25th Pesto Feast: Massive Food Growing in the Urban Core

We need food that is free of pesticides, herbicides and genetic modification.  That’s why a lot of people grow their own food.  It’s why people buy from organic gardeners. 

Sylvester Brown, former columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and founder of the Sweet Potato Project, will be the keynote speaker at the 25th Great Green Pesto Feast.  He will remind us that food deserts in low income urban areas lack fresh fruits and vegetables.  Is it really possible to produce food for large numbers of people in cities?  If so, city farms may introduce urban youth to growing their own food.  Shared food growing could be an essential part of rebuilding decimated communities. 

All of us need an alternative to industrial agriculture that contaminates food and then overprocesses it to the point of having almost no nutritional value.  We may all need to be able to feed ourselves in the not-too-distant future.

This will be the quarter century anniversary of the Pesto Feasts.  Since 1991, Pesto Feasts of the Gateway Green Alliance have become well known for the wide variety of vegetarian food, including: Original Pine Nut Pesto, Great Green Walnut Pesto, Sharp Lemon Pesto, Cinnamon Pesto, Vegan Pesto, No Nut Pesto and Tomato Pesto.  Tomato sauce will abound for non-pesto eaters. 

The Greens are seeking additional vegetarian donations.  Tickets to the Pesto Feast are $25 at the door or $20 advance purchase.  To make a donation, purchase an advance ticket, or get more information, call 314-727-8554.  Also, see the Greens’ web site: www.gateway-greens.org. 

Would you just like to add your voice to the discussion?  There will be an open mike for everyone to participate.  Join us at the Pesto Feast, 6:00 pm, Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Brentwood Congregational Church, 2400 South Brentwood Blvd (at Litzsinger/Eulalie).