Welcome to a fall season full of sustainable, local food activities, including several events at local schools. Here, Amanda Rieux leads students in a trust-building exercise at Mala'ai: The Culinary Gardens of Waimea Middle School.

Carlo Petrini, Rizzoli Ex Libris, New York, (Distributed by Random House) 2007

Originally published in Italian in 2005, Petrini's revolutionary manifesto is an absolute must-read, especially for those relatively new to food-sustainability, but also for old-timers in the movement. Petrini's genius is his enlightening and completely comprehensive analysis of the role of food systems ("from field to table") as the central and indispensable "cultural glue" that has from time immemorial (until the advent of industrial agriculture in the last century) held tribes, villages, communities, regions and nation states together in healthy relationships. He then cogently prescribes the remedy: a food system that is "good, clean and fair," and a culture that embraces "slowness" as one of its paramount values.

Ken Love and www.Hawaiifruit.net have released Hawaii Grown video segments on tips for harvesting, post-harvest care, marketing and producing quality tropical fruit. Find out what the chefs, grocers and wholesalers are looking for. Hard copies will be available soon for Hawaii Tropical Fruit Grower members.

Introduction

There are a very wide range of events coming up concerning all aspects of local food on the island. In this photo, North Kohala residents work on their local food self-reliance at a workshop in Kapa'au in March 2009. On August 22, North Kohala leads the way in food self-reliance preparedness with a Food Forum (see below for details).

Explore the roots of Hawaiian food culture in several events listed below. Pictured: Kumu Keala Ching with Ka Pa Hula Na Wai Iwi Ola at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau Cultural Festival in July 2006.