Earth Day is Friday, April 22nd, and you know what that means...

It's high time to eat, drink and be merry -- with the help of all your friends and family. Yes, you could cook a big Earth Dinner for everyone on your block, but why not take the lazy way and get everyone to participate in an Earth Day potluck!

Here's what ya do:

1) Get out your address book and choose your favorite adventurous, thoughtful, creative and expressive guests. (Maybe create an evite.)

2) Have each person bring a dish made from organic ingredients, preferably from local sources like your neighborhood farmers' market. The more fresh, flavorful & colorful, the better! (Here're some seasonal recipes.)

3) Stock up on organic beverages, like... Purity Organic juices, Bison Brew organic beer, or Organic Wine Company wines. (You can pick some up at your local stores carrying organics.)

4) Download your very own beautifully-designed Earth Dinner Creativity Cards, by award-winning author Douglas Love, that can be used as a free-form dinner game or simple conversation sparker.

and/or

Order a powerful and funny 15-minute DVD called the "True Cost of Food". ($25 donation to the Organic Consumer's Association, 218-226-4164.)

5) Set up your dinner table in a cool, earthy way.

And voila! You're good to go.

"The Earth Dinner is a way for family and friends to come together to appreciate the remarkable role food plays in our lives, in our family's histories and on our planet. How and what we eat determines the health of the Earth." -- Theresa Marquez, the catalyst behind The Earth Dinner.

More about the presenters of Earth Dinner: Organic Valley.

Film: The Future of Food
Tue-Wed, 4/5/05-4/6/05, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Red Vic Movie House, 1727 Haight St. in SF
An in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled the U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade. The film examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what we eat and explores alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as the real solutions to the farm crisis today. Info: 415-668-3994.

Marin Conservation League's 71st Annual Dinner & Environmental Awards Ceremony
Fri, 4/8/05, 6:00pm
Mill Valley Community Center in Mill Valley; $50/person
MCL's Annual Dinner is an opportunity for MCL members and supporters to join old friends and make new ones during an evening featuring a reception, silent auction & dinner, MCL's annual environmental awards and keynote speaker Michael Straus. For more information, click the link above. To reserve a place, call (415) 485-6257 or email web@marinconservationleague.org.

Meet the Farmer: Helene Marshall of Marshall's Honey
Sat, 4/9/05, 10:30am - 11:30am
Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market, Ferry Building in SF; Free
Part of the CUESA Education Program. Get the lowdown straight from the producer!

Shop with the Chef: James Ormsby of Jack Falstaff
Sat, 4/9/05, 10:30am - 11:30am
Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market, Ferry Building in SF; Free
Part of the CUESA Education Program. See and taste the seasonal produce local chefs are buying and cooking!

Market Tasting: Spring Tonic Greens
Sat, 4/9/05, 12:00pm-12:45pm
Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market, Ferry Building in SF; Free

Celebrate COPIA's New Exploratory Kids' Garden
Sun, 4/10/05, 1:00pm-3:00pm
COPIA, 500 First St. in Napa; Free
In this specially-designed garden, youngsters and their adult companions are encouraged to see, smell, touch and taste plants that are grown for food, beauty and nourishment. It features fun, educational and exploratory areas, including the Gardeners' Shed; Herb, Flower and Vegetable Beds; a Fruit Tree Orchard; a Chicken Coop and Rabbit Hutch; a Habitat Walk; Compost Bins; and "Dig In," an area where children can dig and design their own mini-garden. Opening celebration includes tours, music, and face painting. Info: 707-265-5951, kidsgarden@copia.org.

Spring Lamb, Morels & Merlot: Mecca's Food & Wine Series,
Pt II
Tue-Sat, 4/12/05-4/16/05
Mecca Restaurant, 2029 Market St. in SF
Mecca and Exec. Chef. Stephen Barber present an a la carte menu featuring sustainably-raised lamb, morel mushrooms and Merlot. The week will also feature items from Chef Barber's signature, seasonal menu, featuring produce from their own Napa Valley farm, Tucker Ranch. (Click the link for details.)

Even a little snack. If you use these newsletters, use our website, or simply enjoy having delicious, organic food in the Bay Area, please support our programs that serve local, organic farms and the community. Om Organics is a project of the San Francisco Foundation - Community Initiative Funds, and can only continue with the help of contributions from conscientious people like you!

Any amount is appreciated!
You can make a donation:

• via Paypal.com: to donate@omorganics.org
• by credit card: via the SFF CIF donation page
• by check: "Om Organics: Project of SFF CIF", 225 Bush St. #500, SF, CA 94104

THANK YOU!