Some news for you, and some hot petitions that need your signature!

Hey, did you read in the last Tasty Bites that San Francisco needs an organic ice creamery? Ask and it is given, babies: organically-oriented Bi-Rite Grocery in Dolores Park's mini-gourmet ghetto is opening up their Creamery Labor Day weekend.. At 3692 18th St./Dolores.

The Bay Area is overly-obsessed with new new new, but shh don't tell anyone..... Check out these new restaurants that are pro-organics. Most are new; a few are just new to our site. Either way, please show your support with your dining dollars:

Avenue G - Eclectic "San Francisco cuisine" in the Richmond from Chef Grant from Chaya and Betelnut, SF.
Bubba's Diner - All day breakfasts and casual gourmet dishes in San Anselmo.
Cafe de la Paz - One of the area's first Nuevo Latino and tapas restaurants, in the Gourmet Ghetto of Berkeley.
Guerilla Cafe - Breakfast & lunch paninis, soups, salads, gourmet waffles and more in Berkeley.
Luka's Taproom & Lounge - One of the coolest bars also serves organic Cal-French/Belgian fare, Oakland.
Mama Teresa's Ristorante - Just about 100% organic Italian food in San Anselmo.
PA~RAW~DISE - Raw vegetarian cuisine right near Union Square, SF.
Piatti Locali - Part of the Piatti chain, this location is passionate about local, organic ingredients, Mill Valley.
Prism Cafe - Neighborhood cafe dedicated to supporting local, organics w/ grilled sandos, salads, soups, pizzas and lasagna in Lake Merritt, Oakland.
Roosevelt's Tamale Parlor - Newly reopened with Karen Taylor from Primavera = Slow Food-philosophy reincarnation, SF.
Rue Saint Jacques - French cuisine with Californian flair in Nob Hill, SF.
Station House Cafe - Casual gourmet dishes (and bar) in beautiful Point Reyes Station.
Three Twins Ice Cream - 'Inconceivably delicious' organic ice cream in San Rafael.

Get contact info & view more organic restaurants

Did you hear about food advocate Michael Pollan's "friendly" rip on Whole Foods in his book Omnivore's Dilemma? And how Whole Foods' CEO John Mackey responded? (No? You can find links to the conversation in our recent Tasty Bites.)

Anywho, Whole Foods has just announced some exciting new initiatives, including buying from more local, sustainable growers, loaning money to small family farmers, raising its standards for humane animal producers, and setting up Sunday farmers' markets in some of their store parking lots! Way to go Mackey!

Increased demand for organics = good!
Check out how UK chef Jamie Oliver has caused a three-fold increase in their country's demand for organics... They say it's primarily from his TV shows simply showing what's in processed foods. Not to mention his previous coercion of the government to spend about $536 million more on school lunches. He's cool, his dishes are easy to make, and he continues to make change. Nice one.

Not enough supply for increased demand = bad!
The media keeps reiterating to us that yes indeedy, demand now outstrips supply in the U.S.

If only our government subsidized the farmers who grow what the public actually WANTS, instead of the mass-commodity agribusinesses growing what we can't even get rid of (hi, GMO corn, soy, etc.) Wow, wouldn't that be great? Seems so simple, and yet so difficult to implement...

Speak up!
Have an itch for smart economics and/or improving our dysfunctional farm policies? Speak your mind at the Farm Bill hearings taking place in California on August 1st! If you can't make it to Sac-town, you can submit comments via email.

On a happier note, there are many(!) organizations helping farms convert to organic practices. Just a few: CCOF and New Farm.

Takes 2 seconds... Every signature helps.

• Stop Dow Chemical from getting EPA approval for a fluoride-based food pesticide that's harmful to babies and children. Researched by National Academy of Sciences and Environmental Working Group. Due August 4th!
• Demand EPA remove toxic pesticides from the market that have been linked to cancer, neurological problems (including Parkinson's Disease), respiratory illness, and reproductive and developmental problems.
• Against large feedlot "organic" dairy farms that use questionable methods - includes Aurora, Horizon, Costco's Kirkland, Safeway "O", and others.
• Against Starbucks' use of rBGH milk
• Against Starbucks' use of GE and encouragement to use Fair Trade coffee

Check our organically-inclined Events page for more happenins as they are announced.

Stonefruit Menu at Millennium Restaurant - today is the last day!
Millennium Restaurant, 580 Geary St./Jones in SF
4-course prix fixe $45/person, $20/optional wine pair

2007 Farm Bill CA Listening Sessions
Tue, 8/1/06, 1:00pm
California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street in Sacramento; Free

Freshtopia.net Debut Party ~ Green. Organics. Sustainability.
Thu, 8/3/06, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Arc Cafe, 1890 Bryant. in SF; Free

2006 Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival
Fri-Sun, 8/4/06-8/6/06
Ramsay Park in Monterey; $2/adults, $1/kids under 12, Free/kids under 2

Slide Ranch: Farm Fun for the Whole Family
Sat, 8/5/06, 10:00pm-2:00pm
Slide Ranch, 2025 Shoreline Hwy. (aka Route 1) in two miles north of Muir Beach; $15 / $60 per family of four or more, (under 2 free), payable to Slide Ranch

Cooking Demo & Booksigning at the Point Reyes Farmers Market - Jessica Prentice, author of Full Moon Feast
Sat, 8/5/06, 10:30am
Point Reyes Farmers Market in Point Reyes; Free

Seasonal Cooking Demonstration ~ Robert Cubberly of Le Petit Robert
Sat, 8/5/06, 10:30am-11:30am
North Arcade of the Ferry Building in the teaching kitchen in SF; Free

Cooking Demo & Booksigning at the Modern Times Bookstore - Jessica Prentice, author of Full Moon Feast
Sat, 8/5/06, 2:00pm
888 Valencia St., in SF; Free

Cultivating Justice: Making The Connections btw Local Organic Farming and Food Justice
Sat, 8/5/06, 2:00pm
Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia St. in SF; Free

International Conference on The Future of Agriculture: Science, Stewardship and Sustainability
Mon-Wed, 8/7/06-8/9/06
Hyatt Regency in Sacramento; $250, students: $150, or news media: $200 (Note: prices are for early registration; check the site for info on last-minute pricing)

Grower's Dinner at Jack Falstaff - Mariquita Farm
Wed, 8/9/06
Jack Falstaff, 598 Second St. at Brannan in SF

Convert a Carnivore Day at Millennium
Wed, 8/9/06
Millennium Restaurant, 580 Geary St. in SF; 25% off!

Slow Food SF: Andy's Orchard Tour
Sat, 8/12/06, 10:15am
Andy's Orchard in Morgan Hill; Cost tbd

Straus Dairy Family Tour
Thu, 8/17/06, 12:00pm-2:00pm
Meet in Point Reyes; $15 MALT members / $ 20 non-members; $5 children ($45 families of 5 or more)

Vegetarian Cooking Class: "Hearty Italian Cuisine"
Sat, 8/19/06, 10:00am-1:00pm
First Unitarian Church, 685 14th St., @ Castro in Oakland; $45 plus $5 food/materials fee

Tomato Tasting, Cooking Demo & Book Signing at the Berkeley Farmers' Market
Sat, 8/19/06, 10:00am-3:00pm
Saturday Berkeley FarmersÕ Market, Center St. at MLK Jr. Way in Berkeley; Free

Doughty Dairy & Point Reyes Vineyard: Cheers to Wine & Milk
Sat, 8/19/06, 12:30pm-4:00pm
Meet at Point Reyes Vineyard Inn, 12700 Hwy. 1, two miles north of Point Reyes Station in Point Reyes; $35 MALT members / $ 45 non-members

Tour d’Organics Bike Ride: Sebastopol
Sun, 8/20/06
Sebastopol; $38-60

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!