturday near Capitol Square? The plaza near Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. will be filled with booths from local organizations and businesses that will incorporate information, samples, games and contests to showcase what these groups are working on to promote a sustainable food system.

And, of course, there will be copious amounts of delicious local food. From maple cotton candy to ice cream to burgers to grilled cheese, REAP has pulled out all the stops to delight event goers with a wide variety of tastes.

“What we are trying to achieve is a celebration of all of the food work that is going on in our region, from our farms to the farmers’ market organizations to the hunger prevention organizations to the environmental organizations, and we really think we have done that with this festival,” Grunes said.

Visit reapfoodgroup.org for more information on event times and locations.