Four the Future - October 28

Foodies, rejoice! Home grown chickens, new local restaurants, community gardens, and, sadly, more diabetes to come?

• Council broods over looser chicken regulations for Valley
  Source: Spokesman-Review; September 25, 2010
  Summary: A citizen requested that the Spokane Valley City Council expand the number of places where chickens can be raised. Currently, it is restricted to lots of at least 40,000 square feet (almost an acre). There are currently 1,300 single-family lots of that size, and code enforcement receives one or two complaints a month.
  Opinion: First, city dwellers, you do not need a rooster for eggs. You only need hens for that. If you want more chickens, then, that is when you need roosters...and a lot more distance between you and your neighbors. Odor can be a problem, so the city should be prepared to enforce strict hygiene standards. Second, city dwellers, it is crazy that there are 1,300 single-family residences of one acre or larger in a city. But, the history is that they were in existence prior to the Growth Management Act, so there are few things that can be done about it now except prevent the creation of more. But, I'm not sure that Spokane Valley is committed to that concept.
  
• Tripling of diabetics possible
  Source: Spokesman-Review; October 23, 2010
  Summary: If current trends continue, there may be a tripling of the number of diabetics in America by 2050, up to one third of all adults. While part of the increase is due to diabetics living longer, much of it is due to obesity rates.
  Opinion: Hey, what if there were an alternative to all the fatty, sugary foods we eat? Hmmm....
• Shared farming program harvests food, community
  Source: Spokesman-Review; October 24, 2010
  Summary: An acre of surplus land that was doing nothing but being mowed was converted to gardens this year to benefit the Dalton Gardens community. A group recruited 30 "shareholders," half paying $200 up front, the income-qualifying other half paying nothing. Then, all participants received a box of produce every other week all summer. The income-qualifying families paid just $10 per box of food. First-graders from Dalton Elementary participated by planting the pumpkins and came back as second-graders to harvest them.
  Opinion: Educational, local, organic urban farming which supports the efforts of local food banks. Seriously, how do you beat that? And, the waiting list is long. I know of several acres owned by Vera Power and Water at 16th and Sullivan. All it is doing is being irrigated and mowed. Where is the local underutilized lot in your neighborhood? Is it yours? (Hey, Angie Foltz: I know you have something to say about this!)
  
• Despite slow economy, new eateries are springing up all over
  Source: Spokesman-Review; October 24, 2010
  Summary: There are a large number of new restaurants opening in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region. People are beginning to go out again, especially to neighborhood locations. Banks are supplying funds to people who are attempting to get jobs by creating them, provided they have management experience.
  Opinion: A weak economy with people looking for paradigm-changing food choices will mean many restaurant failures. That, in itself, is nothing new. But, humbly, I recommend that these new restaurateurs attempt to leverage the local, organic movement just in case. It will capture those people who want it, but have not found the way to achieve it just yet. Better yet, make sure you have a garden, and show people how you connect to it! Show me the money freshly grown vegetables!