Palatine library program looks at what we eat
A book on the challenges and benefits of eating only locally grown food is the focus of February’s One Book programs at the Palatine Public Library.
Noted author Barbara Kingsolver, who wrote “The Poisonwood Bible, and her family decided to go cold turkey on store-bought food and tell all about the experience in the book “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life.” She cowrote the book with husband Stephen L. Hopp and daughter Camille Kingsolver.
“One Book is a unique opportunity for the community to read and experience a great book together,” library Director Susan Strunk said of the annual event. Programs at the library will highlight opportunities to learn about local eating, cooking and gardening.
The author writes of how her family establishes a big vegetable garden, prepares to raise chickens and turkeys, and gets to know the farmers in their county, who can supply them with food. The book is in turns funny, reflective, sobering and informative. Their story is supplemented by informational sidebars on the economics of food production, marketing, and practical seasonal recipes.
“This book has made a difference in my cooking life, and I hope it will do the same for others,” said Gwenyth Udd, staff librarian, who will be leading the book discussions. “After I read it, I started shopping at the farmers market in the summer. Then I took another step and learned how to do canning from library cookbooks, so we can eat local food in the winter.”
For information on the following events or to sign up, call (847)-358-5881, ext. 132, or visit palatinelibrary.org.
Ÿ Reader discussions: 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1; 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22; and 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27. Share your thoughts about the book. Check out a copy of the book at the Reader Assistance Desk when you sign up for the discussion.
Ÿ Video: “Food Inc.,” 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2. The dark side of fast food, challenges for change, and signs of hope. You’ll never look at dinner the same way again. Not recommended for children.
Ÿ Panel discussion: “Local Food: Available and Delicious,” 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8. John Heaton of Knupper’s Nursery, George Economos of Whole Foods Market and Lauren Hummel of Palatine Township High School District 211 talk about community resources for local food.
Ÿ Cooking program: “Bring the Best of the Midwest to Your Table,” 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10. The culinary team from Whole Foods Market will create an easy meal using organic ingredients.
Ÿ Keynote speaker: Terra Brockman, 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13. Hear about organic family farming in Illinois from the author of “The Seasons on Henry’s Farm: A Year of Food and Life on a Sustainable Farm.” Her educational nonprofit organization, The Land Connection, focuses on training farmers, saving farmland, and empowering consumers to supply healthy food now and for future generations.
Ÿ Gardening: “Fabulous Homegrown Vegetables,” 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24. Take part in a hobby that’s exploding in popularity — vegetable gardening. Mark Lyons covers everything from site selection, soil preparation and seed-starting, through fertilization, watering, pest control and harvest.
Ÿ Video: “Fresh: New Thinking about What We’re Eating,” 2 to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. Success stories about sustainable agriculture and urban farming, celebrating the farmers and business people across America who are reinventing our food system.