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Stories and Events in the WPSU Community

The opinions expressed in these blogs are solely those of the people who wrote them, and do not represent the views of WPSU or Penn State University.

Local Food Journey

The Triple E-A Approach to Climate Change

Posted by James Eisenstein on 04/25 at 07:17 AM

Many people, concerned about the environmental crisis and climate change, are signing petitions, contacting elected officials, contributing to organizations, and joining protest marches. The connection between undertaking such activities and making a real difference is indirect and tenuous. But thereâ€™s something you can do every day to make a real (albeit small) difference: Something if everyone did, could add up to a big impact.

People have to eat every day, and for those of us lucky enough to be able to afford sufficient food, we have the opportunity to make a difference through the choices we make about what food to purchase and eat.

Our food purchases and eating habits are so ingrained and routine that their implications for the climate in particular and the health of earthâ€™s life-sustaining processes generally go unnoticed. But making conscious food choices can have profound effects.

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Local Food Journey

Local Food Notes for April 21

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 04/21 at 08:58 AM

This week we have Way Fruit Farm’s Apple Blossom Festival, Elk Creek Cafe’s Earth Day 71 Mile Dinner, gardening stuff from The Garden nursery in Centre Hall, and herb tasting at Tait Farm.

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Local Food Journey

Forget what you think about ketchup and try Garden Secrets’ locally-made version

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 04/19 at 09:35 AM

Ketchup is one of those things that some people love and some people hate. Itâ€™s also something that people think they know based on years of limited options. To many people, ketchup (or catsup, but for the record weâ€™re going with ketchup) is either Huntâ€™s, Heinz, or store brand.

However, a Millheim entrepreneur has products that will change your concept of ketchup, and maybe even convert some ketchup haters. Linn Auman runs Garden Secrets, a maker of fantastic sauces that include chili sauce, mustards, pepper relish, barbecue sauce, and of course, homemade ketchup.

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Local Food Journey

What to plant, what not to plant?

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 04/14 at 09:21 AM

This week’s Local Food Notes include CSA signups, Lemont Farmers Market is looking for new vendors, Earth Day at Elk Creek Cafe, and a great deal at Mt. Nittany Winery.

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Local Food Journey

Crustless spring quiche celebrates local early vegetables

Posted by LacCreta Holland on 04/12 at 08:51 AM

Oh winter, you bring such comforting foods; soups, stews, hot chocolate to keep us warm! But we have waited patiently and now the springtime is here and we can start to eat like it!

Asparagus, onions, spinach. Such delicate vegetables. Soon we will start to see these spring vegetables at the farmers markets. So many people don’t know what to do with these veggies. Steam or boil them is usually the answer I hear from my cooking class students at Happy Valley Learn to Cook. But, to really get all the flavor out of these delights, feature them in a main course like this Crustless Spring Quiche. Added to ingredients you probably already have in your refrigerator, this is an easy recipe that anyone can make.

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Local Food Journey

Local Food Notes for April 7

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 04/07 at 10:12 AM

This week’s Local Food Notes features Mike McGrath’s weekend appearances to benefit WPSU, Way Fruit Farm’s Easter hams and baked goods and how to order them, how Tait Farm can help make your Easter table shine, and a fantastic music set at Elk Creek Cafe and Aleworks Saturday night.

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Local Food Journey

You Bet Your Garden’s Mike McGrath’s in town this weekend…five reasons to go see him!

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 04/05 at 08:13 AM

If you are a gardener and a WPSU listener, chances are quite good that you’ve heard of Mike McGrath. The long-time garden writer has a fantastic show “You Bet Your Garden” that runs Sundays at 11:00 a.m. on WPSU. He’s coming to State College this weekend for a Friday evening dinner and a Saturday morning talk, both benefitting WPSU.

Mike’s show is like an hour-long clinic on organic gardening and lawn care. People call his show with questions about pest removal, sick plants, best kinds of tomatoes, etc. He will be here for two events, which include a Friday evening dinner and Saturday morning talk. Tickets are still available. This is going to be a great weekend for Central PA gardeners, and here’s five reasons why:

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