The art of food

At last Saturday's Proctor Farmers Market, a dozen artists -- members of the Proctor Art Gallery and others -- set up their easels and drawing boards to provide a demonstration of art in action. Donations and pledges received at the various artist booths will go to purchase fresh produce for the Northwest FISH Food Bank, which is located at Mason United Methodist Church, adjacent to the Market. In watercolors, oils, pencil, collage, and even wood, the artists created food- and market-themed works to the delight of the watching shoppers. So far the Art-a-Thon has raised more than $1200 in donations and pledges. Donations are still being accepted online and at the Proctor Art Gallery, located at 3811 N. 26th in Tacoma.

Below: At the Market, artist Brad Stave demonstrates his wood-turning technique in crafting a wooden spice jar.














At right: Proctor Art Gallery owner Carolyn Burt displays her painting technique. One of her finished images of the market is on the easel behind her.

Below: Painter Mary Mann sported a "Make Art, Not War" t-shirt as she worked on a still life of fresh Market produce.











Thanks so much to the Proctor Farmers Market, the Proctor Art Gallery, and all the wonderful participating artists who contributed their time and talent to make the Art-a-Thon such a success. Their efforts will make it possible for the families who come to Northwest FISH to have fresh, healthy produce as part of a nutritious diet.

Ensuring a safe food supply

Almost every week, it seems, the news media report another food product recall or an outbreak of food-borne illness. Here at FISH, as we work to provide nutritious food for all of our clients, we are also committed to keeping our food supply as safe as possible.

In March, President Obama established a Food Safety Working Group (FSWG), chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture, to coordinate Federal efforts and advise the administration on upgrading the national food safety system.

Just yesterday, the group announced its initial findings at a press conference headed by Vice President Biden. FSWG recommends three core principles:

• prioritizing prevention
  
• strengthening surveillance and enforcement
• improving response and recovery.

Read more about FSWG and its findings here.