Ethical Eating Team

eet

Who we are:

The Ethical Eating Team, or E.E.T, is a forum for UUAA congregants to study and explore the many facets of ethical eating, and to contribute to the dialogue regarding the Statement of Conscience by the UUA. See Colleen Crawley's summary of the EETsubmitted to the UUA (March 1, 2010).

Mission Statement:

The UUAA Ethical Eating Team (EET) provides interested members, friends and the wider community with objective, comprehensive, current information needed to make informed ethical decisions about food. EET also provides support to put this information into personal practice and communityi projects.

What we have done:

On November 15, 2009 we held a World Café, where about 40 people worked together to answer these questions:

1.Why is ethical eating important or meaningful to you personally?

2. How is ethical eating a religious topic?

3. What events and activities related to ethical eating should we do at UUAA that would interest and excite you?

Here are the results of that exciting day:

1. Summary of Answers

2. Action Items

3. Photos of Event

See more of what we've done...

We have a table in the Social Hall after some services with books and articles and someone to answer questions on the 1st Sunday of the month. Join us there.

Coming Soon

Cooking Class: Taking the Mystique Out of Tofu
Sat., March 20, 10 am - noon in SGD Hallway & Kitchen
A vegetarian cooking class will betaught by Chris Kelly. The first time Chris cooked with tofu it was a disaster, but he kept trying and eventually developed some great recipes and important techniques. He will demonstrate several methods of cooking tofu in a fun hands-on course which includes tasting and sampling - from main dishes to desserts! Space is limited. REGISTRATION REQUIRED, $5 per person to cover grocery costs. Contact Colleen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to reserve your space.

Forum: "Real Time Farms"
Sunday, March 28, 1:00 - 2:15 pm in Emerson room.
Speaker: Karl Rosaen, UM alumnus who has recently returned to Michigan after several successful years in Silicon Valley, CA.Karl was co-developer of the Google Android. He gave all that up to start a business: RealTimeFarms.com, a website to help consumers find fresh, locally-grown food as it's available. Join us and discover why Karl has a passion for local food.

Calder Dairy Tour
Saturday, April 17, 1:30 pm (meeting 1st at UUAA at 12:30 pm). Details to follow.

Panel Discussion: Hunger Among Us
Sunday, May 9, 1:00 - 2:15 pm, FAHs Chapel

We hope to have a section of the Library with E.E.T. books.
If you have any used books in this category you'd like to donate, let us know!

Let's Take Action!

The following activities have been submitted as ways that EET can be involved in the community and the congregation. While we continue to study the various aspects of Ethical Eating, please consider volunteering for one of these worthwhile service projects. For more information, contact Colleen or Cathy.

TOWNE CENTRE PLAZA COMMUNITY GARDEN: We have been invited to join with the residents of this Ypsilanti housing complex for seniors and the disabled in expanding their small garden area. Last year, the garden project helped improve access to healthy food for the low-income residents, while providing opportunities for social engagement in an outdoor community setting. 1st UU member Mary Alice Helmic is a resident and she encourages us to help out in the areas of labor, mentoring and donations. They specifically need assistance in expanding the raised beds for the disabled residents.

AMERICAN HOUSE EARTH DAY PROGRAM: This Ypsilanti senior complex is looking for immediate help in putting together a presentation on local food, sustainable agriculture or some other theme. Resident and 1st UU member Don Pelz has invited us to participate in some way - suggestions included a short program, perhaps by a local farmer or other expert, a display, and an emphasis on local food. They are open to planning a menu around this theme with their chef. Earth Day is April 22, but it could also be on a date close to that.

FIRST UU GARDEN: YRUU, our senior high program, has expressed an interest in creating a garden on the land, while Merrill Crockett is developing a curriculum for 4th and 5th graders based on the Square Foot Garden. There are many more garden related projects unfolding, many of them to be discussed this Sunday, between services, at a presentation by John Erdevig. If you want to dig in the earth and support the congregation, there are plenty of opportunities.

Input:

We need your input to select new and enhance existing food justice projects 2010-2011.
UUAA members are already involved in CROP Walk, Growing Hope, Food Gatherers, Alpha House, Locavores and community/sustainable gardening on UUAA grounds. What Ethical Eating actions best suit our goals and capabilities, and your talents & enthusiasm?

Sign up to be on our new email list: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , whether you are focusing on ethical study, action or reflection. To sign up, give input on or help with events, or for questions contact Colleen or Cathy (see below).

Resources:

Read the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations Ethical Eating Study Guide.

Online Grist Magazine offers several features on school food.

Check out Cafeteria Confidential, by Ed Bruske - this is one article, but you can click on links to 5 other segments at the top.
Read a parable on the National School Lunch program.
How our food system is destroying the nation's most important fishery
The dark side of nitrogen
Whatever happened to the government's war on raw milk?

Questions, thoughts? Contact Colleen Crawley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Cathy Muha at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What else we've done:

Read and discussed Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food". The groups were facilitated by Stephanie Minerath and Paula Loewenhardt.*Read Stephanie's summary of the discussion.
Toured three area grocery stores. *Read summaries on the 3 tours: Whole Foods (Eisenhower Pkwy), Meijer (Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.), People's Food Co-op (4th Ave).
Had a panel discussion featuring several UUAA farmers. Jennifer Kangas, owner of a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and Dan Bair, project manager for several area initiatives, discussing "Sustainable Farming. See John Erdevig's summary on this important topic.
On Sunday, February 21, Alison Paine, horticulture expert, held a workshopasking: "What is Sustainable Farming?". More info on that to come.
Held a Reflection Brunch, where we reflected on what we've learned so far, and where we might go from here.
On Monday, March 1, author Janet Kauffman spoke on"The Rise of Industrial Livestock Factories (CAFOs) and the Impact on Communities and the Environment". Janet, author of "Trespassing: Dirt Stories & Field Notes", shared with us her thoughts and activism around CAFOs that are all around her farm in Hudson Township. The audience was very engaged! More details to come...

Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 March 2010 19:48